Hear this!
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 October 2012, Sydney, Australia, Bhagavad-gita class)

Srila Prabhupada says that hearing is most important:

sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam… (SB 7.5.23-24)

There are nine processes of devotional service and they begin with sravanam, hearing. It is said that when there is hearing about Krsna then the next stage is kirtanam, naturally glorification of Krsna. So, unless one hears about Krsna, how will one be able to glorify him? So, the more we know about Krsna, the more we naturally know how to glorify Krsna! And the more we hear about Krsna, the more attachment to Krsna develops and then automatically chanting comes.

Sravanam, kirtanam and then smaranam, remembrance comes and automatically we will remember Krsna. Obviously, when we remember Krsna then we look at this world in a different manner. Srila Prabhupada, in the introduction to the Caitanya-caritamrta, which is based on five lectures that he gave, describes that Krsna consciousness is like taking off in a plane! He says that as you are going up, then everything down on the ground suddenly becomes very small… houses like match boxes, cars like ants… all very small and immediately their importance diminishes. So, as we are getting more and more involved in Krsna consciousness, in just hearing about Krsna, in just glorifying Krsna and in remembering Krsna, then automatically the importance of material things become less.

How hurt people hurt people 2 – Learning to process our emotions before acting on them
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Gita 12.08 Living in Krishna is a matter of not just relocation, but also of realization
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Gita 02.07 When surface identities lead to conflicting duties, seek the fundamental identity
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When results are determined by our past karma, can results be used to evaluate the soundness of our decisions?
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What is the difference between processing emotions through self-help principles and through bhakti principles?
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How can we overcome our false ego and rise from our material identity to our spiritual identity?
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So what’s your latest realisation?
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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.

Thursday, May 11th, 2017
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Butler / Moundsville

Going Through

Going through customs with our vehicle was more of a breeze than I thought it would be.  Our Canadian contingent of monks, consisting of Hayagriva, Marshal and myself, along with Balaram, a Toronto member, arrived at the American Peace Bridge customs gate. We handed over our passports for inspection and all was good, including for Balaram, who is Mexican born.

With the new or latest federal administration in the U.S., there have been more stringent and tough policies exercised on foreigners as of late.  The ultimate question arises, facing all of those who pass borders, including,“Who are you?” and perhaps, “What are you doing?”

Now, here we can get a bit philosophical, in answer to the fundamental query, and say, I am a spirit and I'm trying to reform.”  An answer like that would not go over too well with any exacting authority.

We decided after leaving customs and putting in some miles through New York and Pennsylvania states, that a break in Butler, Pennsylvania, would be a good idea, given that it was here, where our guru, Srila Prabhupada, humbly began the whole mission of Krishna Consciousness.  When I passed through Butler in the fall of 2015, on foot, my support person, Vivasvan from Detroit, met an historian from the Butler Library.  He was a senior, well-read person, who was quite surprised when told that Butler, with its one month stay by the swami, before breaking ground in New York, was the actual birth place of this world-wide movement.  “You mean it started here?”

“Yes,” replied Vivasvan. “In September of ’65, it all began.”

May the Source be with you!


5 km

Wednesday, May 10th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

Sweet Guy!

Today marks the birthday of Dharmaprana.  If you ever want to meet someone who is super-positive then that would describe him.  He turned sixty-eight today. He suffered a stroke years ago, which hampered his speech and movement, but such occurrences never soured this man.

Dharmaprana is actually a monk residing in our ashram in Toronto.  He manages to get around with his daily walks.  I believe he sustains himself through the routine walking in the residential and downtown areas.  Whomever he meets, always receives a heartfelt greeting from him.  It could well be that one of the reasons people like to visit the ashram / temple is because of him.  He’s very good at reminding people to be not only optimistic but spiritual, as well.  He gets you to say, “Hare Krishna,” “Prabhupada,” and “Radha Ksirchora Gopinatha (the presiding dieties).”  He keeps us on our spiritual toes.

Naturally, a birthday party was thrown in his honour.  The prasadam (food) was ultra-rich, with cake and everything North-Indian style, and lasagna added on.  It was so rich that it warranted a walk (for me).  I took to the neighbourhood which is full of pretty, well-maintained Victorian homes.  The sidewalks, houses, and trees of the area are like Dharmaprana himself, in that they’ve been around for a while and are sweet.  Yes “sweet street” might be a way to describe Roxborough Street and the safe, clean and surrounding areas where we are located.

Thank you, Dharmaprana, for the happy day.

May the Source be with you!


5 km

Tuesday, May 9th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

What They Said and Did!

The folks I met on the way from the ashram to the corner of Yonge and Dundas downtown, had lots to say.

 “I love what you’re wearing,” said the woman as she passed by me near College Avenue.

“Hey!” said the man near Yonge and Davenport, as he was smoking a cigarette.  “I’m your neighbour.  I just live across the street from you guys.  I should come in and pay a visit.”

“Yes!  You should.  It’s your home.”

“I will.”

Near Yonge and Charles, four south-east Asians were standing, grouped together.  I offered my pranams (hands together).  I was checking; if they’re Hindu, they will respond.  They did.  Each one put hands together.  “ISKCON?” asked one, indicating that Hare Krishna is very popular in India, where they just came from.

“Are you Gujarati?”

“Yes.”  They were surprised at my guess.

“Surname Patel?”  Again, they were surprised.

“Come to our temple.  It’s your home away from home.”

One block away, I met a group of Caucasians.  One fellow from the group said, “Buddha!  Namaste!”

I said, “Krishna!  Namaste!”

On my return to the ashram at Roxborough, a homeless type said, “Yah know, this world is transitory.  Nothin’ permanent here.”

“Agreed!  One hundred percent!”  I was pleasantly surprised to hear this from him.  “You have some realization.”

May the Source be with you!


7 km

Monday, May 8th, 2017
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Toronto, Ontario

Ownership

Karuna, Luv and I had a good reason to be out.  Spring is in the air.  Blossoms beckon.  Dandelions demand.  Yes, attention must be given to the colours of the season.  And the smells as well.  So we put on our stinky shoes and sauntered through Rosedale.

“It’s pretty affluent here, isn’t it?”  Luv asked.

“Yes, and it’s quite safe.  People in the neighbourhood have seen us for years.”  Then I realized I've been walking the area and claiming the territory for much longer than most people who’ve lived here.  There’s something to be said for walking a trail over time.  You feel it’s yours.  In reality it doesn’t belong to anyone, including myself.  Remotely, with Bhagavan as distant proprietor, and closely, with Paramatmaas the in-dwelling person, it comes as false proprietorship to anyone who stakes claim by paper or personal presence.

In the Gita, the appropriate line that conveys the reality of the situation goes as follows: sarva-all, loka-places, maheshvara-great owner.  Sarva loka maheshvara.  This is listed as one of the items that is the component to inner peace.  Everyone is looking for peace and it will most naturally come when peace arises from within.  It begins with appreciating genuine ownership.

There is nothing you can take, or hold in your arms and walk away with, especially with regard to the body at the time of departure.

May the Source be with you!


3 km (only)

From Grudging to Gratitude 4 – Forgiving internally and externally by focusing on Krishna
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From Grudging to Gratitude 3 – Learn to re-interpret reality devotionally
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[Retreat at Krishna Avanti School, Leicester, UK]

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From Grudging to Gratitude 2 – See beyond the immediate cause of suffering
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[Retreat at Krishna Avanti School, Leicester, UK]

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From Grudging to Gratitude 1 – Grudging is like driving with brakes pressed
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[Retreat at Krishna Avanti School, Leicester, UK]

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A new temple in Izhevsk (Western Urals, Russia) … soon!…
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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

2017 Nrsimha Caturdasi Festival, San Diego (Album with photos)…
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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

Back In The USSR (7 min video) “ Destination Moscow…
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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

Malaysia Tour an Unprecedented Success!
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Hare KrishnaBy Sunanda Das

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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Professor Massimo Introvigne – Interview
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Hare KrishnaBy Massimo Introvigne

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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Nrsimha Caturdasi initiation names
→ SivaramaSwami.com

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

New TOVP Virtual Tour Website
- TOVP.org

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.

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Cast Iron Fence Design Completed
- TOVP.org

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.

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