Giriraj Swami’s Vyasa-puja, September 12, Pakistan, via Skype
Giriraj Swami

1“The Padma Purana and our acharyas, especially Jiva Goswami, have explained that there are ten offenses in the chanting of the holy names. And, to get the proper benefit, one should chant without offense. One of the ten offenses is pramadah which means inattention. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura  says that if we avoid the offense of inattention – or in other words if we chant with attention by pronouncing and hearing every syllable – chanting with attention will destroy all the other offenses. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says if we don’t try to hear the holy name but allow our minds to wander here and there, then inattentive chanting will allow the other offenses to flourish.”
Vyasa_puja, Pakistan

If someone chants a lot of rounds, but doesn’t behave properly with their spouse, how do we understand?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post If someone chants a lot of rounds, but doesn’t behave properly with their spouse, how do we understand? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Wednesday, September 13th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Oakland, California

2 Days 2 Go

Our day began on top of the hill, or mountain, just as we had left it the day before.  The weather, however, posed a new front.  Yesterday it was sunny and fine, but this morning at 4:45 it was drizzly and breezy.  Anuttama, Hayagriva and I spiralled down by way of streets until we reached the lowest level of traffic.  No forests met us today, nor desert or countryside.  No hawk flew over our heads, which has been  a daily occurrence.  But homes and traces of the concrete jungle were now in our midst with the cloud cover persisting.

And that’s how it was all the way to the Oakland ferry dock.  It was but a quick seven mile trek before the barrier of the bay met with us.  Walking is not permitted on the Oakland Bridge over the bay but that was okay.  It was time to see Anibal, coordinator of the Antioch Senior Center.  There I gave a message, over the microphone, extolling the glories of pilgrimage to the 60 year olds and above.

Anuttama left for D.C. and the three of us were off to see Guru Das, student of Prabhupada and someone who had been in San Francisco during the “Summer of Love” and when Hare Krishna had its beginnings on the west coast.  At Stow Lake, the founder of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada, used to go for his morning walks.  Guru Das told us that when Prabhupada made his visit here and an entourage would follow, he would speak about nature, as this area is like a piece of Vaikuntha—heaven.  “When he would get his massage, he would speak about history…  He also let me know that anyone can ‘rub oil’.  You go out and preach.”

May the Source be with you!

7 miles


The Greatest Acharya Who Has Ever Existed
- TOVP.org

The following is a 2017 Vyasa Puja offering to Srila Prabhupada by His Holiness B.B. Govinda Maharaja. It is highly inspiring and relevant to all ISKCON devotees because it further reveals to us who Srila Prabhupada is and the purpose of his mission in which we all are serving. It will also increase our understanding of the importance of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium and the long-lasting and important effect it will have on the people of the world for generations to come.

On the occasion of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja, 2017

An offering by His Holiness B.B. Govinda Swami

Note: Akinchana Krishna das Babaji Maharaja was a dear Godbrother and admirer of Srila Prabhupada who inspired many ISKCON devotees with his wonderful kirtans, humility and pure devotional mood.

When I first met him, I looked at him and I didn’t know what to say and I said, “Srila Akincana Krishna das Babaji Maharaj.” And then he saw that I had a tape player in my hands, and so without my having to say anything he just closed his eyes and he started tapping his hands together and he sang his Mangala Caranam before singing Sri Krishna Chaitanya. And then he started singing Hare Krishna mantra, and it was like going into another world. He was chanting so beautifully, and it was like each syllable was drenched in bhava and prema.

After about 20 minutes he stopped, and then he looked at me and he said, “I would like to tell you something.” I said, “What is that?” And he said, “I am an old man, and I’ve had a lot of experience in this world. From my experience, I can honestly tell you that there has never been a greater acharya than your spiritual master.”

And when he said that, I became stunned because he was a disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. Then he looked up and he said, “There has never been an acharya in history who has performed miracles like your spiritual master, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Prabhupada.”

And then he paused and he looked at me, he said, “Do you know why?” I was so stunned, I couldn’t say anything. And he said, “Because in history there was never a greater servant of Sri Krishna’s Holy Name than your spiritual master, because your spiritual master had so much absolute understanding of Sri Krishna’s Holy Name and so much absolute faith in Sri Krishna’s Holy Name that he personally carried Sri Krishna’s Holy Name through the length and the breadth of the world. Therefore, he is the greatest acharya who has ever existed.”

Srila Prabhupada ki jai…….!!!

The post The Greatest Acharya Who Has Ever Existed appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

West Liberty University discovers the spiritual tradition of…
→ Dandavats



West Liberty University discovers the spiritual tradition of India (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday evening we performed at West Liberty University, one of West Virginia’s most well-known universities. Three hundred students, as well as the dean of the university, several professors, the local chief of police and numerous other dignitaries enjoyed the program. In fact, we received a standing ovation twice during the show.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/g3c1Ea

Deal with desire not by indulgence or resistance but by intelligence and transcendence
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Reflection at NewYork, USA]

Podcast

 

The post Deal with desire not by indulgence or resistance but by intelligence and transcendence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Cultivate not just factual memories but also emotional memories
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Reflection at Denver, USA]

Podcast

 

The post Cultivate not just factual memories but also emotional memories appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gopi Gita 3 – “We cannot tolerate your feet being hurt by thorns – please return”
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Congregation program on Bhagavatam 10.31.14-19 at Pittsburgh, USA]

Podcast

 

 

 

Podcast Summary

The post Gopi Gita 3 – “We cannot tolerate your feet being hurt by thorns – please return” appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

TOVP: A paint which will last forever! (Album with…
→ Dandavats



TOVP: A paint which will last forever! (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Please have a look at the wonderful mineral paint from Germany.
This facade paint which is very resistant to sunburn and exposure to the atmosphere will be coated on the GRC ribs on all three domes and on the decorative elements of the GRC under three Kalashes.
It’s fabulous, isn’t it?
Find them here: https://goo.gl/wZqnsA

Canadian Premiere of “Hare Krishna!” the movie…
→ Dandavats



Canadian Premiere of “Hare Krishna!” the movie (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna chant is called the maha-mantra, the great, exalted mantra above all other Vedic mantras, because simply chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra brings so many beneficial effects. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XY6vvF

ISKCON’s Govardhan Ecovillage adjudged National winner among NGOs
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Anand Caitanya das

ISKCON’s Govardhan Eco Village won the Spirit of Humanity Award in the Livelihood category. The 8th edition of the Spirit of Humanity awards was held on 14th Sept 2017, in a gala event at J W Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai. The event was organized by AmeriCares, a non-profit disaster relief and global health organization providing immediate response to emergency medical needs and supporting long-term health care initiatives for people around the world. The Spirit of Humanity awards recognize and reward exemplary contributions made towards the society in the fields of Child Care, Education, Health, Disability, Livelihood and Women’s Empowerment. Following a stringent 3-step evaluation process, spread over 6 months, the best-in-class NGOs were identified from each zone. Continue reading "ISKCON’s Govardhan Ecovillage adjudged National winner among NGOs
→ Dandavats"

Gita 14.05 Modes are a combination of matter that trigger emotion which matter in isolation doesnt
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast

The post Gita 14.05 Modes are a combination of matter that trigger emotion which matter in isolation doesnt appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sunday Love Feast – Special Guest – HG Laxmimoni Mataji.
→ ISKCON Brampton

 
About HG Laxmimoni Mataji:
Laxmimoni Dasi was initiated by Srila Prabhuada in 1969 while attending the State University of New York at Buffalo. She received a B.A. in psychology after getting an "A" for her senior sociology project: "Life in a Krishna Temple." She has been involved in ISKCON educational projects since 1974. Now she is a member of the GBC Ministry of Educational Development and a GBC Deputy. She was the principal of the Vaishnava Academy for Girls, in the USA, for 29 years.
She is currently the director of the Bhakti Bhavan, a Vaishnavi training progam at ISKCON Alachua and also helps direct ISKCON Resolve, an international mediation service for Hare Krishna devotees. Last year, she returned from an extensive lecture tour throughout Europe and India and we are delighted to have her back as a teacher.




11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                        
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                 
12.00 -  1: 00   Vedic discourse
  1.00 -   1.30    Closing Kirtan
  1.30 -   2.00    Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast




World Holy Name Week:
ISKCON Brampton is arranging four hours of non-stop kirtan and feast as well Tomorrow(Sep 16,2017,9.30am-2pm).It's a public event.All are welcome.please bring your friends and family to support and take benefit of this wonderful event.We'll look forward in seeing you.

 
COMING UP AHEAD

Indira Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Sat Sep 16,2017
Breakfast................  on  Sun Sep 17 ,2017 b/w 6.44am-10.52am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
 
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 




 
ONGOING PROGRAMS
 



Sunday School
To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).

Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)

The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.    
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here

Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

one of the most difficult things to do in Krishna consciousness
→ Servant of the Servant

What does it mean to "depend" on Krishna or take "shelter" of Krishna? It means that we cannot control the result. We may have an aspiration or result in mind but taking shelter in essence means we have to leave the results up to Krishna. This is the most difficult thing in taking shelter, in my opinion. To allow Krishna control the result while we use our intelligence to work practically.

Arjuna was asked to shoot arrows and kill but it was Krishna who determined the ultimate result. If we can have patience and calmness of mind to simply work leaving the result to Krishna (result may be for or against our aspirations), then we will never fall away from the path of service to Krishna. I think this is one of the most difficult things to do in Krishna Consciousness - to leave the result to Krishna while I work diligently!

Hare Krishna

East Village
→ ISKCON News

According to many, what makes New York City exciting is the web of microcosms that are so different, still blending harmoniously together. Don't be surprised to find an Eastern monastery in the midst of a tattoo parlor, a funeral home and a gay bar. An observational short film featuring Bhakti Center priest Mike Ceragno, created by Kristina Danka and Violet Benny, produced at the New York Film Academy.

A Week of Bliss: Sri Dham Mayapur Celebrates World Holy Name Week
→ ISKCON News

World Holy Name Day was established by the GBC in honor of Srila Prabhupada’s Centennial celebrations in 1996, to honor the anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the West.  World Holy Name Day has since expanded into World Holy Name Week, which every year inspires devotees to please Srila Prabhupada and to purify themselves and the world through the chanting of the holy names throughout the days.