Veggie “Toona” with Black Beans Sauce, Seasoned Tofu and Bokchoy
→ Oh My Ghee (^_^)

I’d been craving for Filipino food lately; the one that my mother used to cook! Even though almost all of those culinary memories are associated with meat and fish, I still can’t help but to long for my mother’s cooking. I’m certain it’s not the taste I’m hankering for, but it’s the amount of love and care my mother put into preparing and cooking the food. One of my personal favorite, is the one w/ black beans savory sauce with bokchoy! I love the pungent smell of black bean sauce! I know it sounds weird, but for me, the aroma of it brings back happy childhood memories. So, to satisfy my cravings, I made some veggie 2na with black bean sauce, bokchoy, and added some seasoned tofu. I also added my own masala concoction into this one, hahaha! If you notice in this recipe, a lot of tomatoes are needed. Since the black beans sauce is so salty, the tomatoes helps to mellow it down.

Ingredients:

veggie 2na (about 6-8 pieces)

seasoned tofu (optional)

2 tbsp of black beans sauce

2 tsp of white sugar

1 big tomato (cut in small pieces, if you can’t avail of a big tomato, 3 medium size tomatoes will do too)

2 tbsp minced ginger

2 cups water

1 tsp sesame oil

2 tsp peanut oil

3 cluster of bokchoy

2 medium size red and yellow sweet bell pepper ( cut into small cubes, and you can used any color you want)

broccoli florets (about a handful)

some chives for garnishing

Masala:

1/2 tsp Hungarian paprika

1/2 tsp grounded black pepper

1/2 tsp hing/asoefatida ( you can buy this in any Indian store)

Procedure:

1. Pan fry the veggie 2na until golden brown. Set aside.

2. Cut the seasoned tofu into small cubes and pan fry. Set aside.

3. Cut the bokchoy and separate the leaves from the steam. Cut the steam into medium size cubes.

4. In a hot pan, pour in the peanut oil. When oil is hot, put the ginger and cooked it until slightly brown. Add in the masala and stir it with the ginger.

5. Mix in the tomatoes, bell peppers, and seasoned tofu and add the 2 cups of water. Simmer for 2 minutes.

6. Add the black beans sauce, sugar, bokchoy steams, and broccoli. Stir and simmer again for 2 minutes.

7. Add the bokchoy leaves and sesame oil, and do a quick stir.

8. Lastly, put the veggie 2na and simmer it for a second. Garnish it with some chives.

 


We’ll Be Chanting at the Total Health Show this Sunday (10am)!!
→ Gaura-Shakti Kirtan Yoga

We're excited to share that we'll be chanting at the Total Health Show this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. We hope you can join us on Sunday, April 10th from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Spa Stage.

The show actually opens at 10:00am, so we're anticipating a smaller crowd at the stages. We hope our fellow kirtan-lovers can come out and join us to send out some positive, spiritually-soaked vibes at the Covention Centre this weekend! Hope to see you there!

We’ll Be Chanting at the Total Health Show this Sunday (10am)!!
→ Gaura-Shakti Kirtan Yoga

We're excited to share that we'll be chanting at the Total Health Show this weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. We hope you can join us on Sunday, April 10th from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Spa Stage.

The show actually opens at 10:00am, so we're anticipating a smaller crowd at the stages. We hope our fellow kirtan-lovers can come out and join us to send out some positive, spiritually-soaked vibes at the Covention Centre this weekend! Hope to see you there!

Nine Devotions – Our Own Understanding Strengthened
→ Gaura-Shakti Kirtan Yoga

Gaura Shakti had a great opportunity to assist Bhaktimarga Swami (www.thewalkingmonk.org) in his world famous workshop "Nine Devotions of Bhakti Yoga". Even though it is impossible to describe the experience in mere words, this is a humble attempt... to really know what I am talking about, find out about when the workshop will be held next, and BE THERE!

In these workshops, Bhaktimarga Swami leads participants in an interactive personal journey through the nine processes of devotional service. The journey brings out interpersonal dynamics and is very inspiring. Each workshop is unique, owing to the composition of the participants. The origins of these processes of devotional service go back to thousands, even millions of years. They are described by a 5 year old prince, Prahlada, who heard them from his teacher Narada while still in the mother's womb! This episode is described in vivid detail in the pre-eminent historical treatise by Veda Vyasa, put into writing 5000 years ago, a masterly epic called Srimad Bhagavatam.

To sit at the feet of such a master and learn and see how the complex is made simple, how the esoteric is explained in easily understood terms, how the abstract is related back to tangible personal experience, was a rare treat.

Most members of Gaura Shakti had an opportunity to participate twice. Once in Richmond Hill Ontario on Friday April 1 2011, and in Hamilton Ontario on Sunday April 3 2011.

What an opportunity! Hearts melted, inhibitions broke down, strangers became friends, everyone became ecstatic... joy reigned supreme.

The quality of Kirtan is determined by consciousness... The person leading sets the stage, but each individual participant adds their own energy, their own consciousness to the mix in varying degrees. So every Kirtan is unique. Of course, sometimes the Kirtan itself may be wonderful, but one's consciousness may bar one from participating. The barriers are subtle, and most are internal. Krishna is always present in His Names. But, just as a blind man surrounded by sunshine may not be able to see a single ray, a person with a blocked consciousness may not feel Krishna's presence.

The workshop set the stage for some intense cleansing, some intensely energetic and purified consciousness. Dhira Grahi led the group in ecstatic chanting of tunes that came of years of practice, but the effect of the collective consciousness was magical and the tunes took on a flavor as unique as the individuals that made up the extended group. Of course, the benevolent presence of a saint like Bhaktimarga Swami presiding makes such a Kirtan all the more sweeter.

May the whole world be flooded with the joyful chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra!



Nine Devotions – Our Own Understanding Strengthened
→ Gaura-Shakti Kirtan Yoga

Gaura Shakti had a great opportunity to assist Bhaktimarga Swami (www.thewalkingmonk.org) in his world famous workshop "Nine Devotions of Bhakti Yoga". Even though it is impossible to describe the experience in mere words, this is a humble attempt... to really know what I am talking about, find out about when the workshop will be held next, and BE THERE!

In these workshops, Bhaktimarga Swami leads participants in an interactive personal journey through the nine processes of devotional service. The journey brings out interpersonal dynamics and is very inspiring. Each workshop is unique, owing to the composition of the participants. The origins of these processes of devotional service go back to thousands, even millions of years. They are described by a 5 year old prince, Prahlada, who heard them from his teacher Narada while still in the mother's womb! This episode is described in vivid detail in the pre-eminent historical treatise by Veda Vyasa, put into writing 5000 years ago, a masterly epic called Srimad Bhagavatam.

To sit at the feet of such a master and learn and see how the complex is made simple, how the esoteric is explained in easily understood terms, how the abstract is related back to tangible personal experience, was a rare treat.

Most members of Gaura Shakti had an opportunity to participate twice. Once in Richmond Hill Ontario on Friday April 1 2011, and in Hamilton Ontario on Sunday April 3 2011.

What an opportunity! Hearts melted, inhibitions broke down, strangers became friends, everyone became ecstatic... joy reigned supreme.

The quality of Kirtan is determined by consciousness... The person leading sets the stage, but each individual participant adds their own energy, their own consciousness to the mix in varying degrees. So every Kirtan is unique. Of course, sometimes the Kirtan itself may be wonderful, but one's consciousness may bar one from participating. The barriers are subtle, and most are internal. Krishna is always present in His Names. But, just as a blind man surrounded by sunshine may not be able to see a single ray, a person with a blocked consciousness may not feel Krishna's presence.

The workshop set the stage for some intense cleansing, some intensely energetic and purified consciousness. Dhira Grahi led the group in ecstatic chanting of tunes that came of years of practice, but the effect of the collective consciousness was magical and the tunes took on a flavor as unique as the individuals that made up the extended group. Of course, the benevolent presence of a saint like Bhaktimarga Swami presiding makes such a Kirtan all the more sweeter.

May the whole world be flooded with the joyful chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra!



PULL
→ the world i know

Yes, PULL!


That is the feeling I got after I woke up from this evening's nap. I am about to drive a few ungodly hours to the divine ISV (Iskcon Silicon Valley, or Iskcon Sankirtan Village, as I prefer to call it) and get the association of the great souls who live there. Krsna reminds me through that "pull" from within, that the reason for visiting holy places is not to just see the place, but to hear from the sadhus who live there, associate with them, aspire to BE like them; less one still remains a cow or an ass.

I am pulled from within to BE a devotee of Krsna, and not just go through the emotional joy ride of the "look" of a devotee. You know, that feeling one gets when the dhottis fits just right today, and the chaddar hangs quite well, even as you're dancing in kirtan bliss. I guess it can be applied to saris too, but I wouldn't know much about that in this life time. I did wear a sari for a play, it was worn as a dhotti, and felt quit nice and flowy..... (ok, back to the pull)



When there is proper hearing in the association of devotees, and especially a point that is made again and again, there just must, at least for me I'll speak, be contemplation. Contemplation must be followed by a resolve, a desire to act! This is where one's romantic love story turns into ________ (insert your super hero of choice) and one is faced with wild adventures.

The journey within is far more action packed than the hour, or four, depending on if you watched the extended version, of your Lord of the Rings, Harry Porter, or Temple of Doom. That person who looks so effulgent outside is now faced with the dark road inside. Envy, pride, madness, you name it, they're there to greet you! And the king of the castle, that eternal enemy known as Dr. Evil, wrong screenplay, that eternal enemy known as LUST, is there hiding in the very fabric of your existence. When you thought your had him down by tight sadhana, he popped up in the form of the desire from profit, fame and distinction. So day by day you fight. You dicide that " I want to go back to Krsna, and serve him." Serve him? I guess so. So my lofty idea of wanting to be a cowherd boy or a gopi, or Father Yasoda has to be based on service? PHEW... pause....

Yes, the person I am most envious of and most lusty towards is that person named Krsna, that spy who loves me, that guy who unlike my most beloved wife, son, daughter, friend or whoever, will do anything for me. He'll even sit there with me in the bathroom during my cleaning moments. Actually without his help I wouldn't know what to clean, or where to clean. He even accompanies the worm in that cleansed substance that was just dropped off at the pool; I mean seriously, has your other half fulfilled that part in the "for better or worse" clause?

So why am I envious of such a person? Because I want to be like him, equal to him, I want to BE him. And all I seem to do over the years, or lifetimes, is to make blunders and show how I'll never be him, because he is One without a Second.

So with humility and a resolution to free myself from all this dust accumulated for years on end, I decide to go with the pull, to be a devotee, and not just look like one. To sing for Krsna's pleasure, and not to hear myself thinking that I am singing so nicely. To give Krsna to others and step out of the way, less I contiminate them with my own god project, which wouldn't work anyways since they're on a god project journey of their own.

To finish this rambling, we have embarked on this journey back to sanity, and when Krsna comes in, everyone else, even that lust guy, has to pack up and leave. They all become squatters, and Krsna needs the whole heart, all four chambers, to himself..and you. But like before, he is always there with us at every step. He carries what we lack, and preserves what we have, and he knows how deep we really want to go. He'll take us no further if we don't want it.

This is Krsna. Wonderful Krsna.

"O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna), I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet."

PULL
→ the world i know

Yes, PULL!


That is the feeling I got after I woke up from this evening's nap. I am about to drive a few ungodly hours to the divine ISV (Iskcon Silicon Valley, or Iskcon Sankirtan Village, as I prefer to call it) and get the association of the great souls who live there. Krsna reminds me through that "pull" from within, that the reason for visiting holy places is not to just see the place, but to hear from the sadhus who live there, associate with them, aspire to BE like them; less one still remains a cow or an ass.

I am pulled from within to BE a devotee of Krsna, and not just go through the emotional joy ride of the "look" of a devotee. You know, that feeling one gets when the dhottis fits just right today, and the chaddar hangs quite well, even as you're dancing in kirtan bliss. I guess it can be applied to saris too, but I wouldn't know much about that in this life time. I did wear a sari for a play, it was worn as a dhotti, and felt quit nice and flowy..... (ok, back to the pull)



When there is proper hearing in the association of devotees, and especially a point that is made again and again, there just must, at least for me I'll speak, be contemplation. Contemplation must be followed by a resolve, a desire to act! This is where one's romantic love story turns into ________ (insert your super hero of choice) and one is faced with wild adventures.

The journey within is far more action packed than the hour, or four, depending on if you watched the extended version, of your Lord of the Rings, Harry Porter, or Temple of Doom. That person who looks so effulgent outside is now faced with the dark road inside. Envy, pride, madness, you name it, they're there to greet you! And the king of the castle, that eternal enemy known as Dr. Evil, wrong screenplay, that eternal enemy known as LUST, is there hiding in the very fabric of your existence. When you thought your had him down by tight sadhana, he popped up in the form of the desire from profit, fame and distinction. So day by day you fight. You dicide that " I want to go back to Krsna, and serve him." Serve him? I guess so. So my lofty idea of wanting to be a cowherd boy or a gopi, or Father Yasoda has to be based on service? PHEW... pause....

Yes, the person I am most envious of and most lusty towards is that person named Krsna, that spy who loves me, that guy who unlike my most beloved wife, son, daughter, friend or whoever, will do anything for me. He'll even sit there with me in the bathroom during my cleaning moments. Actually without his help I wouldn't know what to clean, or where to clean. He even accompanies the worm in that cleansed substance that was just dropped off at the pool; I mean seriously, has your other half fulfilled that part in the "for better or worse" clause?

So why am I envious of such a person? Because I want to be like him, equal to him, I want to BE him. And all I seem to do over the years, or lifetimes, is to make blunders and show how I'll never be him, because he is One without a Second.

So with humility and a resolution to free myself from all this dust accumulated for years on end, I decide to go with the pull, to be a devotee, and not just look like one. To sing for Krsna's pleasure, and not to hear myself thinking that I am singing so nicely. To give Krsna to others and step out of the way, less I contiminate them with my own god project, which wouldn't work anyways since they're on a god project journey of their own.

To finish this rambling, we have embarked on this journey back to sanity, and when Krsna comes in, everyone else, even that lust guy, has to pack up and leave. They all become squatters, and Krsna needs the whole heart, all four chambers, to himself..and you. But like before, he is always there with us at every step. He carries what we lack, and preserves what we have, and he knows how deep we really want to go. He'll take us no further if we don't want it.

This is Krsna. Wonderful Krsna.

"O son of Maharaja Nanda (Krsna), I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet."

Hong Kong style Snow Skin Moon Cake
→ Oh My Ghee (^_^)

My first try in making Hong Kong style Snow Skin Moon Cake! The green one is flavored with Pandan essence, while the pink one is coconut flavor. Both have Adzuki bean paste w/ walnuts filling. (^_^) I just followed the ingredients and procedure from this video.

However, instead of only 80 gms for both of the rice flour and the glutinous rice flour, I did 100 grams for each, since I find it kind of watery with the 200 grams of milk. Also, the red bean paste filling I use is store brought, and I added some chopped walnuts on it.

1. Use a cling wrap when you’re kneading the moon cake dough. In this way, your dough is smoother and it won’t stick to your hands.

2. For the cooked starch, I just steamed a couple tablespoon of corn starch covered with paper towel for 15 minutes.

P.S.

Excuse my blurry pictures, for I don’t have a camera (it’s broken :( ) Instead, I took the photos via my iPhone.


Tofu Adobo (Updated)
→ Oh My Ghee (^_^)

Adobo is a very popular method of cooking in the Philippines. Perhaps, it’s the most popular and most distinguished among all Filipino cuisines, unfortunately, it’s commonly associated with meat. It has simple ingredients and very flexible procedures, so I come up with my own version of vegetarian adobo. You can either cook it right away, or have it marinated and cook the next day. Either way, the result is the same, yummy!

Tofu Adobo

Ingredients:

sliced tofu (sliced as you like but just thick enough in size; I cut mine in triangular shape)

1/2 cup lemon juice

6 pieces of slice lemon

1/2 cup of soy sauce or Bragg aminos

dried bay leaves

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp black pepper

sliced ginger (about 1/4 cup)

1 tbsp of oil

1 tsp of sesame oil

Procedure:

1. Drained and sliced the tofu and deep fry (you can pan fry also), set aside.

2. Slice the lemon and ginger and set aside.

3. In a bowl combine, the soy sauce, lemon juice, bay leaves, salt, pepper and sugar stir well, this will be our adobo sauce.

4. In a hot pot, put the oil and sauté’ the sliced lemon, ginger and about 3 pieces of bay leaves.

5. Stir in the fried tofu, and let it simmer for 2 minutes.

6. Add the adobo sauce,mix well and make sure that the tofu are fully coated with the sauce, simmer for 2 -3 minutes then add the sesame oil.

7. Offer and serve with love :) Hare Krishna!


Pad Thai for Beginners
→ Oh My Ghee (^_^)

What would it take for a noodle gaga like me? Simple, just dare to cook all those noodle varieties available. From pansit bihon to pansit palabok, Italian spaghetti to Korean jab chae. Heck, even from instant ramen to the unbeatable instant pancit canton, I tried it all and dig it! Come to think of it, I survived my college days by eating instant noodles. Yes, the lazy way of just putting hot water, and viola, you have a hot serving of a hearty noodle. But since I got married, cooking the instant way has to change, or else my husband will disown me,LOL! I’d been eating noodles since time immemorial, in which the amount of noodles I’d eaten could encircle the globe to-and-fro beating Michael Palen, hahahaha! So, this time, I dare myself to cook the famous Pad Thai. I had never cooked Pad Thai, and I always wanted to learn how to do it. At first, I was really intimidated, but after reading some blogs and articles, I conditioned myself not to back out.

One of the best blogs that I find very helpful on how to cook Pad Thai for beginners, is Chez Pim’s blog. In there, she thoroughly explained everything up to the last bits and pieces of ingredients, procedures, and even cooking tips. The article is a long read, but trust me, it’s worth your time. When you’re done reading it, I can assure you that you are now fully equipped on how to make your very first and own Pad Thai, just like me (^_^) Good luck on your Pad Thai quest, and soon enough, you’ll forget about take out!

Click here at Chez Phim on tutorial on how to cook Pad Thai.


Sio Pao (Filipino Steamed Buns)
→ Oh My Ghee (^_^)

Hmmmm….I miss my sio pao (pronounced as “shopaw”), and for that, I decided to made some. Sio Pao is a famous snack in the Philippines. It’s a good food on the go and very affordable. Making sio pao is not complicated at all even for first timers. You just need to be time conscious when you’re waiting for the dough to rise, otherwise you’ll over grow the dough, and this can really affect the texture of your dough resulting to a dry and heavy buns. When deciding on what fillings to make for the buns, just feel free to experiment, or I may say, do as you please. I decided to do a sweet filling which is made of sweet purple yam just because it’s my favorite,lol!

Ingredients:
Dough:

4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
3 tbsp cooking oil
3 tsp dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm water
1 tbsp sugar

Filling:
For my filling, since I use a powdered purple yam, I just followed the instructions on the packaging. However, for a salty filling, you can use a some scrambled tofu,minced cabbage and carrots. Just stir fry it, add some soy sauce and any spices you like, but make sure that it’s not liquidy to avoid any problems with the dough.

Procedure:
1. Sift the flour and baking powder, then add up the 1/2 cup of sugar and the 3 tbsp of oil.
2. Mix together the yeast and sugar in a lukewarm water and stir until it’s lump free and wait till its bubbly.
3. Pour in the liquid mixture in the flour mixture and mix well. Form into a ball and cover with a damp cloth.
4. Leave the dough to rise for 1 hour or until it doubles its volume.
5. Once the dough arises, punch it in the middle and let it rise again for another 30 minutes.
6. After 30 minutes, knead the dough in a floured surface until it is smooth and not sticky.
7. Divide the dough into 2 balls and roll it into a log then cut it into small balls.

Note: I weighed my balls into 75 grams each just enough for a regular bun size, and it makes about 14 buns.


8.Flattened the balls into a circle and put the filling into the middle.


9.Pull the sides of the dough into the center in closing the bun.


10.Place the bun into a 4″x 5″ square parchment paper and cook in the steamer for 15 minutes.


11. After 15 minutes, viola! Your sio pao is ready :)


Gaura-Shakti’s First CD is Coming Soon!
→ Gaura-Shakti Kirtan Yoga

To all our dear friends and supporters! It has been over two years since our Gaura-Shakti group was formed! We are excited to announce that we will be releasing our very first CD. More details will come regarding the name of the CD, when it will be available and how to obtain it.

To get onto the waiting list for the CD, please complete the form below! Stay tuned!

Gaura-Shakti’s First CD is Coming Soon!
→ Gaura-Shakti Kirtan Yoga

To all our dear friends and supporters! It has been over two years since our Gaura-Shakti group was formed! We are excited to announce that we will be releasing our very first CD. More details will come regarding the name of the CD, when it will be available and how to obtain it.

To get onto the waiting list for the CD, please complete the form below! Stay tuned!

Intermission
→ the world i know



cetasā sarva-karmāṇi


cetasā sarva-karmāṇi


mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ


buddhi-yogam upāśritya


mac-cittaḥ satataḿ bhava


In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me. (Bhagavad-Gita 18:57)






Blessings come in disguise, in situations where one might wonder what the h3ll am I doing here, of whats the purpose of all this. I came to a conclusion in my young life that I would like to be a part of a deeper change; a healing change. What's been done's been done, can't change it, but with proper consciousness and action, the future can manifest wonderful things.


As spiritual beings we are part of a greater whole who has a massive plan for reclaiming our love for him. I've learned to bow my head and say ok a lot lately, as bullets from the material energy fly my way. Tapping into spiritual vibrations means tapping into something bigger, beyond our control and surrender means to sit back and let the driver drive. Easier to write, talk about or think about; when the actual event occurs, theory must be forced into action. Thats the fun part. Sometimes you win, sometimes you fail, sometimes you're meant to just not do anything.


I meet people along the way on my trip and have interactions with them, then I leave hoping they were somehow impacted positively. Whatever my actions are, represent that greater whole- I'm an employee now, so to speak, using my facilities to connect others.


Like Arjuna, when Krsna asks him to just be an instrument in the fight and win glory, since all the warriors had already been put to death by Krsna's time factor. So thats what we are; instruments marching in a common band. Marching back to home.


just some thoughts for the day...

Intermission
→ the world i know



cetasā sarva-karmāṇi


cetasā sarva-karmāṇi


mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ


buddhi-yogam upāśritya


mac-cittaḥ satataḿ bhava


In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully conscious of Me. (Bhagavad-Gita 18:57)






Blessings come in disguise, in situations where one might wonder what the h3ll am I doing here, of whats the purpose of all this. I came to a conclusion in my young life that I would like to be a part of a deeper change; a healing change. What's been done's been done, can't change it, but with proper consciousness and action, the future can manifest wonderful things.


As spiritual beings we are part of a greater whole who has a massive plan for reclaiming our love for him. I've learned to bow my head and say ok a lot lately, as bullets from the material energy fly my way. Tapping into spiritual vibrations means tapping into something bigger, beyond our control and surrender means to sit back and let the driver drive. Easier to write, talk about or think about; when the actual event occurs, theory must be forced into action. Thats the fun part. Sometimes you win, sometimes you fail, sometimes you're meant to just not do anything.


I meet people along the way on my trip and have interactions with them, then I leave hoping they were somehow impacted positively. Whatever my actions are, represent that greater whole- I'm an employee now, so to speak, using my facilities to connect others.


Like Arjuna, when Krsna asks him to just be an instrument in the fight and win glory, since all the warriors had already been put to death by Krsna's time factor. So thats what we are; instruments marching in a common band. Marching back to home.


just some thoughts for the day...

Album #26: Madhava’s Kirtan
→ Bhakti Centre Gold Coast

Date:  16th March 2011

Kirtan Australia presented MADHAVA and His Yoga Kirtan Band direct from Switzerland on the Australian leg of His world tour.  Ancient Sanskrit Mantras accompanied by Eastern and Western Instruments.

Madhava’s Kirtan at Bhakti Centre:

This year, the Madhava’s Kirtan Tour performed at various locations around Australia and the program was also held at the Masonic Hall in Burleigh Heads on Sunday 13th March 2011 and at Bhakti Centre in Surfers Paradise on Wednesday 16th March 2011.  The local Devotees sponsored the event to cover for Madhava’s Tour costs. 

The “Ekadashi Feast” was sponsored by Govinda’s Restaurant of Surfers Paradise.  All Devotees had a wonderful time and Darshan of the Lord Krsna.

Many thanks to all generous sponsors for this Event.  We acknowledge the following Devotees who sponsored the Madhava’s Kirtan at Bhakti Centre:

1) Lokesh Prabhu – $80
2) Mohit Prabhu & Friends – $200
3) Michael Prabhu (Coomera) – $50
4) Rahul Prabhu – $15
5) Manisha Devi – $50
6) Adhvaita Prabhu – $50
7) Gagan Devi – $50 
8) Anju Devi – $20
9) Puneet Prabhu- $108 (Monthly Donation since June 2010)
10) Manish Prabhu – $50
11) Shyam Prabhu & Pranathi Devi – $50
12) Home Sankirtan Devotees (Lokesh Das residence) – $25

Total Funds Raised: $748.00

Photography: Lokesh Das

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Classic ISKCON Vinyl – Radha Krishna Temple (Los Angeles) – “Gopinatha”
→ Sit Properly

Radha Krishna Temple (Los Angeles) – Gopinatha/Ohe Vaisnava Thakura (7″ Single)
Golden Avatar Productions
GAP-1002

By 1975, ISKCON was in high gear and doing pretty well for itself. However, that didn’t mean they still couldn’t try to milk the 1969 George Harrison-produced Radha Krsna Temple for all it was worth. This single, though it may have the “Radha Krishna Temple” moniker, has nothing at all to do with the Radha Krsna Temple of London, 1969.

Most of the ISKCON records from the 70s came from Europe. Very few were produced in America. Golden Avatar Productions, in conjunction with the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, put out three (that I know of). The Radha Krishna Temple (Los Angeles) single may have been their last vinyl release. Mostly, they focused on cassette tapes.

Unlike a lot of the strange European releases, there isn’t much of a history here. GAP’s founder, Krishnakanti das, produced two songs and then released them. There’s no information on where or why or who played what on which song.

Side One
Gopinatha

Side Two
Ohe Vaisnava Thakura

You could hardly call these songs traditional Indian bhajans. Western instruments and a hippy folky feel dominate both sides. Thankfully, it doesn’t come of as contrived. The fact that the songs aren’t in English helps quite a bit, I’m sure.

The first song starts off like something from an early 70s Pink Floyd album, but with a violin thrown in for good measure. On vocals, we’ve got the amazing Agnidev. His voice is sweet, and pretty well saves the song. I think this song is trying to be a little trippy.

Side Two’s “Ohe Vaisnava Thakura” starts with a pretty Spanish guitar and Mangalananda sings sort of like if Jim Croce were a troubadour. It’s a simple song backed up with the obligatory (and sporatic) kartals and mrdanga drum.

My first copy of this 7″ was so bad that I never bothered posting it. It was just a scratched up record in a paper sleeve. However, along with the Visnujana 7″, came a pristine copy of the “Gopinatha” 7″ complete with picture sleeve. Both came from my friend Alan. Thanks a bunch!

So should you download this? Yes. Why not? You’ve probably never heard the songs before and that’s usually reason enough for me.

If anyone has more information about this release, please let me know. I’m always interested in learning more about these releases.





Just click on the button and it’ll take you to a page where you can download the zip file. Then open the zip file with WinZip (or whatever program you use to open zip files). Add to your MP3 library or burn it to a CD-R. Easy as pie!

Download the FLAC files here, if you like.




Technical Information:
Media Used:
Vinyl 7″ from my personal collection.

Hardware Used:
Turntable: Audio Technica PL-120A
Cartridge: Shure 97x
TCC TC-750LC Audiophile Phono Preamp
Soundcard: Roland Edirol UA-1EX USB external soundcard

Software Used:
Audacity 1.3.12 on Linux Mint 10
-Digital recording from soundcard
-Editing and splitting of tracks

Gnome Wave Cleaner 0.21-12
-Manual and automatic click/pop removal

SoundConverter 1.4.1
-Converted WAV to 320kbps MP3 and FLAC

Artwork Scanned from Original @ 300 dpi with XSane .996
Edited and Restored Using GIMP Image Editor 2.6.6

Classic ISKCON Vinyl – Visnujana Swami and the Children of the Gurukula 7″
→ Sit Properly

It’s been well over a year since the last time I posted anything from my collection Classic ISKCON Vinyl. Since then, I’ve acquired a few items and I will eventually get around to adding the rest of what I have (no promises as to speed, of course).

Visnujana Swami and the Children of the Gurukula
Isavasya Records
RK-108

However, a couple of days ago, I received a package in the mail from my friend Alan. Not knowing what to expect, I opened it and to my ridiculous delight were two Classic ISKCON 7″s. One was from Radha Krishna Temple (Los Angeles), which I already had, though my copy is trashed and this new one was in very good condition, plus it had a picture sleeve! I was delighted, to say the least.

The second one, however, nearly brought me to my knees. I had heard of it before, but figured that I’d never get a chance to listen to it, let alone add it to my collection.

Sometime in the early 70s (I assume), Visnujana Swami recorded two songs with the Dallas gurukula and released a 7″. I remembered that Alan had told me about it, but after I basically wet myself on Facebook, unable to thank him enough, he told me how he received the record.

Side 1
Prayer to Tulasi Devi

Side 2
The Golden Avatar and the Hare Krsna Mantra

One fine spring Saturday afternoon, almost 40 years ago, a Greyhound bus pulled into Riverside Park, a tidy, quiet park near two college campuses in the Bellhaven area of Jackson, Mississippi. It was a Greyhound bus, but no ordinary Greyhound bus–this was a bus from the Radha Damodar Traveling Sankirtan Party. For those too young to remember, the Hare Krishnas converted three Greyhound buses into mobile temples to bring the message of Krsna consciousness to every town and village in the United States and Canada.

I couldn’t believe my eyes, ears and nose as devotees poured out of the bus; a wondrously exotic sight of saffron and white flowing garments, shaved, tilaked heads, the ching-ching-ching sound of kirtals, and a smoky-trail of Spiritual Sky incense billowing out with each devotee as each stepped out of the doors of the bus. The first one out was carrying a sparkling fiberglass (mirdunga) drum, and wasted no time in producing an infectious, exotic, melodious rhythmic beat. Well, up until then, I had seen these other-worldly young men and women, chiefly in my travels to and around New York City. These were the cultish people who approached my dad and I at the Atlanta and New York airports, books and incense in hand for anybody that would stop and give a moment. Taking walks with my Hasidic grandfather in the Lower East Side of the city, we’d often spot a group of these young men wrapped in saffron-colored sheets, surrounding a golden, glowing little elderly Indian man whose feet seemed to glide above the sidewalk. The mass of shaved heads with little pony-tails would stop every so often as the little golden man appeared to be expressing a point, arms and hands waving about–little did I know then, that the little golden man was His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the Hare Krishna Movement.

As the Hare Krishnas left the bus, the mirdungas and kirtalas multiplied to produce a sound that seemed oddly familiar, not to my ears, but to my soul. Immediately, a group of people were drawn in, mostly college students, some hippies, and myself, a young, soon-to-be Bar Mitzvah boy. We joined in a circle of exuberant, uninhibited dancing and chanting lead by the devotees. This was my first kirtan.

A day or two later, the local FM radio station (which introduced the London Temple Album to Jackson), announced that the Hare Krishnas were giving a lecture and meditation discourse at an apartment near Millsaps College. My mom, very liberal and open-minded, took me, after all, she was a big fan of ISKCON’s Spritual Sky incense (she bought from some devotees in New Orleans earlier that year), and hoped to replenish her supply. I don’t remember much about the discourse, other than chanting the Mahamantra that was printed on little cards given out to everyone present. “Please chant: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Chant these words and your life will become sublime.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but the lecture was given by the mystical Vishnujana Swami Maharaja, as several years later confirmed to me by senior devotees at Mississippi’s New Talavana Farm Community.

Vishnujana was very kind to everyone, constantly smiling and patiently answering everyone’s questions. I remember tasting prasadam for the first time, thinking it was the most amazing food I have ever put in my mouth. Before leaving, Vishnujana made sure to thank everyone who attended personally, and gave my mom a KRSNA BOOK to which my mom gave a nice donation. Vishnujana Swami warmly thanked my mom, asked us to wait a moment, and briefly left the room. He returned with a 45 rpm record. My mom asked if it was a record of Indian music, to which Vishnujana laughed. I don’t remember his exact words but he explained it was a recording of a ‘bunch of ecstatic children screaming their love for God.’ We left that glorious evening, happily humming the mantra, KRSNA BOOK, Vishnujana record, and, oh yeah, Spritual Sky Patchouli Incense, in hand.

This record has given me and many friends years of listening pleasure. All thanks and praises to Eric, who painstakingly cleared out many scratches and clicks; now, this gem can be shared with so many others as it makes it debut into cyberspace.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Jaya Vishnujana Swami Maharaja Ki !!!!

Hare Krishna!

Aspiring to serve,
Alan

And now, Visnujana Swami and the Children of Gurukula…

Just click on the button and it’ll take you to a page where you can download the zip file. Then open the zip file with WinZip (or whatever program you use to open zip files). Add to your MP3 library or burn it to a CD-R. Easy as pie!

Download the FLAC files here, if you like.




Technical Information:
Media Used:
Vinyl 7″ from my personal collection.

Hardware Used:
Turntable: Audio Technica PL-120A
Cartridge: Shure 97x
TCC TC-750LC Audiophile Phono Preamp
Soundcard: Roland Edirol UA-1EX USB external soundcard

Software Used:
Audacity 1.3.12 on Linux Mint 10
-Digital recording from soundcard
-Editing and splitting of tracks

Gnome Wave Cleaner 0.21-12
-Manual and automatic click/pop removal

SoundConverter 1.4.1
-Converted WAV to 320kbps MP3 and FLAC

Artwork Scanned from Original @ 300 dpi with XSane .996
Edited and Restored Using GIMP Image Editor 2.6.6

An Evening of Bhakti… An Evening of Love!
→ Gaura-Shakti Kirtan Yoga

Imagine the feeling of love being infused in every action and step... this is what bhakti-yoga is all about. Bhakti-yoga, in it's essence, is when you do everything with love for the Divine (Krishna). Opening your heart to bhakti allows you to know the purpose of all of your actions. It gives meaning to your very life!

Personally, for the last week, I feel like I have been getting a small flavour of this mood in my heart. It all began when we conceptualized the idea of holding an event called "An Evening of Bhakti" at our beloved Hare Krishna Centre on Friday, February 4, 2011. The formula was simple: some sweet philosophy, an incredible vegan dinner, the sweet mingling of spiritual-seekers and, of course, kirtan, kirtan and more kirtan!


All the mutual efforts required for this program were put together to please the Divine and, as a group, we all tried our best to make it a success. However, it wasn't just the chanting during the event that awoke this love in the heart. The amazing experience of cooking with my sister, Radha, and our bhakti-friends beforehand, filled the atmosphere with lots of excitement and affection.

Of course, the channeling of bhakti into the heart was made so much more special due to the presence of Bhaktimarga Swami who was the highlight of the evening! Affectionately known as the Walking Monk, his presence helped introduce everyone to the power of sound and what kind of affect it has on us. And when we dove deeply into the "sound experience" through kirtan, the image of him dancing and jumping comes to mind first!

From those moments at the beginning of the evening when the crowd began to stream in to the end of the night when everyone was on their feet dancing, the collective bhakti experience could be felt in the air. The feedback from all who came was tremendous and we hope to continue to host more "Evenings of Bhakti" in the near future.

-- Tara

An Evening of Bhakti… An Evening of Love!
→ Gaura-Shakti Kirtan Yoga

Imagine the feeling of love being infused in every action and step... this is what bhakti-yoga is all about. Bhakti-yoga, in it's essence, is when you do everything with love for the Divine (Krishna). Opening your heart to bhakti allows you to know the purpose of all of your actions. It gives meaning to your very life!

Personally, for the last week, I feel like I have been getting a small flavour of this mood in my heart. It all began when we conceptualized the idea of holding an event called "An Evening of Bhakti" at our beloved Hare Krishna Centre on Friday, February 4, 2011. The formula was simple: some sweet philosophy, an incredible vegan dinner, the sweet mingling of spiritual-seekers and, of course, kirtan, kirtan and more kirtan!


All the mutual efforts required for this program were put together to please the Divine and, as a group, we all tried our best to make it a success. However, it wasn't just the chanting during the event that awoke this love in the heart. The amazing experience of cooking with my sister, Radha, and our bhakti-friends beforehand, filled the atmosphere with lots of excitement and affection.

Of course, the channeling of bhakti into the heart was made so much more special due to the presence of Bhaktimarga Swami who was the highlight of the evening! Affectionately known as the Walking Monk, his presence helped introduce everyone to the power of sound and what kind of affect it has on us. And when we dove deeply into the "sound experience" through kirtan, the image of him dancing and jumping comes to mind first!

From those moments at the beginning of the evening when the crowd began to stream in to the end of the night when everyone was on their feet dancing, the collective bhakti experience could be felt in the air. The feedback from all who came was tremendous and we hope to continue to host more "Evenings of Bhakti" in the near future.

-- Tara

Album #25: Gauravani Kirtans
→ Bhakti Centre Gold Coast

Date:  02 February 2011

“Gauravani and as kindred spirits night of blissful kirtans”

The Gauravani and as kindred spirits performed at Bhakti Centre on Wednesday evening.  Ecstatic fun filled night of kirtan.  The feast was sponsored by Govindas Restaurant in Surfers Paradise.  

Technorati Tags:

Backyard Sufficiency
→ ISS

Well, it’s a good time of year to start our blog as now is the time we are reaping the rewards, a bountiful harvest!

Apart from a few potatoes we lasted a whole year using only the vegetables from our own back yard. I was certainly surprised how little space we needed to live off, we are currently using about 50 sq foot.

Dave loves making juices with carrots plucked straight from the soil and the health benefits that come from home grown veggies.The highlights for me are picking our fresh strawberries for our one year old, knowing they’re full of goodness. Cooking becomes much more of a joy knowing that everything comes from our garden which is completely organic and grown in line with our ethics, not to mention the rich flavours and sweetness that is so unique to home grown vegetables.

We hope to keep you updated on our evolving journey to a more simple and organic lifestyle.

Limbo
→ Clouds.


Have you ever been on a roller-coaster? What do you remember most out of that experience?

Maybe you remember the deep drop. Maybe you remember your stomach in your mouth. Maybe you remember your head spinning....

What stands out most for me is the feeling of anxiety, uncertainty and anticipation as we climb up the slope. You just KNOW everything will be all right at the end of the ride but the anxiety and 'wait' for the ride to be over does not go away. Why all this roller coaster talk you ask? Well, just when I thought I had everything mapped out, I am yet again climbing this slope of the rollercoaster of life.

When I was still single - and I know a lot of my unmarried devotee girlfriends can attest to this - all the pressure to get married gave me this exact same feeling. I did not know what my future would be, who my husband would be, where I would live - so many uncertainties! I felt I was in limbo just WAITING. Just waiting for Krishna to reveal his plans. Once I got married, everything seemed perfect. I thought I knew my future...

...and then came damodar. :). Of course, just his name brings a smile to my face but he has put me back on this rollercoaster. I'm back in limbo - this time for such a LONG period! Now I am just WAITING again. Waiting for him to grow, waiting to see him crawl, waiting to see his first step, waiting to see him play karatals, waiting to see him play mridanga, waiting to see him serve devotees......waiting for a whole lot of things now!

The only thing I pray for my dear Gopinath is that when this rollercoaster ride is over, please let me be under your shelter and not Maya's.

Limbo
→ Clouds.


Have you ever been on a roller-coaster? What do you remember most out of that experience?

Maybe you remember the deep drop. Maybe you remember your stomach in your mouth. Maybe you remember your head spinning....

What stands out most for me is the feeling of anxiety, uncertainty and anticipation as we climb up the slope. You just KNOW everything will be all right at the end of the ride but the anxiety and 'wait' for the ride to be over does not go away. Why all this roller coaster talk you ask? Well, just when I thought I had everything mapped out, I am yet again climbing this slope of the rollercoaster of life.

When I was still single - and I know a lot of my unmarried devotee girlfriends can attest to this - all the pressure to get married gave me this exact same feeling. I did not know what my future would be, who my husband would be, where I would live - so many uncertainties! I felt I was in limbo just WAITING. Just waiting for Krishna to reveal his plans. Once I got married, everything seemed perfect. I thought I knew my future...

...and then came damodar. :). Of course, just his name brings a smile to my face but he has put me back on this rollercoaster. I'm back in limbo - this time for such a LONG period! Now I am just WAITING again. Waiting for him to grow, waiting to see him crawl, waiting to see his first step, waiting to see him play karatals, waiting to see him play mridanga, waiting to see him serve devotees......waiting for a whole lot of things now!

The only thing I pray for my dear Gopinath is that when this rollercoaster ride is over, please let me be under your shelter and not Maya's.