India Next Year
Giriraj Swami

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.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Thursday, June 6th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Met Maggie

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.  

May the Source be with you!
4 km




Wednesday, June 5, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Richmond Hill, Ontario

The Best Must Go On

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!

May the Source be with you!
0 km

Tuesday, June 4, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Etobicoke, Ontario

The King Known as Kichari

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.

May the Source be with you!
5 km



  


Monday, June 3rd, 2019
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Toronto, Ontario

Discovering It was Thrilling

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. 

May the Source be with you!
3 km

Sunday, June 2nd, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Winona, Ontario

Prudence is Wisdom in Action

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.

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Saturday, June 1st, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto/Mississauga

Two Minds

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

https://iskconnews.org/volume-2-of-shyamasundars-prabhupada-saga-chasing-rhinos-arrives,6817/  

May I share the opening to the Prelude:

“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.

May the Source be with you!
3 km

Friday, May 31st, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Body and Soul

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.  

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Thursday, May 30th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

More Fun On the Grass

“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

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Is the concept of “Sustainable Development” a lie? (4 min. video)
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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.


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A final visit
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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)
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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 Rathayatra
→ 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.

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.

Photos and videos from the highly successful NYC Rathayatra 2019!
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By various devotees

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!
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Real life on the razor’s edge
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Hare KrishnaBy Damodar Prasad das

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
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Questions and answers about the Sannyasa Asrama in Iskcon
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Hare KrishnaBy Prahladananda Swami

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
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How can we overcome the faultfinding tendency?
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Podcast

 

Transcription :

Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta

Edited by: Sharan Shetty

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.

End of transcription.

The post How can we overcome the faultfinding tendency? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Mayapur Times Newsletter
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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….
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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)
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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)
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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

She Won, I Lost!
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Hare KrishnaBy Surendra Singh Saukhanda

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!
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The four headed Brahma’s diminutive intelligence Vs Srila Sanatana Goswami’s first class humility
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Hare KrishnaBy Jaganmohini devi dasi

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
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“Surrender Unto Me”—Krishna’s Loving Invitation
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Hare KrishnaBy Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi

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
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How can we deal with life’s dualities?
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Podcast

 

Transcription :

Transcriber: Sharan

Question: How can we deal with life’s dualities?

Answer: Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita 5.20:

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.

End of transcription.

The post How can we deal with life’s dualities? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sun Love Feast – Jun 9th, 2019 – Special Guest-HH Bhakti Prabhav Swami
→ ISKCON Brampton

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.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17




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



COMING UP AHEAD


 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.

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

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.

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


Sunday School

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

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


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

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


The Mentorship Program

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

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

To find details please click here


Gift Shop

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

Krsna is everywhere!
→ KKSBlog

(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.

The article " Krsna is everywhere! " was published on KKSBlog.

Time and Again
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Mathuresha Dasa

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"