Gita 01.43 Hearing is important, but from whom we are hearing is even more important
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Damodar Lila Lecture by HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami
→ Mayapur.com

Just few days left for  Kartik festival to come to a close. Last five days of Kartika, devotees observe Bhisma Panchaka Vrata, especially devotees gather at holy dhams like Mayapur , Vrindavan, Puri to celebrate this Vrata. Today HH Bhakti Purusottama Swami spoke on the sweet pastime of Damodar lila- which will continue for next […]

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Thursday, November 15th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk


Buenos Aires, Argentina

Service is Safest

I’m staying in a small house that’s plopped onto a flat rooftop of the temple building. I have been chanting on my beads while pacing on that rooftop.  This is how I’m getting some mileage in, all except for the occasional sit-down on a bench where the temple cat, Ruki, comes to join me.  I think she likes hearing my chanting.  She wants some affection so I give her a stroke with my left hand, every so often, while my right hand is fingering the beads.

One of the reasons for walking or pacing on the rooftop is that the traffic is a bit crazy outside at street level.  There are many one-ways, and street lights cater only to the motorists.  There isn’t always a light to caution the pedestrian. Just see how most things are geared up for the automobile and not the person?

Another reason for avoiding the street, to some extent, is for another level of safety. Since a friend of mine was attacked in the rather safe city of Vancouver, then drugged, stripped and hung, suspended head down from a tree for twenty-four hours, I’ve been less inclined to trust.  This was last September at the edge of Stanley Park.  He managed to get loose, crawl through a forest trail moaning for help, where a female runner found him and then called the police.  My friend is a bhakti-yoga practitioner and is in his early sixties.  He spent days in the hospital with torn ligaments.  On the phone he sounded quite confident and strong, fortunately. Anyway, the world we live in is running less safe.  The greatest safety is in service.  I'm glad to be engaged with a group of loving dramatists during my stay in Argentina.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Wednesday, November 14th, 2018
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Buenos Aires, Argentina

Time in the Basement

“How are you doing?” asked Seva Kunj in the midst of our play practice.  He could have asked me that in Spanish.  That’s the least I know.  My Spanish is poor.

“So far, so good!” I replied.

“I wish we had a saying like that in Spanish.”

“You don’t have?” I asked with curiosity.

“No!”

And so the whole day rolled out with trying to direct the drama through a Spanish/English medium.  We have scripts for “Many Mothers, Many Fathers” in both languages, but it becomes very time consuming utilizing both languages, though necessary.  Already the hours are long—10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a half-hour break for lunch.  No complaints. It’s all done in His service.  After all, it’s a drama with a spiritual message.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In fact it was before 10:00 a.m. while having breakfast with Godbrother Virabahu that we both reflected on our good fortune in having a spiritual life.  I asked him, “Where would you be if you didn’t live consciously?”

“I don’t know where I’d be.  I can’t imagine.”

I added, “I probably would have jumped off a bridge.”

He raised his eyebrows when I said that, as if to personally concur.  Yes, we are grateful for our work, even though it’s hard at times.  He expressed some of his administrative challenges “where you often detect the dark side of spiritual life,” he said.

Admiringly I replied, “You sacrifice a lot.”

For myself I put no time into walking today…. Just too dead by the end of the day.

May the Source be with you!
0 km


Tuesday, November 13th, 2018
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Buenos Aires, Argentina

We’re Here

In the line-up at customs, which seemed to last forever, the tall, athletic man behind us was a flying trapeze artist.  He was curious about Balaram and I, especially since noticing my robes. Whenever there is a shared complaint, in this case, a slow, crawling queue, conversations strike up.

“What are you guys up to?” asked Greg.

Balarama was quick to respond. “We’re here for a festival.  Maharaja, here,” referring to me, “is a director of plays. We are performing at a downtown park on Sunday, at an event called Ratha Yatra.”

“Cool!”

Balarama continued. “It’s a story from the Vedas, from India.  How about you?”

“I’m here for a few months—used to work with the circus—flying trapeze.  I’ll be doing some swimming.  Races.” said Greg.

“In the river?”

“No, an Olympic pool!”

Our conversations went on and we felt like we had met a friend, or rather, reunited with a member of the troupe.  Upon arriving at ISKCON’s property in Buenos Aires, we met Parama Karuna, professional dancer, an actor from Peru, who is definitely one of our guys.  There’s artist Camila, and sound expert, Seva Kunj, her husband.  They are poised for a play that will have ample time for rehearsal, hopefully.

Also at the entrance to greet us was Vira Bahu, from Los Angelas, leader of the centre, friend and well-wisher.  We practiced for hours—didn’t skip a beat and had fun pulling a reality—a play—together.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Monday, November 12th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario

Connecting With Natives

Just before departing for the airport, two native fellows from the Cree Tribe came to visit.  Whether it was a true story or not, about them being survivors of the ill-fated residential schools, I agreed to their favour.  They are from James Bay, way up north.  They needed something for air fare to get back home.  Both were quite coherent and respectful.  I was happy to meet them.

Balaram and I then left for the flight to Argentina, which is just under eleven hours long.  I took to my rounds of chanting, did some reading and then watched a documentary on trekking some of the great trails of the world, which climaxed at Nepal and Mount Everest.  God knows I have a tough time sleeping on a plane.

I also took the opportunity to view “Woman Walks Ahead” a feature film based on American history, about the artist Caroline Weldon, and Chief Sitting Bull.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Weldon  https://www.history.com/news/caroline-weldon-sitting-bull-portrait-painter-native-american-activist   https://truewestmagazine.com/sitting-bulls-gal/
It was nice and I came to some reflection on the native folks again.  It also brought memories of walking Lower Michigan in 2016.  I came to a town where the museum has as their treasure on display, some original drawings by Sitting Bull.  He was a good artist.  The pieces on display were renderings of horses, which were his way of getting around.

The story in the film leaves a sad ending with the death of the chief.  That European invasion of the Americas was tragic as are many events in the world.  The recent shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue, the deadly fires in California, and many more challenges of natural or unnatural causes demonstrates the insecure state of affairs.  We must strive to do better with what is in our power. 

May the Source be with you!

1 km





Sunday, November 11th, 2018
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Ottawa, Ontario

Contemplate On Those Who Gave

Jagajivan and I hit the trail at a silent hour.  Perhaps a contemplative tranquility pervaded, because on a double level, on this Remembrance Day morning, we were reflecting on sacrifices made by men and women in times of war, and today also marked, by our lunar calendar, the passing of our guru, Prabhupada.  We are indebted.

I read my poem on the images of Prabhupada to two groups of audiences.

Images of You

There are many moods projected about you
Reflected in pics, so many, not few.
They are diverse colours of a true saint
That are captured by camera or brush with paint.

Moods of gravity, solidity and weight,
The serious look that defines the great.
Moods of lightness, moments of humour,
Of laughter, jokes and human candour.

My favourite photos are of your smile.
They inspire and push for the extra mile.
They lure and lock-in an eager soul
Who’s on a search for the ultimate goal.

You say, “The face is the index of the mind.”
The exterior can determine the kind.
Dare I judge the face, Your Divine Grace?
Yet I presume purity rests at that place.

You profile as a master, scholar, or king,
A general, a warrior, the spirit of Narasingh.
Paradoxically, you’ve shown your ability
To portray a servant in all humility.

There are images of you, in reverent prayer.
Those are the stills not really so rare—
Images of concern for us as we go
On a hobble or a crawl and move so slow.

I like the pics when you enjoyed the play.
It was in New York at the end of one day.
Krishna eloped with the grand princess,
Rukmini, being the damsel in distress.

It was drama that brought you some delight
As actor princes put up a good fight.
Your viewing the play is precious indeed,
An impression that waters the bhaktiseed.

There are action shots of your teaching and talking.
Action shots of reading and walking.
They are signatures, brands, trademarks—
Images that pull us out of the dark.

Grateful are we for those generous poses
That strike the heart like petals of roses.
One frozen moment of your deep contemplation
Leaves us with a piece for worthy conversation.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

Saturday, November 10th, 2018
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Russell, Ontario

Tis the Life

Jagajivan, Samuel and I took to the trail on this day of utter shanti, peace.  Oh, how fortuitous it was—like heaven.  Fresh air.  The snow ran through it, leaving a freshness which is so conducive for walking with the mantraon your lips.

We veered off to penetrate through a conservation haven comprised of cedars and hardwoods.  Below our feet were newly-fallen leaves in a sprinkled-snow-and-slush combination. The three of us had no doubt in our minds that this is where we wanted to be.  We were one.

The inevitable reality is that the trail does come to an end.  We had to surrender to the look and the culture of timeline-ing. By 8:00 a.m., we had to be in the Registry Building, now a cultural hall were devotions to Krishna and judo martial arts take place.

The rest of a perfect day then rolled out—a day of sanga and hearing from others on the devotional path from different parts of Canada.  What a congenial group we are!  Of course I can say so of others.  For myself, I can surely attest to spurts of rotten consciousness.

We began with Guruvastakam, a song in honour of guru.  That’s how every day actually begins, with men and women swaying and praying.  A mrdungadrum, a harmonium, and a pair of kartalsare the instruments that make the sound of the song complete.

Our meetings began, meaningful, relevant, reassuring and continued into the night, with breaks in between.

Tis the life!

May the Source be with you!
6 km

Friday, November 9th, 2018
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Russell, Ontario

His Foot

The season’s first serious snowfall came down, white, wet and slushy.  Our footwear wasn’t quite adequate for the sidewalk.  Jagajivan, Anuttama from Calgary, and I stepped into the Russell music academy and into the ‘Waiting Room’ for shelter.  That’s actually a Friday night veggie hangout.  Locals were doing a live rendition of the Beach Boys’ “California Girls.”  That was quite neat.  It was a brief stopover for us.

In reality, I was looking for an opportunity to find a great image to shoot, something that would say tons.  Nothing was coming up that I could share.  It had been a full day of presentations.  They were informative and fulfilling, nevertheless it made us sedentary. Only once did we ask Jagajivan to get us up off our laurels for some stretching.  He is our chosen boy as a trainer.  That was the best and only stretch for the day.

When we retreated with the Montreal monks to our evening station for sleeping, at Krishna Dulal’s home, I saw a possibility for a pic.  It was the pose of his home deity which captured me.  The deity goes by the name Natabara, dance master, a name reserved for Krishna. One of the monks, Marshall, held up a light.  Click! There it was—Krishna’s leg on a lotus pedestal while the other foot is suspended in the air in dance formation. Beautiful!

May the Source be with you!
1 km

Gita 01.42 Disruption of dharma leads to overpopulation of disruptive souls, causing total breakdown of dharma
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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ACE your life with gratitude
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[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Baltimore, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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4 principles to get past our past – PAST – Positivity, Association, Spirituality and Time
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Washington DC, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Vrndavana Braj Parikrama – Day 4
→ KKSBlog

Written by Rukmini dd

On the banks of Sri Radha-kund we gather.

“Let us sit down and hear about what we are really seeing. There is another reality here that is available to those who are absorbed. Since we do not have spiritual vision, Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami opens our darkened eyes in the Govinda-lilamrta and shows us…”

“Krsna arrived at Radha-kund. The jewelled staircases lead to pavilions encrusted with precious stones.”

We sit on the hard stone steps, looking out at the dark waters glistening in the sun, punctuated by withered marigolds.

“There are four pavilions on the corners, each with swings of a specific grove of campak, kadamba or mango. In the yellow campak grove is a golden swing and when Srimati Radharani sits there with her golden hue, it appears as if Krsna is alone.”

All I see are odd-shaped walls of odd colours and a Facebook advertisement for “Love Radha.” An aged pilgrim offers the holy water out of a spouted jug back into the kund.

“A golden bridge leads to a golden jewelled palace in the centre of the kund where the maid servants of Vrinda devi prepare for the divine couple. A gopi sweeps the floor with her hair.”

Nothing but flies buzz persistently around our hair and skin.

“The waters of these kunds are the liquid love of Radha and Krsna. Who are we to go deep into it?” Maharaja questions. Indeed our vision stays shallow but we see through hearing.

“Among the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the most dear to Krsna. Her kund is as profoundly dear to Lord Krsna as this most beloved of the gopis. Who then will not reside in Radha-kund and, in a spiritual body surcharged with ecstatic devotional feelings, render loving service to the divine couple? Such persons are the most fortunate in the universe.”

Tempted to dip in?

“I am not going to say jump in today. I am not sure if my seniors will smile upon me if I did. But think of how spiritual this place is and the depth of the conjugal pastimes of Radha and Krsna that occur here. Then think of yourself. Are we pure? Are we following everything all the time? Even if we are, what garbage are we bringing from within the cemeteries of our minds into the waters? I will not tell you not to bathe but think if you are qualified.”

Maharaja quotes Satsvarupa Das Goswami that actually the most sacred places in Vrndavana are Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi and his rooms in Krsna Balarama mandir. “Sick or not, I will be at the samadhi mangal arati. That is my connection. That is where I plug in. This morning I went there to refresh my connection with Srila Prabhupada and then I can come here to see a golden bridge with a palace in the centre.”

I did not see a golden palace. Poor connection? We search for the mercy of the vaisnavas.

We circumambulate the sitting place of Jahnava mata who was given a prominent position at Radha-kund as she led the vaisnava society after Lord Nityananda. Maharaja is cajoled into a puja for Radha-kund by a persistent panda who knows him well. We bow down at the samadhis of Raghunatha Das Goswami and Krsna Das Kaviraja Goswami. The bhajan kutir of Krsna Das Kaviraj Goswami is where the Caitanya Caritamrta was written. Maharaja prayed that he may also write a book on the Caitanya Caritamrta. The book is a lifetime’s endeavour. We visit the sitting places of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda and float back to the bus on the beautiful kirtan led by Advaita Simha Prabhu.

Maharaja stops for a quiet moment at Mukarai, the home of Srimati Radharani’s  grandmother-in-law. The parikrama has been busy, noisy and intense and he seeks a moment of reflection and escape from the external covering.

“In Krsna’s pastimes, Radha-kund is a private place and going there is meant to be an internal situation. Not to just discuss Radha-Krsna pastimes but to meditate on how far away we are (from that reality) and how the sankirtan movement is actually able to take us there, just as it has brought us here now.”

The article " Vrndavana Braj Parikrama – Day 4 " was published on KKSBlog.

Awakening Feelings of Urgency
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Awakening Feelings of Urgency
Sacinandana Swami: Bhakti takes two forms in this world. On the one hand the form of activities you perform with body, voice and mind, and on the other hand the form of feelings. These devotional feelings are the inclination to serve Krishna in a favorable way, in other words giving pleasure to Him. The feelings of bhakti-bhava also include eagerness, gratitude and being moved by genuine love.

At the Villages of Great Saints (Album of photos) Indradyumna…
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At the Villages of Great Saints (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The other day we visited the bhajan kutir of Jayadeva Goswami in Champahati and the birthplace of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya in Vidyanagar. We had kirtan and katha about these great devotees for hours. We also had darshan of the Gaura-Gadadhara deities worshipped by Gadadhara Pandit’s brother, Vaninatha Pandit.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/EBdTyB

3 principles for inner empowerment – Intelligence, Identification, Intention
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[Congregation program at Washington DC, USA]

Podcast


 

Video:

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Gita 01.41 When the family is disrupted, the faith of the children is also devastated
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 01.41 When the family is disrupted, the faith of the children is also devastated appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

If someone gets a special service that we long for, how can we see that devotionally?
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Answer Podcast

The post If someone gets a special service that we long for, how can we see that devotionally? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

struggle for existence
→ Servant of the Servant

Our existence is filled with struggles. It is because nature is designed in such a way that we are dependent on other beings for sustenance. Dependence requires cooperation and where there is no cooperation, there will be struggle. Struggle to align body and mind with health and well-being. Struggle to work as a community and prosper economically and socially. Struggle to ensure I am happy and everyone is happy in this world. As hard as we may try, unfortunately, mankind has never made everyone happy at all times. Therefore, we can say struggle for existence is a constant in this world.

As practitioners of bhakti, struggle takes a different meaning. It is not so much meant to conquer nature, and people and man-made systems to make ends meet but rather a struggle to tolerate the ever changing mind and try to fix the mind unto the Lotus Feet of Krishna. While it is necessary to do the needful in terms of satisfying the demands of the mind and body, however, it is more necessary to practice indifference to the movements of the mind and practice taking shelter of Krishna. This practice of seeking shelter will help us tame the turbulent mind and the more we humble our self to Krishna, the easier it will be to tame the mind or in other words be indifferent to the mind.

Struggling to take shelter of Krishna is the permanent solution that puts a full-stop to all struggles for material existence!

Hare Krishna


2018 GBC Midterm General Meeting Resolutions
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By the GBC

It is hereby resolved that Resolution 7.5.1.4 is amended as follows: 7.5.1.4 When a Suspended Guru May Be Rejected “A disciple of a suspended guru who has severely lost faith in his or her spiritual master, and is unable to regain faith, even after hearing many instructions in the matter, may take permission from the spiritual master for release to accept a different initiating guru. If the suspended guru is not willing to give permission, then the disciple may approach their local GBC representative and the Guru Services Committee, and present this desire to them. If the GBC representative is either the guru under suspension, or the guru the disciple wishes to be reinitiated by, then the Guru Services Committee will request another GBC member they feel is suitable to take up the matter. If the GBC member and the Guru Services Committee give their permission, the disciple may accept a different initiating guru.” Continue reading "2018 GBC Midterm General Meeting Resolutions
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On Disability
→ ISKCON News

Hinduism contains probably the most lucid exposition of the distinction between body, mind and soul; and it also asserts that each of us should have the opportunity to enjoy good health, the full span of life and the use of all our physical and mental faculties. These philosophical issues are often assumed to be opposing and, indeed, some individuals may be extreme in their personal outlook.