Understanding the mind – Unpacking the Puranjana allegory
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk at London, UK]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Understanding the mind – Unpacking the Puranjana allegory appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Being mindful of public perception in bhakti practice and outreach
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Chaitanya Charitamrita class at The Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Being mindful of public perception in bhakti practice and outreach appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Harmonizing conservative and liberal approaches in bhakti
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Chaitanya Charitamrita class at the Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Harmonizing conservative and liberal approaches in bhakti appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How Balarama’s causeless mercy on Duryodhana was still less for Duryodhana
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Balarama Purnima talk at Crawley, UK]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post How Balarama’s causeless mercy on Duryodhana was still less for Duryodhana appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

VYASA PUJA CELEBRATIONS – SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2019
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The day after celebrations for one of our biggest festivals of the year, Krsna Janmastami, we will be celebrating one of the most important festivals for us as Hare Krishnas - Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja starting at 11am on Saturday, August 24, 2017.

The Vyasa Puja festival is always held the day after Janmastami and the festival honours the appearance of our spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada - Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

The program will begin at 11:00am with an abhisheka of Srila Prabhupada (bathing ceremony of a small Deity of Srila Prabhupada) and will continue with the arati, flower offerings (pushpanjali) and the reading of pre-written offerings from devotees in our community. We will be once again encouraging everyone to write their own offering for the Toronto Vyasa Puja Book, click HERE for details!

The schedule is as follows (subject to change):
11:00am - 11:30am: Abhisheka
11:30am - 11:50am: Offering
11:50am - 12:00pm: Pushpanjali
12:00pm - 12:30pm: Arati/Guru Puja
12:30pm - 2:00pm: Reading of Offerings
2:00pm: Prasadam


Soundbath
→ Bhakti Lounge

Soundbath
Monday 23rd September
6:15pm $15

Ready for a meditation experience that is super relaxing and easy? Come lay yourself down in our aromatic, ambient space and experience the deep nourishment and peace of immersion in non-material sound for an hour at the end of your day. Our instructors will lead a guided meditation combining melodic voices, harmonious instruments and singing bowls to produce a potent non-material soundscape to cleanse and purify your mind and consciousness, leaving you feeling nourished at the deepest layer of the self. All you have to do is lie down, and relax into the sound.

In yoga the self is described as a leaf on the tree of the complete non-material reality, and that the only way the leaf is nourished is by watering the tree at the root. The sounds we will be using are watering the root of that tree – the non-material source of all energy and pleasure, the supreme consciousness, Krishna.

If you prefer to sit, that is fine, we have comfortable meditation floor chairs. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing so you can relax.
Please switch off all cellphones before entering the meditation room so that you can fully unplug for the session.

Doors sales are $20 subject to availability on the night.

The post Soundbath appeared first on Bhakti Lounge.

Soundbath
→ Bhakti Lounge

Soundbath
Monday 23rd September
6:15pm $15

Ready for a meditation experience that is super relaxing and easy? Come lay yourself down in our aromatic, ambient space and experience the deep nourishment and peace of immersion in non-material sound for an hour at the end of your day. Our instructors will lead a guided meditation combining melodic voices, harmonious instruments and singing bowls to produce a potent non-material soundscape to cleanse and purify your mind and consciousness, leaving you feeling nourished at the deepest layer of the self. All you have to do is lie down, and relax into the sound.

In yoga the self is described as a leaf on the tree of the complete non-material reality, and that the only way the leaf is nourished is by watering the tree at the root. The sounds we will be using are watering the root of that tree – the non-material source of all energy and pleasure, the supreme consciousness, Krishna.

If you prefer to sit, that is fine, we have comfortable meditation floor chairs. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing so you can relax.
Please switch off all cellphones before entering the meditation room so that you can fully unplug for the session.

Doors sales are $20 subject to availability on the night.

Soundbath
→ Bhakti Lounge

Soundbath
Monday 23rd September
6:15pm $15

Ready for a meditation experience that is super relaxing and easy? Come lay yourself down in our aromatic, ambient space and experience the deep nourishment and peace of immersion in non-material sound for an hour at the end of your day. Our instructors will lead a guided meditation combining melodic voices, harmonious instruments and singing bowls to produce a potent non-material soundscape to cleanse and purify your mind and consciousness, leaving you feeling nourished at the deepest layer of the self. All you have to do is lie down, and relax into the sound.

In yoga the self is described as a leaf on the tree of the complete non-material reality, and that the only way the leaf is nourished is by watering the tree at the root. The sounds we will be using are watering the root of that tree – the non-material source of all energy and pleasure, the supreme consciousness, Krishna.

If you prefer to sit, that is fine, we have comfortable meditation floor chairs. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing so you can relax.
Please switch off all cellphones before entering the meditation room so that you can fully unplug for the session.

Doors sales are $20 subject to availability on the night.

Soundbath
→ Bhakti Lounge

Soundbath
Monday 23rd September
6:15pm $15

Ready for a meditation experience that is super relaxing and easy? Come lay yourself down in our aromatic, ambient space and experience the deep nourishment and peace of immersion in non-material sound for an hour at the end of your day. Our instructors will lead a guided meditation combining melodic voices, harmonious instruments and singing bowls to produce a potent non-material soundscape to cleanse and purify your mind and consciousness, leaving you feeling nourished at the deepest layer of the self. All you have to do is lie down, and relax into the sound.

In yoga the self is described as a leaf on the tree of the complete non-material reality, and that the only way the leaf is nourished is by watering the tree at the root. The sounds we will be using are watering the root of that tree – the non-material source of all energy and pleasure, the supreme consciousness, Krishna.

If you prefer to sit, that is fine, we have comfortable meditation floor chairs. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing so you can relax.
Please switch off all cellphones before entering the meditation room so that you can fully unplug for the session.

Doors sales are $20 subject to availability on the night.

From Tragedy to Triumph
→ Dandavats

Parasuram das: On the 19th August 1987 in Hungerford, England, Michael Ryan fatally shot sixteen people and another fifteen people were shot but survived. It is considered the worst tragedy in recent UK history. Terrible suffering and the general public sought answers to such an horrific event

Outstanding Results for Sri Mayapur International School in Cambridge International Examinations!
→ Dandavats



Outstanding Results for Sri Mayapur International School in Cambridge International Examinations!
By Ganga Priya Dasi - SMIS Principal.
“For more than twenty years, Sri Mayapur International School has offered its students the opportunity to have their studies certified by the Cambridge International Examinations Board, a well-respected assessment institution, based in the United Kingdom and operating in 10,000 schools in more than 160 countries around the world. With such a diploma, entry into a college or university can be greatly streamlined, should students wish to pursue tertiary education.
This week, twenty-seven S.M.I.S. candidates received their results for the examinations held for twelve different subjects in May 2019. Every student received a pass mark, with more than 50% of their 110 exams receiving a grade of A or A* [honors]. Several scores in the high 90s were among the top in the world for their subject. All credit in this endeavor certainly goes to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Madhava!

We also offer congratulations to our dear students who played their parts so nicely. Their serious commitment is commendable, especially since many were also studying for Bhakti Shastri degrees and simultaneously serving the Mayapur community. We hope that the discipline and steady character they developed will bloom into many more years of committed service in ISKCON. To all the parents and teachers who tirelessly supported our youth through all of their studies, we offer our heartfelt appreciation.”

The Life History and Achievements of Srila Prabhupada
→ Dandavats



The Life History and Achievements of Srila Prabhupada.
By Hardik Kathuria.
Srila Prabhupada, a Transcendental Aristrocrat, Vaikuntha Man, Jagad Guru, An unparalleled scholar, A Bold Preacher, An Expert Manager and a Pure Devotee of Lord Krishna appeared on this earth on September 1, the next day of Janmastami in 1896, the year Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur published his first book and the year Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur began his Foreign Preaching.


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ISKCON Leadership Sanga 2020 Come! Help guide ISKCON into the Future!
→ Dandavats

By Gopal Bhatta dasa

Millennia ago the Sages of Namasrayana began a 1000-year sacrifice to abate the spread of Kali Yuga. Lord Caitanya appeared just over 500 years ago to resuscitate the chanting of Krsna’s Holy Name providing an easy yet sublime opportunity to escape Kali’s grip. Just 54 years ago His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, came to the West to spread the word that pure devotional service to Lord Krsna is the medicine to mitigate the suffering caused by Kali’s cohorts, lust, anger and greed. He founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness and flooded the world with the Holy Name and Krsna Prasad. And now he has left this mission to his followers. Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON family has inherited the task of leading this movement into the future. Continue reading "ISKCON Leadership Sanga 2020 Come! Help guide ISKCON into the Future!
→ Dandavats"

The Price of Being Right
→ Dandavats

When we find ourselves embroiled in any sort of conflict, Accepting responsibility for our part (however small) can be a tough pill to swallow. Instead of considering our own contribution to the conflict, we are far more likely to focus on how the other person acted, what they said or did, and how it has emotionally triggered us.

A visit to Bhaktivedanta National School in Mayapur (Album of photos)
→ Dandavats



A visit to Bhaktivedanta National School in Mayapur (Album of photos)
After one year of a major liver and kidney transplant surgery and a recent surgery for mild skin cancer, HH Jayapataka Swami continues his service to Srila Prabhupada. In his own words, he has referred to himself as a “wounded soldier” and most certainly he NEVER GIVES UP!

A Birmingham book distributor’s story
→ Dandavats



A Birmingham book distributor’s story:
Book distribution around the coastline of Bournemouth and Poole Harbour was something I’d been wanting to do for a long time. I appreciate the British coastline – it’s so beautiful and peaceful. Every time I visit this coast, I ask myself, why isn’t there an ISKCON centre anywhere near this beautiful beach? I guess nobody there has ever read Krishna conscious books by Srila Prabhupada. So, I followed my heart and decided to distribute books around the coast of Bournemouth and Sandbanks beach.

Magnificent Salt Lake City Temple Inauguration (Album of photos)
→ Dandavats



Magnificent Salt Lake City Temple Inauguration (Album of photos)
An amazing day! Our beautiful Valley has another beautiful Temple. One of the speakers today, a professor from BYU and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints summed-up my feelings well when he said, “Just as my relationship with Caru and Vaibavi do more than compliment us (Latter-Day Saints) it completes us. So it is with this Temple, it doesn’t just compliment us, it completes us. Yet another Temple has risen among us.” I fully embrace that open-armed, embracing sentiment that fits the spirit of this sometimes very provincial city up in the mountains that I’m so pleased to call home.
Everything was perfect (& the acoustics are AMAZING)—-not bad for a place that didn’t get it’s occupancy permit until after 3:00 PM yesterday.

Janmashtami Message from Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi
→ Dandavats

By Shri Narendra Modi

The celebration of the auspicious festival of Janmashtami is a blessed occasion for the innumerable devotees of Shri Krishna. ISKCON has been making a remarkable contribution in spreading the divine philosophy, wisdom and message of Shri Krishna. Its members have been serving the humanity through its numerous philanthropic missions underlining the non-duality of service to God and humanity. The relevance of Shri Krishna's message of peace, unbounded spiritual love and bliss is timeless and universal in its appeal. His sublime instruction to humanity to perform duty without attachment to its fruits continues to be even more relevant today. Continue reading "Janmashtami Message from Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi
→ Dandavats"

When we surrender to our guru, are we surrendering to the guru or to the guru tattva or to Krishna?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post When we surrender to our guru, are we surrendering to the guru or to the guru tattva or to Krishna? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

HG Visvesvara Prabhu left his body
→ Dandavats

Today sometime around 2:30 pm Visvesvara Prabhu left his body. He fell on the floor in the corridor of the Radhadesh temple building and didn't show any symptoms of life. The devotees who found him immediately started a kirtana for him. All attempts of the present devotees and a professional team were not sufficient to revive him.

The Reason for Srila Prabhupada’s Success
Giriraj Swami

Today I heard an inspiring conversation in which Srila Prabhupada explained the reason for his great success, namely his faith in the order of his spiritual master and in chanting the holy names, and encouraged us to follow in the same way, using the same formula.

He said, “In the shastra it is said, harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam, kalau nasty eva nasty eva.  [In this Age of Kali there is no other means, no other means, no other means for self-realization than chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name, chanting the holy name of Lord Hari.] That practical proof we are giving—these Europeans and Americans are simply chanting Hare Krishna, and how they are coming out. This practical proof. They did not know, five or six years ago, what is Krishna, what is Krishna’s name. But we are taking the conclusion of the shastra: in this age, if one chants Hare Krishna, he becomes spiritualized. That is happening, practically. It is not theory. How so many devotees are here? Anywhere, wherever we have started, how they have become devotee? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said that ‘You follow this formula and you will become God conscious.’ That is being practically proved. It is not theory. So that is Vedic knowledge. You adopt Vedic knowledge and get the result . . . In the beginning, in New York, that storefront, Satsvarupa and Hayagriva and . . . And ‘You simply chant.’ So this chanting is proving efficient. That is Vedic knowledge. It is not theory. Our Krishna consciousness movement is not theory or mental speculation. It is fact. Therefore it is said, guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa. [Make the teachings emanating from the lotus mouth of your spiritual master one with your heart, and do not desire anything else.]

“So whatever little success I have got, it is only for this reason. My guru maharaja said, ‘You go and preach whatever you learned in English language.’ That’s all. So I came here with this faith, that ‘My guru maharaja said; I must be successful.’ I did not show any jugglery to you, gold-making jugglery. Where is my gold? I came with forty rupees first. So these are Vedic instructions: guru-mukha-padma-vakya and sri-guru-carane rati, ei se uttama-gati. [Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.] That is real progress. So this is Vedic instruction. We have to follow the Vedic injunction. Then you will be successful. The standard is given by . . . That is standard, as that Vedic language, Vedic instruction. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave the standard, harer nama: ‘Chant Hare Krishna.’ Immediately successful. That is standard. Otherwise, how you will find standard? Therefore it is said, guru-mukha-padma-vakya. That is standard. What you receive from a bona fide guru, that is standard. Krishna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. (Gita 18.65)]. Anyone who will follow this standard will become devotee. And as soon as he become devotee, he is fit for going back to home, back to Godhead.”

(Room conversation with Svarupa Damodara Dasa, February 28, 1975, Atlanta)

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Never forget Krsna
→ KKSBlog

Kadamba Kanana Swami, 3 October 2018, Camp de Masque, Mauritius, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.1)

Even Mother Yashoda could occasionally, for some moments, understand that Krsna was the Supreme Lord. But then, she would forget it once again. That is how it works with the eternal residents of Vrndavana. We also forget that Krsna is the Supreme Lord again and again, but in a different way. We forget that Krsna is the Supreme Lord and then we also forget Krsna Himself. The residents of Vrndavana however forget that Krsna is the Supreme Lord, but they still think of Krsna Himself all the time! 

Every moment, they are thinking of Krsna. Never is there a moment when they do not think of Him. They think of Krsna with such great intensity, with such great eagerness, samutkaṇṭhā – with great eagerness to be with Krsna. In this way, they are always thinking about Him. But when we forget, we completely forget that Krsna is in control, that Krsna is the origin of everything, and so we just forget Krsna all together and start to think of the material energy. That is the difference between us and the eternal residents of Vrndavana. 

The article " Never forget Krsna " was published on KKSBlog.

TOVP Architecture Department Weekly Report – July, 2019, – Edition #1
- TOVP.org

The theme of this week’s Architecture Department Report is Fenestration, defined as the arrangement of windows and doors on the elevations of a building.

The theme of this week’s Architecture Department Report is Fenestration, defined as the arrangement of windows and doors on the elevations of a building.

To combine the ‘international flavor’ of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness with the dignity of traditional Vedic Architecture has been a fascinating involvement.

This unique blend has created a distinctive style of architecture; visibly emerging in the TOVP building.

One of the contributing factors to this is the fenestration (windows and doors). In this issue of our report we hope to share some of the philosophical nuances that lend itself to the shape, size and location of the window and door openings.

The Architect of the Week is Hrishikesh Vaze.

Click here to see it in your browser or download a copy to your desktop for offline reading.

The post TOVP Architecture Department Weekly Report – July, 2019, – Edition #1 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.