Planet ISKCON

Whilst growing up and into adulthood, I was extremely curious and interested to learn about Ayurveda, yoga and the philosophies of various religions. In my head, it was a big mess of different philosophies and teachings, but I was leaning more towards the learnings of various yoga systems from Indian gurus. A bit later, I stumbled upon the definition of bhakti yoga (devotional service). In the beginning, I felt like it wasn’t for me but my feelings started to change upon meeting ISKCON devotees.

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Sri Dham Mayapur is home to an international community. Some people come for a short time, some stay for decades. We asked Mayapur residents: “What is your reason nr.1, why you love to be in Mayapur?”

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The Mantra Lounge in Philadelphia, known for its book distribution, has been reaching out to people during the COVID-19 pandemic by feeding the homeless and others in need. “When the pandemic began in Spring last year, we saw people start to lose their jobs pretty quickly, and remembered Srila Prabhupada’s instruction that no one within […]

The post Philadelphia’s Mantra Lounge Feeds The Needy During Pandemic appeared first on ISKCON News.

The Mantra Lounge in Philadelphia, known for its book distribution, has been reaching out to people during the COVID-19 pandemic by feeding the homeless and others in need.

TKG Academy, a PK – 12 independent private school in Dallas TX, the first school established in ISKCON by Srila Prabhupada, is holding a virtual Open House on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Join the presentation at 7PM ET, 6PM CT, 4PM PT online at www.tinyurl.com/tkgopenhouse.  (password tkg108) During the last school year, and despite the […]

The post TKG Academy in Dallas Announces Virtual Open House appeared first on ISKCON News.

TKG Academy, a PK - 12 independent private school in Dallas TX, the first school established in ISKCON by Srila Prabhupada, is holding a virtual Open House on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. 

TKG Academy, a PK - 12 independent private school in Dallas TX, the first school established in ISKCON by Srila Prabhupada, is holding a virtual Open House on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. 

Krishna Chandra Das of the ISKCON Daiva Varnashrama Ministry (IDVM) has been included in the World Book of Records for reciting all 700 verses of the sacred text Bhagavad-gita from memory in the minimum time of 73 minutes. The record was originally achieved on January 27th 2020, from 5:12pm to 6:25pm in Bellary, Karnataka, South […]

The post ISKCON Devotee Achieves World Record by Reciting all 700 Verses of Bhagavad-gita From Memory in 73 Minutes appeared first on ISKCON News.

Krishna Chandra Das of the ISKCON Daiva Varnashrama Ministry (IDVM) has been included in the World Book of Records for reciting all 700 verses of the sacred text Bhagavad-gita from memory in the minimum time of 73 minutes.

Their Lordships arrived weeks after the inception of New Vrindaban in 1968 and were being worshipped in the original New Vrindaban farmhouse during Srila Prabhupada's first visit in 1969.

Devotees in Mayapur having good time chanting Hare Krishna together with the cows

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One of the greatest teachers of the past that continues to inform the teachings and spiritual practices of ISKCON today, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, envisioned inclusivity not alienation based on bodily identification.

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I worship that transcendental seat, known as Śvetadvīpa whereas loving consorts the Lakṣmīs in their unalloyed spiritual essence practice the amorous service of the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa as their only lover; where every tree is a transcendental purpose tree; where the soil is the purpose gem, all water is nectar, every word is a song, […]

The post A Divine Experience In Full Manifestation – Sri Krishna Pushya Abhishek! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

In the material world, the living entity must accept different types of bodies. But the living entities who are promoted to the spiritual world do not return to the prison-house of a material body.

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Tulasi is a plant most sacred to Krishna. Tulasi, also known as ‘holy basil’ is auspicious in all respects. She is a pure and great devotee of the Lord, and most dear to Lord Krishna. It is stated in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana that Tulasi, in her last birth was Vrinda devi married to an asura (a person with demonic qualities) named Jalandhar. To gain victory over Jalandhar, Lord Vishnu had persuaded Vrinda devi to give up devotion towards her husband. After being pleased with her, Lord Vishnu blessed her as Tulasi; one who can be worshipped by people all over the universe.

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Generally, in speech, writing, and thought, devotees of Krishna do not place much emphasis on bodily identification. The rationale is that avoidance of seeing ourselves and others in terms of the body helps to free our true self, the spirit soul currently encaged within the temporary body, from the constraints and miseries associated with the […]

The post Inclusivity, My Story appeared first on ISKCON News.

It is said of Srila Prabhupada that "He Built a House in Which the Whole World Can Live." My story is just one of the many stories of inclusivity told by the residents of that house.

Before coming across Srila Prabhupada’s books, I was living in amnesia. Wasn’t sure of my real identity nor what the purpose to my existence was. Spending years in frustration, reading several books, listening to lectures after lectures and up all night wondering what was I to do? I came to a period in my life, […]

The post Developing Spiritual Vision Through Books appeared first on ISKCON News.

Srila Prabhupada’s book gave me access to saints and sages, who at every step in my life ever since I’ve felt their presence and guidance through the instruction they’ve laid in these book for humanity.

Srila Prabhupada’s book gave me access to saints and sages, who at every step in my life ever since I’ve felt their presence and guidance through the instruction they’ve laid in these book for humanity.

This Mahamantra tune was inspired by the song 'Vrikshavalli Amha' by the medieval saint-poet Tukaram as popularly sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

This Mahamantra tune was inspired by the song 'Vrikshavalli Amha' by the medieval saint-poet Tukaram as popularly sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

A video by the ISKCON GBC Strategic Planning Team.

Sri Dham Mayapur is home to an international community. Some people come for a short time, some stay for decades. We asked Mayapur residents: "What is your reason nr.1, why you love to be in Mayapur?" A video  by I love Mayapur.

A video by  Indradyumna Swami Official. 

“There is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it.”–Amanda Gorman Personally, I was in awe hearing the 22 year old Amanda Gorman read her poem last week at the US Presidential Inauguration. A slight African American woman, the Youth Poet Laureate of […]

The post Rising Up and Sinking Down appeared first on ISKCON News.

Personally, I was in awe hearing the 22 year old Amanda Gorman read her poem last week at the US Presidential Inauguration. To me, and to so many others, it was a profound milestone to see someone like her rise up, and be uplifted by eminent others.

-HH Sridhara Maharaja — “This idea of creating a database and collecting contacts at all our festivals and in any situation where we come in contact with the public is very important. I tried for a number of years to teach this to devotees and I fully agree with Jayapataka Maharaa as to its importance. “We can follow up in so many creative ways when we have a list of people who we know are relatively favorable. There is a whole science to database marketing and every successful organization, including non-profit and religious organizations, uses it successfully.… “I would caution that you should be ready to follow up your collection of data soon after it is collected. Names, addresses, and the impressions of people become redundant quite quickly. “If nothing is done to follow up and also report the successes of follow up, those doing the collecting of names become despondent. Get some good software and start planning now.”

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Navina Nirada Prabhu, a successful book distributor and leadership trainer, shares a success story that emphasizes the importance of following up on those who are interested in Srila Prabhupada's books. From inspiring someone to explore the realm of spirituality to facilitate a probable life-changing visit to Mayapur, India, there are many probabilities that someone can benefit from, simply because a Sankirtan devotee gave a little "extra push" to the sincere seeker. Continue reading "Take People’s Contacts and Follow Up On Them
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We are good at advertising... and planting seeds but... we are not so good at harvesting! We have become expert at showing people the beautiful world of Krishna consciousness; giving them a glimpse Into this dynamic wonderful culture with Innumerable books distributed, millions of plates of prasadam distributed, thousands of Harinamas performed, countless festivals, millions of hours of work Invested, a fantastic number of dollars spent, but... we are not so good at harvesting! Continue reading "Follow – Up Campaign
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