Thursday, August 31st, 2017
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Dayton, Nevada

A Fort, A Lady and Some Heroes

I veered off the hectic Hwy 50 for a slightly divergent, more peaceful stroll along a parallel Fort Churchill Road.  Much to my surprise, I came upon the historic old fort, now looking like ancient Roman ruins.  I was intrigued to see this wonder at the side of an old dirt, meandering road, beside the Carson River.

The fort, like a number of American structures, was built—this one in the 1860s—to protect operations from so-called “Indian” raids.  I have a hard time with that one.

Nevertheless, I found peace on this road.  I also had the pleasure to plod along on some parallel roads in the Dayton suburbs where wild horses roam free.  You can say I was, in one sense, following the horse-poop trail, and then, there they were, grazing at a nearby open lot—stallions, mares—a whole community of them.  Their tails were just lovely, shooing flies off their beautiful bodies.

Then, I had no choice but to hit that crazy Highway 50 with my umbrella—for protection from the sun—to accompany me.  And as a relief, I had an appointment with Carol from the Comstock Chronicle  at the Black Coffee Shop.  I had juice.  I didn’t really have a formal interview with her.  It was more of a conversation that seemed to have no end.  We spoke about issues upon which we most definitely agree, and almost forgot about the walking purpose.  However, we stuck to the general topic of dharma, basics of life.  It was most gratifying.  Reporters, broadcasters, policemen—I love them.

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017
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Stagecoach, Nevada

Not Exactly Galloping to Stagecoach

Highway 50 splits.  Our route is 50 proper, also known as Carson Express (check Kit Carson).  The Lincoln Highway and Pony Express also merge into this one.  I passed a major lake, Lahontan, on my left, and entered an area as dry as a bone.  A sign warns traffic—and walkers I suppose—“Dust Hazard, Next 4 Miles.”

Okay!  Let’s see!

With less sleep last night, at times, I feel like I'm dragging myself.  The early rise is for following the motto: “Beat the heat!”  Also, I was booked for a talk at the Silver Springs Senior Centre for 10:30 a.m.  Lovely people!  Good listening and good sharing!

It doesn’t always go totally smoothly in places.  When the three of us came to the centre in Fallon, after an okay to come and mingle, a supervisory person denied us, saying, “You may not call it soliciting, but we do!”  Of course, that was not our intent at all.  Speaking on “Tales from Trails” was our sole agenda.

And there’s more of that kind of rejection at times.  When Hayagriva made a personal visit to KVLV AM radio station, which is located in a private older home, seven barking and growling dogs cornered him in the foyer. The broadcaster interrupted his weather report on air to tell him, “We don’t do interviews.”

The greatest reception comes, by far, from the motorists.  For instance, when I was trekking at a busy hour, I was thinking, Few younger folks care for the notion of pilgrimage, what to speak of Eastern thought.  Just then a sprightly young man pulled over and expressed his personal interest in Eastern philosophies. 

And there was Loraine, who participates in dog rescue, and who was moved to tears of joy when she met me on the side of the road.  “It’s rare to meet someone spreading peace in our troubled world,” she said.

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/local/teri-vance-swami-to-bless-dogs-at-fuji-park-on-saturday/

May the Source be with you!

20 miles

If connection with Krishna makes the inauspicious auspicious, then if a devotee gets caught in sinful activities, is that also good?
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Answer Podcast

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A Secret Pathway (Album with photos) Indradyumna Swami: Just…
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A Secret Pathway (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Just before leaving Vrindavan we went to Varsana to seek the blessings of Radha and Krsna. When a group of blissful sadhus passed by we joined their parikrama and discovered a secret pathway through a forest near Varsana. Some of the ‘desire trees’ in the forest were over 5,000 years old! I hugged one of them and prayed for more service in spreading the holy names of Krsna all over the world. Coming out of the forest we visited other holy places, gosalas and residents of that sacred abode.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vcjywM

Seeing Shiva and Vishnu as equal is considered offensive, but seeing them as different is also considered offensive – how to understand?
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When we can experience peace through oneness with nature, why do we need to depict God as a person?
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Do theists attribute to God things that are not explainable within our frame of reference?
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Can we logically prove God’s existence – Backward and forward reasoning
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[Youth program at Bhakti House for University of North Florida students, Jacksonville, USA]

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From Love Universal to Bhakti Confidential – Gaudiya Vaishnavism Glories 7 – Love in separation is the culmination of love
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[Chaitanya Charitamrita class on Madhya 8.111 at ISKCON, Denver, USA]

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Podcast Summary

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A Special Way to Observe Vamana Dvadasi
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Hare KrishnaBy Mayapur Communication

Srila Prabhupada said that to honor festivals such as Rama Navami and Vamana Dvadasi, a small boy could play the part of Krishna’s incarnation and the devotees could worship him accordingly. So every year in ISKCON Mayapur, a young gurukula boy takes on the role of Lord Vamanadeva. At midday on Sri Vamana Dvadasi, the curtains of the altar are drawn back to reveal that Lord Vamanadeva has appeared. A young brahmachari boy stands on the altar, dressed in a saffron dhoti and deerskin, and wearing a flower garland. He carries a chatram, or umbrella, in one hand and a kamandalu, or waterpot, in the other. Continue reading "A Special Way to Observe Vamana Dvadasi
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Where Pipelines and Coal Mines Intersect: Under Hare Krishna Shrines
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The Krishna devotee community in Moundsville, W.Va., has been giving and taking its share of the earth’s bounty for decades. In recent years it signed leases with two natural gas companies, giving them access to the fuel trapped inside. The lease bonus money has already gone a long way toward restoring New Vrindaban’s campus, which had fallen into disrepair.

Indulekha Devi –The Leader of the Messengers
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Sri Indulekha Devi’s appearance day falls on the *1st of September 2017. In 1986, just before the annual Gaura Purnima Festival, Sri Indulekha devi and three other sakhis were installed in Sri Dham Mayapur and joined Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar. Indulekha Devi stands next to Visakha Devi, second to the right from […]

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Houston Devotees Safe During Hurrican Harvey, Feeding Victims….
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Houston Devotees Safe During Hurrican Harvey, Feeding Victims.
Hurricane Harvey has caused major destruction in Houston and throughout Texas in the last several days. 21 trillion gallons of rain fell on the Houston area, causing 51 inches of flooding in the worst hit places. Thirty to forty thousand homes were destroyed by floodwaters just in and around Houston; 39 people died, and 13 million were directly affected.
So it’s a relief that ISKCON devotees in Houston are safe – no one was hurt.
They haven’t been completely unaffected: Around eight devotees’ homes sustained flood damage from two feet of water, and they must replace floors, cabinets and doors. Fortunately, other devotees are hosting them while they get back on their feet, and it is heartwarming to see the community members care for each other.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/iwmgpd