The stages of devotional service and development of love for Shri Krishna Bhagavan
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Hare KrishnaBy Iskcon of Silicon Valley

A recent lecture by Hanumatprekasa Swami in Iskcon Silicon Valley. ('Hanumat Preṣaka' is in Sanskrit and it means 'One who sent Hanuman as a messenger', i.e. Lord Rama".) Hanumat Presaka Swami's interests are toward individual education in techniques, introspection and meditation. He is actively participating in seminars, lectures and his organizations. He also holds a black belt in Uechi Ryu and Okinawan Karate. Continue reading "The stages of devotional service and development of love for Shri Krishna Bhagavan
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How is controlling the mind by focusing it on Krishna different from focusing it on some material object?
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Answer Podcast

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Snana Yatra 2017 Festival Pictures
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On 9th June, Snana yatra or bathing festival of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra devi took place at Rajapur. One of the grandest of festivals celebrated here, thousands and thousands of pilgrims jubiliantly, braving the heat, stood for hours in the queue to personally bathe the Lord of Universe and honored Jagananth prasadam. Devotees fetched […]

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Ratha Yatra at Wintersun Festival, Murwillumbah, Australia…
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Ratha Yatra at Wintersun Festival, Murwillumbah, Australia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Krsna and the sound vibration “Krsna” are nondifferent, so if one loudly vibrates Hare Krsna, he will be able to think of Krishna immediately. This process of chanting is the best process of self-realization in this age; therefore Lord Caitanya preached it so nicely for benefit of all humanity. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.24.35 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Cvpn2u

Sunday June 11, 2017
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Jackson County, Colorado
In the Raw and the City

“That’s really impressive,” mentioned the young motorist, when I took the opportunity to tell him of the walk from New York after he offered a ride.
“Sorry, I can’t take the lift. There’s no cheating. I’ve got to walk it all the way to San Fransisco.”
Aaron is in touch with us, but Hayagriva, Marshall and I made it to Cameron Pass—elevation just under 11,000 feet. And today, the trek took us to a plateau just east of Walden.
We are truly in God’s country and it is a perfect place for monks to be in. There are no billboards, no restaurants, no night clubs, or Walmarts. It is raw nature except for the highway. But there are ranches on this flat strip we’ve been trekking, plus cattle; and there’s moose. Oh, we like those guys.
Moose, deer, ground hogs, magpies in the air, and trout in the river. That is a constant. And our living quarters for three days, are this rustic cabin in no-man’s land. Again, a perfect scenario for three monks.
By our good fortune, we did make the drive to Denver for their Sunday feast Program. I was asked to inspire all from my talk on “Tales from Trails” and to lead kirtan, a chanting session.
The three of us are somewhat sad to see Aaron no longer accompanying us, but in the future, the doors are wide open for him.
May the Source be with you, and with Nick, who did a podcast live on Facebook with us today!
https://www.facebook.com/vetalynne.murray/posts/1470255153039403

17 miles

Saturday June 10, 2017
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West of Rustic, Colorado
Go Tell It On The Mountain

There is a haunting sound to the wind as it whistles through the needles of the jackpines. Upon hearing the sound, I feel safe. I’m in nature and that is comforting.
It is a gradual, incremental climb to reach the summit of the mountain I’m ascending via highway. The air I breathe is thinning out. That’s because of the increasing altitude.
I took two naps as I made my way up to the parking position. It was sublime sleeping amidst the trees, after kicking off my shoes and reclining on the ground. I was without water for hours and so a patch of snow nearby took care of hydration.
Yes, it is definitely cooler in the heights of the mountains, with periodic strong currents of air whipping through. The weather is deceptive. The wind is strong and dry but the sun is also strong.
Fortunately for me, Brian and Amy from Fort Collins, spotted me yesterday and then again today as I passed by their cottage. The couple eventually came around by car.
Brian asked, “Can we talk?”
“Sure.”
The couple jokingly admitted to “monk hunting” and once they found me they gifted me with water, grapes and a granola bar. That was sweet. I hope to meet them again.
I also want to thank the hosts of an evening program from the night before. Thanks to Sanatan Priya for sponsoring a room for us for a week.
May the Source be with you!

20 miles

1000 devotees for the Cida Dahi Festival in Bali
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Hare KrishnaBy Nila Kamal das

On the 11th of June 2017, devotees from Bali assembled at the Merta Sari (Nectarine Ocean) beach in order to celebrate the annual Cida Dahi Festival. Panihati, on the banks of the Ganges, remains glorified for the pastime of Sri Nityananda Prabhu blessing Sri Raghunatha das; and today, by the mercy of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the same pastime is being freshly enacted in all corners of the globe. The Cida Dahi festival was started in Bali a few years ago under the guidance of HH Subhag Swami with only a few devotees. Now by the mercy of Gour Nitai, around 1000 devotees assembled to celebrate the festival. Continue reading "1000 devotees for the Cida Dahi Festival in Bali
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Initiation Ceremony Talks, June 7, Carpinteria, California
Giriraj Swami

Screen-Shot-2017-06-09-at-11.30.36-AM“We may forget God but He never forgets us. he makes arrangements to rescue us. We are not asking to be rescued. In previous ages people used to seek out a spiritual master. They realize their humble situation in this world and as soon as their intelligence awakens they seek out a guru:

tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth. —Bg 4.34

Nowadays no one looks for a guru so the guru has to look for you. A disciple prayed to her guru: ‘It took you so long to find me, please don’t kick me away.’ Since we left the kingdom of God we’ve been travelling through universe after universe in many species of life, body after body, mixed up in this whole phantasmagoria of this material world but the Lord never forgets us.” —Indradymna Swami

Indradymna Swami, Initiation Talk
Giriraj Swami, Initiation Talk and Name Giving

Gita 13.21 Material causality is not complete causality
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Gita verse-by-verse Podcast


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The post Gita 13.21 Material causality is not complete causality appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Keep on reading!
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 June 2017, Radhadesh, Belgium, Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 25.265 – 267)

The Srimad Bhagavatam gives us full descriptions of Krsna’s appearance, of Krsna’s character and of his activities. It is in this way, by absorption in the Bhagavatam that we get everything, everything to know who Krsna is. First, it describes how of all the incarnations, Krsna is the Supreme Lord, ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.28). Then finally in the tenth canto, it gets into detail. In this way, by reading, we can gradually understand and begin to appreciate Krsna. So that is why Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was speaking about the Bhagavatam – not just to establish the truth but to relish it. It is said that the Bhagavatam is especially for relishing.

vayaṁ tu na vitṛpyāma
uttama-śloka-vikrame
yac chṛṇvatāṁ rasa-jñānāṁ
svādu svādu pade pade (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.19)

The Bhagavatam is for enjoyment. It is to appreciate Krsna. It is to enjoy Krsna. That is why one has to read Bhagavatam to the point where it becomes really inspiring. If you read the Bhagavatam and it is not yet completely inspiring, keep on reading until it gets inspiring. Even if it takes hours, even if it takes days, even if it takes weeks, even if it takes months and even if it takes years – keep on reading until it becomes completely inspiring. Then when it becomes completely inspiring, you cannot stop reading. Now, that is the point where we want to get to – the point where we cannot stop reading!

Niranjana Swami – Kirtan at Gauranga festival, Ukraine –…
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Niranjana Swami – Kirtan at Gauranga festival, Ukraine – 9-Jun-2017 (video)
Srila Prabhupada: Worship of the Lord, whose name is like the sun, for just as a slight appearance of the sun dissipates the darkness of night, so a slight appearance of the holy name of Krishna can drive away all the darkness of ignorance that arises in the heart due to greatly sinful activities performed in previous lives. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.62)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/jrpLH7

Developing Bhava for Krishna
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Hare Krishna

So many times we hear the word ‘bhava’ among devotees that one should develop bhava for Krishna or so and so devotee has a very nice bhava. So what actually is this bhava? Is it emotions, is it feelings, is it love or is it a mixture of many things. Sometimes we use this term very casually or liberally in the devotee circles. Indeed, bhava, being the preliminary stage of elevation before the attainment of pure love of Krishna, is a very deep topic. It is meant to be discussed by paramahamsas or liberated devotees. However keeping the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada in our consciousness we can pray and try to taste a small drop from the unlimited ocean of nectar of devotion.


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New York Ratha-Yatra 2017 – Photos and Videos
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Hare KrishnaThe Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannatha (Ratha Yatra), the Lord of the Universe, has been performed at the spiritual seaside resort of Puri, India for more than two thousand years. Since 1976, this attractive, beautiful, and bliss inspiring annual Jagannatha Ratha Yatra festival has been celebrated by the Hare Krishna devotees on New York’s Fifth Avenue, the heart of New York City. This Jagannatha Ratha Yatra festival is performed in a mood of love and devotion and invokes auspiciousness for universal peace, harmony, and good will for all of God’s children.

Reincarnation and the human quest for self-understanding
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[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students at Kharagpur, India]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

 

 

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How to see God in this world
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[Talk to IIT Kharagpur students at Kharagpur, India]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

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The possibility for self-improvement is reduced by materialism and expanded by spirituality Gita 18.60
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Podcast

The post The possibility for self-improvement is reduced by materialism and expanded by spirituality Gita 18.60 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Spiritualizing our relationships – Hindi
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[Congregation program at Kharagpur, India]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

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How can we be Krishna conscious when we are not staying with devotees in a youth center – Hindi?
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Answer Podcast

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While doing our service, is seeing everything in connection with Krishna necessary?
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Answer Podcast

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Gita 13.20 Matter is eternal, but material forms are temporary
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Gita verse-by-verse Podcast


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The role of faith in devotional service
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The role of faith in devotional service.
Faith is the unflinching confidence that upon attaining one thing — Krsna-bhakti — one is provided with all other desirable achievements. Absolute faith, unflinching faith, rests in Krsna-bhakti only. Faith in any other result or any other process will be unavoidably transient and ultimately disappointing. Attaining this faith rests upon guru-kripa, which includes very careful guidance and training. Similarly, one cannot move forward on this path while holding tightly to a bodily or a material conception of life — and thus of guru, the process of bhakti, the goal of bhakti, the rewards of bhakti, the subjective experience of bhakti, etc. These misconceptions will result in offenses, which will obfuscate one’s vision and seriously inhibit progress on the path. Faith brings intelligence and realization, which fix the mind in undeviating determination. The medium of cultivation of faith is service – humble and devoted service. This is KC'ness!


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Friday June 9, 2017
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Rustic, Colorado
It Starts With The Moon

The moon, in almost complete fullness, was right before me on high; its image tucked between two mountain peaks. Rainbow colours circled around it.
Marshall, who was with me, also marvelled at the splendour of it, and remarked, “My dad used to say that those circles around the moon indicate there will be a storm.”
As the hours wore on, we did not encounter a weather storm, but the rage of the Cache la Poudre River, aka the Poudre (pronounced poo-der) River. I personally love the roar of a river in my ears, as opposed to the roar of trucks. It is real mercy (fortune) that very few trucks visit this road, Hwy 14. I am astounded that cars and recreational vehicles don’t tumble down into the river with this meandering road at its side. There are no barriers to keep traffic in. I am also surprised that the towering rocks, seemingly ready to give way, do not roll down to crush the traffic. This is a tight valley.
I do think of people, acquaintances, I know while walking. I think about and pray for those who struggle with cancer, alcohol and multiple other challenges. I knew them in a period of their life when they were vibrant and youthful. It’s changed now. Age is creeping up for all.
People are important to me. One fellow, in his middle-age, was working in his front yard. I asked, “How far is the town of Rustic?”
He told me, “Two miles.”
I told him of my walk and moved on. Later, he drove up to reach me and gave me a bag filled with half of his personal groceries, all veg-oriented, of course.
Now that’s kindness. He shone like the moon with rings of colour around him. He shone. Thank you!
May the Source be with you!
20 miles
Editor’s Note: 
Bhaktimarga Swami, The Walking Monk, will be interviewed livestream on Facebook on Saturday June 10, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Don't miss this opportunity to hear some “Tales from Trails!” and the main topic, Learning to Attain Freedom in the Modern World.
Should be very interesting! Please join us!

Here’s the link. https://www.facebook.com/events/303598276758783/?ti=icl



Thursday June 8, 2017
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Cache la Poudre River, Colorado
New Sphere

We entered a new sphere—the mountains.
Behind us are the farmers, frackers and oilers on those bustling roads. More quietly crawling along at our side are the vacationers on picnics, fishing, and white-water rafting. Some motorists have their mansions tucked into the Cache la Poudre River valley; they are the few and far between, with the exception of one enclave of home huts. A fun sign was posted in this one neighbourhood at the entrance.
It reads:                                                           
WARNING
You are entering a RED NECK AREA
You may encounter
American Flags,
Armed Citizens,
The Lord’s Prayer,
And Country Music.

According to Hayagriva, who is of French Canadian descent, Cache la Poudre translates as hidden powder. “Hidden treasure” is what we liked to call it, because in this very barren section of the Rockies, we enjoy the rushing, winding waters that nourish bush and trees by their side. If we weren’t walking, then we were eating cantaloupe as a refresher, studying the books of Srila Prabhupada and even looking at Chapter One, Verse One, of the great book of wisdom, the Bhagavad-Gita. Our new team-member, Aaron, is making strides at learning Vedic culture and tradition.
Is walking a component of Vedic Culture? Most definitely. Swamis, sages and even retired kings roamed about to enlighten and to be enlightened.
I’m grateful to the people who stopped today to offer water and help in other ways. Our team of Hayagriva, Marshall, Aaron and myself, did put some good mileage under our feet in the beauty of the valley.
http://www.pinebluffspost.com/story/2017/06/08/news/new-york-to-san-francisco-by-foot/5770.html
May the Source be with you!
19 miles



Earning or “L”earning? (5 min video) Is Earning Money…
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Earning or “L"earning? (5 min video)
Is Earning Money better than Learning? - Gaur Gopal Das - Motivational Video.
“The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.”
“It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/MpxPNI

Shri Jagannath Ratha Yatra “Festival of the chariots” parade in…
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Shri Jagannath Ratha Yatra “Festival of the chariots” parade in New York City on Saturday June 10th 2017. If you’re in the New York City area please join this wonderful event. Hare Krishna!
Starts: June 10 2017 @ 11:30am
Ends: June 10 2017 @ 7:00pm
Location: Fifth Avenue to Washingon Square Park
Starting at 5th Ave. & 45th St. Manhattan, New York City.
Please assemble by 11:30am, The parade proceeds down Fifth Ave to Washington Square Park at the Campus of New York University. The colorful Festival of India will be celebrated at Washington Square Park from 2pm – 7pm.
Festivities
Saturday June 3th – Snana yatra
Friday June 9th – Rath Yatra preparations: If you’d like to volunteer to help for this festival,
please contact 347-849-2485. Tasks includes cutting vegetables/general kitchen preparations,
cleaning various parts of the temple and stringing flower garlands. Your service is heavily appreciated! Time: 11AM-8PM @ 305 Scermerhorn St
Saturday June 10th – Rath Yatra 45th street and 5th Ave start time 11:30 am
Sunday June 11th – Maha Sunday feast and Sri Sri Radha Govinda and Lord Jagannath in a flower dress. Maha kirtan and bhajans will progress throughout the evening.

We are for Krsna
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 April 2013, Korsnas, Stockholm, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.1)

In one of the early Back to Godhead magazines, there was a cover with a butcher slaughtering an animal and Prabhupada asked, “Why did you put this? Why did you put this?”

The editor said, “Well, aren’t we against meat-eating?”

Prabhupada said, “We are not against anything. We are for Krsna!”

So our business is to be for Krsna, not just against this or against that. For Krsna, means to do what is pleasing to Krsna. In one lecture, Srila Prabhupada said, “Yes, Krsna said patraḿ puṣpaḿ phalaḿ toyaḿ, yo me bhaktyā prayacchati (Bhagavad-gita 9.26). Krsna said just offer me a flower, a fruit, a leaf, some water. But if Krsna would have said offer me the flesh of animals then we would have killed ALL the animals!”

And I think at that moment, all the animals felt a little shiver or something because for a moment, Prabhupada was like, “Yes! We will kill them all if Krsna so desired.” But Krsna said patraḿ puṣpaḿ phalaḿ toyaḿ; a fruit, a flower, a leaf, some water. So in this way, Krsna’s desire is fulfilled.