Monday, June 14, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

On My Way

 

On my way to the park on Roxborough and neighbours were setting out their weekly garbage for the pickup tomorrow morning. While two routine individuals gave a smile, the second person, whom I’ve never seen before asked, “Is your temple open yet?”

“This Sunday we start for set hours!”

“That’s good,” said the friendly woman.

In general, the public would like to see movement and activity again. The spirit is “Let’s get back to living; something like before.”

Now I found myself at the Paul Hahn Piano place, again, at a comfortable bench.

One couple came up to me, “Do you have a minute?”

“Yes, of course.”

“How can I be more calm?” asked the woman. “Like, I get angry. How can I deal with it?”

I began to explain, “Usually, anger arises from deep attachment to an object, a person, or a concept and because we stubbornly clutch onto this something and are unwilling to let go or detach ourselves from this object, then emotions arise. It’s best to accept that things are as they are. We don’t need a battle for everything that comes along. We just cannot change everything. Be content with what you have, then anger will subside, and you become more peaceful.”

The couple was grateful. They continued walking with more to think about.

May the Source be with you!

2 km


 

Half-baked surrender
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 3 May 2021, Simachalam, Germany, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.19.27)

Somehow, we are struggling to surrender in this movement. And in the end, for our half-baked surrender which was there anyway, we get glorified for it. Who can say that they have surrendered out of pure love for Krsna? I was a pujari for three months and I fell asleep during the pujas. I kept nodding off. I was not a very good pujari at all. I was doing it mechanically, it was completely clear to me. I had no feeling there. I was just waving the lamp and falling asleep during an aarti.

However, the power of all these activities is so great that not only are we getting purified from all the karmic contamination by devotional service, anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje (Srimad Bhagavatam,1.7.6), but more than that we are attracting Krsna because devotional service is sri Krsna akarsini. Right now, Krsna is in the most merciful form and therefore it now attracts special mercy of Lord Caitanya.

So let us ensure that we never leave ISKCON. That is what Srila Prabhupada said because we have here the most concentrated mercy of Lord Caitanya. Some went to other institutions, yes mercy is also there. They can also go back to Godhead, but here it is directly Prabhupada’s mercy that is a special benefit. So let us stay close to Srila Prabhupada because then we can also meet with a blessed death at the end of our life. Krsna will be there in the form of His Holy Name and when we have some material desire, then there is still Prabhupada’s mercy along with us. So in this way, we are most fortunate in this movement. Tamal Krsna Maharaj used to say this to me, “You are so fortunate, you don’t realise how fortunate you are.” I used to think, “Yes, well I know I got the mercy of staying in Vrndavana!” But okay, now I have to admit that Tamal Krsna Maharaj was right.

The article " Half-baked surrender " was published on KKSBlog.

Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies latest newsletter
→ Dandavats



Bob Cohen (Brahmatirtha Dasa) Welcome to our second newsletter from the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies. For us this year has been challenging yet productive. The recent lockdowns proved a blessing in that our scholars have been able to work together more closely using Zoom. We have replaced jet lag with Zoom lag - with intercontinental meetings through multiple time zones!

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Лучшая обувь
→ Traveling Monk

На днях один молодой человек из США написал мне, что хочет подарить мне пару пар новой обуви Jordan. Я был благодарен за предложение, но удивил его вопросом, что за обувь эти Jordans. «Свами, – написал он в WhatsApp, – Jordans – это очень круто. Посмотрите мою коллекцию», и он прислал фото девяти пар обуви Nike Jordan. Я ответил: «Вау, они правда впечатляют. Но мои лучше».
Он ответил: «Свами, что может быть лучше, чем Jordans?» «Я пришлю тебе несколько фото моей обуви, – написал я.  – Я ношу их здесь, в Индии на самоизоляции последние полтора года. Мой близкий друг, плотник, любит делать их для меня. К ним надо немного привыкнуть. Но как только их освоишь, они станут самой удобной обувью на земле. И намного дешевле Джорданс! »
The other day a young man in the US wrote to me saying he wanted to gift me a couple pairs of new Jordan shoes. I was grateful for the offer, but I surprised him when I asked what exactly Jordan shoes were.
“Swami,” he texted on WhatsApp, “Jordan shoes are the coolest thing going. Check out my collection.”
He sent photos of nine pairs of Nike Jordan shoes.
I wrote back, “Wow, they are impressive for sure. But I have something better.”
He replied, “Swami, what could be better than Jordan shoes?”
“I’ll send you some photos of my shoes,” I wrote. “I’ve been wearing them here in India during lockdown for the past year and a half. A close friend of mine who’s a carpenter likes to make them for me. They take a little getting used to. But once you master them they’re the most comfortable shoes on earth. And way cheaper than Jordans!”

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=indradyumna&set=a.10219864724511482

TOVP Chatri Floor Progress
- TOVP.org

In this short video Sadbhuja Das, TOVP Managing Director shows the current progress of the Chatri floors with their beautiful and ornate marble inlays.

 

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Saturday, June 12, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

High Park, Toronto

 

Getting High on Chanting

 

Some restrictions becoming relaxed on Covid discipline has made it more possible for a flow of freedom in places like High Park. From noon until 4 pm, a small group of us bhakti yoga followers gathered at what Nick called “the Hill” for kirtanperformance. It’s a great spot in a great park where people come to chill.

 

I managed to catch the last few minutes of the blissful chant before embarking on a trip (by car) north to Caledon and to a farm. Visiting this sixty-four-acre land in the rolling hills north of Toronto was a real treat, not only because of the breath of fresh air myself and three companions were experiencing, but unique to this farm are the special features it offers. For instance, this new facility has this high-tech self-cleaning automated operation all to accommodate the bulls and cows in the winter season. It is their feeding space, living space, and pooping place.

 

These beautiful mammals also receive a lot of love from owners Vishal (who boldly gets on the back of this feisty bull for a ride), his wife Yashomati and their three children. Both animals and humans are in love with each other. 

The four of us visiting took to chanting, as we had done in High Park, in the barn which actually has living quarters affixed to it. We enjoyed prasadamin the living room which has four large windows that allow you to view the animals in the barn. Cows, bulls, and horses could hear our kirtan and, like a happy family, grouped together to listen in through those windows. It was precious.

 

May the source be with you!


 

Friday, June 11, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Turned 32

 

Dwarkanatha turned 32 today. He gets to cut the cake and has the first bite. It’s now a tradition that someone (in today’s case it was me) takes that piece in hand and almost forcefully presses it to the birthday boy’s mouth. Congratulations, Dwarka, for being who you are – a great cook, musician, human being, devotee.

 

Hmmm! Great cake! Did he bake it? No! It was a secret little party that took him by surprise!

 

We then went to the park for lunch and there met Pabsung and Dipti. A lovely couple. The veggie burgers were her first attempt. Quite nice! The homemade mustard was nice. A bit strong. Can’t complain about the lunch, which was healthy and tasty.

 

I met Mahabhagavat today at the front steps. He and his family are gearing up for an 18 kilometer walk from home to destination: the temple/ashram. That feat they will take up tomorrow.

I wish them the best. Mahabhagavat makes this a regular feature of his life in addition to executing kirtan in public places. That he does with the greatest enthusiasm. He has got the right spirit – the spirit of Chaitanya – one of sharing.

 

In the Bengali text “Chaitanya Charitamrita,” it is said that in every town and village the sound vibration of kirtan will be heard. It is happening because of people like Mahabhagavat. Thank you!

 

May the source be with you!

2 km


 

Thursday, June 10, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

Mount Sinai, Toronto

 

Anticipating New Knees

 

A gorgeous morning and I’m on my way to get a check up on my knees at the orthopedics department. I will be making a big decision about my knees. After meeting with Mount Sinai Hospital consultants and connecting with my own doctor (which I did this evening), I’ll proceed to arrange for surgery for knee replacements.

 

I captured a picture of a fellow who was doing a complex rock-climbing feat after he had knee replacements. That picture was framed on the wall in the clinic room. That’s inspiring.

 

The surgeon and assistant were informed of my walking marathons. They were impressed. I shared with the assistant of how I have been coping with the arthritic effects on my legs. “I’ve been applying mustard seed oil on the knees. And for addressing inflammation, I intake a bit of extra turmeric.” The mustard oil was new to her. “Yes,” I reaffirmed, “I experience almost immediate relief of pain.”

 

My walking to the hospital through Queen’s Park was a mere three-kilometre jaunt. Our residing location is just so excellent. Everything is just so nearby.

 

Now, for the night, our ashram residents took time to honor our cook Dwarkanatha. He’s 32 today. We arranged a cake for him and then I popped the first cut piece into his lotus mouth.

We all love this guy.

 

May the source be with you!

3km.




 

Wednesday, June 9, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Music in Our Lives

 

At the tail end of the day, I found myself comfortably seated at a bench, one block from Ramsden. For public use, this supremely varnished wood-bench is set just at the corner of the Paul Hahn piano shop. In fact, a concrete-set sidewalk resembling a piano key-board leads the weary pedestrian to the bench. So, there I sat, chanting on beads sending off soft utterings of Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. I hope that a meagre dose of sincerity of mantras did make their way to the ear of God.

 

I reflected for a bit on how important music is in people’s lives. For those of us on the bhakti trail, bhajan (or devotional songs) should be carrying us through the day in spirit.

 

Just this morning, as part of our temple practice, we sang a song just after greeting the deities of Krishna. It is entitled “Sri Nama Kirtan,” and is in glorification of Krishna. “Yasomatinandana…” so it starts. It is authored by an outstanding saint, Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Just yesterday, an early photograph of him was circulating around, so we caught a glimpse of this great luminary. Everyone loves his songs so much. Let us meditate on him. I enclosed his photo.

I would also like to ask for prayers for a Godsister, Racitambhara, who was a school-master for many children over several decades in Mayapura, India. She is struggling with COVID and is in the hospital. Let us meditate; pray for her well-being.

 

May the source be with you!


 

Tuesday, June 8, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

Rosedale, Toronto

 

Give Me the Goods

 

Delivering classes based on the Bhagavat philosophy entails speaking on behalf of the previous acharyas or teachers. They have provided those of us who teach with stories, analogies and Sanskrit/Bengali verses. Put a piece of yourself into the presentation. Offer life experiences or stories based on your own revelations and then you’re in a position to inspire. I was blessed to give three classes —Toronto and Montreal back-to-back in the morning and finally a class from the Gita with someone from Owen Sound, a bit north in Ontario.

 

When Montreal informed me that I was to speak from verses of Canto 8, I had a little to go on as far as context was concerned. The purport was brief. I didn’t know the verse ahead of time (my fault). It was a colorful verse to do with the Kurma Avatar, the massive tortoise, and how his itch was being relieved by the base of a rotating mountain on his back. That’s lively in itself yet the context of philosophy was meager.

 

At such moments I offer an intense prayer “Dear God, please give me the goods to know what to say.” It usually works.

 

I would say that delivering a class based on sastra(sacred text) was a high point of the day. Another summit for the day was a walk in the night. Victor accompanied me. Both of us took time to smell the aromatic blossoms so dominant at this time of year. Our nostrils got a real treat. We were delivered the goods.

 

May the source be with you!

3 km


 

Monday, June 7, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Music, Man and a Monk

 

It is clearly sandal weather. Only the evening is enticing for the outdoors so I hibernated inside most of the day engaged in chanting, delivering classes, reading, poetry writing, eating (and napping after that). Several initiatives took up a portion of the day such as preparation for the next MANtra retreat (for November 12, 13, 14) and planning for this year’s garden/farm conference.

 

The evening reading was from the Chaitanya Charitamrta (the CC) and the story was about the interaction between the Islamic leader, Chand Kazi, and Vedic monk Chaitanya. History tells that one day the leader broke up the kirtan chanting, a component of Vedic/Hindu tradition. A drum was literally broken and kirtan was to cease, until the two historic figures had a good little talk. From the dialogue it was agreed that there would be no more interface by the Kazi and that chanting by India’s indigenous people could go on, at least in the Kazi’s jurisdiction, for generations to come.

 

Now, back to my sandals and the mantra with my beads. I sat in the park and a musician was jamming on his saxophone nearby. No one stopped him from playing. He added to the peace of the evening environment.

 

All days should end in peace with some sound to lull you to sleep, or at least to leave a spark of happiness.

 

Chapter 6 from The Gita equates mindfulness, samadhi,to happiness and peace.

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km


 

Sunday, June 6, 2021
→ The Walking Monk

Ramsden Park, Toronto

 

Talks on the Grass

 

I had a great picnic with Parama, Rukmini and their young 19-month-old darling who was totally mesmerized by people, the dogs and the trees. It’s not that she hasn’t been to a park before. This one, Ramsden, according to her parents, is new and full of activity; something different.

 

The heat was on. That may account for the smaller than usual turn-out of people. Attendance did pick up in the evening, which was my second visit to the green space. At this point Nimai and Vishal joined me on the grass. We got down to serious talk.

 

My goodness, the things that were said. According to Nimai, a motel owner, among other things, expressed, “Covid is making it hard for my business in terms of just finding committed personnel to run the front desk.” He was talking about complacency in people.

 

Vishal joined in regarding the challenges behind animal farming. “How do you control the expansion of a herd of cows/bulls? It just keeps growing,” added Nimai in reference to a friend of his who’s going all out with his Indian breed of cows called gir.

 

It was also mentioned that our quality of food is poor. Nimai was talking about the produce shipped in. At least people should get more into gardening at home. Our discussion was concluded on the note that getting closer to the earth and a push toward harmonization of nature is tantamount.

 

May the source be with you!

2 km


 

New Govardhana Kirtan Mela
→ Ramai Swami

The Covid pandemic has affected ISKCON’s operations around the world, especially in regard to international travel. The New Govardhana devotee community usually has the Sacred Sounds festival in April every year, which devotees from around the world attend. However, the last couple of times a smaller local festival has been organised.

Nevertheless, around 500 devotees registered to come over the Queens Birthday long weekend and everyone was blissfully engaged in chanting the holy name of the Lord. The kirtans, association and prasadam were all wonderful and devotees left feeling very enlivened in their Krsna Consciousness.

Четыре ангела
→ Traveling Monk

Это первые преданные, которых я встретил в 1970 году на лужайке кампуса Мичиганского университета в Энн-Арборе, США. Четверо санньяси; Субал Свами, Вишнуджана Свами, Гаргамуни Свами и Брахмананда Свами. Я в вечном долгу перед ними. Гаргамуни Прабху вспоминает тот день в своей новой книге: «Гаргамуни – служа Шриле Прабхупаде, 1966-1977».
«Однажды к нам подошел студент: он заинтересовался, и мы попросили его устроить программу на его квартире. В тот день мы почти ничего не ели и поэтому сказали ему, что могли бы приготовить большой пир. Он получил от отца чек на 200 долларов на свое содержание, и я сказал: «Давай мне чек, я куплю все продукты». Я потратил его весь на продукты, а потом приготовил пир, так как уже готовил для Шрилы Прабхупады. На той программе я был поваром, Вишнуджана вел киртан, а Брахмананда проповедовал из Бхагавад-Гиты. Этот студент потом стал Индрадьюмной Свами. Он был первым, кого мы привели к сознанию Кришны после отъезда из Нью-Вриндавана».
Four Angels

 

These are the first devotees I met in 1970 on the lawn of the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, USA. Four sannyasis; Subal Swami, Visnujana Swami, Gargamuni Swami and Brahmananda Swami. I am eternally indebted to them. Gargamuni Prabhu reminisces about that day in his new book: “Gargamoney – Serving Srila Prabhupada 1966-1977”

 

“One day, a student approached us who was interested and so we asked him to arrange a program in his apartment. We had hardly eaten anything that day and so we told him that we could cook a huge feast. He had gotten a $200 check for his maintenance from his father and so I said, ‘Give me that check and I’ll buy all the food.’ I spent it all on food and then cooked the feast as I had learned by cooking for Srila Prabhupada. At that program, I was the cook, Visnujana performed kirtan, and Brahmananda preached from the Bhagavad Gita. That student later became Indradyumna Swami. He was the first person that we brought to Krsna consciousness after leaving New Vrindavan.”

Chief Justice of India Seeks Blessings of Sri Sri Radha Govinda at Tirupati
→ ISKCON News

On June 11th, 2021 the Honorable Chief Justice of India, Shri NV Ramana, sought the blessings of Sri Sri Radha Govinda at ISKCON Tirupati along with the presence of His Grace Roopeshwara Chaitanya Das, Vice President of ISKCON Tirupati. NV Ramana had talks with HG Roopeshwar Chaitanya Das in regards to the temple development and welfare activities. Their Lordships […]

The post Chief Justice of India Seeks Blessings of Sri Sri Radha Govinda at Tirupati appeared first on ISKCON News.

Gita Made Easy Course 2021
→ ISKCON News

Study Gita-Chennai is launching Gita Made Easy Course 2021. This course is free of cost and T is available in both English and Tamil 18 Days 18 Session Certification Course. Gita explained in Easy and Simple language Powerful Life Lessons to practically live Bhagavad Gita Daily 60 Minutes Live session    For more information  registration, please […]

The post Gita Made Easy Course 2021 appeared first on ISKCON News.

Thank You For Another Successful TOVP 11 Day Matching Fundraiser
- TOVP.org

Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa prabhus and the entire TOVP Team wish to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the hundreds of devotees who participated in the recent #GivingToPrabhupada 11 Day Matching Fundraiser from May 14 – 25.

Despite the horrific external world circumstances and challenges, we met with great success and a highly enthusiastic response from devotees worldwide who sponsored abhishekas for the installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP this October. Even as we speak, the data entry has not yet been completed, yet we are close to $400,000 in donations, not including Ambarisa prabhu’s matched amount of $150,000.

The dedication to serve the order of the acharya overcomes all material limitations and brings about amazing and miraculous results in the service of the Lord. This can be seen over and over throughout history and in the present situation.

We are determined to complete the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and new home of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Pancha Tattva and Lord Nrsimhadeva. With the blessings of our acharyas and cooperation of all the devotees in ISKCON this vision of Srila Prabhupada will become a reality very soon. Hare Krishna!

It should be noted that Ambarisa also generously donated $25,000 towards the Covid Relief Program in Mayapur and Bangladesh.

 

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Devotees Open Their Hearts for Mayapur and Bangladesh
→ ISKCON News

On Saturday, June 5th, ISKCON North America came together to raise awareness and unify devotees and temples as a demonstration of cooperation and love for Srila Prabhupada and our devotees in the affected regions in India.   In Mayapur and Bangladesh, over 7,000 devotee families are suffering due to a lack of resources. There is an […]

The post Devotees Open Their Hearts for Mayapur and Bangladesh appeared first on ISKCON News.

Srimad-Bhagavatam: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Readers Releases New Paperback Editions
→ ISKCON News

New paperback editions of Srimad-Bhagavatam: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Readers Cantos 1, 2, and 3 are now available on Amazon.com, along with the just completed Canto 4. The first three cantos in the series, compiled by Aruddha Dasi, were originally each released in two parts starting in 2016. However the new editions, redesigned by […]

The post Srimad-Bhagavatam: A Comprehensive Guide for Young Readers Releases New Paperback Editions appeared first on ISKCON News.

New Vrindaban Launches Festival Season as Restrictions Lift in West Virginia
→ ISKCON News

ISKCON New Vrindaban has started its festival season, which runs from May to September, and draws pilgrims, gives inspiration and association to visiting devotees, helps to maintain the temple, and provides engagement and financial support for devotee staff. During the pandemic, New Vrindaban, with its 2,200 acres, spacious temple room and strict following of Covid […]

The post New Vrindaban Launches Festival Season as Restrictions Lift in West Virginia appeared first on ISKCON News.