Tuesday, February 19th, 2019
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Calgary, Alberta

Five Stops

Today I championed seven kilometres on the walking track. With me were companions Atmaram, Radha Madhava and Saci Pran. I found it advantageous to walk in socks, but to be a sport, I donned hiking boots for a photo. That was my first event of the day.  

Four more visitations of sorts were to follow, beginning with a few minutes of feel-good talk at a Fijian home, then lunch at a couple’s house where several sacred Tulasi plants grow luxuriantly indoors. The person tending to this family of plants is Sarva Mangala. It’s impressive what she does.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BuGlGzEAb-D/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=3fyg0v7p0xi3  I then did another home visit to Yogendra’s. He is a Nova Scotian-born chap, and with an El Salvadoran wife raises three little angels for kids (no sarcasm implied with the word ‘angels’).

The last venture of the day was at a downtown community hall which has two spaces: one being used for seniors who were enjoying an old-style dance (perhaps the Tennessee Waltz? My guess.), while the second room is where I delivered a message on the theme of  “Warming Up With the Walking Monk.” Somehow I was in sync with the weather pattern of the day, when all was white and bright, and melting.  I referred to the warming up as an analogy for getting closer to the self, the atma.

In the present age in which we live, most of us have turned a cold shoulder to our spiritual side. The talk today then dealt with exploring your inner self and taking the practical steps to do so.  I was pleased with the attendance and the questions.

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Monday, February 18th, 2019
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Calgary, Alberta

Genesis

The walking track inside Genesis YMCA worked out just fine for us.  7.7 laps means you’ve put in one kilometre.  Okay, so if I’ve got my math right, a mere thirty-six circles will get me an hour’s worth of walking and leave me with five kilometres.  That’s BINGO for me!!  A winner, but still a minimum winner over the thirty-four to forty-two I used to accomplish.  It’s something.  Whether outdoors or indoors, it’s something.

I’m not that intimidated but the 28 below temperature outside, but I would likely be alone.  It was more important to bond with some of the prominent  members of the Radha Madhava Cultural Centre.  After all they had organized a sweet festival the day before and similarly a duplicate today.

With Family Day on in Alberta today, people had the time and interest to attend a diksha or initiation ceremony for Yogita, age nineteen, whose new name is Yugala Priti. Friends and family came to see her sit before the fire, make her vows, hear mantras and partake of that delicious Krishna food.  (Oops, it was a little hot.)

For a young person to come forward and show a solid commitment as Yugala has done, leaves others inspired to take such steps as well.  There is a senior gentleman of seventy-six who lives in the centre’s ashram.  Yes, Haresh is very enthusiastic to take vows on following what’s sometimes called “the principles of freedom.”

May the Source be with you!
5 km



Sunday, February 17th, 2019
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Edmonton, Alberta

Don’t Quit a Good Thing

Madhava, age fourteen, came to the temple with his soccer uniform on.  No problem for me regarding dress code.  I’m glad he turned up for the tail-end of the program, which was in honour of Lord Nityananda’s birthday.  It was along the same theme as yesterday—take care of your physical self in order to serve others better and for a longer period of time.  So, Soccer Boy, keep up the good work!

Madhava did mention that their team had lost every game, yet he didn’t feel defeated or discouraged.  He’ll go out there and play again.  That was in Calgary.

I also met Ben who came to the Festival for Nityananda.  He explained to me his dark past—heroin and a victim of  abuse on several levels.  He has gone through re-hab and is now in a good space.  In other words, he didn’t give up.  He struggled but fought to win.  He also really enjoyed the program, the food, the chanting and my talk.

Also in the morning, I met Ella, who came to Edmonton’s version of the Festival.  I’m always concerned when a newcomer visits because they can sometimes experience culture shock, due to a certain style of worship, and the oddities that arise from traditional behaviour. Also everyone trying to help a newcomer by over-helping and sometimes not doing anything at all can be off-putting.  Well, Ella passed the test of our sometimes dysfunctional abilities in the greeting department.  She had a nice time, I’m told, And she said she’ll come back.  She won’t quit and is not a defeatist, hopefully.

By the way, Nityananda was a great spiritual luminary in 15thcentury India.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Saturday, February 16th, 2019
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Edmonton, Alberta

Full Day in Edmonton

We sang a song for Heta, age ten and going on eleven on Monday.  Today was the celebration.

“Hare Krishna to you!  Hare Krishna to you!  Hare Krishna dear Heta! Happy Birthday to you!”

Heta was all smiles as we sang with feeling. She was sitting there, as we surrounded her, giving her the kind of moral support required for a young person, these days.  Family and friends seated in the clan’s suburban home was nice, but our crew of two vehicles full, made it a fifteen minute only stopover.  Heta was happy and that’s what mattered.

Our group from the Radha Madhava Cultural Centre was in between visits.  We had come from a workout (rather a walk-out session) at Meadows Community Centre. Physical exercise should always be a component in the life of a bhakti yoga practitioner.  If we want to serve others, then we must include ourselves as well.  Recreation is not a sin.

After Heta’s birthday experience, we headed straight for a healing facility at the edge of downtown.  Jagajiwan is our host for a program called “Spirit Matters.”  He’s a good host.  Currently, he’s taking massage therapy lessons and is on his way to becoming certified.  In any event, I conducted another one of those “Tales from Trails” sessions, and it was well received by a small gathering.  It is flu season and a number of people just couldn’t make it.  They had a few good laughs, especially when I mentioned about the officer who checked out Dave, my support person, who explained I’m doing this power walking for the healing of the nation.  

“Is it working?” the officer queried.

To which Dave replied, “Sure, can’t you feel it?!”

May the Source be with you!
8 km


Friday, February 15th, 2019
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Edmonton, Alberta

Back at the Ed

Chandan, an economics teacher, picked me up at the airport.  He was kind. I couldn't resist asking him something about oil-rich Alberta.

"How is the province's economy?"

Chandan shook his head and said, "It'll take a couple of years before things get more stable."

The mood that ensued in our conversation was one of, "Oh well, such is the world with all of it's dualities." He added, "When the unemployment is high the education and liquor industries are on the rise, studies show."

That's an interesting observation.

Chandan had his family also as passengers in the van as we were talking.  Their two children are actually a set of twins at four years of age.  We drove to their home for a grainless meal on this ekadasi day, a day known for a fast of sorts. Every two weeks, followers of Vishnu keep our diet minimal.  There are reasons of a spiritual nature that keep this tradition alive.  This abstinence from grains and legumes has its physical benefits as well.  Digestive powers are given a relaxing break.

On the following day, we talked about the walking we're all missing, especially my craving for it.  With temperatures at -25 celsius, it wasn't too enticing, and time was also becoming a factor.  "We will go to Meadows Community Centre and hit that walking/running track," said one of the congregants at my final destination, the RG Cultural Centre. I agreed to that, and so plans are in the making for a trek and a chant for the next day. Can't wait!

May the Source be with you!
0 km


Adding Unicode Support to the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase. Now, text…
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Adding Unicode Support to the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase.
Now, text you copy and paste text from the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase® can come out right — diacritics and all — for anyone you share it with. A simple, free plugin for the desktop VedaBase program makes your text come out in Unicode. That means you can paste your text in an email, on Facebook, or wherever and the diacritic marks will come out right: Kṛṣṇa, not Kåñëa.
The update comes in the form of a small file (a “plugin”) you can easily download and install. Simple instructions come with it.
The plugin gives you three ways to copy text:
Copy with Unicode
Copy as plain text (no diacritics)
Copy with diacritics the old way (no longer recommended)
For each of these three ways, you also have the option to include a reference.
You can download the file here: https://goo.gl/puQ8kB

Radha Kunda Parikrama (23 Feb, 2019) (Album of photos)
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Radha Kunda Parikrama (23 Feb, 2019) (Album of photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: By the mercy of Srimati Radharani, we entered Her Holy Dhama of Radha Kunda, the most sacred place of the universe. Not only did we offer our prayers and obeisances at Sri Radha Kunda and Sri Shyama Kunda, but we visited many sacred places around the banks, such as Sri Raghunatha Das Goswami’s Samadhi, Bhajan Kutir and Sri Krishna Das Kaviraja Goswami’s Bhajan Kutir where Sri Caitanya-Caritamrita was written. We were delighted to find renovation in full swing at Raghunatha’s Bhajan Kutir.

May he kindly correct me / “Пусть он милостиво меня поправит”
→ Traveling Monk

I very much appreciated this post today by Giriraj Swami!

“Today is the appearance day of Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He was very kind, but also very strict. He said of himself, ‘I am not only a proofreader of the press; I am a proofreader of men—-I see their faults and try to correct them. I am also a proofreader of religion. I have appeared in the zodiac sign of the crab, so whenever I see anything undevotional, I act like a crab. If I see any so-called devotion, not actually in the true unalloyed spirit, I shall pierce it!’

May he kindly correct me as he sees fit.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami”

 

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Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura on Pure Chanting
Giriraj Swami

“We will not be able to chant purely as long as we are absorbed in material thoughts. How can we chant Krishna’s name if we are not inclined to serve Him? A person interested in sense gratification, who is fond of cheating and who is a hypocrite, can never chant the holy name. Those who do not understand that the Lord’s holy name and the Lord Himself are nondifferent will face obstacles in chanting. Chanting begins when we are inclined to serve the Lord. Unless we are convinced that the holy name is directly the Lord Himself, how will we chant? The Lord’s sacred name does not manifest on the tongue if the heart is filled with the current of mundane thought. Therefore, it is not possible to chant the holy name until the mind is spiritualized. Only a person whose material conception has been destroyed is able to chant Hari’s name constantly.

“We are suffering because we serve our material desires. If our material desires are strong we will become Maya’s servants and may even take birth as ghosts or evil spirits. When by serving guru and Krishna the heart becomes purified, the Lord’s pure name will appear in the heart. Otherwise, we will continue to commit offenses against the holy name.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Preaching program in Istanbul, Turkey (Album of photos) 70…
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Preaching program in Istanbul, Turkey (Album of photos)
70 guests attended the Nityananda Trayodasi festival.
Srila Prabhupada: In the Adi Purana Krishna tells Arjuna: “Anyone who is engaged in chanting My transcendental name must be considered to be always associating with Me. And I may tell you frankly that for such a devotee I become easily purchased.” (Nectar of Devotion, 12)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/jo4xah

The Gita’s transformational power explained through four special words in its last verse
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk on Bhagavad-Gita 18.78 at Melbourne, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post The Gita’s transformational power explained through four special words in its last verse appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Understanding what is contextual and what central in scripture
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[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura’s three quotes on preaching – Purpose, perspective, process
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class on Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura appearance day at Melbourne, Australia ]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Sri Vyaspuja Mahotsav of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad at Sridham Mayapur.
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The Sri Saraswat Gaudiya Vaishnav Sangha that includes all the important Gaudiya Mutts of Nabadwip, Swarupgunj , Mayapur along with International Society for Krishna Consciousness ( ISKCON) celebrated the 146th divine appearance day of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupad at Mayapur on 24th Feb as Sri Vyas Puja Mahotsav. The Sangha consists of senior members from all the temples.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Appearance
→ Ramai Swami

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura appeared at Jagannatha Puri on 6 February 1874 as the son of Srila Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura. In his childhood he quickly mastered the Vedas, memorised the Bhagavad-Gita, and relished his father’s philosophical works. He became known as “The Living Encyclopaedia” for his vast knowledge.

He preached convincingly against casteism and philosophical deviations from Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He tried to unite the four Vaisnava sampradayas by publishing their teachings. Srila Sarasvati Thakura earned the title Nrsimha Guru for his fearless and powerful delivery of the Vaisnava siddhanta. Mayavadis would cross the street to avoid confronting the “lion guru.” Besides being a courageous preacher, he was ornamented with all divine qualities and full of ecstatic love of God. He established 64 Gaudiya Math temples in India and centres in Burma, England, Germany.

His three “Brhat-mrdangas” (printing presses) in Madras, Calcutta, Krishna-nagara used to pump out books, magazines, and newspapers to spread the message of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

When asked why he printed a daily spiritual newspaper entitled Nadia Prakash, Srila Sarasvati Thakura replied, “If an insignificant city can produce five daily newspapers, then why can’t we publish a newspaper every ‘Second about the eternal, ever-fresh transcendental activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His unlimited spiritual planet, Goloka Vrndavana?” 

Apart from his father’s writings, he published many authorised sastras: Bhagavad-Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Caitanya Bhagavata, Caitanya Mangala, Prema-bhakti-candrika, and his favourite book Sri Caitanya-Caritamrita. He predicted that foreigners would learn Bengali to relish the nectar left by Srila Krishna Dasa Kaviraja in the Caitanya-Caritamrita.

 He introduced many innovations to expand preaching. All over India he staged free theistic exhibits and dioramas depicting the pastimes of Sri Krishna and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Employing the latest technology, he even had animated dolls. To commemorate the many holy place

In Radha-Govinda’s eternal pastimes in Goloka Vrndavana, Srila Sarasvati Thakura serves as Nayana-mani manjari. His puspa samadhis are at Radha-kunda and Radha Damodara


The VedaBase Unicode plugin
→ Jayadvaita Swami

The VedaBase Unicode plugin makes diacritic marks come out right
Now the VedaBase
can do it right

Now text you copy and paste text from the Bhaktivedanta VedaBase® can come out right — diacritics and all — for anyone you share it with. A simple, free plugin for the desktop VedaBase program makes your text come out in Unicode. That means you can paste your text in email, on Facebook, or wherever and the diacritic marks will come out right: Kṛṣṇa, not Kåñëa.

To find out more, to get the plugin, and to find out how to plug it in and use it, go to https://vedabaseunicode.wordpress.com.

The post The VedaBase Unicode plugin appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
Giriraj Swami

Today is the appearance day of Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He was very kind, but also very strict. He said of himself, “I am not only a proofreader of the press; I am a proofreader of men—I see their faults and try to correct them. I am also a proofreader of religion. I have appeared in the zodiac sign of the crab, so whenever I see anything undevotional, I act like a crab. If I see any so-called devotion, not actually in the true unalloyed spirit, I shall pierce it!”

May he kindly correct me as he sees fit.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Jagannath Ratha Yatra Bogor
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By Hari Narayana Das

As one of the participants of the festival devotees prepared the chariot nicely. the preparation was held at parking area in front of stores area. Devotees from Bali came earlier and made flower garland and the chariot team reassembled the chariot. A bus full of devotees from Lampung also participated on the ratha yatra of Lord Jagannath. They also carried Lord Jaganntah, Lord Balaram, and Their beloved sister Subadra devi on long journey from Lamung to Bogor. Devotees from Lampung arrived in Bogor at 01.00 A.m. and directly headed to Sri Sri Radha Govinda temple. Continue reading "Jagannath Ratha Yatra Bogor
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This Is The Proof / Доказательство
→ Traveling Monk

Srila Prabhupada then changed the subject. “How do we know Krishna is God?” he asked us.

“Because Krishna says so in the Bhagavad-gita,” a devotee said.

“Anyone can say that,” Prabhupada countered.

I piped up, “You told us so, and you’re a representative of Krishna, a spiritual master . . .”

“Someone will say I am just an old man.”

Not knowing what else to say, we were silent.

After a few moments, Prabhupada said, “You know Krishna is God because you feel His presence when you chant, as well as when you serve. You feel the ecstasy—this is the proof.”

[ “By His Example” by Guru das. Chapter, ‘India’ ]

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The Perfection of Chanting Hare Krsna / Совершенство воспевания Харе Кришна
→ Traveling Monk

“The purification of one’s chanting hari-nama means as soon as you chant the holy name of Krsna you will see the form of Krsna, realize the qualities of Krsna, remember the pastimes of Krsna. That is pure chanting of Hare Krsna mantra. That is stated in the commentary of Srila Jiva Goswami: that a pure devotee who chants Hare Krsna mantra immediately realizes the nama, rupa, guna, lila – everything about Krsna, simply by chanting the names. You will feel the form of Krsna. You will remember all His qualities. ‘Oh, Krsna is so qualified – He is so magnanimous.’ Then you will remember His lila pastimes: ‘Oh, Krsna instructed Arjuna. Krsna played with His cowherd boys. Krsna had very nice talks with the gopis, with His mother, Yasoda.’ These things you will remember. That is the actual perfection of chanting.”

[ Srila Prabhupada quoted in ‘Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita’ Volume 4, Every Town and Village – Around the World. 1968 – 1971 ]

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Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s commentary on the story of Ekalavya
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Hare KrishnaBy Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

In his book of essays, entitled Upakhyane Upadesa, "Instructions in Stories" (Gaudiya Mission 1936), Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives the following commentary on the story of Ekalavya: The translation from the original Bengali is by H.H. Bhakti-caru Svami. To many people, Ekalavya's devotion to his guru is ideal, but there is a special consideration...What was Ekalavya's fault? That should be considered. Wearing the mask of guru-bhakti (devotion to the guru), Ekalavya actually revolted against his guru. Whether his guru was actually considering him to be disqualified by birth in a low-class family, or was simply testing him-- for whatever reason--when his gurudeva refused to teach him the art of Dhanur Veda, it was Ekalavya's duty to accept the instruction of his spiritual master. Continue reading "Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s commentary on the story of Ekalavya
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Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s South India Tour
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Hare KrishnaBy Srila Sarasvati Thakura

He said that previously the upavita was not used, only the dhoti and upper cloth, but later it became acceptable for brahmanas to wear an upavita instead of an upper cloth. When the Bengali devotees expressed surprise that South Indian brahmanis wore their saris with a kaccha, Srila Sarasvati Thakura stated that this was the correct Vedic method. Continue reading "Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s South India Tour
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Sparking Joy
→ ISKCON News

Unless we are on a total media fast, we have likely heard of the notion of tidying our home with the KonMari method of asking the question of our belongings - ‘does this spark joy for me?’. If not, we thank it for being in our life and bid it farewell. What’s powerful about this is the experience of personalism.