Planet ISKCON

Mayapur Times is a newsletter of the Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir. The newsletter aims to inform and inspire the local ISKCON community by reporting monthly activities, events, developments and news. Attached is Issue Two: August 2018.

Фотоальбом с FB – Great Expectations!

For the past fews days I have been going around Vraja-mandala with a small group of devotees scouting out places to take our larger parikrama party of 350 devotees during the month of Kartika. As always, we’ve met with so many wonderful transcendental adventures. The people and places of Sri Vrindavan Dhama are superior to any other holy places in the universe. All holy places find their origin in Vrindavan. In fact, Srila Rupa Goswami writes that anyone who leaves Vrindavan to go to other holy places achieves nothing but the trouble it takes to get there. All glories to Sri Vrindavan Dhama!

A short look into life in Vrindavan as we make final preparations for our upcoming Kartika parikrama. Yesterday in the morning we visited Radha Vallabha and Gopiswara Mahadeva temples. Then we offered prayers at the samadhi’s of Srinivasa Acaraya, Ramchandra Kaviraja and Hemlata Goswami, asking for their blessings as we traverse the land of Krsna.

By Bhakti Raghava Swami

There are several existing Hare Krishna communities around the world that have established “Vedic villages” in their own way. Although we may aspire to live in an ideal Vedic village, I don’t believe there is any one model that can be copied everywhere because the local conditions and culture in each country will present its own set of challenges and will require specific solutions. Continue reading "How to Live on a Farm in the 21st Century
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This event will focus on the training and organization of 10 Action Teams composed of dedicated community members to address the focus areas that have emerged from the NRR Community Survey and its analysis during Conferences 1 and 2.

Kanpur GBC meeting (Album of photos)
Ramai Swami: The GBC has a meeting midyear and for the last 10 years it has been at one ...

Awaken The True Essence Of Your Being By Chanting The Maha-mantra!
Learn to nurture your higher nature and discover harmony, ...

How to develop Krishna consciousness (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HH Badrinarayan Swami in Iskcon Kanpur, Oct 16, 2018

Answer Podcast

The post Are negative emotions due to a lack of compassion towards oneself? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 01.18 The Pandavas lost Pandu but gained Drupada as a father figure appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The GBC has a meeting midyear and for the last 10 years it has been at one of temples in India. Devotees come from all of the world to participate in either the general meeting or subcommittee meetings.

Our hosts, Devakinandana prabhu and the management of ISKCON Kanpur, provided fantastic facilities and looked after everyone wonderfully. The schedule was full with subjects concerning ISKCON around the world, present and future.

By the TOVP staff

There are many transcendental ways of interpreting the Lord’s most special lila as Damodar, the child Krishna Who is bound by the belly to a wooden grinding mortar with rope by Mother Yasoda. This article focuses on the significance of Mother Yasodas’ rope always being two inches too short, no matter how much rope she kept adding. And how the TOVP, like Lord Damodara’s own body will only be bound and finally completed by great endeavor, devotion and love on our part, and the final mercy of the Lord. Continue reading "Kartik and the TOVP
→ Dandavats"

Lord Krishna: “I am too hungry! Just give Me anything to eat”.
“Durvasa arrived at the Pandavas’ cottage hungry with his ten thousand disciples just after Draupadi had finished her meal. King Yudhisthira greeted him respectfully and offered obeisances to the exalted sage. He then invited him and his disciples to lunch. When the sage accepted the invitation, King Yudhisthira asked Durvasa to go and bathe at the nearby Devanadi (Vimala Kunda, at Kamyavana). But when King Yudhisthira learned that Draupadi had already eaten from her magical pot, he became worried. If Draupadi had eaten, her mystical pot, a gift from the sun god, would produce no more that day. If the Pandavas were unable to feed their ten thousand guests after they had been invited, the wrathful Durvasa would certainly curse them. A distressed Draupadi prayed to Lord Krishna to save them. At the time, Krishna was lying on Rukminidevi’s bed, and she was fanning Him with a camara. Although for His pastimes it seemed that Krishna was present only in Dvaraka, as the Supreme Lord He is always present everywhere, so He heard Draupadi, whose heart was full of devotion, and appeared before her immediately.

What Now? is a New Zealand institution. The children’s television program has been running for nearly forty years and is one of the top ten most popular shows in the country.

For the first time, the ISKCON Governing Body Commission (GBC) meeting is being held in ISKCON Kanpur, India. Spiritual leaders from all over the world, from America to Europe, China, Africa, Asia, Australia, Russia, have come together to transform this small temple of Kanpur into a true spiritual United Nations.

A video by Barnaby Booth.

The Jaguar’s Story, a children’s book written by Kosa Ely (Kosarupa Dasi) and beautifully illustrated by Radhe Gendron, has received two prestigious awards this week. 

Rucira Devi Dasi: Himavati told me a story from the first trip with Srila Prabhupada to India. The devotees were living in tents and Hansadutta refused to sleep with her in their tent. All the other couples were sleeping together in their own tents. So she snuck into Srila Prabhupada’s room and slept in his closet.

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Explore Gita - Autumn 2018 (Album of photos)
ISKCON Birmingham: Last Sunday, we started our Explore Gita course with over 80 new students in Walsall who all received a Bhagavad Gita each. Here is some feedback from our students:
‘My friend and I came to class today and wanted to give our feedback; we really enjoyed and cannot wait to get to it. I was in a class with P and she had one of the other teachers. We wanted to let you all know we’re grateful you put on such a course and look forward to the upcoming weeks!’ - A & D

'Excellent delivery and amazing jewels of knowledge from Bhagavad Gita. Can’t wait for next week!’ - G

'This is what I just needed, life is hard at the moment and just being in contact with you and Gita all has helped me so much. Bless you all.’ - N
Find them here: https://goo.gl/xGnp3f

Iskcon Kanpur (Album of photos)
Aniruddha Dasa: ISKCON Kanpur is a big temple. The guest house, from which I took the first shot last night, is very comfortable. We are being looked after better than I deserve. I am again stunned by our Founder Acarya’s vision. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s desires are being fulfilled all over the world. Very much so here in Kanpur.
Smara Hari: This temple was fully constructed…..from foundations to first Aarti in only 18 months.
60 brahmacharis were brought in from other temples simply to perform street harinam. This daily activity enabled the collectors to successfully solicit donations from businesses and individuals.
Devakinandan from Mumbai coordinated the entire effort. The extremely fast construction is none-the-less excellent in finish and aesthetic yet practical in layout and design.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/PCZ2Ez

Kartik mood in Vrindavana (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If we become pure devotee of Krsna, then my love will be extended to everyone. Not only my society, but to everyone. It is not that “This is my children; that is other’s children.” All children. All human being. Not my countrymen – all other countrymen. Not only human being, but even animals also. That is sneha. It is not that “I am safe, and let the animals be killed in the slaughterhouse.” No, that is not love. Love means for everyone. Samah sarvesu bhutesu. Equality to all living entities. That is real love. That is real concern, Krsna consciousness. A lover of Krsna will hesitate to kill even one ant. You know the story, Mrgari. That is love.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/A5nZZh

Appreciating other people’s contributions (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HG Anuttama Prabhu at Iskcon Kanpur

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By Radha Sakhi Dasi

Local media in past few weeks, has been mostly reporting news about political, sports and social events with paprazzi, but this time while covering the GBC Meeting, they were not just amazed and awestruck but they were deeply touched. Kurma Avatar Das has been in touch with the local media for quite some time now, and an event of this stature being hosted in Iskcon Kanpur obviously attracted a lot of media attention. He is mediating and coordinating the media coverage of the event. While interacting with a journalist, at one point he exclaimed, ‘Where are these swamis from? They are such unique people with such varied ethnicity. Each of their lives are so different yet they have Lord Krishna, their devotion, their struggles and Srila Prabhupada in common. Whether it is the travelling swami (Bhakti Marg Swami) who travelled all over Canada or the Kirtan Maharaja (Lokanath Swami), they are all amazing personalities’. Continue reading "Media filled with wonder in ISKCON Kanpur
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The Braja & Vrindavan parikrama’s are the perfect opportunity to delve deeply into the pastimes of Krishna, Radharani, the cowherd boys and the gopi’s. And again, in 2018, you can join the transcendental tours of Braja with Kadamba Kanana Swami. Find the schedule below for an overview. Registration is required to join as it helps us organizing it smoothly.

In less then a month the Braja parikrama’s will commence but you can already relive the experiences; 2017 and 2016.

Register

Register Braja Parikrama’s *

The costs of a parikrama is 130 Rupees per day. Kamyavan and Badrinath will be 220 Rupees per day.

* Limited seats available!!! Be sure to register quickly.

Vrindavana Pairikrama Schedule 2018

• 12 Nov Madhuvan & Talavan
• 13 Nov Varsana Parikrama
• 14 Nov Puncari,Nrsimha Temple, Raghava Pandita’s Cave
• 15 Nov. Radhakunda, Mukherai
• 16 Nov Vrindakunda, Pavana Sarovara, Moti Kund
• 17 Nov Prema Sarovara, Sanket, Anjanokha.
• 18 Nov Kamyavan, Vrindadevi, Dharmakund, Lanka, Chaurasi Kambha, Vyomasura’s Cave
• 19 Nov Ekadasi – by bus to Dauji, Raval
• 20 Nov Manasi Ganga – Tribhuvanatha’s Samadhis, (Kusum Sarovara) Uddhava Kund, Narada Kund
• 21 Nov Break (initiations)
• 22 Nov Vrindavana
• 23 Nov Ghantoli , Badrinatha

Practical notes

Some parikrama’s will start very early and end late. Make sure you dress appropriately for the weather, take enough water with you and make sure you have a breakfast and/or lunch pack with you! Be mindful of your luggage and valuables during the trips. The management is not responsible for lost luggage, theft and other misplaced items.

Contact info

Your contact person for the Braja parikrama’s in 2018 is Charu vinda prabhu. You can find his details below.

Email: kksparikrama@gmail.com
Cel. number +919082271007
WhatsApp +971555435545

Registration form

[contact-form-7]

The article " Braja Parikrama 2018 " was published on KKSBlog.

There are many transcendental ways of interpreting the Lord’s most special lila as Damodar, the child Krishna Who is bound by the belly to a wooden grinding mortar with rope by Mother Yasoda. This article focuses on the significance of Mother Yasodas’ rope always being two inches too short, no matter how much rope she kept adding. And how the TOVP, like Lord Damodara’s own body will only be bound and finally completed by great endeavor, devotion and love on our part, and the final mercy of the Lord.

The comparison is not hard to understand; even material things require much endeavor and the permission of the Paramatma for their success. There are five factors in all action according to the Lord in Bhagavad Gita and the fifth and most important is the Supersoul. And in the case of devotional service and the Lord’s lila, He is certainly the main contributing factor, utilizing His yoga-maya to bring about His pleasure pastimes. But endeavor, emotion, and devotion on the part of the devotee are an intrinsic part of that lila to increase the Lord’s pleasure. The Lord must taste the struggle of the devotee to achieve his service objective, to make His pleasure complete.

The construction of the magnificent, immense, historic and expensive Temple of the Vedic Planetarium is the epitome of devotional endeavor for ISKCON as an Institution. It is the fulfillment of a long-standing order coming through the disciplic succession of Gaudiya acharyas and the deepest desire of our Founder-Acharya, Srila Prabhupada to “make it (the Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir) rise, bigger and bigger until it becomes the full moon. And this moonshine will be spread all over the world.” Once satisfied by our hard endeavor, the Lord will be pleased by our mutual endeavors, complete the temple, and bless us with complete satisfaction and His unlimited mercy.

This 2018 Kartik is a month to make a vow of charity and sacrifice to help the MISSION 22 MARATHON to complete the TOVP. It is a month to remember Sridhama Mayapur with every lamp offered. The TOVP Team have rolled out yet another donation option that is ideal for all devotees during this month, whether they have already given to the TOVP or not: The Daily Victory Flag Seva Opportunity. Our goal is to stretch our limits and raise $500,000 during this Kartik.

Please go to the link below and offer a Victory Flag with your Kartik lamp and give the Lord your whole heart of love and devotion. In the end you will experience the greatest satisfaction and bliss of assisting His lila in the final manifestation of the TOVP.

https://tovp.org/fundraising/tovp-daily-victory-flag-sponsorship-an-ideal-kartik-seva/

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 Kartik and the TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Balancing material and spiritual life - B.B Govinda Swami (3 min video)
King Pariksit continued: “The ability to talk can be perfected only by describing the transcendental qualities of the Lord. The ability to work with one’s hands can be successful only when one engages himself in the service of the Lord with those hands. Similarly, one’s mind can be peaceful only when one simply thinks of Krsna in full Krsna consciousness. This does not mean that one has to have very great thinking power: one has to understand simply that Krsna, the Absolute Truth, is all-pervasive by His localized aspect of Paramatma. If one can simply think that Krsna, as Paramatma, is everywhere, even within the atom, then one can perfect the thinking, feeling and willing functions of his mind. The perfect devotee does not see the material world as it appears to material eyes, for he sees everywhere the presence of his worshipable Lord in His Paramatma feature.”

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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 01.17 Don’t let minor grammatical disputes overshadow major narrational and philosophical thrust appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post What is the significance of Duryodhana’s use of the past tense in Gita 01.09? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Talk at ISKCON Silicon Valley, San Jose, USA]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

Video:

The post When life hurts 1 – when a small mistake causes huge problems – Parikshit M pastime analysis appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at Salesforce, San Francisco, USA]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

Video:

The post Finding security in insecurity appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Chaitanya Charan Das

Many people think of a villain as a person who enjoys by exploiting and harming others. Though not wrong, this conception of evil is incomplete and naïve as it ignores a fundamental reality: our supremely responsible and loving father, God. Probably most of us never got spiritual education to realize that it is God who selflessly provides us our daily food. It is true that we have to work hard to earn our living, but our effort is secondary; its like the hard work of the birds searching for grains. Without God pre-providing the grains through nature, their search, no matter how painstaking, would be fruitless. Continue reading "Have You Burnt The Ravana Within?
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Today marks Sri Rama-vijaya-dasami (Dasara, or Dussehra), the day on which Lord Ramachandra vanquished the powerful tyrant Ravana. As described in Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.7.25):

vaksah-sthala-sparsa-rugna-mahendra-vaha-
dantair vidambita-kakubjusa udha-hasam
sadyo ’subhih saha vinesyati dara-hartur
visphurjitair dhanusa uccarato ’dhisainye

“When Ravana was engaged in the battle, the trunk of the elephant which carried the king of heaven, Indra, broke in pieces, having collided with the chest of Ravana, and the scattered broken parts illuminated all directions. Ravana therefore felt proud of his prowess and began to loiter in the midst of the fighting soldiers, thinking himself the conqueror of all directions. But his laughter, overtaken by joy, along with his very air of life, suddenly ceased with the tingling sound of the bow of Ramacandra, the Personality of Godhead.”

Srila Prabhupada comments, “However powerful a living being may be, when he is condemned by God no one can save him, and, similarly, however weak one may be, if he is protected by the Lord no one can annihilate him.”

Ravana is the personification of lust and envy, which can disturb the execution of pure devotional service.

May Lord Sri Ramachandra and His devotees protect us all.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

By Radha Rasikraj Das

The youth are the driving force of any movement. So much so that vibrant ISKCON what we see today had it's earliest members as the hippie youth of New York. Since the beginning of creation the youth are being preached to carry forward the words of Lord Krishna far and wide. Narada Muni, acharya in our parampara, is the pioneer of Youth Preaching. With it's purity, enthusiasm, knowledge and dealings ISKCON has been instrumental in attracting youth from all walks of life into the Bhakti movement started by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. But there was always a need of association and getting benefited by mutual sharing of ideas and resources. This was the seed of ISKCON INDIA YOUTH CONVENTION (IIYC). IIYC was started by the efforts of HG RadheShyam Prabhu in the year 2016. The first venue was ISKCON Mayapur. In 2017, last year the venue was ISKCON Kanpur. Last two years IIYC has been able to attract a lot of enthusiastic youth preachers from all over India. The feedback received from both the IIYC participants and the host temples have been amazing. Every year has been an amazing experience with the numbers increasing. Continue reading "ISKCON India Youth Convention (IIYC 2018)
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By Radha Sakhi Dasi

The GBC members meet twice a year, once in Mayapur (spiritual headquarters) and the second time in another place. This year the meet during the latter half of the year, is being hosted by Iskcon Kanpur, while the former was hosted by Iskcon Mayapur. Iskcon Kanpur is a growing centre with over 80% of the members being the youth. The Director and an inspirational leader Devakinandan Das humbly invited the spiritual leaders to Iskcon Kanpur promising them a unique experience, and living up to everyone’s expectations the leaders and the local youth are having an enriching experience together. Along with his team, Devakinandan Das, ushered and welcomed every guest with a warm heart and has ensured their safety and wellbeing. The temple president, Prem Harinama Das along with Radha Ranjan Das and Amritesh Krishna Das and a group of young devotees have been working relentlessly to ensure the success of this Meet. Continue reading "Global-Spiritual Confluence in Iskcon Kanpur
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Шрила Прабхупада, ваша милость – все, из чего я состою…
“Вы не можете выжить без моей милости, и я не выживу без вашей. Это взаимно. Эта взаимозависимость основана на любви – сознании Кришны”.

[ письмо Шрилы Прабхупады ученику, 22 января 1976 ]

____________________

Srila Prabhupada, your mercy is all that I am made of ….

“You cannot survive without my mercy and I cannot survive without your mercy. It is reciprocal. This mutual dependence is based on love—Krishna Consciousness.”

[ Srila Prabhupada letter to a disciple, January 22, 1976 ]

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Answer Podcast

The post Amidst problems, how can we avoid giving up the things that give us strength? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 01.16 Yudhishthira doesn’t come first in the list of warriors but is still their undisputed leader appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The nine steps are as follows;

1. Shraddha - preliminary faith (not strong) 
2. Sadhu Sanga (associating with like minded and advanced devotees) 
3. Bhajana Kriya (performing devotional service based on rules and regulations) 
4. Anartha Nivrti (gradually freeing one's self from unwanted propensities) 
5. Nishta (faith becomes stronger) 
6. Ruci (cultivate a taste as result) 
7. Asakti (cultivate attachment to Krishna and His form, pastimes and Holy Name) 
8. Bhava (spontaneous attachment and preliminary stages of love) 
9.  Prema (unalloyed love for Krishna) 

This is a deep subject that can be justified by senior realized devotees and/or by studying Nectar of Devotion. Below is my 2 cents. Krishna Consciousness is a science albeit a science of non-matter. Normally, science is attributed to matter that which can be tested and verified. So if science equals testing and verification, then these steps exactly show us that anyone regardless of background when they take up to Krishna Bhakti will personally experience the nine symptoms above. That is the test and our verification. The beginning is faith (shraddha) and it is not strong faith. This faith is secondary mostly, dependent on guru, sadhu and shastra. This faith is sentimental and or theoretical. The journey has to begin from here. In the Western Judeo-Christian religions, all they have is Step 1. They believe in God and thats it. But as you can see, our acharyas have given a systematized exposition on this subject clearly stating its predictable symptoms. For the initial faith to go from theory to reality requires practical application which is the rest of the eight steps.

Without sadhus and blessings of sadhus (again this is an esoteric idea since blessings is not testable or sensual however it works) it is difficult almost to nil that our chance to progress in spiritual life. If they bless, we have to accept the blessings. The way we accept their blessings is through seva or bhajana kriya. This submissiveness of accepting the blessings of sadhus and shastra is the beginning of our real spiritual life (punctuated in our life as initiation or diksha). Diksha is not a ritualistic ceremony. To the degree we accept the blessings in the form of service, to that degree we will experience the remaining steps. Sadhus here not only refers to one's spiritual master but also a new devotee walking into the temple. Although we associate with elevated souls but by pleasing devotees of all caliber Krishna is pleased. But if we just focus on pleasing guru and not pleasing other vaishnavas then our understanding of bhakti is incomplete as we fail to see the relationship with Krishna and the new devotee.

As a result of pleasing Krishna, there is a sense of fulfillment (much like a hungry man who had a full meal) and this fulfillment provides us a sense of inner security and peace of mind that Krishna will protect. As a result, the soul will not hover anymore or desire to hover on the mode of passion and ignorance. The soul will voluntarily journey to satva guna or mode of goodness by giving up unwanted material lifestyle (anartha nivrti) and become more benevolent, compassionate and charity minded to all beings. The desire now to be submissive to guru, sadhu and shastra will become more intense and focused (nisha).

The rest of the journey is pretty much like auto-pilot mode because once the soul gets a higher taste (ruchi) and feels relief from the pangs of material miseries, the soul will journey closer and closer to Krishna (asakti). It is like if we are feeling cold, and journey towards heat we will not stop once we feel the initial waves of heat. Similarly, spiritual world and spiritual life is the anti-thesis of materialism which means relief from material miseries. Once we taste spiritual peace and happiness, the soul will not stop. Having said that we should still have determination to stay on the path since we are in this material creation and at any moment calamity can befall. Thinking like this, the soul is not proud of his security and position but rather humble always praying to Krishna for shelter and protection with a desire to seek His association (bhava).

This utter dependence on Krishna and literally crying for His mercy is the real sign that we are on the path and close to the destiny of Krishna prema which is step nine of the bhakti sequence.

Hare Krishna

Today I arrived back in Vrindavan after 8 long months away. I immediately went to Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi and gave him a
first-hand report of my preaching throughout the year in Australia, Russia, Poland and most recently the USA. After taking darshan of Radhe Syama myself and a small group of devotees went to the Radha Raman Temple in downtown Vrindavan. I was fortunate to be asked to lead kirtan for the Lord there! Finally we went to to the nearby samadhi of Srila Gopal Bhatta Goswami where I met my old friend, Jnana-Syama das babjaji, the caretaker of that most sacred place. Many thanks to Ananta Vrindavan dasa for so nicely capturing in photos our first day back home. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

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By the Admin

Please note that the site will not be updated for a few days due to regular maintenance. You can still browse and read all the already published articles as also submit comments. New articles, announcements, reports etc sent in will be considered and published after the maintenance work is finished. Sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. In this post you will find some appreciative comments the site has received. Continue reading "A notice to our readers
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 01.15 The devoted see God before they see the world, the undevoted see only the world appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.