When Devotees Leave Krishna
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Fighting with Krishna photo Against Krishna_zpswi8zogbf.jpg[originally posted on 1-08-15]
Sometimes we experience great surprise and intense sadness at the unexpected departure from the bhakti path of a devotee we may have been inspired by or respected. Or even if the devotee struggled to follow the basic devotional practices and disciplines, we can still be unnerved when they leave, and then denounce and attack what is still our faith, reinterpreting their stay in an ashram in terms of cultic manipulation and brainwashing. “What really happened?” me may wonder, and how could I have helped prevent this? Sometimes in the aftermath of such a sudden departure, some devotees worry and wonder if it could happen to them, as it brings up their own doubts. This scenario recently happened in a circle of devotees I know, and it caused me to reflect on what it takes to stay on the path, and the various reasons people leave.

When I was a new devotee I experienced one of my friends leave the temple. I didn’t see him again for three weeks until he came to the Sunday feast. Though I recognized him, I was startled to see his expression. He looked like a shadow of his former self when he had a bright faced countenance. Now he had a dark gloomy appearance and seemed unfocused and dazed. I wondered what had brought this about, as if he had just entered a self-created prison.

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Prabhupada demonstrates how to be both faithful and resourceful for expanding Krishna consciousness
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[Prabhupada Vyasapuja offering at Toronto, Canada]

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Srila Prabhupada Vyasapuja
→ Ramai Swami

Dear master, let my prayer prevail,

For much I long to tell your tale.

Moved by your guru’s words, you began

A worldwide movement, O saintly man.

Many disciples came, good and true,

To help you spread the mission, too.

They followed your orders, were loyal and bold

And by your mercy became lofty-souled.

We remember with joy and pride

How you were always by our side.

Everything went on by your grace;

All obstacles we were able to face.

Prabhupada, you came in the holy line,

So brilliant, wonderful, and divine.

You served Krsna with mind and soul—

Please help us reach that lofty goal!

Krishna descends to show the path to happiness – Sudama pastime analysis
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[Janmashtami class at ISKCON, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada]

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Krishna descends to raise us from transactional love to transformational love
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[Janmashtami class at ISKCON, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada]

Podcast


 

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Video:

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New York State Appellate Court Denies Former Brooklyn Temple Directors’ Application for Injunction
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By Bhakta George Pratt

August 14, 2019 - On Sri Balaram Jayanti Mahotsava (the Appearance Day of Lord Balaram), ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (“GBC”) and the Board of Directors of Bharati Center, Inci. (“Brooklyn Temple” or “Temple") won a notable victory in the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court (“Appellate Court”). A four-judge panel of the Appellate Court denied a motion brought by the Temple’s former directors (“Former Directors”) for a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Temple’s current directors and officers from undertaking “any conduct . . . outside the ordinary course of business,” including the eviction of residents, the sale of real property and a merger or consolidation. Continue reading "New York State Appellate Court Denies Former Brooklyn Temple Directors’ Application for Injunction
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Full house for the Baltimore temple’s festivities (Album…
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Full house for the Baltimore temple’s festivities (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: At every step there is danger. Therefore, because the Krishna consciousness movement provides the opportunity for the human being to get out of this material world simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, this movement is the greatest benediction in human society. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.7.7 Purport)

Beautiful cake offered to Srila Prabhupada in Brisbane (Album of photos)
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Beautiful cake offered to Srila Prabhupada in Brisbane, Australia (Album of photos)
This year the Brisbane Yatra offered this cake to Srila Prabhupada for his Vyasa Puja. The theme was the 26 qualities of a pure devotee. The main cake was Prabhupada’s name cut out into letters and then surrounded by 26 small cakes which were very beautifully painted with one quality written on each cake. We had a fantastic team this year and I would humbly like to thank the following devotees from the bottom of my heart for their wonderful endeavors to please His Divine Grace. First I would like to thank Radha Thakurani for her very long hours and using her amazing cake decorating skills and talents to produce this cake. Then I would like to thank Bhakti Cdd for decorating the small cakes using her artistic skills with lots of love and care. Mohana Gupta was a fabulous surprise helper who spent long hours on Saturday helping with the decorations. Radhas’ son Devaki Nandana worked really hard with rolling out all the fondant, we were really happy to use his strength. Rasika Seva helped to make flowers and young Lakshmi Dasi was an angel with cutting out the letter stencils for us. All glories to your service and hope we can continue to make even better creations for Srila Prabhupada every year.

Huge celebrations in Iskcon Brooklyn and new positive legal developments!
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By Yasoda-dulal Das

Friday: There were kirtans, three talks on Krishna (three!!) during the evening, a play, bathing of the Deities, and grand darshans. A new concept they tried out was a block party outside the temple from 4 to 9 pm, even while the festivities happened inside. It was complete with stage and sound system for kirtans, and tents for distribution of Prabhupada's books and prasad, as well as one for painting gopi dots on passersby. The block party was universally acknowledged to be a hit, with lots of curious passersby and devotees impacted by it favorably. Continue reading "Huge celebrations in Iskcon Brooklyn and new positive legal developments!
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Krsna Janmastami – New Gokula
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Krsna is the embodiment of love and affection. He sees the good qualities of a living entity, overlooking the bad. One time a devotee offered Krsna a banana peel instead of the banana but Krsna accepted it. Even if someone is in a lowly position, Krsna is so kind that He can raise him to the topmost position, even up to Krsnaloka.

I also attended Krsna Janmastami at our New Gokula farm in the Hunter Valley. Throughout the day more than 500 guests came and a few hundred stayed on into the evening up till midnight arati. It was a beautiful celebration with nice kirtan, drama abhiseka and Krsna lila lecture and stories.

Saturday, August 17th , 2019
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Vancouver, British Columbia

Sunset Speaks

There are lovers sitting on park benches and families, too—people of all sorts and kinds speaking in multiple languages, Spanish, Russian, French and maybe English.  They are enjoying Stanley Park at the water's edge of English Bay.  Several of them are casually picking wild blackberries as they walk by, not initially intending to,  but upon looking, some say, "Oh!  Let me try these out."  Usually it's not just one but two, or three.  You pluck one and let it dive in your mouth.  They are soft and melt down quickly before sliding down the tube.

I arrived at the park just in time to catch a few bars of the maha mantra sung by the popular "Mayapuris" music group.  They really stirred up the crowd.  Good boys.  All three, Bali, Keesh and Vish, are young husbands and fathers.  Bali will announce shortly his first child is on the way.

"Family life is good," I tell them.  "It means bending for your partner and kids.  You have to work hard at holding it together."  The message was appreciated.

I also met Bala from Mumbai.  He's in town on business.  He's also a father and husband.  He speaks proudly of his daughter, who's old enough now to understand the difference between the good and bad company one may keep.

Bala and I walked along the wall at Stanley Park, noting nature and the people.  We caught a glimpse of the sunset which is always trying to say something to us about time ticking away.  Both the rising and setting of the sun is saying: "Enjoy me, but I'm the red flag saying, 'You're gonna die.'"

May the Source be with you!
4 km


Friday, August 16th, 2019
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Shawinigan, Quebec

A Soft Rain

A soft rain overnight made the day just right.  I've been resisting the lake swim, overcoming a cold.  It's hard for me because I always consider myself a water-baby.  However, there's plenty of engagement in just sitting down and listening to seminars on topics, "Guilt," and "Forgiveness," by Mahatma and Jahnava, a marvelous husband and wife team.  And it's always a delight to hear Sruti Kirti, speak about his two and half years in personal assistance to our guru, Prabhupada.  It's so sweet.

It is now an annual event to have carloads of us bhakti-yogis sing and dance down the streets of Shawinigan, population 50,000.  It's one of those charming tourist traps.  In at least two gazebos, an outdoor piano is up for use by someone with magic hands.  For this, someone like Gaura or Krishna Dulal hops on the bench and plays away.  We then become an even happier bunch.  In one sense, we take the town by storm.  Usually serene, with our invasion, there's fifty of us, I believe we bring on a new version of the word ‘serenity’.

Back at the Art of Living lodge, I performed a dramatic reading with two comrades.  A Sanskrit playwright, Bhasa, wrote a number of dramas, one of which is, "The Embassy."  I read the role of evil "Duryodhana," a character from the epic, "Mahabharat."  Krishnadas, my buddy, read for the Chamberlain, and a fairly-new-comer to bhakti-yoga, Daniel, read the words of Krishna, who merely makes an appeal for justice and peace on behalf of the pious Pandavas.

May the Source be with you!
2 km

Thursday, August 15th, 2019
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Ste. Mathieu du Parc, Quebec

Rising Mist

Rising mist mirrors off the lake
Of weighty water while fog is so light
Vanishing in such very brief time
As sun burns, oh, he's so bright.

A pecker drills to get his meal
We hear his fever peeking
Just one dead tree yields endless crawlers
Moving morsels he's eagerly seeking

The raspberry bush is a good find
Its branches hang low though he is proud
With fruit so red, sweet and wild
Generous offers we are allowed

Mandala Ram takes me all around
It's Mandala, me and the big-time chant
Motorists are few, we're so glad
Down on cars, I'll take an elephant

We came upon Gaura at the lake's edge
The fog now gone, so was the hour
We give him a needed shoulder massage
Then off to class, for some inner power.

With walking done, no time in the sun
I conduct a workshop, went so fine
Nine branches of bhakti complete
By night we listened and then did dine.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Wednesday, August 14th, 2019
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Shawinigan, Quebec

Rest, Beans and Fun

It was restful at the farm in Mascouche, called Nandagram.  The visionary behind this world project is a friend, Anubhava, a native of French Canada.  He was kind to take me down the rural back road along the country creek and cornfields, on foot.  It was with another Quebecois, Jagannath, who indulged in some bean harvest after the walk.

Yes, we got down to the humble position of bending our backs while bending the plants to expose the pods, and then pluck them.  There were two rows to harvest, and then transport in a sizeable bin, these nutritious sources of food.  It became addictive.  Really.  We didn't want to stop picking beans.  For me, I feel I'm a natural gatherer, a characteristic which played a major role in my adolescent years.  I felt right at home here.

Another Quebec bhakti-yogi, Narayanajvara, drove me to another retreat operated by The Art of Living folks.  One hundred and fifty people had registered for a weekend at a Vaishnava Sangha thus far in this beautiful haven of the boreal forest.

These summer retreats are of paramount importance in the lives of humans, what to speak of yogis like those of us grouped here.  I have committed to preventing a “Nine Devotions Workshop” for the attendees.  It should be fun.

Speaking of fun, a good number of us are honouring the birth anniversary of Balaram, who as a child was light and frivolous, and who went on to become a champion walker.  He was a real padayatri.  A pilgrim.

May the Source be with you!
3 km




Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Offering from Ambarisa and the TOVP Team, August 24, 2019
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Srila Prabhupada, by your unreserved mercy we would like to take this opportunity to glorify you on your most divine appearance day and also present you with an offering updating you about your most important project in ISKCON, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium at your World Headquarters and Place of Worship in Sridhama Mayapur.

Sun Love Feast – Aug 25th 2019 – Vedic discourse by His Grace Mahabhagavat Prabhu
→ ISKCON Brampton



His Grace Mahabhagavat Das is a disciple of His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari. Mahabhagavat Das along with his spouse are very senior well respected devotees in Toronto and are often associated along with the names of Vaisesika Prabhu for expanding the Sankirtan initiative across the GTA and South Western Ontario. Together as a family they have made preaching their life mission and will go beyond their limits to ensure that Srila Prabhupada’s books are being distributed.



Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare 

And Be Happy!!

ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one
who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17




11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30     Guru Puja
11:30 - 11:55     Aarti & Kirtan
11.55  - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers
12.00 - 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1.00 - 1.30      Closing Kirtan
  1.30 - 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

COMING UP AHEAD

 Annada Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Mon Aug 26th,2019
Breakfast................  on Mon Aug 27th, 2019 b/w 6:36am – 11:05am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we follow a complete fast from eating and drinking. We spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra. By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.

ONGOING PROGRAMS


Vedic Education & Learning For Grownups
 Nectar of Instruction course - every Sat 9:30am to 12:30pm (Sep 7 to Oct 19)

ISKCON Brampton offers various courses and Seminars for adults. The courses take a personal approach to learning. It encourages the student not only to study thoroughly the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to clearly understand the philosophy and practically apply it. The course focuses on behaviour and character, nurturing students in appropriate Vaishnava values. Professionally designed and presented, it draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness and the best of progressive education. In this way, it is true to ISKCON’s heritage and at the same time relevant to its mission in contemporary society.

For further information, please contact HG Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi @ premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com



Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates,
quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed
to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna
consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make
Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)


The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here


Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your
loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your
visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs
inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Tuesday, August 13th, 2019
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Quebec / Ontario

I Met A Man

I met a man who lives in Prescott and works for the carnival.  Gaura, the driver, decided to pull over the van for a catch-up nap.  We were in Morrisburg, along the St. Lawrence River, when I met this friendly man who used to play the role of a clown in circuses and carnivals.

"Do you know what's the difference between a circus and a carnival?" he asked.

"No!"

"In the circus they keep the animals in the cages.  In the carnival, they run the rides," he said with a chuckle.  He then got curious.  "Are you a Hare Krishna monk?"

"Yes, I am. You know about us?"

"All religious folks are good.  You just have to watch out for the gypsies.  I'm a gypsy."  Another chuckle.

One of those gorgeous Loons was playing close to the river's shore where we were as we kept talking.  I couldn't help noticing him.

"As a carnival man, do you do this seasonally—in the summer?"

"No, we go to Florida in the winter, and do the circuit there.  It's pretty much year-round."  We made friends.  He made his brief stop-over like Gaura and I did in this piece of paradise along the river.  It's a privilege to break up your travel with a snack perhaps, a nap and a stroll by a river.

As Gaura and I reconvened our journey toward Montreal, we had some good chats.  The word ‘Gypsy’ came up again.  That is essentially my lifestyle, one of a gypsy, a good one I hope, at least a nomad.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Janmastami celebration in Melbourne (Album of photos)
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Janmastami celebration in Melbourne (Album of photos)
Aniruddha Dāsa: A few quick shots of the temple room, deity room decorations and the deities. I was also able to participate in the abhiṣeka of Rādhā Kṛṣṇa tonight and performed the Sayana Ārati to Rādhā Vallabha. Special mercy today.
These shots could do with a bit of a touch-up but if I spent the time doing that you wouldn’t get to see them.

Padayatra UK 2019 – The Canterbury Tale
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Dayal Mora das: O hail to thee, lover of a tale from Canterbury. Hark! Lend thine ears! Listen to a tall tale that was many times told. A tale of war and peace, of crime and punishment and of a midsummer night's dream. Many a pilgrim has walked the road to Canterbury to visit the shrine of the Saint and Archbishop Thomas Becket. Even before Becket made his early exit, long before Brexit, he was the talk of the town for defying the crown. He is no less famous after over 800 years has passed.