Websites from the ISKCON Universe
The North American Governing Body Commission's Executive Council gives their full support for your current initiative to start a new ISKCON center in Miami
Prasadam distribution by ISKCON Auckland, NZ (Album of photos)
Kalasamvara Das: Today was the 1st of many to come as we set about starting our new Food for life School programs.
Finlayson Park school warmly welcomed the devotees who came to distribute Hare Krishna food to over 1100 children plus staff.
The school is the biggest primary school in Auckland, and It was really successful.
Thanks to our great team Nimananda Prabhu who cooked and sponsored the prasadam on his birthday, Haripriya dd, and Krishnachandra Prabhu, and their team.
Akrura gat - Kartik Vrindavan Parikrama 2019 (10 min. video)
Indradyumna Swami: Our Vrindavan parikrama group spent the first day of Kartika at Akrura Ghat, the border line between Vrindavan and Mathura. There we discussed in depth the pastime of Akrura taking Krsna and Balaram to Mathura in his chariot and how the Vrajavasis did their best to keep Them in Vrindavan. Hearing of the gopis sentiments of impending separation touched the hearts of us all.
I forgot her but she did not forget me!
Shastrakrit Das: We call book distribution planting seeds. Even taking time to show the books is like planting seeds in the minds of people.
Here is an example: It was a quiet Wednesday afternoon, I was just chanting behind the book table and this wonderful lady walked up to me and greeted me with great enthusiasm. She walked up to me and said, “now I’m ready.” Seeing me confused she explained how she is ready to take home the Bhagavatam set today. Apparently, I had met her last year at a Navaratri festival where I showed her the Bhagavatham set and requested her to take it home. I totally forgot because I meet so many people daily, but she did not forget me.
HH Kavicandra Swami: At least I look like a devotee. Bless me to become one.
Damodara programs by ISKCON Malaysia (Album of photos)
Hare Krishna. All glories to Lord Damodara. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Answer Podcast
The post If our love is finite, how can it help us reach the infinite? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
First of all, yoga is not a religion, it is a spiritual science that has been practiced and developed over thousands of years. Archeological evidence shows figures in yogic positions from the Indus Valley region that date as far back as 3000 BCE. Yoga is also mentioned in various Vedic literature, such as some of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-gita, the Bhagavata Purana, and others, all of which date back thousands of years.
Religion often deals with externals, such as how we act, what we do, and customs and rituals. Spirituality, on the other hand, may also use rituals and practices, but is focused on our internal changes and development, and is, thus, more personal and individualistic. It does not depend on a church or our connection with an institution. Neither does it depend on a strict dogma, but it goes beyond all that. This is the Vedic system. The goal of religion may be to reach heaven, but the goal of Vedic spirituality, from which originates the yoga system, is moksha, or liberation from all forms of materialistic limitations, providing a reawakening of our real spiritual identity, and even complete entrance into the spiritual dimension.
The purpose of any true spiritual path is to raise our consciousness to the point of allowing us to directly perceive the spiritual strata. Being spiritual means to recognize one’s spiritual identity and practically see the transcendental essence of all others. It also means to see that we are all parts and parcels of God and to respect each other in that light. That is one of the goals of yoga.
We need to understand that all things that are spiritual function on a higher plane of existence, one that is hardly perceptible by our mind, intelligence, or senses. The spiritual dimension can only be detected when our consciousness reaches a higher level of awareness. It is similar to radio and television waves. These are not perceptible by our mind or senses. They remain invisible, yet they are all around us. In our base level of awareness, or unawareness, we may think that such things as radio waves and television frequencies are not real. Of course, we may be viewed as quite uneducated by those who are familiar with their existence. So the thing is, even if you cannot perceive them, if you have a receiver that can detect or even utilize such subtle waves or frequencies, then you will know that radio and television waves are not only a fact, but can be used for many practical purposes.
The same thing goes for a genuine spiritual path. It is meant to bring our consciousness up to a higher level of awareness, to fine tune it so that we can receive or perceive the higher vibrations of the spiritual strata. As we practice a genuine spiritual tradition, then our consciousness can become refined and focused enough so we can receive the subtle frequencies and perceive the reality of the spiritual domain. Then we can have our own spiritual experiences. The point is that the more spiritual we become, the more we can perceive that which is spiritual. As we develop and grow in this way, the questions about spiritual life are no longer a mystery to solve, but become a reality to experience. It becomes a practical part of our lives. And how to reach that level of perception is supplied in the Vedic methodologies that have been preserved and handed to us by the previous sages who have also used them for their own development and spiritual experience. And that is what the Vedic process has been giving to humanity for thousands of years.
The Vedic system is practically non-denominational. It is not for any one culture or ethnic group. It is for all of humanity and is called Sanatana-dharma. Sanatana-dharma is both a path and a state of being. It means, essentially, the eternal nature of the soul, that which always exists. We are all spiritual beings within material bodies, so the goal and our main duty of human existence is to regain that spiritual identity. This is attained by a reawakening of our higher consciousness and the perception of our spiritual identity. It is through the process of yoga and the path of Sanatana-dharma that we can reach this higher awareness and perceive exactly who we are. This is precisely the purpose of yoga.
The Sanskrit root of the word yoga is yuj, which means to bind, link, or unite with the object of our meditation. Thus, it is to unite the mind, intellect, the will, body, and soul to God, or the jivatma to the Paramatma, the individual soul to the Supersoul, through the discipline of yoga. Furthermore, the word religion comes from the Latin word religio, which also means to bring back or bind to God. Thus, there is no difference between the goal of yoga and the deeper goal of religion.
Nowadays people often practice yoga merely for improving their physical fitness, or for their mental and overall well-being. There is nothing wrong with that, and yoga can do that most efficiently. But there is also a higher aspect of yoga, which for some has been forgotten. The great rishis of old in India gave it for our preparation to reach higher states of consciousness. And such training was performed for years to attain more developed states of being. Thus, the process of hatha yoga was given to prepare one for entering the elevated stages of meditation. Hatha yoga is a beginning process for preparing the body and mind for spiritual awakening through the practice of raja or astanga yoga. Thus, it is also quite effective in reducing any diseases, physical defects, or mental disturbances. And this is why some people use it as a preventative medical therapy. It is the imbalance in the energy system that contributes much of the psychic or mental diseases that people suffer. Hatha yoga, along with breathing exercises, pranayama, can eliminate many such problems. However, it is not enough to use only particular asanas or yoga postures to remedy certain problems. It must be used holistically to treat the whole person so the student, or the sadhaka, can rise to a higher level of being. The person’s character, thought processes, mind, senses, and physical nature, must all rise to a more refined level of existence. That is what is needed, otherwise the goal of yoga remains incomplete. This, it seems, is what has been forgotten by many modern yoga teachers.
In order for the mind to be purified, the body also has to be purified, or prepared spiritually. Hatha yoga is that preliminary process by which we prepare the body, nervous system, mind, lungs or breathing, and nadi channels so the energy within can flow most efficiently for states of deep meditation. As we increase our ability for deeper meditation, naturally higher awareness also develops, and our consciousness will operate on a higher frequency level, a level in which we begin to perceive the spiritual strata. And this also means that we can perceive our real spiritual identity beyond the physical body, both of ourselves and all others.
SEEING THE DIVINITY IN EACH OF US
Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of the Aikido method of martial arts said: “Above all, one must unite one’s heart with that of the gods. The essence of God is love, an all-pervading love that reaches every corner of the universe. If one is not united to God, the universe cannot be harmonized. Martial artists who are not in harmony with the universe are merely executing combat techniques, not Aiki (Ai–uniting harmony and love with ki–the universal energy).”
This understanding is very important even in ordinary, everyday life. If we are not working in harmony with love and universal energy, we are simply going through daily routines that are ineffectual and empty. We need to practice the methods which also awaken the connection we have with God, the universe, and each other. This is the way we can fully grow and develop. Then our life will have meaning and purpose. We will be guided by our own upliftment and will be able to assist in the upliftment of others. We will also be able to recognize the all-pervasiveness of the Supreme Being.
The essence of this perception has been related in the ancient Vedic texts, as we find in the Svetasvatara Upanishad (6.11) which states, “He is the one God hidden in all beings, all pervading, the self within all beings, watching over all worlds, dwelling in all beings, the witness, and the perceiver.” If one can truly understand this and become enlightened in this way, he will see that he is a part of the Supreme Reality and realize his union with all beings. Within that enlightenment one can reach Divine Love. This love is based on the spiritual oneness and harmony between all beings, which is sublime. It is a source of spiritual bliss. It is a love based not on bodily relations or mutual attraction, but it is based on being one in spirit, beyond the temporary nature of the body. This is the love for which everyone searches, from which springs forth peace, harmony, and unity, of which all other kinds of love are mere reflections. This state of being is reached only through spirituality, which is one of the main goals of yoga. Therefore, a life without spirituality is a life incomplete. All have the need to fill their souls with spirituality, or the presence of God, in order to feel fullness, peace, contentment, and unity.
As the Supreme says in the ancient Vedic text of Bhagavad-gita (6.30): “To him who sees Me in everything and everything in Me, I am never lost, and he is not lost to Me.”
In this way, a person who sees everything in relation to the Supreme Lord, and who sees all beings as His parts or extensions, and who sees the Lord within everything, never hates anything nor any being. One who thus sees all living beings as inner spiritual sparks, having the same spiritual quality of eternal nature with the Lord, becomes a true knower of things. Thus, how can there be illusion or anxiety for him? This is the yoga vision.
To begin seeing how things really are, and to recognize the Divinity in each of us, we have to start adjusting our consciousness. This takes place by being trained in spiritual knowledge and by the practice of yoga which purifies the mind. When the mind becomes purified and the false ego no longer influences our vision, we become sensible people. As the Bhagavad-gita (13.31-32) says, when a sensible man ceases to see different identities due to different material bodies, he attains the spiritual conception. Those with the vision of eternity see that the soul is transcendental, eternal, and beyond the modes of nature. Despite being within the material body, the soul is above material contact.
As the son is a part and parcel of the father, similarly, we are all individual parts of the supreme spiritual Father. In fact, the whole creation displays different energies which are expansions of the Supreme Energetic. Thus, there is diversity within the variegated material energy which expands from the Supreme Being. These expansions manifest in millions of species of life, as explained in the Vedic literature. Therefore, although we are in different material bodies, we are all expansions of the same spiritual energy. This is oneness and unity in diversity. On the spiritual platform, which is absolute, we are all the same. We are all spiritual beings, servants of the Supreme Being, undergoing life in the material creation. That is real unity. This perception is the perfection of the spiritually conscious person. He sees all living beings as reflections of the One, the Supreme Being. Thus, in a broad sense, there is one interest. Spiritually there is never any clash.
We are all but small reflections of the Supreme Consciousness. When we put the greater whole above ourselves, and realize that we all contribute to the condition of this planet, then uniting with a common cause and with that Supreme Consciousness will be easy.
This planet does not allow us to be isolated. We all must work together and interface with others on some level. One lesson that this school of existence on this planet forces us to learn is that when we come together willingly to communicate, with a positive purpose, or to pray together, and to unite for the good of the whole, then harmony and peace can exist. That peace forms and manifests when we focus on our spiritual nature, which brings between us our unity in the Supreme. Making this the center of our existence will easily bring peace, unity, and harmony in this world because it brings in the spiritual vibration that emanates from the Supreme. That vibration is one of spiritual love. It is all that is eternal. All else is temporary. Therefore, focusing on and using our energy on temporary emotions such as envy, jealousy, and anger, will only keep us far away from the Supreme, and from reaching any peace or unity between us.
We have to recognize how similar we are in order to expand our heart toward others we may have previously rejected. This is how love and understanding can dissolve the boundaries that keep us stifled as a society and individuals, and keep us from entering higher dimensions of consciousness. There is no other way to grow spiritually. A lack of love for each other is a reflection of a lack of love for God.
When we think in spiritual consciousness, we do not recognize others by their differences. We see our similarities. This is easy when we think in terms of being sons and daughters of the same Supreme Father. We all belong to the One. Only in this way can there be universal love among all living entities. Only in this way can we begin to think that we are all related to each other. Once we establish our relationship with the Supreme, then we can establish our true relationship with everyone else. Our spiritual nature is eternal, and our spiritual relation with the Supreme is eternal. Therefore, our spiritual relationship with each other is also eternal. It is not subject to time and circumstances. This central point has to be established in order for there to be universal peace, brotherhood, equality, and unity in the world. This central point must be a part of every religion or it remains incomplete.
In essence, we are all consciousness in material forms. Consciousness cannot be destroyed. It is the essence of God in each of us. We are all spiritual beings, reflections of the Divine. We are not our beliefs, our cultures, or our minds and bodies. We are all divine souls on a wondrous journey through Truth. We have all manifested from God, the Supreme Truth, and we are all evolving back to God. As the Manu-samhita (12.125) relates, “Thus, he who by means of Self sees the self in all created things, after attaining equality with all, enters into Brahman [spiritual consciousness], the highest place.” That is the ultimate goal, and that is the vision by which we can attain unity with one and all. This spiritual perception can automatically be facilitated through the practice of yoga and meditation.
[From www.stephen-knapp.com]
The expansion of Sankarshan who sleeps on the ocean of milk, Kshirodakashayi Vishnu, has become Viracandra, who is not different from Chaitanya himself. (Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 67)
Yadunandanas wife Lakshmi was extremely chaste and devoted to her husband. Two daughters were born to her, Shrimati and Narayani, both of whom were startlingly beautiful. At Jahnavas behest, the fortunate Brahmin gave both of his daughters in marriage to Virabhadra. (Bhakti-ratnakara 13.251-3)
Sri Narahari Chakravarti Thakur has written the following about Virabhadra in his Bhakti-ratnakara: Nityananda Prabhu had a single son, Virabhadra, who was an ocean of virtue and capable of purifying the world. Who can sufficiently glorify him, for their is no limit to his glories? He is famed as the branch of the Nityananda Prabhu. He is the root of all joy, is sometimes known as Virabhadra and sometimes as Viracandra. If anyone sees him even once he will give up everything and make his lotus feet his all-in-all in life. (Bhakti-ratnakara 9.413-4, 420-1)
Vraja Mandal Parikrama - Day 10 (Album of photos)
Katha by - H.H Radha Raman Swami Maharaj
Visit to Kamyavan (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Kamyavan signifies the forest th...
Govinda’s restaurant in Nuuanu, Hawaii.
Denby Fawcett: Stress Eating In the Time Of Trump.
In this period of increasing political unrest in Hawaii and daily rants from a panicked U.S. president facing impeachment, it is calming to know there are places of refuge in Honolulu to regroup.
In preparation for the Grand Opening of the Pujari Floor of the TOVP on February 13, 2020, TOVP Chairman Ambarisa prabhu recently visited Sridham Mayapur.
He was very pleased with the overall progress and management by Cushman and Wakefield, the Project Management Consultancy overseeing the general construction finishing work. The following is a photo collection of the tour on October 10.
An official announcement regarding the Grand Opening of the Pujari Floor will follow shortly and we invite all devotees to attend.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
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The post TOVP Chairman His Grace Ambarisa Prabhu Gets a Tour of the Pujari Floor appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Answer Podcast
The post What is the difference between vibhuti and shaktyavesha avatar? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 08/18/2019
Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Founder-Acharya.
Participating Directors: Anuttama, Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.
Participating Advisors: Kripamaya (partial attendance)
1. Cow Fest Recap
Olivia reported some highlights from the Happy Cow Festival, held March 29, 2019:
This was a positive first experience in planning and hosting this festival which the organizers can build on in future years.
Here’s a link to a Wheeling Intelligencer new article about the festival.
2. Ranaka’s Monthly Report:
Lalita Gopi (Temple Barn):
Ray (General Farm Hand):
Caitanya Bhagavat (Cow Care):
Suchandra (Gardens):
Community Garden:
Teaching Garden:
Vidya (Vidya’s Garden):
Vidya’s Garden harvest totals for July 2019:
Lila (Nandagram Garden):
Ranaka (General Manager):
3. Next ECO-V Board & Staff Meeting
The next ECO-V board/staff meeting will be on September 27 at 10:00 AM.
Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.
For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.
Harinama in Mexico’s country-side (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We should not forget the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra under any circumstances. It will help us in the greatest danger, as we find in the life of Gajendra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.3.1 Purport)
HH Sacinandana Swami: As I’m sitting here in Vrindavan, as the minutes, hours and days go by, I am more and more interested in the close God, not so much the distant God. I’m less interested in the God, Who is only thought about, but not experienced, Who is philosophized about, but not seen. As I chant, I think deeply about how to establish real contact with the Lord.
MotelGita: San Diego MotelGita team distributing the timeless wisdom of Gita to moteliers nearby (Album of photos)
What is Transcendental Knowledge?
It is the spiritual knowledge of soul, of God & of their relationship which is both purifying and liberating.
Third North American Farm Conference (Album of photos)
From October 4th-6th, the Third ...
Candramauli Swami and his pera.
A Prabhupada pastime at the New Vrindavan farm community in West Virginia, July 1974.
Below is the excerpt from class on Radha Kund appearance by HH Jayapataka Swami, given on 21-10-2019, Sridham Mayapur. Today is the appearance of Radha Kunda “So I will first speak a few words about the appearance of Radha Kunda. One demon was sent by king Kamsa to kill Krsna and Balarama and he took […]
The post Bahulastami- Appearance of Radha kund appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Javat, Ter Kadamba, Vrinda Kund (20 Oct, 2019) (Album of photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: This was our favorite Parikrama, going to Javat and then walking the dusty path to Ter Kadamba. In Javat we begged 150 rotis! Then we went to Vrinda Kunda for delicious lunch.
Arjun Bhattacharyya: Our Karttika parikrama went to Javat and then walked to Ter Kadamba on one of the last dusty trails left in Braja! Javat is the place of Radharani’s so-called husband Abhimanyu, and mother-in-law Jatila and sister-in-law Kutila. Ter Kadamba is the favorite cow-herding place of Krishna and the cowherd boys. At both places many delightful pastimes of the Lord were recounted very vividly by HG Deena Bandhu Prabhu. Then we all went to Vrinda Kunda for delicious lunch. Vrinda Kunda is a lovely natural place where Vrinda Devi, the goddess of Vrindavan, resides.
Answer Podcast
The post If the finite can’t become the infinite, then what is liberation? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
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Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.9.19.
“Krishna is always fully independent; when He becomes subordinate to His devotees, this is a display of ananda-cinmaya-rasa, the humor of transcendental qualities that increases His transcendental pleasure. Everyone worships Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore He sometimes desires to be controlled by someone else. Such a controller can be no one else but a pure devotee.” Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.9.19 purport.
Krishna Comes Under the Control of His Devotees (Right click to download)
About ninety people took a barge across the lake for the Govindadvipa Mellows event, held on Sunday October 13th. They included devotees from counties all over Ireland; as well as some from India, Mauritius, England and Eastern Europe. Some devotees brought newcomers with them who were making their first trip to the temple.
ISKCON Mayapur Damodar Astakam & Deepdan October 21, 2019 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.21)
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue of the Vatican sends their cordial greetings and sincere good wishes as Hindus celebrate Deepavali on 27 October this year.
A world record for “Largest Addiction Awareness Festival” was awarded in the event by World Book of Records, London, to Gopal Krishna Goswami, ISKCON GBC, in presence of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Unioun Health Minister.
She distributed a set to her Vartma Guru!
Shastrakrit Das: Baylee bought a set from me last Sunday and this Sunday she brought...
Rishabh Verma: The Bhakti tradition is quite different to other traditions of the world. While most other traditions long after peace and happiness, the Bhakti tradition strives after the satisfaction of our eternal master, Lord Krsna.
Lord Krishna can be served in any situation!
Srila Prabhupada: Hearing the vibration of Hare Krishna automatically reminds one of Krishna’s pastimes. Both of them arise simultaneously in the mind when one is sincerely chanting. You cannot make any distinction between listening to the sound and thinking of the pastimes. But the process is to hear, and then Krishna’s pastimes, form, qualities, etc. will automatically come to mind. That is very nice. Letter to Satsvarupa, April 10, 1969
Love is Greater than God!
“I’m the God of love, I only want my devotees to love me. I don’t want service that is not offered out of love.”
HH Sacinandana Swami: Have you ever thought about the significance of the Damodara-lila?
By Bhaktin Anna27th September to 3rd of October the Conference was carried out in West Siberia, near the city with an almost Vedic name – Omsk. This city has a temple of Sri Sri Radha Govinda – the only temple in Russia with Radha Govinda Deities. The Conference proper was carried out in two venues, 30 km away from Omsk – the “Five Truths” family house and the “Planet of Cows” eco-farm. Continue reading "First Russian ISKCON Farm Conference
→ Dandavats"
Visit to Vrinda-kund (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday our parikrama party visited Vrinda-kund. There we had darshan of Vrinda Devi’s Deity form and the sacred lake in which she bathes. Bada Haridas prabhu gave a beautiful class and bhajan. Devotees were very happy in the spiritual atmosphere of that most sacred place, as can easily be seen on their faces here in the photos!
If you are not chanting 16 rounds, however..." and He stopped for a moment and opened His lotus eyes very wide, moving His hand back and forth in front of His face, and He continued... "then your whereabouts are unknown!"
[Talk at Irvine, California, USA]
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The post Damodarashtakam 3 – The unique loveliness of the Krishna conception of God appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.