There was a spring cleaning that went on in the ashram today, resulting in a switch of room, and a switch of beds. And although in the mundane world such changes are often perceived as sources of distress, in a monastic setting it engenders a form of excitement. The boys are also making way for a visitor monk, Ekalavya, a single man who hails from New York. He’ll be with us for a week only, but it is always stimulating for me when he comes.
In the ashram, the breakfast is cooked by various people and done on a rotation. This morning it was the duty of the only woman living on our premises. Krishna is her name, and she prepared a monk’s favourite, kichari, a mixture of dahls, rice, vegetables, and spices (mild). In some places in India, kichari is regarded as a poor man’s food, but in all reality, from a nutritional point of view, plus the taste factor, you are not going to find anything better. Krishna told me that the key spices are turmeric, cumin, and cilantro with fresh ginger added. It is yummy, absolutely. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByUr-jagNd9/?igshid=16za79akrjb10
I am not always a partaker of breakfast. My digestive powers are somewhat lacking in the morning. My fires-within are stoked by noon-time when I sample what is being provided and served in Govinda’s restaurant. But let confessions be what they are, for occasionally, I sneak down to the eating room, and scoop out a generous chunk of kichari to spread out on a portion of a thali, a plate. When done well, I feel it is worthy of serving out at the summerfest, known as the Festival of Chariots.
Well, we honoured someone’s birthday today, in Govinda’s Dining Room. We remembered Suniti—a sweet, sweet lady—sweet, sweet devotee. We dared not ask her age. She’s from Malaysia. Her hubby, Keshava, was there, daughter-in-law and grandkids. It was a low-key event but with great prasadam (food blessed to the max). Friends came too.
After that warm meal, and warm people, a group of four of us left for Bellevue Square Park to chant on the grass. This place is a favourite. Karuna and I decided to walk back to the ashramafter the session, along a new set of streets, at least to our eyes. At Bellevue Avenue and College, we turned a corner at the Church of Saint Stephen-in-the-Fields, and were startled by an impressive bronze sculpture, known affectionately as the ‘Panhandler Jesus’. Sculptor Timothy Schmalz, did this one which he actually named ‘Whatsoever You Do.’ http://www.vincentlam.ca/articles-060903-church-with-a-warranty.php
God knows I’m a sucker for a nice piece of art. This one is no exception, and the message of a humble Son of God, is also something to deliberate on, while the viewer sees this beautiful and stirring work of art.
Discovering it, was thrilling for both of us. Whenever you wander, like Karuna and I do, we always come upon unique objects, people, birds and animals, and try to grab messages from their presence. What is nature trying to say here? What is man/woman saying there? Ultimately, what is the Creator wanting to do with us? How do I fit into the Universe? http://saintstephens.ca/jesus-the-beggar
This type of questioning, or introspection, is a human right.
Fernando is this nice kind of guy who is great with his hands when it comes to renos. He’s also a good, safe driver, so I liked the fact that he agreed to take Karuna, Connor and myself for a ride to the starting point of our morning walk. The exact location for the start was the very place where I finished walking on the Bruce Trail in the Grimsby area last fall.
We commenced—ready for a challenge. The first known challenge was to contend with some mud and moisture since a shower had occurred overnight. I did well and had no fall—just almost. Connor, however, registered a count of four. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByPwtV1AnTH/?igshid=qpaapuytv5lp
Our second challenge was bugs. Mosquitoes were out swirling about. Karuna swallowed two, but not all at once. Fortunately, they were not biting us. It was a reverse with Karuna. He did the biting.
Lastly—falling into the same category as bugs—were the ticks. This is the time of year when they are notoriously prevalent in the forest. So by the end of our mediocre-to-strenuous hike, at seven kilometres in three hours, one tick clung to my kurta (Indian shirt) and one had taken shelter of Karuna’s right or left sock. Fernando, who’s from Brazil, told of a friend who was bitten by a certain type of tick and died after fifteen days.
When we completed our walk, arriving at our destination through Fernando’s taxi expertise, we stripped down to see if any of those guys were working their way through skin territory. We showered, compliments of Niagara Falls home owners, Vaishnava and Janaki, and then hastened to do the laundry with our walking clothes. It is always wise to be prudent.
I did a meagre three kilometre walk with partner, Karuna, along busy but shady streets. Much later, upon arrival at the home of Dharma and Manasi, my eyes walked over the words of Volume Two of Shamasundar’s book, Chasing Rhinos With the Swami. Like his first volume of the book of the same name, the story of his capers with our guru is completely compelling. I urge all to secure copies of these two masterpieces and read them. They are available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Rhinos-Swami-Speerstra-Shyamasundar-ebook/dp/B076JKTG9L
“I’m of two minds: should I stay in the U.K. and deepen my relationship with George Harrison, remain behind, as his trusted guide, and keep him pumped up in Krishna consciousness? Or should I take off on a wild adventure to India, a rhino chase with my spiritual master and the merry pranksters? It was no contest, really. First, it was Prabhupada’s desire that I join him, and second, we would finally see the land of Krishna, the source of the philosophy and culture that now shaped our lives. But I was in great anxiety as we prepared for the trip. Lord knows how long we’d be gone—and I was leaving George out there alone. How would he fare?” https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNnU1KAzlY/?igshid=1dx31fqvpruvg
Thank you Shamasundar. You keep me pumped-up with your writings which will define the time of pioneering bhakti-yogain the West. And thank you for being a part of the making of good history.
Karuna and I walked to Christie Pitts. It’s actually a partially-sunken park with baseball diamonds. Our reason for this destination was for more of that celebration of sound. This time it wasn’t just two or three of us chanting on the grass. We attracted two dozen or more chanters who brought with them refreshments. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLNgFTg74H/?igshid=12q2agv7tvgfm
It was Adi Kurma, who was most generous with his delivery of bubble tea, a combination of mango and peach, from what I could detect. The drink is a flavourful sugar tonic of sorts, however the true sweetness arose from the mantra itself.
Dhira Grahi is an enchanting singer. He pumps out these irresistible tunes over-top of his harmonium playing. Passersby took interest in the instrument.
For an hour and a half, the group of us, monks, and families with children, delighted in the outdoor just-perfect activity. Then with Billy’s smartness, he arranged for some indoor dynamics as well. The “House of Yoga” located on Bloor Street, welcomed us to their studio for more of the same.
I think we were quite sugared-up from the thick and rich bubble tea, if not charged-up by the drums and enthusiasm of our own. For me, it was Friday night ecstasy.
By 9:00 p.m., all was over, and I told Billy, the organizer, that I could walk back to the ashram. By doing so I would catch that better sleep. It is difficult, frankly, to be a good yogi, without proper rest. “Not too much nor too little” is the indication from Chapter Six of the Gita. Our guru offered that suggestion in regard to doing what keeps body and soul together.
“I had a stressful day at work. I walk home through the park and I hear the drum, the kirtan, and I’ve become so happy!” expressed the woman, who in her medical profession does have hard days. She had noticed us chanting at Bellevue Square Park, pulled out her phone to film us, and then shared that with her sister. I could see, from her demeanour, that she was now relaxed, overcome by our modest performance. Well, that made us (the chanters) feel good.
In addition, the fellow who does his daily routine as Spiderman, came to us in civilian clothes to thank us. He liked the rhythms. And who else should come down our trail, where we were settled on the grass, but a group of what you might call ‘badass’ boys. They looked rough. They looked tough. They were coming our way, specifically, and one fellow was in his mid-teens.
As he was about to approach us, perhaps to rough us up, or mock us—it sure looked that way, but I wasn’t sure—when he bent his knees intending to sit with us. At that instance, one of his buddies shouted, “Hey man, yah gotta take your shoes off if yah wanna do that!” The teen decided to proceed on, and as he did, he gyrated to the sound of the drum. Some reverence or respect was shown, after all.
The place is a mix of a circus and a peaceful samadhi at the same time. Two worlds. Another two worlds demonstrated themselves on our way back on foot. Karuna and I walked from a more dodgy neighbourhood at St. Jamestown, and then crossed over a bridge to the posh Rosedale. Two worlds, once again. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByIre5ZgAT9/?igshid=1jwh77v234huu
Is the concept of “Sustainable Development” a lie? (4 min. video)
Those committed to industrial-commercial development of natural areas see this development as inherently progressive. Those committed to the integrity of the natural world and their indigenous peoples see this development as degradation since the intrusion of the human into the life systems of the planet has already gone beyond any acceptable limits.
Coolangatta Rathayatra (Album of photos)
Ramai Swami: Coolangatta, on the Gold Coast, is a tourist resort town that gets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. In the middle of the year, the township puts on a parade of vintage cars that go back to the 40s and 50s.
Bhumi Devi Dasi: My Godbrother, His Grace PustaKrsna prabhu invited all the devotees over to his home today for a final visit. It was a beautiful and tearful event, and here he is getting a short nap after the program. With him in this picture is Daru Brahma, his wife of 30 something years and in the back row (along with me is Gail Rasangi Lewis, Vaidehi devi dasi and her mother.
Sadhu Sanga Retreat 2019 (14 min. video)
Indradyumna Swami: The 8th annual Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Boone, North Carolina, USA attracted over 2,000 devotees from all over America and beyond. The main focus was, as always, kirtan. With some of ISKCON’s best chanters it was a most relishable experience. The lectures, kirtans and prasadam were all of the highest standard and the famous Blue Ridge Mountains provided the perfect backdrop.
Coolangatta, on the Gold Coast, is a tourist resort town that gets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. In the middle of the year, the township puts on a parade of vintage cars that go back to the 40s and 50s.
Somehow, Yamal Arjuna, head of the Bhakti Centre at Surfers Paradise, was able to convince the organisers that our Jagannatha Rathayatra cart was vintage and deserved a place as one of the floats.
Of course, the devotees understand that the Lord’s cart is not vintage but actually eternal because it carries the Lord of the universe, Lord Jagannatha. The parade was attended by about sixty thousand people and from what I saw, everyone was in ecstasy.
The Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannatha (Ratha Yatra), the Lord of the Universe, has been performed at the spiritual seaside resort of Puri, India for more than two thousand years. Since 1976, this attractive, beautiful, and bliss inspiring annual Jagannath Ratha Yatra festival has been celebrated by the Hare Krishna devotees on New York’s Fifth Avenue, the heart of New York City. This Jagannatha Ratha Yatra festival is performed in a mood of love and devotion and invokes auspiciousness for universal peace, harmony, and good will for all of God’s children. Continue reading "Photos and videos from the highly successful NYC Rathayatra 2019! → Dandavats"
We are always on the razor’s edge, even when, by the mercy of Krsna-Guru-Vaishnava, we return back home, back to Godhead. Our original existence there is also on the edge of a razor – there is no room for inattentiveness or imperfection. Consider this statement by Srila Prabhupada: “Usually anyone who has developed his relationship with Krsna does not fall down in any circumstance, but because the independence is always there, the soul may fall down from any position or any relationship by misusing his independence” (Letter to Jagadisa February 27 1970). Continue reading "Real life on the razor’s edge → Dandavats"
This is the audio recording from a Lecture – SB 2.7.18 "Questions About Sannyasa Asrama" at Radhadesh (Celibacy) with interesting questions and answers about the sannyasa asrama in Iskcon. How, when and why one devotee should enter the sannyasa asrama. Includes also some history about how the sannyasa asrama was established in Iskcon and some of its results. Continue reading "Questions and answers about the Sannyasa Asrama in Iskcon → Dandavats"
Question: How can we overcome fault-finding tendency?
Answer: Every tendency has a black and a white side. Sometimes, where proper standards must be maintained then noting the fault with the intention of helping is not a problem. But when there is a habitual tendency to fault-finding where a person tends to see only the fault, then such attitude reduces other person’s self-esteem. However, the glory of bhakti is that everything can be used in devotional service. That is why, as interesting as it may sound, if at all there is some strong fault-finding tendency, we could use the same to find faults with the fault-finding tendencies!
Everybody has faults. Once during a workshop with devotees, I was talking about tolerance. We discussed that although being in spiritual life, we have to tolerate many things. A devotee replied that among the things that we have to tolerate, devotees are one of them. Indeed, we have to tolerate each other as all of us have defects. But we realise that just as we are tolerating devotees, they are also tolerating us. Thus, all of us have faults and different people have different faults. We should ask ourselves – how would I feel if somebody keeps finding faults within me?
The most important thing that is required for anyone to persevere on spiritual path is encouragement, appreciation, kind words. If we continuously find faults, then we dishearten people. Sometimes a person may already be burdened by many things in their lives and in that state if someone finds faults in them, they will find it unbearable. However, if at all we have to find faults to correct someone so that they follow a particular standard, then we have to do it in a very sensitive way.
One of the best parameters for understanding whether we have the adhikar or the authority to find fault, is to check our own reactions to it. If we get joy in finding faults, then it means we are not purely motivated. We may pretend to speak politely but something in our tone will reveal to the other person that we find joy in finding faults. Even a subconscious glee on the face signalling you caught the other person makes them feel alienated. The purpose behind fault fining should always be to help the other person.
Another tendency is where, as soon as we notice the faults, we immediately point it out. We should understand that sometimes it may not be the right time to speak it. In general, before evaluating someone’s deficient behaviour, we need to validate them first. With sincere intention and friendly approach, we make them feel that this not a rejection or a judgement. A relationship where there is trust that the other person is my well-wisher then even if they feel evaluated at some other aspect, they will not feel too bad about it. In general, in our interactions, appreciation should be more than criticism.
Some people may have a lot of appreciation for the other person in their heart, but they do not express it and only speak when they need to point out other person’s mistakes. Such a relationship becomes very strained. Thus, we need to appreciate genuinely because when the other person feels validated, they take our criticism constructively.
Srila Prabhupada: “We must have a temple at Mayapur. If every one of us possesses a temple there, the importance of Sridhama Mayapur will automatically increase and we must have this ideal in view always” - 1947 to 1965 Correspondence Letter to Gosvami Maharaja written from Delhi
Iskcon Trivandrum - Meditation Camps at Uttarkashi - Himalayas. (Album of photos)
5 days meditation camp and Satsangh was held in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand dist, Himalayan valleys. Most rejuvenating sessions in Serenic Himalayan Valleys at 10° C.
Every day members were doing 8 hours japa meditation of 64 rounds. Evenings were filled with lectures, soul-stirring bhajans and campfire.
Everyone felt that these sessions should be conducted more.
The “Reincarnation” of a small devotee kitchen of ISKCON Radhadesh (3 min. video)
Radhadesh is a spiritual community founded in 1979 and the main center for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in the Benelux. It is based in the Château de Petite Somme – a 19th century castle in the Belgian Ardennes. There are around 100 people who live in the community. The new residents have thoroughly restored the castle and transformed it into a true spiritual oasis where you can explore the colorful culture of the Indian traditions. Radhadesh has beautiful Deities. The temple’s main Deities (Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha) stands on an Indian style marble altar built in 1986. According to tradition the altar is decorated daily with fresh flowers. One of the main goals of Vaishnavism is to develop a personal relationship with God. This can be achieved by practicing Bhakti Yoga and meditation (chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra on a daily basis). With this in mind, the Deity of the Lord is worshiped daily in the temple. But the castle also offers other facilities such as a vegetarian Restaurant and Cafeteria, a Guest house, an Indian store, daily Tours of the castle, a nice trail on the wooded estate, a traditional Bakery and a Playground for children. Moreover, Radhadesh is a vibrant community where many retreats, courses and cultural festivals are held.
Harinama Sankirtana yesterday in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan, NY (3 min. video)
Today’s program, Saturday, June 8, 2019.
11:00am – 2:00pm – 44th Annual Hare Krishna Parade
5th Avenue from 45th St. to Washington Square Park
12:00pm – 7:00pm – Hare Krishna Festival @ Washington Square Park
Tomorrow’s program, Sunday, June 9, 2019
2:00pm – 10:00pm – NYC Kirtan Mela @ Radha Govinda Temple, Brooklyn NY
6:00pm – 8:00pm – Radha Govinda’s Flower Festival @ Radha Govinda Temple
My wife showed an equal disinterest in religious matters. Although she would attend religious functions held in her village, her main purpose was to entertain herself with some singing and dancing that's all. But one day, in 2008, she met an ISKCON devotee who hailed from our village. This devotee was trying to establish Krishna consciousness here, and my wife was very much influenced by him. She immediately adopted the devotional principles whole heartedly and repeatedly urged me to take up too. Continue reading "She Won, I Lost! → Dandavats"
When Lord Caitanya finished His instructions to Srila Sanatana Goswami, Sanatana, being empowered and enlightened, was so transcendentally pleased that he at once fell at the feet of Lord Caitanya and said: "I am born of a very low family, and I have always associated with lowly people; therefore I am the lowest of sinners. Yet You are so kind that You have taught me lessons which are not even understood by Lord Brahma, the greatest being in this universe. Continue reading "The four headed Brahma’s diminutive intelligence Vs Srila Sanatana Goswami’s first class humility → Dandavats"
Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes the six practices of those serious about dedicating their lives to Krishna: accepting things favorable to devotional service, rejecting things unfavorable to devotional service, accepting that Krishna is our only maintainer, accepting that Krishna is our only protector, developing a deep sense of humility, and fully giving ourselves for the purpose of guru and Krishna. Continue reading "“Surrender Unto Me”—Krishna’s Loving Invitation → Dandavats"
na praharsyet priyam prapya, na udvijet prapya ca apriyam
sthira-buddhih asammudhah, brahma-vit brahmani sthitah
(A person who neither rejoices upon achieving something pleasant nor laments upon obtaining something unpleasant, who is self-intelligent, who is not bewildered, and who knows the science of God is already situated in transcendence)
Do not become elated when there is happiness and do not become dejected when there is distress.
It is interesting to note that Krishna is not saying – do not feel happiness or distress. Distress and happiness will come, and one will have to experience those. Sometimes good and sometimes bad will happen. We cannot blind ourselves to this material reality, but we should not become elated in happiness and should not become dejected in distress. We can do so by not denying the duality but by focusing on the spiritual reality or supreme brahman.
Ultimately, the supreme brahman is Krishna. When we study spiritual knowledge and practise bhakti-yoga, we start connecting with Krishna. Metaphorically speaking, we can consider connection and absorption in Krishna as a five-million-dollar gain. Let me explain.
Consider a man is walking on a road to meet his ancestor, who has passed down five million dollars to him in inheritance. The condition is that he has to reach there within a particular time or else the money will be given to the government. While walking down the road, this man finds a five-dollar bill which he tries to pick up. But as soon as he tries to do that, the bill starts flying away in a different direction. The more he tries, the farther it flies. If the man keeps chasing the five-dollar bill then he will lose the five-million-dollar inheritance. In a slightly different situation, consider the same man walking down the road already having a five-dollar bill in his pocket. Suddenly a thief comes and grabs that five-dollar bill but is luckily stopped by the man. If this man gets busy arguing and fighting with the thief, again he may lose the five-million-dollar inheritance.
Similarly, for us, life’s pleasures are like the five-dollar gain and life’s distresses are like the five-dollar loss. However, our devotion and absorption in Krishna is like the five-million-dollar gain.
Bhagavad-gita 6.22 says:
yam labdhva ca aparam labham, manyate na adhikam tataḥ
yasmin sthito na duḥkhena, guruṇapi vicalyate
(Upon gaining this he thinks there is no greater gain. Being situated in such a position, one is never shaken, even in the midst of greatest difficulty)
About 20-25 years ago when I was introduced to bhakti-yoga, this verse really inspired me very much to focus on Krishna consciousness.
This is the state of spiritual absorption and its characteristic is that if you achieve it, you will not long for anything else. Achieving this will free you from craving for anything more and even if great distress comes, it will not disturb. It will free you from lamentation.
There may be many things important to us but the underlying question we forget to ask ourselves is,
“Is there anything, after achieving which, we will not crave or lament for anything?”
We might become the wealthiest person in the whole world, have our dream job, our dream home etc. but will it free us from craving for more? It won’t.
It is not that pursuing or achieving material things is wrong, but we need to do such endeavour in the right proportion. If we are too consumed by these things, then we may end up like the man who lost his well-deserved five-million-dollar gain. Spiritually speaking, Krishna Consciousness is like that five-million-dollar gain. When we become conscious of Krishna, we will be free from craving and lamenting.
The five-dollar bill is not worthless but compared to five million dollars, it is insignificant. Thus, by keeping things in perspective, we can deal with life’s dualities with equanimity. Although good and bad things have happened and will continue to happen, we still keep moving towards Krishna. By such focus, we will be able to transcend duality.
About His Holiness Bhakti Prabhava Swami His Holiness Bhakti Prabhava Swami, born in Belgium, in 1960. From 1996 to 2007 he engaged in the management of the Radhadesh projects, mainly taking care of supervising the administration, tax defence and legal matters. He also served as legal director, trustee, teacher and student in the Bhaktivedanta College. In 2011 he shifted his home base to Leicester (UK) where he introduced the Bhakti Sastri course. Since 2015, Bhakti Prabhava Swami is offering bhakti-Sastri and bhaktivaibhava on-line courses.
His Holiness Bhakti Prabhava Swami travels and teaches Srimad Bhagavatam and other bhakti scriptures in ISKCON centres and institutions around Europe since the early 2000s, especially in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Ukraine and Bulgaria. He studied Bhaktivaibhava (2001-2005) and Bhaktivedanta (2006-2011) at the VIHE in Vrindavana, earned a Ph.D. in the Study of Religion at the University of Wales (2016) and published a number of academic articles. He currently serves as a member for Sannyasa Ministry and as a member for the ISKCON Board for Examination. Read More about him.
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.
Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi Fasting.....................on Thu Jun 13th,2019 Breakfast................ on Wed Jun 14th, 2019 b/w 5.35am – 6.00am
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
IB Vaishnavi Sanga: Next Sanga will take place on Sat June 8(2-5PM) "Vaishnavi" means a female devotee of Krishna. "Sanga" refers to the spiritual discussions between devotees. ISKCON Brampton temple is very excited to present "Vaishnavi Sanga.What a great opportunity to get together and open our hearts. Please feel free to bring your friends and family (women only) who can benefit from this amazing spiritual experience! For more details please contact Janki Rani Mataji. See you!
Vedic Education & Learning For Grownups Next Seminar will be announced shortly. Speaker: Topic: 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.
Adult Education At The Temple 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.
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 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.
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.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 24 February 2019, New York, United States of America, Bhagavad-gita 7.7)
We can see how everything is connected with Krsna. We can see that Krsna is the seed of all existence. We can see that Krsna is present everywhere. Just like it is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita by Krsna Himself – raso aham apsu kaunteya; I am the taste of water. Prabhasmi sasi suryayo; I am the light of the sun and the moon. Pranavah sarva-vedesu; I am the syllable om in the Vedic mantras. Sabdah khe paurusam nrsu; I am the sound in ether and also the ability in man (Bhagavad-gita 7.8).
So everywhere Krsna is present, everywhere. It is not that we have to artificially try to be Krsna conscious while being busy with all this material energy, doing so many things everyday, and then somehow or other fix our mind on that form of the Supreme Lord; realising how difficult it is because we are busy from Monday to Friday and then the weekend comes along and we always have so many things on your mind and then we think to ourself – “How will I think of Krsna when there are so many other things going on around me?“. But then we must see how everything around us is connected with Krsna, everything. Everything is simply the energy of Krsna and Krsna is the origin of everything. Therefore sutre mana-gana iva (Bhagavad-gita 7.7); He is behind everything and He is the thread that connects everything.
Creation, maintenance, and destruction in the course of time are not features of the spiritual nature. The Upanishads say that before the creation there was no Brahma and no Siva, no sun, stars, or sky. There was only Vishnu, His expansions, and the pure souls who have no desire for a life separate from Him. With only Vishnu, and no Siva or Brahma, there is only maintenance, with no creation or destruction. Time exists in the spiritual nature without its destructive side, and without the type of creative side that is merely destruction’s necessary counterpart. And yet the spiritual nature is said to be full of activity, more so than its material reflection. Lord Vishnu and His devotee servants expand spiritually there to enrich, vary, and perpetually increase the pastimes of blissful loving devotion. Continue reading "Time and Again → Dandavats"
Answer: When dealing with angry people, we need to understand two underlying motivations for anger: (i) is it due to person’s weakness or (ii) is it due to person’s wickedness.
Weakness is something that we all have. When there is an urge to become angry, it empowers us, due to which we do something that we later regret. When anger is due to weakness, we apologise, feel bad about it and acknowledge it was wrong.
We have our conscience and intelligence. Conscience tells us in an emotional way that we should not be angry because later we will feel guilty. Intelligence tells us in a rational way as to why we should not be angry. These are two inner checks that stop us from acting angrily. However, due to wickedness, the conscience is muted and instead of controlling the anger the intelligence is controlled by the anger.
Weakness makes us hot-headed whereas wickedness makes us cold-blooded. When a person is cold-blooded, he makes a systematic diabolic plan to hurt the other person in the most painful way. Anger is basically like a hot emotion whereas hatred is cold, manipulative and calculative. Generally, most people around us are not wicked. The range may vary from weakness being the most common and wickedness being exceptions.
To give forgiveness to wicked is foolishness. What will happen if a group of terrorists, who are on a rampage killing innocent people beg for forgiveness when ambushed by police and the police forgives them? Terrorists will ultimately kill the policemen mercilessly. When somebody is at the extreme edge of wickedness, then strong action has to be taken against them. A wicked person may not even feel any wrongdoing. We need to maintain a safe distance from such people. If needed, we should take strong action against them.
On a routine basis, if we see people getting angry, best is to help them deal with their anger. We can do so by (i) separating the person from their problematic behaviour (ii) avoid labelling them e.g. “short-tempered”, “hot-headed” etc. If we label them, we reduce them to their problematic behaviour. Eventually, we and they end up being an antagonist and consider ourselves a victim who has to hit back at his aggressor.
At a practical level, we may have to deal with it in an appropriate way but internally we see the person separate from their anartha. One way of dealing would be to know the triggers of the other person and try as much as possible avoiding those triggers. When we drive on a road for the first time, we may be jolted by an unnoticed speed bump. However, next time, we will drive carefully on the same road and will be able to avoid the bump. Once bitten twice shy.
Similarly, when we observe people and try to understand what triggers anger in them, it will help us avoid doing anything that will provoke them. We all have willpower, but that willpower is a finite resource. Sometimes when stressful, people may have ten things going on in their head that will frustrate them. If not communicated properly, this anger could be unnecessarily vented out on something trivial. If such people share a bond with us where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, this would help. We should spend time with them periodically which will minimise the instances of them getting angry.
We can help people manage their triggers better. Everybody has things which set them off. We should make sure that we do not become a trigger for them. If they are very close to getting triggered, we help them come off the cliff and not push them further down the cliff.
Generally, words spoken in anger should not be taken seriously. We do not have to hold it against the other person for their entire life.
In the Ramayana, when Lord Rama was chasing a demon disguised as golden deer and shot it down, the demon before dying imitated Rama’s voice and called out to Lakshmana and Sita for help. On hearing the call, mother Sita became overwhelmed with anxiety and agony. However, Lakshmana remained unperturbed and reassured Sita that the voice is not Rama’s. But Sita did not feel reassured. Instead, she felt agitated Lakshmana’s response. Fearing that Rama might be in danger, she urged and begged Lakshmana to go for Rama’s help. On seeing him unmoved, in a frenzy of anxiety, she accused him of having ill intentions towards her and that he wants to enjoy her in the absence of Rama and was waiting for such an opportunity. Sita’s words cut Lakshmana deeper than had the sharpest arrows of the fiercest demons in the toughest of the battles he had fought. He had always venerated Sita like his mother. However, there is no mention in the Ramayana that when Sita was rescued back, Lakshmana held those words against her. He did not tell her, “See, I had told you it was a demon. How dare you speak like that to me? Now apologise.” The point is, “do not see intention in what is spoken in tension”.
Unfortunately, sometimes situations bring out the worst in us but just like we would want others to look through us, understand us and not hold anything against us, similarly we should not hold the other person’s words against them when they have an emotional outburst. However, if a person is habitually angry, aggressive or violent then we need to create some distance. We can help such a person when they at least acknowledge that they have an issue and needs correction. However, if the person thinks they do not need any help then it is better to maintain some distance. Maybe they will learn when the consequences of their actions hit them. It is painful but that is what we may have to do.
To conclude, we can deal with people who are angry by (i) understanding their trigger and making sure we do not trigger them (ii) see them as separate from their problematic behaviour and help them as much as we can (iii) when there is weakness and someone succumbs to it, do not see the intention in what is spoken in tension. However, if someone has wickedness, we should maintain a distance and protect ourselves.
Introducing Krishna conscious education in a school that is open to students of all backgrounds, in a school where competitive mentality is very prevalent among parents can be quite challenging. But the school is unique since it is established by Srila Prabhupada and also because it is in the holy dhama of Sri Vrindavana.
London Rathayatra Festival 16th June 2019We are looking for volunteers to help cook the greatest feast ever for the pleasure of Lord Jagannath and his devotees. Volunteers are needed all day Saturday chopping veg and all night cooking Saturday night/ Sunday morning. There is a special gift for all those who help, Srila Prabhupada’s blessings!
London Rathayatra 2018
The Narada Purana (uttara kanda 52.12) reveals the conversation between Lord Narayana and Lakshmidevi about Purushottama kshetra (Jagannatha Puri),
pratimam tatra tam drstva svayam devena nirmitam anayasena vai yanti bhavanam me tato narau
“A person who sees the Deities there built by the Lord Himself will easily find the path to reach My abode.” Anyone seeing the Deities of Lord Krshna, Balarama and Subhadra at Jagannatha Puri during their leisure outage of Rathayatra means buying a ticket to reach the Supreme Abode of Vaikuntha, the eternal world of no worries.
Rathe ca vamanam drstva punar janma na vidyate.
“Simply by seeing the Lord on the chariot, one makes advancement for stopping the repetition of birth and death.”
It is said that the participants in Rath Yatra will be blessed immensely by Lord Jagannatha (Krishna) such as (1) By the sight of Jagannatha’s merciful large two eye globes, the devotee will be blessed with astute purity of mind and spiritual elevation; (2) Observing the Rathayatra will dissipate the sins committed by the embodied person in the past births; (3) The accompanying person in the Rathayatra will receive opulence at par with Lord Vishnu even if he hails from a poor family; (4) Dancing, singing and chanting in the Ratharatra entourage, the participant will be elevated to a level superior to yogis; and (5) Active participation in the Rathayatra by any means will receive the utmost blessings of Lord Jagannatha
Moksha Laxmi dasi holding a copy of the 1973 Rathayatra magazine
1973This was a special year because the Rathayatra was attended by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada Founder Acharya of ISKCON. Although Srila Prabhupada was 74 years of age, he chanted and danced throughout the entire procession. He ignored the elegant seat on the chariot, which was offered to him, much to the delight of the assembled devotees. This festival was Srila Prabhupada’s triumphant moment looking out at thousands of people chanting the Holy name in Trafalgar Square. This festival was organised by the young Maha Vishnu Swami who donated £10,000 pounds left to him in a will to make this an extraordinary festival with publicity on public buses and a feature film made. The Police commentated “this was the most delightful of public displays that they had ever seen, everyone was perfectly mannered”. The next day front page headlines of the Guardian newspaper read “ISKCON Rathayatha is rival to Nelson’s column”. Srila Prabhupada writes in Caitanya Caritamrita. “Just as the residents of Puri compared the Rathayatra cart to Mount Sumeru, the residents of London considered the cart rival to the Nelson Monument.”
Bhumi Devi Dasi: My Godbrother, His Grace PustaKrsna prabhu invited all the devotees over to his home today for a final visit. It was a beautiful and tearful event, and here he is getting a short nap after the program. With him in this picture is Daru Brahma, his wife of 30 something years and in the back row (along with me is Gail Rasangi Lewis, Vaidehi devi dasi and her mother.
By various devotees
By Damodar Prasad das
By Prahladananda Swami
Srila Prabhupada: “We must have a temple at Mayapur. If every one of us possesses a temple there, the importance of Sridhama Mayapur will automatically increase and we must have this ideal in view always” - 1947 to 1965 Correspondence Letter to Gosvami Maharaja written from Delhi
HG Bhava Bhakti devi dasi shares some inputs on the background of the Spiritual Mentorship System, how it started and more
By Surendra Singh Saukhanda
By Jaganmohini devi dasi
By Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi
About His Holiness Bhakti Prabhava Swami
Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi
IB Vaishnavi Sanga:
Vedic Education & Learning For Grownups
Adult Education At The Temple
By Mathuresha Dasa
Introducing Krishna conscious education in a school that is open to students of all backgrounds, in a school where competitive mentality is very prevalent among parents can be quite challenging. But the school is unique since it is established by Srila Prabhupada and also because it is in the holy dhama of Sri Vrindavana.
