Selfies and the human longing to feel special
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[Talk at Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA]

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Ramayana series 5 – Hanuman – There is a time and place for everything, don’t lose heart
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[Talk at Phoenix, USA]

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The post Ramayana series 5 – Hanuman – There is a time and place for everything, don’t lose heart appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

ISKCON Participates in Inaugurating Indo-Iranian Interfaith…
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ISKCON Participates in Inaugurating Indo-Iranian Interfaith Dialogue.
New Delhi - Over two hundred guests including spiritual leaders, scholars, university students and journalists came together last week at the India International Center in New Delhi to participate in the inaugural session of a two day dialogue between spiritual leaders and scholars from India and Iran on the theme of “Spirituality in Hinduism and Islam”.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/WChfSv

From destructive competition to constructive competition – 2
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[Seminar at Intel, Phoenix, USA]

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From destructive competition to constructive competition – 1
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[Seminar at Intel, Phoenix, USA]

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“Harree Kreesshhna, please give me some Arabic…
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“Harree Kreesshhna, please give me some Arabic books”
I was rushing through the back streets of Campsie (Sydney) on my return visit to the town after a frustrating search for a parking spot.
There was an elderly Middle Eastern gentleman on the bus-stop seat of an isolated street. I was about to walk past him. But something in me said: I know there will be no chance of him understanding Krishna, but the point is, “the more you ask the more you sell.”
He was shaking from Parkinson’s Disease and could hardly speak, but mumbled something in reply. I suppose he was asking me to get lost. But no!
I put my ears close to his mouth and heard him say “Harree Kreesshhna, please give me some Arabic books” Until he repeated this a second time, I couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
I asked “Oh, wow! How do you know about Krishna?”
He responded, “I think all the prophets that came to this world were sent by Him and ultimate returned back to Krishna. I read a lot of books, some of which specifically demonstrated some missing years in Christ’s life, and that during those years he was practicing mystic yoga in the Himalayas. Well, you know, in those days greater India was not divided by so much fruitive demigod worship. There was just one God, and He was Krishna. All the scriptures say that. So it can’t be hard to guess who Jesus was praying to for mystic sidhis.”
At this point, in my mind I was flat on the ground begging him to be my siksha guru. Thanks to a FEME consignment, I had plenty of Arabic books.

Krishna is a Cowherd Boy (video)The Cow Seva Kirtan Mela…
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Krishna is a Cowherd Boy (video)
The Cow Seva Kirtan Mela Festival was hosted by the Hare Krishna devotees of the ISKCON New Talavan farm community in Mississippi, USA. During the festival, Balabhadra das, president of ISCOWP, gave three Srimad Bhagavatam classes about the importance of cow protection. Here is a video of one of the classes entitled “Krishna is a Cowherd Boy.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/3Rs1id

Conch, the newsletter of the New Govardhana community. THE…
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Conch, the newsletter of the New Govardhana community.
THE MAGNIFICENT TOVP: The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) is a jewel in the sacred crown of Mayapur. Visible from miles away, the structure is a surprising sight amidst the lush countryside.
ISKCON’s Mayapur project – began in the early 1970s with a small plot of land and just a handful of devotees – is now a community of thousands.
The TOVP and its three imposing domes powerfully dominate the skyline. As an indication of its size, Premavatar Gauranga dasa, Construction Manager of the TOVP, explains, “Once aviation lights are installed on the top of the main dome, it is likely to be seen from
as far as Kolkata.”
Lord Nityananda predicted more than five centuries ago that a magnificent temple would be built in Mayapur, and Bhaktivinoda Thakura, as he stood before his window and looked across the Jalangi toward what is now ISKCON-owned land, experienced a spiritual vision of a great temple rising.
In order to fulfil these prophecies, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya, often expressed his deep desire that his disciples build a unique “Vedic Planetarium” to present the Vedic perspective of life to the public.
The three domes, which are the dominant features of the structure, are impressive. The central dome at 113m (approximately 370ft) has the greatest height and width compared to many famous dome structures worldwide, including St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
Srila Prabhupada desired a state-of-the art temple in honor of his spiritual preceptors and one that would draw people from around the world to be given a chance for a spiritual education.
On 20 November, New Govardhana will have the privilege of hosting the TOVP’s fundraising event and providing the devotee community the opportunity to help fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s instructions.
To read the entire Newsletter click here: https://goo.gl/Wp6NEf

Final Day of Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama (Album with…
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Final Day of Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama (Album with photos)
“Of the seven holy places giving salvation – Ayodhya, Mathura, Gaya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti and Dwaravati – Sri Mayapur is the most important place of pilgrimage. Sriman Mahaprabhu with His advent made His own Svetadvipa descend here, and four centuries after the disappearance of Sriman Mahaprabhu this place of pilgrimage will be superior to all other places of pilgrimage of the world. Living in this place removes all sins and offenses and helps pure devotion to grow.” – Jaiva Dharma, by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur
On the sixth and final day of Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2017, devotees visited Nidaya Ghat, Rukumpur, Panchavatra Shiva, and Belpukur. Many devotees shared realizations they had while on parikrama, and were especially blessed to have the association of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Maharaja, who is the inspiration behind this Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama.
It was with some sadness that this year’s parikrama came to an end, but fortunately next year’s parikrama is already being planned! Join us on November 6th, 2018 for Kartik Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama 2018!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cTYCrL

A Special Diwali Retreat near Wellington, NZ
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhusudanan das

It was the month of Damodar. Even more memorably, it was Diwali day. One could not have asked for a better timing for devotees to pack their bags and head to the Riverslea retreat at Otaki, near Wellington city in New Zealand. The bi-annual retreats have become a regular phenomenon among the Journey of Self Discovery group members in the city. It was their “mini yatra” - the spiritual respite that helped them recharge their devotion and embed themselves deeper into Krishna Consciousness. But it was something more subtle that made this event very special. Something which wasn’t evident until the end. Continue reading "A Special Diwali Retreat near Wellington, NZ
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Spiritual Retreat for the devotees of Longmont, Colorado

Hare KrishnaBy Aditya Khune

“Krishna Devotees from Longmont, Fort Collins attended a Spiritual Retreat with HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu, while staying in the exquisite town of Breckenridge, between magnificent mountains of Colorado US.” Continue reading “Spiritual Retreat for the devotees of Longmont, Colorado”

New Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu Study Group
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I am beginning a new Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu group-study course. The schedule will be Sundays and Thursdays at 5:30pm, starting from January 7th, (Pacific time, which is 8:30pm Eastern time).

There will be 17 online class sessions:
17 Class Sessions:
(1) Definition of love (uttama-bhakti)
(2) Six qualities & three stages of bhakti
(3) Definition of practicing love (sādhana-bhakti)
(4) Preliminary do’s and don’ts
(5) Practices
(6) Most important practices. Clarifications.
(7) Rāgānugā sādhana – Definition & Qualification
(8) Rāgānugā sādhana – Practices
(9) Realized love (bhāva-bhakti)
(10) Perfect love (prema-bhakti)
(11) Ingredients of rasa
(12) Fundamental affections (sthayi-bhava)
(13) Stimulants of affection (vibhava)
(14) Expressions of affection (anubhava)
(15) Reflexive expressions (sāttvika-bhava)
(16) Feelings (sañcārī-bhava)
(17) The five rasas and their mixutres

This is ideal for people who want to explore and understand bhakti-yoga in detail, especially those who want to apply themselves to the practices.
The tuition is $214.
If you would like to participate, please send me an email (or comment below) ASAP to reserve a spot or ask any questions about the course.

Sunday, October 29th, 2017

St John’s, Newfoundland
More in St. John’s
Our U.S. walking party, comprised of three Canadian Krishna monks, hit the trail, the “Great Trail” at its start.  The longest constructed trail is this one with a distance of 24,000 kilometres connecting the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans by way of a foot path.  Hayagriva, Marshall and I really just scratched the surface, covering a mere 3 km, and that was just the 3 km to get to the starting point, formerly called the “Trans Canada Trail. Mile Zero Km.”  It would take me just under two years to make that distance non-stop if I were to tackle it.  Mind you, I’m not unfamiliar with it.  I’ve taken to segments of it.
Today we made our second visit to the local Hindu temple to worship and to talk on the topic “The Rope of God,”  Highlighting the pastime of God as a child.  Krishna, as a baby, stands there shaking in fear and kajal, mascara, mixed with tears runs down His cheeks.  His mother is unhappy at His behavior and so she proceeds to give him a licking.  She gathers some rope nearby and after some struggle manages to tie Krishna to a wooden grinding mortar.  Her prescription toward correcting her son is driven by love, of course.
The above story is meant to invoke a parental feeling toward Krishna and to be charmed by Him.  It seems to me that the telling of the tale impacted the group.  By evening we held to a more yogic crowd at Meranda’s Lotus Centre.  It has been fifteen years since Meranda and I began the Sunday night chanting sessions.  It has been going strong ever since, thanks to her steady determination in maintaining such a worthwhile program. http://thelotuscentre.ca
Tonight’s session was a strong feel-good.
May the Source be with you!

6 km


Saturday, October 28th, 2017
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St. John’s, Newfoundland

Messages and Mantras

Hayagriva, Marshall and I took an additional but short walk to Signal Hill, the famous location where the first-ever telegraph was received.  It was in 1901, on December 12th, that Marconi heard on his headset the wireless Morse codes sent from England on top of this hill some 2000 miles away.

We were fascinated by this piece of information, especially the boys who came here for the first time.  At the base of the hill is a Sea Centre which has interesting exhibits, one of which includes the event of the Titanic’s sinking.  In fact, the mighty ship that set sail in April of 1912 hit the ocean’s bottom at a depth of  2.4 miles, a mere 500 or more kilometres from the sight where we were walking.

A section of the exhibit showcases quotes from people like George Bernard Shaw, who in his own eloquent words, was highly critical of flaws made in the search attempt, or lack of it, for passengers aboard the vessel.  And there’s a quote also from Phillips who was receiving telegraph messages, warning of the dangerous ice and who responded to them with a “Shut up! Shut up! I’m busy…”

Newfoundlanders, though,  are indeed friendly.  You’ll be walking along, and someone who sees you will just break out into a conversation.  The sweetness of the islanders was also felt when we spoke at the Hindu Temple off Penny Lane in St. John’s.  People of Asian and Western stock turned up to hear from Chapter Six of the Gita on the theme, “The Mind—Best Friend or Worst Enemy.”

What truly came across as ‘friendly’ exercise was our chanting aerobics where all who attended got up on their feet, not to walk, but to dance to the beat of the drum and the cry of the mantra.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

Go-Puja

Kaliya Krsna das, of New Gokula temple, organised a go-puja festival in the Durga Devi Mandir at Regents Park in Sydney. Some of our devotees are friendly with the management there and many were invited to attend the event.

One of the cows, along with her calf, was brought from the farm to accept the worship of those who came on the Saturday afternoon.

I was fortunate to attend as one of the guest speakers and spoke about how Krsna is very fond of the cows. There was also nice kirtan, drama and prasadam provided by our devotees.

Care For Cows (Album with photos) Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday…
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Care For Cows (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday our parikrama party visited ‘Care For Cows,’ a cow protection program started and maintained for many years in Vrindavan by my late godbrother, Kurma Rupa dasa. We walked on village roads for over an hour until we reached the large gosala. The first to greet us were the cows themselves!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/b8esdg

Damodarashtakam Kirtan

On 19th October in Vrindavan His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja melodiously sang Damodarashtakam. Please find the video below to hear the melodious damodarashtakam :-

The post Damodarashtakam Kirtan appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Prabhupada Katha By – HH Bhakti Charu Swami, HH Lokanath Swami & Gunarnava Prabhu
Bhakti Charu Swami

On 22nd October in Vrindavan HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja, HH Lokanath Swami Maharaja and HG Gunarnava Pr Shared their memories of Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of “Srila Prabhupada Disappearance Day Festival”. Please find the video below to hear the lecture :-

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Seminar By Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja – “Brihad Bhagavatamritam” In Vrindavan
Bhakti Charu Swami

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja  gave an enlightening seminar on “Brihad Bhagavatamritam” from 19th October till 21st October in Vrindavan Dham. Please find the videos below to hear the lectures :-

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Govardhana Puja celebration in Iskcon New Govardhana, Australia…

Govardhana Puja celebration in Iskcon New Govardhana, Australia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Oh, how glorious are they…

Bhisma Pancaka Vrata begins today!
→ Mayapur.com

The last five days of the most auspicious Kartik month are traditionally known as Bhisma Pancaka. Being very pleased with Bhismadeva, Lord Krishna granted these five days in honour of His dear devotee. Lord Krishna Himself agreed to give pure love to those who seriously follow austerities, worship the Lord and engage in devotional service […]

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Meet Ranadhira Dasa And Madhumati Devi Dasi. Clarissa Pollack:…

Meet Ranadhira Dasa And Madhumati Devi Dasi.
Clarissa Pollack: Avid Gardeners On The New Govardhana Property, Madhumati Devi Dasi And Ranadhira Dasa Have Been Sharing Their Love Of Gardening With The Local Community At Regional Markets.
“Our Produce Is Grown Using Traditional Natural Methods,” Says Ranadhira.
Ranadhira’s association with New Govardhana devotees began in 1988 when he helped to train bullocks for ploughing fields. He lived on the property for a couple of years and returned in 2007 to live here permanently.
Since 2009, Ranadhira and Madhumati have gardened together. Their methods are shared in a gardening pamphlet that they produced to describe their methods for gardening in the local climate and soil conditions. Copies of this pamphlet will be available to the temple soon. In the future, they also plan on producing one on traditional building using bamboo and earth.
The couple give informational lectures to others about the joys of healthy eating and food production.
Madhumati and Ranadhira are inspiring, long-term servants here at New Govardhana. Madhumati began her devotional life in Manilla, Philipines, in 1984. Her services included book distribution, serving with Food for Life, and finally as personal chef for her guru maharaja. After some years she moved to Australia in 2006.
Once in Australia Madhumati devoted her life to full-time temple service for the next nine years, which she describes “brought great joy”.