Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Answer Podcast
Transcription: Dr Suresh Gupta
Question: Is it scientific to believe in weird things such as ghosts, hallucinations, and near-death experiences?
Answer: Let us look at these many different experiences from a point-by-point perspective and analyze as to how they are scientific or not.
Today, science has adopted materialism as its default metaphysics. Science also considers that materialism should be the chosen philosophy of life for everyone as it is the result of linear studies extended over centuries. However, such a belief is unwarranted. Materialism is more of a pre-supposition than a conclusion. As far as scientific research is concerned, the father of modern psychology, William James, suggested that we focus more on the utility of psychological experiences than on whether they agree with current scientific orthodoxy or not. It means that from a pragmatic perspective if a particular experience has a beneficial effect then it should be considered seriously.
Initially, this line of thought was ignored. However, over a period of time, more and more scientific research started accumulating which suggested that actually people are benefitted from the kind of experiences that mainstream society may call weird or even pathological. For example, study on the experiences of the widowhood showed that a significant number of people who were recently widowed (men or women) actually became better when they had some kind of encounter with their deceased spouses. Through such experiences, they felt that it helped them to move on. Most of them reported not just the presence but also some tactile, visual, or audio sensation that seemed non-different from real-world experience. Only a small percentage said that they found these interactions disconcerting, but many found them to be healing, pacifying which enabled them to move forward. Over the years this line of study has caught up. Now in hospice care if people have some death bed experiences with some revered figures then that staff is trained to see such experiences positively because they help people to prepare for the impending arrival of death.
Such hallucinations can be considered unscientific but that raises a bigger question: What is science? Is science an objective evaluation of observed phenomenon to arrive at some conclusion? Or is science a world view that has to be sanctimoniously protected irrespective of the evidence? If we consider these observations or near-death experiences from the effect perspective, it has been observed that such experiences change the experiencers. This has been observed with a large number of people where there is a dramatic decrease in the competitiveness and consumerism of such people. There is a significant increase in empathy, altruism, and environmentalism. Basically, we could say that the higher values of life or sattva (qualities of goodness) increase and rajas (qualities of passion) decrease.
Now a skeptic may argue that just because some experiences feel good that does not mean they are right, e.g. intoxication provides some short-term feeling of high, but intoxication does not inspire people to take long-term positive changes in their life. Often it has a long-term negative consequence. On the contrary, near-death experiences (NDEs) can have enormous positive consequences on people.
At present, science is unequipped to evaluate the metaphysical status of what people experience during such situations because the scientific methodology in itself is largely methodological naturalism i.e. looking for a natural explanation for natural phenomena. Hence, whether there is something nonmaterial or not? Scientific orthodoxy would argue that there is nothing non-material whereas open-minded researchers might be a little more open to the presence of some higher reality. Either way, unless there is a radical redefinition of science, the higher reality will be difficult for science to investigate. However, the effects of such experiences can be investigated, and their therapeutic benefits can be understood.
What could be a reasonable explanation for such experiences? Are these placebos? A placebo is basically a treatment that seems to be a “real” medical treatment — but isn’t. It could be a sugar pill, a shot, or some other type of “fake” treatment. Although, placebos are not real medicines, but they do have real medicinal effects on people. At least for some people and to some degree. One may ask, are placebos real? Even if we assume that placebos are not real medicines, but it cannot be denied that they do have real medicinal effects and heal a certain number of people. The understanding here is that the placebos activate the mind’s innate healing mechanism.
Now, if some people are cured by placebos there is no justification for ridiculing, stigmatizing them. Similarly, if somebody’s life is radically transformed by having some kind of mystical experience then that needs to be acknowledged and not ridiculed or derided. One way to know whether the experiences are real is to look at some veridical experiences where the perception of those experiences coincides with reality. Could it be that people report accurate observations which they could not normally have known by any other means and yet they knew it accurately? There has been a significant amount of research in this area. In my book Demystifying Reincarnation I have given many cases of people having veridical perceptions during extraordinary events like near-death experiences.
At the empirical level, we can only see the event and its effect. At the empirical level, accurate perceptions are happening and also beneficial effects are happening. Therefore, to stigmatize and deride mystical experiences is definitely unscientific or anti-scientific. That raises a bigger question – as in the placebo effect brain releases chemicals to heal the body itself, so could the paranormal mystical experiences also be a result of brain phenomenon alone? Sometimes, experiences like NDEs can be simulated by some psychedelic chemicals but not everything, and no psychedelic chemical can give people veridical perceptions which coincide with reality.
Hence, we could say that there is reasonable case for being open minded about these paranormal experiences in terms of their metaphysical content. However, there is a strong case for accepting their beneficial therapeutic effects. Therefore, the scientific basis for many of the paranormal events is undeniably strong.
End of transcription.
Transcriber: Sharan Shetty
Edited by: Keshavgopal Das
Question: Is Krishna brahman or parabrahman?
Answer: Krishna is referred by both the names in the scriptures. When the soul is to be distinguished from Krishna, at that time, the reference parabrahman is used which means he is the supreme spiritual reality and brahman is the standard reference used for the Absolute Truth in the Vedanta Sutra. Therefore, one should not think that only the word parabrahman refers to Krishna. Most of the time, when the word brahman is used, it can also refer to Krishna. We can see in the Bhagavad-gita that the word brahman is used to refer to the spirit soul. It also refers to the Supreme Lord and also to the material nature for example, in Bhagavad-gita 14.3,
mama yonir mahad brahma
Translation: The total material substance, called brahman
The important point and differentiation between brahman and parabrahman is that we are not the Absolute Truth. We are parts of the Absolute Truth. It is clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gita 15.07,
mamaivamso jiva-loke
jiva-bhutaḥ sanatanaḥ
The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts.
It means that we are parts of Krishna and that too, eternal parts. Even after we become liberated, we remain parts of Krishna. Krishna is both brahman and parabrahman and the soul is a finite, limited, infinitesimal part of that Supreme Reality. Often the term – aham brahmasmi is used to refer to the point that we are spirit, but it does not mean that the soul is equal to the Absolute and neither the word Brahman is a monopoly of the impersonalists. The word brahman does not necessarily mean only brahmajyoti or the all-pervading effulgence of the Lord. In general, it refers to the Absolute Truth and there are many verses in the scriptures which indicate that it also refers to the personal Absolute Truth. Thus, we have to look at the context, to see, what is being referred by the particular term, the soul or the Supersoul. If at all we want to contrast between brahman and parabrahman then we can say that Krishna is the highest reality as explained in Bhagavad Gita 07.07
mattaḥ parataram nanyat
kincid asti dhanan-jaya
mayi sarvam idaṁ protaṁ
sūtre maṇi-gaṇā iva
(O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.)
Also, in the Srimad Bhagavatam 08.03.04, Krishna is referred as parat parah or He who is transcendental to transcendental, or above all transcendence. The brahmajyoti which is considered as transcendence is coming from him and he is beyond the brahmajyoti and the source of it as explained in Bhagavad-gita 14.27,
brahmano hi pratisthaham.
(I am the basis of the impersonal brahman)
End of transcription.
The post Is Krishna brahman or parabrahman? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
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Posted by Giriraj Swami on Wednesday, January 8, 2020
It’s easy to get boxed into our own little worlds, sealed in a bubble and oblivious to reality, losing perspective and drowning in ethereal thoughts.
A beautiful prayer for the blessing of all of humanity performed by Jahnavi Harrison and released by Radha Krishna Records. The prayer is taken from the prayers of Prahlad Maharaj as found in the Srimad Bhagavatam 5:18:9.
"Why do I have to die? Why do I have to suffer? / But wait it will not. That minute is gone now and / then another and another takes its place."
By Vaisaki Das.
A video by ISKCON Desire Tree.
Greta and the Veda. Appreciation and advice from Vedic perspective on the climate change issue.
A winter festival that is held in December-January in Mayapur focuses on providing guests an insight into the importance of the Bhagavad Gita.
From the 'Illuminize' album.
In this era dominated by technology and devices, there are very few devotees of Krishna who use technology or know how to use technology effectively to spread the message of Krishna-consciousness.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 May 2019, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.11.25)
We make arguments that spiritual life is difficult. We always find a reason to say it is difficult. It is difficult because I am too young. It is difficult because I have to study. It is difficult because I have to work. It is difficult because I am married. It is difficult because I am not married. It is difficult because I have to cook. It is difficult because we have a house. It is difficult because we have a mouse! (laughter) We find so many reasons to make spiritual life and taking up Krsna consciousness sound difficult and then we blow up that excuse. We make it bigger and bigger and bigger until we have a really big reason why we cannot practice Krsna consciousness. “What can I do? These are my circumstances which make spiritual life difficult”.
So this tendency is there in us. We can see that our mind is putting forward these arguments to make spiritual life sound difficult, but we must say no to that. No! Because Krsna is the source of all opportunities, so He makes everything possible for us. That is what we saw in Srila Prabhupada. Against all odds, he made it to New York, at the age of 70. I am approaching that age, but even now when I have to go to New York, I think, “Oh, forget it! Not New York!” But Prabhupada went alone and he did it. If there is one quality of Prabhupada that we can appreciate, it is that he never missed an opportunity. Whenever there was an opportunity, he tried. In English, it is to say that he left no stone unturned. He tried every opportunity. For instance, when he was at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport, he asked the devotees to inquire if it could be changed to O’Hare Krsna Airport (laughter). The devotees said, “Oh, that is a good joke Prabhupada!” But Prabhupada was not joking around! So in this way, we can see that he would try anything. yare dekha, tare kaha krsna-upadesa amara ajnana guru hana tara ei desa (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 7.128). Whomever you meet, instruct them about Krsna-upadesa. That is actually the key!
The article " Is spiritual life difficult or an opportunity? " was published on KKSBlog.
Our "Paramahamster" comic strip follows an enthusiastic devotee as he navigates a 9 - 5 work day in the corporate world.
The podcast is facilitated by the BBT’s Marketing, Communications and Innovations dept and was conceived by the department’s director Vaisesika Das as a way to make sankirtan (book distribution and harinama) relevant to a younger generation.
The TOVP Fundraising Team is pleased to announce the launch of yet another opportunity for serving this historic and world-changing project: The Steps of Surrender Campaign. 108 50′ long steps lead from the ground floor to the entrance of the TOVP and now you can be one of ten sponsors for each step and serve the lotus feet of all who come to visit.
Just as in spiritual life the steps of surrender start with the guru, then proceed to Lord Caitanya and finally culminate with Radha and Krishna, the 108 steps of surrender of the TOVP begin with 58 Guru Parampara steps, continue with 40 Pancha Tattva Steps and make their final ascension with 10 Radha Madhava steps. Become one of ten sponsors for each step and remember that millions of pilgrims for generations to come will benefit because you helped build that staircase which led them to Vaikuntha. Your name will be inscribed on a special Steps of Surrender section of the Devotional Wall of Fame inside the TOVP.
For more information go to The Steps of SurrenderPage on the TOVP website.
Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
View us 360° at: www.tovp360.org
App at: https://m.tovp.org/app
News & Texts at: https://m.tovp.org/newstexts
RSS News Feed at: https://tovp.org/rss2/
Buy from us at: https://tovp.org/tovp-gift-store/
Support us at: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/
The post TOVP Steps of Surrender Campaign appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Starting in September last year, bush fires have been causing widespread devastation in Australia, particularly in New South Wales. According to ISKCON Australia Communications Director Bhakta Das, no devotees have been injured, as the fire is some distance from ISKCON’s farming communities.
We would like to share a brief update regarding the progress on the Pujari floor.
These are some images of the ceiling panels which are made of GRG (Glass Reinforced Gypsum). In them will be placed the light fixtures. As you can see they are looking quite lovely and give off a very opulent look to the area, adding a nice touch to the ceiling as well.
The post Pujari Floor Ceiling Fixtures appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Purushottam Nitai Das: Nanda and Yashoda comes from the spiritual world to enjoy pastimes with Krishna. And after Krishna unwinds his pastimes in the material world Nanda Maharaj and mother Yashoda merge into their original sources in the spiritual world.
The first Rathayatra of 2020, Malaysia (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Sri Caitanya...
Morning Class SB 4.27.14 HH Prahaladananda Swami - 9 January 2020 in Hare Krishna Melbourne ...
Answer Podcast
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Transcriber: Sharan Shetty
Edited by: Keshavgopal Das
Question: Is the brahman aspect also sat-cit-ananda or is it only sat?
Answer: Brahman, paramatma and bhagavan are three names of the same Absolute Truth. All three are not different but the same Absolute Truth referred to by different names. Brahman is also sat-cit-ananda.
The example of halwa (an Indian sweet or candy) can help us understand it better. Suppose a person who throughout their life, has only smelt the fragrance of halwa and never tasted it may come up with a new name for the halwa, maybe Henry. The object maybe called differently due to the person’s experience limited only to the fragrance but it will nevertheless remain a halwa because it has all the attributes of halwa.
Similarly, brahman paramatma and bhagavan are three names of the same Absolute Truth. All three are sat-cit-ananda because they are the same one Absolute Truth. The difference lies in the level of realisation. Those who have realised the brahman level have realised only the sat aspect.
End of transcription.
The post Is the Brahman aspect also sat-cit-ananda or is it only sat? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Automatic percussion for a temple of Jagannath (1 min. video)
Some devotees were approaching to visit the temple thinking to meet a group of kirtaniyas who were playing their instruments. Instead, this is what they found :-)
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A special program at Bhaktivedanta Manor (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All glories to the chanting of Hare Krishna mantra or Krishna sankirtana movement. All glories. All victory. How it is victory, all victory? If you chant this Hare Krishna mantra, then the dirty things which have accumulated in your heart due to material contamination will be cleared off. (Purport to Siksastakam)
Holy Name Retreat in Govardhana (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: How can we think mundane thoughts and at the same time chant? Two things are happening, and one will conquer. As maya is working to drag you from Krishna consciousness, you can challenge maya by chanting Hare Krishna. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita, 3.6.10, Los Angeles 1968)
Gita Mela is an event organised by ISKCON Mayapur dedicated solely for interacting with the tourists. A winter festival that is held from December to January pays close attention to the guests by giving them valuable association of the devotees and showing them the importance of Bhagavad Gita. Also called the big ‘fair’ of knowledge, […]
The post Gita Mela-The Holy Name for One’s Faith appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Deena Bandhu Prabhu in ISKCON Chowpatty
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Answer Podcast
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Transcriber: Sharan Shetty
Edited by: Keshavgopal Das
Question: Does brahman always refer to the Lord’s effulgence?
Answer: There are words which have multiple meanings, and, in some context, certain words are given specific meanings. For example, Srila Jiva Goswami, in his analysis, uses the word bhagavan very specifically to refer to that Absolute Truth who has six opulences in full and beyond comparison – strength, wealth, knowledge, fame, beauty and renunciation. However, in the Srimad Bhagavatam, the word bhagavan is also used to refer to great sages – Bhagavan Narada, Bhagavan Vyasa although these personalities do not have six opulences. Thus, the word bhagavan has different meanings in different context.
In a particular analytical framework, brahman may have a precise technical meaning but generally speaking, if we look at the Vedic literature, the word brahman is used to refer to the Absolute Truth and not necessarily just the impersonal aspect of the Absolute Truth. It is said that Lord Rama when he completed his past-times, he entered into the effulgence (atma jyotir agata). But that does not mean Lord Rama merged, it is a way to refer to the spiritual world in general. Broadly speaking, the Absolute Truth is referred to by the name brahman and in
the Bhagavad-gita 10.12,
param brahma param dhama
pavitram paramam bhavan
Arjuna also addresses Krishna as brahma.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has explained the features of the Absolute Truth and within that context, he uses the word brahman to refer to a particular understanding of the Absolute Truth. That means, the word itself has two different meanings. It cannot be said that in all scriptural references, brahman will refer only to the effulgence. Within a particular analytical framework, the word brahman refers to the effulgence which is the analysis of the Absolute Truth but many times in the scriptures, the word brahman is used to refer to the Absolute Truth in general. To understand with another example, consider the word father which in general refers to one’s own biological father but in Christianity, the word father also refers to the priest of the Church. Both the words are true, and the same word has two different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Likewise, the word brahman generally refers to the Absolute Truth but specifically and within a particular analytical framework, it also refers to the impersonal aspect of the Absolute Truth.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave the philosophy of achintya bhedabheda (inconceivable oneness and difference of the Absolute Truth and His energies) and when we consider the word brahman referring to the impersonal aspect, we are focusing more on the bheda (difference) where brahman is the impersonal aspect, paramatma is the witness and bhagavan is the personal aspect. But there is also abheda (oneness) which means that actually these three are non-different and they are all one Absolute Truth.
In terms of analysis, we can say that there is an impersonal effulgence and some spiritual seekers focus only on the impersonal effulgence. The impersonal effulgence referred to as brahmajyoti is also spirit, it is not material light. It is beyond the material world, and is not matter. Just like atma (spirit soul) is sat-cit-ananda (full of eternity, knowledge and bliss), the brahman effulgence is also part of the Absolute Truth. As we are the separated energy, brahman is the integrated energy and integral part of the Absolute Truth. In that sense, for analysis, we can separate but we should not have so much emphasis of bheda that we forget the abheda aspect. Both exist simultaneously.
End of transcription.
The post Does Brahman always refer to the Lord’s effulgence? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Jagadisha Pandit is considered to be simultaneously both Nityananda-shakha and Chaitanya-shakha, a branch both of Chaitanya as well as Nityananda in the desire tree of devotion. He was born in the town of Gauhati in modern Assam.
His father’s name was Kamalaksha Bhatta. Both of his parents were Devotees of Vishnu. When they died, he came with his wife Duhkhini and his brother Hiranya to Mayapur on the shores of the Ganga where they built a home near that of Jagannath Mishra. Jagadisha Pandit became Jagannath Mishra’s very close friend.
Jagadisha and his wife Duhkhini had the same kind of parental affection for the little Nimai as Jagannath and Sachi themselves. Duhkhini was like a mother to Nimai and even sometimes acted as his wet-nurse.
Nimai, the son of Sachi, is none other than the son of Yashoda, the Supreme Lord Krishna incarnate. It is not possible for anyone but an eternal associate of the Lord to have the good fortune to treat Him like a son in this way.
Chandan Bhatia: If Nimai could not catch a bird He saw flying in the sky He would weep bitterly and roll in the dust. Sometimes, He cried for the moon and the stars in the sky while thrashing His arms and legs violently, if He could not have them. Continue reading "Nimai eats offerings prepared by Jagadisha & Hiranya Pandita 
The Peace Formula everyone needs to know about! (4 min video)
Simple, unless you bring God into the equation, secular solutions won’t work! God is the ultimate proprietor and beneficiary of all activities and resources and the best friend of all.
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Adult Education At The Temple
