If I feel fearful because others keep reminding me of my past mistakes, what to do?
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Answer Podcast

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Sunday, February 11th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal

A Day’s Steps and Questions

From my room, #506 in the Gada Building, the Samadhi Auditorium is a walking distance of 0.6 km.  I go back and forth completing that measurement at least twice in a day.  In the morning, I trek along a 2.5 km stretch with a group of companions as we chant the maha mantra.  In addition to that I walk to the room where I meet with my peers at least twice.  Then I walk to eat.

This moving from one building to the next is like being a student on a campus.  I get my mileage in, I get my breaks and I get some exercise in.   https://instagram.com/p/BfFJMXTFZgS/

I imagine locals do the same.  There is little obesity in the villages of Bengal.  Those of us who are foreigners appear in more bad shape.  It’s not surprising.  We represent the ‘developed’ world, while places like India are on the list as ‘developing’.  I don’t know when a nation crosses the line.  One interpretation for the ‘developed’ world could be when one becomes self-indulgent, spoiled and has earned the prize as a fat cat.

Anyway, I can’t be too critical.  Even “The Walking Monk” may have a few excessive pounds than necessary.  It’s something I’m not proud of.

I’m asked one question by someone almost every day in Mayapura. “What’s your next walking venture?”

My answer to that is, “I plan a week on the famous Camino in Spain, as well as starting a trek on Canada’s oldest foot path—The Bruce Trail.”

May the Source be with you!

6 km

The simple method to chant Hare Krishna
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Over the years, I have read and heard different devotees speak about different techniques to chant properly. Devotees also talk about crying out to Radha and Krishna during chanting for mercy for improving our chanting. This may be bonafide or not, I do not know. However, so far I have not read or heard anything like this from Srila Prabhupada. The only thing I have heard Prabhupada say is to hear the words of the Mahamantra distinctly with focus. Beyond that I have not heard him say or have not read anything related to the mercy of Radha and Krishna or other techniques about chanting. Anyways, I will stick to the simple method of trying to hear the words properly while chanting and not speculate much.

In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we have fixed sixteen rounds as the minimum so that the Westerners will not feel burdened. These sixteen rounds must be chanted, and chanted loudly, so that one can hear himself and others. - Cc Antya Purport 11.23

The first regulative principle is that one must chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra loudly enough so that he can hear himself, and one must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds. - Cc Antya Purport 11.24

Therefore this is the only method. That you chant loudly and hear. Hare Kṛṣṇa. If your mind is in other things it will be forced to concentrate on the sound vibration "Kṛṣṇa." You haven't got to withdraw your mind from other, automatically it will be withdrawn because the sound is there. - Lecture, Los Angeles Feb 18 1969

What is the question of controlling the mind? Just chant and hear and the mind will controlled automatically - Page 95, Begging for the Nectar of the Holy Name

Only thing is that we should chant very attentively, hearing the vibration very distinctly.- SP letter to Satsvarupa Das Goswami,March 8 1969

Hare Krishna

Srila Prabhupada Memories by Jagat Purush Das (video)
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Srila Prabhupada Memories by Jagat Purush Das (video)
Nectarine interview of devotees who have had personal association with His Divine Grace, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Their stories provide insight into the personality and qualities of Srila Prabhupada, as well as revealing many instructions never heard or written before. These are the anecdotes of a Modern Day Saint, Srila Prabhupada & all the oral histories contained within the Memories of his disciples.

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Sadhana, Seva, Sangha
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Hare KrishnaBy Bhaktimarga Swami

Srimad Bhagavatam class in Mayapur, 13 February 2018. Hiranyakasipu was terrorizing the universe, abusing his own son and was atheist. But Prahlad Maharaja, risking his life, he kept sharing Krishna consciousness. Similarly in this Kali-yuga chanting Hare Krishna publicly and preaching is a courageous act but this is the Yuga dharma as taught by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and we must make it known! Continue reading "Sadhana, Seva, Sangha
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CM’s twitter message
→ Mayapur.com

Twitter Message from Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee on her Mayapur visit: Today I visited ISKCON Mayapur.ISKCON is setting up a world tourism circuit center at Mayapur and have sought our assistance, We would be very happy to help them. This will definitely be a landmark in the religious tourism destination not […]

The post CM’s twitter message appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Doors To Hell
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Hare KrishnaBy Abhaya Mudra Dasi

In the material world the three gunas function simultaneously. In some situations and individuals sattva will prevail, in others rajas or tamas. They all are necessary for the proper function of the material machine. But when a mode becomes in excess and overpowers the rest of the rest of the gunas then it shows its destructive tendency. Getting out of balance is the door to hell. Continue reading "Doors To Hell
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West Bengal’s Chief Minister Visits ISKCON, Mayapur
- TOVP.org

Today, ISKCON Mayapur welcomed West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who came for an official visit. After arriving by helicopter, she was given a warm welcome at the temple by Ambarish Prabhu and several GBC members. Then she took darshan of Sri Panca-tattva, Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, And Lord Narasimhadeva. Jananivas prabhu guided her in performing arati to Lord Narasimhadeva.

 
Mamata Banerjee then inquired about the temple worship, and offered different auspicious gifts for the pleasure of the deities. In her personal Twitter page she wrote:

“Today I visited the ISKCON temple at Mayapur. ISKCON is setting up a world tourism circuit centre at Mayapur and have sought our assistance. We would be very happy to help them.
 
This will definitely be a new landmark in the religious tourism destination not only in the state and the country, but also in the whole world. It is indeed a wonderful experience for me.”

Mamata Banerjee‏ @MamataOfficial, Twitter

Today I visited the ISKCON temple at Mayapur.

ISKCON is setting up a world tourism circuit centre at Mayapur and have sought our assistance. We would be very happy to help them. pic.twitter.com/Wki3lNrZEq

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 12, 2018

This will definitely be a new landmark in the religious tourism destination not only in the state and the country, but also in the whole world. It is indeed a wonderful experience for me. pic.twitter.com/ZhlKkH4gmV

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 12, 2018

  

The post West Bengal’s Chief Minister Visits ISKCON, Mayapur appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

The Doubtless and Fearless Way to Success for All, February 9, Moorpark
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.11 During the celebration for Abhay’s Birthday.

“In this verse, Sri Sukadeva Gosvami recommends the transcendental chanting of the holy name of the Lord. By offenseless chanting and hearing of the holy name of the Lord, one becomes acquainted with the transcendental form of the Lord, and then with the attributes of the Lord, and then with the transcendental nature of His pastimes, etc. Here it is mentioned that one should constantly chant the holy name of the Lord after hearing it from authorities. This means that hearing from the authorities is the first essential. Hearing of the holy name gradually promotes one to the stage of hearing about His form, His attributes, His pastimes, and so on, and thus the necessity of the chanting of His glories develops successively. This process is recommended not only for the successful execution of devotional service, but also even for those who are materially attached. According to Sri Sukadeva Gosvami, this way of attaining success is an established fact, concluded not only by him but also by all other previous acaryas.” SB 2.1.11 purport.

Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.11 (Right click to download)

Analyzing the relationship between material progress and spiritual progress
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[Class at ISKCON, Kolkata, India]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary

Video:

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Gita 16.21 The metaphorical usage stresses the reality and gravity of the demoniac forces of lust, anger and greed
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 16.21 The metaphorical usage stresses the reality and gravity of the demoniac forces of lust, anger and greed appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhaktivedanta Academy has been featured in a major article in…
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Bhaktivedanta Academy has been featured in a major article in redefinEd, a publication dedicated to school choice and educational alternatives.
Livi Stanford: Alachua, Fla. – The art projects were distinct from most others. Students at Bhaktivedanta Academy had to use pieces of trash to create artwork weighing less than 50 pounds.
The project, Trashformations, was part of the 19th-annual student recycled art competition sponsored by the Alachua County Commission.
Students at the academy, which is rooted in the Hindu faith, worked tirelessly and won first place for their aquarium they built entirely out of discarded materials. They also garnered a third-place award for a city built out of similar material.

ISKCON Mayapur in the news about waste management on our…
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ISKCON Mayapur in the news about waste management on our property.
Clean Dham, clean your heart: ISKCON Mayapur’s waste management drive.
Timesofindia.indiatimes: KOLKATA. Mayapur being a holy Dham, global headquarter of ISKCON and an important tourist destination of India is visited by lakhs of pilgrims, tourists, devotees from across the world every year. Also a vibrant ISKCON community permanently stays here. This results in accumulation of huge quantities of garbage and waste material which poses a major threat for the environment.
For the ISKCON devotees, the Mayapur Dham, the birth place of Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu is a sacred and revered place and hence the management conceptualised the idea of implementing ‘Zero Waste Mayapur - Clean Dham and Clean Your Heart’ exercise with the aim of gradually bringing down the garbage level to zero, informed Harilila Das, member of the Management team which has initiated the programme.
“Earlier the garbage remained dumped in large volumes leading to the formation of harmful methane gas and leachate, a kind of liquid that percolated through the soil and polluted the ground water. Therefore, it was decided to convert the dumped garbage into something of utility for mankind,” said Das.
Elaborating on the mechanism, Das further added that, “ISCON has developed an Eco centre where latest machinery and technology has been set up near the ISKCON campus and volunteers collect more than 6 tonnes of garbage per day from important centres of Mayapur. From this huge load, toxic waste - discarded tablets, batteries, CFL lamps etc is sorted, arranged in lines and systematically composting is done. Two types of composting are done - bacterial compost and verni compost. By adding bacteria to the waste it produces humus which can be used as organic fertilizer and verni compost produces a liquid which is used to enrich the soil and increase the produce of the crops. This recycled substance is also used by the horticulture department of ISKCON to maintain the beautiful gardens.”
A team of community members and devotees has been formed to create awareness about the campaign and importance of the clean environment.
“To spread awareness within the community and visitors, a team led by a Russian devotee, Pivel Katev, has started organizing 'Clean the Dham’ drive every week wherein group of devotees take up the broom and get into the act of sweeping and removing the garbage from streets, localities of Mayapur. Today, a group of 20 devotees consisting of women, children and men from various countries like Russia, China, Germany and many more countries enthusiastically cleaned the entire Gournagar area of Mayapur.”
Madhavi, a 5-year-old Russian girl espoused the cause by helping other senior devotees in carrying bags and gathering the garbage. Anton, from Belarus, has been participating in this weekly drive for a month and he derives a great sense of happiness in cleaning as he feels this is the highest service to make Lord Chaitanya happy. The group of devotees also educate the people to discourage the use of plastics.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/DxTZ7S

Katwa, Where Lord Caitanya Took Sannyasa (Album of photos)…
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Katwa, Where Lord Caitanya Took Sannyasa (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Ever since taking sannyasa in 1979, I have had a strong desire to visit the town of Katwa, where Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa 500 years ago.Today my wish was fulfilled when myself and 60 devotees made the 2-hour journey from Sridham Mayapura to Katwa. Naru Gopal prabhu took us to the exact spot where Mahaprabhu was shaved up by a barber and where He took His sannyasa vows from Kesava Bharati Maharaja. He expertly described the pastime in great detail. Afterwards, we took darshan of the samadhi where Lord Caitanya’s hair is kept, as well as the samadhi of Kesava Bharati Maharaja. We prayed at the historic tree under which Lord Caitanya’s beautiful long hair was shaved and also bowed down to the samadhi of Das Gadadhar. Naru Gopal explained that Lord Caitanya had kirtan where we were for 3 days straight after taking sannyasa. Following in His footsteps we chanted and danced for hours in front of a beautiful deity of Lord Caitanya in a large temple on the grounds. It was a most wonderful day! All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cDaSJf

GBC College 2018 Graduation Ceremony – ILS, Mayapur
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Hare KrishnaBy Vrsabhanu das

In the “sublime and auspicious land of Gaurasundara on the charming bank of the Bhagirathi, Gaudadesh[Sridham Mayapur], which is eternally shining and full of bliss” (extracted from Navadvipastakam Verse 1, Srila Rupa Goswami), on the auspicious Appearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, the GBC College for Leadership Development held the 2018 Graduation ceremony at the ILS (ISKCON Leadership Sanga). Twenty-three leaders from various locations in Africa, Bangladesh, China, India, Italy, Russia and Singapore, received their GBC College Graduation certificates and gifts in the presence of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, Srila Prabhupada, and over 600 ILS devotees including many ISKCON Gurus, GBCs and sannyasis. Continue reading "GBC College 2018 Graduation Ceremony – ILS, Mayapur
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News from the Manor: A small school with a big heart, Doctor in the House, Gitas for london Crematorium
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Hare KrishnaBy Radha Mohan das

The Manor School children participated in an inaugural ceremony to mark a new chapter in their school’s history. The primary school has been situated at Bhaktivedanta Manor for the past 35 years. Due to various challenges associated with the building of the new Haveli on the site and the required demolition of two of the classrooms, the school has been relocated into a new temporary premises not far away. The renovation of the existing buildings took over eight months to complete, and involved top architects, structural engineers, two major building contractors and a big investment from the temple. Kaushik Patel was hands on at every step and the Patrons Working Committee oversaw the entire development. Continue reading "News from the Manor: A small school with a big heart, Doctor in the House, Gitas for london Crematorium
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Harinama in Alto Palermo, Argentina (Album with photos) Srila…
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Harinama in Alto Palermo, Argentina (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “If one only chants, with some slight faith, the holy names of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda, then very quickly he is cleansed of all offenses. Thus as soon as he chants the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love for God.”(Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.31)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XSo91Q

Yesterday’s Food. Dhirasanta Das Goswami: Once there was…
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Yesterday’s Food.
Dhirasanta Das Goswami: Once there was a very rich merchant, doing well in business, whose wife had died long ago. He had one married son and his daughter-in-law was very wise and expert in household work. He was very proud of her.
Once he was having lunch at his verandah when a monk came to his door asking for some food. The merchant didn’t pay attention as he never used to give anything to these kind of people. The monk asked again and didn’t get any reply. As he was asking for the third time, the daughter-in-law replied politely, “Dear babaji, go next-door, my father-in-law is himself having yesterday’s food, he will not be able to give you anything.”
The monk understood and went ahead. But as the merchant heard these words spoken by the girl, he became very angry with her, he was the richest person in the village - why should he eat yesterday’s food? The girl must have become insane - he thought. As much as he was very proud of her wisdom, his anger was even greater - how was it that he hadn’t realized this girl’s insanity? He summoned the village court and informed the girl’s father that the girl was out of her mind and his son would break this marriage tie.
As people gathered at the court, he related the event and asked for justice - which was to untie the marriage of his son in his point of view. The girl’s father was also present - he said, “I know my daughter is wise enough not to speak any meaningless words, but I am unable to understand the meaning of what she has said - so I will request her to come and explain why she spoke like that. It is not wise to give a decision without hearing her.”
The court agreed and the girl spoke the following: “My meaning is that he has done many good deeds in his previous lives, which is why he has got these wonderful blessings from God, allowing him to enjoy now. In this way it is his yesterday’s earned food. But he is not doing any good deeds in this life, he is only earning money for himself.
I love him very much and want him to enjoy these blessings forever, so I wanted to tell him this truth. That is why I said what I did. I knew he would be angry and want an explanation, which would allow me an opportunity to tell him.”
The merchant understood the real meaning of the words and felt very much ashamed to bring his wise daughter-in-law in to court. So he apologized and began doing some good deeds for others.
It is general practice that people either enjoy their present blessings or feel inferior while seeing others who have more possessions in life. People always wonder why another has more wealth, why they are more intelligent, they forget that each and every thing is our own earning. Whatever we have sown, we are reaping now. And the result of whatever we are doing now will come to us in the future, be it material treasure or spiritual realization.
In the same way that people enjoy their current position, they laugh at others who don’t have intellect, money and other things - they enjoy even their spiritual status, but they forget that if they do not work in the present, their current treasure will slowly be spent.
Just like when you put grains in a grain storage silo. You put the grains in the top and you take them out from the bottom. It is just a matter of time before you receive that quality of grains which you previously put in at the top. So we should sow for tomorrow while we are reaping the seeds of yesterday.

West Bengal’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited Sri Sri Chandrodaya temple of Iskcon Mayapur
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Hare KrishnaBy Thakur Saranga dasa

West Bengal's chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited Sri Sri Chandrodaya temple of Iskcon Mayapur where he was greeted by the GBC ( governing body commission ) sannyasis with warm welcome and the chief minster was then escorted to the main altars by the head pujari of Iskcon Mayapur temple Jananivas prabhu who guided Mamata banerjee to perform Maha arati to Lord Narasimha deva and prayed for her protection. Mamata Banerjee enquired about the temple worship and offered different auspicious items for the pleasure of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Sri Pancatatwa and Lord Narasimha deva. Continue reading "West Bengal’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited Sri Sri Chandrodaya temple of Iskcon Mayapur
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Saturday, February 10th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Mayapura, West Bengal

Zero Waste

Here is something that is very progressive.  A group of dedicated people, committed to seeing a healthier planet and protecting an eco-centric sacred place (Mayapura), are championing what they call a ‘Zero Waste’ concept.

“Clean the Dhama—Clean Your Heart!” is the motto.  They established the Eco-Centre, where  all waste is sorted and recycled.  Putting earthworms to work for compost purposes is a good reason for breeding them, as they eat their way through and leave behind an excellent quality vermi-compost.  Organic waste is not an issue then, but what about the toxic stuff?  “Zero Waste” claims that things such as batteries, lamps, medicines, and other forms of chemical power are sent to other companies for disposal.

When I first came to India in 1978, there was practically no plastic.  When you purchased something in the market, your goods were wrapped in a newspaper and twine was used to tie it together.  On my next visit in 1986, the infiltration of plastics had taken over.  Cows were found with plastic bags in their stomachs, a result of eating from waste heaps.

“Zero Waste” also provides education to inform the public about contemporary bad habits.  There are many.  As I mentioned in the past, people often bring their shampoos to the Ganga for their own ‘lather’ experience.  That is insane! https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/clean-dham-clean-your-heart-iskcon-mayapurs-waste-management-drive/articleshow/62698958.cms

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZeroWasteMayapur/

Let’s support the endeavour.  God would be pleased.

E-mail:  ZWM108@gmail.com 

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Friday, February 9th, 2018
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Mayapura, West Bengal

Get Behind the Family

When I walked with friend, Anuttama, in northern California for four days last September, an idea was born.  We talked about having a men’s retreat, an occasion where Vaishnava males can speak about their responsibilities in a social and spiritual context.  A component of that would be to understand what women want or need from them.  What drove this concept for a retreat, at least for me, was to promote wholesome family life.

I also met with members of the Women’s Ministry, headed by lawyer, Radha, with a view toward achieving the same—a more solid family structure within our society of bhakti-yogis.  The family is the foundation to nurturing community.

The family spirit is something we have been attempting to inculcate into our drama rehearsals.  All of our team agrees that we have a good thing going when we work and team-build for the production of, “Many Mothers, Many Fathers,” which by the way is a play that sends a powerful message about family members supporting each other.  We begin sessions with a guru-puja.

I was granted time off from participating in this morning’s meeting of the Governing Body Commissioners in order to attend Open Day with the Sridham Mayapura International School.  The students and principal, Ajay Dasi, beckoned me several times to attend.  So many dads and mums show up supporting their children.

Incidentally our story of “Many Mothers, Many Fathers” was a hit.  We received a standing ovation.

May the Source be with you!
6 km




Chief Minister of West Bengal visits Mayapur!
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Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee visits ISKCON Mayapur today! ISKCON Mayapur extends a very warm welcome to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee to Mayapur.This is the first time that the Chief Minister is visiting us, and our hope is that she will be inspired by our Mayapur international community and […]

The post Chief Minister of West Bengal visits Mayapur! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Gita 16.20 Demoniac action and demoniac destination is perpetuated by demoniac disposition
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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