Changing ashram
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 24 June 2013, Czech Summer Camp, Slovakia. Srimad Bhagavatam 8.2.33)

CartwheelsSometimes, a household life is compared to a deep dark well, in the scriptures. So it maybe that one is a brahmacari or brahmacarini and then one feels, “I cannot do this anymore. It is time to get married.”

Some people, when they get married, they go to a deep dark well and they dive in head first! They think that, “Oh, now I am changing ashram, now I am really going to do it and go straight down to the bottom.” But that is not intelligent.

Generally speaking, in these wells – I have seen many in India – they usually have some brackets inside that are made like levers so that maintenance work can be done. So there is no need to go to the bottom; one can keep a strong spiritual culture. In fact, that is the idea, that in the brahmacari or brahmacarini ashram we are cultivating good spiritual habits and then we maintain them in our household attachment. Because after all, we do not forget the long-term goal. All right, we want something in this life but, we cannot risk that we lose our opportunity for going back to godhead.

In some letters or in some other occasions when speaking about the household ashram, Srila Prahbupada made statements like, “Fifty percent less chance of going back to godhead,” or sometimes even stronger statements. So what can we say? The grhasta ashram is also meant for going back to godhead, all the ashrams are meant for that purpose and that is what we are doing.

Yesterday we had initiations but initiation into what!? Initiation into the process that takes us back to godhead! So that should be our result. We should always act in such a way that we are faithfully on the path back to godhead, from the very beginning of spiritual life.

When we are new and when we accept the four regulative principles, sixteen rounds, we are under the directions of the spiritual master and other spiritual authorities, then we are on the path back to godhead and we must stay there our whole life - no detours in the forest or in the hills, no vacations. No we must stay within the boundaries of Krsna consciousness.

 

Brisbane Rathayatra
→ Ramai Swami

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This year the Brisbane temple community observed the Jagannatha Rathayatra in the nearby park at the bottom of the hill. This park has been developed by the city council to facilitate nice water, lawn and playground areas for families.

The deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra rode majestically in a special purpose built cart for Their pleasure. It was not a big cart, but Their Lordships looked happy being pulled by hundreds of chanting and dancing devotees on various pathways around the park.

This year the weather was a little drizzly but that didn’t dampen the mood of the ecstatic devotees. At the end a sumptuous feast was served back at the temple. Lord Jagannatha Ki Jaya!

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Monday, July 15th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Apurva and Me

Toronto, Ontario

Our cook Apurva just loves moving his feet after the morning arati. He’ll do it alone as he often times has to, but when I’m around it will be a routine question from him, “Are we going?” I don’t decline very often unless I’ve already tackled the sidewalk and put in some kilometres before the arati. So this morning we left for a jaunt in the Annex area.

Apurva came to me with a different question now, “Can you cook?” Meaning the noon cooking, a rather substantial amount which includes doing some preps for Govinda’s, our vegetarian dining facility open to the public. He knows I have a passion for culinary activities, and with all the aftermath of a 2 day intensive festival just behind us, he had become a bit short staffed.

Cruel as I was, I actually passed on this one, even though he came to me as a desperado. I committed the sin and felt the weight of guilt with initial apprehension. I should have sprung up in enthusiastic anticipation. It was short notice, I was caught off guard, and it met with a stunning mode. I really don’t like to let someone down, especially him, but I had to be honest about my availability. Fortunately we both got off the hook so to speak, when in the moment of ‘what to do’ a person volunteered. Apurva had a sigh of relief.

I like cooking almost as much as I like eating, in fact, I was flattered when at my last kitchen endeavour I put together a veg and spice concoction
and Apurva began tailgating me for the recipe. I say that with affection. The prep was tasty by the way, a squash and cauliflower combination.

In conclusion to this simple narrative I simply want to say that I really appreciate all that my god brother Apurva does, everything from his walking to cooking to being a stalwart at morning arati, meditation, studying , to orchestrating kitchen work and finally to being a good friend and always wanting to keep in the company of those who reflect an inkling of what is spiritual.

Thanks, Apurva, for being who you are.

12 KM

Monday, July 15th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Apurva and Me

Toronto, Ontario

Our cook Apurva just loves moving his feet after the morning arati. He’ll do it alone as he often times has to, but when I’m around it will be a routine question from him, “Are we going?” I don’t decline very often unless I’ve already tackled the sidewalk and put in some kilometres before the arati. So this morning we left for a jaunt in the Annex area.

Apurva came to me with a different question now, “Can you cook?” Meaning the noon cooking, a rather substantial amount which includes doing some preps for Govinda’s, our vegetarian dining facility open to the public. He knows I have a passion for culinary activities, and with all the aftermath of a 2 day intensive festival just behind us, he had become a bit short staffed.

Cruel as I was, I actually passed on this one, even though he came to me as a desperado. I committed the sin and felt the weight of guilt with initial apprehension. I should have sprung up in enthusiastic anticipation. It was short notice, I was caught off guard, and it met with a stunning mode. I really don’t like to let someone down, especially him, but I had to be honest about my availability. Fortunately we both got off the hook so to speak, when in the moment of ‘what to do’ a person volunteered. Apurva had a sigh of relief.

I like cooking almost as much as I like eating, in fact, I was flattered when at my last kitchen endeavour I put together a veg and spice concoction
and Apurva began tailgating me for the recipe. I say that with affection. The prep was tasty by the way, a squash and cauliflower combination.

In conclusion to this simple narrative I simply want to say that I really appreciate all that my god brother Apurva does, everything from his walking to cooking to being a stalwart at morning arati, meditation, studying , to orchestrating kitchen work and finally to being a good friend and always wanting to keep in the company of those who reflect an inkling of what is spiritual.

Thanks, Apurva, for being who you are.

12 KM

TEXAS FAITH 106: Do the political comebacks of scandal-marred politicians mean we’re forgiving or indifferent?
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

Dallas Morning News,
Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.

Whatever happened to shame? It wasn’t that long ago that a politician tainted by a sex scandal or caught cheating on a spouse was finished in public life. But a couple of political comebacks this year illustrate how things have changed. Two years after he resigned from Congress for sending a sexually suggestive picture of himself to a follower on Twitter, Anthony Weiner is in contention for mayor of New York City. Eliot Spitzer abandoned the state’s governor’s race in 2008 in disgrace following reports he frequented high-end prostitutes. He could be the city’s next controller.

And they’re not alone. Mark Sanford was elected to Congress in South Carolina after admitting an affair in 2009. David Vitter overcame scandal when his name showed up on the customer list of the “D.C. Madam” in 1999, winning reelection to the Senate and is at the top of the GOP list to be the next governor of Louisiana. And Bill Clinton, despite the White House intern scandal, is more popular than ever.

What’s happened? What does it say about the culture that behavior once considered inappropriate or indecent, doesn’t pack the same punch it once did. Are we more understanding, more willing to forgive? Or have we just become indifferent? In politics and religion, no narrative is more powerful than the backslider redeemed. But there’s another tradition in politics: we hold the leaders we elect to office to certain standards and believe that failure to meet those standards has consequences.

Here’s this week’s question: What do recent political comebacks by scandal-tarred politicians say about our culture? Have we become more tolerant and forgiving or grown more callous and indifferent

NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 

In the past, duty was of importance. Duty means acting in such a way that is helpful to everyone. By the influence of time, people have become more and more selfish and therefore concepts such as duty cannot even be conceived of by the common man. Selfish life has now become the norm.

The ancient Mahābhārata describes that in the days of yore, political leaders would gladly give up their life rather than go against their vows. For this reason and others the citizens experienced a parental relationship between the leaders and themselves. A genuine feeling of care.

The more we connect with Krishna, God (God has many names), the more we feel satisfied. Thus the propensity of selfishness gradually recedes. This connection can easily by established by calling on God’s holy names such as Hare Krishna.

A leader with selfless standards inspires their citizens with the greatness of selfless love.

To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.

TEXAS FAITH 106: Do the political comebacks of scandal-marred politicians mean we’re forgiving or indifferent?
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

Dallas Morning News,
Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.

Whatever happened to shame? It wasn’t that long ago that a politician tainted by a sex scandal or caught cheating on a spouse was finished in public life. But a couple of political comebacks this year illustrate how things have changed. Two years after he resigned from Congress for sending a sexually suggestive picture of himself to a follower on Twitter, Anthony Weiner is in contention for mayor of New York City. Eliot Spitzer abandoned the state’s governor’s race in 2008 in disgrace following reports he frequented high-end prostitutes. He could be the city’s next controller.

And they’re not alone. Mark Sanford was elected to Congress in South Carolina after admitting an affair in 2009. David Vitter overcame scandal when his name showed up on the customer list of the “D.C. Madam” in 1999, winning reelection to the Senate and is at the top of the GOP list to be the next governor of Louisiana. And Bill Clinton, despite the White House intern scandal, is more popular than ever.

What’s happened? What does it say about the culture that behavior once considered inappropriate or indecent, doesn’t pack the same punch it once did. Are we more understanding, more willing to forgive? Or have we just become indifferent? In politics and religion, no narrative is more powerful than the backslider redeemed. But there’s another tradition in politics: we hold the leaders we elect to office to certain standards and believe that failure to meet those standards has consequences.

Here’s this week’s question: What do recent political comebacks by scandal-tarred politicians say about our culture? Have we become more tolerant and forgiving or grown more callous and indifferent

NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 

In the past, duty was of importance. Duty means acting in such a way that is helpful to everyone. By the influence of time, people have become more and more selfish and therefore concepts such as duty cannot even be conceived of by the common man. Selfish life has now become the norm.

The ancient Mahābhārata describes that in the days of yore, political leaders would gladly give up their life rather than go against their vows. For this reason and others the citizens experienced a parental relationship between the leaders and themselves. A genuine feeling of care.

The more we connect with Krishna, God (God has many names), the more we feel satisfied. Thus the propensity of selfishness gradually recedes. This connection can easily by established by calling on God’s holy names such as Hare Krishna.

A leader with selfless standards inspires their citizens with the greatness of selfless love.

To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.

Why work harder than the animals for what the animals get?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

People are being educated and trained to work very hard for sense gratification. and there is no sublime aim in life. A man travels to earn his livelihood. leaving home early in the morning, catching a local train and being packed in a compartment. He has to stand for an hour or two in order to reach his place of business. Then again he takes a bus to get to the office. At the office he works hard from nine to five; then he takes two or three hours to return home. After eating, he has sex and goes to sleep. For all this hardship, his only happiness is a little sex. Yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham. Rsabhadeva clearly states that human life is not meant for this kind of existence, which is enjoyed even by dogs and hogs. Indeed, dogs and hogs do not have to work so hard for sex. A human being should try to live in a different way and should not try to imitate dogs and hogs. The alternative is mentioned. Human life is meant for tapasya, austerity and penance. By tapasya, one can get out of the material clutches. When one is situated in Krsna consciousness, devotional service, his happiness is guaranteed eternally.

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.1 purport

Come Dance With Us!
→ travelingmonk.com

Our harinama party has taken on new dimensions as people on the streets cannot resist the opportunity to chant and dance along with us. Such is the power of the holy names to melt the hearts of all those of come in touch in with them. We feel so blessed to be part of these [...]

Relationship With Chanting
→ Japa Group

Hare Krsna my dear devotees, I hope your weekend was full of blessings and you could be able to concentrate on your japa.

Everyone has a different relationship with chanting and when they connect with the process strongly, they usually feel protected or comfortable. I talked to someone today and she said she takes shelter of the Holy names when she has strong fear and feel all the protection coming from chanting. Another person chants because the names of the Lord reminds this person of the amazing pastimes of the Lord, maybe others chant to connect with the spiritual master and to be always reminded how amazing Harinama initiation is on the path of devotional service.

Whatever is our relationship with chanting, we will always be grateful to have got this chanting.

Hoping your week is full of realizations.

your servant,

Aruna devi

Relationship With Chanting
→ Japa Group

Hare Krsna my dear devotees, I hope your weekend was full of blessings and you could be able to concentrate on your japa.

Everyone has a different relationship with chanting and when they connect with the process strongly, they usually feel protected or comfortable. I talked to someone today and she said she takes shelter of the Holy names when she has strong fear and feel all the protection coming from chanting. Another person chants because the names of the Lord reminds this person of the amazing pastimes of the Lord, maybe others chant to connect with the spiritual master and to be always reminded how amazing Harinama initiation is on the path of devotional service.

Whatever is our relationship with chanting, we will always be grateful to have got this chanting.

Hoping your week is full of realizations.

your servant,

Aruna devi