Planet ISKCON

[Seminar at Govardhan Eco-Village, Wada, Mumbai, India]

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The post Managing the mind 2 – Understanding how the mind affects our free will appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By the GBC

ISKCON center officials shall be responsible to ensure that any and all web sites published by the center prominently feature a picture of Srila Prabhupada on the introductory page. This picture should be larger than any other individual’s photo (such as the GBC, center President, or guru). Srila Prabhupada should be addressed by his formal name and title: “His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,” or “ISKCON Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada”, or an equivalent translation. Continue reading "Founder-Acarya Foremost on ISKCON Temple Websites
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By the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

The GBC Body hereby encourages ISKCON managers to monitor the levels of the sound systems in use at their centers. The sound system should be adjusted so that it sounds clear, sweet and attractive as opposed to overly loud, distorted or painful. Whenever possible, the sound pressure levels should regularly be measured using sound pressure level meters to make sure that dangerous sound pressure levels are prevented. Such meters are available on mobile devices. Continue reading "Sound Systems Guideline
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By Bhakti Carudesna Swami

On Saturday, 23rd of December 2017, Iskcon Lomé, Togo, West Africa organized its second Padayatra. Around 45 devotees from different countries of West Africa met in Lomé, the capital of Togo. We had devotees like Bhakti Carudesna Swami from Côte d ‘ Ivoire, Yuga Prabhu, the west African Council chairman from Ghana, Vrajendra Dhulal and Tribhuvanath Prabhus from Nigeria, Candrasekar Prabhu and Bhakta Séverin from the Republic of Benin and many others from Togo like Atmattva Prabhu, Akincana Prabhu, Mother Abla Amouzou etc. Vrajendra Dhulal Prabhu from Nigeria a disciple of Lokanath Swami Maharaja, was on his way to Nigeria but decided to stay for the program. He said: “Padayatra is my Guru Maharaj’ s program, I can’ t afford missing it. I must stay to attend to it.” Continue reading "Togo Padayatra
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Distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books under the snow (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: These temples, they are just like oasis in the desert for the conditioned souls to quench the thirst of their desire for real happiness. Letter to Ksirodakshayi, January 29, 1973
Find them here: https://goo.gl/mfZN1s

Have Darshans of the Most Holiest site of Naimisharanya! (Album with photos)
Chakratirtha……..
Chakratirtha, considered to be the holiest site in Naimisharanya, is also believed to be the epicenter of Prithvimandala (Earth). In the Satya Yuga, some of the most prominent rishis used to perform continual yagnas here, including- Maharishi Shringi, Maharishi Dalabhaya, Maharishi Udallak, Maharishi Shikamketu, Maharishi Pravaan and many others. It is believed that a huge Manomaya Chakra (wheel) fell on this site and created a round “Kund”, which is known as Chakra Tirtha. Devotees taking bath in this Kund are believed to have their soul cleansed and those who perform charity gain wealth benefits. The body is purified through meditation and people who donate “Pinda” are believed to attain the state of Moksha.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iBsBMy

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 June 2012, Leicester, England, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.7)

When something happens to a devotee, is it karma or is it Krsna acting? This is a big question. Sometimes, we hear, “It’s your karma, Prabhu?” Then at other times, you are told, “Isn’t it Krsna who is behind this?”

Srila Prabhupada explained about how karma works for a devotee in The Nectar of Devotion – the fan (analogous to karma) is spinning and at the time you take up devotional service, the electricity is turned off but the fan continues turning, therefore we are getting diminished reactions.

So are we under the influence of karma or are we directly under Krsna’s influence? Is the pure devotee under the influence of Krsna and is everyone else under the influence of diminished karma? Giriraj Swami has shed some light on this matter:

As Prabhupada said, there is that diminished reaction but Krsna is behind it and Krsna is sort of watching that karma – that diminished karma. Sometimes he interferes and at other times he just lets it act and he watches, anumantā upadrasta (the permitter and the overseer, Bhagavad-gita 13.23). He just witnesses it and oversees everything. As anumantā, he gives ājñā diba – permission. So, in this way Krsna permits it or sometimes Krsna says, “No, scrape off the bill. That is okay, there is no need for that.”

At other times, Krsna puts in an extra test. According to our karma, something was not supposed to happen but Krsna put it in there! So it’s interesting how we, as devotees, are simultaneously under the influence of Krsna’s direction and karma. Krsna is the ultimate cause and therefore we always see Krsna behind it. Whenever something happens to us, we see Krsna as pūruṣa, our maintainer, who is with us at every step of the way. He is caring for us; there is no doubt! He does not leave us alone. Although he puts us through things that we really do not want to go through it, still it is good for us. He is prodding us, activating us like a buffalo because after all, we have become like buffalos!

In India you see the buffalos walking in the street and when cars come from behind, ‘Honk! Honk!’ as Indian cars do, the buffalo does not move an inch and just keeps on walking. Even when a car touches the buffalo a bit, it does not move but with anyone else, they would have moved, So we have a bit of that buffalo consciousness. By being under the influence of the three modes of material nature, we have become dull; we have lost our sensitivity.

When things are happening in our life, it is Krsna prodding us. Gradually, we awaken and we rise above. Sometimes you see a little boy or a little girl walking next to the buffalo with a stick – they are not shy and ‘whack’ with a stick and that’s what gets the buffalo going. Sometimes Krsna also does it to us!

 

HG Shyamsundar Prabhu shares some excerpts from the newly released book “Chasing the Rhinos ” and some from the upcoming volumes, on 7th of Jan 2018 at ISKCON Chowpatty (video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/sviru7

Watch Online the Live Broadcast of the Historic TOVP Chakra Installation Ceremony
The TOVP management has arranged for a live broadcast of the Grand Installation Ceremony of the Chakras onto Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s domes on February 7th, 2018 through MayapurTV. Now every devotee will have an opportunity to view this occasion live right from the comfort of their own home and with their entire family.
This momentous and pivotal occasion, perhaps the most important in ISKCON’s history to date, represents the completion of a seven year phase of construction and the beginning of the remaining phase of construction of the TOVP as we approach the Grand Opening in 2022. It heralds yet another milestone of achievement in our cooperative effort to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s strong desire to build this unique temple and establish Sridhama Mayapur as the spiritual capital of the world, nay, the universe, from whence the sankirtan movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu began and Krishna prema flows.

The address to access MayapurTV is: www.mayapur.com/media/mayapur-tv/

A link to download the Schedule of Events is below and we request you print it to post at your local temple and share on your Facebook Page and other social media. Become a TOVP Ambassador and spread the word.
https://cdn.tovp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/schedule-of-events_print_ver.zip

Radha Kunda Seva: December 2017 Photos and Updates (Album of photos)
It is with great joy that we welcome the New Year with this announcement, “Apsara and Navala Kundas are clean!” It took over two weeks for our crew to tackle the buildup of trash there. Now we’ve transitioned to daily maintenance cleaning and moved on to another place badly in need of care. We have started cleaning Dananivartan Kunda situated just about a kilometer south of the Danghati Temple in Govardhan Town. From there, we are slowly working our way south down the side of Govardhan Hill. Our crew is very happy to do this work. In wonder, they expressed how perfect it is that they are earning a livelihood and performing a most important service to Govardhan at the same time!
We had a hope that the Forestry Department would give us some land to care for, but asking the Forestry Minister via mediaries didn’t seem to be going anywhere until… the minister himself showed up as we were cleaning the area near Dananivartan Kunda! Way to get his attention! He was happy with our work and is going to try his best to get us a lease on that tract of forest! If anything, the meeting was certainly a green light for us to continue cleaning right near Govardhan!
For years, we’ve been working with Food for Life Vrindavan to support the construction and running of a girls’ school here in Govardhan. Though that construction has been delayed due to issues with the land, we have decided to offer some classes at local schools in the meantime. Specifically, we are teaching classes in classical Indian dance, Bharatanatyam. The girls are so eager to learn! Dancing and singing about Radha and Krishna comes naturally to them since love of Radha and Krishna is the foundation of their lives and culture here in Vraja.
As the new year dawns, our cleaning and prasadam distribution continue. We are deeply grateful for your blessings and support due to which this service is thriving and expanding.
Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com. We are dependent on your help. Your servants, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Sri Arjuna dasa, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/yA2tzf

ISKCON devotees’ 7-year-old daughter Vasilisa Yashenko has been recently filmed in a major Russian TV talent show for children entitled as “Luchshe Vseh” or “Best Of All”.
The audience, as well as the host Maxim Galkin - a famous TV-star, husband of Russian primadonna Alla Pugachova, - were responding to Vasilisa’s performance of an Indian dance with great enthusiasm.
Watch Vasilisa’s heart-warming TV performance here: https://goo.gl/XDS1VW

Mayapur Bhakti Vriksha’s Annual Spiritual Picnic: Welcoming the New year, around 800 prospective devotees from Krishnanagar, Dhubulia, Dharmada, Srirampur, Swarupganj etc. took part in Annual Spiritual Picnic, conducted by Mayapur Bhakti Vriksha on 17th Dec 2017.The program took place on the bank of Ganges “ Shree Kunja”, mayapur; a beautiful environment alike the forest of […]

The post Spiritual Picnic appeared first on Mayapur.com.

By Urmila Devi Dasi

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada established ISKCON when it consisted of one rented storefront in New York City. He wrote purposes for his new society—to teach spiritual knowledge, consciousness of our existence as a soul part of the Supreme Godhead Krishna, and a simpler natural way of life Continue reading "What is ISKCON? Who is a member of ISKCON?
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The post Daily Darshan: January 09,2018 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Bhakti Chaitanya Swami: In a retreat with devotees from Chita in East Siberia. Outside it’s minus 25, but inside it’s nice, and the devotees’ hearts are, as always, very warm. (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Do4474

Gold Coast in HarinamaBliss, Surfer Paradise-Australia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, how glorious are they whose to...

ISKCON Mayapur Devotees to facilitate pilgrims at GangaSagar Fair.
The devotees of ISKCON Mayapur are setting up a huge camp at...

Recently His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja gave a lecture in ISKCON Brisbane in which he emphasized that as long as Governing Body Commission (GBC) remains the highest authority, ISKCON will always exist, and it is in the hands of the next generation of devotees....

Kiev Bhagavatam Class.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 08 November 2017, Mayapur, India, Russian Morning Class, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.6.10)

In the Bhagavad-gita (7.4), we find a list of material elements: earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and the false ego. These are Krsna’s separated energies. Then we find in the next verse (Bhagavad-gita 7.5), a description of the living being and what they are doing. They are exploiting the universe. We like to think of ourselves as innocent people who are misunderstood but Krsna, in the Bhagavad-gita, has another judgment. According to Krsna, we are manipulative and exploitative and somehow or other making so many arrangements to manoeuvre ourselves to a greater position. If others are suffering, we do not really care that much. We care a little because it feels good to be charitable.

We see on the news how people are dying and go on having a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. You have to be quite insensitive to do that! So a change of heart is required to start thinking of the welfare of others. This is why sankirtan is very powerful. This is why book distribution is a very powerful tool in this movement. Not only is the book itself powerful propaganda, it is also fully transcendental and anyone who touches a book can become purified.

Prabhupada was reading the Krsna Book and said to Srutakirti, “This is such a wonderful book. Anyone who reads this book, they will become a pure devotee! Anyone who reads one chapter of this book can become a pure devotee. Anyone who reads one page of this book can become a pure devotee. Not only that, anyone who reads one sentence can become a pure devotee.” And then Prabhupada said, “Anyone who reads one word can become a pure devotee.”

I met Srutakirti in Vrindavan and we were talking about this pastime. Srutakirti said, “Yes, Prabhupada said it to me several times about different books – about the Krsna Book, about Nectar of devotion and other books.” Srutakirti then said, “Obviously Prabhupada knew that I wasn’t reading.”

Anyway, so these books are very potent and anyone who gets such a book is greatly benefitted. But the person who distributes the book is even more benefitted because that person is taking austerity for the welfare of others and is finally learning how to stop manipulating things for their own advantage and is making a sacrifice to give out the mercy.

In some parts of our movement, book distribution is a little out of fashion. There are many other ways to reach out to people. Times have changed and there are other interesting strategic ways to reach people and all good. But, book distribution is like a cold shower whereas some of these other preaching tactics are nice, warm showers. Cold showers get the blood circulation really going. We can consider that there is a special purification when doing book distribution. It is this spirit of giving the mercy to others which should be our focus.

Toronto's Hare Krishna Temple is excited to welcome back Sankarshan Dasa Adhikari to the Greater Toronto Area from Jan 11-14, 2018.  Traveling across the globe, Sankarshan Dasa Adhikari is a teacher, author of several books, and personal mentor and guide to tens of thousands in over 100 countries.  He explores and makes knowledge from the ancient Vedic scriptures relevant to us in modern times.

Together with his wife and teaching partner, Vishnupriya Devi Dasi, he brings the purity of an ancient tradition, makes it easily accessible and applicable, and lays out a clear process to escape the clutches of our difficult lives.

He shares deep spiritual insights and practices through his famous Ultimate Self Realization Course, a combination of email education, live classes over the Internet, and in-person live classes, seminars, workshops, all delivered lovingly as a service to humanity, without any barriers of fees or commercial exchanges. For an archive of his teachings, see www.sda-archives.com.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari joined the Hare Krishna movement and received initiation from His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1971. Since then, he has been serving his spiritual master's order sincerely and enthusiastically. He is an initiating spiritual master within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

The schedule is listed below as well as links to register for these amazing seminars:

Special Lessons - Mantra Meditation for Inner Peace
Daily from January 11 - January 14
4:30am - 7:00am
Register Here

Srimad Bhagavatam Classes
Daily from January 11 - January 14
7:30am - 9:00am
Register Here

Brampton Seminar: Peace Against all Odds
Friday, January 12
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Register Here

Scarborough Seminar: Peace in Adversity
Saturday, January 13
10:30am - 12:30pm
Register Here

Toronto Seminar: Peace Within Peace Without
Saturday January 13
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Register Here

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.18 during the Sunday program.

“The materialistic man of the modern age will argue that life, or part of it, is never meant for discussion of theosophical or theological arguments. Life is meant for the maximum duration of existence for eating, drinking, sexual intercourse, making merry and enjoying life. The modern man wants to live forever by the advancement of material science, and there are many foolish theories for prolonging life to the maximum duration. But the Srimad Bhagavatam affirms that life is not meant for so-called economic development or advancement of materialistic science for the hedonistic philosophy of eating, mating, drinking and merrymaking. Life is solely meant for tapasya, for purifying existence so that one may enter into eternal life just after the end of the human form of life.” SB 2.3.18 purport

The Value of Time (Right-click to download)

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Chowpatty, Mumbai]

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The post When things don’t make sense, look for a deeper sense appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at Govardhan Eco-village, Wada, Mumbai, India]

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Podcast Summary

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The post Managing the mind 1 – The many meanings of the word ‘mind’ and their correlation with the Gita’s understanding appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

BB Govinda Swami: Gopa Kumara asked “How can I chant with pure love?” And they said “Well, if you want to chant with love you must know the Srimad Bhagavatam.” This shows that basically Gopa Kumara had traveled through all the levels of the material cosmos. He had even been Brahma but still he has not been scientifically trained in the science of loving Krishna. We can imagine he was even Brahma. But he did not understand the science of Krishna. He even went to Brahman by the power of his chanting but still he didn’t know how to get to the spiritual world. Then the merciful associates of the Lord said:

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The post Daily Darshan: January 08,2018 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Sponsor GITA (4 min video)
Iskcon Nepal: Help us reach your family, your village, your town. Help us create cultural awareness ...

Kartamashayi – “The Boss” (The Eternal Prince).
by Jaya Govinda dasa: Govinda Dasi, the original Prabhupada disciple was in Vancouver the past summer and she mentioned that she has a Kartamashayi Deity. Immediately my ears perked up when I heard her say that because I also have one.
When I told her that I have one of the original ones that Srila Prabhupada chose, she was interested in seeing it. I explained to her how I managed to acquire Him.
In 1992, perhaps 1993, when I was operating the Hare Krishna Place Cafe in New Westminster, B.C., Radha Damodar Prabhu used to love coming there for lunch. He told me about his Kartamashayi Deity and asked me if I would like to have Him reside in the cafe. He said Prabhupada liked these Deities to be in preaching centers and restaurants. Naturally I graciously accepted such a wonderful offer. He then told me the history of how he acquired Him.
When he was a brahmacari, he was sent from Vancouver to Denver. There was a Kartamashayi Deity there at the time which he started to take care of. In the meantime he married and had two sons of which the first he named after the Deity Kartamashayi. When he and his family left Denver for California primarily for gurukula for his boys, the temple president of Denver asked if he would like to keep the Deity as he took such good care of Him and off they all went to California.
Radha Damodar told me that there were six of these Deities that Srila Prabhupada had personally choose and he named some of the temples where they were.
Later Radha Damodar and family moved to Vancouver and stayed for about a decade and of course he brought along his Kartamashayi Deity with them. Later when he and his family were moving to Alachua he asked me if I would like to keep the Deity which was still in the Hare Krishna Place as it was not practical for him to take him to Alachua. Of course I immediately accepted his generous offer.
Later on Nara Narayana Prabhu, the early disciple of Prabhupada visiting from Los
Angeles overheard me mention that I had an original Kartamashayi Deity. He was very curious to see it. He told me that he was the one who made them at Srila Prabhupada’s request and that only a few were cast. I was a little skeptical at first because his story didn’t quite fit with what Radha Damodar told me. Nonetheless I showed him my Kartamashayi.
When I showed Him to Nara Narayana, he immediately recognized Him as being one of the ones he made. He showed a certain design feature that only he, being the sculptor would notice. I was reassured that I had one of the original ones. I was quite excited to confirm and to clarify Radha Damodar’s testament and I even had Nara Narayana put his signature on the inside of the Deity as He is hollow.
Now back to Govinda Dasi.
When I showed my Kartamashayi to her, she told me that the color had been changed which it had. He had been repainted a few times and I even had another devotee re-paint Him again as He was looking a little tarnished. Then the following day she came to my door and told me that she couldn’t sleep very well the previous night. She was a little disturbed that Kartamashayi was not the right color. She then told me that Srila Prabhupada personally instructed her on how to paint Him with the proper color and some of the detailed features.
She then told me that she and Nara Narayana worked on making about a half dozen of these Deities in Los Angeles. He did the casting and she painted them. She was one of the first artists in ISKCON.
After hearing this interesting information, she then offered to re-paint my Kartmashayi which delighted me beyond no limits. We arranged to acquire the paint and other necessary materials to do the work. She did a wonderful job bringing Him back to His original and proper appearance. I couldn’t resist having her put her signature on the back of His base.
She then told me about the story of Kartamashayi and how They manifested. The original Deity of Kartamashayi used for the cast was that one from that Montreal Deity in the picture. Govinda Dasi spent a lot of time in Montreal with Srila Prabhupada. Gopal Krishna Goswami also told us that if he or anyone wanted to see Srila Prabhupada at that time, they had to go through Govinda Dasi. She was Prabhupada’s secretary. It was at this time that she witnessed that Srila Prabhupada used to talk to that Deity in a very personal way. Sometimes he would talk to Him and he would laugh and display other emotions. Something very intimate seemed to be taking place between Kartamashayi and Prabhupada. She had no idea but some very intimate exchanges were taking place.
Anyway at some point Srila Prabhupada asked her to go to Hawaii to help her husband who was already there trying to open a center. Naturally she was very attached to being with Srila Prabhupada and didn’t want to leave him. Finally she negotiated a condition to Srila Prabhupada. She would reluctantly leave Srila Prabhupada and go to Hawaii if she could take Kartamashayi with her. Prabhupada agreed!
When she was on her way to Hawaii she stopped in Los Angles and it was then that Prabhupada asked Nara Narayana to cast some Kartamashayi Deities for the few different temples in ISKCON by using the one Govinda Dasi had with her. So he did and Govinda Dasi painted Them according to Prabhupada’s personal directions.
She told me that when she saw all the fresh new Kartamashayi Deities lined up and the original one beside them she felt that the original one looked a little faded and she was thinking perhaps she should take one of the shiny brand new ones with her instead, but then she thought, “no.. this one was Srila Prabhupada’s.”
To this day she still has Him with her in Hawaii and I have one of His original expansions.
The attached picture is from last Radhastami. Kartamashayi is standing in the Lord’s Lotus Pond while Radha Madana Gopal circumambulate Him on their Swan boat. Each year I place Kartamashayi on the top of His Janmastami Cake for thousands overseeing the Janmastami festival. After all His name which suits His pose means “the boss.”
Your servant in Lord Krishna’s service,
Jaya Govinda dasa
(New Gokula Dhama)

Keepers Of The Flame Of Bhakti.
Karnamrita Dasa: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME: Although this expression is most often used by our Christian brothers and sisters, I totally relate to its exclamation in relationship to what or who I am, or at least, aspire to be: A Keeper of the Flame of Bhakti, or A Keeper of the Flame of Spirituality. Personally, I see this as a responsibility for all followers of Shri Chaitanya and those who represent him. I visualize a flame burning brightly in my heart, or raising a torch in my hand to dispel darkness. To me, this is inspiring! “Lead me from untruth to truth! Lead me from darkness to light! Lead me from death to immortality.” [Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad 1.3.28] This is my meditation and affirmation on being a keeper of the flame.

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Harinama at Byron Bay - 03 January 2018, Iskcon New Govardhana (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Caitanya Mahaprabhu says: “I have brought medicine to awaken very living being from perpetual sleep. Please receive the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and awaken. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.13.9 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/x3tyFh

Sunday program, Jan 7 - 2018, Krasnodar ISKCON, Russia (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna mantra says, “My dear Lord Krishna, my dear Lord Rama, O energy of the Lord, Hare, kindly engage me in your service.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.69 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/shNLV7

Kirtan Fest at ISKCON Calgary, Canada (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One has to continue chanting the Hare Krishna mantr...