Monday, December 17th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Cleveland, Ohio

To the Prison and the Trees

Arjuna has been in prison for fifteen years and has a short time left to complete his sentence for manslaughter.  Those details are interesting and he's been doing extremely well as an inmate.  They loved him at Trumbull Correctional Institute and now he stays at a new facility where it proves the same.  He gets along with everyone.

Arjuna was not always "Arjuna."  He added that spiritual name to his family and given name which is Aaron, some eight years ago.  My friend from Salem, Ohio, is Akilananda, and he is a chaplain who introduced me to this young(er) man.  He steadily chants his mantras and works out.  

"I try to get outside (within the fence) as much as I can," he told me today.  

He's in good shape on the physical and spiritual level.  We are proud of him.  

"Krishna's looking after me."

Adios, Arjuna, and good luck with your upcoming welding career.

Michael and Paurnamasi, my hosts in Cleveland, are a fine couple, and after the trip to prison, the three of us ventured over to the Metro Parks System in Cleveland for a walk in this diverse deciduous-tree haven.  The leaves are on the forest floor leaving it easy to spot a deer, woodpecker, chickadee and various other forms of wildlife.  Rocky River is a river vein that attracts the wild wonder.  On one rock, there is inscribed a quote from John Muir.  "But in every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

This is absolutely true.  Thank you, Divine Couple, and thank you Akil, Kaustuba and Dhananjay. Good to meet you Jason.

May the Source be with you!
4 km



How to have a peaceful mind?
→ Servant of the Servant

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna many times talks about the equanimity of the mind. He says we have to treat success/failure, honor/dishonor, pain/pleasure equally and such equanimity of mind is called yoga or mind control or mindfulness. 

To do this, 
  1. We have to learn to tolerate both good and bad. If we become too happy then naturally we will also not react well when things go wrong.
  2. We also have to refrain from interpreting incidents in our life as gain or loss. When we qualify something or someone as favorable (gain) or unfavorable (loss), then invariably we will fall in the trap of duality of happiness or sadness. 
  3. We have to spend time understanding that my life, my family, my job and my assets is a result of something more than just me or my efforts. No doubt, because of our hard work, we reach a certain socio-economic status but it is incorrect to think that I am the sole reason for my success or failure. There are other moving parts that we do not control and those parts either assist or desist our progress. So having a broader vision for life is necessary to understand our own progress.
  4. We have to be grateful not as a matter of political correctness but genuinely from the heart understanding truly the assistance we received. In this way, we must be grateful to mother nature as she is providing our needs, great sages who have given us spiritual wisdom,other beings such as animals who help us with our needs,family and friends,other humans who participate in our life,and parents/grand-parents/fore-fathers without whom we cannot be where we are. We have to acknowledge and be anxious to return the favor we receive.
  5. Finally, like it or not, this creation exists due to a super intelligent being whom many call God or universe etc. Whatever superlative we want to use, we have to accept there is a grand design in this universe and without that we cannot do anything. To the ultimate designer, with a pinch of affection and love, we doff our hat!
By having an all-encompassing thought process (aka mature) about life with all its variety, we will only be centered and not skewed one way or other. This centeredness or equanimity is essential for having a peaceful mind. 

Hare Krishna

Poetry from the Walking Monk – *BEST AVATAR*
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Hare Krishna

I consider myself to be in good hands—God's—when trekking a trail. Despite the mild weather of today and the willingness to experience the +3°C, destiny had it that I was to be temple-bound all day long. For me the high point of the day entailed the morning discussions at the Bhagavatam class led by Hara Kumar on yogis who took to spontaneous combustion.

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Mayapur International Preaching – Srila Prabhupada’s Dancing Elephants
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Hare KrishnaWith over 25 songs with various instrument accompaniment and many dance routines and their skills in kirtan, the Mayapur International Preaching group is fully equipped to inspire through their own example how to live a Krishna conscious life. These devotees inspire thousands upon thousands of people, because to the people, seeing these devotees giving up their material comforts and desires to take up their own Vaisnava culture puts things into perspective for them.

The cloud of illusion
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 May 2016, Vrndavana, India, Bhagavad-gita 3.34)

We may not be fully Krsna conscious, our love for Krsna may not be so deep and there may be other desires. But this is just restlessness. How much faith do we have in these other desires? Which devotee can claim to have full faith in sex life? We may be attracted to sex life but do we have full faith that it will make us happy? After having heard transcendental knowledge, it is hard to have full faith in material enjoyment. Still, we may have a flirtation with these desires here and there sometimes. For a moment we may be in the pink cloud of illusion, but then we come back to the hard reality of suffering and again, we endeavour more seriously to get out of the material world.

The article " The cloud of illusion " was published on KKSBlog.

Mayapur International Preaching – Srila Prabhupada’s Dancing Elephants
→ Mayapur.com

 “Preaching can be a difficult, thankless task, but a preacher must follow the orders of the Supreme Lord and be unafraid of materialistic persons.” – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.5.39, purport His Grace Sudama Das (ACBSP) recalled when Srila Prabhupada was leaving Tokyo to go to India. “He (Srila Prabhupada) said, ‘I have opened the West. Now […]

The post Mayapur International Preaching – Srila Prabhupada’s Dancing Elephants appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Gita Jayanti
→ Ramai Swami

The auspicious day on which the Bhagavad Gita was revealed to Arjuna by Lord Krishna at Kurukshetra, 5000 years ago, is celebrated as Gita Jayanti. It is observed on the Shukla Ekadasi, the 11th day of the waxing moon of Marga-shirsha month.

Literally meaning ‘the song of the Supreme Lord’, Bhagavad Gita prompts individuals to think about the nature of the supreme soul, the individual soul, time, nature and activities.

Celebrating Gita Jayanti includes readings and discussion on the Bhagavad Gita and It is observed with great devotion, not only in India, but around the world.

Sun Love Feast – Dec 23rd, 2018 – Vedic discourse by His Grace Ananda Gauranga Prabhu
→ ISKCON Brampton


About His Grace Ananda Gauranga Prabhu :His Grace Ananda Gauranga Prabhuji is a disciple of His Holiness Radhanath Swami. He has been serving at ISKCON Scarborough in various capacity along with his whole family. He always inspire us with the nice Vedic discourses and the way he personally practices Krsna Consciousness.


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



Dec 31st 2018 7pm onwards 
New Year Eve & Devotee Appreciation Celebrations 
















Saphala Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Tue Jan 1st,  2019
Breakfast................  on Wed Jan 2nd, 2019 b/w 7:52am – 10:52 am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or
simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and 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.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 

ONGOING PROGRAMS

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.

Who’s the Mother of Magic Realism?
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Who’s the Mother of Magic Realism?
Mukunda Goswami: In the Ramayana, the vanara Hanuman takes flight like a bird, and enters supra-mundane realms.
Sometimes it’s fun to take a retrospective—a look back at what was happening in the world a few years ago. The following article originally appeared in the Hindustan Times, New Delhi, on November 9th, 2005.


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I SEE YOU IN THE SKY!
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I SEE YOU IN THE SKY!
Sacinadana Swami: “I would believe only in a God that knew how to dance.” - Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra
A few days ago, I went for a long walk with a very dear friend. We were so absorbed in our talks that we forgot the time. All of a sudden, we found ourselves surrounded by the pitch-black night.
A recent hurricane had torn off the branches of many timeworn trees and uprooted numerous others, leaving us an ominous path back home. Fortunately, my friend had a mobile phone with torchlight function, and our eyes were thus firmly fixed on the bumpy ground ahead. When we finally emerged out of the dense forest, both of us spontaneously stopped, as if on cue.

“Ah…just look!” was all we could say.
(This post has been viewed 441 times so far)

Is God cruel?
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Is God cruel?
Sacinandana Swami: Recently I received a letter in which someone wrote: “I am struggling with the concept that Krishna fully loves the living entities. When I look at the way He deals with someone who does not surrender to His desires, it seems He is quite annoyed and punishes him with heavy circumstances like war, rape, death, doubts about the purpose of his life and many other sufferings. Is someone who creates cruel circumstances for all those who don’t do His will really full of unconditional love? Imagine someone who torments a friend severely, just because he decided to go separately on a holiday trip.”
I thought about this question deeply, and then answered, “This question was precisely my first and most urgent question to my own spiritual master. I asked him, “Why has God, whom you praise so much, created such a cruel world?’”


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Winter in Vrindavana (Album of photos) Indradyumna Swami: Winter…
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Winter in Vrindavana (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Winter has set in and it’s cold here. But the Vrajavasis don’t seem to mind as they are always thinking of Krsna. I would also like to always remember the Lord and thus I constantly meditate on Sri Vrindavan dhama, His eternal abode and residence.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/ciEvg1

The legal battles to establish public Harinama in America
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The legal battles to establish public Harinama in America.
Satsvarupa Das Goswami: “I don’t remember the exact details, but somehow I decided to go to the library to research the Supreme Court’s decisions about the type of activity we were carrying out. I discovered that almost all these decisions were made by the Supreme Court Justice Warren in the ’40s and ’50s, and almost all the cases referred to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. There was one laywer I noticed—he was himself a Jehovah’s Witness—who had gone again and again to the Supreme Court and won. In delivering the judgment, Justice Warren had made strong statements about how the First Amendment approves the right of people to share their religion in public places. The fact that they asked for donations didn’t make it any less religious. Thus I discovered that the Supreme Court had clearly defended ISKCON’s right to witness our religion on the streets and to collect money for our tracts.

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If we resolve to wake up at a particular time and wake up at that time without an alarm, is that due to our subconscious mind?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post If we resolve to wake up at a particular time and wake up at that time without an alarm, is that due to our subconscious mind? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

A visit to Singapore or Simhapura (Album of photos)…
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A visit to Singapore or Siṃhapura(2018) (Album of photos)
Singapore is a sovereign city-state in Southeast Asia. The name of the place was derived from Sanskrit Siṃhapura (siṃha is “lion”, pura is “town” or “city”). It is one of the world’s most prosperous countries which lies just one degree north of the equator and boasts the world’s busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences along with a tropical climate, this Garden City makes a great stopover into the region for tourists. We had a wonderful time there with the devotees of Jagannath Mandir which is located at the heart of Little India region. We visited Gardens by the Bay and were amazed to behold the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. We visited Mariamman Temple, which is Singapore’s oldest temple since 1827. The iconic Merlion Park and Helix bridge in Marina Bay were great places of tourist attraction. At Singapore Airport we saw Butterfly garden and Sunflower garden.

Gita Yoga in Bali, Indonesia – Gita Jayanti National
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Hare KrishnaBy Nila Kamala das

On Sunday 16th December, devotees in Bali, Indonesia celebrated one of the biggest events of the year. Gita Yoga was the event and preparation for this event had taken months of determination and dedication. What is Gita Yoga? Gita Yoga is an attempt by ISKCON Indonesia to share the teachings and importance of the Bhagavad Gita to the public. The event was held in the famous Bajrasandi Park. The day started early at 6am where the general public who flocked in by the hundreds laid down their yoga mats and performed various yoga postures following the instructor on the stage. The idea was to encourage the public of a more simple and natural life. After the exercises, devotees explained about yoga from the Bhagavad Gita. Continue reading "Gita Yoga in Bali, Indonesia – Gita Jayanti National
→ Dandavats"

NASN November 2018 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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Hare KrishnaBy Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of November 2018. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN November 2018 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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How can motivate us to move on in our spiritual life – can the saints’ realizations inspire – don’t we need our own experiences?
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Answer Podcast

The post How can motivate us to move on in our spiritual life – can the saints’ realizations inspire – don’t we need our own experiences? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sunday, December 16th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Cleveland, Ohio

Moving Around in Cleveland

Kaustubha and I walked to Olmsted Falls while morning was dark.  We were charmed by the rustic beauty of this little enclave with rushing river, covered bridge, antique shops and other shops selling stuff you don't really need.  It's a place for the rich, except for a couple of paupers like ourselves.  The place has a "Silent Night" feel to it and that's for everyone.

Now, every Sunday, followers of bhakti meet at Lakewood Young Filmakers Academy on Madison.  At exactly 11:08 a.m., I began speaking, not about film-making but of the wellness that comes from spirit-walking.  By that I mean chanting and striding along.  I told of my trekking adventures across the U.S. and Canada. Also in the quaint space, we chanted and did rock-dance.

Over in another end of town, the east end, Michael and Paurnamasi took me to the home of Krishnanandini and Tariq.  I spoke from the GIta, verse 15.14 where Krishna identifies Himself as the “fire of digestion”.  The word "fire" was significant because a fire was ignited in the fireplace from twigs gathered from the backyard.  We call this ceremony a havan and the group of people who came were there to partake in the diksha or initiation of Jake who's sixty-six.  I explained that the event is not really an initiation but more of a confirmation that the mantras he's been chanting will now be a life commitment.  Congratulations!

We followed this ritual with a wonderfully wild kirtan/chanting session.  The talk was conducted in a mood of sobriety but not without some jokes here and there.

May the Source be with you!
7 km


Saturday, December 15th, 2018
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Columbus, Ohio

Having A Focus

I flew to Columbus and was then driven to a community hall in Dublin for an appreciation banquet dinner.  Prema Vilas—Prema means "love" so I refer to him as "Mr. Love"—organized the event and asked that I speak about the value of community.  From the spiritual perspective, I did.

"The basis of common unity, as the name implies, is to have a common goal.  Let us picture a very young Krishna who has been playing and herding in the pasture grounds of Gokula.  It's lunch time and He sits in the middle of the circle of His friends.  They enjoy looking at Him eat, talk and joke.  He is the whorl of the lotus and they, the boys, are the petals.  The petals have a centre on which they are hooked.  Krishna was popular with these boys, the gopas, and also with the girls, the gopis, as well as the adults of the village.  The point is we must have a central focus for there to be a strong community."

I was so happy to be in a room of what I consider a strong community for Columbus.  They are raising funds for a seven-million-dollar temple facility.  I was also glad to see my godbrother and godsisters, Yadhavacharya, Kamagiri, Krsnanandini and Malati.

There is a lot of material out there that delineates the concept of strong community.  It is good material but I believe it misses on one thing and that is the spiritual component in life.  Life is like an empty shell when the spirit is absent.

Michael, Paurnamasi and I then drove through rain-driven madness all the way to Cleveland.  It was Day 2 for no walking.

May the Source be with you!
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