Planet ISKCON

[QA session at London, UK]

Podcast

 

Video:

The post Understanding the mind QA appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at College of Vedic Studies, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK ]

Podcast

 

Video:

The post Understanding human nature 2 – 4 types of people based on conscience and willpower appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post How can we continue our spiritual practice when we get no taste? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 17 July 2019, Bhaktivedanta Manor, United Kingdom, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.45)

How do we identify how much time to spend on going deep and fully researching verses while we are reading?

I think that there is a time to read the Srimad Bhagavatam and there is a time to study the Srimad Bhagavatam. When we are simply reading the Srimad Bhagavatam, we are meant to just read it through and not go research things in too much detail like, “Let me look up on the Mahabharata about Bhismadeva. Let me check this in the Puranas and let me then have a little look at what the acaryas say about this and let me then research their commentaries. While I am at it, let me look at the volumes of all the lectures that Prabhupada gave on this verse and see if there is anything else. Then I have a portfolio of the Vedabase to look at. Plus I happen to have my library of so many reference books on this too.”

If you do this, you will never get through the Srimad Bhagavatam. You will still be on the First Canto even when you are ninety nine years old. So we must have a read of the verses first and get the idea. Then later, we can go somewhere deeper. But the first thing is that we need to make the time for the Srimad Bhagavatam in our lives. To even just read it, we have to make time. To study it, we have to make a lot of time. But it is possible to read the whole Srimad Bhagavatam a couple of times and then to study it in depth – it is very possible. In fact, I recommend it. We should absorb it so that the Srimad Bhagavatam becomes like the practical way we look at the world.

The article " Seeing the world through Srimad Bhagavatam " was published on KKSBlog.

NY Queens Ratha Yatra 2019 (Album of photos)
Annual Sri Krishna Balarama Parade on the streets of Liberty Ave in Richmond Hill...

On Friday, August 23rd we will be celebrating  Krishna Janmastami, the appearance day of Lord Krishna. This occasion marks the biggest and grandest celebration at Toronto's Hare Krishna Temple. Lord Krishna appeared over five thousand years ago in Mathura. His name means the all attractive one. He is transcendental, all-knowing and possesses all the qualities of all the avatars yet He remains as an ever-youthful cowherd boy. His beauty and sweetness know no bounds. Lord Krishna is the spiritual master and friend to all. 

The Temple will be buzzing with activity on Janmastami day starting at 4:30am with Mangala arati. Morning festivities also feature Darshan arati where Thier Lordships are unveiled in thier new outfit as well as a discourse on Srimad Bhagvatam by special guest HG Chaitanya Charan das.

The main festivities will start at 6pm and go until midnight. The evening will be filled with kirtan, bhajans, discourses, dances and an abhishek (bathing ceremony). The highlight is of course the countdown to midnight. A special arati will be performed to their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinatha who will be dressed in an exquisite flower outfit!


Evening Program Schedule:
6:00 - 6:30 PM Arati
6:30 - 6:45 PM Announcements 
6:45 - 7:45 PM Janamastami discourse by special guest HG Chaitanya Charan das
7:45 - 8:00 PM Welcome dance presented by Krishna Fun School
8:00 - 8:30 PM Aarti
8:30 - 9:00 PM Dashavatar Presentation  by Krishna Fun School)
9:00 - 10:00 PM Patron Kalash Abhishek (see details below) 
10:00 - 10:30PM Bhakti Rasa dance performance
10:30 - 11:15PM Essense of Janamashtami- A Guided Multimedia & Musical Presentation 
11:15 -11:30 PM Kirtan
11:30 - 12:00 AM  Grand Final  Maha Abhishek
12:00 - 12:30 AM Midnight Arati 
12:30 AM Maha Feast
**SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

Sponsor a kalash, a rare opportunity to participate in the bathing ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Krishna with auspicious liquids on Janmastami! Sponsors will get to take home their decorative Kalasha (pot). Click here for more information!










PARKING INFORMATION:

Paid parking within 10 minutes walking distance of the temple at:

• 55 Avenue Road (Whole Foods/Underground)
• 251 Macpherson Ave
• 1010 Yonge Street
• 15 Price Street

Answer Podcast

The post If people aren’t ready to take the giant leap of faith to come to Krishna, how can we help them? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post When we see some devotee doing something wrong, what should we do? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post How can we attract scientifically minded people to scripture? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Talk at London, UK]

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Podcast Summary

 

Video:

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

[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.

[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.

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

One of the first devotees of the Russian yatra and senior disciple of HH Radhanath Swami left her body.
She was a real “soldier” of the army of the Lord Chaitanya and completely devoted to the mission of Srila Prabhupada!
More photos: https://is.gd/haj1gy

This year, they and other chaperones took thirty-eight boys aged 10 to 17 from Italy, Colombia, Canada and around the U.S. on the Summer Trip from June 22^nd to July 23^rd.

The new temple project in Salt Lake, conveniently close to the downtown of Utah’s largest city, sits on 4 acres of land and includes the new temple building as well as an existing former school building with existing classrooms, a commercial kitchen, offices, and a large multi-purpose room.

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
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
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
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.

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!
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.”

Answer Podcast

The post How can we deal with the global population explosion? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Day 1 – Guru & Dracula’s Debut 2013 #Russian

Our senses, which are mostly uncontrolled, are compared to deadly serpents. Just as a bite of a snake kills a person similarly the wild senses many a times drive a person crazy to the extent that the person destroys himself.

A video by Vrshabhanu Das.

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.

Read More...

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"

Jayanti Devi dasi: The lack of substantial rain in Australia's alluring Hunter Valley region for almost two years now has started to impact New Gokula, Millfield, NSW, Australia, the home to the most beautiful deities of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda, 73 cows and bulls, and 12 full-time residential devotees.

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)
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:
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)
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.

New Vyasa-puja posters.
Dear devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
New Vyasa-puja posters, designed by H.H. Bhaktivaibhava Swami to facilitate organizers of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja around the world, are now available for free download.

David: Please find below photos from Balarama Purmina 2019 at the ISKCON-London Radha Krishna Temple