Sunday, February 10th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Montreal, Quebec

Soft Slides on the Street

Because I'm a walker, I must do so, even today when all sidewalks are as slippery as can be.  From our  ISKCON centre in Montreal, I baby-stepped my way to Saint Catherine Street to do more of the same.  Mind you, there are some dry sections where better traction is achieved.  For the most part, it's a careful forward-moving dynamic, and I'm not the only one out and about partaking of the challenge. Other pedestrians are also focused on looking downward, watching each step, wary of a fatal slip.

However, you know, I believe that those of us who tread the trail are better off than those in cars or  chilling in front of a screen in their home.  We are feeling air and the wind in our faces.  We are meeting and greeting surya, the sun, with its warmth.  They are amiable encounters.

So a little bit of east-and-westerly soft-shoe work on Ste. Catherine's and I'm back in time to prepare for the Sunday program—the Open House.  There I found myself in the midst of well-co-ordinated dancers and chanters. Being the guest speaker I sat on the speaker's chair to deliver some words on the twenty-six attributes of a divine person.  It appeared that the community took to the message quite well.

I can say for sure that the prasadam, blessed food, was great, and well received by tongue and tummy.  The Montreal kitchen always puts out some of the best.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Saturday, February 9th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk

Russell, Ontario

Shine Day

It was all like glass—every driveway; actually, it was ice glistening with the sun on it.  Snow banks were the same—sparkling, shining like anything.  That was our driving experience, visually, all the way to Russell, with Billy behind the wheel and his wife, Amala, as passenger, along with myself in the back seat, and priest, Mangala Charan, at my side.  A clear day.  Pretty!

We were set, not for a walking party but for a diksha ceremony for Mandala, a young Canadian chap who assisted me during my three segments of walking the U.S.  I guess you could say his receiving an initiation name, a fresh new set of beads for the hand to meditate with, and a new strand of beads for the neck, was all a reward for his kind services.  Mandala is without ego.  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bts_qPCA2XU/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1eqe7rp9qvzk0

Mandala, now Mandala Ram, is also blessed with a wife. Married not so long ago, Apurvi, the lucky lady, was someone he first met in Noida, India, when Mandala and I travelled there for a production of "Krishna Is," and he was my sound man.  It's nice that we had some experiences together in areas where life is significant for him.

His mother, Kirtan, was there for the initiation, as well as "bros and sistas."  Yes, a big family of twelve siblings. Irish-Catholic-Hare-Krishna is what the McAllister family is—big and beautiful.  The ceremony was held in the Registration Building, a small armoury-resembling edifice, in the quaint downtown of this small bedroom community of Ottawa.

By the end of the evening, the sparkle, glitter and shine remained when there was some reflection of light as I opened the door to exit into that wintry wonder of magic.  Just watch your step on that shimmering ice.

May the Source be with you!
0 km

The lost relationship
→ Dandavats



HH Sacinandana Swami: Do you have strong friendships? By this I mean people close to your heart, who are with you through good and bad times, people with whom your life is tightly bound. Will these relationships endure at your deathbed and beyond? There is only one person who is tightly bound to us beyond the barrier of death. He has always been with us, even before this life. He is a friend who knows the contents of our heart… and yet we have somehow managed to forget Him. We have inconceivably lost our most important relationship… Of course, in the ultimate sense this relationship can never be lost; we only lose our consciousness of it. We are always a part of Krsna for we are souls and the soul is part of God. But we have to awaken from our forgetfulness to fully benefit from that one relationship.


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TOVP Newsletter
→ Dandavats

Srila Prabhupada: “I have named this temple Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir, the Rising Moon of Mayapur. Now make it rise, bigger and bigger until it becomes the full moon. And this moonshine will be spread all over the world. All over India they will come to see. From all over the world they will come”

Svatantra prabhu ACBSP departed
→ Dandavats



Prayers required for a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who is about to leave his body.
Srutakirti Prabhu: Wednesday 6 pm HST. I recently returned to the hospital and talked to Svatantra’s son, Steve Jr. We had a long discussion which included understanding Svatantra’s desires. He will be turning off the machines tomorrow morning at 6 am. My wife and I will be there with a few others. Today I gave Svatantra a piece of rice that was saved from Srila Prabhuapda’s plate here in Hawaii in 1975. I witnessed him gulp after I put it in his mouth.

I spoke with Svatantra alone for a few minutes. I have no doubt he was aware of my talk with him. His bodily reactions and changes in the heart rate when I said certain things were clear.

It was also clear while talking to his son that Svatantra is prepared to leave. When I return tomorrow I will try to write a little something about this wonderful person who I am proud to consider a friend.

They will be taking Svatantra prabhu off of life support today. I will be back with more information when possible. Please chant for the peaceful passing of his soul. He spent the last 18 months absorbed in full-time devotional service to the Panca Tattva here in New Navadvipa as their head pujari daily at 2:00 am to begin his day.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare;
Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.

The photo was taken a few months ago in the pujari room New Navadvipa, Iskcon Hawaii with Haravapuh and myself.

How do we distinguish between material anxiety and spiritual anxiety?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

 

Transcription :

Transcribed by: Dr Suresh Gupta

Edited by: Sharan Shetty

Question: How do we differentiate between spiritual anxiety and material anxiety?

Answer: Spiritual anxiety means anxiety experienced due to problems faced in serving the spiritual master. Material anxiety is when we serve under the material mode of passion simply for name and recognition.

It is said, phalen parichayate – the tree is known by its fruits. We should introspect before doing anything – is this activity enhancing or weakening our remembrance of Krishna? If the activity helps us move closer to Krishna, then the impulse is positive. Rather than perceiving an action as black and white, we can observe with what motivation we are doing the action. We then strengthen those motivations which take us closer to Krishna and weaken those that take us away from Krishna.

We all have a human need to be accepted and respected in whatever community we belong to. This is by no means, wrong or unhealthy. It is just a natural human need. To the extent this need is addressed, to that extent we can function properly in our lives.

We all have to act in specific ways to move forward in our lives. When we fulfil what is required to act in specific ways, we feel secure. If we do a valuable service which is also difficult where we put our time, efforts, creativity, dedication and resources but in the end if nobody appreciates us, we will instinctively feel disheartened.

It is important to know that human need for appreciation is not like ego’s need for gratification. Although we aspire for pure selfless motivation, but we work with whatever motivation we have and at the same time we work on the motivation we have. Thus, we have to work for Krishna with our existing motivation while improving on our existing motivation.

We may question ourselves, “Should I stop doing this service since I am doing this for name, fame, glories?” The answer is – If we stop doing the service, then how will we be purified by the service? If we stop doing the service and someone else takes it up and starts doing it wonderfully then we will simply become envious of that person. It is important that we recognise and deal with our situation in a mature way.

Passion is associated with creation but generally anything in the mode of passion is not sustainable. If we are starting a new project as a service to Krishna and want to expand it then some amount of passion will be required. However, only passion cannot sustain things, we will also need goodness. Without goodness, we will exhaust ourselves so much that we feel sick and unhealthy. Or we will exhaust ourselves mentally and become irritable, resentful, feeling that we are working so hard, but nobody cares for or cooperates with us. While such emotion may be true, but we have to know that we are like a mother and the project is our baby. Sometimes others may come forward to help take care of the baby but if the baby starts crying in the night then the mother cannot expect a neighbour to come and take care of the baby. Only mother has to take care of her baby in such situations. To have a baby requires some amount of passion but afterwards taking care of that baby requires goodness which is not easy to sustain.

We can decide that although I had expanded to this proportion, may be this is not sustainable for me, so let me downsize. In general, if we do the service in a way that is holistic and also sustainable then we will move closer to Krishna. We will actually start feeling that we can connect with Krishna and by such connection we will be successful. Not just in the term of contribution in the world but also making the connection that takes us beyond the world.

Both of these drivers can come together in a holistic and a sustainable way if we work with whatever existing motivation we have while also working on that motivation. Sometimes we might be partially fuelled by a desire for recognition and partially by the desire to serve guru and Krishna. The proportion may vary differently at different times. Even when we do not get recognition, rather than giving it to frustration we can see this as an opportunity to purify ourselves, our motivations. Instead of being discouraged, we rework on our motivations and move on in our lives. That is how we can function and progress.

End of transcription.

The post How do we distinguish between material anxiety and spiritual anxiety? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Seek not a stormless sea, seek an unsinkable ship
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk at Bhakti Center, Goldcoast, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

The post Seek not a stormless sea, seek an unsinkable ship appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Holi Festival
→ Ramai Swami

The day after the Food Festival, the devotees at New Varshana organised a Holi celebration. This has been going on for a number of years and the attendances has gown significantly.

This year, more than 10,000 people came and about two thirds were western and one third from the Indian community. The dye throwing was the main attraction but there were other activities on the main stage, as well as book and prasadam stalls.

TOVP – Together Offer Victory to Prabhupada!
- TOVP.org

The TOVP Team have coined a new inspiring slogan using the very letters of the temple’s name itself: Together Offer Victory to Prabhupada!

In addressing history itself, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium stands to be one of the most important and iconic monuments to Gaudiya Vaisnavism and the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And in further consideration of the rarity of Mahaprabhu’s appearance to spread the Yuga Dharma, and the even rarer manifestation of His opening the flood gates of Krishna prema to all souls, the TOVP embodies an opportunity over the next 10,000 years (literally a fraction in universal time) for all fortunate people to achieve the highest possible destination of the soul: entrance into the Goloka pastimes of Sri Krishna.

And our receiving this most rare and opportune mercy, and participation in distributing it to others, is possible only by the efforts of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, whose devotion and dedication to the mission of the Lord and the acharyas has revealed him to be the empowered Commander in Chief (Senapati Bhakta) of the Lord Himself. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said this from His own mouth in Caitanya-mangala:

“I want to flood the whole world with the chanting of the holy names. I will personally preach and flood India with Harinama sankirtana. My senapati bhakta (Commander in Chief) will come, preach in distant countries and flood the world with the chanting of Hare Krishna.”

Factually, Srila Prabhupada is already victorious in his mission. But it is his mercy that he has left us with the expansion and completion of that mission. In that process of filling in the details of “the house in which the whole world can live”, we, his servants, are instruments for his further victory and glory. In the Brahma- vaivarta Purana Lord Krishna also makes this prediction:

“On behalf of the sacred rivers (Yamuna, Kaveri, Godavari, Sindhu, Sarasvati and Narmada), Ganga Devi says, “Lord Krishna, we see that Your pastimes are ending and that people are becoming more materialistic. After You leave, all the sinful people of Kali-yuga will take bath in our waters, and we will become overwhelmed with sinful reactions.”

Lord Krishna smiled and replied,

“Be patient. After 5,000 years My mantra upasaka (worshiper of the holy name) will appear and spread the chanting of the holy name everywhere. Not only in India but all over the world people will chant ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.’

By this chanting the whole world will become eka varna (one class or designation), namely, hari-bhaktas, devotees of the Supreme Lord Krishna. Because the devotees of Hari are pure, anyone who contacts them will become purified of sinful reactions. These pure devotees will visit India and purify you of your sinful reactions by bathing in your sacred waters. The period of worldwide chanting of Hare Krishna will continue for 10,000 years.

The building of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium will serve many purposes in this prediction, most important of which is to establish the Hare Krishna Movement on the Earth for the next 10,000 years, the Golden Age of Kali-yuga. By this act, the yuga dharma of Harinam Sankirtan will be put in place and the entire human society will be put on the path back to Godhead. And in that sense every temple is a small TOVP in its own right, being empowered by the original manifestation of this unique temple in the sacred birthplace of the Lord.

Be a part of this legacy of the TOVP. Become one of the pioneers who helped establish the Hare Krishna Movement. The time has come now for us to be absolutely united and focused on offering this wonderful temple manifesting in Sridhama Mayapur to Srila Prabhupada in 2022, the temple being built by the hands of every devotee. As Srila Prabhupada said, “The temple is already built, but you can take the credit”. And in doing so we can:

Together Offer Victory to Prabhupada!

MISSION 22 MARATHON KI JAYA!!! THINK 22 – > TOVP NOW!

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Mailing List at: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities

The post TOVP – Together Offer Victory to Prabhupada! appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Установка волют под куполами
- TOVP.org

Важной частью отделочный работ является установка «волют» непосредственно под куполами в качестве декоративных элементов. Волюта – это «спиралевидное украшение в виде свитка», она послужит прекрасным дополнением к величественному экстерьеру ХВП.

a picture of spiral scroll-like ornament on a pillar

 

НОВОСТИ ХВП – БУДЬТЕ В КУРСЕ

Посетите ХВП: www.tovp.org
Читайте о ХВП: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Смотрите о ХВП: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Загрузите приложение ХВП для мобильного телефона: www.tovp.org/ru/announcements-ru/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Подпишитесь на новости ХВП: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Поддержите ХВП: www.tovp.org/ru/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post Установка волют под куполами appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Installation of Volutes Under Domes
- TOVP.org

An important part of the external finishing work is placing the ‘volutes’ immediately under the domes as ornamental pieces. A volute is defined as “a spiral scroll-like ornament” and is a beautiful addition and enhancement to the external grandeur of the TOVP.

a picture of spiral scroll-like ornament on a pillar

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Mailing List at: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities

The post Installation of Volutes Under Domes appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Does Lord Krishna “need” us?
→ Dandavats

By Rishabh Verma

We often hear from devotees that the aim of one’s life is to attain Prema for Krsna so that one is eternally able to serve Him with enthusiasm. In doing so, one is often reminded of their constitutional position as a Jiva subservient to the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. From the aspect of the Jiva, there seems to be no question about their constitutional relationship with Krsna. However, to fully become Krsna conscious, one must be able to enter the mind of Krsna and understand his stance on His relationship with the Jiva. Commonly it is said that Krsna ‘wants’ us to return to Him so that we may enjoy loving pastimes in the spiritual world with Him. This is in keeping with Krsna’s position as the Supreme Personality of Godhead as defined in Srimad Bhagavatam (S.B 1.1.1). The idea that Krsna ‘needs’ us, although initially appears flattering and almost sacrilegious, on deeper reflection provides further insight into the relationship between the Jiva and the Supreme Lord. Continue reading "Does Lord Krishna “need” us?
→ Dandavats"

Spreading Lord Jagannath’s Mercy in the land of Samudranta, West Papua
→ Dandavats

By Hari narayana das

Lord Jagannath captured the attention of many thousands of people as they came to attend the 15th Papua and Nusantara Cultural Arts Day in Manokwari. Held on Tuesday (02/06/2019), Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra started from Percetakan Sanggeng street and commenced at Borarsi Field. This activity was also held to commemorate the 16th Day of West Papua Province Reactivation Day 2019, with the theme "Unite the Knit Determination of Cultural Diversity in the NKRI Frame". A variety of performances were displayed by 52 participants. Continue reading "Spreading Lord Jagannath’s Mercy in the land of Samudranta, West Papua
→ Dandavats"

Science and Krishna Consciousness: Questions on How to Position Oneself
→ Dandavats

By Drutakarma Das

For anyone seeking to engage with modern science as a devotee of Krishna, specifically as a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, the question of positioning becomes important. A practitioner of Krishna consciousness ultimately identifies as a jiva, an eternal conscious self, whose constitutional position is to render loving service to the supreme conscious self, Krishna. But practitioners of Krishna consciousness now find themselves in the world of matter, which covers but also reveals Krishna. The Srimad-Bhagavatam recommends that as a first step practitioners of Krishna consciousness may learn to perceive the world of matter as a feature of the virat rupa, the universal form of Krishna. Material scientists also try to understand the world of matter but in terms of atheistic views, or views that acknowledge God only as the initiator of the world of matter, which then continues to function as if there were no God. Continue reading "Science and Krishna Consciousness: Questions on How to Position Oneself
→ Dandavats"

Sri Advaita Acharya Appearance Day Celebrations!
→ Mayapur.com

“Who can describe the unlimited glories of Advaita Ācārya? I write here as much as I have known from great authorities. I offer my obeisances ten million times to the lotus feet of Śrī Advaita Ācārya. Please do not take offense at this. Your glories are as fathomless as millions of oceans and seas. Speaking […]

The post Sri Advaita Acharya Appearance Day Celebrations! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

How to not feel dissatisfied because of our limitations
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk at Singapore]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

PPT:

Video:

The post How to not feel dissatisfied because of our limitations appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Meet Bhaktin Elsa, a young artist at ISKCON Sweeden
→ Dandavats



Meet Bhaktin Elsa, a young artist at ISKCON Sweeden (9 min. video)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Krishna stresses the importance of remembering Him. One‘s memory of Krishna is revived by chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krishna. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one’s ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord. (Bhagavad-Gita 8.8 Purport)

At the house of Advaita Acarya / В доме Адвайты Ачарйи
→ Traveling Monk

During Kartika, in Santipur, at the house of Advaita Acarya, I received unimaginable mercy. The pujari kindly placed the sacred salagram-sila that Advaita Acarya had worshipped 500 years ago, while appealing to the Lord to appear, on my head.

На карттику в доме Адвайты Ачарйи в Шантипуре получил невообразимую милость. Пуджари по своей доброте поместил мне на голову священную шалаграма-шилу, которой Адвайта Ачарйа поклонялся 500 лет тому назад, призывая Господа явиться.

Mother Chaitanya Dasi ACBSP passed away, today, on the…
→ Dandavats



Mother Chaitanya Dasi ACBSP passed away, today, on the auspicious appearance of Srila Advaita Acarya.
A glorious, auspicious passing of a dear disciple of Srila Prabhupada, on Advaita Acarya’s appearance day! Surrounded by devotee friends and family chanting Hare Krsna, with Srila Prabhupada. Decorated with garlands from New Raman Reti’s Lordships. All Glories to your lifetime of service to Srila Prabhupada, All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
More photos here: https://goo.gl/bpaXDg

Why did Rama banish Sita?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Chowpatty, India]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Why did Rama banish Sita? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Nityananda Trayodasi – Sunday, February 17th, 2019
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Sunday, February 17th, 2019 we will be celebrating Nityananda Trayodasi, the auspicious appearance day of Nityananda Prabhu. The name Nityananda means eternal happiness. Nityananda Prabhu appeared in the 15th century as the principle associate of Lord Caitanya, who is none other than Lord Krishna Himself. Together they helped spread the chanting of the holy names of the Lord far and wide. Nityananda Prabhu is considered to be the most merciful incarnation of the Lord. 
He was extremely compassionate and often delivered even the most materially conditioned souls. He is always so absorbed in love and devotion. 

Come join us as we glorify and seek the blessings of the merciful Nityananda Prabhu. Festivities will begin at the temple on Sunday, February 17th, 2019 from 4pm - 7pm and will include a special darshan, a discourse about Nityananda Prabhu, a beautiful bhajan, and a vegetarian feast.