Returning Home to Freedom
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Hare KrishnaBy Vraja Vihari Dasa

"What's it like to go back home to Krishna?" wondered ten-year-old Kiran at the weekly gathering for children from our congregation. I responded by speaking about Goloka Vrindavana, our real home, where we aspire to go after our tenure in this world. "The spiritual world of Goloka is free from all school exams and home assignments," I told the kids. "It's all fun, day and night—no interruption in play!" "Wow!" Kiran replied. "But," he probed, "since we've been away for so long, will Krishna recognize us when we get back?" Continue reading "Returning Home to Freedom
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Death – The Life Stalker
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Hare KrishnaBy Kesava Krsna Dasa

Death is a 100% certainty. How are we going to face it? If it comes when we least expect it, this is what makes death so mystifying, yet it is often kept away at a distance within the mind. People know they will die, but how they die is the unknown fascination. Will it hurt? Some people wish to die in their sleep. Whichever way it comes, death is the life stalker, a phenomenon no genius can stop. News stories are abuzz with incidents of death. It is not a coincidence that death happens everywhere and at all times – even now, at this very moment. Some deaths are more newsworthy than others are. Continue reading "Death – The Life Stalker
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Lord Jagannath Celebrations in ISKCON Plainfield, NJ Temple
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Hare Krishna On Saturday 7/14/18, the actual day of Rath Yatra in Jagannath-Puri, Lord Jagannath gave traditional floral crown/Tahia Darshan followed by Pahandi, Chariot pulling with ecstatic kirtan. Inspired by Ananda Bazaar, clay pot (Kudwa) filled specialties were distributed along with dry bhoga in Palm leaves boxes fetched from Jagannath-Puri (India). After the Yatra, devotees offered Arati, sang Jagannathastakam, and witnessed flag hoisting. Odissi dance rendition by ISKCON Plainfield Odissi School captivated the audiences.

TOVP Guru Parampara Brick Vyasa Puja 2018 Seva Opportunity
- TOVP.org

śrī-guru-caraṇa-padma kevala-bhakati-sadma
bandon mui sāvadhāna mate
jāhāra prasāde bhāi e bhava toriyā jāi
kṛṣṇa-prāpti hoy jāhā ha’te

“The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Krishna.”

To celebrate Srila Prabhupada’s 2018 Vyasa Puja, the TOVP Fundraising Team is pleased to offer yet another sponsorship seva opportunity: the Guru Parampara Brick. We feel this is the most important of the brick sponsorships that we have offered to date, which is why we have left it for last. The guru and unmotivated service to his lotus feet are the most important elements of spiritual life for the disciple, without which he cannot please Krishna and progress on the path back to Godhead. Thus, the Parampara altar is, in effect, the most important of all the altars.

yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo
yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ‘pi
dhyāyan stuvaḿs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaḿ
vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam

“By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.”

This very special donation option is dedicated not only to our previous acharyas, but to all the gurus of ISKCON. It has a special feature that allows you to sponsor a brick on behalf of your guru and in his name, but with your name also inscribed underneath it, to be placed under the Guru Parampara altar. Although the Guru Parampara altar consists of our previous acharyas, sponsoring a brick with your guru’s name will be a fitting way to simultaneously honor both your guru and the purva acharyas of our disciplic succession. 1008 bricks are available for this seva opportunity.

guru-mukha-padma-vākya cittete koribo aikya
ār nā koriho mane āśā
śrī-guru-caraṇe rati ei se uttama-gati
je prasāde pūre sarva āśā

“My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.”

The purpose of this sponsorship is to specifically help fund the production of all the acharya murtis and their altar. The sponsorship cost for one Guru Parampara brick is USD 1600 / INR 1 lakh and it can be paid in monthly installments over the next 3 1/2 years and completed by 2022, the year of the Grand Opening, or sooner, or paid in full at the time of making your pledge. The name of your choice will be inscribed on the brick along with your guru’s name and it will be placed under the Guru Parampara altar to remain for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

For those who wish to offer this special service to the TOVP Parampara altar this is also a wonderful opportunity to simultaneously participate in the MISSION 22 MARATHON to complete the TOVP by 2022. Together we can all cooperate together to make Srila Prabhupada’s dream a reality.

Please go to the Seva Opportunities link at the TOVP website and make your pledge today: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

Become a TOVP Ambassador and ask all your devotee friends and relatives to also participate in this historic project by donating to help complete the TOVP by 2022.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Guru Parampara Brick Vyasa Puja 2018 Seva Opportunity appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

When our environment is filled with sexual temptations, how can we stay unaffected?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post When our environment is filled with sexual temptations, how can we stay unaffected? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Friday, August 17th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Vancouver, British Columbia

Very Fortunate

Haddai had dropped off Mahatma, his good wife, for work, and I went along for the ride. After she had left for a day of sales at the Body Shop, Haddai and I went for a few precious moments of walking through the city’s Central Park.  Magical moments.  There are tall trees to make you feel meek.

Other pedestrians strolled about—people of every ethnic group you could think of. The trails wind about.  The curves and bends make it sweet.

I received a call from Halifax.  “Maharaja, I heard you’re coming to Halifax soon,” was the query on the other end of the line.

“Yes. Next month we’re coming, I and the other brahmacharis (monks).  There is a growing interest or thirst for devotion, in the Maritimes.”  I implied that we will do our level best to quench that thirst.  From one coast, the Pacific where I am, to the other, the Atlantic where I am going, we will be on that mission which we are mandated to be on. Our intent is to add to the wellness of the world.

Haddai knew I had to leave for packing, and then be enroute for the airport.  Yes, it is all so much travel, but it’s an adventure every day.  I just feel so blessed to have this life, being the mercy of Guru and Krishna.

At the security check, I stand in the queue and look at the people.  They are souls living and breathing like I am, but I consider myself so very fortunate.

May the Source be with you!
2 km

Thursday, August 16th, 2018
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Saranagati, British Columbia

Seeing People in the Valley

The first visit of the day was at Daivata and Visvadika’s.  We had an enlivening discussion based on the story of the Bhagavatam.  A king had seven days to live and decide how to use those days in the most progressive way possible.  He sat and listened to his guru for that time and became very spiritually enriched.

Lunch was at the top of the mountain at Mark and Sunny’s—great food. We read about our guru, Prabhupada.

I walked on to the building they call the temple.  On the roof doing repairs was Kulashekar who is 81. That’s either brave, bold or foolish. It’s risky.

I also trekked to the home of Vicaru and his brother, Vallabha. I showed them a vintage ’73 photo on Instagram of Vicaru and I chanting on Toronto’s Yonge Street.  That’s a long time ago.

Vicaru has hung on his wall the last painting done by deceased wife, Tribhuvanesvari.  She was just an excellent artist.  I told Vicaru that I’m the guardian of her oils now hanging in the Toronto temple. Vicaru is special—very smooth.

The final visitation was at Partha and Uttama’s.  This couple is very involved in marriage counselling. They conduct courses as part of the Grhastha Vision Team.  To their credit, they have helped many couples.

I led kirtanin their home.  Several people came.  Another good discussion ensued, including the philosophy of the Gita, wherein Sri Krishna details the hierarchy of the self.  “The senses are higher than the body, the mind is higher than the senses. Next is the intelligence, then the self—the soul.”

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Wednesday, August 15th, 2018
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Venables Valley, British Columbia

From Vancouver to the Valley

I must give some recognition to a fine lady by the name of Nirmala, who is from Thailand, and now in Vancouver, who came forward to receive her brahminicalinitiation.  Her guru, Krsnadasa Swami passed away, and the task to offer her this second or brahminicalinitiation was left in my hands.  Congratulations to Nirmala for taking this step forward.

Speaking about taking steps forward, the act of walking in the province of BC may for the moment have to be enacted indoors.  The six-hundred-plus forest fires have created a dense smoke throughout, meaning the pollution is at a heavy level in the atmosphere and hazardous to the health.

Nitai Rama and I drove to the farm community of Saranagati where the density of smoke is very present as it is in Vancouver.  I have been coming to the valley for years and have never seen such a haze.  The other day my eyes became bloodshot from the exposure.  Nitai Rama expressed he had chest pains.  People are complaining of coughing and throat problems.  Walking indoors might be advisable.

When the sun did start moving downward toward the end of the day, I ventured on a four kilometre trek, through peaceful mountain terrain, with some residents.  I guess you could say we were addressing ‘cabin fever’.

In recent times, a cougar has been sighted.  There have also been coyotes, deer, the odd moose, rabbits, pack rats, marmots and bears.  I’m not sure if the intense smoke affects them.  What can be said?  It’s the material world, full of dualities.

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Tuesday, August 14th, 2018
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White Rock, British Columbia

Sweet Visits

Sweet visits were to homes of devotees in White Rock and Port Coquitlam.  Casual in spirit, we spoke about everything from the latest bear who came around the backyard to sniff, to Mr. Trump.  Lord Krishna got in there to a certain extent.  Perhaps service to Krishna arose as the central point of the talk because everything does revolve around acting for Him in our lives.

In that regard, Chapter 9 comes to mind from the Gita.  “Whatever one does should be an offering to the Supreme.”

The various meetings and homes, I sat in, were of people who have high levels of commitment to calmness and communication.  Abhidheya asked, “How was it in the States where you were walking last year?”

“Good people, good response, cultural issues, drugs, homelessness, a little bit of this and of that.”  Then I expressed to Bhavani, Arlen and Saci Priya that between the two countries, Canada and the U.S., people are quite similar.  “Canadians—a little quieter, though.”

I’m grateful to have been on that trek.  The message which got out was that a walking culture will cause a calming of things.  It’s a green statement.

I managed to get some steps in with Peter and Eileen by the Hop-Along Farm district.  There’s this beautiful, flat, black soil.  Our group of three walkers admired the fields and the fantastic blackberry vines that are so pervasive, but their yield is sweet to the taste.

May the Source be with you!
4 km




Monday, August 13th, 2018
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Burnaby, British Columbia

Reflections

Five of us went down the trail.  One of us was Joyce, a cousin I hadn’t seen in forty-six years.  I was walking next to her on this trail leading to Burnaby Lake.  It was at a section where the trees were tall and shady.  Coming down the trail were five other people and one of them was a monk. It was as if we reflected each other. I’m sure I’m the first monk Joyce had ever spent time with.  When she saw the oncoming crew she was stunned, “Oh my God!  Did you arrange this?”

I confessed to the truth, “No, I had nothing to do with it.” This was truly uncanny.  My brother, sister-in-law, and Gerry, Joyce’s friend, were also surprised.  How could this be?

The two groups met—us and them.  I took an initiative, stood there and put palms together in what we call pranams.  The other group responded.  They stopped.  We spoke. The monk was from Tibet.  The brown person in the group was Sri Lankan. He was well-informed about Hare Krishna. It was a warm exchange.  We took pictures of us, the five and five.  The monk is younger than I, so it was not a perfect reflection.  It made our day.

There’s more.  From Burnaby Lake, my need to reconnect with family, since four-and-a-half decades, was fulfilled.  Aunt Annie is ninety, and we visited her apartment.  At the Naam restaurant, more cousins and I converged.  What a great bunch of cousins!

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Sunday, August 12th, 2018
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Vancouver, British Columbia

Eating at the Park

A palm reader asked if I would extend my right arm for a volunteer reading.  It was a kind gesture on her part.  No charge.

“Your health is pretty good.  Your determination is strong… Late night pizza.  You might cut down.”

“‘Pizza’ was just an expression, but too much food sitting there in the tummy, some evenings, is a reality.  In any event, breakfast is not often on the agenda for me.  All these programs with prasadamare  obligations, but I must learn to kindly bow-out more than less, and use determination.

Regarding food, that comes natural when at a Chariot Fest like the one today at Stanley Park.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BmfKZkTAg9L/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=6oksbi3zk0f2Someone was good enough to secure two corn-on-the-cob, boiled with the husks on.  I surely indulged after all the presentations were done.  I gave one of those bhaktiaerobics lessons from the stage.  It was great to see the participation by the fest goers.  Even by brother, Paul, Joyce, his wife, and son, John, who came in the nick of time to take up the simple moves required over the djembeand mrdungadrums.  Mantras were an integral part of the dance steps. https://www.instagram.com/p/BmfLE7ZgiVb/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=l00sso2rme4t

Once done, Paul and I took to eating.  He had the veggie fried rice and halavah,and I took to corn—no pizza—which became a delicious end to the fest for us.  Plans are in place for a family reunion with cousins tomorrow.

May the Source be with you!
6 km

Please remember the Men’s Retreatfor October 5th-7thin New Vrndavana, West Virginia!

Saturday, August 11th, 2018
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St. Mathieu du Parc, Quebec

Arrived in Vancouver

It was for me a few last minutes at the Vaishnava Sanga Retreat, so well orchestrated by Krishna Dulal of Russell, Ontario.  The event annually attracts devotees of bhaktiYoga from the surrounding areas.  Mind you, some speakers or presenters came from L.A., Hawaii, Europe and India.  A family from Connecticut and Calgary also arrived.  There is a growing interest in this annual event.

A last morning walk with trekking enthusiasts made it worth the day.  However, I must add that one of the most important elements to a program like this is to gain some company with your peers.  They are your brothers and sisters; that can’t be denied.  It becomes true, sharing experience.

I bid farewell to friends and bros.

The couple taking me to the Montreal Airport is from Mauritius. Krsna Katha and Hari Katha, along with son Vraj, have a fairly strong Creole accent.  KK mentioned to me, on the way to my flight, that one of the managers at the retreat site confessed that “beer” sometimes comes to the centre.

“That’s not so good,” I mentioned to KK.  “Wait a minute, did you say ‘beer’ or ‘bear?’”

“B-E-A-R,” spelled out KK.

“Okay, that’s better.  If a bear comes, there’s not much to worry about.  If beer comes, then so much more damage can be done.”

KK agreed.

I arrived at Vancouver ISKCON in the evening.

May the Source be with you!
4 km

Giving credit to the idea of ‘yadraccha’
→ Servant of the Servant

Frustration is something we all have experienced. The opposite of that we can say is peacefulness or tolerance. Peace and tolerance are topics discussed by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. In the mundane world, peace is sought somewhere outside and tolerance is seen as a sign of weakness. However, in my opinion, frustration is a result of lack of tolerance and lack of mental peace which comes from a sort of entitlement of results (provided we put the work).

But in the Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita, there is an indication that beyond our work and desire, there is a third cause which is destiny. Destiny or time seems ambiguous in lay perspective. The fact is the jiva or soul according to the Vedic understanding is not independent as modern society leads us to think. We are dependent on nature and God. Only God is independent but as for us we are not. We are bound by our previous actions which chalks our future destiny. Therefore, when things do not go our way, instead of getting frustrated we should step back and appreciate the bigger picture. The reverse is also true, if things do go our way, instead of punching the fist in the air, we step back and appreciate the bigger picture.

The best way to counter frustration is to be happy or content with whatever comes of its own accord by performing one's duty with due diligence. We will not be frustrated if we understand that time and destiny dictates our activities and that we are instruments of them. We should perform our duties with this thinking in mind.

Krishna says to Arjuna;

yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭo
dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ
samaḥ siddhāv asiddhau ca
kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate

He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions.- BG 4.22

Vamandev tells Bali Maharaj;

yadṛcchayopapannena
santuṣṭo vartate sukham
nāsantuṣṭas tribhir lokair
ajitātmopasāditaiḥ

One should be satisfied with whatever he achieves by his previous destiny, for discontent can never bring happiness. A person who is not self-controlled will not be happy even with possessing the three worlds. - SB 8.19.24

In both verses, the word 'yadrccha' is used meaning some thing which is beyond our control. Something that comes accidentally or without much endeavor or by destiny or randomly etc. However, we want to interpret that word, 'yadraccha' indicates that there is something more beyond my control and we are not fully independent.

When we take shelter of this knowledge or idea of 'yadraccha', we will always be happy or content in any circumstance of life.

Hare Krishna

ASK a GURU – episode 1 (14 min video)
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ASK a GURU - episode 1 (14 min video)
ISKCON Ljubljana, Slovenia: We started a series called “ASK a GURU”. The main point is that in every episode there is a different Guru answering questions that devotees send to us.
“ASK a GURU” SHOW episodes with different ISKCON GURUS who answer your questions. If you have a question, a doubt, about soul, karma, meditation, spiritual world or God and want to be answered in the future from a GURU, just send it to our email: video.hkc@gmail.com"
So this is first episode with HH Candramauli Swami.

We should always be appreciative to anyone who inspires us in our attempt in practicing devotional service
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Gratitude
“We should always be appreciative to anyone who inspires us in our attempt in practicing devotional service.”
HH Partha Sarathi Das Goswami: Practicing devotees should always feel grateful and obliged to those who assist us in developing our dormant love for Lord Krishna. Material consciousness teaches us to exploit others and it can be summed up in the “use and abuse” culture that pervades modern society. In other words, we use something or somebody temporarily until our senses are satisfied and then throw them away. It is the opposite in spiritual life.


Read More...

The Macmillan Miracle
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Hare KrishnaBy Satyaraja Dasa

Around this time, the devotees had released the "Happening" album, an assortment of devotional songs sung by Prabhupada with musical accompaniment. They had placed an ad for the record in the Village Voice and were receiving orders from various parts of the East Coast. One such order came from uptown Manhattan, relatively close to the little storefront serving as a temple for Prabhupada and his early disciples. Brahmananda brought the letter to his master. "Look, Swamiji [as Prabhupada was then called]. It's an order from Macmillan. They're one of the biggest publishers in the world." Continue reading "The Macmillan Miracle
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Impersonalism and the Doomed to Fail Attempt to Judge Sadhus
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhavananda Das

"For various reasons, common people do not easily develop faith in exalted persons who are still living, whereas they tend to develop great faith in the activities of mahajanas who have passed away." (Jaiva Dharma chapter 22) The proud practice of using our dull material senses to try to judge who is sadhu and who is not is the same as the neti neti endeavor of the impersonalists. The impersonalists try to understand what is spirit by using their material senses. "Net, neti" means, "not this, not this". Continue reading "Impersonalism and the Doomed to Fail Attempt to Judge Sadhus
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NASN July 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 July 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 July 2018 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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TOVP Janmastami/Radhastami Seva Appeal 2018
- TOVP.org

This time of the year is most eagerly awaited by all devotees as it is filled with constant festivals such as Balarama Jayanti, Janmastami, Radhastami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja celebration. In Mayapur we take these festivals very seriously, being that it is the World Headquarters for ISKCON and the janmasthan of our beloved Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

This is also a unique time for us to make a special TOVP fundraising seva appeal to all devotees worldwide, as these auspicious occasions offer transcendental merits not usually offered at other times that can benefit not only the donor but his entire family for generations past and future. Thus, with outstretched hands we come to you humbly begging your support.

There are less than three years (exactly 42 months) to complete the TOVP and the TOVP MARATHON 22 is on full throttle. If we all want to see Sri Sri Radha Madhava in Their new home, if we all want to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desire for the TOVP by 2022, please consider making a donation today if you haven’t already or even making another if you already have. And if you have made a pledge, consider completing it during this auspicious time. Our target amount for this festival period is $250,000 this year. Make a difference this Janmastami and Radhastami by sacrificing for the TOVP and offering a birthday gift to Sri Sri Radha Madhava. Together we can make Srila Prabhupada’s dream become a reality.

“You must allow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to rise more and more so that this sun, moonshine, may be distributed all over the world. That is wanted. Therefore this temple is situated. Of course, we shall try to construct a very nice temple for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This morning we were thinking of this. So from this place, this moon, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, will distribute. Sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam. The Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Hare Krsna movement… Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. This is spoken by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself.”

Srila Prabhupada

There are many options to donate, large or small. And several new options were recently added. These include the new General Donation, Raise a Daily Flag and Guru Parampara Brick options. Or sponsor a brick for Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s or Pancha Tattva’s altars. All these options can be found at the link below and the payment set up is easy and simple to follow: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

And be sure to write in the NOTES section of your donation payment form that this is for the Janmastami/Radhastami Seva Appeal.

Become a TOVP Ambassador and ask all your devotee friends and relatives to also participate in this historic project by donating to help complete the TOVP by 2022.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Janmastami/Radhastami Seva Appeal 2018 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Gita 18.58 The destructive voice can’t be tuned out unless we tune in to the divine voice
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 18.58 The destructive voice can’t be tuned out unless we tune in to the divine voice appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How does humility relate with willpower?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Transcription
Question: What is the relationship between humility and willpower? How does humility help us to distance ourselves from our emotions?

Answer: The word “humility” can have different meanings in different contexts. In the context of, say, self-improvement, humility means acknowledging where we are right now. It simply means, this is where I am. Now, in the outer world, I may act as if I have this much control, I have this much discipline, I have this much self-mastery, but actually, this is where I am. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because we can start our journey only from where we are, not from where we think we should be.

Sometimes, humility, if it is misunderstood, it can lead to feelings of inferiority or inferiority complex. That happens when we are centred only on ourselves. Like, oh, I am so bad, I am so good for nothing, I can never do anything right. When we are thinking only about ourselves and how deficient we are, that is not actually humility. The essence of humility is not to think low of ourselves. It is to think less about ourselves. Not that I am so fallen, I am so bad, I am so useless, but there are better things for me to think about than myself. I have a purpose, I have a service. Let me think about that. Ultimately, when we start practicing Krishna Bhakti, we have Krishna to think about. We have Krishna’s service to think about. So, the purpose of humility is not to push ourselves down. The purpose of humility is to lift our consciousness to Krishna.

So, if I am too full of myself, then I can’t think of Krishna. But if I understand that there is some reality bigger than me and I focus on that. So, in the context of self-improvement, humility means that I understand I can’t do it alone. I need Krishna. If I only think, oh, I am here and my disruptive mind is here and I have to alone fight against this, no I can’t do it. And then it will lead to feelings of low self-esteem and it will lead to feelings of inferiority complex and that can be very damaging for us.

But when we see that I am here, this disruptive mind, these bad habits, these negativities are here, but beyond them is Krishna and He is much bigger than me and He is much bigger than my conditioning also.

So, for us, humility doesn’t mean just thinking, I am so fallen, I am so fallen, I am so bad, but rather, yes, I have my conditionings and I cannot fight them without Krishna, but with Krishna, I can do it.

So, our humility should direct us towards Krishna. Our humility should inspire us to take shelter of Krishna. If somebody says, I am so fallen that I cannot practice Krishna Bhakti. Some people say that, actually I am so contaminated, if I come to the temple, the temple will become contaminated. That is not humility. That is like pseudo-humility. If somebody is so unclean and I tell them, please take a bath. He says, no, no, if I take the bath, the river will become unclean. Don’t worry, the river is not going to become unclean. It has constant flowing water and you will become clean. So, no matter what our condition is, Krishna is there with us always, and if our humility inspires us to feel the need for Krishna, then that need for Krishna will intensify our connection with him. With that connection, the willpower will naturally manifest as a result. So, humility is meant to help us, to inspire us to connect with Krishna. Then that humility is very favorable for self-transformation.

End of transcription.

Bhakti Tree
→ Ramai Swami

The kirtan programs at the Bhakti tree in Newcastle are going nicely.  Things kick off at 6.00pm and the crowd builds up right through till just after 7.00pm when prasadam is served.

I always enjoy leading these kirtans because of the warm response. Everyone follows the chanting by looking at slides on a screen. People pay $10 for a meal, which is cheaper than the normal restaurant price.

Balarama Jayanti – August 25, 2018
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Saturday, August 25th we will be celebrating Balarama Jayanti, the auspicious appearance day of Lord Balarama. Lord Balarama appeared as the elder brother of Lord Krishna when He descended five thousand years ago. While Lord Krishna has a dark bluish cloud complexion, Lord Balarama’s complexion is like a white autumn cloud. He possesses boundless strength which is represented by the plough He carries. Lord Balarama is considered the adi-guru, the original spiritual master for everyone. No one can approach Lord Krishna without first getting the mercy of Lord Balarama.

This year we are grateful to have Vaisesika prabhu and Nirakula mataji join us for the festivities.

They will attend the Monthly Sankirtan Festival (MSF) outing earlier during the day between 1pm and 5pm at Old City Hall (corner of Bay St and Queen St W). This is a wonderful opportunity to greet passersby with some chanting and dancing as well as to share transcendantal books with them on this special day.

Our visiting guests will also attend the evening celebrations at the temple starting at 6pm. Join us as we celebrate the auspicious appearance of Lord Balarama with kirtan, a special class given by Vaisesika prabhu, arati and sumptuous prasadam!

Are you striving to look young and slender?
→ Dandavats



Are you striving to look young and slender?
“How pleasant is the day when we give up striving to be young – or slender.” – William James. Of course, we need to be healthy, and we would like to look good. But when looking good becomes an obsession, we subject ourselves to unnecessary torment. We adopt dubious dieting fads, swallow ‘fat-cutting’ magic pills and potions or undergo extreme exercise routines. Our mood goes up and down in inverse proportion to the reading on our weighing machine. Obsession with the ideal figure sentences us to hours and years of agitation and dissatisfaction.

Is thinking too much unhealthy?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Adelaide, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Is thinking too much unhealthy? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When spiritual life gives poison instead of nectar – PURE acronym – 2
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Adelaide, Australia]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post When spiritual life gives poison instead of nectar – PURE acronym – 2 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Celebrate Janmasthami & Vyasa Puja with Joy of Devotion Film…
→ Dandavats



Celebrate Janmasthami & Vyasa Puja with Joy of Devotion Film Screening.
In honor of ISKCON’s 50thanniversary, two award-winning film were produced. While Yadubara Das’ film the Hare Krishna! presents Prabhupada’s extraordinary life, an ISKCON Communications Ministry documentary The Joy of Devotion directed by Krisztina Danka (Krishna Lila Dasi) of Karuna Productions picks up where the other film leaves off and captures Prabhupada’s worldwide impact, and gives an overview about what ISKCON is today, featuring dramatic, personal and very inspiring stories of devotees around the world and the difference they are making in society.
To read the complete article please click here: https://goo.gl/NLBNe8

“Live Consciously” retreat in Brisbane connects hearts and souls
→ Dandavats



“Live Consciously” retreat connects hearts and souls
Jayshree devi dasi: Last weekend (11 and 12 August 2018) around 80 devotees from Brisbane participated in a spiritual retreat facilitated by HG Chaitanya Charan das at Camp Warrawee. Located in beautiful natural bushland, on the North Pine river only 35 minutes from Brisbane Camp Warrawee served as a contemporary banyan tree in which devotees of all age groups, toddlers, teenagers and adults, took shelter to learn the art of applying scriptures in real life. An entire weekend was spent in devotional activities including morning program, chanting, kirtan, skits and discussions on various themes from the Mahabharat including,

TOVP Fountains Underway
- TOVP.org

Recently, we were visited by one of the best custom-made fountain manufacturing companies in the world from Germany, Oase Living Water.

They have made over 100,000 fountains worldwide, both commercial and residential, most custom-made to suit the size of the water pond and its effect on the surrounding area. Using sophisticated, high tech software programs, their designs can create illuminated and multi-colored water jets that appear out of nowhere, and luminous, leaping water displays with ever-changing patterns.

We are optimistic we can work with Oase to create many simple as well as sophisticated fountain designs all throughout the TOVP grounds, and they will be sending us a mockup of their ideas superimposed on our master plan, along with quotations of their costs. Below are two samples of highly sophisticated fountain displays they have manufactured that also include holographic effects.

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Fountains Underway appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP Foundation and Structure Strength
- TOVP.org

Most devotees don’t know, but the two gigantic cranes used to complete the TOVP superstructure were the tallest self-standing cranes in Asia! In order to support them at their base to balance their weight and hold them up we had to construct two extremely strong concrete foundations, one for each.

Now that they are no longer on the construction site we are in the process of dismantling these two foundations and are finding it very difficult to do so. We need to run a special machine called a Concrete Breaker 12 – 14 hours a day to accomplish this. Please watch the video for a sample.

The difficulty in breaking up even these small, less important crane foundations is evidence of the quality of our concrete work. And we have built the TOVP foundation and superstructure even stronger than these two crane foundations.

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post TOVP Foundation and Structure Strength appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.