Nityananda Chandra Prabhu Sunday Feast Class on BG 4.34 “The Guru Principle” 6/30/2013
The Meaning Of The Mantra
→ Japa Group
O Hari! Having captured my mind, please free me from material bondage.
O Krsna! Please attract my mind by pulling it to You.
O Hari! Please capture my mind by Your unsurpassed sweetness.
O Krsna! Please purify my mind with knowledge about devotional service given to me by Your own devotee.
O Krsna! Please make me able to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Krsna! Please make me able to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Hari! Please make me fit to serve You.
O Hari! Please make me able to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Hari! Please direct me to do some particular service for You.
O Rama! Let me hear about Your most cherished pastimes in the company of Your dearest devotee.
O Hara (Radha)! Please reveal to me Your most cherished pastimes with Your beloved Sri Krsna.
O Rama! Please reveal to me Your most cherished pastimes with Your beloved sri Radha.
O Rama! Please engage me in remembering Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Rama! Please make me fit to serve You while remembering Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Hari! Having accepted me as one of Your own servitors, please enjoy me as You please.
O Hari! Please enjoy with me in Your transcendental way.
This is my humble request at Your lotus feet.
Written by Bhaktivinoda Thakur
The Meaning Of The Mantra
→ Japa Group
O Hari! Having captured my mind, please free me from material bondage.
O Krsna! Please attract my mind by pulling it to You.
O Hari! Please capture my mind by Your unsurpassed sweetness.
O Krsna! Please purify my mind with knowledge about devotional service given to me by Your own devotee.
O Krsna! Please make me able to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Krsna! Please make me able to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Hari! Please make me fit to serve You.
O Hari! Please make me able to relish Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Hari! Please direct me to do some particular service for You.
O Rama! Let me hear about Your most cherished pastimes in the company of Your dearest devotee.
O Hara (Radha)! Please reveal to me Your most cherished pastimes with Your beloved Sri Krsna.
O Rama! Please reveal to me Your most cherished pastimes with Your beloved sri Radha.
O Rama! Please engage me in remembering Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Rama! Please make me fit to serve You while remembering Your transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes, etc.
O Hari! Having accepted me as one of Your own servitors, please enjoy me as You please.
O Hari! Please enjoy with me in Your transcendental way.
This is my humble request at Your lotus feet.
Written by Bhaktivinoda Thakur
Like master, like servant!
→ KKS Blog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 March 2013, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Bhagavad-gita 7.24)
What is the purpose of music if it is not meant to uplift the consciousness? There are all kinds of music - crazy stuff that brings you down - but if it is not used to uplift the consciousness, then what is the point? What is the meaning of buildings if these buildings are not doing something to uplift mankind? What is the point? A huge skyscraper and then what? We had two twin towers and then “boom” they went down - then all the records were totally lost! All the black money in that building disappeared into smoke. What to say!
Everything in our life, if we see the connection with the Supreme and we see, “I didn’t make this world. I appeared in this world. It was already there. It is not mine therefore, it actually was made by someone else – the Supreme Lord and it is his. I am meant to use it for his purpose and not for my purpose.” Then, one becomes an agent; then one becomes a via media; then one becomes surcharged, electrified, mystified; one becomes potent with spiritual energy. At that time, we become spiritually empowered. That is the purpose of human existence. One then develops saintly qualities!
If one is the servant, then the servant naturally develops the qualities of the master because whatever is important to the master is suppose to be important to the servant. So in this way, the servant gradually develops qualities like the master. Therefore, the devotee develops qualities like Krsna and therefore he or she becomes more and more saintly, day-by-day, moment-by-moment. And that saintliness translates not only to like, ‘In the sky, with devotional prayers, with tears running from the cheeks and burning candles.’ But also just down to earth, in all directions, in all dealings. Everything is a sacred space. Every interaction is meant to be a sacred space; like that every dealing is to be sanctified. That is our life! So it has to be transformed, in every aspect.
Within & Beyond this World
→ Bhagavatam By Braja
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.6.17
Nārada: It seems unusual that an entity so essential and fundamental to this world should have its true, original position beyond it.
Brahmā: It is not unusual. Take life-air (prāṇa) for example. It has its own energy, but it also lends its energy to other things. Another example is the Sun, it shines by its own power, but lends its radiance to all things. In a similar way, the Supreme Person is situated apart, within his own power, but lends his power to all things. Thus he is both within and beyond everything.
18-20
Nārada: I really want to know how the Supreme Person exists beyond this world. Please explain this to me!
Brahmā: He is the perfection of fearless nectar, far exceeding any mortal happiness! My dear spiritually inspired child, we cannot find any limit on his excellence!
Please understand that the place in which we all dwell reflects merely one-fourth of the Supreme Person. His true abode is beyond even what is beyond the three worlds – a place of nectar, security, and fearlessness.
That place beyond our world represents three-fourths of the Supreme Person. It is the abode of those who are not forced into rebirth. Those who instead take birth within our three worlds do so because they have a selfish bent, being without very strong convictions toward that Supreme Person.
21
Nārada: What happens to those souls?
Brahmā: They roam far and wide within our worlds.
Nārada: In what directions?
Brahmā: Those with some knowledge move towards emancipation. Those without knowledge move towards accumulation. In truth, the Supreme Person is the shelter for both of them.
22
Nārada: I can see why he would be the shelter of those striving towards enlightenment, but how is he also the shelter of those striving to accumulate material objects?
Brahmā: What are they searching for except him!? The egg of the universe comes from him. It produces elements, senses, and powers that allow the two to interact – everything they desire.
Nārada: Then, since they both seek the Supreme Person, are the those who strive for material objects on an equal footing with those who strive for emancipation?
Brahmā: No. Those who seek enlightenment are more evolved.
Nārada: Why?
Brahmā: Their outlook is more like the divine outlook of the Supreme Person.
Nārada: How so?
Brahmā: The Supreme Person is uninterested in the material objects he manifests in this world.
Nārada: Why?
Brahmā: All these things are simply like sunshine, but he is the brilliant sun!
Lecture – Jayapataka Swami – Panihati and Initiation
→ Classes and Bhajans
We were blessed to have the association of HH Jayapataka Swami for one day here in Dallas on Panihati day. This lecture is a wonderful account of the Panihati festival along with the devotees that participated in it. He then initiated three devotees.
Veda -> Veda Priya Radha devi dasi
Isha -> Isha Prema devi dasi
Ashkan -> Asesa Gaura Hari das
Dallas, TX
2013-06-22
Download: 2013-06-22 - Jayapataka Swami - Panihati and Veda Initiation.mp3
My favorite song
→ Servant of the Servant
gaurāńga karuṇā koro dīna hīna jane
mośamo patita prabhu nāhi trībhūvane
dante tṛṇa dhari gaura ḍāki he tomare
kṛpā kari eso āmār hṛdaya mandire
jadi dayā nā karibe patita dekhiyā
patita pāvana nāma kisera lagiyā
paḍechi bhava tuphāne nāhika nistāra
śrī carana taranī dāne dāse kara pāra
śrī kṛṣṇa caitanya prabhu dāser anudāsa
prārthanā karaye sadā narottama dāsa
O my dear Lord Gauranga! Please show Your mercy to this lowly and destitute soul. O Lord! There is no one more fallen than myself in all the three worlds.
Holding grass between my teeth, O Lord Gaura, I am calling out to You now! Please be compassionate upon me and come to reside within the temple of my heart.
If You do not give Your mercy, seeing how fallen I am, then why are You known as Patita Pavana -- the merciful Savior of the fallen?>
I am plunged amidst the violent hurricane-stricken waves in the ocean of this material world, from which there is no escape. Kindly give me the gift of Your divine lotus feet, which are compared to a boat in which Your servant may cross over the ocean of birth and death.
Narottama Dasa, the servant of the servant of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu, ceaselessly makes this prayer.
By Srila Narottam Das Thakura
My favorite song
→ Servant of the Servant
gaurāńga karuṇā koro dīna hīna jane
mośamo patita prabhu nāhi trībhūvane
dante tṛṇa dhari gaura ḍāki he tomare
kṛpā kari eso āmār hṛdaya mandire
jadi dayā nā karibe patita dekhiyā
patita pāvana nāma kisera lagiyā
paḍechi bhava tuphāne nāhika nistāra
śrī carana taranī dāne dāse kara pāra
śrī kṛṣṇa caitanya prabhu dāser anudāsa
prārthanā karaye sadā narottama dāsa
O my dear Lord Gauranga! Please show Your mercy to this lowly and destitute soul. O Lord! There is no one more fallen than myself in all the three worlds.
Holding grass between my teeth, O Lord Gaura, I am calling out to You now! Please be compassionate upon me and come to reside within the temple of my heart.
If You do not give Your mercy, seeing how fallen I am, then why are You known as Patita Pavana -- the merciful Savior of the fallen?>
I am plunged amidst the violent hurricane-stricken waves in the ocean of this material world, from which there is no escape. Kindly give me the gift of Your divine lotus feet, which are compared to a boat in which Your servant may cross over the ocean of birth and death.
Narottama Dasa, the servant of the servant of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu, ceaselessly makes this prayer.
By Srila Narottam Das Thakura
Bhajan – Nama hatta Kranj – Video
→ Prahladananda Swami
Nama hatta 2011-03-24 Kranj z Prahladananda Swamijem
Bhajan and Lecture in Wroclaw, Poland – Video
→ Prahladananda Swami
May 2011
tired of the same old?
→ everyday gita
Find yourself doing the same old things again and again and not really feeling any happier? I was reflecting on this yesterday night as I caught myself falling into the trap of doing the same old things that honestly don't help increase my happiness levels. After all, let's be perfectly honest - most of us want to be happy and there's nothing wrong with that!
It may seem contradictory, but the advice we hear today of regulating the senses can lead to new experiences, fun AND has the benefit of progressing in our path of self-discovery. It's not as limiting as one might think.
For some of us, it means taking a good hard look at our lives and asking, "What makes me happy?" In fact, it's an exercise I'd encourage everyone to do. Take a piece of paper and write down what you do in your free time. Now, write down on a scale of 1-10 how happy those activities make you. It could be anything from eating, hanging out with friends, sleeping etc... Got that down...well now comes the tough question:
How long does that happiness last?
That's the question we should really be asking. It's become enough to just feel happy, no matter how temporary it may be. But yoga isn't about getting second rate things, it's about getting the best. The best is finding those things that will sustain our happiness.
Regulating the senses means to stop settling for second best.
Practically speaking, it means recognizing that happiness comes from service as opposed to selfishness. It ties back into the concept of non-attachment and gratitude. After all -
A life of happiness is directly proportional to the gratitude that we feel and express.
When we are covered over by lust, we feel the need to possess and control things because we are feeling empty. Gratitude, on the other hand, paves the way to invoking the love that is lying within us and fills us with it. It reminds us that we are recipients of great gifts, talents, and facility.
Regulating the senses means to utilize our senses in expressing gratitude to the Divine for giving us so much. Instead of trying to satisfy our own senses, which are limited and are always hankering for more, we can utilize our senses to convey how grateful we are. It's a matter of changing our attitude.
In the beginning, it can simple as expressing positive words to one another since we recognize that we are all part of a spiritual family, incorporating a compassionate vegetarian lifestyle or praying on behalf of loved ones. As our thoughts become filled with positivity and appreciation, a positive feedback loop starts to form. We experience a profound internal happiness that can't compete with the temporary pleasures we experienced before. That gratitude becomes a permanent fixture in our lives and we'll see more than our mind-sets and attitudes change - we'll actually become (and remain) happy.
tired of the same old?
→ everyday gita
Find yourself doing the same old things again and again and not really feeling any happier? I was reflecting on this yesterday night as I caught myself falling into the trap of doing the same old things that honestly don't help increase my happiness levels. After all, let's be perfectly honest - most of us want to be happy and there's nothing wrong with that!
It may seem contradictory, but the advice we hear today of regulating the senses can lead to new experiences, fun AND has the benefit of progressing in our path of self-discovery. It's not as limiting as one might think.
For some of us, it means taking a good hard look at our lives and asking, "What makes me happy?" In fact, it's an exercise I'd encourage everyone to do. Take a piece of paper and write down what you do in your free time. Now, write down on a scale of 1-10 how happy those activities make you. It could be anything from eating, hanging out with friends, sleeping etc... Got that down...well now comes the tough question:
How long does that happiness last?
That's the question we should really be asking. It's become enough to just feel happy, no matter how temporary it may be. But yoga isn't about getting second rate things, it's about getting the best. The best is finding those things that will sustain our happiness.
Regulating the senses means to stop settling for second best.
Practically speaking, it means recognizing that happiness comes from service as opposed to selfishness. It ties back into the concept of non-attachment and gratitude. After all -
A life of happiness is directly proportional to the gratitude that we feel and express.
When we are covered over by lust, we feel the need to possess and control things because we are feeling empty. Gratitude, on the other hand, paves the way to invoking the love that is lying within us and fills us with it. It reminds us that we are recipients of great gifts, talents, and facility.
Regulating the senses means to utilize our senses in expressing gratitude to the Divine for giving us so much. Instead of trying to satisfy our own senses, which are limited and are always hankering for more, we can utilize our senses to convey how grateful we are. It's a matter of changing our attitude.
In the beginning, it can simple as expressing positive words to one another since we recognize that we are all part of a spiritual family, incorporating a compassionate vegetarian lifestyle or praying on behalf of loved ones. As our thoughts become filled with positivity and appreciation, a positive feedback loop starts to form. We experience a profound internal happiness that can't compete with the temporary pleasures we experienced before. That gratitude becomes a permanent fixture in our lives and we'll see more than our mind-sets and attitudes change - we'll actually become (and remain) happy.
harinam y distribucion de prasadam con SS Prahaladananda swami en miraflores
→ Prahladananda Swami
harinam y distribucion de prasadam (galletas) en miraflores con la participacion de su santidad Prahladananda Swami. el dia sabado 24 de noviembre del 2012.
Prahladananda Swami – Memories of Srila Prabhupada
→ Prahladananda Swami
Once Prabhupada came to the University of Buffalo and lectured to many students in one of the university rooms. Afterwards he asked for questions. One boy stood up and said, “Swamiji, tell us truthfully, are you really happy?” Prabhupada became grave. He said, “If I told you, would you believe me?” The boy said, “Swamiji, come on, tell us. Are you really happy?” Srila Prabhupada looked at him even more gravely and said, “If I told you would you believe me?” The boy repeated, “Oh, come on Swamiji, just tell us. Are you really happy?” Then Prabhupada smiled beautifully and said, “Yes, I am very happy.” The devotees said, “Jaya, Prabhupada!” This boy’s grin turned into a big frown, and he sat down. Just by his smile Prabhupada could defeat someone.
DEFINITIONS:
Jaya – an expression of acclaim
– Memories: Anecdotes of a Modern-day Saint (Volume 1, Tape 14, pg. 346)
Copyright © 2002 Monsoon Media
All rights reserved
Transcriptions from video interviews conducted and compiled by Siddhanta das.
To order your volumes of Memories: Anecdotes of a Modern-Day Saint or Memories: The Video Series, please contact:
http://prabhupadamemories.com/
His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami will be at ISKCON Brampton on Wednesday July 10th
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S BLOG
His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami will be at ISKCON Brampton on Wednesday July 10th
We are pleased to announce that His Holiness (HH) Bhakti Caitanya Swami will be at ISKCON Brampton on Wednesday July 10th @ 7:00pm. Join us in hearing about 'The glories to Vrindavan Dham and the pastimes of Lord Krishna'.
HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami was born on August 14th 1951 in Auckland New Zealand. His first contact with Krishna consciousness was while at university in Auckland where on the university grounds he saw devotees throwing flowers at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada while Srila Prabhupada was walking. In 1972 HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami left New Zealand to make an extensive world tour and met ISKCON devotees in London and later joined Srila Prabhupada's International Society for Krishna Consciousness. After taking initiation from Srila Prabhupada, he became involved in public relations and book publications for the Bhaktivedanta Manor (ISKCON's British Headquarters). In 1980 he went to South Africa to oversee ISKCON's activities as Temple President at Cato Ridge and to help with the overseeing of the construction of the Sri Sri Radha-Radhanatha Temple project. Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaja is closely associated with the educational programs of ISKCON and teaches courses at the Vaisnava Institute for Higher Education in Vrindavana. In 1994, during the Gaura Purnima Festival, HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami took to the renounced order of sannyasa. HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami has continued to travel extensively preaching the message of Krishna consciousness in: Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, England, India, America, Mauritius and South Africa.
Please join us on Thursday and Friday for a morning program in the association of HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami. Program will be @ the Sohal residence - 16 Cedar Lake Cres, Brampton, ON, L6Y 0P9 (mavis and 407) starting at 6:00am to 8:00am. Please contact Savyasacin Dasa on 416 574 7116 for more information.
ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment, please contact the prasadam coordinators for more information.
His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami will be at ISKCON Brampton on Wednesday July 10th
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S BLOG
His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami will be at ISKCON Brampton on Wednesday July 10th
We are pleased to announce that His Holiness (HH) Bhakti Caitanya Swami will be at ISKCON Brampton on Wednesday July 10th @ 7:00pm. Join us in hearing about 'The glories to Vrindavan Dham and the pastimes of Lord Krishna'.
HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami was born on August 14th 1951 in Auckland New Zealand. His first contact with Krishna consciousness was while at university in Auckland where on the university grounds he saw devotees throwing flowers at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada while Srila Prabhupada was walking. In 1972 HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami left New Zealand to make an extensive world tour and met ISKCON devotees in London and later joined Srila Prabhupada's International Society for Krishna Consciousness. After taking initiation from Srila Prabhupada, he became involved in public relations and book publications for the Bhaktivedanta Manor (ISKCON's British Headquarters). In 1980 he went to South Africa to oversee ISKCON's activities as Temple President at Cato Ridge and to help with the overseeing of the construction of the Sri Sri Radha-Radhanatha Temple project. Bhakti Caitanya Swami Maharaja is closely associated with the educational programs of ISKCON and teaches courses at the Vaisnava Institute for Higher Education in Vrindavana. In 1994, during the Gaura Purnima Festival, HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami took to the renounced order of sannyasa. HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami has continued to travel extensively preaching the message of Krishna consciousness in: Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, England, India, America, Mauritius and South Africa.
Please join us on Thursday and Friday for a morning program in the association of HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami. Program will be @ the Sohal residence - 16 Cedar Lake Cres, Brampton, ON, L6Y 0P9 (mavis and 407) starting at 6:00am to 8:00am. Please contact Savyasacin Dasa on 416 574 7116 for more information.
ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment, please contact the prasadam coordinators for more information.
Sweetest Of All
→ travelingmonk.com
“Sweeter than the sweetest; the greatest good amongst whatever is beneficial for the welfare of all; the most delicious fruit of the wish-fulfilling vine that is the Vedic literatures and their corollaries; the very form of inherent, spiritual cognition. O best of the Bhargavas! If a human being even once sings the name of Krsna, [...]
Searching, Searching
→ Seed of Devotion
When I was in India and I got homesick for America, I would have a very specific daydream:
I wandered vast marble halls and passed giant oak doors with gilt metal handles. I made my way to the children's section and read lovely children's picture books. And there was AC!
The library.
Wander into a beautiful library with vast ceilings, shelves filled with books and books, immerse myself in the mystical mood of knowledge and inquiry. And of course, AC. Then, I would settle into a nook and read lovely children's picture books.
So yesterday I caught the F train to the New York Library on Fifth Avenue, one of the most famous and magnificent libraries in the world.
(photo by flickr.com)
I wandered vast marble halls and passed giant oak doors with gilt metal handles. I made my way to the children's section and read lovely children's picture books. And there was AC!
I stayed for awhile.
Nice. Yeah. I wandered back out onto Fifth Avenue, the buildings stretching to the sky, rivers of people moving along the sidewalks. I walked into Zara to admire clothes. Within minutes, I walked out. I picked a direction and eventually came to a bookstore, but even there I felt the fever of everyone around me to buy, buy, buy.
I felt the energy pulsate in the air of everyone searching for something, searching, searching.
Including me.
Nice. Yeah. I wandered back out onto Fifth Avenue, the buildings stretching to the sky, rivers of people moving along the sidewalks. I walked into Zara to admire clothes. Within minutes, I walked out. I picked a direction and eventually came to a bookstore, but even there I felt the fever of everyone around me to buy, buy, buy.
I felt the energy pulsate in the air of everyone searching for something, searching, searching.
Including me.
At last, a little dizzy, I took the F train back to the Bhakti Center.
Recently, I received brahmin initiation, which allows me the responsibility and privilege to worship the Lord in His deity form on the altar. That evening, I was scheduled to receive training to put Radha Murlidhar to rest.
When I came back from my city sojourns, I showered and put on a sari. I entered the templeroom and a whoosh of quiet fell over me. Soon, my teacher greeted me with a smile and training began. We prepared a tray of cookies, fruit, and milk in shining silver bowls, and I offered a short arati of incense and flowers. Several people came to sing evening lullabies for the Lord.
The cold and hard edges of the entire day seemed to soften.
The cold and hard edges of the entire day seemed to soften.
We closed the curtains. I moved to place the small brass deities of Radha Murlidhar into Their wooden bed. I moved Them with such tenderness, like a mother tucking her children into bed. I stepped back to look at Them sleeping and I sighed.
How many times must I lose Krishna to realize that He is to be found within my own heart?
How many times must I lose Krishna to realize that He is to be found within my own heart?
(photo by Alex Vaishnava)
Searching, Searching
→ Seed of Devotion
When I was in India and I got homesick for America, I would have a very specific daydream:
I wandered vast marble halls and passed giant oak doors with gilt metal handles. I made my way to the children's section and read lovely children's picture books. And there was AC!
The library.
Wander into a beautiful library with vast ceilings, shelves filled with books and books, immerse myself in the mystical mood of knowledge and inquiry. And of course, AC. Then, I would settle into a nook and read lovely children's picture books.
So yesterday I caught the F train to the New York Library on Fifth Avenue, one of the most famous and magnificent libraries in the world.
(photo by flickr.com)
I wandered vast marble halls and passed giant oak doors with gilt metal handles. I made my way to the children's section and read lovely children's picture books. And there was AC!
I stayed for awhile.
Nice. Yeah. I wandered back out onto Fifth Avenue, the buildings stretching to the sky, rivers of people moving along the sidewalks. I walked into Zara to admire clothes. Within minutes, I walked out. I picked a direction and eventually came to a bookstore, but even there I felt the fever of everyone around me to buy, buy, buy.
I felt the energy pulsate in the air of everyone searching for something, searching, searching.
Including me.
Nice. Yeah. I wandered back out onto Fifth Avenue, the buildings stretching to the sky, rivers of people moving along the sidewalks. I walked into Zara to admire clothes. Within minutes, I walked out. I picked a direction and eventually came to a bookstore, but even there I felt the fever of everyone around me to buy, buy, buy.
I felt the energy pulsate in the air of everyone searching for something, searching, searching.
Including me.
At last, a little dizzy, I took the F train back to the Bhakti Center.
Recently, I received brahmin initiation, which allows me the responsibility and privilege to worship the Lord in His deity form on the altar. That evening, I was scheduled to receive training to put Radha Murlidhar to rest.
When I came back from my city sojourns, I showered and put on a sari. I entered the templeroom and a whoosh of quiet fell over me. Soon, my teacher greeted me with a smile and training began. We prepared a tray of cookies, fruit, and milk in shining silver bowls, and I offered a short arati of incense and flowers. Several people came to sing evening lullabies for the Lord.
The cold and hard edges of the entire day seemed to soften.
The cold and hard edges of the entire day seemed to soften.
We closed the curtains. I moved to place the small brass deities of Radha Murlidhar into Their wooden bed. I moved Them with such tenderness, like a mother tucking her children into bed. I stepped back to look at Them sleeping and I sighed.
How many times must I lose Krishna to realize that He is to be found within my own heart?
How many times must I lose Krishna to realize that He is to be found within my own heart?
(photo by Alex Vaishnava)
Gundicha Marjanam
→ Mayapur.com
Please view the gallery: Gundicha Marjanam The day prior to Ratha Yatra is Gundica Marjana, the cleaning of Gundica temple takes place to welcome Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed Gundica Marjana with great jubilation. By cleaning the Lord’s temple, one’s mind becomes purified. “In this way all the quarters of the [...]
The post Gundicha Marjanam appeared first on Mayapur.com.
July 9th, 2013 – Darshan
→ Mayapur.com
The post July 9th, 2013 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Gundicha Marjanam Gallery
→ Mayapur.com
The post Gundicha Marjanam Gallery appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Gundica-marjana: Cleansing our hearts Lord Caitanya’s way (Part 2)
→ SivaramaSwami.com
Surrender to Lord Krishna
→ HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami
25-02-2007, BG18.64-66 Surrender to Lord Krishna, Tent Campaign, Durban, South Africa.mp3
New Vrindaban’s Pushpa Abhishek and Swan Boat Festival – Jul 27th, 2013.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra’s Pushpa Abishek Celebration, 2011.
What: Pushpa Abhishek and Swan Boat Festival.
When: Saturday, July 27th 2013.
Where: Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra’s Temple of Understanding.
For two years, New Vrindaban has been celebrating Puspa Abhishek, an elaborate & fragrant flower petal bathing ceremony, of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra. We would be very honored if you would join us in serving the Deities during this vibrant and colorful ceremony!
While New Vrindaban gardners have been lovingly growing an abundance flowers in preparation for this festival, feel free to bring your own flowers to offer as well.
After the Puspa Abhishek, the enchanting Swan Boat will float majestically around the lake, accompanied by a brilliant display of fireworks and an enthusiastic Hare Krsna kirtan.
Daily Class – Kesava Prabhu
→ ISKCON Melbourne, AU
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.19.26 - The middle level of devotional attainment- knowing how to relate to others.
Daily Class – Yamuna-lila Mataji
→ ISKCON Melbourne, AU
“Fellowship With Devotees” – lecture by Her Grace Urmila Devi Dasi – June 5, 2013
→ Gouranga TV - The Hare Krishna video collection
“Fellowship With Devotees” – lecture by Her Grace Urmila Devi Dasi – June 5, 2013
Star Wars and the Force
→ The Enquirer
Here’s a little diddy I did in 1999, my dad just put it back online.
http://www.dicara.com/Members/vic/Jedi/index.htm
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
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
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
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
Eternal engagement
→ KKS Blog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 May 2013, Radhadesh, Belgium, Free lecture)
It’s not enough to say that God is merciful. We have to qualify that mercy. The mercy is not only about pulling us out of the material world, but the mercy is also about giving us the spiritual world and giving us an eternal activity and eternal engagement.
And here we see something about the eternal engagement. When Krsna comes to the material world and performs all these pastimes, then he shows us a bit of the eternal engagement.
Day After Day
→ travelingmonk.com
Day after day we go out to distribute the holy names to those less fortunate than ourselves. When we see the people laugh, smile, wave and sometimes dance alongside us our bliss knows no bounds. Kirtan forever!
Sunday, July 7th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk
Parents at the Park
Montreal, Quebec
It happened that on this 2nd day at Jeanne Mence Park that I met interested parents. It was also day 2 for our dramatical performance of Gita: Concise which was so rewarding, but it was parents that occupied my mind's attention at the end of the day. If I was to use the word concerned parents of new recruits, I might be misleading. We're not talking about anxious parents involving their child joining a cult.
In two cases a mom and dad who reared their child, now an adult, in Catholicism, were not so concerned about the young woman's apparent conversion. They were "cool" about her chosen lifestyle in Krishna Consciousness. More than anything they were satisfied about her happiness and they warmly and forwardly expressed that to me. With the 2nd family that approached me, the dad had nothing but praise to give to Gita: Concise after seeing it and he was happy that his son has been engaging his musical talents in the service of Krishna as of late. With his son being in his early 20s he did voice a wish for him to put his guitar down sometimes and plan some anchoring or rooting in his life. That's a valid wish. It's great that parents care. The father wanted to share some of his plans with me for a family business. I was honoured to be let in on it.
The third set of parents who raised their daughter in the Krishna Vaishnava tradition, simply wanted to be assured of their daughter's safety and protection while on a planned one week spiritual youth retreat conducted later this month. I'm one of the facilitators. That's a natural sentiment coming from them. Nowadays I am in a position where I'm older than the parents. It makes me feel a little older but not necessarily wiser. However, I do share the same sentiment towards young folks getting settled and protected.
My heart goes out to the generations.
7 KM
Montreal, Quebec
It happened that on this 2nd day at Jeanne Mence Park that I met interested parents. It was also day 2 for our dramatical performance of Gita: Concise which was so rewarding, but it was parents that occupied my mind's attention at the end of the day. If I was to use the word concerned parents of new recruits, I might be misleading. We're not talking about anxious parents involving their child joining a cult.
In two cases a mom and dad who reared their child, now an adult, in Catholicism, were not so concerned about the young woman's apparent conversion. They were "cool" about her chosen lifestyle in Krishna Consciousness. More than anything they were satisfied about her happiness and they warmly and forwardly expressed that to me. With the 2nd family that approached me, the dad had nothing but praise to give to Gita: Concise after seeing it and he was happy that his son has been engaging his musical talents in the service of Krishna as of late. With his son being in his early 20s he did voice a wish for him to put his guitar down sometimes and plan some anchoring or rooting in his life. That's a valid wish. It's great that parents care. The father wanted to share some of his plans with me for a family business. I was honoured to be let in on it.
The third set of parents who raised their daughter in the Krishna Vaishnava tradition, simply wanted to be assured of their daughter's safety and protection while on a planned one week spiritual youth retreat conducted later this month. I'm one of the facilitators. That's a natural sentiment coming from them. Nowadays I am in a position where I'm older than the parents. It makes me feel a little older but not necessarily wiser. However, I do share the same sentiment towards young folks getting settled and protected.
My heart goes out to the generations.
7 KM
Sunday, July 7th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk
Parents at the Park
Montreal, Quebec
It happened that on this 2nd day at Jeanne Mence Park that I met interested parents. It was also day 2 for our dramatical performance of Gita: Concise which was so rewarding, but it was parents that occupied my mind's attention at the end of the day. If I was to use the word concerned parents of new recruits, I might be misleading. We're not talking about anxious parents involving their child joining a cult.
In two cases a mom and dad who reared their child, now an adult, in Catholicism, were not so concerned about the young woman's apparent conversion. They were "cool" about her chosen lifestyle in Krishna Consciousness. More than anything they were satisfied about her happiness and they warmly and forwardly expressed that to me. With the 2nd family that approached me, the dad had nothing but praise to give to Gita: Concise after seeing it and he was happy that his son has been engaging his musical talents in the service of Krishna as of late. With his son being in his early 20s he did voice a wish for him to put his guitar down sometimes and plan some anchoring or rooting in his life. That's a valid wish. It's great that parents care. The father wanted to share some of his plans with me for a family business. I was honoured to be let in on it.
The third set of parents who raised their daughter in the Krishna Vaishnava tradition, simply wanted to be assured of their daughter's safety and protection while on a planned one week spiritual youth retreat conducted later this month. I'm one of the facilitators. That's a natural sentiment coming from them. Nowadays I am in a position where I'm older than the parents. It makes me feel a little older but not necessarily wiser. However, I do share the same sentiment towards young folks getting settled and protected.
My heart goes out to the generations.
7 KM
Montreal, Quebec
It happened that on this 2nd day at Jeanne Mence Park that I met interested parents. It was also day 2 for our dramatical performance of Gita: Concise which was so rewarding, but it was parents that occupied my mind's attention at the end of the day. If I was to use the word concerned parents of new recruits, I might be misleading. We're not talking about anxious parents involving their child joining a cult.
In two cases a mom and dad who reared their child, now an adult, in Catholicism, were not so concerned about the young woman's apparent conversion. They were "cool" about her chosen lifestyle in Krishna Consciousness. More than anything they were satisfied about her happiness and they warmly and forwardly expressed that to me. With the 2nd family that approached me, the dad had nothing but praise to give to Gita: Concise after seeing it and he was happy that his son has been engaging his musical talents in the service of Krishna as of late. With his son being in his early 20s he did voice a wish for him to put his guitar down sometimes and plan some anchoring or rooting in his life. That's a valid wish. It's great that parents care. The father wanted to share some of his plans with me for a family business. I was honoured to be let in on it.
The third set of parents who raised their daughter in the Krishna Vaishnava tradition, simply wanted to be assured of their daughter's safety and protection while on a planned one week spiritual youth retreat conducted later this month. I'm one of the facilitators. That's a natural sentiment coming from them. Nowadays I am in a position where I'm older than the parents. It makes me feel a little older but not necessarily wiser. However, I do share the same sentiment towards young folks getting settled and protected.
My heart goes out to the generations.
7 KM
Saturday, July 6th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk
Transitions
Montreal, Quebec
As I understand it, Montreal has the largest jazz festival in the world. I walked through it accidentally stumbling upon it on my trekking return from our Festival of Chariots. There are two different worlds here. The jazz festival is mega and at present we are mini.
I'm not knocking jazz as a genre of music, but if I could put a mild judgement on it I would put it in the rajas category from the Vedic context. I believe many fans would put it in the happy category of music. Rajas means passion by the way.
Now I left the site at Jeanne Mence Park where the more holy event, The Chariot Festival culminated after an exuberant procession down Saint Laurent Street. Rock music was playing, I was touched by a song dedicated to the walking monk, performed by the band Rajasi. I haven't as of yet captured the name of the piece. Rajasi's style represents everything 60ish 70ish through the decades, but their message goes towards elevation. It's what people need, if I could speak frankly. It's what we, the human race don't get enough of.
One of the entertainers, Mahajan, sang "I don't need a love in... " You know, one of George's songs whose chorus is "chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free."
I had walked from a world of hope at the park then to the world of music, fluff and not a whole lot of stuff on Saint Catherine to the world of sleep, only to wake up to the world of purity at the sound of chanting in the temple. These were real pleasant transitions.
11 KM
Montreal, Quebec
As I understand it, Montreal has the largest jazz festival in the world. I walked through it accidentally stumbling upon it on my trekking return from our Festival of Chariots. There are two different worlds here. The jazz festival is mega and at present we are mini.
I'm not knocking jazz as a genre of music, but if I could put a mild judgement on it I would put it in the rajas category from the Vedic context. I believe many fans would put it in the happy category of music. Rajas means passion by the way.
Now I left the site at Jeanne Mence Park where the more holy event, The Chariot Festival culminated after an exuberant procession down Saint Laurent Street. Rock music was playing, I was touched by a song dedicated to the walking monk, performed by the band Rajasi. I haven't as of yet captured the name of the piece. Rajasi's style represents everything 60ish 70ish through the decades, but their message goes towards elevation. It's what people need, if I could speak frankly. It's what we, the human race don't get enough of.
One of the entertainers, Mahajan, sang "I don't need a love in... " You know, one of George's songs whose chorus is "chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free."
I had walked from a world of hope at the park then to the world of music, fluff and not a whole lot of stuff on Saint Catherine to the world of sleep, only to wake up to the world of purity at the sound of chanting in the temple. These were real pleasant transitions.
11 KM
Saturday, July 6th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk
Transitions
Montreal, Quebec
As I understand it, Montreal has the largest jazz festival in the world. I walked through it accidentally stumbling upon it on my trekking return from our Festival of Chariots. There are two different worlds here. The jazz festival is mega and at present we are mini.
I'm not knocking jazz as a genre of music, but if I could put a mild judgement on it I would put it in the rajas category from the Vedic context. I believe many fans would put it in the happy category of music. Rajas means passion by the way.
Now I left the site at Jeanne Mence Park where the more holy event, The Chariot Festival culminated after an exuberant procession down Saint Laurent Street. Rock music was playing, I was touched by a song dedicated to the walking monk, performed by the band Rajasi. I haven't as of yet captured the name of the piece. Rajasi's style represents everything 60ish 70ish through the decades, but their message goes towards elevation. It's what people need, if I could speak frankly. It's what we, the human race don't get enough of.
One of the entertainers, Mahajan, sang "I don't need a love in... " You know, one of George's songs whose chorus is "chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free."
I had walked from a world of hope at the park then to the world of music, fluff and not a whole lot of stuff on Saint Catherine to the world of sleep, only to wake up to the world of purity at the sound of chanting in the temple. These were real pleasant transitions.
11 KM
Montreal, Quebec
As I understand it, Montreal has the largest jazz festival in the world. I walked through it accidentally stumbling upon it on my trekking return from our Festival of Chariots. There are two different worlds here. The jazz festival is mega and at present we are mini.
I'm not knocking jazz as a genre of music, but if I could put a mild judgement on it I would put it in the rajas category from the Vedic context. I believe many fans would put it in the happy category of music. Rajas means passion by the way.
Now I left the site at Jeanne Mence Park where the more holy event, The Chariot Festival culminated after an exuberant procession down Saint Laurent Street. Rock music was playing, I was touched by a song dedicated to the walking monk, performed by the band Rajasi. I haven't as of yet captured the name of the piece. Rajasi's style represents everything 60ish 70ish through the decades, but their message goes towards elevation. It's what people need, if I could speak frankly. It's what we, the human race don't get enough of.
One of the entertainers, Mahajan, sang "I don't need a love in... " You know, one of George's songs whose chorus is "chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free."
I had walked from a world of hope at the park then to the world of music, fluff and not a whole lot of stuff on Saint Catherine to the world of sleep, only to wake up to the world of purity at the sound of chanting in the temple. These were real pleasant transitions.
11 KM
strategic yoga
→ everyday gita
Strategy and planning are essential ingredients to achieving success.
Whether your desire is to pass your physics final, travel around the world or become a great singer, everything requires planning and strategy. Today, we learn that the practice of yoga is no different.
In order to be successful yogis, we require a strategy..
One of the biggest obstacles to discovering who we really are is lust. That lust is what blinds many of us us from realizing that we are the recipients of great gifts and instead compels us to think that everything is ours. It promotes selfishness and pride and masks the mood of service and love which lies dormant within us.
It only makes sense that one who is truly seeking lasting happiness will want to understand who they really are. As we've mentioned before: if you don't know who you really are, then how will you know what will make you happy?
The Gita has already outlined that we are eternal souls, which means that only those things that are eternal will make us happy. It's not that temporary relationships, things and situations don't make us happy, it's just that they can't provide the two key elements that we are constantly looking for: eternal love.
Now, when we understand that lust is a covering that is preventing us from realizing our true selves, it only logical that the thoughtful yogi would want to know how to remove this impediment.
And that, my friends, is called strategic thinking. That's why today's verse of the Gita is so important. It is giving valuable information which we can add to our strategic plan of discovering who we are - where lust can be found.
Three places are specifically named:
1. Senses
2. Mind
3. Intelligence
Continuing along the lines of strategic yoga, it makes sense that instead of spending our resources trying to combat this lust in these places that we start where it can make the most difference. Previously, we learned that there is a hierarchy. The mind is the leader of the senses and the intelligence is what is supposed to control the mind.
By this token, if we can start to remove lust (or the tendency of trying to enjoy the property of the Supreme instead of engaging in a relationship with the Supreme) from the intelligence, then naturally the mind and senses can start to become free from it as well.
So then how does one go about clearing lust from these different places? Join us tomorrow to find out!
strategic yoga
→ everyday gita
Strategy and planning are essential ingredients to achieving success.
Whether your desire is to pass your physics final, travel around the world or become a great singer, everything requires planning and strategy. Today, we learn that the practice of yoga is no different.
In order to be successful yogis, we require a strategy..
One of the biggest obstacles to discovering who we really are is lust. That lust is what blinds many of us us from realizing that we are the recipients of great gifts and instead compels us to think that everything is ours. It promotes selfishness and pride and masks the mood of service and love which lies dormant within us.
It only makes sense that one who is truly seeking lasting happiness will want to understand who they really are. As we've mentioned before: if you don't know who you really are, then how will you know what will make you happy?
The Gita has already outlined that we are eternal souls, which means that only those things that are eternal will make us happy. It's not that temporary relationships, things and situations don't make us happy, it's just that they can't provide the two key elements that we are constantly looking for: eternal love.
Now, when we understand that lust is a covering that is preventing us from realizing our true selves, it only logical that the thoughtful yogi would want to know how to remove this impediment.
And that, my friends, is called strategic thinking. That's why today's verse of the Gita is so important. It is giving valuable information which we can add to our strategic plan of discovering who we are - where lust can be found.
Three places are specifically named:
1. Senses
2. Mind
3. Intelligence
Continuing along the lines of strategic yoga, it makes sense that instead of spending our resources trying to combat this lust in these places that we start where it can make the most difference. Previously, we learned that there is a hierarchy. The mind is the leader of the senses and the intelligence is what is supposed to control the mind.
By this token, if we can start to remove lust (or the tendency of trying to enjoy the property of the Supreme instead of engaging in a relationship with the Supreme) from the intelligence, then naturally the mind and senses can start to become free from it as well.
So then how does one go about clearing lust from these different places? Join us tomorrow to find out!
Let the public decide
→ 16 ROUNDS to Samadhi magazine
Edward is a former technical contractor and CIA employee who worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, a contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), before leaking details of classified NSA mass surveillance programs to the press.
Most of this article is based on an interview Mr. Snowden gave to journalist Glenn Greenwald, plus a few thoughts of my own in the last section.
NSA ILLEGALLY SPIES ON AMERICANS
NSA and the intelligence community in general are focused on getting intelligence wherever it can, by any means possible. It believes, on the grounds of self-certification, that they serve the national interest. Originally we saw that focus was very narrowly tailored for intelligence gathered overseas. Now we see that it is increasingly happening domestically. To accomplish this, the NSA specifically targets the communications of everyone, ingests the data by default, and collects it in a system where it is filtered, analyzed, and stored for periods of time. They believe it is the easiest, most efficient and most valuable way to achieve intelligence.
While they may be intending to target someone associated with a foreign government who they suspect of terrorism, they are collecting your communications to do so. Any analyst at any time can target anyone, any selector anywhere. Where those communications will be picked up, depends on the range of the sensor networks and the authorities that that analyst is empowered with. Not all analysts have the ability to target everything. But some certainly have the authority to wire tap anyone from you or your accountant to federal judge to even the president if they had the personal email.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CARE ABOUT SURVEILLANCE?
Because even if you are not doing anything wrong, you are being watched and recorded, and the storage capability of these systems consistently increases every year by orders of magnitude; it can get to the point where you don’t have to have done anything wrong. You simply have to fall under suspicion from somebody, even by a wrong call and then they can use the system to go back in time and scrutinize every decision you ever made, every friend you ever discussed something with; they can attack you on that basis to derive suspicion from an innocent life and paint anyone in the context of a wrongdoer.
TO WHISTLE-BLOW OR NOT
When you are in positions of privileged access, like the system administrator for the intelligence community agencies, you are exposed to a lot more information and on a broader scale than an average employee. Because of that you see things that may be disturbing. Over the course of a normal person’s career, you would see only one or two of these instances. But when you have access to everything, you see them on a more frequent basis and you recognize that some of these things are actually abuses.
When you talk to people about abuse in a work place where abuse is the normal state of business, people tend not to take it very seriously. But over time the awareness of wrongdoing builds up and you feel compelled to talk about it. However, the more you talk about it, the more you are ignored, the more you are told it is not a problem until eventually you realize that these things need to be determined by the public and not by somebody who is simply hired by a government.
SNOWDEN COULD’VE DONE IT ANONYMOUSLY
Snowden could have leaked the bad news anonymously, but he thinks that the public is owed an explanation of the motivations for the disclosures, especially by people who live outside of the democratic model.
When someone is subverting the power of a democratic government, that is fundamentally dangerous to democracy; ironically, the US government consistently subverts its own power. When its leaders want to benefit from the secret actions they took, they will tell the press about things that will help get the public on their side. But they rarely, if ever, inform the public when the abuse of power occurs. It falls to individual citizens to inform themselves.
Snowden is not different than anyone else. He is just another guy who sits day to day in his office, watching what is happening and thinking, “This is something that is not the agency’s place to decide. The public needs to decide whether these programs and policies are right or wrong.” Snowden is willing to go on record to defend the authenticity of his leaks.
POSSIBLE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Snowden could have people come after him; he is wanted by the CIA. That is a fear he will have to live with for the rest of his life; however long that happens to be. You can’t come forward against the world’s most powerful intelligence agencies and be completely free from risk. They are such powerful adversaries that no one can meaningfully oppose them. If they want to get you, they will get you in time. But, at the same time, you have to make a determination about what it is that is important to you. If living on freely but comfortably is something you are willing to accept, than you can get up every day, go to work, collect your large pay check for relatively little work but against the public interest, and go to sleep at night after watching your shows. But if you realize that is the world you helped create and it is going to get worse with future generations, who will extend the capabilities of this sort of architectural oppression, you realize that you might be willing to accept any risk; that it doesn’t matter what the outcome is so long as the public gets to make the decision as to how that’s applied.
WHY CHINA, APPARENT RIVAL OF THE U.S.?
There are some insertions regarding the choice by Snowden to seek shelter in Hong Kong.
The first is that China is an enemy of the US. It is not. There are conflicts between the US government and the Chinese government, but the people inherently don’t care. We trade with each other freely and we are not at war. We are not in an armed conflict. We are the largest trading partners out there.
Additionally, Hong Kong has a strong tradition of free speech. People think China is a great firewall. China does have significant restrictions on free speech, but the people of Hong Kong have a long tradition of protesting in the streets, of making their views known. Internet, for example, is not filtered in Hong Kong, not more than in the States.
WHAT IF SNOWDEN WANTED TO HARM THE U.S.?
Anyone with the position of access and with the technical capabilities that Snowden had could suck out secrets and pass them on the open market, to Russia, for example. They always have an open door, as the US does. Snowden had access to the entire intelligence community and undercover assets all around the world, the locations of every station, what their missions are and so forth. If he had just wanted to harm the US, he could have shut down the surveillance system in an afternoon, for example. But that does not seem to be his intention. For anyone making that argument, one needs to think if one was in that position; living a privileged life, living in Hawaii, in paradise, making a ton of money. What would it take to make you leave everything behind?
GREATEST FEAR
The greatest fear that Snowden has regarding the outcome for America in the wake of the exclosures about the NSA’s illegal surveillance of American citizens, is that nothing will change. That people will see in the media all these exclosures, they will know the length that the government is going to unilaterally grant themselves powers to create greater control over American society, and global society, but they will not be willing to take the risks necessary to stand up and fight to change things, to force their representatives to actually take a stand in their interests. Not only will nothing change, but months ahead, years ahead, it is only going to get worse, until eventually there will be a time where policies will change and a new leader elected. They’ll flip the switch, say that because of the crises, because of the dangers that we face in the world, or some new and unpredicted threat, they need more authority and more power, and there will be nothing that people can do at that point to oppose it It will be a turn-key tyranny.
PHILOSOPHERS AND BUSINESSMEN
After being exposed by Snowden, the powers that be are concerned with protecting themselves rather than correcting themselves. As I see it, this is a sign of a morally ill and emotionally disturbed organism. I would say that Snowden’s fear is far from baseless.
If one is not a philosopher, lover of truth or truth seeker, then any incongruous and morally unhealthy behavior is possible from such an individual. People of that character type should ideally not be allowed access to power such as governing. Plato said, “Until philosophers are kings (read “government”), or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, and those commoner natures who pursue either to the exclusion of the other are compelled to stand aside, cities will never have rest from their evils,—nor the human race.” Here I am not dreaming about a utopia as I don’t expect perfection on the global level. When a civilization does not cultivate and promote philosophy and philosophers over business and businessmen, we should be surprised neither when the people in power, who are supposed to be the best of the best, our pride and honor, turn out to be no better than a band of crooks, nor when the public does not mind the crookedness enough to take the crooks down.
At the time of writing of this article, a German magazine Der Spiegel reported that the NSA had bugged European Union offices and gained access to EU internal computer networks where it was able to read documents and emails. United Nations offices were similarly targeted. This report, says Der Spiegel, are based on information provided by Mr. Snowden.
In Hanover, Germany, protests are held against NSA. Protesters displayed signs with Obama’s picture and the caption, “Yes we scan!”
At this time Mr. Snowden has left Hong Kong and taken a temporary shelter in Moscow, Russia, while Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is assisting him in getting asylum in Ecuador. The United States has filed espionage charges against Edward Snowden.