Tuesday, October 9th, 2018
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Grimsby, Ontario

More Trail

I opened the door of Alex’s van in order to step out, and was greeted with a warm wind.  The last portion of the Niagara section of the Bruce Trail was to be completed with a thirteen kilometre stretch.  So Alex, our driver—also a lover of hiking, which he did with us—Karuna, and I began with ease, moving along through vineyards and apple orchards.  It was a cinch in the beginning.  Then we got to the really serious stuff—the steep inclines, the slippery rocks, some broken and tottering as you stepped on them.   https://brucetrail.org/places/9

This kind of hike is not the kind where you want to be caught in a lot of conversation.  It requires much attentiveness to the game.  Every step must have eyes over it.  The way I see it is the brains are at optimum work and that’s good.  By the last kilometre, I was rather bushed, in the bush.  Even Karuna, decades younger than I, was feeling soreness, although he usually zips right through.

Squirrels were making their happy sounds.  Black walnuts are up for their harvest.  Trees are changing colours very slowly.  It’s a hot autumn and rose to 24° Celsius today. Unusual!  We helped ourselves to inviting grapes and apples.

At one point, the trail takes you through private properties. Only hiking is permitted.  At one home-owner’s place, we were blessed to go right down his laneway.  Rod, the owner, was super nice, went inside to fill our water containers, and also offered us the medicinal herbs he takes, but, “No,” the water was good enough.

May the Source be with you!
13 km




Monday, October 8th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario

Give Tanks of Thanks

I’m back in TO, and to accompany me on a blissful 5:30 a.m. walk through posh Rosedale were some visitors—monks from Montreal.  It’s Thanksgiving Day in Canada and so it’s a perfect way to say thanks to the Creator for the trees, air and fresh smells of the morning.  People are sleeping and are tucked in after weekend aggrandizements.  This means peace prevails.  Yes, it’s very Godly outside.  We need more of this.

Do Krishna monks enjoy a dinner on this day?  Most definitely.  For our local crew, an invite had come from a Mauritian family. Samosas with cilantro chutney, yarrow, asparagus soup, Chinese noodles, as well as dragon fruit for desert, were everyone’s yummies.

The last time I had a meal with the family, the Kathas, I dined with a Buddhist monk who was residing in the building, and that was nice.  It’s always wholesome to eat and talk over exchanges of the spirit.

A second meal was in honour of Godbrother (Go Bro) Vaisesika, who comes here charitably with his time twice a year to enthuse all in the noble act of sharing the wisdom of the Bhagavat.

Between those meals, it was necessary to recuperate from a lengthy drive of eight hours through the states of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York, until we reached the vibes of Canada—always a little quieter.  Thanks!

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Sunday, October 7th, 2018
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Moundsville, West Virginia

Topic of Sexuality

The final day of the MAN-tra retreat permitted space for discussions on human issues.  What are considered controversial topics, under the theme of sexuality, came to the table.  Topics such as illicit sex and what that really means came up.  Also, where do you place pornography and masturbation—into what category?  These more sensitive areas of discussion were very important to the minds of the participants.

In a more ‘closed’ session, one attendee expressed that he goes to work daily on 5thAvenue by walking, and while walking listens to discourses by Prabhupada.  At the same time, the marketing of sex is all pervasive from billboards, shop windows, moving busses, in subways, etc.  How does a young man deal with the apparent temptations?  How do you keep cool under such conditions?

Valid concerns!

We were proud of the fact that for a humble start 120 persons registered.  Presenters were additional.  Some local residents also came to participate.

I really want to thank Anuttama who was the main sea captain behind this vessel.  He and I dreamed up this project and it is something we want to continue for next year.  I also want to thank Rajni from Florida, Vraja Kishor from West Virginia, and Kaustubha from Cleveland who all made my stay in New Vrndavana, in the hills, so comfortable.

May the Source be with you!
2 km


Saturday, October 6th, 2018
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Moundsville, West Virginia

Day Two

Day Two of the Men’s Retreat, or rather Man-tra Retreat, went super-well.  By the way, Trafrom the word Mantrais defined as ‘liberating,’ so I believe the title or theme of our weekend is about men being liberated.  http://www.newvrindaban.com/man-tra-retreat/Professor Burke Rochford has studied and written about the Hare Krishna Movement since its inception, noting also the attitudes, and changed attitudes, over the years toward women, children and family.  As keynote speaker at the Yoga Shala, he brought to light his observations, and indeed the presentation had the positive effect of endorsing the theme of men taking enhanced responsibilities in their lives, and the lives they are expected to support.   https://bhaktivedantacollege.com/burke-rochford-the-highlight-of-my-career/

It was good to see a large attendance of young males at this gathering.  Our boys from the Canadian travelling party showed up. Of course, I insisted they register. https://mantraretreat.org

Also exhilarating for me—in addition to some anxiety—was our pulling off the drama, “Many Mothers, Many Fathers.”  I was worried because our crew just didn’t have enough time to rehearse.  By the grace of the Divine, our group did well. So many compliments came our way.

Some of the outdoor activities were quite original: biting and consuming gulabjamuns—a sticky sweet—dangling on strings, with our hands tied behind our backs.  How about carving deities of Jagannatha from zucchini?  And how about keeping a tire rotated and suspended in the air, tethered by six ropes, and not getting tangled up?  Lots of fun!     https://youtu.be/bCwFTMl3H2A https://www.facebook.com/newvrindaban108/videos/2208358442709006/

May the Source be with you!
0 km





Friday, October 5th, 2018
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Moundsville, West Virginia

Birthday in a Rustic Setting

“Let’s not make it too formal, even weird,” I suggested to Vraj, one of the organizers. Sometimes I find we do things in an over-kill fashion when it comes to glorifying someone on their birthday. Today it’s mine, so after a walk toward an old farm, a tiny celebration was held in the Yoga Shala with the highlight being a grainless, lotus-shaped cake, prepared by a local master at the task—Laksman.  The program of mixed formality and casualness went on, and then the main purpose of our coming to remoteness in the hills of West Virginia—the men’s retreat, designed for Krishna Conscious guys.

The turn out?  Not bad for a first within a Krishna Conscious framework.  Anuttama is the principle coordinator and he’s doing a fabulous job.  The program thus far included kirtan, some presentations to do with men’s concerns, and how our performance in the world can make a difference.  I led a walk/kirtanto the Palace of Gold, which culminated in more of the same inside the beautiful structure, followed by a bonfire and tales of the early days in the rustic setting. https://www.instagram.com/p/BooQfTMlTVf/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=sj4aj1lgksltIn fact, it’s been fifty years since the inception of this place, New Vrndavan, the first rural project, begun by our guru, Prabhupada.  The first cow arrived in ’69, and the cow culture here continues to this day at the Go-Shala.

Numbers of people keep streaming in; even our team of monks, brahmacharis,from Canada are here.

It’s been one of my best birthdays and that sentiment is shared by Michael of Cleveland.
https://www.facebook.com/newvrindaban108/videos/350883628807359/

May the Source be with you!
6 km


Thursday, October 4th, 2018
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Moundsville, West Virginia

To the Hills


Raj sat behind the wheel, with me up front, as passengers Partha and Uttama from British Columbia rode in the back seat.  The four of us were enroute to the first ever, official, ISKCON men’s retreat, promoted cleverly as the MANtra Retreat, hosted in West Virginia, in the hills.  Our walk-less trip took us eight hours, and much of it through some fierce rain.  https://www.instagram.com/p/Boiw0Hbl29M/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1wut5krq0j139

Periodically I pulled out my pet book for the time—a second read of Mukunda Goswami’s book, “Miracle on 22ndAvenue.”  Any piece of literature which features the pioneer years of the Hare Krishnas is what I am most fond of for its contemporariness—it’s happened in our lifetime.  I am indeed a sucker for those times of change—the ’60s.  I even interested our car crew in the detour to Butler, Pennsylvania, where fifty-three years ago our guru, Prabhupada, stayed for one month. One can marvel at that—that the first place of his teaching the Bhagavat philosophy outside of India was in Butler, and not New York City.  https://youtu.be/LzSjg3xT01Q

With the rain pouring down as it was, we still managed to take pics of the old YMCA where he stayed, and the home of where his sponsors, the Agarwals, were visited by him on a daily basis, and where he cooked a bhakti­-packed meal for them each day.

By the way, monks can cook, play chess, do janitorial services and even walk treacherous trails.  Sigh. I walked through here three years ago.

May the Source be with you!
0 km

We need to forgive ourselves to give ourselves to Krishna
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[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Portand, USA]

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Krishna has faith in our potential – let’s have faith in his potency
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[Congregation program at ISKCON, Portand, USA]

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Lessons in life
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 27 June 2015, New York, USA, Bhagavad-gita 9.33)

Question: You mentioned the shooting incident. I am curious to know how this specific experience affected you in a personal way, if it is not too personal to share?

I will keep it simple. I do not want to speak about the material side of it, you know, the conspiracy, who pulled the trigger and all that. That is for the tabloid newspaper so we leave that out. I could see that the ultimate cause of all this was Krsna, so I did not get into the mood of who did it! It was Krsna who sent this to me.

It was not just a freak incident. There were people who were trying to get rid of me and that was really what was going on. And I sort of thought, ‘What is wrong with me that people want to get rid of me? Why is that? What did I do?’ I started thinking about that. Of course, whoever resorted to means of shooting someone in the back is not a person of good character. That is quite obvious. I might possibly call him a bit crazy; someone who goes to such an extent. But still, what did I do to agitate this crazy man to that point!? I had to ask that question, ‘What is it in me that caused this?’

For a long time, I had been the leader of our temple in Vrindavan; I was in charge for a long time. Everyone who needed to buy something had to come through me and I had got used to it; I had all the strings and I had gotten used to it. I tried to be reasonable. I thought that was how I should be. I thought that I should be reasonable with people. So I tried to be kind of what I thought is reasonable, to be what is commonly accepted to be reasonable. But, you know, what is your criteria for what is reasonable!? It is not so easy to determine.

So I attempted to be reasonable with everyone because I was controlling so many facilities. People would come all day and ask, “Can I use this, can I have that or can I do this?” And I had to decide. So I tried to be reasonable but it was by my criteria and maybe it was not always reasonable to others and people were left dissatisfied and I could see that I needed to change. I had to stop the impersonal attitude and become more personal and more sensitive to people. You cannot just leave some one completely dissatisfied to the point where it just begins to fester and like ferment inside. I could see that I had to change and become more sensitive and try to satisfy everyone.

So I changed, something changed. I am more conscious of it and trying to be more conscious of it. So even when someone wants something crazy, I try to deal with it in a personal way whereas before, I would have just said no. At the same time, it forced me to be humble for a while. I got reduced by the whole experience – I lost my power, lost all power and I could barely lift my arm for two years before I could function. So I was reduced, thrown back on myself and it also gave me some time to sort of look more at what was inside.

Was life so much about all the external achievements!? You know, your identity becomes so mixed with your achievements – I had done all these things therefore I had control of all this and that. Then I had nothing left – no money, no car, no energy and just reduced. I have always been someone with lots of energy so in whatever I do, I just throw all my energy at it. So if you take everything away, no problem, just with my energy I will be back, I am that kind of a person, you know, a high energy person. But at that time, even my high energy was gone. I had nothing except what was inside, that was all.

So I was forced to have a real good look at what was inside; the love I had inside, and I realised that it was not that much. It was less than I thought I had; I did not have that much. So it forced me to deeply reflect, which was beneficial. I would not be here and I would not be doing what I am doing now if that incident did not happen. Now I try to live a life not for myself but for other people, and give as much as I can, and I do not think I would have been able to do that in the same spirit as I am doing it now, without having gone through that experience. Anyway a very serious aspect; a very serious topic…

The article " Lessons in life " was published on KKSBlog.

Viva Kultura: The Great American Tour
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This video sums up 7 weeks of presenting Krsna-consciousness to the people of America through the performing arts by Indradyumna Swami and the Viva Kultura festival group. Such cultural presentations are both entertaining and spiritually uplifting as they are centered around Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His transcendental pastimes.

После года интенсивной проповеди собираюсь домой, в Шри Вриндавана-дхаму
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Tomorrow, after a year of intense preaching, I am going home to Sri Vrindavan dhama. It is only by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the saints that I can return. I often remember the words of Srinivas Acarya as he departed Vrindavan for preaching. As soon as he left, he was hankering to return.

“Shall I, a worthless person ever again see the deities of Govinda, Gopinath, Madan Mohan, Radha Vinode, Radha Mohan and Radha Damodar? Will prabhu Sri Gopal Bhatta ever bring me back to Vrindavan or give me the opportunity to serve his lotus feet again? Shall Lokanath Goswami, the incarnation of kindness, bestow his grace upon me again? Catching hold of the hair of this sinner, will the gracious Bhugarbha Goswami ever bring me back again? Will Raghunath Das Goswami, the embodiment of kindness, ever again fulfill my desires? Srila Jiva Goswami is the light of the poor and the unfortunate people. Will I ever see his feet again? O associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, will you ever again bring such an unfortunate soul as me to Vrindavan and allow me to enjoy your company”

[ Srila Narahari Chakravarti Thakur, Sri Bhakti-ratnakara ]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212880553751578&set=a.3707173840886&type=3&theater

Special Cida Dahi Festival in Bali
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Hare Krishna This year in the island of Bali, Lord Nityananda showered His causeless mercy to the devotees. For the second time this year the grand Cida dahi festival was held at the Merta Sari beach. This program was not planned however. HH Subhag Swami arrived in Bali a few days prior to the festival and spontaneously commented, ‘We should have a Cida dahi festival!’ The local devotees took this instruction seriously and as a result within a short span of only three days was this festival arranged.

Prime Minister of India about the Mega Youth Festival at New Delhi – UDGAAR (2 min video)
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Mega Youth Festival at New Delhi - UDGAAR (2 min video)
Prime Minister of India: I am pleased to learn that a Mega Youth Festival -UDGAAR: An Expression of Goodness and Joy" on the theme “Building India Upon Values” is being organized by the ISKCON Youth Forum on 14, October 2018 at New Delhi. ISKCON movement has been endeavoring for the spiritual transformation of the world in the light of Krishna consciousness, Its initiatives to empower our young generations with the enlightening values of our civilization are commendable.
I hope that UDGAAR, organized by its youth forum, will be an ideal platform for our youth to showcase their talents and to reaffirm their support for the progress of the nation.
I wish all success for the event as well as for all the endeavors of the ISKCON Youth Forum.
(Narendra Modi)
New Delhi 04 October, 2018

Radha Kunda Seva – September 2018 Photos and Updates (Album of…
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Radha Kunda Seva - September 2018 Photos and Updates (Album of photos)
In this last month of September, we got a lot of rain and we got a lot done! It’s all thanks to Radharani’s mercy (it was Her birthday last month) and the steadiness and consideration of you, our donors. We got mass amounts of cleaning done, food was distributed in impressive quantities, Jihva Mandir was endowed with fresh paint as well as improvements in the garden, the sandstone benches by Lalita Kunda got reinforced, and they, as well as the cement fence grills, got a bright new paint job. The area of Govardhana and Radha Kunda also got several downpours of monsoon rain resulting in Kundas filled nearly to the brim - an unusual, refreshing and beautiful sight. Please browse our latest photos to see more and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com. Your servants, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Sri Arjuna dasa, Campakalata Devi dasi, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iD14Rg

The Life of a Text: Bhagavad-gita Through the Centuries
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Hare KrishnaBy Satyaraja Dasa

Although many articles have been written about the Gita as a philosophical poem, exploring its meaning and theological implications, and although both devotees and nondevotees have written elaborate studies of Srila Prabhupada's translation, few articles deal with the text as a historical phenomenon, something that came to us after a long journey of commentary and explication. In the very beginning of the Gita's fourth chapter, the text itself provides its own explanation of its prehistoric unveiling: Krishna says that He revealed the teachings to the sun-god Vivasvan, who in turn instructed Manu, the father of mankind, who then conveyed this same knowledge to Ikshvaku. (Gita 4.1) Continue reading "The Life of a Text: Bhagavad-gita Through the Centuries
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Gita 01.13 Actions that throw caution to the winds are preceded by caution
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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If we are already complete as parts of the Complete, how can we feel incomplete?
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Answer Podcast

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Security in Insecurity – Learning to flourish amidst change
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[Talk at Microsoft at Seattle, USA]

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Demons in krishna-lila 4 – Vatsasura – Weakness is forgivable, wickedness isn’t
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[Class at ISKCON, Seattle, USA]

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My Rupa Prabhu.
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My Rupa Prabhu.
Gopi Gita: Today commemorates the end of 6 months of Rupa Prabhu’s aggressive chemotherapy treatment - the 5th time cancer had come back and the 5th time it was attacked by heavy drugs.
3 days after FOJ Rathayatra (April 2018), after another intrusive bone marrow biopsy, the doctor confirmed: Yes, cancer was back. We already had some clue - going up the stairs was difficult; blood sugar readings haywire; sharp pain in his bones. Diagnosis? Aggressive chemo for 6 months followed by a low dose for the rest of his life. (Better to keep the cancer at bay, than to weaken organs by the aggressive therapies.)
This ‘rest of the life’ diagnosis at the time felt like a death sentence. For the first week I just felt so sluggish; low motivation to cook or do anything in the home. Rupa Prabhu, on the other hand, felt peaceful to have a solution that would diminish the chances of yet another physical attack on his body.

First public appearance of HH Jayapataka Swami post operation (video)
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Hare KrishnaBy Jayapataka Swami

It was a long operation, 10-12 hours and he thought maybe 50:50 chance. So I am very grateful to all the GBCs and god brother and god sisters who prayed for me. Also the devotees who are caring for me around the clock. All the devotees who gave their blood and platelets. I have a lot of affinity to different devotees and all the devotees who wrote to me encouraging letters. To those devotees who prayed for me around the world. And those who are doing special yagnas in Mayapur and different places. I am really coming out of the cave of death. There was a time when I did not know if I was going to survive or not and of course we know we are not the body and it was tempting somewhere just to return back home to Godhead. Continue reading "First public appearance of HH Jayapataka Swami post operation (video)
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The TOVP Tour Sets Foot in Hong Kong and Taiwan
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Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Satari, along with Their Graces Jananivas, Ambarisa, Svaha and Braja Vilasa prabhus paid an ecstatic visit to Hong Kong and Taiwan (Taipei) as part of the worldwide TOVP Tour that has been on the road since 2015. The Hong Kong visit consisted of three separate programs organized by the devotees of Hong Kong who went far above and beyond the call of duty to make the fundraising events successful and inspiring for all. We are very grateful for their support and enthusiasm, without which this visit would not have been as transcendentally fruitful as it was. Overall, this tour raised over $1 million in pledges. Continue reading "The TOVP Tour Sets Foot in Hong Kong and Taiwan
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Gita 01.12 Just because we get others to do what we want them to do doesn’t mean we have won them over to our side
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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