Planet ISKCON

Question: “Can we pray for something that would be favorable for our service?”

Giriraj Swami: “Suppose I don’t have a car to go to the temple. Can I pray to Krishna to give me a car so I can get to the temple? In the Bhagavad-gita (7.26) Krishna says, ‘O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows.’ He knows what is best for us, more than we ourselves do. So our prayers should be tempered with that understanding. There is a very nice prayer by Maharaja Prithu in Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.20.31) that I sometimes recommend to devotees: ‘My Lord, due to Your illusory energy, all living beings in this material world have forgotten their real constitutional position, and out of ignorance they are always desirous of material happiness in the form of society, friendship, and love. Therefore, please do not ask me to take some material benefits from You, but as a father, not waiting for the son’s demand, does everything for the benefit of the son, please bestow upon me whatever You think best for me.’ This is a perfect prayer.”

Question-and-answer booth, Ratha-yatra (Right click to download)

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, March 2018, Durban, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Lecture)

How do I deal with a relationship where there is a lot of friction?

Such things are all a matter of stars. Astrology can show us how people’s karma is composed. It basically calculates different elements in a person’s nature which allows us to get a view of what kind of karma that person has. So when two people come together, astrology allows us to see if there is compatibility between those people. Sometimes when such calculations take place and the result comes to maybe ninety percent, and we conclude that since this is a really good score of compatibility, there will be less friction in the relationship. While this may be the case, this is still not the essence.

We can have very compatible karma, but the real question comes down to if the other person in the relationship is serious about their spiritual life. This always comes first because we can sit very happily together in maya, but what good is that? “We never fight. We are peacefully watching all the rubbish that plays on our TV.“ So what is the benefit of this? So in this way, a little friction can be favourable. If there are no frictions in a relationship, then there is chance we may become complacent. A little push or a little poke is sometimes exactly what we need to get out of our lethargic state of consciousness. To need someone to push us is not necessarily bad.

People often come ask me about marriage and they tend to go straight for the compatibility. I personally first want to see Krsna consciousness. If I see that the commitment to grow in Krsna consciousness is very serious between two people, then I say, “Such a serious commitment to spiritual life is very rare to find.” When such a serious commitment exists, then the two people will manage it all, even if there is friction. Still, this could be avoided. We could try to grow and rise above it and there would be a lot less suffering then. But it is difficult to be alone, and so we all look for mutually supportive relationships. Or at least a “live and let live” type of relationship. This is certainly very important.

The article " Live and let live " was published on KKSBlog.

Will Artificial Intelligence take over the world?
What are the long-term threats to society posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Will they come to dominate us? But, even before that, can we allow them to make life-and-death decisions? What does it mean to augment humans beyond natural physical and mental limits? These were the questions posed by a multi-faith consultancy event: Faith and AI organised at the St George’s Centre at Windsor Castle. Faith representatives, including Akhandadhi das, met with Gila Sacks, the government’s Director for Digital and Tech Policy along with other top academics in the field of AI. The aim was to consider the implications of the growing use of AI in many decisionmaking aspects of our lives. Some of these seemed alarming, and the group suggested that we may not be developing our policies of ethics quickly enough to keep pace therewith. Many of the participants had fascinating insights, and it is hoped that in follow-up sessions a broad understanding of the unique nature of what we call human consciousness can be formulated.

Ladies’ Away Day!
Once a month, the ladies’ residence (ashram) at the Manor, organizes teambuilding activities for the residents. In spirit of the theme “Keeping it Spiritual”, the ashram split into groups and each chose one of the three different aspects of Sadhana (spiritual practice), Sanga (association) and Samraksha (cow protection): Sadhana - we read, discussed and reflected on some of the prayers of Queen Kunti and sang kirtan on a specially organised ashram away day. Sanga - Siddhi-lalasa dasi facilitated a Q&A to address and advise us on challenges faced along one’s spiritual journey. Samraksha - The wonderful New Gokul farm team facilitated a visit from the residents; they fed, groomed, massaged, sang to and gave time, attention and love to the beautiful cows. Other initiatives included: • ‘Quote of the Week’ on the ashram noticeboard, sharing meditative gems to inspire introspective reading; • Recycling to actively reduce waste. and • Once a month coming together to watch a movie with a spiritual theme.

Radha Kunda Seva: July 2018 Photos and Updates (Album of photos)
We are happy to report that this month was the culmination of years of persistent endeavor, ending in excitingly huge success. We have been working for several years to gain non-profit status in India so as to freely promote this service here. Up until now, we’ve only had non-profit status in the West. It has been a difficult, complicated and long process, but it’s finally come through! We are relieved and exuberant at this big accomplishment. As always the cleaning work and prasadam distribution continue daily thanks to your support, good wishes and Srimati Radharani’s mercy. On that note, thank you so much to our new patrons! We now have 3 more widows sponsored totaling us to 85 out of 150 sponsored! Right now we primarily need help with expanding our cleaning services around Govardhana, specifically on Parikrama Marg. Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com. Your servants, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Sri Arjuna dasa, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/A5EWqi

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Answer Podcast

The post Does becoming fully conscious make it difficult to connect with others who are not that conscious? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Yesterday, I invited Rajani-priya (Rose Forkash), almost ninety-eight years old now, to accompany us to the Los Angeles Ratha-yatra.

In the car on the way back to Carpinteria after the festival, she said, “Giriraj—I want to thank you, thank you, thank you so many times for including me in today’s program. I needed it, I wanted it, and you gave it to me, so I must thank you again and again.

“I’m almost a hundred. It hasn’t been easy, but I have had wonderful people in my life—especially Prabhupada, a wonderful man. If I hadn’t lived so long, I wouldn’t have met so many wonderful people.

“I cannot tell you how much I enjoy being in the company of devotees chanting Hare Krishna.

“I am a very fortunate lady. It was an enjoyable, wonderful day, and I will remember it forever.”

At intervals along the way back, Rajani-priya broke into spontaneous singing of Hare Krishna, in Srila Prabhupada’s original melody. In the eleven hours since we had picked her up from her home, her energy and enthusiasm had not waned at all; rather, in her ecstatic mood, they had increased.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

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[Congregation program at Melbourne, Australia]

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[Seminar at Community Hall, Melbourne, Australia]

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The post From ritual to spiritual 3 – Analysis of Krishna’s pastime with the ritualistic brahmanas – The brahmanis selfless devotion appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]

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[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]

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The post Dhruva pastime analysis 2 – DHRUV acronym – Humility and honesty leads to authentic bhakti appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Congregation program at Melbourne, Australia]

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The post Increasing willpower – by increasing the distance between us and our feelings, and our feeling and our actions appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Preaching program in Szombathely, Hungary (Album of photos)
Last night Sivarama Swami gave a presentation on Compassionate Liv...

Avanti House explores Faith Ethos.
Teachers and staff from the Avanti House Secondary School in Stanmore came to the Manor for a special presentation by Navin Krishna das (Nitesh Gor). Nitesh who is the Founder and Chief Executive, Avanti Schools Trust, explained “The purpose was to explore the faith ethos of Avanti schools.” All the attendees then received first class hospitality provided by the Visitors and Tours team and kitchen crew. ISKCON is the faith affiliate for the Avanti Schools.

Transcendental Art in ISKCON.
With the help of Bhaktivedanta Manor, in a new academic documentary Professor Gwilym Beckerlegge explores the importance of sacred books and ‘transcendental art’ in the life of ISKCON. The film is now part of the teaching materials of ‘Exploring Religion’ - the Open University’s latest introductory course in the study of religions. The film and the associated book are linked to the part of the course that examines religious texts, including oral traditions and art as well as sacred books. Professor Gwilym Beckerlegge is a member of the Department of Religious Studies at The Open University whose work centres on the study of contemporary Hindu movements.

We invite all of the devotees to come and take part in this years’ Jhulan Yatra festival. Adhivas will be held on Radha Madhava’s altar after Sandhya Arati, on Tuesday 21st August; then 22nd to 26th August is the festival at Jhulan Gardens [Srila Prabhupada Ashram, next to Goshalla]. The Deity Procession will leave the […]

The post Jhulan Yatra Festival 2018 Invitation appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Pol’and’Rock - 2nd Day (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: As hundreds of thousands of people flooded the Pol’and’Rock Festival, Krsna’s Village of Peace went into action. From Ratha Yatra down the main avenue, to prasadam distribution and continuous kirtan in our Mantra Yoga tent, the sincere efforts of over 700 devotees caused a tidal wave of mercy.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/qJ3yG6

Why are sports so popular? According to Vaishnava teachings, everything here, including the sporting propensity, is an imperfect or distorted reflection of the original, blissful activities of all-attractive Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unfortunately, although in this material realm sports may be attractive, their charm is illusory. We can’t enjoy the Real Thing here. At best we can try to squeeze pleasure out of a perverted representation, like a mirage in the desert. When it comes to genuine, pure fun or sport, Lord Krishna is the unrivaled champion, the unabashed connoisseur, as we see in Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.18.19: “Krishna, who knows all sports and games, then called together the cowherd boys and spoke as follows: 'Hey cowherd boys! Let's play now! We'll divide ourselves into two even teams.'" Continue reading "Sri Krishna and the Original Sporting Propensity
→ Dandavats"

"Both the Vaishnava theists and the materialists each present their own set of amazing stories. The choice is . . . which set of amazing stories to believe." It is the grand conceit of the materialistic worldview that “man is the measure of all things.” When we dig a little deeper, we find that this premise is based on a profoundly arrogant presumption, namely, that all reality can ultimately be subordinated to our sense perception and intellect. Continue reading "In Defense of the Vedic View
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Is Krishna consciousness polytheistic? A discussion of panchopasana provides a clear answer that also helps us understand all religions. At first blush, Vaishnavism may seem polytheistic, given the various gods associated with the Vedic pantheon. But if we look slightly beneath the surface, we see there is more to this so-called polytheism than meets the eye. The concept of monotheism – that there is only one God – tends to be associated with the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), but it is found elsewhere as well. So the first point to be acknowledged is that monotheism is more pervasive than is commonly understood. Continue reading "Many Gods or One? Five Prominent Deities and Their Universal Meaning
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 18.45 Inclusive spirituality centers on rejection of work, but on its reconceptualization and redirection appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post How can we help people who have dementia? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Lokanatha Goswami was the eldest of the Goswamis living in Vraja-bhumi. He shunned name and fame so much that he asked Krishna Dasa Kaviraja to keep his name out of Caitanya-Caritamrita.

“Anyone who reads the Srimad Bhagavatam,” said Lokanatha Goswami, “he is my friend.”

Once Krsna Himself appeared and gave Lokanatha a Deity of Radha-Vinoda. Lokanatha Goswami carried his Deity all over Vraja in a cloth bag hung around his neck.

Lokanatha Goswami accepted Narottama Dasa for initiation as his only disciple. He appreciated his genuine humility and determination to serve. Every night for one year Narottama Dasa secretly served his guru by carefully cleaning the field where Lokanatha Goswami passed stool.

Lokanatha Goswami’s original Deities of Radha-Vinoda are now worshiped in Jaipur, Rajasthan. A prati-bhu murti (expanded form of the original Deity) of Radha-Vinoda adorns the altar at the Radha-Gokulananda temple in Vrindavan. The samadhi of Lokanatha Goswami is the largest one in the temple courtyard. 

He serves Srimati Radharani as Manjuali-manjari in nitya Vrindavan lila.

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[Seminar at Bhakti Lounge, Wellington, New Zealand]

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[Seminar at Bhakti Lounge, Wellington, New Zealand]

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[Seminar at Bhakti Lounge, Wellington, New Zealand]

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The post 3 principles for spiritual community building – Session 1 – Authenticity appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at Community Hall, Melbourne, Australia]

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The post From ritual to spiritual 2 – Analysis of Krishna’s pastime with the ritualistic brahmanas – Understanding the brahmans appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Rathayatra in Vladivostok (Album of photos)
Vladivostok is a major Pacific port city in Russia overlooking Golden Horn Bay, ne...

Welcome to the Conch Aug 2018 Issue.
The monthly newsletter for the community of ISKCON New Govardhana (Krishna Farm)
Table of Contents: Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Lord Balarama Appears
Historic Building Breathes New Life
52 Years and Counting!
Krishna Pad News
Northern Adventures
Maha Jewellery by Manjula
In Focus: Krpalu Krsna Balarama Dasa
Magic in Krishna’s Gardens
The Lord’s Plan
Ratha-Yatra Snapshot
Read it online here: https://conch.org.au/conch_2018_08_aug/

“I’m here to make a sacrifice”
Question: You gave an example of Vyasadeva, who compiled the Vedic literatures and Narada Muni said it was all useless because it didn’t have a connection to the Supreme Lord, so is there any use of propagating Ayurveda, Yoga and things like that, to attract people or better we should represent pure devotional service?
His Holiness Bhakti Bhringa Govinda Swami: We should always represent pure devotional service. There’s no question about that. We’re not here to teach people how to make money. We’re not here just to teach people how to be healthy. We’re not here to teach people how to become fertile and have more children. We’re here to teach people how to become devotees of Krishna.
You see, but there are some aspects of Vedic culture which people do find attractive. So therefore will show those to people in order to attract them.
It’s just like in Gita Krishna tells Arjuna, He says “In the beginning of the creation I sent forth the generations of demigods and sacrifices to be performed.
He said “Be thou happy by the performance of sacrifice”
But this is not necessarily what Krishna wants us to do that we would perform Vedic sacrifice. Ultimately what does Krishna wants us to do? Can anyone remember the verse from the Bhagavad-Gita that will read last night?
Krishna wants full surrender, exactly.
Krishna doesn’t want that we just do some yajna so that we could go to material heaven. Krishna wants full surrender, so that we can come into a relationship with him.
Like we see the examples of Krishna’s great devotees. We see the standard of sacrifice they are willing to perform. The sacrifices that they perform that’s illuminated in the shastra. So we should understand that a high level of sacrifice is required if we wish to enter into a relationship with God.
Like the sacrifice of the happiness of family or material society, or material friends, or material wealth and all those different things. So a very high level of sacrifice is required.
But still Krishna says then you should do some yajna and by the performance of the yajna you will be happy. What is the psychology attached to that? That if you perform yajna you will associate with the learned people or Brahmans. And even though you are performing some ritual - the Brahmans will give you a higher instruction.
So we can give some instruction in yoga, we can teach people about ayurveda, because it is the natural way by which people can heal themselves, but we will always try to get people to chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, taking Srila Prabhupada’s books.
See we have to remain focused on that, otherwise it just becomes mundane. Unless we are focused on preaching and giving Krishna Consciousness - it becomes mundane. And then we see that we become materialistic, devotees just become progressively more and more materialistic and they forget the process that “I’m here to make a sacrifice”.
Anything we can use in Krishna’s service, but we will use these things to attract people and engage people in the Lord’s pure devotional service.

Chant and be Still!
Ananda Vrindavaneswari: There is a great connection between stillness and listening. “Don’t move” we say when we hear some noise around the house in the middle of the night. In yoga we hold the body still in order to hear the breath. We will hold the shoulders of our child while we tell her something important.

In the tradition of mantra meditation, the repetition of a sacred sound, how we listen, how we hear the mantra is the difference between a successful practice or not. Although in the Krishna Bhakti practice there are no hard and fast rules for chanting, and we are encouraged to chant in whatever way works best for us, being still while we do our daily japa meditation is very helpful for the practitioner wishing to advance.

When I sit down to do my mantra meditation I make a commitment not to move for 15 mins (that’s about 2 rounds on the japa beads). It’s important to make sure we are comfortable and the lower back is supported. Then I begin the meditation. Holding the body still immediately helps my mind to settle down. I move quickly to a clear sense of separation from the outer world to the inner world. I have arrived at an important place and time and the holding still invites me to be present.

Besides the small movements of the beads through my fingers, and the audible chanting, all else is quiet and my focus is on hearing the mantra and hearing it again and again. With a still body, my mind is easier to control, easier to bring back to the mantra with better focus and feelings. After 2 rounds I adjust my sitting position and set it again for another 15 minutes.

Be warned! When we hold the body still, it talks to us. We are more conscious of it than usual and it will twitch and itch and pain. But it’s a powerful experience to ignore all that and lean into the sound of the mantra.

At the end of the day it’s important to be careful about our practice so that it does the work it’s meant to do - remind us of who we are beyond our body and awaken pure love. Deep listening to the maha-mantra has a lot to tell us. Stillness can help us hear the message better.