guru sadhu and shastra cannot be monopolized
→ Servant of the Servant

Couple of posts earlier, I wrote about guru, sadhu and shastra as the springboard to understand Ashokshaja - the One who is inconceivable. This system of guru, sadhu and shastra is not institutionalized or monopoly of one religion or sect. For example, ISKCON follows guru, sadhu and shastra and it seems like guru, sadhu and shastra is part of an institution called ISKCON but ISKCON was setup to spread the word of Krishna and create opportunities for devotees to come together to interact with Krishna but certainly it was not set up to monopolize or institutionalize the concept of guru, sadhu and shastra.

Any person who is sincerely seeking the truth, must accept the authority of guru, sadhu and shastra regardless of institutional set up and proceed in the selfless service of Adhokshaja. The Lord is impartial and equal to all beings and no one claim ownership or special favor save and except beings who love Him for because when we express selfless love towards Adhokshaja (another name for Krishna), then He reciprocates in-kind!

Hare Krishna

Bhagavad-gita and Modern Psychology 1 – Is there anything beyond emotionality and rationality?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at ISKCON, Towaco, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Bhagavad-gita and Modern Psychology 1 – Is there anything beyond emotionality and rationality? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

“Ask a monk” is back on the streets of Copenhagen,…
→ Dandavats



“Ask a monk” is back on the streets of Copenhagen, Denmark (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: You mentioned that you are not yet a very bold preacher, but you will become bold, if you have got sincerity. In the beginning also I could not speak. But Krishna is within you, and when you are serving Him sincerely He will give you courage, boldness, everything. We are not going to bluff anyone or cheat others, and we are delivering the message on behalf of the Supreme Lord, so we haven’t got anything to fear and we should be always mindful of our topmost position of occupation of life. To be the messenger of the king is practically as good as to be the king, so the king is the most exalted position. I act like a king because no one can defeat me, and similarly, you should take your responsibility very, very seriously as being the representative of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Who is God Himself, and always remember that you are one of the few men I have appointed to carry on my work throughout the world and your mission before you is huge. Therefore, always pray to Krishna to give you strength for accomplishing this mission by doing what I am doing. My first business is to give the devotees the proper knowledge and engage them in devotional service, so that is not very difficult task for you, I have given you everything, so read and speak from the books and so many new lights will come out. We have got so many books, so if we go on preaching from them for the next 1,000 years, there is enough stock. Just like we have spent one day discussing one sloka, so you introduce this system in all of the temples, and very quickly the devotees will make spiritual progress by getting knowledge. As for the GBC members, if we study one sloka daily in our classes it will take you more than 50 years to finish Srimad-Bhagavatam alone, so at least 50 years matter is already there minimum. So we can finish Bhagavatam once in our lifetime and the next generation can begin again, like that. —From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to: Satsvarupa - Los Angeles 16 June, 1972
Find them here: https://goo.gl/p9WKXb

TOVP Euro Tour Day 13: Zurich, Switzerland
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy TOVP staff

The usual program was held in the evening with kirtan, abhisheka and presentations by Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus. And once again, the devotees were so overwhelmed by Lord Nityananda’s mercy that, although only twenty five devotees were present, 65,000 Euros/77,000 USD was pledged. The temple President, Krishna Premarupa prabhu was so enthusiastic that even after we left and despite a large monthly mortgage payment, at the Sunday program he raised an additional 10,000 Euros/12,000 USD for a total of 75,000 Euros/90,000 USD. This is the type of sacrifice that brings the blessings of the Lord. We would like to thank the GBC, Dina Sharana devi dasi and temple president Krishna Premarupa das for their support and cooperation which inspired the generous response from all the devotees. All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Lord Nrsimha! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord! The tour is now completed and the Padukas and Sitari have returned to Their places on the altar in Sridhama Mayapur. Continue reading "TOVP Euro Tour Day 13: Zurich, Switzerland
→ Dandavats"

Important changes in the management of the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (BRC) in Kolkata
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Hari-sauri das

The future is very bright. We are organizing research projects and conferences in collaboration with Universities such as Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and Stockholm University. We are also in the process of affiliating with Kolkata University. It is with deep regret then that due to significant health challenges, as of Gaura Purnima, March 2nd, 2018, I have retired from active service as Administrative Co-Director at the BRC. During the last few months I have been working with Academic Director Pranava dasa and others to ensure that the project continues effectively up to the high standards we have already established, and will continue to expand its services. Continue reading "Important changes in the management of the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (BRC) in Kolkata
→ Dandavats"

ISKCON Bangladesh Chittagong takes a divine maneuver to purify the prisoners
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Mukunda Bhakti Das

Prisoners danced in ecstasy with the devotees during the concluding kirtan. The total environment of Jail changed all on a sudden. ISKCON Nandankanan distributed sumptuous Krishna Prasad among the prisoners. The prisoners were blessed by the unconditioned service of the devotee of ISKCON-Nandankanon. It was a lifelong memory and experience for the prisoners, they expressed. Continue reading "ISKCON Bangladesh Chittagong takes a divine maneuver to purify the prisoners
→ Dandavats"

Uttisthata Jagrata Chatra Samaj – A Spiritual Awakening
→ Mayapur.com

“Your program of speaking in colleges…is very much liked by me; in this way, try to penetrate every school and college and introduce our books profusely…That is the method recommended by my Guru Maharaja—now you are practically demonstrating this fact with good results. So go on like this, you have all of Krishna’s blessings.” – […]

The post Uttisthata Jagrata Chatra Samaj – A Spiritual Awakening appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Donate a Gratitude Coin – EU
- TOVP.org

In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, as well as to show our combined gratitude to its Founder/Acharya for this wonderful, transcendental gift he has given to us, the TOVP Fundraising Team has created a special Gratitude Coin Program for those who are able to offer a large amount of financial support.

Six coins are being provided to these donors:

  • Srivas Coin (Silver Patron) - 9,000
  • Gadadhara Coin (Silver Plus Patron) - €20,000
  • Advaita Coin (Silver Premium Patron) - €40,000
  • Nityananda Coin (Gold Patron) - 90,000
  • Chaitanya Coin (Platinum Patron) - €200,000
  • Radharani Coin (Diamond Patron) - €800,000

The collection/pledges from the available coins, $91 million, along with all other contributions (Golden Brick, Nrsingha Tile, and Square Foot) will be offered to Srila Prabhupada on Gaur Purnima in Sridhama Mayapur in 2016 as our combined guru dakshina to help with the completion of the construction by 2022.

To facilitate this, Gratitude Coin donors may pay in installments over the course of several years. Their names will also be included on the Devotional Wall of Fame in the TOVP, and they will be offered various other facilities at Sridhama Mayapur.


Payment Options

 

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The post Donate a Gratitude Coin - EU appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

An inconceivable society
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 December 2017, New Govardhana, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.10-12)

We live in a society that is based on passion and ignorance. This is all we know; nothing else. We have become conditioned by this society and continue to remain frustrated and unfulfilled by it. Even when we come into contact with spiritual life, we become convinced by transcendental knowledge to a degree and prepare to take up the process, however, still we find it very difficult to fully enter into the culture of Srimad Bhagavatam. If for instance, we come together with a few devotees one evening to have Krsna katha, it may be perceived to be weird or socially awkward. This is because culturally, we are still hanging onto our own conditioned culture, which happens to be one of passion and ignorance.

Srila Prabhupada however consistently had a vision of pushing Krsna consciousness, and enabling people to conform to the standards of Srimad Bhagavatam. He went beyond all social convention that people are used to and took every opportunity to glorify Krsna. He envisioned a Krsna conscious society where seekers of the absolute truth were never allured by unnecessary engagement in sense gratification. He described such a society, where its residents were always engaged in pursuing their spiritual goal. Not only was Srila Prabhupada explaining such a vision, but he was actually starting such a society where the Srimad Bhagavatam was put into practice. He created a community of people who are living by such standards, which seems almost inconceivable in the modern context!

The article " An inconceivable society " was published on KKSBlog.

Enthusiasm for Krishna
→ Servant of the Servant

When somethings give pleasure to our mind and senses we become excited or in other words enthusiastic about that something. For example, if a particular food tastes (tongue) good in a particular restaurant then we are enthusiastic to go to the restaurant. If by watching (eyes) a movie, i am happy, then that excites me. So like this in this world, things that excite us is that which gives pleasure to the mind and senses. However, enthusiasm to know, hear and serve Krishna cannot be defined in the same manner.

Enthusiasm for Krishna may not always be pleasurable to the mind and senses. So we cannot use the same mindset towards enthusiasm when it comes to Krishna. When Srila Rupa Goswami talks about utsahan (enthusiasm) as a key ingredient to progress in Krishna Consciousness, we cannot use our worldly enthusiasm as a compass to assess our progress because the worldly enthusiasm is sensual.

Enthusiasm in Krishna is different in that it is based on our long-term well-being (shreyas) especially when we are in the beginning stages of bhakti. We become excited in Krishna or enthusiastic to serve Krishna thinking this will help me transcend the miseries of this world and so we act like it is an investment. This may sound mercantile in the beginning but such attitude is helpful to live a pious and humble life. Such piety and humility then will till the field of our heart favorably so the seed of bhakti grows. Then as the seed becomes a plant, enthusiasm to serve Krishna becomes a matter of increasing our loving exchanges with Krishna. .

So yes the definition of enthusiasm on the worldly platform and Krishna are not the same and spiritual enthusiasm begins for ensuring our long-term well-being and when we cross that stage enthusiasm from our heart will be to increase our love for Krishna.

Hare Krishna.

TOVP Euro Tour Overview
- TOVP.org

Miracles are not uncommon in the pastimes and seva of the Lord, and certainly the TOVP Euro Tour is a current example of how the Lord reciprocates with His devotees, blesses them and simultaneously fulfills His own purposes, in this case the building of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and manifestation of His own prophecy of the adbhuta mandir.

From April 10th – 27th, history was created as Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus, led by Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari, traveled to twelve European temples inundating the devotees with the Lord’s mercy and MISSION 22 to complete the TOVP by the year 2022. Unexpected by all the leaders was the incredible outpouring of financial support by the small numbers of devotees in most of the European temples, many of them considered poor by material standards. The total collection in pledges was 1,240,150 Euros/1,470,290 USD!!! Never before has such a fundraising fervor taken place in the European countries. This overwhelming enthusiasm and support was an indication that Lord Nityananda is in everyone’s heart as Supersoul and is inspiring devotees to serve Lord Gauranga by helping to build His temple, the adbhuta mandir from which His service and Krishna prema will spread to all corners of the universe.

The Hare Krishna explosion has undoubtedly taken place in Europe! And this will create a revolution in the spreading of Krishna consciousness to the European people by the mercy of the Lord:

“The more you help develop Mayapur, the more Lord Caitanya will bless your area of the world and it will flourish.”

Srila Prabhupada letter to Hari-sauri das

Less than four years remain to the Grand Opening of the TOVP at Gaur Purnima, 2022. There is still much work to do, and time and funds are of the essence. We are grateful to all the devotees in the European countries for their hospitality, cooperation, support and general enthusiasm to help complete the TOVP.

The following temples participated in the Euro Tour:

Radhadesh, Belgium
Gauradesh, Germany
Wroclaw, Poland
New Navadvipa Dhama, Poland
New Ekachakra Dhama, Slovakia
New Vrajadhama Farm, Hungary
ISKCON Budapest, Hungary
ISKCON Vienna, Austria
New Yoga Pitha Dhama, Slovenia
Prabhupada Desh, Italy
Villagio Hare Krishna, Italy
ISKCON Zurich, Switzerland

We would especially like to thank the European GBCs and other temple leaders and TOVP Tour Coordinators who supported our efforts and made this tour possible. They are as follows:

GBCs

His Holiness Prahladananda Swami – Poland, Slovenia
His Holiness Bhakti Vaibhava Swami – Poland, Slovakia
His Holiness Sivarama Swami – Hungary
His Holiness Bir Krishna Goswami – Slovenia
His Grace Hrdaya Chaitanya dasa – Belgium
Her Grace Dina Sharana devi dasi – Germany, Austria, Switzerland
His Grace Madhusevita das – Italy
His Grace Praghosa das – U.K.

Temple Presidents

His Grace Manohar das – Radhadesh, Belgium
His Grace Keshava das – Gauradesh, Germany
His Grace Dwaraka Acyuta das – Nava Navadvipa Dhama, Poland
His Grace Krishna Kirtan das – Wroclaw, Poland
His Grace Trilokatma das – New Ekachakra Dhama, Slovakia
His Grace Gauramani das – Budapest, Hungary
Her Grace Nava Kishori devi dasi – Vienna, Austria
His Grace Ananta das – New Yoga Pitha Dhama, Slovenia
His Grace Guru Caran das – Prabhupada Desha, Italy
His Grace Krishna Prema Rupa das – Villagio Hare Krishna, Switzerland

TOVP Tour Coordinators

Her Grace Malati devi dasi & His Grace Manohar das – Belgium
Their Graces Vidyanath das and Keshava das – Germany
Their Graces Krishna Kirtan das and Kishor Kishora das – Poland
Their Graces Trilokatma das and Mahasankarsana das – Slovakia
Their Graces Sanatana das and Radha Krishna das – Hungary
Her Grace Nava Kishori devi dasi and His Grace Vidyanath das – Austria
Their Graces Ananta das and Urukrama das – Slovenia
Her Grace Citrarupini devi dasi – Italy
His Grace Krishna Prema Rupa das – Switzerland

And we cannot forget the tireless service of Her Grace Sukanti Radha devi dasi, the U.K. TOVP Coordinator who planned, arranged and coordinated the entire tour amidst many other TOVP and varied temple services.

The video of Jananivas prabhu is an overview of the tour and some general remarks concerning the TOVP filmed just prior to its completion at the New Yoga Pitha temple in Slovenia.

All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Lord Nrsimha! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!

Click on this link to receive TOVP News and Updates: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

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 Euro Tour Overview appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Евротур ХВП, день 13-ый: Цюрих, Швейцария
- TOVP.org

Покинув «Вилладжио Харе Кришна» в Милане в пятницу, 27 апреля, примерно за 3 часа мы доехали до храма ИСККОН в Цюрихе, где вечером этого же дня была запланирована программа. Таким образом, у нас оставалось достаточно времени, чтобы вернуться в Майяпур до махотсавы в честь День Явления Господа Нрисимхадева.

Вечером была проведена стандартная программа с киртаном, абхишекой и презентациями Джананиваса прабху и Враджа Виласа прабху. И снова милость Господа Нитьянанды обрушилась на преданных. Несмотря на то, что на программе присутствовало только 25 человек, они в целом пожертвовали 65 тысяч евро/77 тысяч долларов США. Наш приезд настолько вдохновил президента храма, Кришну Премарупу прабху, что на воскресной программе уже после нашего отъезда, невзирая на большие ежемесячные выплаты по ипотечному кредиту, он дополнительно собрал 10 тысяч евро/12 тысяч долларов США. Таким образом, общая сумма пожертвований составила 75 тысяч евро/90 тысяч долларов США. Вот он, пример жертвоприношения, за которое Господь проливает Свои благословения.

Мы хотим поблагодарить Джи-би-си, Дину Шарану деви даси, и президента храма, Кришну Премарупу даса, за их поддержку и сотрудничество, которые вдохновили всех преданных на щедрые пожертвования.

Вся слава Господу Нитьянанде! Вся слава Господу Нрисимхе! Вся слава всем преданным Господа!

Так завершился наш тур, и падуки и ситари вернулись на Свое место на алтаре в Шридхаме Майяпуре.

Чтобы подписаться на новости ХВП, перейдите по этой ссылке.

https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

Посетите ХВП: www.tovp.org
Читайте о ХВП: www.facebook.com/mayapur.tovp
Смотрите о ХВП: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Поддержите ХВП: www.tovp.org/ru/donate/seva-opportunities/
Загрузите приложение ХВП для мобильного телефона: www.tovp.org/ru/announcements-ru/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post Евротур ХВП, день 13-ый: Цюрих, Швейцария appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP Euro Tour Day 13: Zurich, Switzerland
- TOVP.org

Departing Villagio Hare Krishna in Milan, Italy on Friday, April 27th, we traveled about three hours to ISKCON Zurich for a program the same evening, giving us time to get back to Mayapur for Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Appearance Day mahotsava.

The usual program was held in the evening with kirtan, abhisheka and presentations by Jananivas and Braja Vilas prabhus. And once again, the devotees were so overwhelmed by Lord Nityananda’s mercy that, although only twenty five devotees were present, 65,000 Euros/77,000 USD was pledged. The temple President, Krishna Premarupa prabhu was so enthusiastic that even after we left and despite a large monthly mortgage payment, at the Sunday program he raised an additional 10,000 Euros/12,000 USD for a total of 75,000 Euros/90,000 USD. This is the type of sacrifice that brings the blessings of the Lord.

We would like to thank the GBC, Dina Sharana devi dasi and temple president Krishna Premarupa das for their support and cooperation which inspired the generous response from all the devotees.

All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Lord Nrsimha! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!

The tour is now completed and the Padukas and Sitari have returned to Their places on the altar in Sridhama Mayapur.

Click on this link to signup for TOVP News and Updates: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1

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 Euro Tour Day 13: Zurich, Switzerland appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Krishna Can Bring Good Out Of Everything – Even Our Mistakes!
→ Dandavats



Krishna Can Bring Good Out Of Everything - Even Our Mistakes!
Chaitanya Charan Das: Sometimes when we commit mistakes, we may become embarrassed, irritated or enraged with ourselves. If we become excessively disturbed, that often becomes a second mistake. By fretting or seething, we waste the time and energy that could have been used for rectification. Certainly we need to learn from our mistakes, but learning requires calmness, which is lost when we let ourselves over-react.

Lean into Kirtan!
→ Dandavats



Lean into Kirtan!
Ananda Vrindavaneswari Devi Dasi: We often speak about the importance of carefully hearing the maha-mantra while we chant our japa (meditation with beads). We don’t often speak about being as careful when we sing the maha-mantra together in kirtan.

INFUSING NAMA JAPA WITH LIFE
→ Dandavats



INFUSING NAMA JAPA WITH LIFE.
Sacinandana Swami: It is well known that chanting the holy name in good company is easier than doing so alone. This holds true both for japa and kirtan. When we chant in a group of devotees, we co-create a devotional energy and atmosphere that we get to enter into together. It is therefore said that sankirtana (kirtana performed with others) can create such extraordinary delight in the chanter that he or she will find it easy to remain focused on the holy name and experience divine taste in chanting.


Read More...

“Overtaking the Spiritual Master” by Kripamoya das
→ Dandavats



Overtaking the Spiritual Master.
Kripamoya das: Dear Srila Prabhupada,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
There was a time in 1976 when you were being driven from Heathrow airport to Bhaktivedanta Manor. The M25 did not exist at that time, so you were moving along the road towards the village of Denham. We young men were excitedly following you in our yellow Ford parcel van. The windows were open and we were singing kirtan at the tops of our youthful voices. Guru and happy disciples on the A 412.

“Public and Private Life Should Be the Same”
→ Dandavats



“Public and Private Life Should Be the Same” by HG Mahatma Prabhu (5 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Sadhu, those who are saintly person, for them there is no secret. Just now in our ordinary social affairs, there is difference between private life and his public life. Now, if somebody is teacher… he can explain very nicely a subject matter, but his private life is not very good. Then he is not a teacher. He is not a sadhu. That is Vedic conception.

ISKCON Scarborough – HG Kratu Prabhu will be giving a special class coming Friday
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

His Grace Kratu Prabhu - a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada will be gracing us with his presence coming Friday- 11th May 2018.
The program starts at 6.45 pm sharp!

Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.34
Even a moment's association with a pure devotee cannot be compared to being transferred to heavenly planets or even merging into the Brahman effulgence in complete liberation. For living entities who are destined to give up the body and die, association with pure devotees is the highest benediction.

Bio data of HG Kratu prabhu:
Kratu Prabhu was born in aristocratic Gujarati Gaudiya Vasihnava family on July 5, 1944. His father was an ardent vaishnava and his mother persistently chanted 16 rounds of Hare Krishna maha-mantra. His wife Her Grace Amrita Devi Dasi is also an initiated disciple of Srila Prabhupada.

During high schooling years, he became president of the students union and went on to receive a bachelor degree in engineering from the M.S. University, Baroda. He also achieved a Masters degree in Engineering from St. Louis University, Missouri USA.

His first exposure to ISKCON happened in 1970, at St. Louis. He later joined full-time in 1974, in Toronto. He met his Guru, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada in 1976, from whom he received a direct order for preaching Krishna consciousness. He and his wife were initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1977 in Toronto, Canada.

While in West, he worked as a professional engineer for five years in Toronto In Chicago he worked for Chicago temple as director of congregational preaching. He then became temple President of Vancouver temple in 1987. In 1993, he moved to Baroda, Gujarat and conducted college and school preaching. He also started a book distribution program by Bullock Cart for every town and village. In 1997, he became temple President of ISKCON, Delhi and continued house and pandal preaching programs.


In 2002, he became an initiating Spiritual Master in ISKCON and is ever since vigorously traveling and preaching all over the world.

A warm invitation goes out to you and your family to join us coming Friday.

With best wishes from,


ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7


Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:
www.iskconscarborough.org

Saturday, May 5th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto / Markham / Brampton

Beats Looking At Screens

The train for Toronto pulled in at midnight.  I decided to roll my luggage all the way back to our ashram, a distance of 4.3 km.  Let’s see how long the wheels will last.

At Dundas Square, I met up with Kamala Kanta, our cook of last year.  He got off his bicycle.  We both had the same question for each other.  “What are you doing here at this hour?”  He had just finished his security job shift and I had come off the train 30 minutes before.

We both like Yonge Street.  There’s characters here.  Other places tend to be bland.  Regarding safety, there’s usually not much to worry about, although just days before, up the street some kilometres, a maniac mowed down over twenty-five innocent people with his van, killing ten.  You never can be too sure!

Sleep came at 1:30 a.m. I rose at 7:00 a.m., enough time to hear and discuss a verse from theBhagavatam.  Not a day should go by that one should ever miss hearing and analyzing a divine verse.  It sets a tone of truth.  Stories, philosophy, imagery, drama, truth—theBhagavatamhas it all.

Out of all the items which constitute a monk’s morning sadhana, I think I like the portion where the group of us sit down and go over the process of analysis and discussion on what the world was, is now, and should be, based on slokas(verses) from the Bhagavatam.

It certainly beats looking at the flashing screens in Dundas Square.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Follow the leader
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 15 September 2015, Durban, South Africa, Kirtan at NJP)

Kirtan means that we have to listen. Just like in chanting japa, in kirtan there is also inattentive chanting. Inattentive chanting means that we sing something else than what the leader is singing and that is what you are doing. Of course, it is very beautiful what you are singing but it is something else. So let us try again. There are some varieties in the tune, it is not just staying the same all the time which means that you have to really listen each time and not go on automatic pilot. There is no automatic pilot in kirtan.

The article " Follow the leader " was published on KKSBlog.

Why psychological distress amidst technological progress – 3 reasons
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Congregation program at Cincinnati, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

The post Why psychological distress amidst technological progress – 3 reasons appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Work hard and be free from stress
→ Servant of the Servant

Householders engage with family and job and this can lead to stress and even depression. Bhagavad Gita recommends working in such way that we do not get consumed by our work but at the same time work hard.

Krishna speaks;

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty. Perform your duty equipoised, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga. If a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Kṛṣṇa consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior.

Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṇu has to be performed; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage. 

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. The steadily devoted soul attains unadulterated peace because he offers the result of all activities to Me; whereas a person who is not in union with the Divine, who is greedy for the fruits of his labor, becomes entangled.

Surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight.

Ref. BG 2.47-48, 3.9, 4.22, 5.12, 3.30

Hare Krishna