Planet ISKCON

[Talk at Auckland, New Zealand]

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The post Relationships flourish by sharing, not by dominating – Rama Lakshmana interactions appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Vraja Sundara Das

Chanting the holy names of the lord is the most profound method in this age of Kali to rise above the influences of Maya. To engage in Harinama Sankirtana is definitely the only viable process of freeing ourselves from this precarious position we have implicated ourselves in within this material world. Continue reading "The All-Powerful and Independent Holy Name
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By Chirag Dangarwala

Cause and Effect are the natural phenomenon in this material world. Every Cause is followed by an Effect and every Effect has a Cause.  This phenomenon of cause and effect is explained in Vedic texts as well as in the modern science alike. Newton's law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction and similarly in Vedanta Sutra, the Cause and effect phenomenon is explained in great detail. Knowing this truth, we generally tend to look at the cause and effects with our limited vision and blame or praise certain cause for the effects that we may enjoy or suffer during the course of our journey through life.  For example, if we obtain something desirable, for instance, if we obtain a promotion, we give the credit to our boss and think that it is because of him alone that we are getting this raise, or some others think that because of their performance alone they are getting this promotion. Similarly when we obtain something undesirable or if someone has broken our heart, we tend to blame the other person of being the cause of this sorrow that we are getting. Continue reading "Cause of all Causes
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By Rasaraja dasa

Thanks to many popular books and articles, the mysteries of quantum theory are now quite widely familiar even amongst the non -scientific public. Heisenberg's uncertainty relations (one cannot 'simultaneously know' both position and momentum of a particle beyond a certain inaccuracy), Schrodinger cat paradox (quantum cats capable of being both dead and alive, simultaneously) are known, at least by name, to many Continue reading "On things Quantum
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[Ramayana series 3, Talk at New Goloka, Hillsborough, USA]

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The post Understanding difficult pastimes such as Rama’s banishing Sita appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post If the author is not present in the book, how is Valmiki present in Ramayana? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post Bhagavatam tenth canto study 59 – 10.10.36-43 The Lord grants not just physical mobility but also spiritual mobility appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Parikrama to the Pink City

“It is a city of dusty-pink palaces set aglow in soft light,” say the romantics. “It is ancient royalty, pristine architecture and a taste of original India,” say the historians. For the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, Jaipur is all that but much more. It is home to the original deities of the Goswamis, Who are shrouded in tales of adventure, mystery and mercy. Being remarkably clean and heartfully welcoming, Jaipur is majestic for all.

This kartika you have the opportunity to discover this ancient city and its deep devotional heritage in the company of His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami. An opportunity never offered before. Act quickly! You can now register for the Jaipur leg of the Braja Parikrama.

Dates: 3- 5 November, 2019

Itinerary

• 3rd Nov: Depart from Vrindavana to Karoli for day parikrama and arrival in Jaipur.
• 4th Nov: Visit temples in Jaipur
• 5th Nov: Depart to Vrindavana

Cost: 60 Euros

This includes:

• Transport from Vrindavan to Karoli, Jaipur and back via air-conditioned bus
• Two nights accommodation in Jaipur
• Meals include breakfast pack (3rd, 4th & 5th), lunch and dinner (3rd & 4th)

Payment

There are two ways to pay & confirm your reservation! By PayPal (use this direct link) or by bank transfer. Please select the payment option in the registration form.

If you have any payment or registration question please write to Gopali at gopali.jaipur@gmail.com

Important to note, read carefully!

• Registration is final once the payment is received.
• Buses will be reserved for 150 people. This limit will only be exceeded if the number of devotees is large enough to warrant an extra bus and if extra buses and accommodation are available.
• Advance payments are required to secure comfortable buses and good accommodation.
• Refunds will not be granted if you cancel your booking!
• Any excess funds will be given to Guru Maharaja.
• This registration is ONLY for the Jaipur parikrama and not the Braja Parikrama. That registration will be separate and will open at a later date.

Registration form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAvOLBuEJPtB1JP5V-F4Kuz_eISFGvwPO_XuFtCBmTyVd63Q/viewform

Hopefully see you soon and stay tuned for the coming Braja Parikrama registration…

The article " Jaipur – Braja Parikrama " was published on KKSBlog.

Ratha-yatra Rijeka, Croatia 2019 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This Krishna consciousness movement insists that everyone...

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 24 February 2019, New York, United States of America, Bhagavad-gita 7.7)

We are experiencing how everything in this world goes through six transformations. Everything comes into being, it grows, it flourishes, it gives some by-products, then it begins to dwindle and eventually it ceases to exist. Such are the dynamics of this world. This shows us that whatever we have, is not ours. Whatever we have, is actually a gift which we get for a while over time and then Krsna takes it back. Sometimes gradually over time and sometimes very quickly. Suddenly, everything gets taken away.

But one who sees Krsna behind it all can see that ultimately everything must be good because Krsna is benevolent. Krsna is suhrdam sarva bhutanam (Bhagavad-gita 5.29); He is the well-wisher of all living beings. So when we have that firm conviction that Krsna is our well-wisher, then we start to observe that whatever happens to us is all good, even if we may not always see it that way. Then we know that this is going to be good for a long-term purpose; something that we cannot see now, but later turns out to be good.

We can see this when we go through struggle, pain and hardships in the material world. This will force us to become more dependent on Krsna, surrender unto Him and lead us to seek deeper into the causes and purpose of life. And in that way we can see that the moment of great difficulty in our life later on turns out to be the source of our strength. We begin to see that those hardships actually made us stronger and that was Krsna’s kindness all along.

The article " Surviving hardships " was published on KKSBlog.

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The post Bhagavatam tenth canto study 58 – 10.10.28-35 Though God has a body, he is not limited by or to his body appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Harinama and book distribution in Mayapur (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: A devotee always thinks of the Lord continuously. While chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, the words Krishna and Hare immediately remind him of all the Lord’s activities. Since his entire life is engaged n the service of the Lord, a devotee cannot forget the Lord at any time. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.1.6 Purport)

New ‘Krishna - Your Eternal Friend’ album containing beautiful drawings by Anjali Bhattacharjee based on HG Vaisesika Dasa’s quotes. (Album of photos)

Good karma veg. restaurant in Gulfport, Mississippi (Album of photos)
Kaivalya Sundari: I was in Gulfport today and was able to go visit Maharani’s Maharani Berg (Good Karma Medley) vegetarian restaurant today. I hadn’t been to this location before and I was happy to see lots of nice people getting prasadam! I am so proud of my God sister, Maharani! She is pleasing her Guru Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada in her endeavors. Many people who eat at Good Karma learn about our temple because Maharani is giving them a nice, personal, and satisfying experience. The restaurant plays soothing bhajans of Hare Krsna music, and there are beautiful signs and loving mottos and festive decorations all around. Cookbooks and devotional reading literature is also for sale.

Vivid Sydney light festival 2019. Transcendental party time with the devotees doing Harinama (several brief videos)
The Govind...

HH Giriraj Swami spoke and read from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila chapter 6

Dhruva Laddhu and his friend Kalyan Tamal were a few months old living in little hutches separate from their mothers and each other and fed by a mechanical milk drip before they were brought home to ISCOWP from the dairy.

Ganga Puja is usually celebrated a day before Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi. 

It is dedicated to Gangadevi, who descended to Earth on this day. Ganga descended to purge the cursed souls of King Bhagiratha’s ancestors. 

Devotees gather at the banks of the Ganges to perform aratis. It is said that by taking a dip in the river on this day one will be purified and many lifetimes of sins are eradicated.

[Talk at Wellington, New Zealand]

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The post Why spiritual life matters – Talk to teenagers appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Talk to devotee community leaders at Wellington, New Zealand]

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The post Head in the sky, feet on the ground – balancing our aspirations with our actions appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post How do we realize that Krishna consciousness is like 5 million dollars and worldly things are like 5 dollars appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Giriraj Swami spoke and read from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila chapter 6

“Raghunatha dasa offered his obeisances by falling prostrate at a distant place, and the servant of Nityananda Prabhu pointed out, “There is Raghunatha dasa, offering You obeisances.”

Hearing this, Lord Nityananda Prabhu said, “You are a thief. Now you have come to see Me. Come here, come here. Today I shall punish you!”

The Lord called him, but Raghunatha dasa did not go near the Lord. Then the Lord forcibly caught him and placed His lotus feet upon Raghunatha dasa’s head.

Comment by Giriraj Swami: “Raghnatha dasa was very humble. In fact, later on when by the mercy of Nityananda prabhu he joined Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at Puri, although he was in the inner circle of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he would almost never submit a question or plea directly to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He would always go through Swarup Damodar. He was very humble.”

Lord Nityananda was by nature very merciful and funny. Being merciful, He spoke to Raghunatha dasa as follows:

“You are just like a thief, for instead of coming near, you stay away at a distant place. Now that I have captured you, I shall punish you.

“Make a festival and feed all My associates yogurt and chipped rice.” Hearing this, Raghunatha dasa was greatly pleased.”

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Panihati Festival Talk (Right-click to download)

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[slideshare id=149240597&doc=fromindividualismtoindividuality-arepeopleinnatelygoodorinnatelybad-190611173644]

The post From individualism to individuality – Are people innately good or innately bad? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Srimati Gangamata Gosvamini - Appearance.
She was the only daughter of King Naresanarayana of Puntiya in the district of Rajsahi (now in Bangladesh).

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The post Bhagavatam tenth canto study 57 – 10.10.23-27 Krishna honors the promise of his devotees appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at Bhakti Lounge, Wellington, New Zealand]

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[slideshare id=149197819&doc=understandingthesixstagesofinnerpurificationoranarthanivrutti-190611040312]

The post Understanding the six stages of anartha nivrutti or inner purification – 2 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at Bhakti Lounge, Wellington, New Zealand]

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Powerpoint:
[slideshare id=149197819&doc=understandingthesixstagesofinnerpurificationoranarthanivrutti-190611040312]

The post Understanding the six stages of anartha nivrutti or inner purification – 1 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Vrndavana Vinodini Devi Dasi

Hearing good news about others affects people in different ways. Personally, the feelings it evokes within me serves as a barometer of how emotionally healthy I am and my relationship with the individual. Feelings of joy and "they totally deserve it" are what I aim for. However, in instances where it dredges up not so pleasant emotions, I realize I have internal work to do. As an aspiring practitioner of bhakti this is what I too long to be: the happy well-wisher to others, especially in their time of success and joy. I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by practitioners of bhakti yoga my entire life. Continue reading "The effect of good news
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[Bhagavatam class at Bhakti Lounge, Wellington, New Zealand]

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The post Perfectionism is a serial killer in high heels appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Jaya Vijaya Dasa

Sri Ganga-puja, also known as Sri Ganga-dushara (she who removes inauspiciousness), appears in the month of Jyestha (May/June) on the 10th day of Sukla-paksa, or the waxing fortnight of the full moon. Continue reading "Sri Ganga Puja
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By Jaya Vijaya Dasa

Due to uncontrolled love for Visvambhara, the Ganga rushed rapidly, spilling over her banks in order to gently touch the body of the Lord. People wondered why the Ganga seemed much more beautiful today. Continue reading "Ganga-devi’s Love for Lord Gauranga
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“There are many vegan and vegetarian places on the Gold Coast – but the most successful ones are the Hare Krishnas,” says Nitai Chandra.

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The post How can we work with difficult people? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

I’m getting old. I admit it – the hair is disappearing, the back is failing and the glasses are coming. Materially speaking, it’s a downhill story. Spiritually, however, the passing of time should deliver a range of invaluable gifts.

Congresswomen Tulsi Gabard & Ms.Jenifer Rajkumar, representative Governor New York state & Director Immigration New York attends ISKCON at New York Rath Yatra 2019. 8th June.

"Opinions are evenly split between the east and west, with disciples in India representing the conservative arm of ISKCON and those in the western temples having a liberal bent."

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. A video by Ananta Vrindavan.

Presenters at the conference were devotees who are developing Vaishnava community welfare services including mentoring, counseling, mental health support, youth support, widows support, palliative care and caring for the sick, women’s support, social justice and more. The conference was attended by just under 100 devotees.

As ISKCON UK anniversaries come thick and fast, Govinda’s Pure Vegetarian Restaurant in London is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, snapping up a steady flow of awards and celebrity endorsements and changing more than a few lives along the way.

“We’d like devotees in all the city temples in North America and beyond to consider New Vrindaban their country home, a place where they can recuperate and regenerate physically and spiritually,” says ISKCON New Vrindaban communications director Anuradha Dasi.