Advancing spiritually at our pace, from our place by understanding the power, principle and process of krishna-bhakti
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[Youth meeting at Alachua, USA]

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Mauritians are imbued with religious values…
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During Kadamba Kanana Swami’s recent visit to Mauritius, he was interviewed by the daily newspaper “Defiplus”. The original article in French was be found by clicking here. The English translation follows. 

 

 

MAURITIANS ARE IMBUED WITH RELIGIOUS VALUES

Presently in Mauritius, upon the invitation of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON), Kadamba Kanana Swami talks about his youth in Holland, where he was born, and his trip to India, where his conscience awakened to spirituality.

What is the purpose of your presence in Mauritius?

I have come to participate in the prayers and celebrations which are organised all over the island.

Does your visit here meet an expectation that is peculiar to Mauritius?

No, just like everywhere else, people tend to lose sight of spirituality because they are attracted to materialism. But human beings cannot do without searching for spiritual energy, especially welfare and wisdom. All the answers to our quests are found in the Vedas.

How did you, a European, born in a culture very different from millennial India, find yourself in the clothes of a devotee of Krishna?

I was born in Holland at the time when my parents, like other Dutchmen, were working to rebuild their country that had lived through the Second World War. After this stage, they were satisfied with their existence. After my years of adolescence, I asked myself the following question, “Is this life?” It was from there that I went to India to Vrindavan, where ISKCON has its headquarters. India is not a country but a continent. It was there that my spiritual and philosophical consciousness was forged by reading the Gita, the Vedas, the Upanishads and also drawing some inspiration from the life of Mahatma Gandhi. I made a vow of celibacy. I experienced a deep sense of truth and wisdom.

Have you become a Hindu?

No, neither the term Hindu nor that of India appears in the Vedic literature. The most appropriate term for describing India is Bharat. As for the Hindu term, which is more recent, it is not exact. The one that best fits our beliefs is the Sanatan Dharma, but, be careful not to be confused with the same term used in Mauritius.

How can we share these teachings with people from different cultures, as you do?

This is the particular nature of the Vedas, because they are addressed to humanity and their messages become more relevant in a world that is lost in materialism.

Do you see this in Mauritius?

No, because Mauritians, in their diversity, are imbued with religious values. It may also be due to the insularity.

What is your view on the sexual orientation desired by some people?

Sex, when it leads to procreation, gives couples a child which brings responsibility and there are sacrifices to be made. On the other hand, in the case of same-sex couples, there can be no procreation. This type of sexual orientation is not conducive to the awakening of a spiritual consciousness. But I do not judge. I am not a lecturer. I will not say that it is a sin.

But laws allow adoption by gay and lesbian couples in some countries today ...

Yes. But in Iskcon, we do not make it a problem, we have other interests.

In Mauritius, but also abroad, there have been criticisms of certain priests. What do we expect from a priest?

We want him to be exemplary, both in word and in deeds. He will be judged on that.

Can we find a common thread in all religions?

Of course, there is the same message of peace and love, even though, at times, everyone can intimately think that his religion is the best. I saw this in the West and in Pakistan, people who were really imbued with their convictions.

 

Fixing the Mind. Chaitanya Charan Das: When something doesn’t…

Fixing the Mind.
Chaitanya Charan Das: When something doesn’t work properly, we need to fix it. We all need to fix our mind because it frequently malfunctions by getting distracted. It frets over the unchangeable, craves for the undesirable, and worries about the unpredictable. By its unnecessary and unhealthy fixations, it sabotages our capacity to deal with life’s challenges.
Still, fixing the mind on constructive things, on the things we need to do, is not easy. Dragging it from its fixations can seem like lugging a huge weight. Over time, the labor becomes too much, and we give up. And the mind promptly rushes back to its distressing obsessions.
Just as we can lift a heavy weight more easily with a lever, we can lift the mind heavy with its infatuations more easily with the lever of remembrance of Krishna. Though its fixations may be varied, the mind’s essential needs are twofold: security and pleasure. If anything threatens, it becomes fearful. If anything allures, it becomes desireful.

Krishna, being the ultimate reality, is the source of the supreme security and the supreme satisfaction. When we fix the mind on him, it first opposes, sometimes vehemently. Why? Because it is habituated to seeking security and satisfaction elsewhere. But if we persevere in focusing on him by practicing bhakti-yoga, it experiences that the security and joy coming from this divine focus are unparalleled. As this realization sinks in, the mind slowly gives up its attachments to worldly things and shifts that attachment to Krishna. A divinely attached mind focuses more readily on constructive things, making life more manageable.

No wonder the same Bhagavad-gita that acknowledges the mind’s obstinacy (6.35 – Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: O mighty-armed son of Kuntī, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment.) assures that fixing it on Krishna makes our inner growth much easier (8.14 – For one who always remembers Me without deviation, I am easy to obtain, O son of Pṛthā, because of his constant engagement in devotional service.). Thus, fixing the mind on Krishna acts like the lever for fixing the mind.

Preaching program in Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology,…
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Preaching program in Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar, India (Album with photos)
On 17th Oct'17, Gaur Gopal das addressed 2500 students on the theme of ‘Art of Giving and India against negativity’ at the conclusion of a 3 day long festival “Kritarth 2k17” organised by Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT University) & Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneshwar, India.
“It was an honour to be part of an event hosted by KIIT & KISS, an incredible university solely founded by Dr. Achyuta Samanta. This university is serving a wider community by imparting free education to 27,000 tribal children. Very inspired to witness a monumental campus built on a life’s noble values of love and compassion with a heart of giving back to the society, exemplified by its Founder Dr Samanta.” ~ Gaur Gopal Das
Find them here: https://goo.gl/646zh2

The Supersoul is in everybody’s heart
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Hare KrishnaBy Praghosa das

Srila Prabhupada: When one becomes angry, he forgets himself and his situation, but if one is able to consider his situation by knowledge, one transcends the influence of the modes of material nature. One is always a servant of lusty desires, anger, greed, illusion, envy and so forth, but if one obtains sufficient strength in spiritual advancement, one can control them. One who obtains such control will always be transcendentally situated, untouched by the modes of material nature. This is only possible when one fully engages in the service of the Lord. Continue reading "The Supersoul is in everybody’s heart
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Gita 14.26 Health is a product of medication but it is also a precondition for medication
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Demystifying Reincarnation 16 – The soul’s defining characteristics and levels of consciousness
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Podcast

 

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Will Krishna help us out of a situation that we have got in because of our own desires?
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Answer Podcast

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Worldly intoxication and devotional intoxication differ in consciousness, content and consequence
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[Bhagavatam class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.13.36 at Alachua, USA]

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Vaisnava Seva Album in the cloud!
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Vaisnava Seva was the first ever studio album by Kadamba Kanana Swami. It was recorded, mixed and produced in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa in April 2000. It remains, as of today, one of the greatest albums that Kadamba Kanana Swami has made.

Here is your chance to get the Vaisnava Seva album or the individual tracks of your favorite platform. We have launched this album on all major platforms like iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and many others so you won’t miss out! Check out this album on Deezer, Apple Music, Shazam and buy the album or stream it directly to your phone or any other device. Get those tunes on your Google Home, Amazon Echo, Sonos and other streaming audio products.

You need this….

You can also find this album in the Shop on KKSBlog.

Vaisnava Seva

€ 10.00

Digital album (mp3)

Vaisnava seva was the first ever studio album by Kadamba Kanana Swami, recorded, mixed and produced in Capetown and Johannesburg in South Africa in Apr. 2000. It features eleven tracks of high quality spiritual melodies and spoken verses from various scriptures. Let yourself be blown away…

Highly recommended!

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Description

This is a digital album (mp3). After purchasing you will receive a link to download the whole album.

Vaisnava seva was the first recorded studio album by Kadamba Kanana Swami, mixed and produced in Capetown and Johannesburg in South Africa. It features eleven tracks of high quality spiritual melodies and spoken verses from various scriptures. Let yourself be blown away by Nrsimha pranama on track 11 with a rocking electric guitar. Or relish the upbeat Maha mantra on track 10. An album to sooth your ears.

Dear Vaisnavas,
I made this CD on the request of many devotees, I am offering it to you and hope you will find it to be inspiring.

Vaisnava Seva
In the Srimad Bhagavatam, it is said that by Vaisnava Seva one may develop a taste for devotional service

Nama Ruci
Especially I am praying for taste to chant the Holy Name of the Lord.

Jiva Daya
Then I may truly become the instrument of the mercy of Lord Caitanya

Sample Track

Track list

  1. Svetadvipa (Sri Brahma Samhita, text 59) – 02:29
  2. Nirantara Sankirtana – 07:46
  3. Jaya Radha-Madhava – 08:53
  4. Thomkins Square Park – 05:58
  5. Radhe Govinda Meditation – 07:14
  6. Prema Bandara (cc adi lila 7.20-21) – 00:48
  7. The Spontaneous Platform – 15:43
  8. Sadhu-sanga (cc madhya 22.54) – 00:56
  9. Brahma-Muhurta – 04:29
  10. Pure Holy Name – 07:31
  11. Sri Nrismha Pranama – 07:05

Album Info

Date: 2000
Place: Cape Town, Johannesburg
Recordings: Studios in Cape Town, Johannesburg
Mixing, mastering: Bauneholm Studios, Hillerod, Denmark
Final editing, mixing : ISKCON Cape Town
Artwork: Unknown

Lead Vocal, Harmonium, Strings : Kadamba Kanana Swami
Mrdanga and Vocals: Nrsimhananda das
Vocal & Rhythm: Madhu Gopal das
Organizer: Nanda Kumar
Keyboard: Yogen Naidoo
Chorus & Rhythm: The Cape Town devotees

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Ujjain, India

Have You Ever…?

Have you ever walked through traffic in a tightly congested, city marketplace in India? You basically must dash and dodge your way through the crowd of people, scooters and cars. Cows are the least part of the problem, but they are there. Don’t think of standing still to avoid the mechanizations. You’ll be forced to move one way or another and at different speeds from stop to start.

I thought that Ujjain was a smaller city. Yes, it is, but it’s a half-million population crammed in tight quarters, and during Diwali, it makes it feel like you’re in China. On top of that, with things coming at you from all directions, you’ve got sounds of engines, bells, whistles and car horns, all mostly at a higher pitch. It’s quite the contrast from Ely, Nevada, during the U.S. walk, when one morning I found myself in the midst of three hundred bikers all revving it up with their roaring Harley Davidsons. There the sound reached your gut.

Anyway, I was out in the streets, practically holding hands with Kamalaksha from Indore, shopping for possible drama costumes. At one point in the circle of commotion, I wondered if it was worth the endeavour. Finally, we found an outlet where theatre-wear was in stock and I managed to pick up some cheap costumes that I can adjust when I get back home.

In Ujjain, I’m really happy attending meetings with fellow monks. The sanga (company) is worth my stay here. They are my brothers.

What sets me apart from them is that I’m a drama swamiwho has to have his tools to work with.

May the Source be with you!

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Saturday, October 14th, 2017
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Getting Around

Bhakti Caru Swami is the host of our sangha meetings and he arranged a special treat for his visitors.  This morning we were bussed to three sacred places. The first was the popular temple of Maha Kaleshvara, where the Shiva Linga is adored.  Second, we were bussed to Ram Ghat by the Shipra River. Here Ram came, thousands of years ago, to honour the last rites of His father. Finally, we were taken to the school where Krishna and His brother, Balarama, were formally educated. It is called the Sandipani Muni School. Tucked away in a fertile green area are the well-maintained grounds of this location of worship.

I took a fancy to the cows who are well fed and hitched to trees in their pasture. I could see they are handled with love as many entities are in India. Relationships and love are very valued in this great land, but you also see neglect of some sectors of society. Poor folks don’t always have an option of schooling.  Neglected is the environment, like most places on our precious planet. I was remarking to Bhakti Chaitanya Swami while we bus-rode back, how trucks and cars make up the landscape and villages.

Fortunately, our meetings are held in this more decent and smaller city, unlike Mumbai, Delhi or Kolkata. It makes for a conducive space for contemplation. And the temple, well, it’s real pretty. On this Saturday evening, I was asked to lead the song in reverence to Damodara, Krishna as a child. The follow-up kirtan chant, was quite explosive.

May the Source be with you!

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Compassion – Wealth of Divine beings

Hare KrishnaBy Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha

The compassion exhibited by Parikshit Maharaj is indeed exemplary. Although he had a few days to live, still he interrupted Sukadev Gosvami, after hearing the discussion of people suffering in various types of hell. Overcome with compassion, he asked Sukadev Goswami the way how these people could be relieved from these suffering conditions. Now to what extent and in what way, a sadhaka can imbibe the spirit of Parikshit Maharaj is important to note. Continue reading “Compassion – Wealth of Divine beings”

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