Odana-Sasthi-The First Day of Winter
→ Mayapur.com

“At the beginning of winter, there is a ceremony known as the Odana-sasthi. This ceremony indicates that from that day forward, a winter covering should be given to Lord Jagannatha.” – Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya-lila16.79, purport Once, Srila Pundarika Vidyanidhi and Srila Svarupa Damodara came to Jagannatha Puri and saw the festival of odana-sasthi. On […]

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TOVP Australasia Tour, Day 4 – New Govardhana, Australia
- TOVP.org

From Sydney we made our way to the wonderful devotee farm community of New Govardhana. We were welcomed by the small community with open arms and bright spirits.

We were told by several devotees not to expect any big fundraising results as this is a small farm community, so we were happy to just come and bring the Lord’s mercy and blessings and inspire the devotees with details of the TOVP progress. However, nothing could be further from the truth. On November 20th, after the Lord’s abhisheka and arati and all was said and done, the devotees there were so pleased that the small attendance of 35 families pledged over $85,000!

We want to thank Ajit prabhu, the Temple President for his support and for arranging the program.

To make a donation and sponsor an abhisheka for Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and/or Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakra during the installation ceremony on February 7th, please go here: https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

The post TOVP Australasia Tour, Day 4 – New Govardhana, Australia appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP Australasia Tour, Day 3 – Sydney, Australia
- TOVP.org

Leaving Melbourne, Australia after a few days of no travel, the TOVP Tour made its way to Sydney, also one of the largest cities in Australia.

The management there, under the outstanding direction and leadership of Temple President Vijay Gopikesh and Varanayaka prabhus, and inspired by His Holiness Ramai Swami, rented a separate hall for the TOVP fundraising event. On November 18th a wonderful program ensued with the Padukas and Sitari receiving abhisheka and arati as usual along with kirtan and prasadam. 150 devotees attended and when all was said and done over $165,000 U.S. was pledged.

We thank Ramai Swami, Vijay Gopikesha and Varanayaka prabhus for their support and enthusiasm.

To make a donation and sponsor an abhisheka for Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and/or Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakra during the installation ceremony on February 7th, please go here: https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

The post TOVP Australasia Tour, Day 3 – Sydney, Australia appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Melbourne Fundraiser
- TOVP.org

On November 11th the TOVP Tour Team brought Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari to the original Capital City of Australia, Melbourne. Although Canberra is now the Capital, Melbourne is one of the largest cities in Australia and this showed by the incredible response of the devotees who pledged over $500,000 U.S. to the TOVP.

The fundraising event was held at the Williamstown Town Hall as a fundraising dinner and was attended by over 400 devotees. The program included kirtan, other devotional entertainment and a wonderful prasadam feast. The video presents highlights of the program.

We are especially grateful to Temple President Aniruddha prabhu for his orgainizing, promoting and encouraging this event. From start to finish he is responsible for making this happen.

Also below is a link to the full photo library from this event.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/137890268@N05/sets/72157666431999849/

To sponsor an abhisheka for Sri Sri Radha Madahava’s or Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakras at the Grand Installation Ceremony of February 7th, go here:

https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

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TOVP Marathon Update
- TOVP.org

This is an update since we released our Three Month Marathon video a few weeks ago detailing our preparation work for the installation of Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakras on February 7th.

The Russian team from the company that manufactured the Kalashes and Chakras will complete the Nrsimhadeva Dome Kalash installation with titanium nitride panels shortly, ahead of schedule. Then they will begin placing the titanium nitride panels onto the Main Dome Kalash.

The blue titling and rib placement onto the Nrsimhadeva Dome is also progressing rapidly with no major obstacles.

The assembling of the Kalash onto the Main Dome is also in progress.

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Sunday Love Feast – Nov26th, 2017 – Vedic Discourse by His Grace Aindra Prabhu
→ ISKCON Brampton


Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!


Bhagavad Gita As It Is (18.66)
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
Translation
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.







 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

Moksada Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Wed Nov 29,2017
Breakfast................  on  Thu Nov 30 ,2017 b/w 7.21am-10.21am

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 

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, jewellery, 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.

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Newark, New Jersey

Daring?

“Life is a daring adventure or not at all.”  Helen Keller

The above is a quote by an amazing woman—a quote I picked up from the screen on the United Airlines on my journey back to Canada.  That journey involved a seven hour stopover at La Guardia Airport.  It was difficult trying to see an adventure coming out of hanging around a busy airport.  If you can’t extract excitement out of a day, then some dynamic is likely to make a little fun out of it.

For starters, as I went through security, I lost my phone.  It was with me five minutes earlier on the skytrain.  The folks at the security check sent me all over the place.  “Check with the people in the red suits.”  So I did.  I went here and there.  Finally we found it was with security.  The phone had slipped out of my bead bag before entering the screening machine and it had just literally fallen through the cracks.

Okay, my vital device was found.  I had no panic attack.  A swami must keep his cool.

While waiting that long wait, a fellow came up to me and asked, “So what kinda monk are you?”  I’m sure he wasn’t implying whether a ‘controlled’ one or not.  It was an inquiry more along the lines of, “What order do you belong to?”

“I’m a Hare Krishna.”

“Oh yeah?  I used to visit you guys in Boulder, Colorado.  I’d sing and dance.  The food was great….”

Anyway, those two incidents were the bright lights in my day.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

Tuesday, November 21st, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Last Day in BA

Antonio, one of the novice monks, took me around to the quieter streets before class.  Antonio, like many members, is of Italian origin.  The city, Buenos Aires, seems to be smartly laid-out.  I say that as a walker, and not a driver.  There are plenty of parks and trees lining the streets.  That is always good.

The class, delivered by myself once again, focused on Narada Muni’s words to his students, the Pracetas.  Narada is one of those all-time favorites of monks. He was expert at disseminating wisdom.  There is this incredible waterfall in the state of Washington, high on a mountain, and it is named after him.  I was stunned to see that and the plaque which identifies his name as a Hindu saint, or mystic.  https://youtu.be/T3LC95dyRZk

In today’s verse, from Canto 4 of the book, Bhagavatam, we learn of him saying that the source of self-realization is God Himself.  In other words the Supreme is motivated to assist souls in their effort to free themselves from this worldly entanglement.

Of course, not all souls in this world are interacted in such a liberation, being somewhat conditioned in their cozy situations.  People tend, too often, to be lost in their subjectivity, forgetting that a human has a mandate beyond just being in the survival mode.  It appears that many folks trolley their way to a more zombie-like approach to life, through various intoxicating methods.  I’m afraid it dulls the brain.  https://instagram.com/p/Bbqi0VeF8pD/

We don’t need that do we?

May the Source be with you!

7 km



Monday, November 20th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Before and At the Park

After a chilled-out theatre workshop with those inclined, as well as the less inclined to such an exercise, all participants felt more apt to go at it during a future opportunity.  Theatre can be therapy.  You thrust your soul out into an irregular scenario.  You imagine yourself to be someone else and hang your own identity onto a hook for a while.  You explore new motives and fresh agendas.  You may not have liked the new territory but it was a good exploration nevertheless.  It’s a form of soul transmigration.  https://instagram.com/p/BbwoYJ0l83C/

As you probably realize, I see the wonders of drama.  It is an equal to my walking, which today measured out to be just over 5 km.  It was in Holland Park that a few of us ventured for a loosening up of limbs and an apparent clearing of the mind.

We sat at a park bench, by the white geese, some afloat and some grass-bound.  They do leave their mercy droppings which are substantial in size.  One of our co-walkers mistook them for dog dung.  “No, my friend, Seva Kunj, I know from Canada the size of geese poop.”

It was on that park bench that I shared with the group the topic of the importance of japa.  “Japa is therefore a wholesome thing.  It becomes that special time to communicate with the Absolute.  There might not always be such an encouraging endeavor or atmosphere around you for picking up those japa beads, but if you feel that call of duty and act on it, you will, in time, see the results.”

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Sunday, November 19th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Missed

I missed the procession of Jagannatha.  Too busy.  To the very last minute, our crew was preparing our drama for the stage.  We did perform.  There were some glitches, but overall, the audience, which usually patiently awaits what theatrically is in store for them, was very focused.  That’s not always an easy thing to achieve in an outdoor setting.  The people liked the story.  “Thumbs up,” said they, but it’s a work in progress for sure.

Every year that the Chariot Fest is pulled off in any city, that is an accomplishment.  The work and sacrifice, especially the lack of sleep, cannot be underestimated.  In this regard, I have my heroes list in Buenos Aires that I mentally and by the heart do check.

There’s Mahahari, the president of the local community.  Left with a son to raise after his terrific wife, Gandarvika, recently passed, he does everything in the light-hearted spirit.  Without him the show does not go on.

Then we have Merudevi, who with the coolest head and permanently etched “yes” on her face, looks after the stage agenda, administration and assembly.  There may be more that she does which I’m unaware of.  As a monk, I don’t search deeply into the female affairs, even if devotional.  All I know is she’s a steady pillar in that department.

When I visit yearly, I share a room with Gauravani Swami, German-born, and we have the most meaningful chats.

Finally, I do not forget Gunagrahi Swami, who’s like a big bro to me and who introduced me, along with Murari from Miami, to the community.  He is absent, being in Vrindavan, India, stricken with cancer.  He has had so much to do with building up this community.  Bless him!

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Saturday, November 18th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Marathon Practice

Seva Kunj, our sound man, held up a pecan and said, “This looks like my brain.”  Then he snapped the pecan in half to indicate that his lack of sleep had numbed his brain.  It was done without resentment.  We were all, our whole crew, on a marathon to assemble a new drama for tomorrow’s fest.

Playing one of the principle roles is Lucas who had saved his former dreadlocks and, as a prop, is sewing those precious hair pieces to a toque.

We went beyond 2:00 a.m. with practice, and with the script still not completed, before hitting head to pillow, our minds lingering in uncertainty.

It was discipline, but we saw the exercise as fun, as well as a challenge.  Patience is what comes as a glorious result.  To keep our weary selves excited we would, in unison, shout out cheerleading cries like, “We gotta go, go, go, go!  We gotta fight, fight, fight, fight!  We gotta win, win, win, win!  We gotta go, fight, win!”

In addition to that, each member carries their japa beads with them for the divine reminder of our connection with Krishna.  Snacks also make their way to the tight yoga room to enliven our senses.

The story in our drama, “Walk the U.S.A.” is nicely layered with the philosophy of what we believe in.

The production is an offering.  https://instagram.com/p/Bbqi0VeF8pD/

May the Source be with you!
7 km

Friday, November 17th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Be SATTVIC!

One of the brahmacharis—monks—led a group of us to a lake, twenty blocks away.  “Very nice,” he said, before we embarked on foot.

Many of the sidewalks are uneven with tiles wide or narrow, and some cracked, but that’s all okay for a walker.  An uneven terrain is always advantageous for foot contact, and I like the fact that streets are hosed down with the abundant water available early in the morning.  It is routine that condo owners have their portion of the walkways cleaned.  https://instagram.com/p/BbnmobQFVjS/

Eventually we made it to the lake, a haven in a bustling city.  Trees are happy here, yet trees are plentiful also in most residential areas.  There are some brains used in city planning.

The brahmachari who led our group, to and fro from the ashram,is a humble soul.  The ashram here is a storehouse of renounced young men.  It reminds me of the old days when I joined and many young Canadians took up monastic life.  Argentina is perhaps a less perfect place.  Money, political stability and comfort are in less quantity.  Perhaps it becomes an easier fit for young folks for these reasons.

I did have to correct the brahmachari’s walking technique since I found he was shuffling his feet, leaving his feet to not lift high enough.  I told him, instructively, that he needed to use his knees just a little more.  “Walk in a sattvic way.”  This means ‘thoughtfully’.  “And be nice to your shoes.”

In the class I gave, based on Canto 4, I emphasized the point of doing and being sattvic.  To act in goodness is the launching pad for establishing real love, bhakti.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

15th Annual Vrinda Kunda Festival. Deena Bandhu dasa: Early…
→ Dandavats



15th Annual Vrinda Kunda Festival.
Deena Bandhu dasa: Early next year will be the auspicious 15th Anniversary of Vrinda Kunda Temple opening! From 29th Jan to 12th February we will celebrate with special parikramas to the Holy Places of Braja. The high point of the Festival will be our famous Kalash Yatra, an ecstatic Sankirtan procession with the ladies carrying water pots with coconuts on their heads. Parikramas will be taken out almost every day with the main festival day on Sunday 4th Feb.

Havi das’ interview. Havi values special moments in his…
→ Dandavats



Havi das’ interview.
Havi values special moments in his spiritual life, such as the time he got to wash Srila Prabhupada’s feet in Venezuela in 1975, much more than he does any of his career achievements.
He is eager to warn younger generations of devotees enamored with the idea of fame and the Grammys that there is a dark side to the music business, with predatory record labels taking advantage of artists, morally bankrupt companies like McDonald’s sponsoring awards shows, and more.
And ultimately, he says, people worship pop idols because they’re disconnected from their relationship with Krishna.
Havi, for his part, would rather reconnect people with Lord Krishna, their original lover and friend, than be part of reinforcing the disconnect.

“To be honest, I’m waiting for the first opportunity to open the door and run away,” he says. “I’m 65 years old – enough is enough! I want to dedicate the rest of my life to serving the Vaishnavas and talking to people about Krishna. And if the fact that they think I’m important helps me, well, then I’ll use that.”
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/gxAGP1

Fulfilling Srila Prabhupada’s desires
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, May 2011, Radhadesh, Belgium, Lecture)

Srila Prabhupada emphasised book distribution and that emphasis will never go away no matter what we do! There was a time when book distribution was THE EMPHASIS of the Hare Krsna movement and there was only a small percentage of devotees who were not part of it. But as time went on, book distribution at one point become a peripheral program – a side program and it lessened as a mainstream focus.

Now in recent years, we see a resurgence of book distribution worldwide, as statistics shows. So as they say, the pendulum swings – it swings from one side to the other BUT Srila Prabhupada’s desires remain valid. Whether our community takes different forms at different historical points in time, Prabhupada’s desires remain as an exceptional source of blessings! We can get such blessings by simply trying to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desires!

Therefore, again and again, that will come to the forefront, even if at times the focus shifts a little, still it remains within the boundaries of authorised vaisnava behaviour. If we miss the emphasis which Srila Prabhupada gave or the points that he stressed then we will dry up a little bit. So, therefore, our connection with Srila Prabhupada is extremely important and it must remain a focal point of our movement then our movement will flourish!

A live turkey has been the guest of honor at Govinda’s…
→ Dandavats



A live turkey has been the guest of honor at Govinda’s Restaurant in Tuscon, Arizona for the past twelve years, although the restaurant has been serving Thanksgiving dinners since opening its doors in 1992.
“Our current turkey, Curley Sue, has been with us for three years,” says ISKCON Tucson temple president, cook, groundskeeper and all around busiest-person-ever Sandamini Dasi. “She’s from Wilcox, a small nearby farming town, and is very friendly. She just sits out on the patio during the Thanksgiving meal, being fed by a circle of excited, laughing kids.”
Seeing the turkey as a loving living entity, a member of the family, tends to make quite an impression on the 50% of Govinda’s clientele who are non-vegetarian. Often they begin to reflect on where it would be if not for Govinda’s. “We hold a contest every year where we give away a free dinner to those who best answer the question “What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?’” Sandamini says. “People are often moved to write, ‘I’m thankful that the turkey is here alive, and not on someone’s plate.’”

The event also draws the attention of Tucson’s local TV stations, at least one of which will usually feature it on their 6 o’clock news, with a repeat at 10 o’clock. “Come on down to Govinda’s, where there’s a new twist on Thanksgiving – the turkey is the guest of honor,” they’ll report, giving out the restaurant’s address.

“Then they’ll show clips of the turkey running around and gobbling. It’s quite a draw,” Sandamini laughs. “Most city folk don’t even know what a turkey looks like – what to speak of getting a picture sitting at a table with one!”

Govinda’s all-vegan Thanksgiving dinner includes apple-walnut stuffing, mashed potatoes with carrot, cashew gravy, fresh cranberry sauce, green bean almondine, baked acorn squash with maple syrup, pumpkin pie, a full salad bar – and an organic tofu “turkey,” which is really just a farina casserole with crumbled tofu and saitan.

The driver controls the car, but the soul doesn’t directly control the body – can you explain?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post The driver controls the car, but the soul doesn’t directly control the body – can you explain? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Mayapur Institute’s First Classroom “Kutir” is the Perfect Setting for Study
→ ISKCON News

On October 15th the Mayapur Institute of ISKCON opened its first classroom kutir, or hut, which creates the perfect atmosphere for study of the Vedic scriptures. Built with natural, environmentally-friendly local materials like bamboo, bricks and thatch, the kutir makes students feel like they have stepped back in time to learn with the sages of the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Yoga Teacher Training Course at Bhaktivedanta College
→ ISKCON News

The Yoga Teacher Training Course, held in the beautiful Ardennes in Belgium, offers a unique opportunity to train with world-renowned teacher Mahayogi Gokulacandra, one of the most advanced practitioners of asanas today. This 4 week course is taught in a serene villa setting surrounded by rolling countryside that offers an escape from the stress of daily life.

bhaktivedantacollege.com/events/yoga-teacher-training-course/

Emotionally intelligent spirituality 1 – Don’t work for or against emotions – work with them for Krishna
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at ISKCON, Melbourne Australia]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

The post Emotionally intelligent spirituality 1 – Don’t work for or against emotions – work with them for Krishna appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How small conflicts become big – Daksha pastime analysis 4 – How impulses are shaped by technology, mentality and spirituality
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class on Srimad Bhagavatam 4.4.32 at ISKCON, Melbourne, Australia]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post How small conflicts become big – Daksha pastime analysis 4 – How impulses are shaped by technology, mentality and spirituality appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.