Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Bhagavad-gita katha (video)
A lecture given at Iskcon Silicon Valley, July 27, 2017, by HG Vaisesika Dasa.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/RYZm67 Vineet Chander (Venkat Bhatta P), who is the Director of Hindu Affairs at Princeton University and has become a close friend over the years, organized a talk on The Karma Conundrum – Does our destiny make us or do we make it? I have found that audiences all over the world are keenly interested in the topic of destiny because here philosophy intersects with reality in a way that matters tangibly to all of us. We all have experienced some higher forces working for or against us, and often they shape the results of our endeavors much more than our endeavors themselves.
The caliber of the Princeton audience (a result of their past good karma) was evident in their subtle and sensitive questions about karma and destiny, as well as their measured appreciation after the program. During a private conversation, a student, who is a department topper in his field, said that he found the talk insightful, though he didn’t agree with everything that was spoken. He felt that my saying that bhakti was the best way to spiritual elevation smacked of sectarianism – it undermined the esteemed path of jnana.
We didn’t have time to go into the technicalities about various paths, but I recognized that he had simply voiced what others in his position might have thought too. When speaking to an audience trained in critical thinking, it’s not easy to present the special position of bhakti without coming off as bhakti exclusivists. I am slowly learning this art by discussing with devotees who regularly make presentations to similar audiences and by studying how teachers of other paths present their philosophies without attracting the label of sectarianism.
The post Talking on karma and appreciating the audience’s karma – Talk at Princeton University, Princeton appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The post Latest Transcriptions – 03 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2010, Stockholm, Sweden, Lecture)
The desire to be free is in every living entity but there are always some obstacles to our freedom. For children, it is the parents who are constantly blocking them and at one point when they grow to maturity, they move away from their parents, and think, “Freedom at last!”
But still there is no freedom. Even if there is no one to tell us what we should or should not do, even then we are bound and limited by the material energy. We encounter the limitations of our mind, the senses, the intelligence; limitations after limitations… The Vedic scriptures say that there are six waves that are just dragging us along: hunger, thirst, lamentation, old age, infirmity and death. So these six waves are overpowering forces and we cannot do anything, we simply have to respond and thus life goes on.
It is explained that real freedom comes in relationship to Krsna because as we turn away from Krsna, we become minimised in our power and currently we are very much minimised in our power!
New home for Ahimsa Foundation (UK)
As featured on the BBC, the Ahimsa Dairy Farm has moved to a new permanent home where it hopes to provide a model for other farms around the UK to copy. In the Dairy industry, cows are usually culled when they get older and their male calves are sold for meat almost immediately. Yet, just like Bhaktivedanta Manor’s dairy farm, the Ahimsa Dairy allow their cows to live out their natural lifespan. Indeed, the organization was inspired by New Gokul, and Sita Rama das is their Co-Director. The Ahimsa farm was previously on rented land in Leicestershire but has secured its future with land bought in Manton. Nicola Pazdzierska, the other Director of the Ahimsa Dairy Foundation, explained that while their milk was more expensive, many people were willing to spend the extra because they know the cows are in good care. The Ahimsa Dairy Foundation was founded in 2011 and originally produced milk in partnership with an organic farm in Kent.
Book Distribution in West Haven (Album with photos)
Book distribution and Henna during Savin Rock Festival in West Haven on 29th July.
Find the... 
Harinama in Central Transdanubia (Album with photos)
Central Transdanubia is a statistical region of Hungary.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/R8... 
The Calm Before The Storm (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Setting up “Krsna’s Village of Peace” at Woodstock takes 10 full days!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vfTBGg
Today morning Iskcon devotees met and invited Shri Raj Nath Singh, Home Minister of India, to attend Janmashtami Festival on 15th August at the l... 
Krishna conscious presentation in Bangalore (Album with photos)
On 26th July 2017, Gaur Gopal das spoke at IIMB, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore is a public business school located in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Founded in 1973, it was the third IIM to be established, after IIM Calcutta and IIM Ahmedabad and was ranked No 1 in the India Rankings 2016 in the Management Education category.
Gaur Gopal das was invited by the students of EPGP ( Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management) batch for their Seminar series which aims at expanding the exposure of IIMB students to the best minds beyond the campus and also building the Institution’s connect with the society at large.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/v6tBcv
Jhulan Yatra takes place every year in the monsoon season over a period of five days, leading up to Balarama Purnima. This is the time when Srimati Radhika and Her Madhava enjoy swing pastimes in the spiritual world. Every year the youth of Mayapur come together and work to make the festival what it has […]
The post A glimpse into Sri Radha-Madhava’s Kunja! (Jhulan Yatra-Mayapur2017) appeared first on Mayapur.com.
By Karnamrita Das The ideas expressed here are especially relevant in dealing with conflicts in communities and families. By our consciousness and actions we can further add to the problem or be part of the solution. Everything in existence is energy—even science tells us that—though as followers of Bhagavad-gita we understand that there is the spiritual energy behind matter. The material world is called in the Gita's 7th chapter, Krishna's separated energy. Then, this one energy as a whole, is broken down into what we might call specific material energies of earth, water, fire, air, ether (or space), and the subtle energies of mind, intelligence and false ego, which are animated by the soul and God. Continue reading "Thoughts, Energy, Prayer: The Power of a Family, or Community, Prayer Group
→ Dandavats"
Scandinavian Bhakti Sangam Festival - HH Krishna Kshetra Swami - 21 July 2017 (video)
ISKCON Stockholm. Cows are the mothers of all creatures so ... Live by Radha-kunda and do like the Goswamis – he wants to know how to go about doing that.
Answer Podcast
The post Is intelligence not always a good thing? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post Is intelligence covered by the mode of ignorance unintelligent? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post How can determination be unintelligent, as mentioned in Gita 18.35? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 06/25/2017
Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.
Participating Directors: Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Ranaka, Sri Tulasi Manjari (Board Chair) and Vraja.
Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna, Makara and Olivia.
Participating Managers: Nitaicandra
Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani
1. Update on Kalakantha as ECO-V Advisor
Kalakantha accepted the invitation to participate as a Board Advisor. He would like ECO-V to be a partner with the ISKCON Ministry of Agriculture and Cow Protection.
2. Ranaka’s Monthly Report
3. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report
Nitaicandra announced his resignation from ECO-V and will be leaving New Vrindaban on 7/7/17. In response, the ECO-V team members expressed appreciation for Nitaichandra’s contributions over the nearly two years he’s been involved, reluctantly accepted his notice to quit and wished him well in his future endeavors.
4. Ensuring Proper Conduct Among ECO-V Employees
The Board discussed issues regarding improper behavior among ECO-V employees and difficulties faced in enforcing proper conduct. Vraja offered to help create an Employee Policy manual.
5. 2017 Farm Conference Update
Sri Tulasi reported presentation topics for the conference have been confirmed:
6. Community Center Update
The Village Association plans to organize a public event to discuss the new community center proposal.
7. Prabhupada’s Palace Kitchen Renovation Completion
The Palace kitchen renovation is nearly complete. There will be a grand opening celebration once it is ready. Jaya Krsna explained the pujari will start with cooking breakfast daily for Srila Prabhupada, with plans to gradually increase offerings as devotees can responsibly manage it.
For regular updates please visit and like the ECO-V Facebook page.
My tour to the West in 2017 was the longest till date, lasting for three months and extending across forty cities in five countries: USA, Canada, Trinidad, Panama and UK. During the tour, by Krishna’s mercy, I gave around 132 classes and answered around 1000 questions. Here I share some of the highlights of the tour.
This article is part of a series of articles about the recent Western tour – similar articles will be published daily for the next ten days or so.
Carrier Clinic is a behavioral healthcare center specializing in psychiatric and addiction treatments. In both the talks, I focused on the mind, analyzing its functioning from different perspectives.
The first talk was on “Spirituality changes how we perceive, process and pursue.” After the talk, one of the participants, a counselor for teens recovering from addiction, said that she had noted as many points as she could, but if there had been a book with this content, she would immediately have ordered it and recommended it to her clients.
The second talk about a month later was on “From will and power to willpower.” After the talk, a participant, a trauma therapist, said that the level of insight about the mind was so deep that he felt inspired him to study the wisdom-text (Bhagavad-gita) from which it had been drawn.
The talk was organized by Prem Chaitanya P, who is a consulting doctor at Carrier Clinic, and Devakinandan P, who is the vice-President of our Central New Jersey temple and who coordinated with the leaders of the various places I visited in America.
Full article can be read here
The post Caring for the minds of those who care for sick minds – Program at Carrier Clinic, Central New Jersey appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The post Latest Transcriptions – 02 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
A soul searching for “moksha” gets information of an even higher goal!
Shastrakrit Das: Now this one is worth sharing. This lady walked up to my book table and asked if I have any books on Moksha (liberation). So I said moksha is just introductory stuff and we have books way more advanced than that! She goes “what do you mean?!!” I gave her the example that Devamrita Swami gives. “If you escaped a building that’s on fire you are grateful you escaped, but you can’t just stand on the side of the building all life, you need positive action. Similarly, if you attained moksha or freedom from suffering that’s not everything, you need a comprehensive knowledge of what the soul does after attaining moksha or liberation. What the soul does when he/she reaches paradise/heaven or Goloka. She was like "Wow I have never heard anything like this before in my journey. So which of these books talks about the soul’s activities in the spiritual world?” Then she bought The Nectar of Devotion and other books.
Sivarama Swami’s great advice: Why YOU should disconnect from Technology! (video)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/GrhgtR
Srila Prabhupada: Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by someone well aware of its power. Similarly, one may or may not know the power of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, but if one chants the holy name he will become free from all sinful reactions. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.18 Purport) 
Australia’s national news agency, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has reported vandalism at the Brisbane Hare Krishna temple. Visiting in the night, vandals spray painted walls and smashed a window. ISKCON News spoke to temple president, Jaya Vijaya Dasa, who said he doesn’t think the devotees are being targeted.
By Radha Mohan Das Devotees understand the importance of developing a deep relationship with Srila Prabhupada’s books. In modern life this often proves difficult. Individuals can therefore benefit from a guided approach which allows many topics to be explored, discussed and debated. Svayam Jyoti das, one of the senior students remarked: “My guru, His Holiness Mahavisnu Goswami, always wanted me to study the Bhagavatam properly and I am grateful to the temple for giving me this in-depth knowledge.” Course coordinator Navadvip Chandra das also teaches Bhakti Vaibhava at ISKCON London. After studying in Sridhama Mayapur, he was encouraged to offer the Bhakti Vaibhava course at Bhaktivedanta Manor in 2013: “The course is run in collaboration with Mayapur Institute and students are encouraged to complete some modules in Mayapur if they wish. Those who complete the assessments are awarded ISKCON’s Bhakti Vaibhava degree. It has been a special period for me, and I could not have wished for a better group of students.” Continue reading "UK’s First Bhakti Vaibhava Course
→ Dandavats"
Ratha Yatra Palanga 2017 (Album with photos)
Palanga is a resort town on Lithuania’s Baltic coast.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/oQXML9
US Retreat 2017 (Album with photos)
A wonderful association with HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja and HH Devamrita Swami. Series of nectarine disc... 
Upcoming Community Survey.
Members of New Raman Reti Community.
Starting Tuesday, August 1, 2017, you will be invited to complete a survey designed to help us understand the needs and desires of the members of New Raman Reti. A team of local devotees created this survey in collaboration with our Temple Board. The survey will begin an ongoing conversation with the aim of strengthening relationships, promoting communication and much more. Survey results will be presented and discussed on November 5, 2017, during the first of three Community Development Conferences. During the conferences, devotees will have the opportunity to engage in community building exercises and in discussions that, we hope, will empower us to implement new initiatives and effectively address the needs of our growing community.
It’s vital that each of us complete the survey so that everyone’s voice be heard, and every member contributes to the development of our shared vision. We look forward to serving you. For more information on this initiative, see our developing website www.NRRCommunity.com
This is *Mother Kulangana* - a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who makes the world-famous mangala-arati sweets for Sri Sri Radha-Gokulananda at Bhak... 
By TOVP staff Janmastami, the most auspicious appearance day of the original Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna is almost upon us. This particular appearance of Lord Krishna, which takes place once in a day of Lord Brahma, is of very special importance because it is followed by the appearance of His combined avatar form of Radha and Krishna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Continue reading "Special Janmastami TOVP Seva Appeal
→ Dandavats"
Podcast
The post Why does the Gita in chapter sixteen describe divine qualities in three full verses and demoniac qualities in just one verse? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The post Transcriptions uploaded on 26-12-2016 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, May 2017, UK Retreat, Wales, Srimad Bhagavatam 11.7.59)
Srila Prabhupada said that the highest placed vaisnava in West Bengal was Tarun Kanti Ghosh. He was elected as a member of parliament and was very popular. Tarun Kanti Ghosh owned several newspapers and was a very influential personality. He became elected in parliament by doing harinama sankirtan in all the villages, all over Bengal.
So in my days in Mayapur, I became acquainted with Tarun Kanti Ghosh. He had a house and in the garden, there was a nice temple with large Gaura-Nitai deities. He was worshipping them himself although he also had a brahmana who was assisting.
In those days, travel by planes was still not common for internal flights, so internal travel was by train. Members of parliament would have free travel on the Rajdhani Express, in two-tier AC. We would also travel on the two-tier AC but would have to pay for it. Anyway, one day we were on the train when we heard that Tarun Kanti Ghosh was also on the train. We heard that he had boarded the train that night and since we knew him, we thought, “Oh, we will go see him and take him prasadam.”
The next morning at around six we went to see him. He had a big wooden box which was open and in there were pictures of all his deities, like a full altar. It was a full puja box and everything was in there and he was doing his puja. He said to us, “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to chant your rounds? Why are you disturbing a man and his puja?” He was chastising us and continued his puja. He was not going to talk to us.
So, that was very nice to see. Prabhupada said he was the highest placed vaisnava in West Bengal and you could see that he was. He was not thinking like, “You know, I am a big government officer. I did harinama to get elected and I do my puja so that everyone can see that I am a great vaisnava.” No, he also did it for himself on the train because he had taste; he saw himself as the servant of Krsna.
He was not like, “Oh, now I am going on the train, what can I do? The brahmana will do it.” No, he was still in the mood, “I am the servant. I cannot do it in the temple now. The brahmana is doing it in the temple but I will still serve, myself, here in the train with my puja box.”
It was so nice to see that spirit. His solution was also very practical because his deities were big so he could not really put them into suitcases and carry Gaura-Nitai with him. He just worshipped pictures of the deity. But it is the same thing. It is said that the deity can be made either of wood or metal or clay or also in picture form, so a picture of the deity is as good as the deity. So what he did was bonafide actually according to scripture. We saw his eagerness to continue worshipping his deity.
