In the Prasthana-traya, what does nyaya mean – how does it relate with Vedanta-sutra?
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Answer Podcast

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Where is the verse om purnam adah .. from – why is it included as the Ishopanishad invocation?
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Answer Podcast

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How are fruitive activities the engagements of one’s reactions from past good or bad deeds?
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Answer Podcast

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How can we say that we are spiritually equal when in the spiritual world every soul is different?
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Answer Podcast

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Gold Coast home program
→ Ramai Swami

On the way to the Saturday evening Brisbane temple program I stopped off for a lunch program at Rupa Vilasa’s house on the Gold Coast.

He and and his family operate a preaching centre in Southport, which has been going for about five years now. Quite a few devotees came and it was an enjoyable stopover.

 

Sunday, March 18th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Honolulu, Hawaii

They Paved Paradise

There’s Joni Mitchell’s famous song, “Big Yellow Taxi,” with lyrics that go, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot / With a pink hotel a boutique and a swinging hot spot.

“They took all the trees, put ’em in a tree museum / And they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see ’em.”

Gurudas, Kapu and I were walking along the beach with surfers nearby, and runners and walkers moving past, when Kapu, a native Hawaiian, said, out of the blue, “The pink hotel, Joni Mitchell sings about, is right here, downtown.”

“On our way back to the temple, can we take a look at it?” I asked Gurudas, our driver, out of curiosity.

So we did, and we imagined the green that was there before erecting the monster, and, of course, the parking lot.  Interesting!

I delivered two classes today—one was on the topic of the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th avatars as listed in the book, Bhagavatam,and at 5:00 p.m. I spoke from verse 9.6 of the Gita regarding the wind contained in the sky and how even the forceful is under control by the Divine.

These were stories and concepts that lingered in my mind, which occasionally veered over to the theme of Joni’s song.  It’s in the chorus.

“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone / They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”

We take so much for granted.

May the Source be with you!
5 km


Saturday, March 17th, 2018
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Honolulu, Hawaii

Aloha!

My morning began with a walk on what everyone calls Magic Island.  With a group of young followers of bhakti,we executed our individual mantras on our japa beads.  “How did you like the walk?” I asked the crew, who all seem to represent a different part of the world.
https://instagram.com/p/BgdpysiH7sG/ 

“Great!  Awesome!  Fantastic!” and more.

Who would ever consider a simple beach trek to be all those things?

At ISKCON Honolulu, I met Reverend Tim of the Unity Church.  Very devotional.  He quoted 18.54 from the Gita about devotion being undivided and how this type of devotion brings one to see Him standing before you.

After another smaller trek, halfway up the mountain valley outside of the city, another small group and I went to see the property of Mayapur Lila from Canada.  Quaint and breezy it is.  We also included a look at Butter the cow, Cinderella the sow and Radha, from the breed of gircows—Indian origin—at a farm nearby.

I was getting some well-needed sun.

Reverend Tim came to meet us, once again, at Gurudas’ home, the location of a house-packed sanga.  I spoke of how I joined the ranks of monks.  I opened with verse one of the Isopanishad, on accepting what we’re given.  In this regard, one devotee offered to say a quote from Gandhi, “The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.”

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Friday, March 16th, 2018
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Toronto / San Francisco / Honolulu

Moving West

Long, stretched out airport wings or corridors became my only walking venues for the day.  Long was the day—an additional six hours going west to Honolulu with stopover in San Francisco.  In San Fran I had the opportunity to call, write and wait, also to reflect.  My reflections were mostly a delving into the past few days.

When at the home of Janmastami, before a group of young and old, some compliments came my way.  “You had the students from the Academy in stitches!” regarding the class given.  “That was the best Bhagavatam class in five years.”  Also, there was a generous remark, a big “Thank you!” in reference to the completed walk across the U.S.  I pray that such kind statements don’t go to my head.

My reflections of gratitude also go to Murari Gupta who put me up and took me around in Miami, as well as to Ananta Shesha, my good host at Alachua, Florida, his wife Vaishnavi and their sons, Aravind and Gopal, who are both good at the mrdunga.

My anticipation of a good week in Hawaii is strong.  A Kirtan Standards session is up for my presentation, in addition to speaking on the system of varnashram—the four social and spiritual orders.  I also look forward to nature’s presentation, including a trip to the Big Island where there’s a promise of the flow of lava.  Thanks to Gurudas for getting me to Honolulu and the application of mustard oil on knees, legs and feet.  There was a decent follow-up dose.

May the Source be with you!

3 km


Matters that matter more than matter – Origin, Value, Meaning
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[Seminar at Intel, Phoenix, USA]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary


 

Video:

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Requesting everyone’s prayers for Sruti-dharma prabhu’s recovery
→ SivaramaSwami.com

  • Bhaktivedanta Manor temple president Srutidharma prabhu’s aggressive brain cancer
  • We never know when the material energy will reveal one of its facets to us
  • We need to always be ready and not be complacent in our Kṛṣṇa consciosuness
  • Keep Srutidharma prabhu in your prayers
  • The right mood of prayer: „My dear Lord, if you so desire….”
  • Noone is indispensable
  • Our choice is how we respond to the inevitable

ISKCON Newcastle center in South Africa (Album of photos)…
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ISKCON Newcastle center in South Africa (Album of photos)
Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: We have been staying near our ISKCON Newcastle center in South Africa. Last night we had a pre-Ramnavami program with the devotees there. It’s a nice yatra, and they have a nice property which they’re developing. They already have a large hall, which they built, and a house behind it which they use as a temple, but they’re going to build a proper, purpose-built temple shortly.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iSHnpS

Book Distribution Tsunami
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Hare KrishnaBy Vaisesika Dasa

The presentation about book distribution done during the first day of the GBC meetings in Mayapur. Amazing facts and figures. What other organizations do for their book printing and distribution, be dissatisfied, book distribution means high sadhana, One Word Team, Success is not mystery - is a recipe, "Glocal", plans and strategies and much more. Continue reading "Book Distribution Tsunami
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Preaching program in Stuttgart, Germany (Album with…
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Preaching program in Stuttgart, Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Even if you find in devotee something bad, and his behavior is not in the standard, but because he is Krsna conscious, he has no other business, he is sadhu. Api cet suduracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak, sadhur eva sa mantavyah [Bg. 9.30]. He is sadhu. He is saintly man. Even if you find some defect in his character, because he is sticking to Krsna consciousness, he is saintly. Krsna says. How is that, a saintly man has got some this bad character? So that answer is next verse: ksipram bhavati dharmatma sasvac-chantim nigacchati kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati [Bg. 9.31] “Yes, there are some defects. It is right. But it will be very soon finished.” Just like you make the switch off, electric fan. So after the switch is off, still it is moving. But that movement is not real movement because the switch is off. It will stop very soon. Srila Prabhupada – June 22, 1975, Los Angeles
Find them here: https://goo.gl/xTpDSW

Prayers to Rama 1 – May my devotion flow to you undiluted and undistracted
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Is bhakti a conditioned attraction of the mind or the natural attraction of the soul?
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[Congregation program at Los Angeles, USA]

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Video:

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How the mind tells its stories by inducing forgetfulness, faith and feelings
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[Sunday feast class at Los Angeles, USA]

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Video:

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If bhakti is beyond the modes, why do we need to come to the mode of goodness?
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Answer Podcast

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Two Initiatives to Honour Lord Rama!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

In honour of Lord Ramachandra's appearance on Sunday, Mar 25th, Toronto Sankirtan Team (TST) is delighted to extend two exciting initiatives for you and your friends and family, as we collectively get ready to celebrate this most auspicious festival!

DAILY Readings from the Ramayana via Conference call (Mar 12th to Apr 13th)

Monday, Mar 12th to Friday, Apr 13th
5:45 AM to 6:00 AM

FREE Conference Call Number: 1 866-259-3126 / PIN: 12349

If you do not have a copy of the Ramayana, here is a link: https://www.vedabase.com/en/rkd


32-rounds Japathon (Saturday, Mar 24th)

*1 round = 108 Hare Krishna Mantras on beads

Everyone is welcome to join this ‘Japathon’ – to chant 32 rounds of Hare Krishna Mahamantra on beads – collectively (at the temple) or individually (at home) – and log your rounds (link below)! If, however, for some reason you cannot chant 32 rounds, we encourage you to do at least ONE extra round to participate in this Japathon!

We will be making a special offering of our collective Japathon rounds to Lord Rama at Rama Navami festival on Sunday March 25th.

Let’s all participate enthusiastically in this japathon by logging our rounds at the link below. Everyone matters, every bit counts!

Details:

9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (ISKCON Toronto) / at your convenience (home)

Log your rounds by clicking here!

Rama Navami – March 25, 2018
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Sunday, March 25th, we will be celebrating Rama Navami, the appearance of Lord Rama. Lord Rama is an incarnation of Krishna who appeared in Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga as the son of King Dasaratha. During Lord Rama’s reign, all the citizens were happy, religious and their necessities of life were provided. He was a virtuous, charitable and dutiful King. He is particularly known for his victorious battle with the ten-headed demon Ravana, the evil King of Lanka thereby freeing his wife Sita from the demon’s captivity. Through his life, he exemplified heroism, morality and good governance. 

For the festivities, we will be having a special discourse, a presentation by our Sunday FunSkool kids and an arati ceremony for Lord Rama. Come join us next Sunday for a very special Sunday Feast starting at 6:00pm!

Schedule is as follows (subject to change):

6:00pm - 6:30pm: Arati and Kirtan
6:30pm - 6:35pm: Welcome and Announcements
6:35pm - 7:15pm: Special Class by Jagannatha Misra das
7:15pm - 7:40pm: Drama by Sunday FunSkool Kids
7:40pm - 8:00pm: Arati for Lord Rama
8:00pm - 8:30pm: Arati and Kirtan
8:30pm - onwards: Vegetarian Feast

Kurukshetra- Jagannath Rath Yatra 2018 (Album of photos) Srila…
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Kurukshetra- Jagannath Rath Yatra 2018 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We must be purely chanting. But we should not be disappointed, even impure. Therefore we must have fixed chanting process. Because we are not in the pure stage. Therefore, by force, just like a boy in the school. We had this training in our childhood school. Our teacher would ask me, “You write ten pages, handwriting.” So that means practicing ten pages, my handwriting will be set up. So if we do not even follow sixteen rounds, where is the question of chanting Hare Krsna? So don’t be artificial; don’t be a showbottle. Be real thing. And that is wanted. If you want real benefit of spiritual life, don’t be showbottle. If one can chant purified offenseless, once krsna-nama, he is free from all material bondage. Once only. –From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.26-30 – Hawaii, January 23, 1974
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Govinda Swami: Clean Vraja Campaign Update!! When I came home to…
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Govinda Swami: Clean Vraja Campaign Update!!
When I came home to Vrindavan I wrote a note that explained my personal crisis while being here … due to the prevailing insane situation in Vrindavan.
After my post, many friends from around the world commented, shared wonderful ideas, and offered their time, expertise, and commitment to help the ecological and heritage crisis that we are facing here in Vrindavan.
I started thinking.
Hey !! Please don’t laugh. I can still think .. a little
First I sat down with Indradyumna Maharaja to think of the folks we know who have been very successful in their services in Vrindavan.
We first met with Padmanabha Goswami of Radha Raman Mandir, one of our oldest Vrindavan friends, who is a recognized activist for the ecology and culture of Vrindavan.
Then we met our Vrindavan temple president Pancha Gauda Prabhu who has so successfully served and developed Vrindavan Temple for nearly 30 years.
Then we met Rupa Raghunatha who is the driving force of Food For Life Vrindavan and the world famous Sandipani Muni School for underprivileged girls.
Rupa has built schools and gives A to Z care for 1,400 young girls in Vrindavan and manages a staff of over 300 persons.
And then we met Jagatananda Prabhu, a very old friend with whom I shared my early days of Krishna consciousness in Toronto. We have probably not met since 1980.
Jagatananda is a teacher, scholar, writer, Sanskritist, master of Bengali language, translator and the editor of the internet newspaper Vrindavan Today.
In all the discussions we shared ideas and agreed that;
If we wish to attain the cherished goal of restoring Vraja we will need the assistance of the varied members of civil society in Vraja .. as well as the enforcement of the law of the land by the respected officers of the Indian Government.
On the first point;
Pancha Gauda and Rupa Raghunatha prabhus both run huge organizations. At present they are both in the process of creating better professional systems to manage their organizations.
Rupa Raghunatha has already engaged an international consultant to guide the restructuring of Food For Life Vrindavan and it has given fantastic results.
This last February his consultant visited Vrindavan and guided the FFLV team in their second training.
And, while the consultant was in Vrindavan, Rupa called together a group of prominent Vrindavan citizens and spent an afternoon of consultant guided brainstorming.
The conclusion of two hours of work was fantastic.
Now our desire is to again invite the consultant, pull more members on board, and chalk out a real plan for our work in Vraja.
And on the second point;
In India, we have a Prime Minister of the nation.
In each state, we have a Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister of our state Uttar Pradesh is a sadhu named Yogi Adityanatha. He is the Mahant of the Gorakhpur Temple Pith and has long been involved in national politics.
He is the president of an organization dedicated to the development of Vraja Bhumi .. and his vice president is a wonderful retired senior officer of the police. His name is Sri Shailesh Jha Kant Mishra.
He is the direct secretary to our state Chief Minister.
Mishraji is quite an amazing individual. He is a disciple of Devraha Baba, a renown saint who passed from this world around 1990.
At the time of his passing, he is said to have been between 300 and 400 years old.
Five generations of Mishraji’s family were disciples of Baba.
Baba instructed Mishraji to never purchase a house or own a piece of property during his life, instructed his wife never to purchase gold, and told him that one day he would be called to serve the sacred land of Vrindavan.
And in his retirement, he was requested by the Chief Minister to come to Vraja and serve.
Thus for him, this is a sacred service that has been given to him by his guru maharaja.
Through Pancha Gauda and Rupa Raghunatha, I have heard that Mishraji has agreed to be a part of the Vrindavan partnership development team and will assist in giving proper guidance and support to the committee.
He has said that until he dies he will be dedicated to the service of Sri Vrindavan Dham.
And folks … that is very good news.
So, in conclusion .. the ball is rolling … in a great direction.
I will keep all of you updated when I hear that there is any more information.
Your prayers, hearts, voices, arms, professional abilities, references, will all be needed to make this long-term dream come true.
Hare Krishna and good morning from Vrindavan !!
Yours in service,
BB Govinda Swami