Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Rathayatra and Tent Campaign in Tongaat, near Durban in South Africa (Album with photos)
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Some photos from our Rathayatra ... 
Several members of the Hindu Forum of Europe (HFE) met with leaders of the Hindu Community of Portugal on 23rd of June 2017 at a hall offered by the City of Lisbon. Mahaprabhu dasa, General Secretary made a presentation of the work of HFE and how it is important for Hindu Communities in different countries in Europe to create platforms to represent them to the government, media and religious leaders.
By Parvati devi dasi This is an appeal for your help for Prabhupada's Vrndavana Samadhi Project. This year, somehow the donation level has fallen below normal. For the first time in 17 years, I had to break a small Fixed Deposit to put in the working account. More than that, we must re-seal the dome after 25 monsoons, to ensure no leaking or concomitant structural damage. Removing the grouting on all the dome tiles from top to bottom to maintain the waterproofing, then applying the clear silicon coating so the moisture cannot come through the marble, will cost at least Rs. 5 laks or $7500. This year, we found 3 leaks in the dome, which we sealed up immediately. It is urgent we begin the work without delay to protect the whole dome. Best would be if there were some forthcoming donations. But at this point, the work cannot wait. Prabhupada's Samadhi needs extra funding on an ordinary basis, but this work is the first order. I need help to cover at least our present crisis now. Therefore I am requesting your help to find donors for this Samadhi work. Though it is an urgent situation, I prefer not to dip into the Samadhi Maintenance Fund if I don't have to. Thank you for your kind consideration. Continue reading "Appeal for Service to Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi Mandir in Vrindavan
→ Dandavats"
Saturday evening in Manchester.
Hip hop video from Simha MC productions (2 min video)
Live recording in Sri Mayapur, about the elevation of consciousness.
Watch it here: https://... 
ISKCON of Connecticut - Book Distribution in Newington (Album with photos)
Book Distribution and Henna during Newington Extravaganza on 15th Jul... 
Hare Krishna Festivals UK - Dalston, Hackney Harinam - 15th July 2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that since His spiritual master ordered Him only to chant the holy name of Krishna, He always chanted the Hare Krishna maha-mantra according to this direction (“krsna-mantra” japa sada—ei mantra-sara). (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.72 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/dfyzVy
Answer Podcast
The post Does the subtle body dissolve on purification? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post If impulses can be controlled, why can’t instincts be controlled? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post How can I deal with a beef-eating colleague? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post Suppose Krishna desires me to win a race, but I decide to not participate – what happens? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post In the spiritual world, can we act entirely freely without being controlled by our nature? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post If someone follows a spiritual path without much knowledge of Krishna, how will they advance spiritually? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post Might a devotee be born in a Muslim family? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post Does the Gita 13.30 support the idea that the soul has no free will? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Harinam Sankirtan in Union Square park Saturday, July 15th (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental mission is to distribute love of Godhead to everyone. Anyone who accepts God as the Supreme can take to the process of chanting Hare Krishna and become a lover of God. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 4.41 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/KDCJtC
By Hare Krishna Lifestyle Srila Prabhupada’s disciple, one of the best kirtaniyas in the world – Bada Haridas Prabhu shared with the HARE KRISHNA Lifestyle some of his most intimate life moments. He opened up about chanting mantras, his family life, and his spiritual master. Continue reading "Interview with Bada Haridas Prabhu
→ Dandavats"
By Rachel Mainwaring Rock legend Chrissie Hynde helped reopen a new Cardiff restaurant and even handed out flyers. Not everyone recognised her but she was completely unfazed. The Pretenders star Chrissie Hynde was in Cardiff on Saturday to reopen Atma at its new location in the Capitol Shopping Centre on Queen Street . And though she is a bona fida rock chick, the prominent vegan and animal rights campaigner, didn't think twice about trying to entice Cardiff shoppers into the cafe by handing out flyers. Continue reading "Rock legend Chrissie Hynde helps reopen a restaurant of the devotees in Cardiff, UK
→ Dandavats"
Mahatma Prabhu and his Experience (34 min video)
Receiving and Sharing Mercy. An interview with Mahatma Prabhu about how he became and remained ... A nice class this morning detailing out the respects paid by 3 important personalities when they hear about the arrival of Lord Krishna to this world.
Srimad Bhagavatam Class: 10.02.25
Bhaktini Aruna Mataji
Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, North Sydney
16.07.2017
The arrival of demigods to see the birth of Lord Krishna, is like the baby shower of these days. Who better than highest of demigods to welcome Him to this world?Goloka Vrindhavana, Vaikuntha planets and this material world are all His properties. He is the Supreme. Hence, demigods like Lord Brahma & Lord Shiva are there to pay their respects.
Lord Brahma in one of his prayers at another time asks for Lord’s mercy, ask for help to not be contaminated by ego and for His sweet advice. Similarly, our mood should also be like this – always relying on Krishna. In another pastime of his cow and cowherd devotees stealing, he says that there are many people out there who knows everything about Krishna but he himself doesn’t. So, what is our status? In another pastime, Lord Brahma was amazed to know that there were so many Brahmas who had come to see Krishna, he was just another small one. Krishna tells him that he has only 4 heads because his particular universe is only 4 billion miles long!
Lord Shiva is also an important personality and is in charge of destruction in the material world. He is but a transformation of the primeval lord and considered as the highest Vaishnava. Our approach to him should be of this understanding and that he is not an independent supreme lord. Lord Shiva himself addresses Krishna as the Supreme-most being. In another instance, he praises the beauty of Sri Krishna.
Narada muni was also there. He is always chanting, “Om Namo Narayana”. In his past life, he had heard of sweet pastimes of the Lord from the Bhaktivedantas. When he left home as a child in search of the Lord, he had a very brief glimpse of the Lord in the forest. Later the Lord tells him that this brief audience was only to increase his longing and eagerness of the Lord. The darshan of the Lord is only by His mercy. Even in our lives, we only have a brief audience of the Lord at the temple after which we leave for the material lifestyle.
Our purpose is only to long for Krishna. Everything else like beautiful home or husband or wife or job is not the primary goal. When we are in front of the Deity, we shouldn’t be asking for things but only offer prayers to please Him.
TOVP: Chakra test (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: We have just lifted the Chakra for the Planetarium Dome for a test run.
This test was to see ... 
Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha launches CAITANYA SUBODHINI Adi lila, A Systematic Study Guide for Sri Caitanya Caritamrita.
Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha (BVVP): The Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha at ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village has been publishing many series of books, in the last two years, in service of the Vaishnava community, to assist in the understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s books, Srimad Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya Caritamrta.
The first of the publication series, called BHAGAVATA SUBODHINI, is systematic study study guide for Srimad Bhagavatam. Last year on the occasion of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, the Vidyapitha completed Bhagavata Subodhini series upto Cantos 1 till 6 in four volumes.
The second publication series is called BHAGAVATA RATNAMALA, a pocket size book containing the most vital and nectarean verses of Srimad Bhagavatam, which has been published in two volumes. The Vidyapitha also published CAITANYA RATNAMALA, a pocket book of the nectarean verses from Sri Caitanya Caritamrita.
The Bhaktivedanta Vidyapitha has now come up with another wonderful series called CAITANYA SUBODHINI, A systematic Study guide for Sri Caitanya Caritamrita. On the most auspicious occasion of the 29th Brahmotsavam of Sri Sri Radha Gopinathji, the first volume of this series on ADI LILA of Sri Caitanya Caritamrita is being launched on 16 July 2017.
Following a similar presentation style of Bhagavata Subodhini, this new series CAITANYA SUBODHINI also presents the verse by verse overview of Sri Caitanya Caritamrita systematically with sections, sub sections, tables, flow charts, important notes from the purports and also special thematic compilations and other appendix materials to assist a systematic study of the Caitanya caritamrita chapters. We hope that this humble attempt in presenting this study guide would be pleasing to the Vaishnava community.
More information about the book can be found at http://www.vidyapitha.in/caitanya-subodhini-adilila/
Watch the promo of the book at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPzlvL7Hp04
Morning class at Passi home.
Marriage Matters!
Visakha Dasi: Everyone’s goal is to enter and remain in that elusive condition called happiness.
To be happy we must be peaceful (in Krishna’s words, “How can there be happiness without peace?”) and to be peaceful we must be content with the situation we are in, whatever it is.
We could choose to accept our lot in life and be happy, even if we don’t completely settle our marital discord. “One should be satisfied with whatever he achieves by his previous destiny, for discontent can never bring happiness.” (Srimad Bhagavatam [SB] 8.19.24) In the circumstances of our life, there is no element of chance. They are the result of the law of karma, a law that cannot err, and they are our destiny created by our past activities. It is as futile to rail against our pains and misfortunes, as it is to toil to increase our pleasures. “Without endeavor, one can get the amount of happiness and distress for which he is destined, and one cannot change this. Therefore, it is better to use one’s time for advancement in the spiritual life of Krishna consciousness.” (SB 7.7.42, purport) A person, content in their circumstances, can still choose to improve his or her life.
This attempt to change is not a gnawing dissatisfaction with the status quo, but a desire to fulfill our responsibility as a husband or wife and to advance spiritually.
“For spiritual advancement, one should be materially satisfied, for if one is not materially satisfied, his greed for material development will result in the frustration of his spiritual advancement. [On the other hand], one should not be poverty-stricken, but one must try to be fully satisfied with the bare necessities of life and not be greedy. For a devotee to be satisfied with the bare necessities is, therefore, the best advice for spiritual advancement.” (SB 7.15.21, purport)
A historical example of a content husband can be found in the prince, Priyavrata. He was content to live as a monk but due to the needs of the kingdom, he was requested by his elders to marry and rule as King. His marriage and rule were a sacrifice of his own desire. Yet instead of being bitter, he was just as content as a husband, father, and king for he never forgot his purpose and he conquered the modes of passion and ignorance in all their aspects including lust, greed, and envy as well as anger, bitterness and resentment. Srila Prabhupada explains that although Priyavrata was forced to break his vow of celibacy, he did not look upon his elders with resentment but with deep respect.
Unlike Narada Muni and Priyavrata, conditioned souls bind themselves to misery by holding resentments. Forgiveness (which does not necessarily mean approval of the act that caused the problem), frees one from this bondage.
First contentment, then peacefulness, and then happiness all become reality when we learn to forgive. And the first person to forgive is oneself. We can’t forgive others unless we first forgive ourselves for our own mistakes and character flaws.
“One should try to keep himself satisfied in any condition of life—whether distress or happiness —which is offered by the supreme will. A person who endures in this way is able to cross over the darkness of nescience very easily.” (SB 4.8.33) A contented person remains so through all acts of providence, whether those acts involve change or a lack of change. Contentment is accepting oneself, one’s partner and one’s situation with grace.
By ISKCON Coimbatore The year 2016 marked the Golden Jubilee (1966-2016) of the incorporation of ISKCON ( International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in New York by its Founder Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In continuance with the Golden Jubilee celebration, ISKCON Coimbatore is now presenting a series of inspirational life-changing talks titled “Saaram". The first of its kind was held on 12th July 2017, at Nani Phalkiwala Auditorium, Mani's High School, Coimbatore.The function was inaugurated by HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami (Zonal Secretary) ISKCON, along with Ms Vanitha Mohan, President, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other dignitaries from Coimbatore.HG Gaur Gopal Das from ISKCON Mumbai, life coach, and international motivational speaker addressed the gathering on "Sutras for a Happy Life". HH Bhakti Vinoda Swami delivered an inspirational speech and also highlighted the significance of the upcoming Sri Kovai Chandra temple project at ISKCON, Coimbatore.The audience expressed their gratitude and appreciation towards the committed service of ISKCON in enlightening people with the secrets of Vedic scriptures, which is vital to achieve success and taste real happiness in life. Continue reading "Inspirational Coaching – “Sutras for a Happy Life”
→ Dandavats"
Harinam, book and prasadam distribution @ Sindhu Beach, Bali, Indonesia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Comparing one’s own suffering to the suffering of others, one should be kind to all living entities. Once cannot avoid the sufferings inflicted by providence, and therefore when suffering comes one should fully absorb oneself in chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.15.24 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/C4PJGX
Answer Podcast
The post If I connect quickly with someone, does that mean we had a past-life connection? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post Do like-minded people become more understanding or does understanding make people more life-minded? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post Does ignoring situations solve problems? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post How can we keep the mind in the present? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post When we get bad experiences repeatedly, should we just entrust everything to Krishna? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Answer Podcast
The post If God’s inscrutable will is good for everyone, what’s wrong with letting whatever is happening happen? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Don’t give up. Have hope!
Byron Kyle: I grew up being taught a few core values, of those, faith and hope were of great importance. For me, faith is believing in what you cannot see. Hope is having faith that you will one day see what you believe. Realization is having your faith confirmed, that is, actually witnessing what you believe. It is problematic that faith is used to describe hope but the two support each other. Explained differently faith is an affirmation or declaration while hope is the doing. You must have heard people say, “Don’t give up! Have hope!” Hope is the will to carry on and this is why I write to all of you.
Joining this community of faith, I heard many grand stories of transformation. You hear them within every faith. Tales of triumph that sound like the basis for a Hollywood blockbuster or best-selling biography. Usually, you’ll find that these stories take place over just a few weeks to a few months. The intentions of these stories are good. They are meant to encourage and excite, and on most occasions they do, but I am here to tell you differently. For many, including myself, these stories are just stories. These stories are just puffed up tales of grandeur with no solid basis or traceable line of evidence. At least, these are my feelings and I am sure the feelings of many others.
A life in pursuit of perfection is undoubtedly going to be a life of struggle. Not all of us get it right the first time or the thousandth time! I am here to offer encouragement to all those who experience the path as arduous; who no longer feel ecstasy in kirtan; or who harbor difficult and compulsive behaviors in secret. I am here to encourage devotees who have been at this lifestyle for a while and are thinking they are not making much progress while novices seem to overtake them. And I am speaking as a young person and a university student facing the greatest social pressures he’ll probably experience in his life.
I encourage all of you to look back. It is only in retrospect that you will see all the footholds that have carried you across the fast flowing river of challenges that we call life. And moving forward, I encourage you to be more discerning in choosing where you’ll place your feet and which direction you’ll take. Life is certainly a marathon, not a sprint. Real, lasting change is often deep and gradual rather than quick and dramatic. Real change is usually quiet and an almost unnoticeable affair. Real change requires consistency and not just an intense burst of energy. This model for change applies not only to our devotional life but to all our endeavors.
So I say to all of you, my friends, to look back on your effort and to applaud yourself for it. Applaud the faith you have even if it comes and goes in fits and starts. And I say to you, in the words of Bhakti Tirtha Swami to “…resist the temptation to be normal, because those who are considered normal accept the values and practices of an insane world.”
Don’t give up. Have hope. The victory you are looking for may be just around the corner. You may lose many a battle but you have a choice on the outcome of the war. Jay Sri Krishna!
Answer Podcast
The post How is always thinking of Krishna practical? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Podcast
The post When fantasy distracts us from reality, let reality distract us from fantasy appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.