Should I choose the spiritual master whose personal association I get or whose classes inspire me?
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Answer Podcast

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Ramayana series 3 – Shurapanakha’s slyness – Beware of those who manipulate us using our weakness
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[Talk at Phoenix, USA]

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Ramayana series 2 – Maricha’s miscalculation – Our destination is not as important as our action
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[Talk at Phoenix, USA]

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Friday, October 27th, 2017
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St. John’s Newfoundland

To the Atlantic Edge

It’s a tight fit! I thought when we first saw Josh in his Spider-man outfit, all prepared for a Halloween party that evening.  He was our host for a presentation at the Science Building at Memorial University and, being a nursing student, it’s assumed he’s a caring soul.  He also mentioned his guru gave him the mantra, OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA.

The attendance was a bit down from last year, however, the folks who came were of quality.  It’s great to see some younger people come with questions.  Stephen and Justin were among them.  And Miranda, seasoned, wise and experienced, is the ultimate yoga teacher, and she is like a sister to me.  She happens to be the daughter of renowned artist, Gerald Squires, whose studio we’re staying in.  Gerald passed away last year; bless his soul.  Many of his works are of religious themes.  Good stuff!

I said a number of things and talked about the world of mass destruction and how walking for me, personally, has offered spiritual solutions to mundane problems.  One item that resonated with this group of individuals who all have yoga connections was, “It’s better to give, than just be.”

I was happy to be in Newfoundland, to reunite with my marathon team, Hayagriva and Marshall.  We plan a weekend of talks, walks and chants, all of which began with tonight’s gathering.  One person wanted to know if I’d seen God on any of the walks; my frank answer to that was, “Yes, through the conduit of nature, and people giving their heart.”

May the Source be with you!

5km


Thursday, October 26th, 2017
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Kirkland Lake / Toronto

Two Planets

Brothers Jaya Gopal, Vyasacharya and the younger Kaushal—all of Gujarati stock—are up north in Kirkland Lake for the business venture of securing another motel.  I'm not sure how many that makes.  All I can say is the Patel Motel Regime goes on marvellously.

They were kind to have me come to this town, which is nothing shy of a seven-hour drive from Toronto, the city that now has the status of “never sleeps.”

The four of us took to the peace of the north by exploring the local ski trails.  No skiing for us, though, just walking.  None of us were really prepared for the wetness of the trails.  I had on my ‘Keen’ sandals and the others had donned their dress shoes.  It didn’t matter.  We were taking in the shanti (peace) of the place, with birch and spruce trees as our company.  There was a raven up above, the sound of a Blue Jay, and the occasional bushy-tailed squirrel scurrying along.

The series of trails just behind the new ‘community sports complex’ looped about and offered enough upward and downward slopes that any concern about the damp chill of the morning quickly dissipated.  Kaushal, the more recent arrival from India, was the first to notice that we heat up when our strides are going up.

A lake nearby and the plentiful presence of water gave the feeling that there was no shortage of H2O around us.

“This is not like Gujarat.  India is drying up,” said Vyasacharya.

Jaya Gopal and family, Chandrika and son Nitai, then drove me to North Bay through the countryside of Chief Grey Owl.  I loved it!

I arrived in Toronto, then Union Station, and then wheeled my luggage back to the ashram.  What a contrast!  The hustle and bustle of the city set against the earlier musical of nature!

May the Source be with you!

8 km


Vaisesika Dasa: The New Oxford American Dictionary defines,…
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Vaisesika Dasa: The New Oxford American Dictionary defines, opportunity cost, as “the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.” And here’s another simple definition by an economist: “ An opportunity cost is the cost of a missed opportunity.”
In the following verse from the Gita, Lord Krishna encourages us to use our time and energy to advance in Krishna consciousness, as by doing so, one gets the greatest value for one’s life:
“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.40)
Especially for a human being – who is afforded the chance to free himself from birth and death and to go back to Godhead – the opportunity cost of missing even a second outside the practice of devotional service is huge.

Therefore, Visnu Purana states: “If even for a moment remembrance of Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is missed, that is the greatest loss, that is the greatest illusion, and that is the greatest anomaly.”

Knowingly or by consent everyone incurs loss by the choices they make throughout their lives. Economists, businesspeople, financial advisers, and others therefore, carefully consider opportunity costs so that they may make the best and most profitable choices.

Serious bhakti yogis also meticulously calculate the opportunity costs of their actions and investments. Those who do this never lack the incentive to stay steadily engaged in devotional service and to forsake inferior activities.

The Governor of Geneva: If everybody joins your movement, what…

The Governor of Geneva: If everybody joins your movement, what will happen to the economy?
Guru-Gauranga: On May 29, 1974 Prabhupada landed in Geneva and was accompanied by Satsvarupa Goswami and Nitai.
We picked Prabhupada and his team up at the airport and brought him to the temple.
I was very busy with all the arrangements for Prabhupada’s meetings and programs and for the official reception of Srila Prabhupada by the Governor of Geneva.
I was unaware of the fact that Lilavati dasi, a disciple of Prabhupada’s, had previously arrived to Geneva to do typing for Prabhupada.

Blog Post Title
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What goes into a blog post? Helpful, industry-specific content that: 1) gives readers a useful takeaway, and 2) shows you’re an industry expert.

Use your company’s blog posts to opine on current industry topics, humanize your company, and show how your products and services can help people.

Blog Post Title
→ The Mayapuris

What goes into a blog post? Helpful, industry-specific content that: 1) gives readers a useful takeaway, and 2) shows you’re an industry expert.

Use your company’s blog posts to opine on current industry topics, humanize your company, and show how your products and services can help people.

Let No One Go Hungry – Food for Life Mayapur
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Srila Prabhupada continually stressed the importance of prasadam distribution in ISKCON Mayapur, and he instructed that no one within a ten mile radius of Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir should go hungry. Following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, Food for Life Mayapur has been endeavoring for many years to fulfill this goal. Hundreds of thousands of visitors and […]

The post Let No One Go Hungry – Food for Life Mayapur appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Srila Prabhupada’s Unique Achievement. Late 1966. “It took…
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Srila Prabhupada’s Unique Achievement.
Late 1966. “It took Hopkins a while to adjust to the idea of a Vaishnava temple replete with a printing operation in the middle of the Lower East Side of New York City. “It’s an astonishing story,” he reflected. “If someone told you a story like this, you wouldn’t believe it. Here’s this person, seventy years old, coming to a country where he’s never been before. He doesn’t know anybody, he has no money, no contacts, none of the things you would say make for success. He’s going to recruit people not on any systematic basis but just picking up whomever he comes across—and he’s going to give them responsibility for organizing a worldwide movement? You’d say, ‘What kind of program is that?’ There are precedents perhaps. Jesus of Nazareth went around saying, ‘Come follow me. Drop your nets, leave your tax collecting, and be my disciple.’ But in Jesus’s case, he wasn’t an old man in a strange society dealing with people whose backgrounds were totally different from his own. He was dealing with his own community. Bhaktivedanta Swami’s achievement, then, must be seen as unique.”
From the book Swami In A Strange Land: How Krishna Came To The West

WSN September 2017 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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Hare KrishnaBy Vijaya Dasa

Recently, a preaching center opened in El Paso, Texas. Some book distributors had made the decision to bite the dust and settle somewhere to cultivate people in Krsna consciousness, and they settled in El Paso. They had a 999% increase, with 1,309 book points. I'm spending some time in Texas, the Lone Star State. A few days ago, I was distributing at Eastfield College, and after some time I was packing up my table and books. A professor stopped by to ask, "How much are your books?", without even asking what they're about. So I asked, "Do you know about these books?" "No, but I saw you, your table, and your sign [Yoga, Meditation, and Philosophy Books] from an upstairs window, and my curiosity got the best of me. So I want to find out what you have." Then he realized that he didn't have his wallet on him. He asked whether I'm on PayPal. I said I was. So he paid through PayPal. For all you book distributors, this is yet another way to receive a donation if people don't have cash or a debit or credit card. Continue reading "WSN September 2017 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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Wonder of Creation
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Hare KrishnaBy Pran Gopinath Das

The material world is but a small portion of God’s kingdom and a place for those who wish to become the center of enjoyment. The material world and its suffering is not really God’s desire, just as a government would prefer that there were no prisons. Though the government provides and organises the prison service, the criminal is responsible for his or her situation. Similarly, though God creates this world, the soul creates his own happiness and distress. The world is a place where fallen souls attempt to enjoy existence separately from God. The ultimate purpose of the world is reformation of character and attitude, by which the soul can attain liberation. The soul suffers not so much through his location but through his rebellious attitude. Continue reading "Wonder of Creation
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Let No One Go Hungry
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Hare KrishnaBy MCO staff

Srila Prabhupada continually stressed the importance of prasadam distribution in ISKCON Mayapur, and he instructed that no one within a ten mile radius of Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir should go hungry. Following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, Food for Life Mayapur has been endeavoring for many years to fulfill this goal. Hundreds of thousands of visitors and pilgrims are fed prasadam by Food for Life Mayapur, as well as villagers in the surrounding areas. This video showcases the endeavors of ISKCON Mayapur’s Food for Life program, and demonstrates how they perform this wonderful service. Continue reading "Let No One Go Hungry
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Update on HG Agnideva Prabhu. Dear devotees, friends and…

Update on HG Agnideva Prabhu.
Dear devotees, friends and well-wishers,
Here is an update on Agnideva prabhu:
On Wednesday neurologists were planning a spinal tap to check for the dreadful Gullian Barr’e Syndrome. But on Thursday Agnideva prabhu was able to move his hands and lower limbs as well. This recovery in mobility is not symptomatic of GBS, so they continued trying to improve his breathing. He was achieving good oxygen levels and by Friday very minimal oxygen was being administered. At that point, Agnideva prabhu was able to speak and recognized everyone. He also remembered everything; the kirtans, japa, reading etc. at his bedside from the past few days, even while he was heavily sedated at the time. Yesterday the doctors got him to sit in a chair for two hours, but it was very exhausting for him. Although he is improving with reflexes, it’s very slow and his condition remains as serious.
Although his Oxygen levels are better, fluid continues to accumulate in his lungs, requiring drainage. Daily X-rays show slight improvement each day, but a CT scan of the chest is now scheduled to help respiratory specialists see what is causing the fluid and the lung collapse. Depending on the results, they may have to operate and insert a special liquid that draws the lungs towards the rib cage helping them inflate normally. Afterwards, surgery will also be required to repair the holes in his lungs made for drainage.
Agnideva prabhu is in a positive state of mind. He requested to hear his recording of Srila Prabhupda’s poem, “Krishna tabe puniya habe bhai.” He also announced that he has decided that his next recording will be dedicated to Lord Caitanya.
We did not anticipate the complexity of his condition, his long stay in intensive care, the probable surgery of the lungs, and thereafter his heart and the rehabilitation program. Agnideva prabhu, as well as his family and his friends, are overwhelmed by the loving support received. As the path of treatment becomes clearer we may need to call for further continued assistance from you all. Thank you everyone.
Your servant,
Indradyumna Swami

Glimpses from Kartik Navadvip Mandal Parikrama
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Day 1: Glimpses from the first day of Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2017! “Wandering in Navadvipa is the best of all opulences, the best of all religious principles, the best of all kinds of worship, the best of all perfections, the best of all glories, and the best of all oceans of sweetness.” – Sri […]

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Gita 15.08 The essence of growth is evolution in our conception of life
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

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Wednesday, October 25th, 2017
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Kirkland Lake, Ontario

To the North

Air Canada Jazz Flight 8837 landed in Timmins at 13:24 with me as one of the passengers.  Snow was descending but dissolving before it hit the ground.  Late October chill has begun and I came equipped with a light brown coat from Duluth Trading Co., a comfortable coat, compliments of Paurnamasi from Cleveland.

Vyasacharya was waiting to greet me and from there we drove to Kirkland Lake, population 10,000, a gold-mining town.  I walked through Kirkland Lake and Timmins on my first pair of crocs in 2008.  I recall meeting a ‘Born Again’ Christian woman in Kirkland Lake.  I couldn’t have a real conversation.  I remember trying to say that each and every one of us have been born multiple times and will continue to filter through many more bodies until we get it right.

Vyasacharya’s family, the Patel clan, is purchasing the Comfort Inn and I have been invited for a blessing of the deal.  His bro, Jaya Gopal, drove north to meet us for the blessing—a simple chant—but before he arrived I had the chance for a walk through the town once again.

I met a minister of the Spiritualist Church.  He introduced himself as a reverend for thirty years and was going to e-mail me his name.  I found it interesting that he has family who are Krishna devotees in the U.S. and has been following the growth and changes of our movement since its inception.  His residential locations have been Vancouver, St. Petersburg and now Kirkland Lake, where he is currently a major librarian.

Because of my robes, which are unusual for Kirkland Lake, I drew the attention of another man, someone from the First Nations.  He introduced himself with these words, “I’m not sure if I should say, ‘Namaste’ or not?”  He had the greatest grin.

“Namaste is perfect!” I said.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Tuesday, October 24th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

Damodar

It was a plenty-good day. Lots of cleaning. Also spent time with a Buddhist monk and had dinner with him at the home of a Mauritian couple, Hari and Krishna Katha.

Overall, it’s a great month known as Kartik, when Krishna devotees celebrate the pastime of Krishna as a youngster, helping Himself to butter, and the consequences that follow. In temples and ashrams, we sing this song. (Translation by Kala Kanta of Gainesville.)

Damodarastaka

After you steal butter, Your earrings dance and shine
As you flee Your mother in Your Gokula pastime.
Though You are all blissful, all knowing, ever-new,
Greatest of controllers, Your mother controls You.

She shows You the stick and she binds You by the waist,
You shudder and sob and Your pearl necklace shakes.
As You rub Your frightened eyes, tears roll down Your face,
Ropes of her love bind You in Your mother’s embrace.

Relishing Your childhood activities like this,
You plunge Your devotees in deep oceans of bliss.
Though many revere You, by love You are subdued.
Again and again, Lord, I bow down before you.

Although You give freedom, I don’t ask to be free,
Nor do I want anything You should offer me.
I only request that Your sweet childhood pastime
Ever be enacted in my heart and in my mind.

Curly hair encircles Your face of blackish-blue.
Kisses make Your cheeks look like red bimba fruit.
May this sublime vision be all that I can see.
Any other treasure has no value to me.

Damodar!  O Vishnu!  O Lord beyond compare,
Be pleased with a soul sunk in oceans of despair.
Uplift and protect me with glances from Your eyes;
Shower Your compassion like rainfall from the skies.

Two sons of Kuvera were cursed to stand as trees;
You gave them the chance to become Your devotees.
My Lord, will You offer the same blessing to me?
I don’t want to merge with Your identity.

Although in Your belly the universe is found,
Your mother’s effulgent rope has Your belly bound.
I bow to that rope and to Radha, Your most dear,
And those sublime pastimes in which You appear.

https://youtu.be/VTRkpEx5VvE

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Monday, October 23rd, 2017
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Brampton, Ontario

Went for a Walk

I went for a walk with Savy and Ben through some autumn, forest trails. It was nice. The sunrise was phenomenal. We were chanting on our beads, a real special form of yoga, you could say.

All was good except for one thing that truly irks me when I'm in an area like the far reaches of Brampton.  It’s that urban sprawl. It manifests like a monster and consumes everything in its way. What were once  farmer’s fields, forests and open valleys, have now become the invasion of greedy creatures.

All forms of wildlife, including the coyotes, possums, raccoons, birds and the like, are forced to leave their domain to make way for the world of automation, huge homes, and square malls with low-quality food, clothes, utilities and what have you. It is a sin that its growth goes the way it does. In the end, you have a civilization of coldness.

I’ll say it again, that I have great feelings of ambivalence when in the burbs. Progress? Digress maybe. I know people have to live somewhere, but why not develop real communities which include local gardening and the presence of animals.

I will cease my cursing now, and reflect on our guru and his magnanimous contribution to the world.  Srila Prabhupada is remembered today on the anniversary of his passing.

Before 1965, there was no knowledge of Krishna. He brought Krishna to the world, and we can take it that Krishna brought Prabhupada to the world.

May the Source be with you!
8 km


I surrender!


Sunday, October 22nd, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

The Country, The Cemetery

After a talk and a chew at the ISKCON Brampton Centre, Vishal so kindly drove me to his farm in Caledon. He has two horses, a pony, one Guernsey cow called Durga and a small herd of gir cows, a breed from India.

Locals say to Vishal and family, “Oh, you’re the people with the camel-like animals!”—referring to the hump they have on their backs. People come by all the time, quite amazed at the very different and very gentle creatures. Well, Manu, the young bull, is rather feisty. He’s handsome like a prince though.

I indeed relish being in the country, and what is quite the fascination for me, is that running through Vishal and Yasomati’s property is the Trans Canada Trail. We couldn’t resist taking to it, even just for a stretch. As we headed south, our ears were tantalized by the sound of bagpipes.

What would someone be doing with Highlander sound out here?

Next to the trail, beyond multiple trees, was a man playing the calming sound of a Scotsman’s delight, and in a cemetery. “Amazing Grace” was one of his tunes, played as he paced through the rows of tombstones. It seemed like he was honouring the dearly departed. Vishal, Yasomati, her mom and myself  sat there on the grass savouring the sound. Vishal and I saw it as a perfect spot for chanting our gayatri mantra. As we did so, a flock of Canada Geese flew overhead, which contributed to the calmness and wilderness of wonder.

May the Source be with you!

7 km



When the consequence is not in our hands, why is the consequence considered a factor in deciding right and wrong action?
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Answer Podcast

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Ramayana Series 1 – Dasharatha’s dilemma
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Talk at Phoenix, USA

Podcast

Podcast Summary

Video:

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Studying scriptures
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Hare Krishna

Dear Prabhu, a member of the twice-born classes is born with three kinds of debts—those owed to the demigods, to the sages and to his forefathers. If he leaves his body without first liquidating these debts by performing sacrifice, studying the scriptures and begetting children, he will fall down into a hellish condition.


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Bhakti: pure, devotional, loving service to God.The great…
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Bhakti: pure, devotional, loving service to God.
The great medieval theologian, Rupa Goswami, defined bhakti as pure, devotional, loving service to God that is free from any selfish desire, including impersonal moksha – the merging of the soul with Brahman – and desires for personal profit, in this life or the next. Such love for God, he wrote, frees one from all suffering, bestows good fortune, and fills the heart with an inexplicable joy. It is rarely attained, and is so powerfully attractive that it even attracts God Himself.
His nephew, Jiva, continued his work by writing books on the theology and practise of bhakti. In one book he writes of eleven essential practises of Bhakti. I reproduce it here with the addition of a few notes of explanation.

Happy Gopastami!
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Krishna, the Supreme Cowherd Boy suklastami karttike tu smrta gopastami budhaih tad-dinad vasudevo ‘bhud gopah purvam tu vatsapah “The eighth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik is known by authorities as Gopastami. From that day, Lord Vasudeva served as a cowherd, whereas previously He had tended the calves.” -Srimad Bhagavatam […]

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‘Let No One Go Hungry’ – Food Distribution in Mayapur
→ ISKCON News

Srila Prabhupada continually stressed the importance of prasadam distribution in ISKCON Mayapur, and he instructed that no one within a ten mile radius of Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir should go hungry.  Following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, Food for Life Mayapur has been endeavoring for many years to fulfill this goal.  Hundreds of thousands of visitors and pilgrims are fed prasadam by Food for Life Mayapur, as well as villagers in the surrounding areas.  This video showcases the endeavors of ISKCON Mayapur’s Food for Life program, and demonstrates how they perform this wonderful service.