TOVP Launches New Talk Show, Grand Opening Still Set for 2022
→ ISKCON News

With architects working virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, new 3D renderings of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur have been released. The images of the temple – which is still expected to see its grand opening in 2022 – show Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasasana, the Grand Deity altar and temple room, and various walkways […]

The post TOVP Launches New Talk Show, Grand Opening Still Set for 2022 appeared first on ISKCON News.

How River Yamuna Cleaned Itself In 60 Days Of Coronavirus Lockdown
→ ISKCON News

Two months of the Coronavirus lockdown have done what successive governments could not do in 25 years with over Rs 5,000 crore at their disposal-clean up the Yamuna river. As industrial activity halted and other commercial activities slowed during the lockdown, the Yamuna river cleaned itself, allowing numerous Indian and migratory birds to flock to […]

The post How River Yamuna Cleaned Itself In 60 Days Of Coronavirus Lockdown appeared first on ISKCON News.

How To Hold Others Accountable Without Becoming Judgmental
→ ISKCON News

Suppose police remain silent while a rioting mob lynches hapless victims. For such an alarming dereliction of duty, the police need to be held accountable. The same applies to anyone who takes up a responsible position, whereby they are expected to do certain actions.  Though we need to make judgments when holding people accountable, we […]

The post How To Hold Others Accountable Without Becoming Judgmental appeared first on ISKCON News.

Towaco Zoom Sangas A Bright Spot in the Darkness of the Pandemic
→ ISKCON News

In the darkness of COVID-19, with devotees around the world under stay-at-home orders for months on end, virtual programs have brought much needed inspiration and association. One of the stand out bright spots has been the Towaco Zoom Sangas.  Organized by ISKCON of New Jersey’s Towaco temple in the USA, the program has delivered talks […]

The post Towaco Zoom Sangas A Bright Spot in the Darkness of the Pandemic appeared first on ISKCON News.

The Secret for Success in Spiritual Life, Zoom Talk With ISKCON Boston
Giriraj Swami

“While teaching Rupa Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija: one can achieve the seed of devotional service by the mercy of the guru, the spiritual master, and then by the mercy of Krishna. This is the secret of success. First one should try to please the spiritual master, and then one should attempt to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Visvanstha Cakravarti Thakura also says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado. One should not attempt to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead by concoction. One must first be prepared to serve the spiritual master, and when one is qualified he is automatically offered the platform of direct service to the Lord.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.28 purport.

The Secret for Success in Spiritual Life (Right click to download)

Wednesday, May 27, 2020
→ The Walking Monk

The Annex, Toronto

We Are Asleep

“A sleeping person imagines an alternative reality for himself and, seeing himself as having various names and forms, forgets his waking identity, which is distinct from the dream. Similarly, the senses of one whose consciousness is bewildered by illusion perceive only the names and forms of material objects. Thus such a person loses his memory and cannot know You.”
-Bhag. 10.84.24-25

These two beautiful passages from the Bhagavatam were the topic of our discussion this morning as our small group of monks now normally do on Wednesdays. It’s an interactive session for one hour. In other words everyone gives a class, each revealing some realization from the morning’s verse or verses.

Today’s session was profound, the topic about dreams and how they are an illusory state. The world in which we live also bears the same status.  There is little reality in this world, however pleasant it can sometimes be. 

My evening walk was through the Annex, a family-oriented neighborhood. Parks are full now with groups of people—most likely not speaking from the platform of the Bhagavatam—but nevertheless, communicating on a more amiable level, something which is becoming a new reality. Some guys were having a serious game of baseball. In general physical realities can be considered truth, however, they are temporary truths and are, therefore, dreams played out. Dreams can be fun but are short-lived.  Hence, we can strive for that which is more grounding. 

May the Source be with you!
6 km


Tuesday, May 26, 2020
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Reflection

The first verse of the 15th chapter from the Bhagavad-Gita reads like this: “Bhagavan spoke, it is said that there is and imperishable banyan tree that has its roots upward and its branches down and whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree is the knower of the Vedas.”

I was always intrigued with this verse and am often in my walks reminded of this tree of knowledge by reflections seen as an ordinary tree by a pond of water or an image of a double-up upright and upside-down position. While on Jarvis St. I came upon this impressive Victorian-style home with sculptures all around, one of which is somewhat reminiscent of this concept. A topsy-turvy world we live in for sure.

Very captivating is the inverted image of a wolf sculpture-piece which causes some of us passersby to stop and actually reflect a bit. Seeing this piece brought to mind something our guru, Prabhupada, used to say about this world of physicality and an anti-material world. One is a reflection of the other. In fact the material existence that we currently find ourselves in is referred to as a “perverted reflection” of the real world.

In reading the Vedic literatures we are led to believe in a permanent, settled world—not wavering, not changing but a very grounded existence—while being very subtle and full of joy.

My destination on today’s walk at the corner of Sherborn and Wellesley allowed me to observe some nice people while others, shall I say, appeared more perversely reflected.  Sorry to be somewhat judgemental.

May the Source be with you!
6 km



Monday, May 25, 2020
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

A Need for Bhajans

I met up with Ajamila at the corner of Wellesley and Sherbourn. We hadn’t seen each other since the lockdown started although the occasional meet by phone. He’s doing well and is singing bhajans on-line.

Bhajans are songs expressing devotional sentiments, in this case, to honour Krishna.

I had a thought that before long we could possibly sing and play together at this very corner by the library. There is a nice flow of pedestrian traffic, a good intersection for exposing mantras where there is a need.

There are a lot of folks wearing masks to address the easy spread of covid 19. Why not also spread “the name” or sacred sound?  Without masks, of course. We only required to keep a distance from passersby.

I’m one of those monks that have it bred in me to share what I think will be beneficial to further enlighten people. If the general populace is concerned for the body and little attention goes to the yearnings of the soul then we can consider there is something essentially amiss. With all the worry and uncertainty that lurks in the atmosphere it is a good time to put that spiritual vibration out there.

Enrichment in life is a factor to consider as we are stuck in a human frame of life. That does give one an advantage over other life forms that we have taken in the past. Enlightenment comes hard to dogs and cats, adorable as they are, and as happy as they may be under the care of their master, however we must care for the soul.

May the Source be with you!
7 km


The Monk’s Podcast 8 – Rituals – what they are and why they matter
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

Video:

The post The Monk’s Podcast 8 – Rituals – what they are and why they matter appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sweet Rice Festival Jun 7 -14, 2020
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!




For some years now, we have been celebrating the annual Sweet Rice festival. The focus of the festival has been the glorification of our Deities, Sri Sri Radha Ksira-cora Gopinatha in Their special connection to sweet rice. This year the festivities will be from Sunday Jun 7 - 14, 2020.  

In the past, our beloved Deities would be offered a variety of sweet rice in pots hand-painted lovingly by the members of our community. This year though we will have to sadly celebrate in separation from Them, you can still get that delicious blessed kheer! See below the various options for sponsorship!

As the Temple remains closed to the public, all events will be broadcast on our Facebook page (no account required). Details to follow soon!

*** Sponsorship Opportunities ***

We are pleased to offer you the below ways in which you can participate for the festival. You can do so by clicking HERE.

$51- Sponsor a pot of kheer for the morning offering
Receive gift of: Inclusion of name in prayer

$108 - Sponsor kheer for evening (12x7 available) 
Receive gift of: Inclusion of name in prayer and a small jar of kheer (125mL)

$301 - Sponsor for full-day bhoga offering and kheer (6 available) 
Receive gift of: Inclusion of name in prayer and a medium jar of kheer (250mL)

$501 (June) -Sponsor for Special Sunday Bhoga for special occasions every Sunday
Receive gift of: Inclusion of name in prayer, a large jar of kheer (500mL) and special Chandan (sandalwood pulp) offered to Ksira-Chora Gopinatha from Remuna, India

(NOTE: We have a team and an effective system in place to make this happen so please await further instructions from us on the kheer pick-up. The team will reach out to you personally in the first and second week of June) 

Did you know?

  • Our Deities in Toronto were named by Srila Prabhupada after this famous Deity by the same name, residing in the small town of Remuna, India. As such, our Hare Krishna centre is also lovingly known as “New Remuna Dham”.

  • This Deity of Lord Krishna was named "Ksira-Chora” (one who steals sweet rice) after an unbelievably fascinating incident that occurred hundreds of years ago wherein the Deity actually stole a small pot of sweet rice for his devotee, Madhavendra Puri.

  • Since our Deities were given their name in the early 1970s, sweet rice has been offered on our altar every day! 

Sunday, May 24, 2020
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Around Fishing

The place was the Weston Family Quarry Garden at the Evergreen Brickworks where two young boys were fishing for gold or catfish, whatever would go for the bait.

“What have you got there?  Worms?”  I asked.

“No, bread.  We already caught 3 catfish but we threw them back in the pond.  That’s what you’re supposed to do.”

I asked the boys if they would allow me to film them.  They declined but still we consider each other friends.

“They (meaning the fish) are really enthusiastic (for the bread),” I observed.  “Eating, sleeping, mating and defending.  That’s what goes on in this world.”  Sanjit was laughing in the background.  The two boys were having a bit of a disagreement.  Sanjit and Niami, my companions, bade farewell to the fishermen as we carried on with our trek through the park and the trail.

Four functions that I mentioned are common among all species.  This is sastric, or from the books of wisdom.  Ahara—eating.  Nidra—sleeping.  Bhaya—defense.  Maituni—mating.  That sums it up.

My mind, however, would doubt this summary.  I sometimes question what happened to a possible fifth?  What about play, recreation, sport?  I don’t doubt scripture but have a mild question about it.  Having been raised on the farm I’ve seen all our barnyard buddies have their fun together.  I do have an answer which I will reserve.  I thought it might be nice to hear from readers their take on this apparent riddle.  Please get back to me on your deliberation.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


The Spirit Soul is Transcendental to all Material Calamities, Zoom Talk With ISKCON Michegan
Giriraj Swami

“This material world is certified by the Lord in the Bhagavad-gita as a dangerous place full of calamities. Less intelligent persons prepare plans to adjust to those calamities without knowing that the nature of this place is itself full of calamities. They have no information of the abode of the Lord, which is full of bliss and without trace of calamity. The duty of the sane person, therefore, is to be undisturbed by worldly calamities, which are sure to happen in all circumstances. Suffering all sorts of unavoidable misfortunes, one should make progress in spiritual realization because that is the mission of human life.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.25 purport.

The Spirit Soul is Transcendental to all Material Calamities (Right click to download)

As Servants of the Lord, We Are One, Zoom Talk With ISKCON Phoenix
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.12.

“Everyone should be friendly for the service of the Lord. Everyone should praise another’s service to the Lord and not be proud of his own service. This is the way of Vaisnava thinking, Vaikuntha thinking. There may be rivalries and apparent competition between servants in performing service, but in the Vaikuntha planets the service of another servant is appreciated, not condemned. This is Vaikuntha competition. There is no question of enmity between servants. Everyone should be allowed to render service to the Lord to the best of his ability, and everyone should appreciate the service of others. Such are the activities of Vaikuntha . Since everyone is a servant, everyone is on the same platform and is allowed to serve the Lord according to his ability.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.12 purport.

As Servants of the Lord, We Are One (Right click to download)

TOVP TALKS – Talk Show Announcement
- TOVP.org

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF TOVP TALKS, THE VOICE OF THE PARAMPARA TALK SHOW, HOSTED BY H.G. BRAJA VILASA DAS – JUNE 5

Broadcast from ISKCON’s World Headquarters in Sridhama Mayapur, the education capital of the world, this bi-weekly webinar will flood the world with the dissemination of devotional and organizational subject-matter of the highest quality by devotee speakers highly regarded in their expertise, in a systematic and effective way through the ZOOM live video conferencing program and format, to be utilized by devotees worldwide for their personal and extended benefit.

The first program is scheduled for June 5th at 10:00am (US-EST)/7:30pm (IST) and will feature H.G. Ambarisa prabhu speaking on the subject of Wisdom and Wealth. Below is the Zoom registration information and you are encouraged to sign up soon as there is limited live capacity. Live viewers will be able to send in questions. A live feed will also be connected to the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium – TOVP Facebook Page. All programs will also be archived on the TOVP website and YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TOVPinfo

Zoom Registration Information :

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When : Jun 5, 2020 07:30 PM India/10:00 AM U.S. (EST)
Topic: Launch of TOVP TALKS/Wisdom and Wealth

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H5520W6xQyux7SPXsNanSQ

The post TOVP TALKS – Talk Show Announcement appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Saturday, May 23, 2020
→ The Walking Monk


Toronto, Ontario

Goodbye to serenity?


Corrado and I and a new seeker, Abhijit, who works with healthcare workers, took to a walk on the shady side of the street.  Eventually we found ourselves in a tree-bound neighbourhood, but before that we noticed and increased amount of traffic noise.  Personally I was left to ask the question, “When will we ever sober up?”  More particularly I’m seeing the display of testosterone male power in the form of revving up engines.  They are noisy, loud and fast.

Since the global lockdown less traffic is found on the road which some younger fellows see this as an opportunity to use the roadway more so as a raceway.  One guy was caught by police going at 300 km/hr speed.  That’s outrageous!  You would think that with all the illness and deaths created by Covid-19 that it would have that moderating effect.  But “No!”  How soon we forget?  The slowdown, the serenity around and the purging of the environment that people have witnessed would all be testimony to the direction we should stay on.

But I guess some people don’t get it.  To join us on the walk was Mahabhagavat, who was on his second major trek (18 km from his home) and we analyzed that humans are like mosquitoes.  We are asleep but when the hotter weather kicks in we are all over the place wreaking havoc.  This is analogous to the current policy of opening up of more retail stores.  The traffic is increased and so is the madness.  The spiritual component can help.

I wanted to recognize the passing away of two souls that occurred this morning: Shyama from Brampton at 85 and Raghunatha from Markham at 69.  They expressed their devotion in beautiful ways.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkVE_jAcv5/



Friday, May 22, 2020
→ The Walking Monk


Toronto, Ontario

Trees


Trees
What hugs the soil and keeps it in place
Teaches tolerance especially at the base
Provides us company when down and lonely
Is a true member of the earthly family?

Trees
What cuts the wind when all is tossed in the air
Which resembles a turbulent mind enough to scare
What emits a sweet sent at dusk and at dawn
And has sap flow at winter’s end when spring is on?

Trees
What gives warmth in cold in coolness in the heat
And what eats and drinks by their very own feet
Give shelter with shade at a blazing sun’s prime
What will never let you down in the worst of time?

Trees
What stretches up to touch a gorgeous guy
And what is home for the species that fly
What provides rest and a place of refuge
For feathered and furry friends during this deluge?

Trees
What dances in breezes in awesome rhythm
Makes music of creaks, moans and psithurism
What can cause a surge of adrenaline
Contains fire and hydrogen and oxygen?

Trees
What are the soft hairs jutting out of the universe
Yielding healing properties like nature’s nurse
What requires our stewardship and service
A chance for their well-deserved catharsis?

Trees
I can tell you what saved my life multiple times
Their arms reached out to mine on a steep climb
More than once I took to a slippery slope
When there seemed to be so little hope
Trees


Trees (Part-Two)

Some are alive
Some are dead
Some are green
Some are red
Some bear fruit
Some bear nuts
Most have wood
For the very own guts
Some have needles
Some have leaves
Know it for certain
They’re here to please

Written by Bhaktimarga Swami
(The Walking Monk)

May the Source be with you!
5 km

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiDt9Igwh6/





During distress if someone turns away from Krishna and becomes an atheist, what is the role of God’s will in their misuse of free will?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post During distress if someone turns away from Krishna and becomes an atheist, what is the role of God’s will in their misuse of free will? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The Lotus Feet of the Lord are the Most Suitable Boat for Crossing the Ocean of Nescience, Zoom Talk with South African Devotees
Giriraj Swami

“This material world is certified by the Lord in the Bhagavad-gita as a dangerous place full of calamities. Less intelligent persons prepare plans to adjust to those calamities without knowing that the nature of this place is itself full of calamities. They have no information of the abode of the Lord, which is full of bliss and without trace of calamity. The duty of the sane person, therefore, is to be undisturbed by worldly calamities, which are sure to happen in all circumstances. Suffering all sorts of unavoidable misfortunes, one should make progress in spiritual realization because that is the mission of human life. The spirit soul is transcendental to all material calamities; therefore, the so-called calamities are called false.” Srimad-Bhagavtam 1.8.25 purport.

Crossing the Ocean of Nescience (Right click to download)

Kamala Devi Dasi
Giriraj Swami

My beloved, exalted disciple Kamala devi dasi left her body in Mauritius two days ago. Everything about her departure was auspicious, and her consciousness was fixed on Goloka Vrindavan. She was ably assisted in her final journey by HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, Karunika dasi, Vrajesvari dasi, Manasi Ganga dasi, Arcana Siddhi dasi, and her devoted daughter, Dhira Prasanta dasi, and son, Lesh, in Mauritius, and by Krsnagi dasi and others from afar.

I have attached a photo of Kamala devi when she came to California to serve me, after which she returned to Mauritius and learned that she had cancer.

Please pray for her.

Thank you very much.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami