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!

Brahma-loka vs. Vaikuntha-loka
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Hare KrishnaBy Romapada Swami

Question: Srila Prabhupada's translation indicates that "a-brahma-bhuvanal - up to the Brahmaloka plane" The Bhagavatam seems to say that Satya Loka is not subject to birth, death, old age and disease. The Bhagavad Gita seems to say that it is subject to these four states. Can you shed on light on this seeming contradiction? Continue reading "Brahma-loka vs. Vaikuntha-loka
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Sankirtan Weekend Warriors – Wimbledon – a district of southwest…
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Sankirtan Weekend Warriors - Wimbledon - a district of southwest London, England - 8.07.2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” If one practices chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, he is naturally expected to chant Hare Krishna when he meets with some accident. Even without such practice, however, if one somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord (Hare Krishna) when he meets with an accident and dies, he will be saved from hellish life after death. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.15 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/m5pndy

Tolerance and Compassion
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Just ending a run of school and community visits, they always inspire especially some of the interactions and some very thoughtful questions.
One of the things I cover is the four regulative principles, however one never refers to them as regulative principles but as the four protections; normally including some statistical information and examples of how following protects from many social ills
There is however one that always brings the greatest discussion that of No Meat Eating, so for the past few years I’ve started to get them first to talk about and share experiences of their own pets. It always brings out a pause for thought and often continues well after the scheduled time.
Several years ago after one such presentation one individual felt somewhat cheated as he felt only one outcome of the way I introduced the concept of non meat eating, and found out my schedule for the next few months. It was challenging as each time his vocal interruptions and comments became more cutting;however I felt this is a great opportunity to learn tolerance, but also how to adjust each presentation to counteract his growing hostility.
So seeing him approaching me earlier on this week after another community presentation I was ready for another interesting interaction where he brings different reasons why everyone should eat meat. Surprisingly this was truly a sweet interaction, he thanked me for never throwing him out and always giving him some time to speak, by the way I’ve been vegetarian for over a year now which took me by surprise.
He started to explain that during each interaction he started to realise that his arguments failed each time, and that whilst he was getting angrier I had remained calm and that a the end of our last meeting I handed him a Gita and said one day he will be able to read it and understand.
He explained how much his health had improved since giving up meat and one day decided he would read the Gita, we sat as he had lots of questions based on what he had read; a truly remarkable change.
It reminded me that being more tolerant than a tree and full of compassion for the fallen conditioned soul is more than words we say every morning, but something we should put into practice as each person we meet no matter how hostile can one day make a start in a life of devotion.

When a problem goes on for a long time and our attempts to solve it only aggravate it, what should we do – Hindi?
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How can we get the mind out of a problem when we need to think about the problem to solve it – Hindi?
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If we as managers take some strong decisions, some devotees feel hurt and hit back at us – should we take such decisions?
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Does responsibility mean doing whatever we are told to do or doing big projects under instruction?
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Dealing with conflicts by dealing with the mind – Hindi
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[Evening program at ISKCON, Nasik, India]

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If we don’t direct contemplation, fascination and dedication to Krishna, wherever they get directed will become our addiction
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Friday July 7, 2017
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Montreal. Quebec

Responding

Human life is about service to others.
I had arrived at Montreal airport from an overnight flight, a red-eye, from Vancouver. While waiting for my pickup, a wheel-chaired, elderly woman came meekly before me.

“Can I borrow your phone?” she asked.
I dialed the number after she dictated and then handed my cell to her.
She spoke into it, asking, “Where are you? I'm at Zone C… Just a minute, this monk here said he would wheel me to where you are. Okay?”

Off we went, with me pushing the wheelchair and her baggage. It was a service. She was grateful.

Once I arrived in the downtown, I took that much-needed trek on Rue Sainte-Catherine. A group of men, drinking, noticed me. One scurried up behind me, and said in French, “ Donnez-moi vos benedictions?”
He asked for blessings. I was impressed being that he was young. I then placed my hands on his head and said, “Om ajnana timirandhasya…” A common mantra meant to invoke the mercy of past priests.
I saw this gesture as a service.

Not but five minutes later into the walk and a person in the distance shouted, “Hare Krishna! Come into my apartment and see my artwork.”
“Fine, thanks!” I was greeted by a young dog. He also wanted blessings. I also delivered a mantra to him. “Hare Krishna!” I think he appreciated it. This was also a service.

May the Source be with you!
6 km





Thursday July 6, 2017
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Burnaby, British Columbia

Near the Fraser

Near the Fraser River, you have this rich, delta soil. Plants love it. They thrive in it. I admit I'm excited just to see the young plants of different sorts so happily situated as I walked by this fertile, flat land where relatively small farms have found themselves nestled in the very centre of Burnaby.

A number of the landowners are Chinese. At 5:45 a.m., they were readying themselves for the 27.5C (85F) sun. There also appears to be some Punjabi property owners who are good in the green thumb area.  The way some of the homes are designed, with a separate entrance for renters, shoes outside by the threshold of the door, and the fragrance of strong Indian spices lingering in the air, is always a giveaway.

Caucasian dog owners were also taking their pets for a walk. Did the Brits start that?

If you put the human element aside, then the birds are always there. A crow flew above me with some white object firmly in his beak’s grip. I imagine it's a construction piece for building. Maybe a chunk of white, stiff bread that he found? A robin did the same. In his beak were at last three fine twigs, no doubt meant for nesting material. 

I admire the birds. They're not lazy. I'm not inferring that people are. Not in this little agricultural enclave.  It's full of life. I love it, and I come here all the time to chant on my beads.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

For Vancouver’s mantra music lovers!
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For Vancouver’s mantra music lovers!
EnChant : Mantra Meditation.
This is a casual gathering of open-minded souls for call and response chanting, also known as Kirtan. The practice of Kirtan, or Mantra Meditation, is a type of yoga in itself and has many of the mind-calming benefits of a yoga class or sitting meditation. For some, the practice has a powerful heart-opening effect and it is best understood through direct experience. The instruments used in the Kirtan are traditional – the Harmonium, Mrdanga(drum), and Kartals(hand cymbals). Included within the program is discussion on the meaning of the Mantras that we are chanting, as well as excerpts from the ancient sanskrit text, the Bhagavad-Gita. We learn about the soul, consciousness, karma, reincarnation, meditation, and bhakti yoga – the yoga of devotion. This is a good forum where questions and answers are shared as well as open discussion about the application of personal spiritual practice. Everyone is encouraged to participate to the level they feel comfortable. Delicious vegetarian snacks will be served at the end. This is a non-profit event and all donations will be used for further events. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Amazing books are also available by donation. Bring a little extra cash in case something catches your eye!
Read more: https://goo.gl/CVNdF6

Radhanath Swami tells a true story
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Radhanath Swami tells a true story.
I want to tell the story of a lady Kuntidevi, also a disciple of my guru Srila Prabhupada. She was never a big leader; she was never a person that people honored and respected as being a person of high position. She was a simple mother and a very, very dedicated devotee of Lord Krishna. Those who knew her well honored her, but there weren’t so many people who knew her well. When she got cancer of the breast, that cancer spread viciously, and entered into her spine and into her organs and just crippled her. It was such a ferocious case of cancer that the doctors said, “There is absolutely nothing that anyone can do. You have six months to live, maximum.” She was practically paralyzed from the waist down. She was in a wheelchair. According to the medical analysis, she was racked with pain. Yet, she was always smiling, always encouraging and making everyone happy. It was so phenomenal. How blissful she was! How positive she was! The local television station heard about it. They met her and they had never seen anything like this in their life. I saw that television show too. It was a half hour program and it was incredible. The hostess was just praising her. Kuntidevi was talking to people and giving lectures about the beauty of life, the beauty of bhakti, and the good fortune of anyone who has Krishna. The hostess asked her, “How could you be so happy when you are in such a condition?” She replied, “Because I know I am the soul, I am eternal, this body is just a temporary situation and this situation is bringing my soul closer to God. Therefore I am rejoicing and I am happy.” According to the doctor’s diagnosis, her physical symptoms and everything else was utterly hopeless and miserable except one thing—her consciousness. I happened to have the fortune of being at her bedside when she left the world. She was surrounded by loving devotees chanting the holy names and she just lovingly gave her heart and her life to Krishna in a totally positive, grateful and happy state. Now, you cannot get that consciousness even from the best psychologist or psychiatric. They can do good to a certain extent, but a really true and deep positive attitude in life comes by knowledge and realization of the eternal blissful nature of the soul, the all attractive, all merciful, beautiful nature of God, our relationship with God and the beautiful and wonderful opportunities to serve God that we have at every moment.

Kartik Navadwip Mandala Parikrama 2017
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Registration for Kartik Navadwip Mandala Parikrama 2017.
It is our great pleasure to announce ISKCON MAYAPUR’s 5th annual six-day Kartik Navadwip Mandal Parikrama during the most auspicious month of Kartik
(organized by the Mayapur Chandra’s). The Parikrama begins on October 18th and will end on October 25th, 2017.
There will be two days break, for Goverdhan puja (20th October) & Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance (23rd October) so that devotees can participate in the festivals.
For this year also, the parikrama will not stay overnight; we will leave each day from the ISKCON Mayapur campus at 5 AM and return no later than 5 PM. In order to give more time to chanting and hearing pastimes in the holy places, we have reduced some of the walking, and devotees will be transported faster to the various places via boat and vehicles.
Kartik is the most auspicious month to perform spiritual activities, and the weather is extremely pleasant and favorable, so please do not miss this opportunity to associate with the devotees, to hear and chant the glories of Lord Chaitanya, to bathe in the Ganges, and honor prasadam together in the various holy places.
For more information: https://goo.gl/pWUG2g