Planet ISKCON

[Congregation program at London, UK]

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Answer Podcast

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[Congregation program at ISKCON, Crawley, UK]

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The post Free will and God’s will (3) appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Bhagavatam class at the Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK]

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The post Free will and God’s will 3 – How God helps us free our free will appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Bhagavatam class at the Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK]

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Podcast Summary

 

The post Free will and God’s will 2 – Understanding the trigger, cause and target of our weaknesses appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

In a talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.13, on May 30, 1972, in Los Angeles, Srila Prabhupada spoke about the qualities of a devotee, and I was struck by the following:

A devotee is sympathetic—and friendly. “Sympathetic. We should be very much sympathetic. If some of our fellow men fall sick, we must take care of them, give help to them. Because after all, we have got this body; sometimes we may fall sick. So, we should be sympathetic. And friendly. Everyone’s friend. As Krishna is friend of everyone, suhrdam sarva-bhutanam [Gita 5.29], so if we are Krishna’s representative: ‘How can I be enemy of anyone? I must be friendly.’ ”

A devotee is grave. “ ‘Grave’ means doesn’t talk nonsense. Don’t talk nonsense. Don’t waste time. If you have got time, chant Hare Krishna. But don’t talk nonsense. That is called gravity. Grave.”

A devotee is satisfied—and surrendered to Krishna. “Satisfied, in any condition. Not that ‘I must have all these things; then I’ll be satisfied. Otherwise, I’m going from the temple.’ No, this is not Vaishnava qualification. You must live with the devotees—even if you are not satisfied. In any condition, you should be satisfied. Because as soon as you leave the company, you become again rogues, again demons. At least you’ll be saved if you keep the company of the devotees. Satam prasangan mama virya-samvidah [SB 3.25.25]. If you give up their company, then you again become rogues and demons. Therefore you must be satisfied, in whatever condition. ‘Whatever Krishna has given, that’s all right.’ Satisfied.

“Surrendered to Krishna. That satisfaction can be achieved only when one is fully surrendered to Krishna. If I have surrendered to Krishna, Krishna has taken my charge. Krishna says, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Gita 18.66], then why shall I bother myself? If I am thinking, ‘I am suffering,’ it is also Krishna’s grace. We should take like that. Even if in my consideration I am in a position which is apparently suffering, we must accept it as Krishna’s grace: ‘All right, I have surrendered to Krishna. If Krishna is giving me suffering, that’s all right.’ That is surrender. ‘Oh, I have surrendered to Krishna, and now Krishna is giving me suffering? Oh, leave Krishna consciousness’—that is not surrender. Surrender means in any condition you’ll remain surrendered. That is surrender. Not that I put my own condition, and if you satisfy me, then I shall . . . That is business; that is not surrender. Surrender means in any condition, fully surrendered to Krishna.”

I pray to imbibe Srila Prabhupada instructions—and follow his example.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 3 January 2018, New Govardhana, Australia, SB 1.2.15)

It is extremely nice to explore Krsna because he is a personality who constantly moves between being very human-like and also very super-human. It is the human element however that brings him close to us because we can recognise ourselves in Krsna and his experiences. And yet, his solutions are sometimes very super-human in nature which is purely amazing. So in this way we become close to Krsna – the Supreme Personality.

Krsna’s all-pervading universal form is described in the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad-gita, where it is compared to many suns rising at the same time. It is said that Robert Oppenheimer was quoting the Bhagavad-gita when conducting the first tests of the nuclear bomb. They were situated in a bunker and were seeing the explosions go off, at which point Oppenheimer quoted the Bhagavad-gita saying how this appeared like many suns rising at the same time. Such a form is also Krsna, however it is difficult for us to approach Krsna’s universal form. Krsna is much easier understood through his human nature where we can understand him and offer our human qualities when dealing with him. Therefore, it becomes easy for us to love him. It is not so easy to love that energy which is like many suns rising at the same time. One may be impressed by it, that is for sure, but loving that form can be difficult.

Still Krsna is lovable, and such love is not by force. In the beginning, a little bit of force may be needed to fix the mind. But very soon, Krsna will capture us. We will be drawn to Krsna – it does not take much at all! A little service for Krsna and one becomes immediately drawn to him. The verses of this part of the chapter gradually lead us to show how we are being drawn and attracted to Krsna. So in this way, Krsna consciousness is a very natural thing. As Srila Prabhupada said, “Love for Krsna is not an artificial imposition on the mind. It is a natural thing!”

The article " Super-human " was published on KKSBlog.

The meeting of ISKCON Australia leaders takes place every year at one our temples or rural communities. This time it was held at ISKCON Mahaprabhu Mandira in Melbourne and went for three days.

As usual, there was robust discussion about various subjects and quite a few of the leaders, such as, the communications minister, womens minister and national treasurer, gave slide show presentations as well.

In my opinion, the quality of Melbourne temple prasadam is up there with the best in the world and going by the satisfied look on everyones face, they shared my view.

A snake penetrated into a carpentry workshop.  As it slipped, it passed over a saw and got slightly wounded. Suddenly, it turned and bit the saw, and biting the saw, the snake seriously got wounded in its mouth!

Then not understanding what was happening and thinking that the saw was attacking "him," it decided to roll around the saw to suffocate it with all its body by squeezing it with all its strength, but it ended up being killed by the saw!

Similarly our snake-like mind where has a tendency to find-fault with others and hurt them. But actually, like the snake we get hurt. Sometimes it is better to ignore situations, ignore people, ignore their behavior, and their words. Sometimes it is better not to react so as not to suffer consequences that can sometimes be deadly or harmful.

The food we eat, has to be digested and then thrown out of body in 24 hours, else we will fall ill.

The water we drink, gets in our body and is thrown out in 4 hours, else we will fall ill.

The air we breathe, has to be thrown out in 1 minute, else we will die.

Negative emotions like hatred, anger, jealousy, insecurity, we hold in our body for days, months and years. If these negative emotions are not thrown out regularly it comes out as psycho-somatic diseases.

The best way to remove these negative emotions is to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra regularly.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare|
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare||

Hare Krishna

Car ride to airport.



The post Daily Darshan: May21,2018 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The power of habit is terrible – and terrific (Based on Gita 02.62)
Habit can be terribly powerful. When people get caught in some bad habits such as smoking or drinking, they find quitting those habits almost impossible – it appears that habits have a power bigger than theirs.
The key in dealing with habits is understanding that even if habits can’t be rejected, they can be replaced. Whatever habits we have, they serve some need. To the extent we cultivate a positive habit that fulfills the need fulfilled by a negative habit, to that extent freeing ourselves from the negative habit becomes easier.

Hari-Nama-Cintamani, chapter 3 - Namabhasa-bicara
“Considerations regarding Namabhasa”
Extending His lotus hand, merciful Lord Caitanya picked up Haridasa. He said, “Haridasa, by your words I wish to understand namabhasa very clearly. One who understands nämäbhäsa can attain çuddha-näma, pure chanting of the holy name. By the mercy of the pure holy name that soul can easily cross over the ocean of birth and death.”
Read more: https://goo.gl/UpvfYK

Harinama in Cologne, Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: It is very, very encouraging that you are holding kirtanas in public places and some way or other people are becoming interested. These outdoor kirtanas should be rigidly followed at least one hour daily. That will make our movement popular there. We have good experience here in every city, especially Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and here in Columbus. This is making our movement very popular more and more, So in any circumstances, you all go together outdoors for kirtana at least for one hour daily.
From Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to Krsna Dasa – Columbus, Ohio, May 17th 1969
Find them here: https://goo.gl/h6nKju

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by HH Devamrita Swami - 20 May 2018 at the Hare Krishna Temple Melbourne (video)

Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra - Cheeka, Haryana, India (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The books are being written specifically for my students and I am so glad to learn that you read them so carefully. The words are ambrosial because they are not my personal words, they are instructions of my predecessors and I am just trying to administer them to my best knowledge. That is the way of Parampara system. We have nothing to manufacture, but simply carry the message as a faithful peon. That will be effective. One should be very sincere to his Spiritual Master and Krsna simultaneously. Then everything comes out successful. That is the verdict of the Vedas and Lord Caitanya. (From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Jayapataka – Los Angeles 17 April, 1970)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/i7HQpc

All Things Must Pass.
Dhirasanta Das Goswami: Once a king called upon all his wise men and asked, “Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and at every time, something which can help me when none of you are available to advise me. Tell me is there any mantra?”
All the wise men were puzzled by the king’s question. One answer for all questions, something that works everywhere, in every situation, In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? They thought and thought.

Stepping Into Ukraine (10 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: After Russia, we continued our preaching tour in Ukraine. The Ukraine Yatra is one of the most successful in ISKCON with over 15,000 devotees. We first visited Kharkiv where we participated in an amazing Ratha Yatra and then went on to Kiev, the capital, where we had darshan of Radha Madhava in our movement’s biggest temple in the country. There we had several days of kirtan and lectures in an ocean of blissful devotees!

You are probably aware or must have heard about the coming GDPR regulations that will go in effect on May 25th 2018. From this date the new EU law governs the use of your personal private data that we collect and store on KKSBlog. Although there are currently already regulations applicable, the GDPR extends these rules and the rights that people have over their personal data. Please read on how KKSBlog is affected and what we did to comply to the new law.

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What is the GDPR exactly?

The GDPR consists of a long list of regulations for the handling of consumer data. Here is a good video about it. (warning, may induce sleep or drowsiness).

 

The article " GDPR – The EU Privacy regulations " was published on KKSBlog.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 about Private Victory… You can listen to that here. In the second part of our interview with Damodara Prabhu we discuss… How to speak the truth in the most beneficial way The tension between the rugged individual and cooperation What public victory has to do with japa Why […]

The post 18-Public Victory-Seven Habits Part 2-Damodara Prabhu appeared first on Successful Vaisnavas - Personal Development for Hare Krishnas.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 about Private Victory… You can listen to that here. In the second part of our interview with Damodara Prabhu we discuss… How to speak the truth in the most beneficial way The tension between the rugged individual and cooperation What public victory has to do with japa Why […]

The post 18-Public Victory-Seven Habits Part 2-Damodara Prabhu appeared first on Successful Vaisnavas - Personal Development for Hare Krishnas.

Answer Podcast

The post When Kripa participated in the murder of the Pandavas son, why did they still accept him as their priest? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

*All India Padayatra NEWS.*
By Acarya Dasa.
On May 19 and 20, 2018, All India Padayatra traveled from Hubali city to Navgaon via Keshavpur in Karnataka.
For the pleasure of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundara, Srila Prabhupada and Gurudev we would like to announce the book distribution score of All India Padayatra on 19th and 20th May, 2018.
Maha-big Books - 112
Big Books - 12
Small Books - 239
Total Books - 363.
Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasundara ki jai…
Srila Prabhupada ki Jai…
More photos: https://goo.gl/aTZyiF

Museum of Sacred Art (Album of photos)
MOSA is happy to present this amazing show called Divine Portraiture consisting of 4 a...

A Video message by Dr. Harsh Vardhan Honorable Minister of Science and Earth Technology Government of India, New Delhi.

HH Bhakti Charu Swami’s seminar on Vaisnava Etiquette at New Talavana, April 21st, 2018 (video)

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 04/15/2018

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes cow protection, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Jamuna Jivani (board secretary), Makara, Olivia, Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Bhima (partial attendance) and Kalakantha (partial attendance).

Participating Staff: Caitanya Bhagavat, Lalita Gopi, and Vidya.

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

Ananda Vidya and Lalita Gopi:

• are currently milking seven cows: Jamuna, Surabhi, Laxmi, Sita, Anjali, Sriya, and Malati. Milk production is up to approximately 34 gal. per day.
• There are four heifers residing at the Temple Barn: 16-month-old Vamsika, eight-month-old Lalita, four-month-old Gopi Katyayani, and six-week-old Gaurangi.
• Parvati continues to reside with Dharma for breeding at the Valley Barn. Dr. Moore is scheduled to check her this week for pregnancy.
• Jaya Radhe is still residing at the Nandagram Farm with Madhu for breeding.
• Subhadra is due the end of May.
• Ananda Vidya continues to produce approximately 15 lbs. of butter, 15 gal. of yogurt, and 1/2 gal. of ghee on a weekly basis, and delivers them to the temple. In addition he made two (8” diameter x 3.5” high) wheels of Colby cheese this month.
• rented a machine for roughing up the smooth concrete in the calf pen/calving area of the Temple Barn. This was to prevent the cows from slipping on the slick concrete.

Ray:

• has nearly completed the cleanup of the former Brose trailer site across from the ECO-V Valley Barn area. The scrap wood has been burnt, the trailer frame has been removed, and John King will scrap the remaining metal on site.
• repaired a brake cylinder on the F-800 flatbed truck and hauled a 4,100 lb. load of scrap metal from the old brickyard area to the recycling center in Wheeling. There is at least one more load to be taken in.
• picked up 1,800 lbs. of potato seed and will cut it into pieces for planting this month. We will be planting two different areas with potatoes this year: a bottom field along Wheeling Creek at the Valley Barn, and strips at the Community Garden.
• completed the repair work on the Nandagram field house: two new sink faucets were installed, water lines to the tub were repaired, and the drywall on the ceiling below basement tub was replaced and painted.
• continues moving hay from the Valley Barn to Nandagram.

Caitanya Bhagavat:

• worked with Hari Chand in the ox program for one hour each morning, along with daily Nandagram herd care. He is researching a price quote on a single yoke and britchen for Hari Chand.
• and Tripada on the skid steer, along with Ray with the tractor and grapple hook, worked together to give the Nandagram barn its spring cleaning, which gave us a large pile of manure to compost for the fields and gardens.

Suchandra:

• tilled the beds at the Teaching Garden
• laid ground cover where needed
• checked the equipment for issues
• started the tomato, marigold, carnation, lettuce, pepper, black-eyed Susan, and other seeds
• planned out where to plant everything, and how many plants are needed.
• ordered more groundcover, heating mats, hole burner, handheld transplanter, and seeds
• started transplanting tomatoes, peppers and marigolds
• watered plants at the greenhouse

Radhanath Das:

• cleared the tree orchard area
• worked on clearing and preparing Vidya’s gardens by clearing beds, tilling, and laying groundcover
• started making tomato cages and preparing transplanting trays
• planted tomatoes, peppers and marigolds
• did some transplanting
• watered plants at greenhouse

Mukunda & Lila:

• prepared garden beds at Nandagram, weeded, and laid groundcover
• started planting tomatoes and peppers

2. Internal Funding Request: $9K for a Truck

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to invest in equipment to support its ongoing farming-related projects.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes a budget up to $9,000 for the purchase of a used truck for use by the garden crew.

3. 2018 Anniversaries

This year marks the 50th anniversary of New Vrindaban, and the 20th anniversary of ECO-Vrindaban. There was a discussion about different ways for ECO-V to commemorate the occasion. Some of the ideas included creating a community event of painting the Temple Barn, making a video (or a series of short videos) about what ECO-V does and what its accomplishments have been over the years, and hosting a small cow festival over the summer, in preparation for a bigger one in 2019.

4. ISKCON North American Farm Meetings

The North American ISKCON Farm Meetings have been moved to DeLand, Florida, and will take place June 25th and 26th. Jamuna Jivani and Lalita Gopi have volunteered to attend as representatives of ECO-V.

5. 50th Anniversary of Cow Protection in ISKCON

2019 will mark the 50th anniversary of cow protection within ISKCON, which originated in New Vrindaban (Spring 1969). To commemorate the occasion, there are plans for a feature article to be published in Back to Godhead magazine. Also, the 2019 biennial North American ISKCON Farm Conference will be held in New Vrindaban. The ECO-V members present put forth ideas for the conference, which included presentations by successful projects within ISKCON North America, and a list of some relevant personalities to invite.

Here’s a link to the ECO-Vrindaban website.

For regular updates, please visit, like and follow the ECO-V Facebook page.

Rathayatra in Rome, Italy (video)
Srila Prabhupada: The mind is restless, always desiring something, desiring something. So the best policy to control the mind is to desire how to spread Krsna consciousness. This is the best. Kamah krsna-karmarpane. Narottama dasa Thakura has said that you cannot be free from desire. That is not possible. This is useless attempt. They say that “You become desireless.” No, that is not possible. How can I? If I become desireless, I become dead. So long I am living entity, I must desire. I cannot check it. Therefore kama means desire. So at the present moment, we are desiring how to become happy in this material world, how to acquire so much money, how to acquire this, how to acquire this, how to get this, how to get that. This is kama. So this brain taxation, if you engage in Krsna’s service – how to spread Krsna consciousness, how to convince people about Krsna, how to take them to the Krsna’s desire, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66] – and in this way, if you go on making plan for spreading Krsna consciousness, then your mind is controlled. Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.27 – January 4, 1975, Bombay

Born to be a kirtaniya (1 min video)
Amazing little bhajan of a 2-3 years old baby, probably imitating the ecstasy and passion...

On 17th May 2018, Vaisesika Dasa gave a talk on “Keys to Inner Fulfillment” @ Intel HQ in Santa Clara, California. This talk was part of a series on Mindfulness & Conscious Living. More than 250 employees attended his talk (including both in-studio audience & global audience). Everyone deeply appreciated how he connected engineering minds employing their terms of reference, and shared practical ways to better handle work, stress and relationships, leading to a more productive & fulfilling life.
Find the photos of the event here:https://goo.gl/QBzWNV

Answer Podcast

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