leadership style
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How to be a diplomat and at the same time not duplicitous? I think this is the art of ambassadorship. It is also the art of negotiating and leadership. A leader especially a Kshatriya type leader is trained to cultivate this art of diplomacy without duplicity. I believe today we have more duplicity than diplomacy. Unfortunately, it is very hard to tell the difference. Henceforth, people in general do not trust their leaders anymore or at the least have a dubious outlook. If we want a leader to be respected and trustworthy, then the leader should establish his or her agenda clearly, follow up on it periodically in a transparent manner with verifiable statements. To me, this type of leadership invokes trust. So when such a leader is behaving diplomatically and may seem duplicitous, still it will not create doubt as we are aware of their leadership style.

I think Srila Prabhupada was like this. He always was clear in his speeches, letters, projects, and his day-to-day dealings with people (big, small, disciples, non-disciples). Such straightforward and consistent dealings puts people at ease and any doubt that may exist will soon dissipate. People may not agree or even understand fully our philosophy but if they see our dealings as simple and straight, then they will certainly value our words. Everyone is a leader, i think, and should take it upon themselves to practice simplicity and straightforwardness (not rude) with everyone.

Hare Krishna

Overcoming the influences of previous lives
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 09 February 2012, Leicester, England, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.19)

We cannot trace how long we have been in the material world. Life after life, we are changing bodies – the gross body – but the subtle body; which is made up of the mind, intelligence and false ego; is travelling with us. Therefore, the impressions of so many lifetimes are stored in our consciousness. By the arrangement of the Supreme Lord, we have forgotten these previous lives but memories of so many previous lives are stored within the sub-consciousness and are influencing us.

Therefore a cute little child is not totally innocent because there is a whole history that may not be manifest yet but it will come out later and then you think, “How is it possible that my little darling is doing such a thing?” but your little darling has already done these things in unlimited previous lives.

So in this way we are very much influenced by the three modes of material nature which spread out over many lifetimes.

Srila Prabhupada mentioned that we should associate with the mode of goodness. He does not say that we should be in the mode of goodness, he says that we should associate in the mode of goodness, which I think is an interesting point.

To be in the mode of goodness is so not easy. Just by determination and endeavour we cannot really change our heart but by associating with the mode of goodness then one gradually develops the qualities of goodness. In the Srimad Bhagavatam, the transcendental process of devotional service is described. It is said, “By devotional service, automatically the influence of ignorance and passion disappears. Then eventually one becomes fixed in goodness and even in pure goodness!”

Unalloyed goodness is known as viśuddha-sattva, transcendental goodness. Meanwhile we are in the process of purification and the influences of the lower nature are still within and some bad habits may still be there because we were already afflicted with sinful behaviour from previous lives that the tendency is there but by associating with the mode of goodness then gradually one develops good qualities and rises above.

Ecstatic July 1st Harinam at Jacksonville Beach, Florida, United…
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Ecstatic July 1st Harinam at Jacksonville Beach, Florida, United States (Album with photos)
Every month many Harinams are held at various football games, parades, events and beaches. Jacksonville Beach is one such location. Devotees blissfully sing and dance with the sincere drunks and distribute books in the scorching summer sun - often coming back ten shades darker.
Afterwards, everyone takes prasadam at Mother Vishnupriya and Godruma’s home. Sankirtan yajna ki jaya!
(photos by Narottama)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/fmwwpr

In the Bhagavatam, devotees renounce the world to serve the Lord, but in the Vitthal tradition, devotees serve their parents while the Lord waits – how to reconcile?
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When our consciousness goes up and down regularly, how is consciousness irreducible?
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Different brain areas are activated when we have different emotions – doesn’t that show consciousness comes from the brain?
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When facing problems, how can we go beyond blaming others and blaming our own past karma – Hindi?
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How can we decide when to give up one service and take up some other service?
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ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry Newsletter
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Hare KrishnaBy ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry

Srila Prabhupada on “What is a Sannyasi?” As there are hairs and nails on the body and sometimes we separate these parts from the body similarly when the material energy is separated from the service of the Lord it is inferior energy. Inferior energy is not false but temporary. The same temporary energy when surcharged with Krsna consciousness it transforms into supreme energy by the supreme will. By this will any energy can be transformed into another just like electronic energy in a refrigerator or in a heater, to an ordinary layman, he sees cold and hot but to an electrician he sees electricity. So when one is engaged in the service of the Lord that person is already in the spiritual energy, and a sannyasi is to transform himself from the inferior to the superior, spiritual energy. If your consciousness is absorbed in Krsna you are always a sannyasi." (SPL to Jayananda, 29th September, 1967) Continue reading "ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry Newsletter
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In past-life memories cases, how do wounds on the previous body manifest as birth marks on the next body?
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When presenting philosophy from one perspective, how can we avoid getting carried away and rejecting other perspectives?
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If devotees are becoming lethargic in professional life, should we encourage them to aim high?
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Does the subconscious mind help us to do whatever we think repeatedly with our conscious mind?
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Should a brahmachari change his ashrama if his astrological chart is unfavorable for renunciation?
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Understanding what is mental and what is spiritual
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[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Chowpatty, Mumbai, India]

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Reincarnation – From Romance to Research
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[Prerna youth lecture at ISKCON, Nasik, India]

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Saturday, July 8th, 2017
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Montreal, Quebec

Wrench in the Works


It was the first time something like this has happened in the thirty-nine year history of Montreal’s Ratha Yatra (Chariot Fest).  The attendance was remarkable, however, one fellow came to try and crash the party.

His name will be withheld, but he’s referred to as a professional agitator; someone who likes to break up the fun.  A dozen police kept a watchful eye on him and apparently know him well for his jail records.  An activist who is very active at events, this time our joyous fest at Jeanne-Mance Park was his target.

The fellow came with his megaphone and helped himself to the front of the parade at St. Laurent Street, denouncing like anything.

What was he agitated about?  A number of things that would be considered unjustified, nevertheless he attempted to create a scene at the park as well, but wasn’t taken too seriously by public.  There, free food and entertainment was given.

A good number of people asked, “Don’t we have our rights?”  Apparently under certain “freedoms” someone like him has some liberty to do as he likes.  I could see the police were super careful in handling the situation.  It’s too bad, but frankly the program today was a huge success and ended off on a beautiful note with the sound of kirtan.

We live in an age of darkness, Kali, and when you make some headway (in this case spiritual headway), some “monkey wrench will be thrown in the works,” as the expression goes.  I saw a jolly and happy event in the long run.

May the Source be with you!

10 km


Lord Krishna and the austerities of speech. Vaisesika Dasa:…
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Lord Krishna and the austerities of speech.
Vaisesika Dasa: Keeping things simple: To advance in yoga - any kind of yoga - one must first control the tongue. As a rudder is the most critical mechanism for steering a ship, the tongue is one’s most vital organ for defining one’s course in life.
The great Acarya (world teacher) of bhakti yoga, Rupa Goswami, in his essential teachings on bhakti yoga called The Nectar of Instruction, starts with this: “One must first control one’s urge to speak.” If one can control the tongue, he suggests, all the other senses will follow.
Don Miguel Ruiz, the author of The Four Agreements, compares one’s words to seeds that implant themselves in one’s mind and heart.
When one speaks with a motive to injure or to undermine others, or when one speaks whimsically - gossiping, for instance - one’s seed-like words take root and grow into poisonous trees with deadly fruits.

To counteract these anomalies, in the Gita, Lord Krishna suggests the following austerities of speech.

Speak words that are:
1. Truthful
2. Pleasing
3. Beneficial
4. Not agitating to others
&
5. Regularly recite the Vedic literature

Think before you speak. If the words you are about to say don’t fit into one of the categories listed above, don’t let them out.

According to the Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, Krishna reveals Himself to one who practices such control of the tongue.

“No one can understand Krishna as He is by the blunt material senses. But He reveals Himself to the devotees, being pleased with them for their transcendental loving service unto Him, which begins with the tongue.” (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.234)

Little vaishnavas from China chant Hare Krishna with unexpected…
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Little vaishnavas from China chant Hare Krishna with unexpected emotion, crying for the Lord (1 min video)
Lord Chaitanya’s verse: “My Lord Govinda, because of separation from You, I consider even a moment a great millennium. Tears flow from My eyes like torrents of rain, and I see the entire world as void.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/DxfY2u

Devotees bring a Jaladuta boat with the murtis in a Saturday…
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Devotees bring a Jaladuta boat with the murtis in a Saturday Night Harinam at London (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Authorities who are learned scholars and sages have carefully ascertained that one should atone for the heaviest sins by undergoing a heavy process of atonement and one should atone for lighter sins by undergoing lighter atonement. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, however, vanquishes all the effects of sinful activities, regardless of whether heavy or light.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.16)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/hU4RL2

Commitment first
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 March 2017, United Kingdom, Pandava Sena Event – The Real Adventure)

Continued from No compromise on one’s commitment to pure devotional service

Question: The basis of relationships is compromise. In grhasta asrama, if there is no compromise, there is virtually no existence of a relationship. So ideals of higher principles are not to be compromised but in a relationship, compromise is a must. What would you say about that, Maharaj?

I appreciate your logic very much but I think that the basis of a relationship is not compromise. I think that the basis of a relationship is commitment, an unbroken commitment. Then in the course of the relationship, there is compromise. In the day to day dealings, in the external exchanges of the relationship, there is compromise but I think that the foundation of a relationship is commitment.

As devotees, there is no question of a lasting or a real relationship just between two people by themselves. When a man looks his beloved in the eyes, he can say to her, “Darling, you are the most wonderful person in the world – after Krsna.” That is where it stands. Krsna is the third person in every relationship to make it complete.

When mutual commitment is there, where two people are committed to Krsna and stay together, then the relationship has a lasting meaning. Then all the compromise comes on top, you know – in how they speak to each other, how they listen to each other, how they do this and that together, who has to get up and make the tea, you name it! There are many things. I was married for 24 years so I have some experience!