ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry Newsletter Volume 7, Sept-Dec 2017
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Hare KrishnaBy Prahladananda Swami

This seventh issue of the Sannyasa Newsletter includes a variety of information about sannyasa and sannyasis, ancient and modern. In this issue, Srila Prabhupada explains the practical side of how an ISKCON sannyasi should engage his energies in diverse services in Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s sankirtan movement, while Kripamoya Prabhu’s article gives us a history of the various aspects of etiquette and austerity that classical sannyasis in the varnashrama system were expected to follow. Ekalavya Prabhu's article tells us something about the present organization of the Sannyasa Ministry and then we are also told about the services and qualities of one of ISKCON’s senior sannyasis, Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja. Continue reading "ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry Newsletter Volume 7, Sept-Dec 2017
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ISKCON Leadership Sanga 2018 Registration Has Begun
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Hare KrishnaBy Gopal Bhatta Das

The overarching theme of the ILS 2018 will be “keep the wheels moving” an expression Srila Prabhupada took from the Indian Railway. He noted, “it is the business of every employee, whether a train driver, a fireman or a clerk in the office, to do their bit so that the wheels never stop. If the wheels stop, business stops.” He wanted our ISKCON movement to keep the wheels moving and thus provide an opportunity for people all over the world to receive the mercy of Lord Caitanya. Continue reading "ISKCON Leadership Sanga 2018 Registration Has Begun
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Gita 15.10 We need knowledge to see our vulnerability in material existence

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 15.10 We need knowledge to see our vulnerability in material existence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How can we balance our limited controllership over our children with our responsibility to guide them?
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Answer Podcast

The post How can we balance our limited controllership over our children with our responsibility to guide them? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Our Other Family Business: TOVP
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We feel blessed to be engaged in serving the TOVP along with all of our ISKCON family. I’m especially grateful that our daughters have imbibed this mood of service to Srila Prabhupada as well and have understood the true value of the blessings Krishna has bestowed upon them. 

Will Sex Save a Marriage?
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In the non devotional world, where sex is the norm, the divorce rate, in many nations, is around 50%. So from that angle, the answer is no, sex does not assure one a successful marriage. And within ISKCON, where sex is discouraged, some estimate divorce rates are even higher. So, that begs a much larger question.

Book distribution is sometimes like meeting old friends!! The…
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Book distribution is sometimes like meeting old friends!! The other day I had time between services to go out. Managing to scramble out the door I was Inspired by how Lord Krishna would sometimes dress as a commoner and walk amongst His citizens in cities like Mathura or Dvaraka. Taking note of the people’s opinion and curious of their concerns, the Lord surveyed the scene. I too like to watch people, walk and talk, stroll and drop. When conversations call my attention I swoop in ready to turn something mundane into a transcendental opportunity with Srila Prabhupada’s books. But on this particular day, it struck me to speak to everyone in my path instead, meeting them like old friends. “Hey there, where are you off to today?” I ask while sweeping past an interesting hippy. I tell him that our yoga and meditation center is calling his name, and ask if he’s ever been to Bhakti Lounge. He says, “No.” But looks interested. Turns out he does kung fu and has interest in meditation. I invite him and show him a few books, but he’s got nothing to spare. Still, he has a friendly invitation to our center and an Enough Magazine. Maybe he will come:) Keep going, there’s a sweet young woman quickly walking through the bustling corner of Vivian and Cuba. Luckily, I’m on foot and keeping pace, “HEY! Have you ever been to Bhakti Lounge?” I ask, placing a flyer in her hand. She says, “No!” And we start talking. Her name is Ruby. I tell her that I was JUST reading a book about how out of all jewels the Divine manifests in the form of the ruby in this world. (11.16.30) And then said, “so you have a special name; you must be a jewel.” She bashfully looks at a few books but is in a bit of a rush. “It’s okay, Ruby- I’ll see you at Bhakti Lounge.” She makes plans to attend a meditation event, and is hopefully going to come to Gurudeva’s talk when he comes Nov 15th. Scanning the terrain I see a man at an open bar taking down a beer while enjoying the warm sun seeping in through the open store front. He’s on his computer, sternly looking at the screen as if masterminding some great scheme! “Excuse me sir, you look like someone who works too hard, he’s a card, come join us for a yoga or meditation class sometime.” He extends his hand smiling and I introduce myself. thinking of how responsive he is. He says he will see us there. Crossing the street, there is a guy with a backpack just settling into a picnic table with a tray of french fries. I sit down next to him and ask where he’s from.. He is from Texas. “Texas! Wow, my friend Erica just left Wellington to go back home to Texas today.” He’s from Dallas, so I ask if he’s ever been to their world famous Govinda’s restaurant. After a bit of small talk, I show him Hiding in Unnatural Happiness, and ask what he thinks about the selfish way we think about happiness and how to obtain it. He said, “Our bias (based on what we desire or are attached to) steers us, even in ways that can lead to pain rather than pleasure.” He asks if I’d like a fry, and I ask him if he’d like the book. He takes the book. I politely decline the french fry.. These experiences of meeting and connecting with people over transcendental literature are addictive. It was hard to restrain myself and go to my next service engagement— the streets are like home to me now. It feels like the only constant in my life lately. Circumstances are always changing, relationships, services, etc. but this book distribution is like a thread and everyone in the world a pearl, or a ruby 🙂 Your grateful servant, Kathamrita Devi Dasi

What is new in the world of forbidden archeology
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Hare KrishnaBy Drutakarma Das

One case that came out just a few weeks ago is a discovery of some footprints on the island of Crete, a part of Greece, it's an island in the Aegean Sea. In the northwestern end of Crete archeologists found footprints and layers of rock five million seven hundred thousand years old and the way they described these footprints was pretty interesting they had many human-like features first of all the creatures that made these footprints were bipedal in other words they walked on two legs there weren't any prints of any four limbs like you know you would have a dog walking on four legs but these creatures whatever they were they were walking on two legs and they had five toes which we have and the toes were the same size and shape as the toes of modern human beings Continue reading "What is new in the world of forbidden archeology
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Advani’s Birthdays

Hare KrishnaBy Vrajendranandan Das

We had the opportunity to get a personal audience with Advani ji and hand over the deities’ Maha Garland, Mahaprasadam and Essence offered to Narasimhadeva. He expressed his sincere gratitude for the blessings of the Lord and recollected fondly, his visit to ISKCON Delhi on the occasion of Srila Prabhupada’s Appearance Day last year. He enquired about HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja and requested me to convey his Pranams to Maharaja. Continue reading “Advani’s Birthdays”

Radha Kunda Seva: October 2017 Photos and Updates (Album with…
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Radha Kunda Seva: October 2017 Photos and Updates (Album with photos)
October bustled and brimmed with the eager devotion of thousands of pilgrims pouring in from all over the world. The Holy Dhama is always magical, but especially during Kartika the buzz of bhakti pulses palpably from every pilgrim on the parikrama paths all over Vraja. Our cleaners were able to keep up with the extra trash, though some festivals, like Bahulastami and Govardhan Puja took some days to recover from. Our widows completed their Kartika vrata (spiritual vows of austerity) and are back to their normal daily fare with occasional feasts. The growing popularity of the Dhama and the lack of adequate sanitation systems is putting a heavy strain on the ecosystem. We are trying to serve the immediate and obvious need to clean waste off the streets and out of the kundas, but the problems are deeper than the surface trash. Last year, it was discovered after a cholera outbreak that the disease was coming from the waters of Radha Kunda. And now, a septic smell coming from the Kunda is clearly conveying the reality that cess pool waste is seeping to the ground water and into Radha Kunda. The sewage system needs an overhaul. But for the present, we are researching and discussing ways to treat and filter the water. By Srimati Radharani’s grace, we hope to soon be part of a carefully planned and organized waste management system to protect the Dham. With your blessings, prayers, and support, we are trying to make some difference in this most holy of holy places, Sri Radha Kunda. Please browse our latest photos and join our efforts by visiting www.radharani.com . Your servants, Campakalata Devi dasi, Padma Gopi Devi dasi, Sri Arjuna dasa, Urmila Devi Dasi, and Mayapurcandra dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/umncF1

The​​ ​​Dress​​ ​​Shop’s​​ ​​new website.The​ ​ISKCON​ ​Deity​…
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The​​ ​​Dress​​ ​​Shop’s​​ ​​new website.
The​ ​ISKCON​ ​Deity​ ​Worship​ ​Ministry​ ​would​ ​like​ ​to​ ​share​ ​with​ ​you​ ​its​ ​new​ ​website​ ​for The​ ​Dress​ ​Shop​ ​in​ ​Mayapur!
The​ ​Dress​ ​Shop,​ ​Mayapur​ ​is​ ​a​ ​project​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ISKCON​ ​Deity​ ​Worship​ ​Ministry​ ​to support​ ​devotees​ ​needs​ ​for​ ​offering​ ​beautiful​ ​and​ ​custom​ ​made​ ​dresses​ ​for​ ​temple and​ ​home​ ​deities.
The​ ​shop​ ​is​ ​managed​ ​and​ ​operated​ ​by​ ​ISKCON​ ​devotees​ ​and​ ​ensures​ ​the​ ​finest quality​ ​of​ ​deity​ ​dresses​ ​on​ ​time!​ ​The​ ​Dress​ ​Shop​ ​Mayapur​ ​understands​ ​how essential​ ​these​ ​two​ ​components​ ​of​ ​timeliness​ ​and​ ​quality​ ​are​ ​when​ ​preparing anything​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Lord.
This​ ​special​ ​project​ ​of​ ​the​ ​ISKCON​ ​Deity​ ​Worship​ ​Ministry​ ​allows​ ​devotees​ ​the opportunity​ ​to​ ​receive​ ​a​ ​beautiful​ ​product​ ​while​ ​feeling​ ​confident​ ​that​ ​they​ ​are spending​ ​Srila​ ​Prabhupada’s​ ​money​ ​within​ ​ISKCON​ ​and​ ​supporting​ ​the​ ​various ISKCON​ ​Deity​ ​Worship​ ​Ministry​ ​projects​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world. We​ ​hope​ ​that​ ​you​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​us​ ​the​ ​great​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​serve​ ​you​ ​and​ ​your​ ​temple​ ​in providing​ ​a​ ​gorgeous​ ​offering​ ​to​ ​your​ ​beloved​ ​deities. Please​ ​visit​ ​our​ ​new​ ​website​ ​at​ ​https://www.thedressshopmayapur.com,​ ​and​ ​allow​ ​us​ ​to serve​ ​you.
Hare​ ​Krishna!

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to Feed 1,000 Kids for a Year Through Iskcon
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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to Feed 1,000 Kids for a Year Through ISKCON’s Meal Scheme.
On the occasion of her 44th birthday, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, on Monday donated free meals to 1000 children for a year under the Mid-day meal scheme of Annamrita Foundation set up by International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
An official statement issued by ISKCON said that Radhanath Swami Maharaj, ISKCON spiritual leader said the Annamrita Scheme, which started in 2004 from a small room with meals being prepared for just 900 children, today serve meals to 12 lakh children across seven states in India.
Through 20 hi-tech ISO 22000-2005 certified kitchens, Annamrita reaches out to nearly 500 municipal schools in and around Mumbai along with over 2000 schools in Maharashtra with heavy nutritious meals.
Swamiji added, ‘My Guru Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada had once seen a dog and a child trying to pick up the food packet in the street garbage bin, he was taken aback by
this incident and had instructed the devotees of ISKCON that no child in 10 miles radius of ISKCON temple should sleep hungry.

'Following the instruction of our Gurudev, we have been distributing Krishna’s Prasad in the form of Khichdi to all the poor around our temple and from 13 years we are reaching out to feed more and more children through our Annamrita project.’

TOVP Australasia Tour, Day 1 – Perth, Australia (Album with…
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TOVP Australasia Tour, Day 1 – Perth, Australia (Album with photos)
The Perth temple is a mid-size community of devotees numbering about 200-250, many of them new practitioners of Krishna consciousness. Their Graces Jananivas and Vraja Vilas prabhus arrived on Monday, November 6th in preparation for the first program of the Australasia tour on Tuesday, November 7th.
Being a weekday only 150 devotees were able to attend, but the excitement of those devotees soon became apparent during the abhisheka of the Chakras and Sitari and the ecstatic kirtan. They were further enthused by the talks of Jananivas and Vraja Vilas prabhus and the special video presentation. When the fundraising program commenced devotees went wild and a total of $270,000 was pledged.
We wish to thank Sitaram prabhu, the temple president, for his support and dedication, and for organizing such a wonderful program for the service of the TOVP and the arrival of Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimha’s Sitari in Australia.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8L1vrT

Madurai Yatra – Mathura of Southern India
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Hare KrishnaBy Chandan Yatra Das

Southern Mathura (Daksina-mathura), presently known as Madurai, is situated on the banks of the Vaigai River and is one of South India’s great temple towns. Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. On the day the city was to be named, as Lord Siva blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Madhu) was showered on the city from Lord Siva’s matted locks. This city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri. During His South India tour in 1510 AD, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Madurai twice, once while going to Rameswaram after meeting the brahmana Ramdasa Vipra, who was a staunch devotee of Lord Ramacandra. The next time was on the way back from Rameswaram with a copy of the Kurma Purana scripture, which had a verse stating that Ravana had kidnapped an illusory Sita, and that the real Sita was safely hidden by Agnideva. Lord Caitanya personally gave this copy to Ramdasa Vipra to dispel his doubts about mother Sita’s kidnapping. Continue reading "Madurai Yatra – Mathura of Southern India
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Gita 15.09 The mind makes chasing mirages the soul’s tragic habit
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 15.09 The mind makes chasing mirages the soul’s tragic habit appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When taking decisions, how do we balance using our intelligence and having faith in Krishna?
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Answer Podcast

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From Passion to Compassion 2 – From religion in passion to devotion in goodness
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Sydney, Australia]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

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From Passion to Compassion 3 – Compassion needs to be felt as compassion
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Sydney, Australia]
Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

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Using our functional identification to realize our transcendental identity
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[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Sydney, Australia]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

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Monday, November 6th, 2017
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Ottawa, Ontario

Evening Trail

Determined, high-soaring and the ultimate team players are what Rupa, Sanatam and I heard and witnessed from the Canada Geese up above.  On that evening trail, when the sun was to bid farewell ’til the next dawn, without exaggeration, we saw thousands.  But surprising to us was the compass we used which revealed they were going into the northerly direction when it’s time to go where it’s warmer.

Also interesting was that the birds’ configurations in flight weren’t prefect V shapes.  Some flocks were looking more like forming a check mark and less like an arrow tip.

The curious minds that we upheld during the time of their honking caused us to question, “Do they only fly during the day?” because it was getting dark while on the trail between Embrun and Russell.  The answer to that question is, “They fly both in day and night,” as Google will tell.

I thought, “Well, this is just remarkable!  They are resilient.”

For the three of us, we felt as if we tapped into magical moments while standing under the moving masters of the air.  In fact the whole day was like a fairy tale to me.  From Toronto to Ottawa and then to Embrun, in that collective six hours, I spent time with Rupa, Sanatan and Shankar—who runs Govinda’s eatery—then K. Dulal, Mandala and a host of kids from the Montessori School, who are all like a band of angels.

I was in heaven even though it was perhaps the first real day of winter—or so it felt—as we walked on that evening trail beneath the flying feathered friends.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Sunday, November 5th, 2017
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Scarborough, Ontario

People

“People, people who need people,
Are the luckiest people in the world…”

The above lines, the beginning lyrics to “People,” sung by Barbara Streisand, come to my head on occasion when on foot, on the road—especially after I’ve met some.

It is sung by Barbara gloriously, with fullness of voice and feeling.  And because the experience of interaction with people can be so meaningful, fulfilling and complete in the course of the day, you just want to sing it out while in the countryside, or in a valley, perhaps, in full volume, and most likely when far away—from people.  https://youtu.be/fPlQ6EtArSc

Today, I mingled as well as presented—before many people—at ISKCON Scarborough, then the Hindu Prarthana Samaj and then ISKCON Toronto.  My presentations are to inform, and I was happy to see the reciprocation from the people with eyes wide open (except for the session when I asked for a deliberate eyes-shut in order to concentrate on mantra sound) and with responses of nods, smiles, gravity and laughter.

The topics for these people were “Down With Fanatical Spiritualism,” “Listen and Chant,” and “You Are What You Think About.”  All topics based on the science of the Bhagavad-gitaare messages for people—by people, especially the Supreme Person.  Krishna is the speaker of the Gita and my voice is merely an instrument meant to echo out...to the people and for the people.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

TOVP Australasia Tour, Day 1 – Perth, Australia
- TOVP.org

The Perth temple is a mid-size community of devotees numbering about 200-250, many of them new practitioners of Krishna consciousness. Their Graces Jananivas and Vraja Vilas prabhus arrived on Monday, November 6th in preparation for the first program of the Australasia tour on Tuesday, November 7th.

Being a weekday only 150 devotees were able to attend, but the excitement of those devotees soon became apparent during the abhisheka of the Chakras and Sitari and the ecstatic kirtan. They were further enthused by the talks of Jananivas and Vraja Vilas prabhus and the special video presentation. When the fundraising program commenced devotees went wild and a total of $270,000 was pledged.

We wish to thank Sitaram prabhu, the temple president, for his support and dedication, and for organizing such a wonderful program for the service of the TOVP and the arrival of Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimha’s Sitari in Australia.

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 1 – Perth, Australia appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

TOVP Quarterly Report – 3 Month Marathon in Preparation for the Chakra Installation
- TOVP.org

The following video presentation from the TOVP is a quarterly report by Sadbhuja prabhu, Managing Director of the project, detailing current activities and progress, and the marathon of work to be completed in the next three months in preparation for the historic installation ceremony of Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Chakras on February 7th, 2018.

To participate and sponsor an abhisheka for one or both Chakras go to the TOVP website: https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

The post TOVP Quarterly Report – 3 Month Marathon in Preparation for the Chakra Installation appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Harinama in Uruguay (Album with photos) The Krishna…

Harinama in Uruguay (Album with photos)
The Krishna consciousness movement is chiefly engaged in chanting the maha-mantra all over the world. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra to give everyone a chance to hear Krishna’s holy name, for simply by hearing Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, one becomes purified (ceto-darpana-marjanam)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/4TzgoH