Planet ISKCON

One amazing devotee whenever he sees me asks what I believe to be one of the perfect questions and always leads to an interesting discussion, it simply goes “So what’s your latest realisations?”

This is the science of self realisation and each time we meet there’s always something new to change; however he will never accept an answer if it’s based on someone else’s realisations unless it’s facilitated a greater understanding.

So I shared this time the thoughts that as devotees we are actually facilitators to help those we meet advance in Krishna Consciousness, that as a devotee we help those willing to advance explore and have their own personal realisations.

I realised that we need to allow for mistakes and misunderstanding but to make sure that we’re always there; indeed this was one of the expert way the devotees inspired and encouraged me in those early days.

It’s good to share thoughts and realisations, it can allow one to develop, but the mistake is forcing views onto people it may work for a while; however when things get tough or problems arise because it’s not personal remaining determined on a spiritual path becomes hard.

It’s these personal realisations that have always helped me remain practicing Krishna consciousness being convinced that it’s the only way to escape the misery of material life.

I described how actually we go on a journey, we’re on our own personal journey and we assist others in their journey; both benefit, both learn and indeed strength comes in a friendship based on helping each other advance. Indeed I’ve seen a number of those individuals who once looked at me as a teacher of bhakti now surpassing me in their devotion and personal realisations, it does make me smile as I then learn from them.

But realisations also come out of mistakes sometimes one has to experience difficulties to deepen one’s relationship with Krishna and the devotees, understanding this one can allow and understand mistakes.

A spiritual journey has many twists and turns, and for me it’s always much sweeter when I see how many after many many years still practice and in their own way making progress, it’s a good question to ask “so share with me what’s your personal realisations?”; It’s the start of a wonderful conversation.

And over the years it’s also allowed for me to learn and at times be corrections, but never ever chastisement as this indeed benefits no one.

It reminded me that Srila Prabhupada said this is the science of self realisation, best facilitate this not force on our own realisations, facilitate the journey

That was my realisation on this time of asking, but who knows what it will be next time I’m asked.

The post From Grudging to Gratitude appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Retreat at Krishna Avanti School, Leicester, UK]

Podcast

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[Retreat at Krishna Avanti School, Leicester, UK]

Podcast

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Podcast

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The post From Grudging to Gratitude 4 – Forgiving internally and externally by focusing on Krishna appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Retreat at Krishna Avanti School, Leicester, UK]

Podcast

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The post From Grudging to Gratitude 3 – Learn to re-interpret reality devotionally appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Retreat at Krishna Avanti School, Leicester, UK]

Podcast

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The post From Grudging to Gratitude 2 – See beyond the immediate cause of suffering appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Retreat at Krishna Avanti School, Leicester, UK]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

The post From Grudging to Gratitude 1 – Grudging is like driving with brakes pressed appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

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Answer Podcast

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Answer Podcast

The post How can we give up undesirable habits that we keep relapsing into? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

A new temple in Izhevsk (Western Urals, Russia) … soon! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Don’t think preaching is so easy going – eating, sleeping, and sometimes chanting “Haribol,” that’s all. [laughs] That is not preaching. We must be ready to implant Krsna consciousness ideas throughout the whole world. Just like these people, either in India or here, they remain simply Churchianity, going to the church without any understanding. Therefore it is failing. Now churches are being closed. Similarly, if you do not keep yourself fit to preach, then your temples will all be closed in due course of time. Without preaching, you’ll not feel enthused to continue the temple worship. And without temple worship, you cannot keep yourself pure and clean. The two things must go on, parallel. Then there is success. In modern time, either Hindus, Muslim or Christian, because in these places there is no teaching of philosophy, therefore they are closing, either mosque or temple or church. They will close. Therefore we are writing so many books. Unless we take care of the books and preach and read ourself, understand the philosophy, this Hare Krsna will be finished within few years. Because there will be no life. How long one can artificially go on, “Hare Krsna! Haribol!” That will be artificial. No life. From Srila Prabhupada’s Morning Walk – December 12, 1973, Los Angeles
Find them here: https://goo.gl/gDJ6J6

ISKCON BOOTH AT THE ASIAN FOUNDATION EXHIBITION- STAWISHA MAISHA (Album with photos)
Iskcon Nairobi - SRI SRI Radha Bankebihar...

2017 Nrsimha Caturdasi Festival, San Diego (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The chanting process is that you chant with your tongue Hare Krsna and hear. That’s all. Then you are saved. Hare Krsna must be chanted by the use of tongue, and you hear it, that’s all. Where is the difficulty? Everything may come, but this is the process. This is the process. Chant Hare Krsna and become happy. Nothing is difficult in Krsna consciousness movement. One has to execute it very seriously and sincerely. Then it will come. Nothing is difficult, not at all. harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha Chant Hare Krsna and hear, and everything will come. Krsna’s… By chanting purely, without any offense this Hare Krsna mantra, then you will understand Krsna’s form, Krsna’s qualities, Krsna’s pastimes, Krsna’s entourage -everything. - From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.4 – February 12, 1974, Vrndavana
Find them here: https://goo.gl/kNLBg8

London Nrsimhadeva Caturdasi 2017 celebrations (Album with photos)
Please find below photos from Nrsimhadeva Caturdasi 2017 in...

Back In The USSR (7 min video)
“ Destination Moscow ”
Indradyumna Swami: Despite bone-chilling weather, our visit to Moscow was blissful due to the warm-hearted nature of the devotees who love to chant the holy names and dance in ecstasy. Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Moscow in 1971 planted the seeds of Krsna consciousness which continue to grow in great proportions.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/YP01Jy

For twelve days, from April 21st – May 2nd, Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari led the TOVP Fundraising Team consisting of Jananivas and Vraja Vilas prabhus on a multi-city tour of Malaysia. The results were astonishing and unprecedented for a relatively small country like Malaysia. Over $2 million U.S. in pledges was raised!!! Continue reading "Malaysia Tour an Unprecedented Success!
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The post Daily Darshan: May 14,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The first is that this trend would not stay in Russia only, it will spread to neighboring countries. Already in Kazakhstan a Jehovah's Witness, who moreover is suffering with cancer, has been sentenced to five years in a labour camp based on accusations of extremism very similar to those raised in Russia. The second is that these easy accusations of “extremism” will be rapidly extended to other groups. Some Baptist Protestants are already complaining that they are being attacked in Russia as “extremist”, and the same is true for the Hare Krishna (ISKCON) and other communities. But, as I said, with this definition of “extremism” nobody is safe. Continue reading "Professor Massimo Introvigne – Interview
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Saturday May 13th

Bhaktin Nadia (Budapest)
Sakhī-caraṇa Devī Dāsī – servant of the lotus feet of the gopīs

Bhaktin Andrea (Budapest)
Raṅgiṇī Devī Dāsī – servant of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, who is very playful

Bhaktin Klára (Szombathely)
Kamalinī Devī Dāsī – servant of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, who is like a lotus

Bhaktin Kati (Eger)
Kṛpāmayī Devī Dāsī – servant of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, whose within and without are mercy

Bhaktin Hatice (Turkey)
Hari-bhakti Devī Dāsī – servant of devotion for Hari

Bhaktin Nela (Romania)
Nāmāmṛta Devī Dāsī – servant of the nectar of the holy name

Bhaktin Rozsi (Romania)
Rāgātmikā Devī Dāsī – servant of the devotion of the vrajavāsīs

We are extremely happy to announce the launch of a new website, www.tovp360.org, which offers a virtual tour through the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, one of the largest temples in the world.

The virtual-reality panoramas in this site will show you every nook and corner of the magnificent temple. From 24 different places, you can see all around you and look both above and below to get a feel of this sacred space. Walk in and around the temple, from the temple rooms up to the roofs and domes. There are even 360 degree bird’s-eye views from above the temple that show the whole Mayapur Project.

All of the viewpoints are interlinked and connected so that you can navigate from one to the next with a single click. They work together seamlessly to give you a complete picture of this massive temple’s construction. It’s vast scale and fine architectural details are sure to impress. Please share the site far and wide so that as many people as possible can experience and become aware of the TOVP. As it is said, a picture is worth a thousand words.

We would like to thank Thakur Saranga prabhu (disciple of H.H. Devamrita Swami) and Sarvasukha prabhu (disciple of H.H. Bhakti Vaibhava Swami), who have been instrumental in creating this website by engaging their skills of photography, panoramic imaging and web design in the service of devotees all around the world to give them a complete, immersive experience of visiting the TOVP. Their wish is that devotees and donors will feel connected with the project and can see how their valuable contributions are being used in Krishna’s service.
Thakur Saranga prabhu has moved to Mayapur from New Zealand and plans to keep the site updated as the temple construction progresses, so that everyone can see in virtual reality how the acharya’s prophecies are being fulfilled by the hand of every devotee.

A huge amount of effort and money has gone into the making of this gigantic temple to fulfill the desire of Srila Prabhupada who wanted to build a home where the whole world can live. Let us all not miss this rare opportunity to contribute and be a part of this beautiful and historic undertaking.

The post New TOVP Virtual Tour Website appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Recently completed is the design for the cast iron fence that will adorn the Srila Prabhupada bridge that connects the TOVP and the Samadhi.

The 3D design will be ready soon to be made into several molds and then cast into iron. They look very nice and the company that does the casting thinks they will come out quite brilliant.

The post Cast Iron Fence Design Completed appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

This is a quick update of the continuous finishing work taking place on the external temple structure.

Here you can see the corner peacock and side peacocks above their respective columns, and get an idea of the full effect that is manifesting. It’s a wonderful artistic mood that is developing.

The post External Finishing Work Progress appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

For twelve days, from April 21st – May 2nd, Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari led the TOVP Fundraising Team consisting of Jananivas and Vraja Vilas prabhus on a multi-city tour of Malaysia. The results were astonishing and unprecedented for a relatively small country like Malaysia. Over $2 million U.S. in pledges was raised!!!

This was the second tour to Malaysia. The first tour in 2013 was the kick-starter for our major TOVP world fundraising efforts, but we only offered the Square Foot donation ($150) as an option at the time. Having expanded the donation options since then we decided to go back. Under the inspiration and organization efforts of Simhesvara prabhu and all the Malaysian Yatra leaders a tour was organized to all the temples and ISKCON centers in Malaysia, as well as private, round-table dinners with well-wishers from the business community and numerous home programs

Having welcomed the Padukas and Sitari with grand ceremonies in South Indian style, the fundraising programs were most warmly received. The results were “off the charts”, as they say. The reciprocation from the devotees and congregation was amazing with 100% participation. No less than $50,000 was raised at each center. Three ticketed round-table dinners organized by the Central Regional Council raised over $250,000. And the final program at Kuala Limpur attended by His Holiness Jayapataka Swami raised almost $1 million. Despite his ill health and travel plans, Jayapataka Maharaja delayed his U.S. visit after being inspired by hearing of the incredible success we were achieving. His presence topped off the tour.

The success of this tour is yet another testimony to the magic that can happen when devotees cooperate together for the service of Guru and Gauranga. The spiritual world descends upon us when we are in the mood of cooperative service and the material world vanishes.

The tour is also an honor to Mayapur Dhama, the holiest of tirthas, and an honor to the Malaysian devotees themselves for their attitude of self-surrender and sacrifice for the greater cause of the Lord’s service.

We wish to publicly thank Simheswara prabhu and all the temple leaders and temple devotees for going out of their normal way to make this tour possible. Without their efforts this tour and the extraordinary results would not have been possible.

Lastly we wish to publicly thank all the general devotees and congregation, and all our well-wishers and supporters for their financial commitments. Without your help we cannot fund the construction of the TOVP.

The entire TOVP Team is grateful to all of you for your sacrifice and devotion. We look forward to seeing you in Mayapur soon.

“The more you help develop Mayapur, the more Lord Chaitanya will bless your area of the world and it will flourish” Srila Prabhupada -Letter to Hari-sauri

To make a donation to the TOVP please go to: https://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post Malaysia Tour an Unprecedented Success appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Vivaha yajna in Prabhupada Bhavan, Brno, Czech Republic (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The devotee can constantly think of the object of worship, the Supreme Lord, in any of His features – Narayana, Krsna, Rama, etc. – by chanting Hare Krsna. This practice will purify him, and at the end of his life, due to his constant chanting, he will be transferred to the kingdom of God. Srila Prabhupada; Bg 8.8 purport
Find them here: https://goo.gl/rEmMZ8

Powerful Harinam in Central London for Lord Nrsimhadev 9th May 2017 (4 min video)
Parasurama das: Lord Caitanya organized His Harinam parties in a very exact way. This is what we did on this Nrsimhadev Harinam to avoid weak, slow, and yodeling Kirtan. If Kirtan is so important, why not put the energy into it. A big sound system is required that doesn’t run out of battery, without taking away the spontaneous rasa there is still a good idea to orchestrate the Harinam to some degree. Govinda prabhu sang first, started in the key of F and then change to G as planned. A cheeky wink gave the musicians the time to change tune or key. Sruti Dhar Prabhu continued in the key of G. Then Tribhangananda Prabhu waited for his key, the key of G and as planned sang the Prabhupada tune, as did Sakshi Gopal Prabhu. Singing in the key of G is in my opinion the best key for male devotees to sing in, for street Kirtan. At least one female Vaisnava should sing and that was Ratnavali dasi who always sings in the key of D, ( gents and ladies generally sing in different keys). We controlled the mixing desk, and made the vocals dominate. In the future, we wish to get five mrdangas , tuned together and played to a strong marching beat but right now our drummer Matt Prabhu, professional drummer from the band Razorlight, played the Tribhuvanath beat for the whole Harinam as did Ratnavali dasi which they perfectly done. The Tribhuvanath beat is a special powerful beat ideal for a marching Harinam. Because we grew up on this beat and because the festival team don’t play any other beat, this is what we choose. Tribhuvanath Prabhu left us 15 years ago, still his beat goes on which is made up of 3 different moves according to the speed of the Kirtan.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/iJNGTU

Preaching program in Barnaul, Russia, 11.05.17 (Album with photos) )
Rainy day, powerful showers, which are sharply replaced by the sun, I love this weather, the sky is very beautiful, the color is shyam, it’s especially cool when the sun is shining and the sky is bright, while on the other side there is a stormy front with dark purple clouds and Background of this newly blossoming bright green foliage of trees.
And in our new temple - this building of the century :) is spacious, warm and cozy, especially with such a beautiful personality as Bhakti Chaitanya Swami.
Another evening sweet program with Maharaja. Our artists decided once again to show their musical on the “Ramayana”, this time to meet our guest. And in honor of this event, Bhakti Chaitanya Swami decided to talk about the immortal pastimes of Lord Ramacandra. Maharaja is an amazing lecturer, captures listeners and keeps the attention, one of my favorite storytellers, in his presentation, Ramayana again came to life before us. And then our artists showed us their original reading of this eternal story :)) Maharaja seems to like :)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VzoQGW

ISKCON Auckland NZ: Harinama under the rain ki Jaya! (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Those who have taken to this Krsna consciousness, chanting this Hare Krsna mantra, they are the most fortunate persons in the world. This Krsna consciousness movement is teaching all over the world the real business of life. Those who are fortunate, they will take advantage of this movement and make his life successful. Srila Prabhupada, Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.46 – January 21, 1975, Bombay
Find them here: https://goo.gl/up2RTd

When the diagnose of cancer hits us, we experience a sobering wake-up call. It might take some time to come to terms with it, and accept the facts of reality. We might struggle with a tendency for denial - no, can't be! How can this happen to me...?! And the mind and false ego object. One of the main challenges is having to let go of so many of our wonderful plans, and having to accept Krsna's plan. And this is such a healthy and important exercise, since we will have to go through the same challenge when facing death. At that point it will be a more final exercise, whereas now it is a more temporary one, since Krsna will allow us again to make further plans - for some time. And we all have our attachments to our plans! Naturally, as a traveling preaching we are attached to our traveling schedule - all the wonderful places we want to visit in this world to serve the devotees. And because some subtle gratification comes along, we develop attachment to our plans. It is a challenge for the false ego to come to terms, that we will have to cancel all those wonderful plans and let go of them. The false ego certainly doesn't like it, and objects. We might for some time keep ourselves in this hope and illusion, that we can still maintain at least some of our plans - until we realize that we will just have to let go, and accept Krsna's plan.....! A devotee is grateful for the opportunity to go through such exercise again and again. Unless Krsna gives us repeated warnings, we can almost forget that time is ticking on, and is gradually running out. We can easily fall again into this illusion, thinking that death will never happen to us. Therefore Krsna is mercifully shaking us up.... As long as we hang onto our plans, there is intense anxiety: will Krsna fulfill our hopes and plans, or not?! Only when we let go of our plans, and truly hand ourselves over into Krsna's hands, in the mood of saying: "Here I am, Krsna, I am Yours! I am ready to accept whatever You will arrange...!" Only then we will be truly peaceful, because only then we are truly taking shelter. Continue reading "When the Diagnose of Cancer Hits Us
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