Experiencing Krishna while Living in the World
→ Karnamrita.das's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer)
Krishna is the taste of water photo Krishnaisthetasteofwater_zps85d68b30.jpg [Originally published on July 1, 2013, though the topic is timeless, the endeavor constant]Two of the top difficult things to understand—out of many—for new readers of Bhagavad gita are the personhood of Krishna, and his Universal Form. Of course they are related, since Krishna reveals that the Universal Form comes from him, and is a manifestation of his energy as the material world. In particular this display of the Universal Form (there are others), though inspiring to show the greatness and inconceivableness of God, is also at times ghastly and fearsome, and as a form of time, “the destroyer of the worlds,” all of which may be disconcerting. While Krishna is both the creation and annihilation of everything he is also the seed of all existence, the life of all that lives, and the soul of our souls, so we have to look at the whole picture before being able to evaluate who Krishna is.

Krishna could have demonstrated his nature as the creator and maintainer by showing baby animals, lovely human children, beautiful scenes in Nature, the universe being incredibly sustained and flourishing, but specifically to get Arjuna’s attention, he wanted to encourage Arjuna in his duty of fighting by showing him that the great warriors he had to fight were already killed by Krishna’s power--in fact we all must die, our bodies that is, at our allotted time. For conditioned living beings, the Universal Form teaches us that the material world is temporary, and not really suitable for eternal souls to live, since bodies, planets, and the entire Universe are constantly changing, and will ultimately be vanquished. The point is that Krishna is present in all things and, through his energy, is everything. His greatness is all-sided and unlimited, manifested in the subatomic dimension and as the whole universe—in the micro and macro-cosmic level. For us imperfect and limited souls, he can be experienced in what we can observe. Though we can’t perceive his spiritual form, or even our own souls, we can, by the grace of the Bhagavad Gita, Shrimad Bhagavatam, and the mercy of the devotees who live by such revealed Vedic literature, “see” him, specifically in “…all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations…”[ Bg 10.41].

In what follows I will share some highlights of these manifestations of Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita, which is another version of the Universal Form, or Krishna’s material form.

read more

Experiencing Krishna while Living in the World
→ Karnamrita.das's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer)
Krishna is the taste of water photo Krishnaisthetasteofwater_zps85d68b30.jpg
Two of the top difficult things to understand—out of many—for new readers of Bhagavad gita are the personhood of Krishna, and his Universal Form. Of course they are related, since Krishna reveals that the Universal Form comes from him, and is a manifestation of his energy as the material world. In particular this display of the Universal Form (there are others), though inspiring to show the greatness and inconceivableness of God, is also at times ghastly and fearsome, and as a form of time, “the destroyer of the worlds,” all of which may be disconcerting. While Krishna is both the creation and annihilation of everything he is also the seed of all existence, the life of all that lives, and the soul of our souls, so we have to look at the whole picture before being able to evaluate who Krishna is.

Krishna could have demonstrated his nature as the creator and maintainer by showing baby animals, lovely human children, beautiful scenes in Nature, the universe being incredibly sustained and flourishing, but specifically to get Arjuna’s attention, he wanted to encourage Arjuna in his duty of fighting by showing him that the great warriors he had to fight were already killed by Krishna’s power--in fact we all must die, our bodies that is, at our allotted time. For conditioned living beings, the Universal Form teaches us that the material world is temporary, and not really suitable for eternal souls to live, since bodies, planets, and the entire Universe are constantly changing, and will ultimately be vanquished. The point is that Krishna is present in all things and, through his energy, is everything. His greatness is all-sided and unlimited, manifested in the subatomic dimension and as the whole universe—in the micro and macro-cosmic level. For us imperfect and limited souls, he can be experienced in what we can observe. Though we can’t perceive his spiritual form, or even our own souls, we can, by the grace of the Bhagavad Gita, Shrimad Bhagavatam, and the mercy of the devotees who live by such revealed Vedic literature, “see” him, specifically in “…all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations…”[ Bg 10.41].

In what follows I will share some highlights of these manifestations of Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita, which is another version of the Universal Form, or Krishna’s material form.

read more

Newcastle Food for Life
→ Ramai Swami

20130702-084138.jpg

20130702-084224.jpg
The city of Newcastle has a population of over half a million people and is situated about two hours north of Sydney. It was once the headquarters of mining giant BHP, which has now ceased most of its operations.

The city is the country regional hub for the Hunter Valley with more than a million people living in the area. It has a big university that caters to local students as well as students from nearby towns.

For many years we operated a restaurant, shop and preaching centre in the city central. However, a big development company bought out the city block where our restaurant was located and made us an offer we couldn’t refuse.

In the beginning of June we purchased a shop with two apartments at back in the Mayfield area of Newcastle. This is just a ten minute drive from the university where we operate a Vegie club 4 or 5 times a week. Many students who eat at the Vegie club visit our farm at Millfield.

Over the next few months we will set up the shop as a Hare Krishna Food for Life premises, where we will cater for the Vegie Club as well as provide cheap meals from the shop itself. We will also hold regular Kirtan, prasadam and lecture classes from there.

20130702-084257.jpg

Setting A Goal For Chanting
→ Japa Group

Hare Krsna my dear devotees. I received a letter from a devotee asking about proper pronunciation and I could tell him how important is to slow down in chanting and make sure you listen to your voice chanting.

Speed comes naturally and the main thing is chanting your rounds with the mind focused in the mantra. Today I had a nice experience with that - we need to set a goal in chanting and I did that today.

I set this goal of chanting a certain number of rounds without stopping for anything, just focus on the mantra and go on, any time my mind tried to force me to do something else I ignored and kept on chanting, until my goal was fulfilled and my rounds finished. I felt so good after that and I felt I could control my mind any time just because the mantra was in charge of that.

Hoping you have a great week of chanting.

your servant,

Aruna devi

Creation of the Universe
→ Bhagavatam By Braja

The 5th chapter of Srimad Bhagavatam’s Second Canto gives a fascinating, intriguing description of how the All-Attractive creates the primordial universe. Here is a footnote from the manuscript I am currently working on:

Text [2.5.]21 explains that the All-Attractive desires to be many, because its inherent nature is bliss – which is enjoyed in the form of love, which requires relationships, which requires multiple independent beings. The All-Attractive causes many beings to manifest from itself as a result of its own “magic” or mystical power (māyā) using three tools, time, destiny, and psychology.

Text 22 elaborates on this. It states the All-Attractive becomes the Puruṣa (a.k.a. Viṣṇu) to use these tools upon our “material world.” He uses time (kāla) as a catalyst to activate (vyatikara) the three qualities (guṇa). He then uses psychology (svabhāva) to stimulate evolutions (pariṇāma) within those qualities. “Psychology” refers to the various unique predilections and preferences of the various unique living entities who will populate the world. Then, the destiny (karma) that arises from the living entities psychological interaction with the three qualities causes the world to evolve out of the abstract realm and become the primeval form of the tangible universe (mahāt-tattva).


Friday, June 28th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Touchdown

Saskatchewan/Hwy 3/18

I never feel like I'm in some major league,nor that I'm in theplayoff, but I believe I'm in a good team and that today we made a touchdown.

With japa beads in hand and the maha-mantra on my tongue and lips, the milestone was reached by completing on foot the province of Manitoba. We made a touchdown.

It was obscure. A mere simple sign on Highway 3 that indicates that we are now in Saskatchewan. All seems the same though from an external point of view. It's the same asphalt but the nomenclature changes. It's now highway #18.

To witness the event were the spectators themselves. What would not be a more appropriate group of viewers than a herd of bison, the provincial animal whose insignia is stamped on each highway sign. Nole, just east of Pierson, a village of 140 population, 6 kilometres shy of the border, a group of the beautiful beasts went to a stunned "freeze" when they heard my feet grip the gravel and then decided to go for an intermission from feeding. In other words, they turned their backs on me and went to the far reaches of the field. At least they demonstrated solidarity.

And get a load of this - less than one kilometre before reaching the finish-line, the border, two moose gawked at Daruka, with camera in position and Billie, the parrot on his shoulder. They went the way of the buffalo. "These are humans. Let's get outta here!"

As far as humans go, a good number of passers-by in mostly trucks of canola, wheat, cattle growers and oilfield workers, did stop and cheerlead in their own way. "Keep it up," they said.

So now Daruka and I were left to celebrate with strawberry milkshakes and then make a 3 hour drive to White City for an evening house program of CEC, chat, eat and chant.

20 KM

Thursday, June 27th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Bliss On The Trail

Melita, Manitoba

Daruka and I really relish tenting at camp-sites as a way to accommodate ourselves. We like the simple life and the slight roughing-it-up.

The daily showers and swim cleanses and provides water to the body, which it craves, being exposed to the open sun and wind. Furthermore, H2O soothes the stiff leg muscles which are engaged in repeated action.

The soles of the feet and around the ankles have become somewhat raspy due to dead skin forming. They are not exactly like sandpaper; maybe a little more like velcro and have a tendency to stick to the inner layer of my sleeping-bag, and, when changing into my dhoti (lower monk robe), the cloth tends to hug the feet. I applied pumice to the feet and that makes a difference; a vigorous rubbing.

Now for today's trek: I began at 4AM and practically shcoked the hell out of these guys working for the oil rigs. First of all, who walks in the remote prairie and at this hour? Secondly, the wind enhances a ghostly flow of the vestments.

But what a nice break it was walking a trail with no asphalt! Call it ecstasy where for a full 9 hours your soles get a free reflexology session, gently rolling over stones. And what a joy it was seeing and hearing these coots (mud-hens is the slang) for the first time in my life. And what humour and warmth it brought to my heart to view the puzzled look on an elderly prairie farmer's face in his pickup truck when he saw my alien-self.

Yes, it was the road less traveled (Road 12 North) but it was the short-cut and it saves me 20 kms had I follwed the silly highway.

By God (Krishna's) grace today I managed my old daily average of 40 kms. "Yahoo!" Better still, "Haribol!"

40 KM

REFLECTIONS ON ASKING EXCELLENT QUESTIONS
→ Gita Coaching

By Mayapur dasa - London

HOW MAY I SERVE YOU TODAY?

One question I sometimes ask Srila Prabhupada or Krsna in the morning is: 

How may  I serve today?

The first time I asked this question, some years ago, the whole day went by without any sign of service. After work, I went to temple for 9pm arti, but still nothing. On my way home, I walked past Leceister square (Central London). There, my attention was drawn to a man asking people around him “do you want this?” and he had this book that nobody wanted. So he consequently threw it in a nearby refuse bin before walking away. As the book flew into the bin, I thought I recognized the burgundy and gold cover but was not sure. So I went over and looked into the bin and was astonished to see a Srimad Bhagavatam. The book was still in very good condition and had not been spoilt by the contents of the bin. I picked it up, and fully understanding what Krsna wanted me to do, went to a friend’s house in Golders Green (North London) and gave it to him as a gift. I then went home peaceful, having accomplished my allocated service for the day.

IF YOU DON'T ASK
If you don’t ask, you don’t know.
If you don’t know, you remain ignorant.
If are ignorant, you suffer.
If you suffer, you must ask.
If you don’t ask …

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION
When devotees hesitate to ask a question, they often describe it as a “stupid question”. This usually means they are afraid of appearing stupid, of  being embarrassed, of being rejected, of being ridiculed. This fearful mental disposition is a hurdle to learning.  Concerns about appearing stupid means concern for appearance, image or reputation is a bodily thing. Rising above these will widen opportunities for learning, happiness and fulfillment, for oneself and for others. In a group, it is the responsibility of the speaker/ trainer/ teacher/ lecturer, to create an atmosphere of trust, confidentiality as well as prompt attendees to make enquiries.

To ask a question is to demonstrate a desire to learn, but when in a group the questioner may become hesitant, thinking their question might not be relevant. There are two answers to this:
(i) the fact that you want to ask means the question is relevant to you. Therefore, ask.
(ii) If you are concerned whether your question is relevant to others, you have no choice but to ask to find out. No one benefits when you hold back a question. Neither you, nor others.

In my 12 years experience as a trainer in the business world, I can confidently say, those who overcome their fear and ask questions, often unknowingly open the doors of learning for others who were more shy to ask the exact same questions. I have seen this over and over. When that happens, the sense of relief is noticeable on faces and in the atmosphere of the room.
  
THREE CONSIDERATIONS: WHAT TO ASK? HOW TO ASK? WHEN TO ASK?

1. What to ask?

The injunction for the devotee is pariprasnena – to enquire. This means philosophical enquiries. The nature and depth of such  enquiries, I have observed, depends on how much one reads Srila Prabhupada’s purports. Without this, enquiries remain rather mundane – shall I get married or not? shall I do this service or not? how can I work out what is my varna? how do I resolve this dispute with that prabhu or mataji?  The nature of questions are indicative of the level of philosophical understanding.  The more devotees read, the more relevant and pertinent the philosophical enquiries and everyone becomes enlivened in Krishna consciousness.

MORNING CLASS

In Kali-yuga, there are no "sruti-dhara" students (one who can immediately remember everything).  When students carry books and notebooks into the class, it indicates they are serious about learning and remembering. In such an atmosphere, asking questions becomes an exciting experience. When students are left to listen passively, without books, without taking notes, without the governing principles of a typical class, they do not become excited about the knowledge, about devotional service or  about Krishna. How much devotees learn is noticeable by the nature of questions they ask during and after class. The result of excellent questions is amazing enthusiasm for Krishna and devotional service, and amazing happiness!

REFLECTIONS ON ASKING EXCELLENT QUESTIONS
→ GITA COACHING

By Mayapur dasa - London

HOW MAY I SERVE YOU TODAY?

One question I sometimes ask Srila Prabhupada or Krsna in the morning is: 

How may  I serve today?

The first time I asked this question, some years ago, the whole day went by without any sign of service. After work, I went to temple for 9pm arti, but still nothing. On my way home, I walked past Leceister square (Central London). There, my attention was drawn to a man asking people around him “do you want this?” and he had this book that nobody wanted. So he consequently threw it in a nearby refuse bin before walking away. As the book flew into the bin, I thought I recognized the burgundy and gold cover but was not sure. So I went over and looked into the bin and was astonished to see a Srimad Bhagavatam. The book was still in very good condition and had not been spoilt by the contents of the bin. I picked it up, and fully understanding what Krsna wanted me to do, went to a friend’s house in Golders Green (North London) and gave it to him as a gift. I then went home peaceful, having accomplished my allocated service for the day.

IF YOU DON'T ASK
If you don’t ask, you don’t know.
If you don’t know, you remain ignorant.
If are ignorant, you suffer.
If you suffer, you must ask.
If you don’t ask …

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STUPID QUESTION
When devotees hesitate to ask a question, they often describe it as a “stupid question”. This usually means they are afraid of appearing stupid, of  being embarrassed, of being rejected, of being ridiculed. This fearful mental disposition is a hurdle to learning.  Concerns about appearing stupid means concern for appearance, image or reputation is a bodily thing. Rising above these will widen opportunities for learning, happiness and fulfillment, for oneself and for others. In a group, it is the responsibility of the speaker/ trainer/ teacher/ lecturer, to create an atmosphere of trust, confidentiality as well as prompt attendees to make enquiries.

To ask a question is to demonstrate a desire to learn, but when in a group the questioner may become hesitant, thinking their question might not be relevant. There are two answers to this:
(i) the fact that you want to ask means the question is relevant to you. Therefore, ask.
(ii) If you are concerned whether your question is relevant to others, you have no choice but to ask to find out. No one benefits when you hold back a question. Neither you, nor others.

In my 12 years experience as a trainer in the business world, I can confidently say, those who overcome their fear and ask questions, often unknowingly open the doors of learning for others who were more shy to ask the exact same questions. I have seen this over and over. When that happens, the sense of relief is noticeable on faces and in the atmosphere of the room.
  
THREE CONSIDERATIONS: WHAT TO ASK? HOW TO ASK? WHEN TO ASK?

1. What to ask?

The injunction for the devotee is pariprasnena – to enquire. This means philosophical enquiries. The nature and depth of such  enquiries, I have observed, depends on how much one reads Srila Prabhupada’s purports. Without this, enquiries remain rather mundane – shall I get married or not? shall I do this service or not? how can I work out what is my varna? how do I resolve this dispute with that prabhu or mataji?  The nature of questions are indicative of the level of philosophical understanding.  The more devotees read, the more relevant and pertinent the philosophical enquiries and everyone becomes enlivened in Krishna consciousness.

MORNING CLASS

In Kali-yuga, there are no "sruti-dhara" students (one who can immediately remember everything).  When students carry books and notebooks into the class, it indicates they are serious about learning and remembering. In such an atmosphere, asking questions becomes an exciting experience. When students are left to listen passively, without books, without taking notes, without the governing principles of a typical class, they do not become excited about the knowledge, about devotional service or  about Krishna. How much devotees learn is noticeable by the nature of questions they ask during and after class. The result of excellent questions is amazing enthusiasm for Krishna and devotional service, and amazing happiness!

311. Start to Start
→ 9 Days, 8 Nights

5 years ago, I was really wanting to do something for Srila Prabhupad (Founder – Acharya of the Hare Krishna Movement). I was living 2 hours away and barely had the association of devotees, the temple and the spiritually sanctified food. All there was as company were the books, the prayer altar and the chanting beads. And the ideas too. Somehow or another, I decided to put together a vegetarian cooking class hoping that this would please the crowd I was after as well as Prabhupada and Lord Krishna. What else could I do but give people, a chance to hear the holy name or associate with the Lord’s devotees or even honour the vegetarian food offerings. So, I carried out the project with the mindset – “I will do what I have to do with sincerity and every other outcomes will come from Their mercy. It’s not in my hands.”

You can read all about that Cooking with Chef Kurma adventure from 5 years ago here.

Guess what happened? 2 guests from that very program, got initiated (accepting a spiritual master) this morning ! The potency of spiritual endeavour, Krishna’s devotees and the Lord’s mercy, can change people’s heart and consciousness even if it takes a long time !!

 

The 2 guests – Craig and Adam became our friends over the years and very seriously pursued their intention to take their Krishna Consciousness life ahead. It was a difficult road for them taking into account the culture shock, the strict lifestyle and the new philosophy. But their keen interest and friendship with other devotees helped them get closer and closer to their spiritual master.

And now their real journey starts.  Like my own little start in preaching the glories of this movement, they too will have to go on with sincerity and faith. These 2 things are vital ingredients in one’s spiritual progress.

All the best Krishna Dasa and Balarama Dasa !

 


what is sin?
→ everyday gita

Verse 3.36: Arjuna said: O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?

**I'd like to dedicate this post to two bhakti yogis - my father and Dr. Carl Herzig (Kalachandji Dasa). Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insights and realizations.**

Today's post was written in spurts...in fact, I started it yesterday! I knew I wanted to focus on the word sin when all of a sudden I realized, "I don't know what the bhakti yoga definition of sin actually is!!!" It served as a reminder as to why I started writing on the Gita.

This blog is a humble effort to make the Gita practical, relevant and understandable to those are reading it and/or are interested in - yoga, self-discovery and life. Well...that's one of the reasons why I write. ;) The other is so that I can continue to learn, grow and understand the Gita better so that I can become a better bhakti yogi.

That's why I'd like to preface this post by saying - this is just an introduction to the topic of sin. By no means is it a comprehensive and complete explanation.

Awhile back, I wrote a post on how each of us view words, situations and ideas based on our own experiences. Certainly, this holds true when one hears the word "sin". I'm sure that all of you have different definitions based on cultural context, religious/spiritual traditions, and personal opinion.

Personally, I've always found sin to be a somewhat vague concept and so I was curious to find out what the bhakti texts had to say. After hearing from two of my bhakti mentors and doing further research, I was able to distill it down to this:

Sins are impediments, in the form of attitudes and activities, that prevent one from experiencing their natural state of "eternal joy".

Now that might sound a bit simplistic to some and I would have to agree. However, it does help to shed a bit more light on the subject matter. An impediment is a hinderance or obstruction and that's exactly what sins do. Specifically, they impede us in two ways:

1) Prevent us from understanding that we are eternal souls.
2) Prevent us from connecting (i.e. yoga) with the Supreme.

So what are those attitudes and activities that prevent us from experiencing eternal joy? Let's start with activities first as they're a bit easier to tackle. Essentially, any activity that results in karma (whether good or bad) acts an impediment. Why's that? Because we don't always get the result of our karma in one lifetime. In order to receive that karma one needs to take on another temporary material body.

The solution is that we perform activities that result in no karma (akarma). This naturally leads us to the question of attitude. When one performs any action with the attitude of enjoying the result, one automatically receives karma. As we previously discussed when exploring the topic of non-attachment, when we perform our activities, all the while giving thanks to the Supreme, we incur no karma. It's not that one can't enjoy...don't get me wrong. It's about offering it to the Supreme in gratitude first; then we enjoy.

This is just the beginning of our exploration into the topic of sin, so stay tuned! Tomorrow we'll find out the answer to Arjuna's very interesting question - By what are we sometimes impelled to perform sinful actions acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?

what is sin?
→ everyday gita

Verse 3.36: Arjuna said: O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?

**I'd like to dedicate this post to two bhakti yogis - my father and Dr. Carl Herzig (Kalachandji Dasa). Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insights and realizations.**

Today's post was written in spurts...in fact, I started it yesterday! I knew I wanted to focus on the word sin when all of a sudden I realized, "I don't know what the bhakti yoga definition of sin actually is!!!" It served as a reminder as to why I started writing on the Gita.

This blog is a humble effort to make the Gita practical, relevant and understandable to those are reading it and/or are interested in - yoga, self-discovery and life. Well...that's one of the reasons why I write. ;) The other is so that I can continue to learn, grow and understand the Gita better so that I can become a better bhakti yogi.

That's why I'd like to preface this post by saying - this is just an introduction to the topic of sin. By no means is it a comprehensive and complete explanation.

Awhile back, I wrote a post on how each of us view words, situations and ideas based on our own experiences. Certainly, this holds true when one hears the word "sin". I'm sure that all of you have different definitions based on cultural context, religious/spiritual traditions, and personal opinion.

Personally, I've always found sin to be a somewhat vague concept and so I was curious to find out what the bhakti texts had to say. After hearing from two of my bhakti mentors and doing further research, I was able to distill it down to this:

Sins are impediments, in the form of attitudes and activities, that prevent one from experiencing their natural state of "eternal joy".

Now that might sound a bit simplistic to some and I would have to agree. However, it does help to shed a bit more light on the subject matter. An impediment is a hinderance or obstruction and that's exactly what sins do. Specifically, they impede us in two ways:

1) Prevent us from understanding that we are eternal souls.
2) Prevent us from connecting (i.e. yoga) with the Supreme.

So what are those attitudes and activities that prevent us from experiencing eternal joy? Let's start with activities first as they're a bit easier to tackle. Essentially, any activity that results in karma (whether good or bad) acts an impediment. Why's that? Because we don't always get the result of our karma in one lifetime. In order to receive that karma one needs to take on another temporary material body.

The solution is that we perform activities that result in no karma (akarma). This naturally leads us to the question of attitude. When one performs any action with the attitude of enjoying the result, one automatically receives karma. As we previously discussed when exploring the topic of non-attachment, when we perform our activities, all the while giving thanks to the Supreme, we incur no karma. It's not that one can't enjoy...don't get me wrong. It's about offering it to the Supreme in gratitude first; then we enjoy.

This is just the beginning of our exploration into the topic of sin, so stay tuned! Tomorrow we'll find out the answer to Arjuna's very interesting question - By what are we sometimes impelled to perform sinful actions acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?

The Yoga of Ecology at Bluestone Farm
→ The Yoga of Ecology



The Yoga of Ecology blog originally began in 2008 as a chronicle of the spiritually inspired agricultural exploits of the Small Farm Training Center project at the New Vrindaban bhakti-yoga community in the foothills of the West Virginia Panhandle. I wanted to share the unique experience I was having not only of monastic life in the 21st Century, but also the experience of being part of a community and project focused on the ideals of "simple living and high thinking."

Inspired by the practical wisdom of bhakti-yoga scholar/teacher A/C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, communities like the Small Farm Training Center were and are presenting a model of anticipation as we move from an unsustainable model of industrialized and commodified civilization to an ecologically sound civilization.

The waves of time has moved my own journey and the journey of this blog in new directions and vistas. I am now studying for my master's degree in eco-theology at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and once again I am drawn to the work of the soil, of the spirit within the soil, and to those people creating what has been coined by eco-theologians, including Larry Rasmussen in his latest book Earth-Honoring Faith: Religious Ethics In A New Key, as the anticipatory community.

These are sacred sanghas of individuals who are determined, courageous, knowledgeable, humbly setting themselves to the rhythms of our Mother Earth, showing us today the ways and means of harmony that will lead us to the cultural, ethical, and spiritual adaptation that tomorrow calls for.

I have realized that if I am going to be any kind of eco-theologian, eco-activist, eco-ethicist, or simple tiller of the soil, citizen of the Earth, my studies must include but not remain solely in the head-space. The Earth is the realm of the hands and heart, and with this understanding I have embarked this summer on a series of organic farm internships that will help me to learn the fine arts, skills, and meditations of grounded ecological life.

This is an experience that I hope will help me to overcome my nature-deficit disorder. In this mood, this blog will return this summer and beyond to a chronicle of experience in the communities I am serving in, as we share the bounties of our harvest that fill our plates and our spirit.

First, a brief word on what I mean by the the yoga of ecology. Having been a practitioner in the bhakti-yoga community for nearly a decade now, I have come to understand that the values of yoga, values that connect us, that yolk us, to the Divine are values that inherently create ecologically-sound lifestyles and communities.

Bhakti means devotion to the Divine, and this devotion, when it is the foundation of a spiritual community, creates an understanding of the boundless potential for spiritual grace and happiness that can only truly be found when we respect and understand the boundaries and spaces that Mother Earth asks us to live in. Devotion is a value which removes the dust from our heart, the dust of greed, envy, and selfishness, the internal pollution which manifests in the external pollution that wrecks our planet.

To farm, to till and love the soil, for the purpose of loving devotion to the Divine and to each other, is a form of yoga, and the soil also teaches us much about the true essence of spiritual values if we become tuned in enough to observe and listen.

I have spent the last three weeks in Brewster, New York, an hour north of the City, at Bluestone Farm and Living Arts Center, which is part of the Community of the Holy Spirit. From their website the resident Sisters explain a bit of their history and standing:

The Melrose house was established in 1961, in Brewster, New York, about an hour northeast of New York City.  In 2004, we began to pursue our interest in sustainable living by starting Bluestone Farm and Living Arts Center. Grown organically, the produce we cultivate and store (by drying, lactofermenting, and freezing) feeds us throughout the year. Over the last five years, the farm has come to include beekeeping, duck and chicken flocks, cows, maple syrup and honey production, and wine-making among other activities.

Together, we are engaged in weaving together our worship and our work, inspired by the writings of the late Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, Ellen Davis, and Cynthia Bourgeault, among others. (Learn more about the "new cosmology" and the spirituality of farming.)

Sisters Helena Marie, Carol Bernice, Catherine Grace, and Emmanuel, of the order of the Community of the Holy Spirit, are the wonderful and wise souls who have devoted their lives to this project. They are joined by Resident Companions Rev. Matthew Wright and Jody Ballew, and for the past few weeks and months interns Katie Ferrari, Yanick Savain, Sarah Lucas, and myself. We are a small but determined group, happily set to explore a way of life which carries deep meaning, potential, and soul.

The voices of the Sisters and Companions explain the heart of their intentions and work:

Melrose is a biodynamic farm community...practicing the principles of permaculture and the religious life, we foster a mutually enhancing Earth-human relationship through prayer, ongoing reflection, manual labor, celebration and the arts. We hold a deep respect for creation as a primary revelation of God, and by sharing our work, worship, harvest and all we learn we model sustainable living, social justice and spiritual fulfillment in the context of local community and resilience.

We stand at the turning point. We are a small group of people who have transformed a yard into a farm to help save Earth. We do not mean to startle or preach; we mean to declare that with intention and the labor of love we will ease the damage done to our Mother Earth by civilization gone awry. We mean peacefully to weave our own strand into the web of life as it exists here and now in our neck of the woods.

We eschew any form of agricultural practice that shocks, destroys, or otherwise inhibits participation of all the species in the life of our farm. We recognize the rights of beings to their habitat. Thus we enjoin upon ourselves the patience, tolerance, and care needed to proceed mindfully through our days.

Working together, we will learn from one another how to care for our Mother Earth. Working together, we will walk naturally into the great creative rhythm of the universe. We mean our lives together to be our act of love for one another, and in love we are confident of redemption.

Here is a photo essay of some of my experiences of life at Bluestone Farm:


Our backyard, the Bluestone Farm

St. Cuthbert's House and the Farm

Jiffy, her daughter Mercy, and the milking shed where our beloved cow-friends give us gallons of fresh raw milk daily, which we drink and also use to make homemade butter and cheese

Resident Companion Jody Ballew hand-milks Jiffy. With the guidance of Jody and our "sacred cow-woman" Sr. Carol Bernice, I have already accomplished one of my main goals for the summer: learning how to milk a cow!

Sunset over the Farm


Freshly harvested strawberries and peas

Broccoli blooming

Katie and a ginormous kale harvest

The first gaillardia bloom

The caterpillar of the monarch butterfly

Sr. Helena Marie amongst the Margarittes

Matthew, Katie and myself displaying the spaceship kohlrabi

Matthew and our harvest of kohlrabi, collard greens, and snap peas

Cauliflower blooming

The omnipresent height of evolution: the weed. Farming is eternal. Weeding is eternal. If you don't like weeding you are in the wrong business

More to come in the days ahead, including the unique ways we incorporate our harvest into our worship and celebration life, and the magic of biodynamic techniques and cow manure.

For more, check out Bluestone Farm Fans on Facebook

The Yoga of Ecology at Bluestone Farm
→ The Yoga of Ecology



The Yoga of Ecology blog originally began in 2008 as a chronicle of the spiritually inspired agricultural exploits of the Small Farm Training Center project at the New Vrindaban bhakti-yoga community in the foothills of the West Virginia Panhandle. I wanted to share the unique experience I was having not only of monastic life in the 21st Century, but also the experience of being part of a community and project focused on the ideals of "simple living and high thinking."

Inspired by the practical wisdom of bhakti-yoga scholar/teacher A/C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, communities like the Small Farm Training Center were and are presenting a model of anticipation as we move from an unsustainable model of industrialized and commodified civilization to an ecologically sound civilization.

The waves of time has moved my own journey and the journey of this blog in new directions and vistas. I am now studying for my master's degree in eco-theology at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and once again I am drawn to the work of the soil, of the spirit within the soil, and to those people creating what has been coined by eco-theologians, including Larry Rasmussen in his latest book Earth-Honoring Faith: Religious Ethics In A New Key, as the anticipatory community.

These are sacred sanghas of individuals who are determined, courageous, knowledgeable, humbly setting themselves to the rhythms of our Mother Earth, showing us today the ways and means of harmony that will lead us to the cultural, ethical, and spiritual adaptation that tomorrow calls for.

I have realized that if I am going to be any kind of eco-theologian, eco-activist, eco-ethicist, or simple tiller of the soil, citizen of the Earth, my studies must include but not remain solely in the head-space. The Earth is the realm of the hands and heart, and with this understanding I have embarked this summer on a series of organic farm internships that will help me to learn the fine arts, skills, and meditations of grounded ecological life.

This is an experience that I hope will help me to overcome my nature-deficit disorder. In this mood, this blog will return this summer and beyond to a chronicle of experience in the communities I am serving in, as we share the bounties of our harvest that fill our plates and our spirit.

First, a brief word on what I mean by the the yoga of ecology. Having been a practitioner in the bhakti-yoga community for nearly a decade now, I have come to understand that the values of yoga, values that connect us, that yolk us, to the Divine are values that inherently create ecologically-sound lifestyles and communities.

Bhakti means devotion to the Divine, and this devotion, when it is the foundation of a spiritual community, creates an understanding of the boundless potential for spiritual grace and happiness that can only truly be found when we respect and understand the boundaries and spaces that Mother Earth asks us to live in. Devotion is a value which removes the dust from our heart, the dust of greed, envy, and selfishness, the internal pollution which manifests in the external pollution that wrecks our planet.

To farm, to till and love the soil, for the purpose of loving devotion to the Divine and to each other, is a form of yoga, and the soil also teaches us much about the true essence of spiritual values if we become tuned in enough to observe and listen.

I have spent the last three weeks in Brewster, New York, an hour north of the City, at Bluestone Farm and Living Arts Center, which is part of the Community of the Holy Spirit. From their website the resident Sisters explain a bit of their history and standing:

The Melrose house was established in 1961, in Brewster, New York, about an hour northeast of New York City.  In 2004, we began to pursue our interest in sustainable living by starting Bluestone Farm and Living Arts Center. Grown organically, the produce we cultivate and store (by drying, lactofermenting, and freezing) feeds us throughout the year. Over the last five years, the farm has come to include beekeeping, duck and chicken flocks, cows, maple syrup and honey production, and wine-making among other activities.

Together, we are engaged in weaving together our worship and our work, inspired by the writings of the late Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, Ellen Davis, and Cynthia Bourgeault, among others. (Learn more about the "new cosmology" and the spirituality of farming.)

Sisters Helena Marie, Carol Bernice, Catherine Grace, and Emmanuel, of the order of the Community of the Holy Spirit, are the wonderful and wise souls who have devoted their lives to this project. They are joined by Resident Companions Rev. Matthew Wright and Jody Ballew, and for the past few weeks and months interns Katie Ferrari, Yanick Savain, Sarah Lucas, and myself. We are a small but determined group, happily set to explore a way of life which carries deep meaning, potential, and soul.

The voices of the Sisters and Companions explain the heart of their intentions and work:

Melrose is a biodynamic farm community...practicing the principles of permaculture and the religious life, we foster a mutually enhancing Earth-human relationship through prayer, ongoing reflection, manual labor, celebration and the arts. We hold a deep respect for creation as a primary revelation of God, and by sharing our work, worship, harvest and all we learn we model sustainable living, social justice and spiritual fulfillment in the context of local community and resilience.

We stand at the turning point. We are a small group of people who have transformed a yard into a farm to help save Earth. We do not mean to startle or preach; we mean to declare that with intention and the labor of love we will ease the damage done to our Mother Earth by civilization gone awry. We mean peacefully to weave our own strand into the web of life as it exists here and now in our neck of the woods.

We eschew any form of agricultural practice that shocks, destroys, or otherwise inhibits participation of all the species in the life of our farm. We recognize the rights of beings to their habitat. Thus we enjoin upon ourselves the patience, tolerance, and care needed to proceed mindfully through our days.

Working together, we will learn from one another how to care for our Mother Earth. Working together, we will walk naturally into the great creative rhythm of the universe. We mean our lives together to be our act of love for one another, and in love we are confident of redemption.

Here is a photo essay of some of my experiences of life at Bluestone Farm:


Our backyard, the Bluestone Farm

St. Cuthbert's House and the Farm

Jiffy, her daughter Mercy, and the milking shed where our beloved cow-friends give us gallons of fresh raw milk daily, which we drink and also use to make homemade butter and cheese

Resident Companion Jody Ballew hand-milks Jiffy. With the guidance of Jody and our "sacred cow-woman" Sr. Carol Bernice, I have already accomplished one of my main goals for the summer: learning how to milk a cow!

Sunset over the Farm


Freshly harvested strawberries and peas

Broccoli blooming

Katie and a ginormous kale harvest

The first gaillardia bloom

The caterpillar of the monarch butterfly

Sr. Helena Marie amongst the Margarittes

Matthew, Katie and myself displaying the spaceship kohlrabi

Matthew and our harvest of kohlrabi, collard greens, and snap peas

Cauliflower blooming

The omnipresent height of evolution: the weed. Farming is eternal. Weeding is eternal. If you don't like weeding you are in the wrong business

More to come in the days ahead, including the unique ways we incorporate our harvest into our worship and celebration life, and the magic of biodynamic techniques and cow manure.

For more, check out Bluestone Farm Fans on Facebook

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Peace!?

Deloraine, Manitoba

“Oh Lord, help us to be masters of ourselves, that we may be servants of others.” - Sir Alexander Paterson

This quote amongst others is found at our little detour at Peace Garden in the Turtle Mountain District. The message resonates well.

Out here in the open prairie, there’s not much going on to entice your senses, there’s few and far between buildings. Most homes are set very far from the highway, which is my trail for walking.

And yes, peace. In two schools in Deloraine, and Boisaevaine students are hearing me say that I’m on a peace walk. I also introduced my team comprised of man and bird. PJRB radio also came over to the school at Boisaevaine for a separate interview. And Judy came from this Deloraine Newspaper at the Deloraine school. For the young students, me speaking about peace to them does not hold much interest, but it is a strong word that the teachers appreciate. They believe in it, it means a lot. When I had a few minutes with the principal, Mr. White, I asked about teenagers and drugs, and he remarked that it wasn’t too bad in the area largely due to the fact that people are somewhat isolated and are maintaining high family and spiritual values.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said of peace, “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principals.” In the Gita Krishna speaks about principals of freedom and how freedom and peace come from acknowledgement of the Supreme, and controlling the agitated senses.

So there is peace. Hard to find in this world.

Last night a major storm swept through Manitoba. Tree branches (and some huge ones) came crashing all around our tent as we were camping. We had to get out of there and search for a room. Then the news came that reported that a man in his tent got killed by a tree that landed on him in Falcon Lake, Manitoba. How unfortunate. Then after going for a swim in Adam Lake just to relieve the tension of leg muscles, before I knew it, my left foot found itself all bloody. A leach had discovered it to be delicious. The point being, where is peace and comfort in this world?

28 KM

Lessons on the road
→ Tattva - See inside out

Sitting on my desktop is a complete list of towns and cities in the UK. Some time back I resolved to spend a full day in each place, talking to the locals and leaving them with some thought-provoking literature as a token of appreciation. So far I’ve visited 204 different locations... only another 302 to go! Last week’s travels took me to Worksop, Daventry, Grantham, Huntingdon and Stratford-upon-avon. Every town has its flavor, and every day is unique. It’s quite a task to stop someone in their tracks, cut through the myriad of thoughts, penetrate the bubble of their life and begin a dialogue about deeper subject matter. Some people naturally tune in to the concept of ancient wisdom, while others are skeptical, uninterested and otherwise-engaged. Either way we always have a laugh, a smile and learn something from each other!

Amongst everything else I do in life, this simple and sublime activity is what I enjoy most. It reconnects me with my purpose. It’s where I feel at home. It’s a constant source of inspiration. I’m also appreciating, however, that the ‘not-so-inspirational’ activities in life are just as important:
  • Inspirational activities (what we have a natural affinity for) - keep us positive, enthused and fulfilled.
  • Challenging activities (what we fear and shy away from) – cultivate our internal growth, help us become prayerful, and are often humbling and grounding.
  • Necessary activities (responding to the “need of the day”) - fuel the priceless spirit of sacrifice, selflessness and genuine concern for others.
Each activity brings an indispensable ingredient to the table. It’s important to balance the three elements for wholesome spiritual progress.

PS: The next major project is a fleet of “traveling temples” that tour the length and breadth of the country! If anyone can help me get hold of a van / mini-coach please get in touch!

Lessons on the road
→ Tattva - See inside out

Sitting on my desktop is a complete list of towns and cities in the UK. Some time back I resolved to spend a full day in each place, talking to the locals and leaving them with some thought-provoking literature as a token of appreciation. So far I’ve visited 204 different locations... only another 302 to go! Last week’s travels took me to Worksop, Daventry, Grantham, Huntingdon and Stratford-upon-avon. Every town has its flavor, and every day is unique. It’s quite a task to stop someone in their tracks, cut through the myriad of thoughts, penetrate the bubble of their life and begin a dialogue about deeper subject matter. Some people naturally tune in to the concept of ancient wisdom, while others are skeptical, uninterested and otherwise-engaged. Either way we always have a laugh, a smile and learn something from each other!

Amongst everything else I do in life, this simple and sublime activity is what I enjoy most. It reconnects me with my purpose. It’s where I feel at home. It’s a constant source of inspiration. I’m also appreciating, however, that the ‘not-so-inspirational’ activities in life are just as important:
  • Inspirational activities (what we have a natural affinity for) - keep us positive, enthused and fulfilled.
  • Challenging activities (what we fear and shy away from) – cultivate our internal growth, help us become prayerful, and are often humbling and grounding.
  • Necessary activities (responding to the “need of the day”) - fuel the priceless spirit of sacrifice, selflessness and genuine concern for others.
Each activity brings an indispensable ingredient to the table. It’s important to balance the three elements for wholesome spiritual progress.

PS: The next major project is a fleet of “traveling temples” that tour the length and breadth of the country! If anyone can help me get hold of a van / mini-coach please get in touch!

I Stick To The Sim­ple Method
→ Japa Group

"I stick to the sim­ple method taught by Lord Cai­tanya and passed on by Srila Prab­hu­pada. The name of Krishna is not dif­fer­ent than Krishna Him­self. Some­times the Lord delib­er­ately taught false philoso­phies, but in any case they are not to be fol­lowed per­pet­u­ally. Only devo­tional ser­vice is the means by which to chant the holy name and ben­e­fit from its eter­nal proposition."

From Viraha Bhavan #166

Ensnaring The Eternally Free Soul
→ Bhagavatam By Braja

I am currently working on Chapter Five of Beautiful Tales of the All Attractive, Volume 2. The 19th śloka is too mind-blowing not to share immediately.

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.19

Ensnaring the Eternally Free Soul

[kārya-kāraṇa-kartṛtve dravya-jñāna-kriyāśrayāḥ | badhnanti nityadā muktaḿ māyinaḿ puruṣaḿ guṇāḥ ]

Nārada: Earlier you said that the universe is composed of five things, the root of which is “projected consciousness.” Now you are saying that the universe begins from three qualities of Nārāyaṇa’s energy. Are these two statements compatible?

Brahmā: Yes. These three qualities attract beings to project their consciousness into the universe. Thus consciousness, which has the capacity for eternal transcendence, binds itself to an illusory world.

Nārada: How do the three qualities attract the attention of conscious away from its potential eternal freedom?

Brahmā: By manifesting the five things I previously mentioned: objects of pleasure and the means for enjoying those objects.

Nārada: What are those means?

Brahmā: Senses, the ability to use the senses, and the intellectual inclination to do so.