Does religion cause war?
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[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Washington DC, USA]

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The mind may stray away, but don’t let it stay away
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[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Baltimore, USA]

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Embracing restrictions
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 25 January 2018, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.12.23-24)

The human form of life is very different from the animal form of life. In the human form, we have responsibility. An animal has no karma in whatever they do – karma-free! You want a karma-free life with no restrictions and the ability to do anything? No problem, here is a tail and a snout to go with it; become an animal! Here, all you get as an animal is your old karma from previous lives and you do not create any new karma. So isn’t it great to be an animal? Not really, because then you do not proceed anywhere.

You may say, “Oh, I will do it. I will sign up for that. I will opt for an animal birth next time. Where do I sign up to be free from karma? Phew!” But what you may forget is that when the previous karma comes, so will happiness and distress, so it is not that good.

The other thing is that you will not go anywhere and make no progress. You are stuck here in the material world, chained by sex life. How long have we been locked away in this jail where the bars of this jail are sex life? These bars keep us here within the jail of the material body. We should not think that this body is for enjoyment. It is actually a cell within a jail. Some may have a big jail cell, whereas some may have a small jail cell, some may have a beautiful jail cell, whilst others may have an ugly jail cell. But which one is good? We may look at each other and think, “That one looks much better. I want to have what they have.” We may look at others with envy, but there is no need to be envious as everyone is actually suffering within different cells of this jail.

When my spiritual master was in New York, a policeman approached him and asked, “What is it that you monks have to give up?” My spiritual master replied with, “Suffering!” The policeman said, “Well, that makes sense.” This is because we can see all layers of society in a city like New York. We get a good overview of the varieties of the sense-gratification that are available to us and its results. But since the ultimate result is not happiness, we voluntarily embrace restrictions in our life.

 

The article " Embracing restrictions " was published on KKSBlog.

The only “prisoner of conscience” to die in a Soviet…
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The only “prisoner of conscience” to die in a Soviet labor camp.
When Saci-suta was a young boy in Armenia he would hike into the country hills and renovate abandoned churches with a friend and later met the devotees. He was always encouraging the other devotees in the Yerevan temple even when the Russian soldiers would come and break up the Sunday festivals and destroy the few furnishings in the ashram. Later, he became a fearless book distributor and would take Communist books out of the library and use the bindings for Srila Prabhupada’s books making them beautiful with his devotion. Then he was caught by the KGB and would not denouce Srila Prabhupada and his movement so he was eventually thrown in a Siberian prison. You cannot imagine the difficulties the devotees encountered at that place. He was so sick with tuberculosis that he passed away. The devotees didn’t know the story until one day a man came up to them when they were on street sankirtan years later. He was exhuberant…and crying, saying, “I was with him. He was so pure. What they did to him. I was with him when he left this world.” He then told the devotees just what happened that day that Sacisuta dasa left his body in a prison in Siberia. That day Saci took up the bed sheet as he had never done before and fashioned it into a dhoti and with some toothpaste applied very nice tilak. With colored paper from magazines he made a garland for Krsna and then put it on himself chanting very intensely. His friend left the dorm facility for some time and when he returned Saci-suta was no longer chanting…just sitting there very straight. After some time the man asked him, “Saci, what is wrong? …you are always chanting. You are funny, Saci…what are you doing?” and then he walked up to our dear Saci-suta dasa and looked very closely this time…“Saci…Saci!” and began crying realizing Saci-suta had left this filthy place forever.
Read more: https://goo.gl/f9KGgz

Sri Narasimha Caturdasi 2018 Festival
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ISKCON Mayapur welcomes worldwide devotees to join us on the joyous occasion of celebrating the appearance day of Sri Narasimhadeva, Sri Narasimha Caturdasi festival 2018. This year, the festival falls on 29th April. A three days festivities including Narahari Nama Kirtan, adhivas, Maha abhisheka and Sri Narasimha Katha are planned for this year’s festival. Sri […]

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If my office workload has decreased but I can’t chant or hear much, what should I do?
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Answer Podcast

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Festival of Joy (Album of photos) Inaugural Jagannath Rath…
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Festival of Joy (Album of photos)
Inaugural Jagannath Rath Yatra Through Downtown Dallas.
Srila Prabhupada: The yogis are trying to control the senses by force. “I shall go to the Himalayas. I shall not see any more beautiful woman. I shall close down my eyes.” These are forceful. You cannot control your senses. There are many instances. You don’t require to go to Himalaya. You just remain in Los Angeles city and engage your eyes to see Krsna, you are more than a person who has gone to Himalayas. You’ll forget all other things. This is our process. You don’t require to change your position. You engage your ears for hearing Bhagavad-gita As It Is, you’ll forget all nonsense. You engage your eyes to see the beauty of the Deity, Krsna. You engage your tongue for tasting Krsna prasadam. You engage your legs to come to this temple. You engage your hands to work for Krsna. You engage your nose to smell the flowers offered to Krsna. Then where your senses will go? He’s captivated all around. The perfection is sure. You don’t require to control your senses forcibly, don’t see, don’t do it, don’t do it. No. You have to change the engagement, the status. That will help you. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.62-72 – Los Angeles, December 19, 1968
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Understanding how the mind acts as a mirror that distorts our self-conception
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[Saturday feast program at ISKCON, Richmond, USA]

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Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Amala-bhakta Swami, Los Angeles,…
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Srimad Bhagavatam Class by Amala-bhakta Swami, Los Angeles, 4-6-18 (video)
Amala-bhakta Swami: A few days ago one of my students asked me, “how, in the Mahabharata, did Shakuni, while playing dice with King Yudhishthira, win the entire Pandava kingdom by cheating? The text says he did it by ‘deception’, but what did he actually do to deceive Yudhishthira?” I answered him fully in my Srimad-Bhagavatam class yesterday. Perhaps some of you might also like to know how.

In The Frozen Shores Of Far Eastern Russia (Album of photos)…
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In The Frozen Shores Of Far Eastern Russia (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Five hundred years ago Lord Caitanya stated that His holy names would be heard in every town and village of the world. That being said, who could have ever imagined that such chanting and dancing would ever reach the frozen far eastern shores of modern-day Russia, the largest country in the world? But here we are witnessing this historic phenomenon first hand ie: a beautiful ISKCON temple on the bay in Vladivostok, stunning deities, hundreds of devotees and numerous preaching programs going on simultaneously. All this has been made possible by Lord Caitanya’s foremost modern-day representative, His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. May he be glorified throughout the 3 worlds!
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Prince of Peace. BB Govinda Swami’s class, given on April…
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Prince of Peace.
BB Govinda Swami’s class, given on April 1, 2018, in Australia: Before we begin speaking on one topic of Brihad Bhagavatamrita since it is Easter Sunday, I would like to wish everybody a joyful Easter. Srila Prabhupada always spoke very highly of Lord Jesus Christ and he always spoke of the pure and unalloyed devotion of Jesus Christ, and today is Easter.

Thursday, April 5th, 2018
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Flacq, Mauritius

Shiny Leaves

It is like the monsoons here.  All night and practically all day, the rains have been coming.  The plants are happy, I can see.  They are so alive and their leaves possess a sheen and a shine from the water pouring on; a truly wet look.

Massive snails, with that army tank for a shell, crawl everywhere.  You have to watch your step.  They are citizens too.

Unfortunately, the torrential rains restrict a walker’s movement.  I'm seeing trees, plants and snails from a veranda. Indoors is the place where we are harbouring, but we are busy with youth.  In the meantime, I also took the opportunity to care for body and feet. My doctor, Jagannath Misra, recommends propping my feet against the wall to address varicose veins.

“Let the blood run down,” he’s told me.

For dealing with arthritis—it’s in the knees—mustard seed oil application—external use—and an ayur-vedic mix of black pepper, ginger, walnuts, almonds and blackberry to be drunk with hot water.  For my kidneys, I'm taking amrita-dhara.  Something called Janardan—a name of God which means “maintainer of all”—is supposed to help the liver and blood circulation. With these daily doses, I'm feeling more like a healthy plant.

I am saddened to hear of the departure of my spiritual sister, Padyavali, who passed away from Parkinson’s.  She was a good soul, devoted to humanity.

May the Source be with you!
2 km



Wednesday, April 4th, 2018
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Flacq, Mauritius

Watch the Lightning

Dinanatha had an incident six weeks ago.  He was doing some work on the roof when lightning struck.  He woke up in the hospital hours later, fortunately alive. We asked him what happened but he can’t remember as he became unconscious during the incident.  It’s just that now his memory of things in general is waning.

Dinanatha, however, is undeterred in his devotion.  His chanting, his puja—home worship—and family responsibilities with two teenage boys are admirable.

Such is the case for a number of people I know here in Mauritius.  There are duty and bhakti-bound folks here.  No one is perfect and not all relations are smooth-going according to Kala, who knows a lot about interactions and dealings in the community.  “Some are doing great,” he says.

The young and old, who accompanied us on this morning’s trek through the sugar cane route, were up early with good treads on—some not so good.  We took the trail of large worn stones and puddles, on up-and-down terrain.  Rain came down just as we completed our walk at 7:00 a.m.

It’s a quiet island.  Folks are shy and simple and we love them.  The youth are being engaged by us in our production of “Many Mothers, Many Fathers.”  This is to be staged twice this weekend.  It’s now annual that I come to the island for a cultural presentation in what we have coined as the “Shakti Show.”

I wish to mention about my dear godsister, Padyavali, who has passed after a long battle with  Parkinson’s. My prayers are with her soul. 

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018
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Durban / Jo’burg / Mauritius

A Scene Next to Me

Three airports and a cozy house in Flacq, Mauritius is where four of us were headed. Out of the four, one, Jambhavan, from South Africa, ventured on a slightly later flight.  The balance—Parikshit from India, Sukadeva from South Africa, and I shared the misfortune along with Jambhavan of having no chance to walk on a trail today.

Somehow Parikshit and Sukadeva ended up in business class and both of them begged me to take the luxury seat to Mauritius, but I was satisfied and preferred they had the good rest.

A family of two young boys was to my left.  Their father courageously told his six year old to not spend any more screen time after the first two films were over.

“I want you to spend a little time to read now,” he smoothly insisted.

“No! No!” said the son, ready to throw a tantrum.

“Now you’ve had enough time in front of the screen.”

The boy refused to listen.  I cast my eyes over toward the dad and volunteered to address the addiction with a smile.

“You’ve got a modern day challenge that you have to shoulder.”

“I do,” said the father.  Then he asked if I could give it a try.  

“Ask him to read; that it’s good for his brain.”  I decided not to participate.  

The young boy was adamant, and so the modern day scenario plays out—an endless drama. Such is Kali-yuga, the age of little compromise.

May the Source be with you!
3 km


Monday, April 2nd, 2018
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Durban, South Africa

A Walk Within the Fest

A component to this 30th Festival of Chariots was the organized walk along the Promenade this morning, featuring The Walking Monk.  At 7:00 a.m., a group of forty people assembled at the Blue Waters Hotel for an hour of communication and fun while taking steps under the sun.  The fun was just that—walking while meeting and greeting.

Durban is one of those progressive cities that looks to the needs of its citizens. Maybe not on all levels;  I’ve heard about the Medicare system.  It’s not perfect, but it is there.  The installment of a broad promenade that we tread is smart, and makes the beach all that more attractive for tourists. The inter-locking, laid, is a mix of rich earthy tones, and curves in snake-like patterns.

I believe that for mingling with people who are drawn to out-of-doors, a walk like this is a must for community development.

Physical walking wasn’t all.  A smaller crew headed for the beach after the walk.  I was one of them.  The current at Beachfront was very strong.  Life-guards were on duty.  Such therapy it was.

My devotional presentation at the Festival site was as Dance Mastain the Bhakti Cloud tent.  For a half hour, I “cut-the-rug,” a pre-’50s saying.  In between presentations of sorts, I always try to make room for listening and offering solutions to trying situations.

The pen I’m using to write with has a caption, “Take the long way home.  It makes up for the fries you ate.”  Well, fries I did eat.  I can’t resist a bit of junk food at this annual event.

May the Source be with you!
6 km

Sunday, April 1st, 2018
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Durban, South Africa

Talks With the Guys

It was great sitting—after walking—with a group of young men, at the amphitheatre, and talking about the things which are important to them.  Two of them have aspirations toward being big musicians. I offered a reality check.

“Perhaps less than 1% of musicians make it big, and of those, many of them have a tough life. Perhaps your music is a hobby and not a career. I was basically relaying some messages about practicality and the responsible role of a man in the society.

“What are some of them?  Let’s try being good listeners, good executors, good providers and good protectors. Build, maintain and disassemble when needed.  Know what it takes to groom yourself for being good dads and good husbands.”

The batch of boys are from the Zulu community.  They appreciated talking about such life matters.  I gathered that it’s not often that some older guy chats with them about these things.  They see me as a coach.  After all, I'm directing them in the play.

The play, “The Queen’s Secret,” was performed for the last time this evening. The young men and women in the drama did splendidly.  They were lit.  Stellar performances.  Standing ovations were well deserved each night.

I do feel like I’m walking with these actors in some way in this life.  Within a matter of less than a week, we bonded amongst ourselves in a strong family sort of way.  We were looking out for each other.  South Africa is a lot like that.  Thieves galore; friends galore.

May the Source be with you!
5 km

TOVP is coming to Hungary
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  • Encouragement for devotees to contribute to the TOVP
  • TOVP team is on tour in Europe
  • The Māyāpura temple will stand for thousands of years and we may know we contributed
  • When we give, the funds come and bring prosperity to individuals, families and yātrās
  • Don’t miss out on the credit

Harinama, book and prasadam distribution @Sanur Bali Beach…
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Harinama, book and prasadam distribution @Sanur Bali Beach 7.4.2018 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Life should be molded in such a way that in every step or action, we shall feel the presence of the Lord. That is spiritual life. That is spiritual life. You need not change your present occupation. … The aim is toward Krsna. … Now, suppose a man or woman is in love, and the man is a third person, beyond the husband of the wife, beyond the, of the woman. Now, it is a example given in scripture that the woman who is fallen in love, the woman of man with other woman, other man, opposite sex. So he may be engaged in so many duties, but his mind is always to that point when he or she will meet his lover. With all his duty, or her duties, during the daytime, she or he always thinks, “Oh, when that moment will come when we shall meet together?” That means the mind is always there. The example is said because when there is ecstasy, when there is ecstasy of love, even within our, within the midst of our multifarious duties, we can remember that thing always. Similarly, God consciousness, we shall have to mold our life in that way that in the midst of our very grave duties, serious duties, we shall always remember the Supreme, the Supreme, in every step. That discrimination, that much love, we have to develop. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.49-51 – New York, April 5, 1966
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tde6M8

Departure of Vrindavan Chandra De
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Hare KrishnaBy The GBC EC

The GBC EC, on behalf of the GBC body, wishes to offer its deepest respect to Sriman Vrndavan Chandra De, on the occasion of his passing from this world. Vrndavan Chandra De was the youngest son of His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Due to his appearance in such an exalted family, he was brought up very lovingly as a Vaisnava devotee of Lord Krsna. When Srila Prabhupada joined the movement of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, he would host Gaudiya Math sannyasis and brahmacaris in his home at Harrison Road, Kolkata. Naturally, young Vrndavan Chandra would also avail himself of their association. Later on, when Srila Prabhupada was staying in Mayapur, he would visit his father regularly, especially in the early seventies. Continue reading "Departure of Vrindavan Chandra De
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How to reconcile the Gita – do your own duty, even if imperfectly – with the Gita – do what you are good at, according to your nature?
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Answer Podcast

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Screen what appears on your inner screen – Learn to manage the mind
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[Congregation program at Washington DC, USA]

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Harinama in Tel Aviv, Israel 7 April 2018 (6 min video)
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Harinama in Tel Aviv, Israel 7 April 2018 (6 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: I have given this example many times. Just like a king and a bug is sitting on the same throne. The bug is biting and the king is ruling. It is not that because the bug is there on the throne, he is king, or the king is sitting with the bug, he is bug. Why this difference? Difference of consciousness. The king knows his duty. He is working in his duty; therefore he’s king. And the bug knows his business, to bite; therefore he’s bug. But sitting on the same place. But because due to different consciousness, one is bug, one is king. So if you take to Krsna consciousness and if you remain in Krsna consciousness, you don’t belong to this world. You are no more bug, you are king. Change this consciousness. Even apparently you may seem to remain with the bug, you are no more bug. Is it clear? From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.46-62 – Los Angeles, December 16, 1968