The Influence of Holy Places
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Hare KrishnaBy Giriraj Swami

Such is the influence of holy places. They can elevate one’s consciousness, even the consciousness of one habituated to low thoughts. And people who go to holy places—Mayapur, Vrindavan, Jagannath Puri—can immediately feel the difference. The Nectar of Devotion, with reference to the power of living in Mathura-Vrindavan, explains, “Srila Rupa Gosvami has described Mathura-mandala: ‘I remember the Lord standing by the banks of the Yamuna River, so beautiful amid the kadamba trees, where many birds are chirping in the gardens. And these impressions are always giving me transcendental realization of beauty and bliss.’ This feeling about Mathura-mandala and Vrndavana described by Rupa Gosvami can actually be felt even by nondevotees. The places in the eighty-four-square-mile district of Mathura are so beautifully situated on the banks of the River Yamuna that anyone who goes there will never want to return to this material world. . . . Such transcendental feelings are aroused immediately and without fail after one arrives in Mathura or Vrndavana.” (Chapter 13) Continue reading "The Influence of Holy Places
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GBC Proposals AGM 2018

Hare KrishnaBy the GBC Corresponding Secretary

The Annual General Meeting of the ISKCON GBC Society will begin on February 3, 2018. Following the ISKCON GBC Society’s Rules of Order, the GBC Secretariat requests proposals, duly sponsored by TWO GBC members, to be submitted by December 31, 2017. This will allow adequate time for the GBC Deputies to prepare the proposals for presentation at the meeting. Please follow the format for GBC Proposals, attached as a fillable PDF. Plain text submissions are also acceptable Continue reading “GBC Proposals AGM 2018”

The Influence of Holy Places
Giriraj Swami

In the first verse of the Bhagavad-gita, the low-minded king Dhrtarastra asks his secretary, “O Sanjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pandu assembled in the place of pilgrimage at Kuruksetra, desiring to fight, what did they do?” Kim akurvata: “What did they do?” Srila Prabhupada says that this is afoolish question. The two armies had gathered to fight, so what is the question of what they did? Srila Prabhupada gives the example that if someone sits down before a plate of food, intending to eat, what is the question of “What did he do?” He would eat—that’s all.

So why did Dhrtarastra ask? Because Kuruksetra is dharma-ksetra, a holy place of pilgrimage. And under the influence of this religious place, his sons might have been influenced toward the good, to give up their intention to fight. Srila Prabhupada explains, “Yuyutsavah. This word yuyutsu [jujutsu] is still used in Japan. Perhaps you know, yuyutsu, fighting. So, yuyutsavah—‘desirous of fighting.’ Now, both parties were desiring to fight, and they assembled. Why is Dhrtarastra asking the question Kim akurvata: ‘What did they do?’? Because he was a little doubtful. These boys, after being assembled in dharma-ksetra, might have changed their ideas. They might have settled up. The sons of Dhrtarastra might have admitted, ‘Yes, Pandavas, you are actually the owners. What is the use of unnecessarily fighting?’ So he was very much anxious whether they had changed their decision. Therefore he is asking.”

Such is the influence of holy places. They can elevate one’s consciousness, even the consciousness of one habituated to low thoughts. And people who go to holy places—Mayapur, Vrindavan, Jagannath Puri—can immediately feel the difference. The Nectar of Devotion, with reference to the power of living in Mathura-Vrindavan, explains, “Srila Rupa Gosvami has described Mathura-mandala: ‘I remember the Lord standing by the banks of the Yamuna River, so beautiful amid the kadamba trees, where many birds are chirping in the gardens. And these impressions are always giving me transcendental realization of beauty and bliss.’ This feeling about Mathura-mandala and Vrndavana described by Rupa Gosvami can actually be felt even by nondevotees. The places in the eighty-four-square-mile district of Mathura are so beautifully situated on the banks of the River Yamuna that anyone who goes there will never want to return to this material world. . . . Such transcendental feelings are aroused immediately and without fail after one arrives in Mathura or Vrndavana.” (Chapter 13)

Many pilgrims travel to Vrindavan and other holy places during the month of Karttika, and as they prepare to leave to return to their homes and places of service, they may wonder how they can keep the experience of Vrindavan with them. It is a challenge. The influence of materialistic cities, surcharged with passion and ignorance, can be daunting. And our own busy schedules may leave little time for direct service to Krishna. How can we keep the good influence of the holy places in our lives even after we leave?

Srila Rupa Gosvami advises,

krsnam smaran janam casya
  prestham nija-samihitam
tat-tat-katha-ratas casau
  kuryad vasam vraje sada

“The devotee should always think of Krsna within himself and should choose a very dear devotee who is a servitor of Krsna in Vrndavana. One should constantly engage in topics about that servitor and his loving relationship with Krsna, and one should live in Vrndavana. If one is physically unable to go to Vrndavana, he should mentally live there.” (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.294, quoted as Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 22.161)

We should always engage in remembering and discussing Krishna—His names, forms, qualities, pastimes, and associates in Vrindavan—and even our own experiences there. By such engagement we can experience Vrindavan wherever we are, with Krishna as the focus of our lives.

And we should spread the message of Vrindavan, the message of Mayapur. Once, on a morning walk in Mayapur, a devotee said to Srila Prabhupada, “Mayapur is so nice, I wish I could just stay here,” and Prabhupada responded, “You must go out and make the whole world Mayapur.”

To experience Vrindavan outside Vrindavan is difficult; to create Mayapur outside Mayapur is difficult. But Srila Prabhupada said, “Spiritual life is difficult, but material life is impossible.” So let us make an honest effort to engage in Krishna consciousness, and Krishna and His devotees will surely help us.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

How can we detach ourselves from what others think about us?

Answer Podcast

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Brisbane Downtown Program

The old Govindas restaurant in Brisbane closed and moved to George Street more than a year ago. TP, Jayavijaya, told me that because it is now on street level, it is doing much better than before – although it is smaller in size.

There is a Sunday program every week at 4.15pm that attracts people from various backgrounds and cultures. Vrajadhama, the restaurant manager, recently invited me to be the guest speaker and kirtan leader.

How bhakti helps us get past our past
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[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Sydney, Australia]

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From passion to compassion 1
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Sydney]

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New Dvaraka Festival — Tulasi-Salagram Wedding —29 Oct. 2017….

New Dvaraka Festival — Tulasi-Salagram Wedding —29 Oct. 2017. (10 min video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/2wvtyW

Radhakunda Syamakunda parikrama (Album with photos) Bhakti…

Radhakunda Syamakunda parikrama (Album with photos)
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: On November 4th we did Radhakunda Syamakunda parikra…

Progressive steps towards the Absolute Truth
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We live in a world of duality – good and bad. We do good and bad. Law of karma dictates that we get good if we do good and bad if we do bad. In the scriptures, in the karma kanda portion of it, there are atonement practices. Atonement is a fruitive practice countering another fruitive behavior. We atone for bad things we have done in the past so as to nullify our sinful reactions. 

In Canto 6 chapter 1, King Parikshit inquires about such atonement. His conclusion was that one fruitive act even though countering another act cannot provide relief because the person will again commit a bad act. In other words, externally countering the effects of a sin will not actually prevent future suffering. He says such atonement is futile and is like an elephant bath where the elephant after a bath comes out showers dust over himself.

Sukadev Goswami very expertly answers the futility of superficial atonement. He replies in a sequential order.
  1. A person who is bound by the actions within the three modes is acting due to lack of knowledge (ignorance). So the beginning is to engage in the culture of knowledge.
  2. Then he says that knowledge is not theoretical. It should culminate in practical work (niyamakrt).
  3. Then he qualifies the niyama by saying one should engage in tapasya (voluntarily giving up sense enjoyment). Other factors of tapasya are (1) celibacy (2) mind/sense control (3) sacrifice (4) truthfulness (5) clean/non-violent (6) follow rules and regulations like chanting etc. By doing such activities a person who is bound by the actions of the three-modes gets relief. However, even now just as dried leaves get burnt still the plant grows in the first opportunity.

So what is the method to uproot the plant of material desires even after tapasya?

Sukadev Goswami continues. He says;
  1. Rare people adopt complete and unalloyed devotional service to Vasudeva Krishna (Vasudeva Parayana). Doing so all the fog of sinful desires in the heart will dissipate like the rising sun dissipating fog.
  2. He qualifies this more by saying that actually more than serving Krishna, serving the pure representative (Krishnarpita prana tat-purusha) of Krishna will completely purify the soul and he also states clearly that mere austerity, penance, brahmacharya etc will not completely purify the soul.

We can see from Sage Sukadeva that there is a hierarchy of activities; it reads like this;
  1. To counter previous sins/suffering, atonement is recommended.
  2. That is not enough since we have desires for fruitive acts impelled by the three gunas. So to get out of the clutches of the three gunas, one must become enlightened in spiritual knowledge and consequently engage in tapasya (penance) as a result of the knowledge.
  3. Still there is a chance we can go back to materialism. Therefore we should become devotees of Krishna and engage in Krishna bhakti.
  4. Still, we may dabble with materialism, therefore to be completely free from any tinge of materialism, we should surrender to the spiritual master and dedicate our life to Krishna following in the footsteps of these great souls (mahajans).

These steps are progressive stages to realization of the Absolute Truth.


Hare Krishna

“Chant-anuga” Danakeli Dasi: We again met many nice students…

“Chant-anuga”
Danakeli Dasi: We again met many nice students this week while distributing books at the Univ. of Tennessee in Chattanooga.
One student was impressed w/ the colorful art & original Sanskrit in the Bhagavad-gītā, saying several times, “This is so beautiful.” When he disclosed he was a musician & composer & that he wanted to write lyrics w/ philosophical import, I told him about how George Harrison incorporated Krishna consciousness into some of his songs. He replied, “Oh, yes, I know his song ‘My Sweet Lord.’ That’s where I heard the chanting.”
After conversing for a few minutes, he took BG & a copy of “Chant & be Happy.” He left, shaking my hand, saying, “I just want to thank you for finding me amongst these thousands of students!”
One boy who talked w/ my husband was happy to be a recipient of BG. He said his girlfriend’s grandmother has been into this for a long time as a “non-Indian practicing Hindu”. When he saw Śrīla Prabhupāda’s photo, he exclaimed, “That’s him! That’s the person she has in her home shrine.”
Another student who spoke w/ him, a pre-med student, explained she will be going to India over the semester break for an internship. She was excited to receive BG, as she’s known about it for awhile. She additionally took two other books & a copy of “Origins” magazine, saying, “As a scientist I’ll appreciate reading this magazine.” She also happily acknowledged having heard the Hare Krishna mantra in George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord.”
The last BG of the day went to a thoughtful girl who, although previously reading excerpts of a different translation of BG, didn’t know it was a dialogue on a battlefield. When I told her Arjuna was entering a fratricidal war & was having existential questions, she embarrassingly said, “That’s me!” I told her that human life begins when we ask such questions. She seemed relieved. She gratefully took the gift of BG, saying she would definitely read it, apologizing she had no donation to give.
Even the gardener at UT took interest! He approached me asking, “Where’s the kirtana?” because he saw that my jacket said “Sadhu Sanga Kirtana Retreat.” He’s played in a kirtana band before, though they didn’t chant Hare Krishna. He took an “On Chanting Hare Krishna” pamphlet & promised to try the mantra.
We’ve decided to rename Chattanooga “Chant-anuga.” 😃

Glorifying Srila Prabhupada in Mumbai (Album with…
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Glorifying Srila Prabhupada in Mumbai (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday I flew down to Mumbai to participate in the launch of an upcoming event in Mumbai, called Mumbai Fest. It was a cultural extravaganza at the end of December with many forms of entertainment. Most important, the event held a World Peace Summit with many of India’s prominent spiritual leaders. The organizers asked the head of the Jain religion Dr. Lokesh Muni and myself to address the press on the theme of world peace. Afterwards, I met many prominent people of Mumbai who were present. Practically every one of them glorified Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON for the work our movement has done in sharing Vedic culture all over the world. It was so satisfying to hear Srila Prabhupada glorified in that way.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/7y6GB4

Are you a graphic designer? We’d like to hear from…
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Are you a graphic designer? We’d like to hear from you!
The BBT is looking for a new cover design for the book The Journey of Self-Discovery, a collection of Srila Prabhupada’s articles from Back to Godhead magazine. This book has been in print for almost thirty years and is ready for a new, exciting, updated cover that will attract modern readers to Srila Prabhupada’s timeless wisdom.
The BBT is casting a wide net to find ISKCON’s best designers. We’re offering a $250.00 US honorarium (and a copy of the printed book) to the designer with the winning cover. Win or not, if you have both skill and talent, entering could lead to future service with the BBT.
If you’d like to participate in this little competition, please read some or all of the book. You can find it here:

https://www.vedabase.com/en/jsd

In your design you can use your own images, images from stock photo sites, devotional paintings, or photos of Srila Prabhupada.

To access lo-res images of BBT art and photos of Srila Prabhupada to use in your design, you can use the North European BBT’s online catalogue: http://images.globalbbt.org - to search by keyword, you’ll have to create an account.

Or, go to http://krishna.com and look under the “art” tab.

Deadline is December 10, 2017. Submit up to five designs to kaisori@pamho.net.

Questions? Please write to Kaisori Devi Dasi at the above address.

Looking forward to hearing from you and seeing your work.

your servant, Kaisori Devi Dasi on behalf of the North European BBT

Bhaktivedanta Players at the Watford Palace Theatre (Album with…
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Bhaktivedanta Players at the Watford Palace Theatre (Album with photos by Kanakabja das)
Radha Mohan Das: At this year’s Diwali seasonal showcase at the Watford Palace Theatre (UK), the audience was treated to a variety show which including a premier version of The Ramayan by the famous Bhaktivedanta Players. Devotees of all ages and backgrounds came together to become the headlining act for a successful evening of culture, devotion, and entertainment.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5Cpb3x

Plant, Plant, Plant
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Hare KrishnaBy Vrndavanlila Devi Dasi

There have been several recorded occasions when Srila Prabhupada instructed his disciples to plant and grow different food items for the Lord, sometimes flowers, vegetables and other times fruits according to the situation. Something similar was experienced by the devotees in Secunderabad too. One of the aims of ISKCON is to teach and thus also lead by example “a simpler and more natural way of life.” This does not imply that immediately one has to pack up one’s luggage for a life on the farm. But definitely one can begin making preparations for that while being in the city. One step in the direction is to do urban farming. One can grow one’s own food in whatever limited way one can. Continue reading "Plant, Plant, Plant
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Saturday, November 4th, 2017
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Richmond Hill, Ontario

Getting Around

Ontario proclaimed November as Hindu Heritage Month and the celebrations at the Vishnu Temple at Yonge and Hwy. 7 were the venue for this event.  I was invited.  Several mayors were present including those from Richmond Hill and I believe, Markham.  Other dignitaries were also there.  Principle organizer Lajput got up on the stage and mentioned my name twice in the capacity as his guru.  It was flattering.

But in reality, the real boost for me, at this event, was the kirtan that Godbrother Gaura and I led.  Gopal is an excellent drummer on the mrdunga, and Subal, our driver, is a happy dancer.  The projecting of mantras must be a flattery for God.

After the program, when back home, I had the chance to clean, or mop, the floors in the temple and ashram.  It’s always a heart-cleansing involvement.

That was followed by leading a discussion at Sacred Space, a weekly program for newcomers.  It was a good bunch of humans who turned out—meaning they had a sincerity of purpose.  One of the attendees brought up the subject of ‘evil’, questioning its origin and objective.  It is a classic topic for Man.  Generally I’ve found that if you’re a theist, it is a principle that can be accommodated.  When one is an atheist, even of the philosophical mold, one is left baffled with the reality of evil.  Theists tend to swallow the concept and can wrestle it down because they have someone to help them.  They have a Divine connection.

My final engagement for the day was doing a nighttime walk—west on Dupont, south on Christie and east on Bloor, before making the turn to Avenue Road, in Toronto.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Friday, November 3rd, 2017
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Belfountain, Ontario

The Milking Monk?

When I was a teen and living on the farm just outside of Blenheim, Ontario, my dad would wake me up at 5:30 a.m. to milk the family cows.  It was routine to tie her legs in order that she would not kick the bucket of milk over and cause a spill. Cows do that at times. When I read in scripture that Krishna, as a boy, had done so with His cows before milking, I found it so relatable.

I personally didn’t like it when a cow would kick and sometimes succeed in relieving herself and plopping a whole leg inside the milk pail with the white and foamy liquid content inside.  It, no doubt, ‘spoiled the batch’, so to speak.

Cows are generous in releasing their ‘liquid religiosity’, as our guru put it, but they do in fact sometimes kick.  I see many people are like this in their own behaviour.  There’s a kindness and goodness in everyone, however, there’s also a stubborn and sometimes cantankerous side to them.

After all, no one is perfect, except for you know who.

In my travels, whether on foot, flight or fleet, I come upon people who are a blessing and curse at the same time.  Of course, I must include myself.  I find it always helps to highlight the good side in an individual and dwell less on what is pejorative.  I prefer to think of a cow who bears charitable milk—and let’s assume here that it’s ahimsa milk; milk from a protected cow—rather than a cow who kicks, or is cranky at times.

May the Source be with you!

0 km

The Bhagavad-gita’s message of love comforts and enlightens

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Sydney]

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How the mind harvests the bad within – and how to harvest the good within
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[Hall Program at ISKCON, Sydney]

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How our intelligence acts as our enemy – and how to make it our friend
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[Bhagavatam class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.08.08-09 at ISKCON, Sydney, USA]

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Why people do bad things – and how to stop it
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[Bhagavatam class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.08.07 at ISKCON, Sydney, USA]

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Gambling is the gross result of our subtle inclination to cheat…

Gambling is the gross result of our subtle inclination to cheat or lie.
Gambling is the gross result of our subtle inclination to cheat or lie. I once snitched on my friends who decided to bunk school. I denied it so vehemently that years later I wondered, “Did I lie or didn’t I?” I wasn’t so sure anymore. Truthfulness is one of the pillars of dharma that gambling attacks. Who hasn’t hidden that unreturned library book or told your child that the tall-needled injection would not hurt? A person looks into the eyes of a dying man and smilingly says, “Don’t worry. You will get better soon,” when neither of them believes it. When the lines between real and unreal blur, we gamble with the truth.
Let us look a little deeper into the mentality behind a gamble. It is more than just developing the “green fingers” seasoned to make money grow. I can hear the critics say that life itself is a gamble. By definition, gambling implies taking a risk with a potentially positive outcome. By stepping into your car in the morning, you take a risk. The odds may be against you reaching work safely. Is not a theistic lifestyle also a gamble? How can we tell if the dividends will truly pay off? However, these risks are considered reasonable acts of faith, guided by proper knowledge and honest endeavor, and therefore different from gambling. They don’t result in character degradation and are leaps of faith in the mode of goodness.
The problem arises when a person buys into the passionate “winner mentality.” A simple lotto ticket bought together with the bread and milk is an innocent chance at fortune that you slip into your top pocket. You didn’t harm anyone to get it. You paid for it with your hard-earned cash. What could possibly be so wrong with it? In that lotto ticket you have now invested your faith and with it, two negative philosophical affirmations. The first is that life moves by chance and that there is no Superior Designer in the grand scheme of things. The second is that you have the ability to manipulate the natural laws of karma and the beat the odds. This “winner mentality” progresses to the ultimate fantasy that in one stroke, all problems will be solved. It condenses into an obsession (symptomatic of the mode of ignorance), an intoxicating greed where one is willing to lie, cheat or steal, all to be part of the game. Far-fetched? Tell that to the one million people with gambling addictions and families in counseling. Governments, religious societies, and charities around the world benefit from legalized gambling, resulting in a hush over the social collapse that it brews.
Surprisingly the majority of gamblers are from lower income brackets with their gambling expenditure (proportionate to their income) outweighing the big guns. What moves people to wager what they obviously don’t have? The desperate hope that the next card, dice, or spin of the wheel will earn back their losses multifold. Statistics say that no one beats the odds. The odds are always cleverly tipped in favour of the “house.” What you win today can hardly ever surmount what you lose in a lifetime. Of the hundreds of billions of dollars spent in legalized gambling, only 8.75 percent is ever won. Casinos are expert in subtle, psychological manipulation: offering free alcoholic drinks, rooms, and complimentary tickets to entice the regular gambler into thinking he is the center of the universe and everything is for his taking. The link between intoxication and gambling is evident; one who can ‘loosen up’ is more likely to spend. “The mentality that seeks an easy high will invariably strive for easy cash.” In a nut-shell, gambling enforces the mentality of lazy rewards that short-cut hard work. Yet it is a fantasy: ultimately one never beats the odds. The odds beat us.
In the brickwork of life, blocks of untruth are cemented by fear, laziness, convenience, or the thirst for a thrill. Soon we believe the lies we tell others. Even more insidious is the lies we tell ourselves. Bhagavad-gita lists arjavam or honesty as one of the qualities that truly intelligent people imbibe. It can also be translated as simplicity of heart. The gambler and the spiritualist are both involved in acts of faith. The former places faith in chance with the hope that it will help him cheat the system. The latter places faith in a higher power, knowing that the system is a learning ground in the first place. One tries to escape the tests whilst the other tries to rise above them by aligning with the Supreme and thus developing simplicity of heart.

Chasing Rhinos with the Swami – Shyamasundara Das…

Chasing Rhinos with the Swami – Shyamasundara Das (video)
Incredibly inspirational talk by Shyamasundara Prabhu (ACBSP) about t…

Lessons from WWII (video)HH Sacinandana Swami presents Lessons…
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Lessons from WWII (video)
HH Sacinandana Swami presents Lessons From WWII - An evening of stories, inspiration and mantra music at PS Alumnights.
Pandava Sena Alumni: We were very privileged to have Sacinandana Swami join us and share his realizations from growing up in post-war Germany and the lessons we can learn and apply to our own spiritual journey.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/F2JyTe
————
About the Speaker.
Sacinandana Swami has been a monk in the bhakti tradition for 42 years. He is known for his significant contribution to the practice of contemplation and meditation for modern practitioners of bhakti. Sacinandana Swami has published seven books and released two CDs, and offers an array of retreats, seminars, and workshops. Thousands of enthusiastic singers and dancers visit his kirtan concerts. He teaches at the Vrindavana Institute for Higher Education in India and the Bhaktivedanta College in Belgium. Furthermore, Sacinandana Swami serves as the spiritual guide for the Veda Academy, which is active in eight countries, and recently founded the organization, “Yoga Is Music”. Fond of India’s sacred pilgrimage sites, he annually goes there to seek personal inspiration. Although his pilgrimages have taken him all over the subcontinent, he is particularly fond of the sacred land of Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

Fisher’s Ghost Festival in Sydney and the icing on the cake! I…
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Fisher’s Ghost Festival in Sydney and the icing on the cake!
I was uncharacteristically minding my own business after a very busy day of book distribution at Fisher’s Ghost Festival in Campbelltown, in south Sydney, when Tony, a geologist, looked at the Gita in my hand and “Searching for Vedic India.”
He very solemnly said, “The best place to hide something is to keep it in plain sight.”
I asked, “What do you mean?”
He responded, “Here you are, sitting with the summum bonum of knowledge, and thousands of these people don’t even realize this.”
He continued, “Because the current society has been forced to work under the gross, lower modes, by the influence of media and politics, they are all operating in the lower modes of intoxication and sex enjoyment. And therefore they are completely oblivious of this treasure you have. Could I please buy these books?”
He took a Gita, the SVI, and a HIUH. He pointed toward Krishna’s picture and said, “The only reason I could tell this person must have a flash around His head is because He never operates on the lower modes and is completely transcendental and fully on the Vedic platform.”
Taking the opportunity of meeting this highly knowledgable guy, I took out my Bhagavatam flyer and in detail explained it to him. I then said that this would give him the full picture of Vedas that he’s been talking about. He immediately took my contact details, to place an order for a Bhagavatam set.
10 mins after Gerrainne, another geologist came running, gasping for air, and she said, “My friend Tony sent me to you, to get the Srimad Bhagavatam set. I am glad I caught you, just before you packed up. She also took a Gita, SVI, and HIUH and requested that I deliver a Bhagavatam set.
Both of them gave me a big polar bear hug before leaving. I tried very hard to control my tears and choking throat after the hug. When I told the story to a devotee friend, he just burst into tears, and eventually we all laughed thinking how Krishna picked these geologist scientists in the middle of nowhere.
Fisher’s Ghost Festival had been already very busy, and I came home with the icing on the cake. Some of the best days of my life have happened while I was distributing books. This is the best job in the world.

Your servant,
Radhika Prasad Dasa & Meera

All roads may lead to Rome but some roads are going to get us there quicker than others
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Hare KrishnaBy Byron Kyle

Have you ever been on a road trip and knew where your destination was but didn’t know exactly how to get there? You switched on Google maps and got directions but closer to your destination, you felt you knew a better way and ignored the GPS only to get lost and ultimately added thirty minutes to your trip. I find spiritual life to be much the same. We naturally want to be controllers in our in lives. We sometimes ignore instructions and do things our own way. When we do this we hit roadblocks, get stuck in traffic, or get totally lost. Our teachers are like the GPS, they know the way, even if it seems tedious or roundabout, we are sure to get to our destination if we follow their instructions. Continue reading "All roads may lead to Rome but some roads are going to get us there quicker than others
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Krishna conscious presentation at Mumbai’s Rotary Club…
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Krishna conscious presentation at Mumbai’s Rotary Club (Album with photos)
On 10th October 2017, Gaur Gopal das spoke at the weekly meeting of Rotary Club of Bombay held at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai India.
Rotary is a social service organization and the concept of weekly meetings is for like-minded people of different vocations and professions to meet and come together for a common good cause. Rotary Club of Bombay is a group of top industrialists, professionals, many doctors, lawyers from Mumbai.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2q2JKA

Can the mind sting us – how?

Answer Podcast

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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

Not Blue Suede Shoes

Tom from Windsor came to spend a few days at the ashram.  He’s good for the morning sadhana, a spiritual workout—chanting, japa and study.  Then by 9:30 a.m., he’s off to the library doing personal research.

I’ve been pushing the wet mop in the mornings.  If floors aren’t done daily, you’ll be assured of sticky black soles.  I know Prabhupada, our guru, loved cleanliness.  Also, the person who cleans feels clean.  It beckons shanti, peace.

Tom and I took evening walks these last two nights.  I have the chance to fly in the new pair of Kyboots, designed with Swiss technology and made in Italy.  Shoes like this don’t get any better.

My summer walking took its toll on my former ones, so it was time for them to reincarnate.  The pair of new shoes went out to explore various streets such as Yonge, Bloor and Davenport.

Tom noticed the city is changing and getting busier like the rest of the world.  To nature we can say, “Make way, the imposition is here!”  Condos are popping up all over the place, blocking the sky.  Stars, you won’t see.  Raindrops splatter on our chest, arms and head.  It is beautifully mild out.

My shoes are happy.  They are set out to do service.  They are helping me with posture and the knees.

I reflected on what Prabhupada said about health, that it is a priority in order to serve nicely.

I do recommend Kyboots as a way to get around. https://youtu.be/VkQS6xvjfgI

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Wednesday, November 1st, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Surrender Begins


One person I recently met—a year ago—is Gordon Martin of St. John’s, Newfoundland.  He’s someone making great changes in his life.  He sent me a poem of his which addresses “Surrender.” 
Here it is.

Surrender Begins


Surrender begins like a fairy tale
in a distant land
Begins as a dream unknown
scares us shitless

Surrender begins
a blanket with nails
letting go no option
Hang on to the known

Even if that known
Is the darkest night

Even if that known
has dragged us through
the mud, left us naked in the street

Surrender begins with a whisper
A candle flicker
Dancing, embracing the darkness
that peers in so close

Surrender begins
With the mystery of an empty page
The words elusive the ink dry

Surrender begins
A map without borders
A voyage with no defined destination

Surrender begins
loneliness in a crowded room
fear, emptiness

Surrender beings
With struggle
And pleads

I stand now on the other side of surrender
Knowing it’s grace and power

Looking at those who cannot see

Surrender beings with love
With letting go
With saying yes to life

Surrender begins
With tears running down my cheek
With falling to my knees

Surrender begins
With holding hands
And hugs of understanding

Surrender begins
With grace and forgiveness

Surrender begins
In this moment
In this place
Here
Now


May the Source be with you!

TOVP Tour to Australasia – Departure

On Sunday, November 5th ,immediately following Mangal-arati, His Grace Jananivas prabhu and Brajavilas prabhu left Sridham Mayapur with the Padukas of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Lord Nrisimhadeva’s helmet, to distribute mercy throughout Australasia.

They will be joined by Their Graces Ambarisa prabhu and his wife Svaha mataji for a one month tour of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

Please go here to see the dates and locations of the tour.

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