Friday, January 12, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Etobicoke, Ontario

Gain and Loss

Sometimes the best way to get out to the suburbs, like Etobicoke to meet my appointment, is by way of the subway—commuter train—to the end of the line.  There, your host for an evening home program will be waiting.

My host, Narahari, who’s from South India, was waiting at the western-most point of the line, the Kipling station.

The subway system is unfamiliar to me.  I rarely take it, but due to traffic congestion on Friday afternoon and the tough weather conditions, this was the practical way of doing things.  I arrived at Narahari’s in a  timely manner, and a great discussion ensued regarding the symptoms of one spiritually progressed.  What are the signs you look for?  Great program.

It was this morning at 6:45 a.m. that I received a call from Karen who was grieving that her husband had passed away.  Rsi was a good friend of mine and it is not yet known the cause of his departure.  It’s a buddy who will be missed.  More info will come out regarding some bio.  My guess is that he was 63.

A few words: Rsi first became a monk in 1975 when he joined the temple with some friends from London, Ontario.  He had an interesting way with people.  Soft-spoken and with quite the photographic memory on “the old days,” he really supplied you with details.  He was a pioneer of book sales—books produced by Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT).  His name was Rick Hobson when he first came.  Also to his credit was his hospitality at the temple/ashram, serving as receptionist and dishing out prasadam—sanctified food.  There’s more, but for now I must pray and chant.

May the Source be with you!

2 km

Thursday, January 11th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Scarborough, Ontario

Getting the Needles

I went with my gut and decided that Ayurvedic acupuncture was the way to go—a response to not being able to trek for about a week.  Walking has become a strain.  Something is wrong.  Thighs seized up?  Did I jump too hard, up and down in front of Toronto’s Old City Hall at New Years, to then conjure up some fault in the knees?

Vicki, whom I’ve known since he was a little young rascal climbing the temple walls on Sundays, had started up with his Dad the Anupama Ayurved Wellness Centre on Tiffield Road in Scarborough.  That shows evolution doesn’t it?  He grew up. https://ayurvedcentre.com

He gingerly stuck fifty pins in various places, from head to toe, including my knees.  When he applied a heat device over my knees to start with, there was immediate relief.

“Your knees are cold,” he said, before he started procedures.  “There’s a vata buildup.”  Vata means air or wind—gas.  The pins or needles were to stimulate movement—get the blood flowing.

Lying on my back on the heat-blanketed bed put me into a good sleep.  I felt subliminally that I was going to walk decently again, without a limp.

Vicki was kind and didn’t charge.  It’s his way of reciprocating with the work of a monk.  As he proceeded to conclude the procedure, all fifty needles had to come out.  Yes, there was some blood.  “That’s a good sign.  Now where’s the 50th?”  He and I felt around but couldn’t detect it until I got up off of the bench.  My dhoti (lower garment) held it in one of its folds.  Out popped the needle and on walked the voodoo doll.  Yay!  I can walk with some improvement.

Thank God!  Krishna you’re awesome!

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Wednesday, January 10th, 2018
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Toronto, Ontario

Lined-Up

I lined up an appointment with an ayurvedic healer for tomorrow, to have a look at my knees.  We all have to see to the anatomy of ourselves—see a mechanic from time to time.

I’ve been avoiding physical activity and resorting to a room almost as if in a hospital.  I find it is a great time for introspection and healing.

I look at someone like our Hanuman, cleaner of our temple room.  He, more than anyone else, knows and feels that when you clean the temple you are cleaning your heart.

There he stood, Hanuman, at the entrance way, with his bucket of water and mop.  The dirt he picked up resembles a dark chocolate drink.  Hanuman is not in the best shape, physically.  He had surgery years ago when a pin was driven in his knee.  It pains him at times, however, he goes on with such conviction that he’s an inspiration.  https://instagram.com/p/BdzYevgFr5C/

I was in the temple room chanting away with the Wednesday kirtan when he came over and asked if the group chanting on the carpet would move so that he can mop that particular area.  I suggested he let it go, that we were all immersed in the mantras and that what he did do was sufficient.  He graciously complied.

I see inspirationists all the time.  They are a horn of plenty.  They are around everywhere and they don’t have to be limited to humans.  Animals also have a life and sometimes save lives.

Hanuman, the original, is a human/ape—extremely devoted.  Check out this beautiful picture of Sita and Hanuman by artist Sanjay Patel.  Beautiful!

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Tuesday, January 9th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Next To My Room

Next to my room at 243 Avenue Road is another room where sanghas(gatherings) are held and where our guru, Srila Prabhupada, had met guests in 1976.  In front of the arched window is a divinely carved image of Krishna made out of wood. 

It is there for us to remember Him.  This is His roopa—form.  Krishna is God.  He’s a person referred to often as the Supreme Personality.  Look at Him and you will feel someone is next to you—someone who is soft on the heart.  His pose is like one holding a flute, making Him musical.  It also implies He can move and dance.  His form is well shaped.  https://instagram.com/p/BdwVHW8lhnW/

My dear friend, Vaisheshika from California said, “It’s a great image to chant gayatrito.”  Gayatri is a group of mantras chanted at dawn, noon and dusk; prominent times for meditation on the Divine.

In another tradition it is sometimes said that one should not worship strange images.

Krishna is not strange.  Get to know Him.  He also walks.  Is a car strange?  Is your apartment strange?  Your partner?  No!  We just get familiar with what in the beginning is strange.

In this wooden image, Krishna is smiling.  We can also smile because the image seems to be telling us to do so.

I’m glad to have this image next to my room.  I pass by it several times a day.  I'm blessed.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

ISKCON Juhu Rath Yatra 2018 Live Pandal Program On 13th Jan 2018
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Hare KrishnaBy Malati Devi Dasi

The 40th Anniversary of the ISKCON Juhu Epic is being celebrated with great enthusiasm with legions of Srila Prabhupada's personal pioneers who have arrived to Radha Rasabihariji's campus to honor and recall the glories of this maha adventure of serving Srila Prabhupada in Bombay. What to speak of the incredible darshans of Their Divine Lordships. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, our Lord and Master, His Divine Grace! Continue reading "ISKCON Juhu Rath Yatra 2018 Live Pandal Program On 13th Jan 2018
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ISKCON Juhu Rath Yatra 2018 Live Pandal Program On 13th Jan 2018
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Hare KrishnaBy Malati Devi Dasi

The 40th Anniversary of the ISKCON Juhu Epic is being celebrated with great enthusiasm with legions of Srila Prabhupada's personal pioneers who have arrived to Radha Rasabihariji's campus to honor and recall the glories of this maha adventure of serving Srila Prabhupada in Bombay. What to speak of the incredible darshans of Their Divine Lordships. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, our Lord and Master, His Divine Grace! Continue reading "ISKCON Juhu Rath Yatra 2018 Live Pandal Program On 13th Jan 2018
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Sankirtan Yajna – Home | Sankirtan Yajna ·
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Sankirtan Yajna · 5 hrs ·

Haridasa Thakura Dasa Acbsp: This is Hlengiwe (try pronouncing that) who works for a car dealer friend of mine in Benoni which is on the East Rand of Johannesburg. She is such a nice girl, friendly, open and submissive. She suffers from panic attacks as well as being a very sensitive person.
I chanted the mantra for her and I told her that by chanting this mantra all her troubles would fly away. She repeated the mantra and said excitedly that she would definitely chant it.
I find these mantra cards such a good idea, and anyone can have such cards printed and then personally distribute them to whomever they meet.

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Enough Salt- Now A Dash Of Pepper With Krishna’s Bhagavad-gita
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Hare KrishnaBy Yasodadulal Dasa

What could I draw public attention to with my little insignificant padayatra which paralleled his Salt March? At the age of 62 (Gandhi was 61) I began the 22 day journey (the same amount of days Gandhi walked) on November 22nd, concluding on the full moon of 4 December 2017. Although I began as one man and my influence over others was that I would also finish alone, still it was important for me to have a message that would take my yatra just that one step further above the worldly limitations of nationalism. My idea was to launch it on to the pure transcendental platform. I began with the simple words, “Enough Salt!”, but it soon became apparent that such a hidden message was too subtle for the general public to pick up on. As the walk progressed and the ISKCON book marathon started coming on, my mantra changed to “Enough Salt! Now take Bhagavad -gita!” It fitted well because Gandhi was a strong advocate of the Bhagavad-gita. Continue reading "Enough Salt- Now A Dash Of Pepper With Krishna’s Bhagavad-gita
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Enough Salt- Now A Dash Of Pepper With Krishna’s Bhagavad-gita
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Hare KrishnaBy Yasodadulal Dasa

What could I draw public attention to with my little insignificant padayatra which paralleled his Salt March? At the age of 62 (Gandhi was 61) I began the 22 day journey (the same amount of days Gandhi walked) on November 22nd, concluding on the full moon of 4 December 2017. Although I began as one man and my influence over others was that I would also finish alone, still it was important for me to have a message that would take my yatra just that one step further above the worldly limitations of nationalism. My idea was to launch it on to the pure transcendental platform. I began with the simple words, “Enough Salt!”, but it soon became apparent that such a hidden message was too subtle for the general public to pick up on. As the walk progressed and the ISKCON book marathon started coming on, my mantra changed to “Enough Salt! Now take Bhagavad -gita!” It fitted well because Gandhi was a strong advocate of the Bhagavad-gita. Continue reading "Enough Salt- Now A Dash Of Pepper With Krishna’s Bhagavad-gita
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Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama – Reviving Mahaprabhu’s Pastimes
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Hare KrishnaBy MCO

In 1972, Srila Prabhupada and some of his disciples went on parikrama around Sri Navadvipa Dham, and since that time ISKCON Mayapur has been performing Navadvipa parikrama. The ISKCON Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama has been steadily increasing in size – from seventy devotees to ten thousand devotees and beyond – and is continuing to grow, not only in size but in activities, destinations and transcendental bliss. In 1996, the year of Srila Prabhupada’s centennial, the ISKCON Mayapur Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama was divided for the first time into two groups – Gauranga and Nityananda – which comprised of the English and Russian speaking devotees, and the Bengali and Hindi speaking devotees respectively. To facilitate the growing numbers of participants, the parikrama is now divided into six groups, allowing for smoother coordination and facilitation. Continue reading "Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama – Reviving Mahaprabhu’s Pastimes
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Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama – Reviving Mahaprabhu’s Pastimes
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Hare KrishnaBy MCO

In 1972, Srila Prabhupada and some of his disciples went on parikrama around Sri Navadvipa Dham, and since that time ISKCON Mayapur has been performing Navadvipa parikrama. The ISKCON Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama has been steadily increasing in size – from seventy devotees to ten thousand devotees and beyond – and is continuing to grow, not only in size but in activities, destinations and transcendental bliss. In 1996, the year of Srila Prabhupada’s centennial, the ISKCON Mayapur Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama was divided for the first time into two groups – Gauranga and Nityananda – which comprised of the English and Russian speaking devotees, and the Bengali and Hindi speaking devotees respectively. To facilitate the growing numbers of participants, the parikrama is now divided into six groups, allowing for smoother coordination and facilitation. Continue reading "Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama – Reviving Mahaprabhu’s Pastimes
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Ambition, Satisfaction & Devotion 2 – Hospital metaphor for harmonizing material and spiritual growth
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at Singapore]

Podcast


 

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post Ambition, Satisfaction & Devotion 2 – Hospital metaphor for harmonizing material and spiritual growth appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Subtleties of Affectionate Relationships, January 10, The Darshan Room, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.8.42.

“There is a verse in the Srimad Bhagavatam that says that everyone knows that attachment is the greatest form of bondage for the conditioned soul. But, that same attachment when transferred to the self-realized devotees of the Lord, opens the door to liberation. So, we cannot actually exist without attachment. There are some impersonal philosophers who want to stop all attachment. but, as Srila Prabhupada says to be completely without attachment you have to be like a stone. We don’t want to become like stones. We don’t want to be without attachment but, we don’t want to be attached to things that cause us pain and suffering and bondage. We want to be attached to things that liberate us and that means Krishna and His devotees.”

Subtleties of Affectionate Relationships, January 10, The Darshan Room, Dallas (Right-click to download)

Sankirtan Yajna – Home | Sankirtan Yajna ·
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Sankirtan Yajna · Yesterday at 8:26am ·

Sadbhuja Das: We are doing a mock up of Gaura Nitai of printed canvas that we will place in the front of the temple staircases walls. (1 min video)
This will give us an indication for the sizes of each deity that will go on the wall which will eventually be made in mosaics tiles.
The smaller staircases on either ends will also have Lilas made in mosaics tiles.
In a few days, we will put the canvas on the walls outside and we will keep you posted on what it will look like.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/3V4rgq

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Sankirtan Yajna – Home | Sankirtan Yajna ·
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Sankirtan Yajna · Yesterday at 8:15am ·

The easiest and the most Powerful means of God-Realisation! (1 min video)
Anyone, Any age, Any caste, Any color, Any Nation even up to the animals can chant this Hare Krishna Mahamantra.
These little kids in midst of Namishranya Jungle calling out to Lord Krishna is the cutest thing by far on internet right now !!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/B6Bp1B

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Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama – Reviving Mahaprabhu’s Pastimes
→ Mayapur.com

“Parikrama is a revival of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes.”- His Holiness Lokanatha Swami Since its inception by His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada in 1918, the Gaudiya Vaisnavas have been performing parikrama around Sri Navadvipa Mandala. 2018 will mark the one hundred year anniversary of performing Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama. In 1972, Srila […]

The post Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama – Reviving Mahaprabhu’s Pastimes appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Sankirtan Yajna – Home | Sankirtan Yajna · See More
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Sankirtan Yajna · Yesterday at 8:05am ·

“The secret is to be praying while we’re chanting the name of Krishna, ‘Please, Krishna, just place me in the society of Your service.’”
Pradyumna: During that Boston trip, almost every week new faces used to show up from New York.

All the New York devotees would come up – Brahmananda, Rayarama, Rupanuga.

...

The Boston temple had always been a small temple – three people, two people, five people, six people, but never more than about five or six; but during Prabhupada’s visit there, it was just packed with mostly New York devotees.

I remember the day after the brahmana initiation we all went on a walk, I was also there, and I quipped, “Boston brahmins.”

Prabhupada said, “Ah, yes, Boston brahmins.”

There were six of us that got sacred thread in the first initiation, six men and no women.

Then they raised a fuss and they didn’t show up.

They were so angry that they weren’t going to get second initiation, they didn’t come.

—Pradyumna

Vaikunthanath: Prabhupada would arrive, I think, by taxi.

But in the meantime, the devotees were chanting in the temple there at 95 Glenville Avenue deep in kirtan; and there would be all this frankincense, the whole room was full of smoke.

When Prabhupada would come in, we were literally in ecstasy.

You cannot conceive of the impact that Prabhupada had on us.

Prabhupada’s every move and every gesture, he was just floating in ecstasy, and we could perceive that bliss that Prabhupada was in.

I remember he got up on the vyasasana and he said, “The secret is to be praying while we’re chanting the name of Krishna, ‘Please, Krishna, just place me in the society of Your service.’”

—Vaikunthanath

Rukmini dasi: Once they called and he was coming and Jadurani, who was not much of a cook, asked him if he would be eating before he came or whether they should have something for him to eat when he arrived.

So Prabhupada said, “I am an just like a cow. I can eat in one pasture and then eat in another pasture also.”

—Rukmini

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Sunday Love Feast – 14th Jan 2018 – Special Vedic Discourse by His Grace Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari
→ ISKCON Brampton

About HG Sriman Sankarshan Das Adhikari
HG Sankarshan Das fully dedicated his life for serving the order of his spiritual master to become a guru and deliver the world. For the last 40 years he has uninterruptedly served his spiritual master’s movement, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), in various capacities.Well known for his Internet based training program, the Ultimate Self Realization Course, he has attracted over 12,000 subscribers from over 100 different countries who receive a daily inspirational message and personal answers to their questions regarding how to become perfect in Krishna consciousness. Those who are interested can join his course at:www.backtohome.com






11.00 - 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30      Guru Puja
11:30 - 11:55      Aarti & Kirtan          
11.55 - 12.00      Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers
12.00 -  1:00      Vedic discourse
  1:00 -  1:30       Closing Kirtan
  1.30 -  2.00       Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

COMING UP AHEAD



Sat-Tila Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Fri Jan 12th,2018
Breakfast................  on  Sat Jan 13th ,2018 b/w 7.49am – 10.54am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 



Inauguration Ceremony Of New Temple Place

Sun Jan 21st,2018
Program details would follow shortly!


ONGOING PROGRAMS


Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation

Next date is to be announced shortly!

The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world  - by gross and subtle matter.
If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this.
All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!


Sunday School
To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)

The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.    
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here

Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Sankirtan Yajna – Home | Sankirtan Yajna · See More
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Sankirtan Yajna · Yesterday at 8:03am ·

NBS#78:: Demi-gods: The Powerful Representatives Of God.
NBS#78 describes: The different demigods like Ganesha and Durga that are mentioned in reference to worship of the Lord's abode and associates are the eternal associates of the Lord in Vaikuntha like Visvaksena and others. Therefore they are not like the Ganesha and Durga of the material world. Demigods like Ganesha and Durga born of the material energy are different from them. The illusory, external energy has no juris...diction in Vaikuntha, so what can be said of qualities like lust and greed?' That is why those forms of Ganesha and others are manifest from the spiritual energy of the Lord. The mundane Durga is a portion of Yogamaya and hence under her control. This spiritual energy, Yogamaya, has engaged Durga of the material world as her maidservant and entrusted her with the service of protecting mantras, not as the predominating deity of service.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/r5JsfZ

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Sankirtan Yajna – Home | Sankirtan Yajna ·
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Sankirtan Yajna · Yesterday at 7:52am ·

Gopi Gita: A beautiful account of two of my dear friends sharing their book distribution encounters with Krishna guiding all their steps from their hearts.
It's so inspiring.. please watch and learn how they just bring Krishna into their lives and into everyone's lives around them.
Minute 7 is the best. Ananta Angie says, "We just learned we're not the doer. Krishna is doing it all" and Kamalaksa Rupini shares beautiful words about surrender.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/4WVZEu

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Watching TV and Movies. Sivarama Swami: There are two main…
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Watching TV and Movies.
Sivarama Swami: There are two main defects in this activity, whether they’re done regularly or even occasionally. The first is that this media always includes intoxication, graphic sex life, violence, and gambling. Therefore watching it means to break the regulative principles. What reason do we have that we should go out of our way to observe and watch these activities of Kali-yuga when it’s already difficult enough to stay away from them? So why would I want to bring these things into my own home, to give ideas to children? Answer: because people have material desires and they give into them.
The second defect is that anything you see makes an impression on the heart. So the rampant violence, sex, intoxication, bad language, immoral behavior, fairytale worlds like Spiderman jumping off buildings and flying through the air, these make an impression in the heart, and when they do they become a source of meditation, something to meditate on, because these impressions will come out at a later time. Not only as a reflection of the mind, but something that creates seeds of material desires in the heart and which will also water existing seeds of desire in the heart. So it is a very detrimental practice.
Initiated devotees vow to follow regulative principles. When referring to brahmacaris and sannyasis in this regard, we say that even in the mind if one contemplates these things he is breaking the principles. But while grhasthas might have license, they only have that within their own marriage situation. They don’t have a license to view sexual activities or these other things. So for them to contemplate it, to view it, to enjoy it; it’s all breaking the principles. How then can an initiated devotee do these things with a clear conscience?

And what is the effect of breaking the regulative principles? We commit sin. And by committing sin, we complicate our spiritual lives, entangle ourselves in material existence, and suffer from the results of that sin. Committing sin has an effect on the mind; that is that sinful thoughts linger in the heart. They come up like bubbles from the mud and become the source of other sinful desires, which then become the result of further sinful acts. Ultimately what devotees see on TV and in movies, they’ll end up doing. If they see infidelity, they’ll end up doing it. If they see violence or other activities, they’ll do that. When they become bewildered thinking materialism, egoism, pride in the material body is the ultimate goal in life; they become more body conscious and egotistical.

All these things strangle the creeper of devotional service and make one’s devotional life more or less null and void. Why does a devotee do this? Well, obviously because they’re not doing what they should be doing. One who is not chanting Hare Krishna and hearing Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya-caritamrita without offense and who is not doing them enough will not have enough spiritual strength to resist the social pressure from those who are doing these things. Devotional movies are available and will water our seed of bhakti and give further inspiration and lasting satisfaction to the heart.

Sivarama Swami