Perhaps we should begin by defining religion. Dictionaries usually describe it as a system of belief in some supernatural power. That is where the conflicts tend to arise. My beliefs may well be different to yours, and human nature is such that we identify with these to the point where we create divisions based upon them. Hence we have many religious communities going under different names Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc. In most people's minds this is what is meant by religion, all these various designations. The Gita however gives a broader definition. Continue reading "Winning Life’s Battles → Dandavats"
Hundreds of devotees were assembled in the temple room while Srila Prabhupada spoke. Suddenly, he stopped and became silent with his eyes closed. Everyone in the room became still, not wanting to disturb him. A pin drop could be heard. We didn't dare breathe too loudly. This went on for some time. Hundreds of devotees were transfixed on His Divine Grace's ecstasy, each being transported by his rapture. Our minds were overwhelmed with blissful anticipation. Srila Prabhupada carried us all to another realm. Before he could continue, Srila Prabhupada responded in the sweetest voice, sounding a little embarrassed. "I do not do that very often," Srila Prabhupada said. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Ecstatic Symptoms → Dandavats"
Mayapur Times is a newsletter of the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir. The newsletter aims to inform and inspire the local ISKCON community by reporting monthly activities, events, developments and news. You can download the Jan-April, 2019 issue here: Click here to download the Jan-April 2019 issue!
On Friday my chiropractor told me, “I think you will be ready to go to India next year. You withstood the travel to the East Coast well—your body feels strong and resilient—and I think you will be able to manage the trip to India.”
He had never said anything like that to me before, and his words had the ring of truth to them. I believe that, Krishna willing, I may actually go to India next year, and that made me feel very happy.
It was a treat to meet Maggie. Here’s how it happened. Karuna and I walked back to the ashram after a very successful kirtan at Bellevue Square Park. Ekalavya was ‘reggae-ing’ from the harmonium, making sounds of joy, while Kohl was on the guitar. https://www.instagram.com/p/ByZ2AArgK34/?igshid=bbv845dmevcThe music drew all kinds of people, especially toddlers, with their parents, of course. From what I could see, we left people happy. And then it was time to pack up.
As the two of us headed north, we turned that corner at St. Stephen-in-the-fields. Karuna expressed a need to answer a call of nature, and there was the door to the church—open. Sitting on the stairs by the door was Maggie. I recognized her from the church’s website which carried the image of the sculptor of “Panhandler Jesus.”
“Hi! You must be the minister here?” I asked.
“Yes, I am.”
“Can we take a peak inside? I’m curious and have read about your church.”
Maggie, the priest-in-charge, was eager to oblige and give us a tour of this charm of a church. The stain glass images are impressive, so is the pipe organ and the carved wooden benches for the choir. There is a balcony. The place is quaint and yet invokes that reverence that sacred space is supposed to.
Maggie said of her community: “It is the best group of people. I wouldn’t want anything else.” She was speaking about a pride that is very genuine in spiritual circles.
Rhythm is something that everyone needs in their life. (Gershwin wrote the song, “I Got Rhythm.”) Even if you don’t think you are musically inclined, you must admit that you have a heartbeat inside of you and that is rather consistent, otherwise you are dead. Everywhere there are happy beats, waves and currents all around us, declaring a kind of rhythm.
I see walking as a form of rhythm involving movement of body and leg with a consistent contact on and off the earth. I believe that a certain quantity or quota of this natural rhythm of walking should be exerted everyday. It makes me content at least.
Unfortunately today I could not under the circumstances find the moments to step outside to see to a quota of foot rhythm. I was sold out to assisting people and it consumed my time. “Excuses! Excuses!” I could say, but in truth it does work out that way sometimes.
To compensate for the lack of trekking-rhythm for the day, I found myself by commitment at the home of Kishore, who lives in Richmond Hill. Couldn’t walk there. Had to be driven. It was another one of those ‘time’ or lack-of-it issues. There in Kishore’s house was my friend Ananda, visiting from Edmonton. He’s a master drummer, whether tabla, djembe, or dolak. He is recovering from some viral illness, but got up enough strength to see me and beat his best drum as a prelude to the drumming he will do for the summer’s “Ratha Yatra,” The Festival of Chariots. The beat goes on!
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"
By Krishna Dharma Dasa
By Srutakirti das
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