Wednesday, January 17th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

A Good Old Game

I got a little bold today with walking.  Temperatures have risen to a greater level of tolerance and my seized-up thighs were able to handle the more and more relaxed climate.  I walked out of Simon’s clinic, a place where Simon did some great work on me, with, once again, needles.  The left knee is irritable and when Simon, a man who knows his stuff, examined it, he saw there was an unwanted curvature to my left leg.

I immediately could identify the culprit or cause of this irregularity.  It is that notorious TT, the ‘Terrible Tilt’.  This last summer I struggled with walking the slant of the road’s shoulder.  Naturally, months of this will take a toll.

“Am I the only one with that curve or crookedness?”

“No! You’re not!” And that’s all Simon said.  It reminded me of a game as a kid—Simon Says.  So Simon says, “Sit down!”  So I did—this is not now a game.  Simon says, “Breathe in.”  So I did.  Simon says, “No, collapse.”  I did.  Simon says, “Breathe in.  Chest out.  Then collapse.”  I did all that Simon said.

I was feeling better after all he said.  With confidence I trod east on Bloor Street near High Park for some good city blocks.  I did thank Simon, by the way, and paid a modest fee.  I felt like my old self coming back with a minor limp.  I swore to myself that from here on I’ll avoid the TT and stick to level trails.

Keep that in mind Monk!  I take shelter of Krishna.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Tuesday, January 16th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Montreal, Quebec

The Arotika

Practically every day of my life I walk to the nearest temple, regardless of distance, for the 4:30 a.m. arati, whether it’s down the hall from my bed or a few blocks away—as in Mayapura.  The exception would be on long walks where there may not be a room or building for honouring arati.

What is an arati?

It is a presentation of paraphernalia offered to the Supreme—things such as incense, a small dhiya (flame), water, flowers, etc.—all to symbolize appreciation to the Creator.  One very special part of the presentation is the offering of sound, a sacred sound—mantras.

Always done at an early hour, before sunrise, the arati sets a tone for the day.  Like any other day it is a space in time which is meant for ‘giving’.  The arati’s begin with the blowing of a conch, even before the mantras begin.  In many ways, this signifies the start of the day.

During the time of arati a small bell is consistently ringing by the shake of the priest or priestess’ left wrist.  Each article of paraphernalia is presented to the presiding deity of Krishna in the shrine.  With the right hand there is the wave or motion of the article being presented to the deity—usually in the form of a circle.  For instance, the article can be held and, with a circular sweep of the hand, directed in circles of three to the face, two to the chest, four to the feet, and seven swirled around the entire deity’s form.  The arati is completed with a final blow of the conch.  This morning Nandini Radha opened the curtains, blew the conch and proceeded with the arati ceremony.

May the Source be with you!

1 km

Fragrant Syrian Milk Pudding (Muhallabeya) Every Middle Eastern…
→ Dandavats



Fragrant Syrian Milk Pudding (Muhallabeya)
Every Middle Eastern community has its own traditional flavorings and presentation for the ubiquitous Middle Eastern rice flour pudding known as Muhallabeya, some flavoring it with orange blossom water, or rose water, and sprinkling it with chopped almonds or pistachios. The Turkish version uses vanilla or lemon zest, whereas the Iranians prefer cardamom.
Kurma’s recipe: https://goo.gl/Ka1ga3

Gita 15.17 Liberation is not just elevation out of illusion but also connection with the supreme reality
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 15.17 Liberation is not just elevation out of illusion but also connection with the supreme reality appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When India is the land of spirituality, why was it overrun by so many invaders – why does it still have a colonial mentality?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post When India is the land of spirituality, why was it overrun by so many invaders – why does it still have a colonial mentality? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Is Reincarnation for Real – Evaluating the Evidence
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Youth Meeting at Vedic Cultural Center, ISKCON, Pune]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary

ppt:

Video:

The post Is Reincarnation for Real – Evaluating the Evidence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sunday Feast and Initiations, January 14, Houston
Giriraj Swami

“Eka krsna-namera phale pai eta dhana (Cc Adi 8.28) — Just by chanting one name of Krishna — we can imagine how much potency is in even one name. So, when we chant we must try to hear one name. My Godbrother Bhurijana prabhu says that when you chant chant just try to hear one mantra at a time. You cant hear the one you have just chanted and you cant hear the one you are going to chant next. You can  only hear the one you are chanting at the moment. So, by chanting just one name one very easily achieves these transcendental riches. So just hear one name, then the next then the next. And if your mind wanders — don’t worry about it, just bring it back. Just hear the mantra that you are chanting. That is called the clearing stage of chanting. When one consistently tries to hear the names that one is chanting that is called the clearing stage and from that we go to the pure stage.”

—————————————-
Sunday Feast and Initiations (Right-click to download)
Kirtan (Right-click to download)

Trusting with intelligence
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 November 2017, Mayapur, India, Nectar of Devotion Seminar)

We all feel friendship in our relationship with Krsna where we feel great trust that Krsna will always protect us and that he is acting as our friend and our well-wisher. No matter happens, we are not alone in this world, Krsna is with us.

It is said that in the past, sannyasis would give up the world and go into the forest to become fearless. There were two duties for a sannyasi. One was jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ (Bhagavad-gita 16.1), to develop knowledge and the other is abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhir (Bhagavad-gita 16.1), to develop fearlessness. They would just go to the forest where there were snakes and other wild animals and would just rely on Krsna.

So trust in Krsna is important but not blind trust. We do not close our eyes and walk across the highway and trust in Krsna, not like that. We use our intelligence but we trust in Krsna at the same time for the result of our actions. He is our friend. He is definitely on our side.

Bhima meets Hanuman. Romapada Swami: As the Pandavas made their…
→ Dandavats



Bhima meets Hanuman.
Romapada Swami: As the Pandavas made their way from one holy tirtha to another, they finally came to Badrikashrama in the Himalayan Mountains. It was a very scenic spot that could hardly be described in words. The flowers that bloomed there could not be found anywhere else in the world. One day, as Draupadi was gazing on the beautiful scenery, a strong wind arose and blew a thousand-petaled lotus flower into her lap. The flower had a celestial effulgence, a captivating aroma, and its beauty was unearthly. She took the flower to Bhima and requested, “Behold, O Bhima, this most celestial flower. O repressor of the foes, it has gladdened my heart. I shall present this one to Yudhisthira. Will you also obtain others for my satisfaction so that I may carry them to our hermitage in Kamyaka?”
Bhima was delighted to please Draupadi in some way, and he proceeded to follow the path the scented flower had left. He traced the perfumed air for some time, and suddenly he realized he had covered a long distance. When he blew his conch shell, rousing the lions in the area, he then heard a loud pounding that caused the earth to tremble. As Bhima approached that pounding sound, which was like a challenge to him, he suddenly saw a huge monkey lying on a stone slab. The monkey was waving his tail in the air and dashing it against the ground, causing the tremendous noise that spread in all directions. Bhima was completely amazed, for he had never seen a monkey like this before. The monkey was sitting there with half-opened eyes, calmly blocking the way. As Bhima approached, the monkey advised him, “Young man, why do you make so much noise? Most of the animals in this region were sleeping peacefully, and now you have awakened them. Please be more considerate, and do not be so cruel to the inhabitants of this region. Beyond this point, the forest is impassable. It is a path leading to heaven and cannot be taken by ordinary mortals. Rest awhile here and eat some fruits. After your fatigue is relieved, you may return to your residence.”
Bhima was surprised that the monkey could talk like a human being, and questioned him, “May I know who you are? What monkey speaks like a human being? You must be some demigod in disguise. As for myself, I am the son of Vayu, and my mother is the chaste Kunti. My name is Bhima, and I am one of the Pandavas.” Bhima then told him the history of how they were exiled to the forest. He also informed the monkey that at the present moment they were waiting for the return of their brother Arjuna from the heavenly planets. The monkey smiled when Bhima told him all this, and said, “I know that I am obstructing your path, but I have become ill and cannot move. If you want my advice, you should return via the path by which you came.”
Bhima’s eyes reddened in anger, and he became very impatient. “I do not want your advice,” he said. “Move out of my way, or I will have to move you myself.”
The monkey replied, “I have grown too old to move and most of the time I simply lie here. If you insist on going further, then you can do so by leaping over my body.”
Bhima was becoming frustrated with the whole matter. He said to the monkey, “You are an elderly personality, and you are lying on my path. It is not proper for me to jump over your body, for the Supreme Soul exists in everyone. It is also disrespectful to elders. If I had not known that Supreme Lord exists in everyone’s heart, then I would have leapt over your body and this mountain as the great Hanuman did when he crossed the sea to Lanka.”
The monkey inquired, “Who is this Hanuman who bounded over the ocean? You speak of him with respect. His name comes with affection from your mouth. Have you met him before? Can you relate something about him?”
The monkey looked at Bhima with a smirk on his face, and Bhima became furious. He exclaimed, “You are a monkey, and you do not know who Hanuman is? Hanuman is the greatest of all monkeys. He is also the son of the wind god Vayu and is, therefore, my esteemed brother. He is famed for his devotion to Lord Ramachandra. He is the illustrious chief of the monkeys, who is renowned in the Ramayana. When Lord Ramachandra lost his wife Sita, that brother of mine leaped across the sea to Ravana’s abode and discovered her whereabouts. He then set the city of Lanka on fire. Later, he killed many raksasa generals in the battle of Lanka. He even carried a huge mountain from the Himalayas just to save the life of Lord Ramachandra’s brother, Lakshman. I am insignificant in comparison to his strength, but I am able to fight with you if I have to. I must proceed further into this forest, and you must clear the way.”
The monkey smiled calmly when he saw Bhima’s impatience. He said, “Please do not be angry with me. I tell you the truth when I say that I am too old to move from this spot. If my tail obstructs your path, then just move it aside and go on your way.”
Bhima, thinking that the monkey was failing in energy, thought “I will take hold of his tail and throw this monkey, destitute of strength, to Yamaraja’s abode.” Assured of his prowess, and smiling, Bhima approached the tail, and with his left hand he tried to move the tail as if it were a twig on the ground, but the tail would not move. He tried with both hands, but still he could not lift the tail. He tried again and again, but still he could not budge the tail so much as an inch. The monkey was smiling in amusement, which only increased Bhima’s anger. Bhima tried repeatedly to lift the monkey’s tail till his face was completely red, his eyebrows tightened, his eyes rolled, his face was contracted in wrinkles, and his body was covered with sweat. Finally, Bhima had to admit his defeat. He went before the monkey and prostrated himself, saying, “Please forgive my harsh words. Out of ignorance I have transgressed the conduct of good behavior to elders. Your power is greater than mine, and therefore, you must be some demigod descended from the higher regions. Please tell me who you are.”
The monkey smiled at him and said, “I will gladly tell you who I am. I am the son of the wind god, Hanuman.”
With these words, they tightly embraced each other, and tears of joy came from their eyes. They talked for a long time, and Bhima was thrilled beyond words that he had finally met his brother, whom he had only heard about previously.
Before their departure, Hanuman bestowed a boon on Bhima,
vijayasya dhvajasthas ca nadan moksyami darunan
satrunam ye prana-harah sukham yena hanisyatha
“Staying on the victory flag [of Arjuna], I will shout out fiercely in such a way that it will make the enemies almost lifeless, and thus it will be easy for you to kill them.”
After Hanuman gave this boon to the Pandavas, the brothers embraced and departed.

How our mind messes our relationships 1 – Understanding instincts and impulses
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post How our mind messes our relationships 1 – Understanding instincts and impulses appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka by Krishna-kripa das. Travel…
→ Dandavats



Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka by Krishna-kripa das.
Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk.
I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s books and lectures. I share insights from classes by Jayadvaita Swami, Adi Purusa Prabhu, Rama Raya Prabhu, and Jaya Jagannatha Prabhu in New York City. I share notes on lectures by Adikarta, Nagaraja, Ramiya, and Sesa Prabhus of Alachua. I share quotes from Back to Godhead articles by Badrinarayana Swami, Caitanya Carana Prabhu, and Giriraja Govinda Prabhu. I include notes from a conversation with Adi Purusa in which he tells how devotees can, by doing bed and breakfasts, survive in an expensive Western city and share Krishna with others. I share a nice point by Mother Mukhya and another by Mother Vegavati. I tell a nice story about sharing Krishna wisdom at the airport.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/Wgi3RM

Talk at Amiya-vilasa’s grain giving ceremony
→ SivaramaSwami.com

  • Our future is in our children
  • First step is what the parents are made of
  • Spitirual potency does not come through a cellular structure but comes through transcendental sound
  • Saṁskāra, spiturual practice and education give the adhikāra
  • Demigods are lining up to take birth here to preach
  • Children are vulnerable and need to be well taken care off or may get distracted
  • Prabhupāda’s children and the the result of spoiling kids

Narasimha Swami: Today i’ve received the news of the…
→ Dandavats



Narasimha Swami: Today i’ve received the news of the passing away of Janaki Rani Devi Dasi from Nairobi. She has been struggling with breast cancer for a year. Our deepest condolences go to her family & relatives. There is saying, “When we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that look over us”. We are deeply saddened by the loss of a sankirtana devotee, but at the same time, we know that her service has taken her to another place. I beg everyone to pray for her. Hare Krishna.

The Krishna Castle
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Parasurama das

This castle is located in the heart of the student area, so we plan to distribute 2,500 free healthy meals daily to the student community, by having 4 cargo rickshaws full of Prasad going to SOAS, UCL, LSE and Kings University. Along with the Prasad, we are building a mobile preaching exhibition, with books, weekly Harinam, festivals and programs. Other jivas supported include the homeless and poor school children (25% of children from lower income families go to school hungry.) We plan to be up and running in two weeks time. We are short of funds for the equiptment which we have ordered from Turkey, not possible to buy big cookers in the UK. This is the 11th hour for us, so please kindly get involved and support us as best you can. Continue reading "The Krishna Castle
→ Dandavats"

Launching of SRI SURABHI App
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Bhakti Raghava Swami

I thank the few donors who made this possible especially the major donors comprising of Sri Krishna Purushottama prabhu, Sridam prabhu and Sripati prabhu. We also have a small team headed by Shubhananda Hari prabhu and a few other devotees like Yadhava Hari prabhu from Indonesia in helping coordinate the development of the App. This is the first time this is being tried and it requires still some work to be completed nicely. The Sri Surabhi App will serve mainly as a “FRIEND RAISER” (involving devotees in various activities related to the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign) as well as a “FUND RAISER” (to support local village/rural projects and campaign initiatives). Continue reading "Launching of SRI SURABHI App
→ Dandavats"

ISKCON-London’s Food for Life Initiative Honored by the Queen of England
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy ISKCON-London Communications

Acyuta Charan dasa will be proudly accepting his BEM award later this year at a grand event presented by a representative of the Queen of England. He shares, "I wasn’t expecting it at all, a few colleagues put me forward for it. This award should really go to all the wonderful volunteers who make Food for Life possible. They sacrifice their precious time to come and distribute to the needy. Each week is a delightful experience. It has been a privilege to be a part of this service for over 10 years." Continue reading "ISKCON-London’s Food for Life Initiative Honored by the Queen of England
→ Dandavats"

Seminar series on Bhagavad-gita at Yogyakarta, Indonesia
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Hari Narayana Das

There used to be a very vibrant preaching centre in Jalan Pleret, Bantul, Yogyakarta under H.H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami and taken care of by Narasimha Chaitanya das. Six Brahmacharis used to preach extensively, teaching local people how to chant the maha mantra, reading Bhagavad-gita, distributing books, going to nearby villages. On 26 May, 2007 due to increased volcanic activity at Mount Merapi, an active volcano, a massive earthquake shook the whole of Jogjakarta causing widespread destruction and death by thousands. The building where the centre was located too did not survive the earthquake and all that was left was a pile of bricks and rubble forcing the devotees to move a different location in Bali. Still before leaving the devotees organized food for life program to assist the victims affected by the life changing earthquake. Continue reading "Seminar series on Bhagavad-gita at Yogyakarta, Indonesia
→ Dandavats"

Our Body Is in the Tight Grip of the Three Different Modes of…
→ Dandavats



Our Body Is in the Tight Grip of the Three Different Modes of Nature.
Our beloved Srila Prabhupada warns us that the material world is a very dangerous place. Krsna promises His devotee in the Bhagavad-gita that if he takes complete shelter of Him and fully depends on Krsna for protection, then He will certainly protect His devotee without a doubt. One should be convinced of this.
The body is not free and independent, but is under the strict laws of material nature and is in the tight grip of the three different modes of nature. The body is in the midst of this vast ocean of material energy and is part of it. It is constantly being tossed about by these three modes. Everything is completely out of the control of the teeny spirit soul. We only think that we have control, but in reality we have no control. We are helplessly being dragged about through dangerous situations, which are ever changing due to the constant interaction of goodness, passion, and ignorance.
Following our endless desires, Krsna, through the agency of His material nature, creates situations that satisfy those desires to falsely lord it over material nature. Not knowing what desires will actually satisfy us, we receive both good and bad results and suffer perpetually. But when we surrender to Krsna, He protects us from all those reactions that have accumulated for millions of lifetimes. Part of that surrendering process is becoming convinced about Krsna’s firm promise to protect us under any circumstance.
We are always forced to accept the reactions of our material activities. This is due to ignorance. Out of ignorance the conditioned soul identifies with the action as the doer, therefore he is bound to accept the effect of that action. There is no escaping this law of cause and effect. For example, a foolish man not knowing the principles of religion, may decide to kill his business partner and take his share of the profits, which will increase his happiness when he spends that money. But, unknown to him, when the natural and fixed reactions are carried out by material nature, his future is very dark. Rather than more happiness he has created much suffering for himself. But a conditioned entity does not know for sure what will be the results of his actions.
Understanding the helpless condition of each individual in the material atmosphere, it will behoove the bhakta to surrender to Krsna, Who is the source and controller of this energy, and beg His protection. If Krsna wants, He can pick us up from this vast ocean of illusory energy. Otherwise, though we are part of the superior nature, we will constantly be overwhelmed by these three modes, even though they are inferior by nature, due only to their immense vastness. Mahananda dasa