Planet ISKCON

Answer Podcast

The post What is causeless mercy – how can we qualify for it – can it come without initiation? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Podcast

The post Gita 16.24 – The transition from description to prescription requires discretion appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Congregation program at Oakville, Toronto, Canada]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

The post How free is our free will? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

THE CONCH NEWSLETTER, May Issue.
LORD NARASIMHA - Protector of the Devotees
JAHNAVA MATA THAKURANI - The Great Vaishnavi ...

Requests for prayers.
Ambarisa Das: my old friend Badrinarayan Swami is very sick. Please, all vaishnavas, pray for him. His en...

Heroes of the Flood.
Krishnarupa devi dasi: It was bigger than the 1954 and 1988 floods as Cyclone Debbie cut a devastating swathe throughout the Tweed Shire, with much of the area (including Murwillumbah) under heavy water. Lives were tragically lost and valuable property ruined. Devotees lost businesses and some had their homes and belongings seriously water damaged. New Govardhana also endured serious flooding, with Krishna Village inundated, fencing wrecked and the animals in danger. As we often see when tragedy strikes, heroes emerge. New Govardhana devotees went into action and provided delicious hot prasadam all over town for some days. Being a recipient of this prasadam, when you are struggling trying to do flood clean-ups, it was a blessing. My neighbors were delighted to receive a home delivery, thanks to Lokesvari devi dasi.
There were many members of our devotee community who went out of their way to help people, such as Shyama McCrae, who kindly offered to help me if I needed some assistance; to Rupa Charana dasa and the four Mayapur Gurukula graduates who lugged an enormously heavy log back to its rightful place in my backyard and who had also been distributing prasadam with Krishna Gana dasa and others like Yasoda devi dasi, to Sridasa Johnson from DAS Construction, who helped many with his pressure cleaner. I was also told he drove around South Murwillumbah collecting floating gas bottles and also Photography: Trevor Gore helped people in Railway Street who were hit badly by the flood. On the farm, Mal Knights and his colleagues demonstrated great leadership qualities when Krishna Village was completely flooded out, and of course Ajita dasa, who was leading with his usual gusto. Other devotees in town shared their evening meals, washing machines – and consoling hugs. For those not mentioned specifically here, on behalf of other flood victims, I extend a heartfelt thank you!

Meet Bhakta Owen.
Mandakini devi dasi: New Govardhana resident Bhakta Owen Maher recalls having an unusual dream in 2015. In this dream, a disembodied hand was extended towards him offering a Bhagavadgita. He had not previously seen any devotees or any devotional literature. When he woke up, he googled ‘Bhagavad-gita’ and was delighted to find out the spiritual significance. Weeks later, while holidaying in Byron Bay, Caranaravinda dasa approached him and handed Owen a Bhagavadgita! After praying to Krishna for another sign, he returned to his hometown of Umina, NSW, and was thrilled to then meet devotees on the street. He invited them to his home after purchasing a Srimad-Bhagavatam. It wasn’t long before Owen was chanting japa every day.
Owen is also a practical man, with years of experience in his father’s painting and decorating business. He has also been a personal fitness trainer, keen rugby player and spent seven years practicing Vipassana yoga. Now living in New Govardhana, he is managing the paraphernalia and bhoga rooms and has proved himself to be a good handyman and gardener. Owen’s very supportive parents appreciate his chosen lifestyle and thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere when he and his Gaura Nitai Deities come to visit. With the aroma and taste of prasadam, the maha flowers placed on his parent’s bed each evening and the soothing sprinkles of offered water, Owen has transformed the family home into a spiritual haven.
His mother is reading Bhagavad-gita and his sister, who is the mother of two young children, has received his gift of chanting beads and bead bag. “All my energy is here at the farm at the moment and I am fully focused on Krishna consciousness,” says Owen. “But I am looking forward to going to India early next year.”

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

Today, we celebrate the appearance of Sri Jahnava devi, the wife of Lord Nityananda. Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, in his Kalyana Kalpataru has prayed as follows at the lotus feet of Shri Jahnava Mata: "Having fallen into this ocean of misery, my life is a bewilderment, and I do not know how to reach its shore, nor even where to search for it. All my efforts (karma) are useless, all my knowledge (jnana) is useless, as are mysticism (yoga), austerity, religious penance, and mundane piety. None of these processes have any power to rescue me. I am weak, helpless. I don't know how to swim across this ocean of ignorance. Who will deliver me from this dangerous predicament? Within this dangerous ocean of material existence I see the crocodiles of sense gratification—what a terrible sight! Within this ocean, I am tossed about by the turbulent waves which constantly boil and churn like a ship without a rudder. The impulses and urges that I have acquired from my previous births are like a wind that blows the ship in all directions. My mind is unsteady. This ship has no captain, no direction. I weep in despair, seeing that I cannot cross this ocean of misery. O Jahnava Devi! Today, by the power of your divine qualities, be merciful to this servant of yours. Dispell this illusion which torments me, and relieve me of the anguish of material existence. Let me take shelter at your lotus feet, for in this way I shall certainly cross over the ocean of birth and death. You are Nityananda-shakti—the divine energy of Nityananda Himself. You are the guru of Krishna-bhakti. Be merciful to me and grant me the shade of your holy lotus feet, which are like a wish-fulfilling tree. You have delivered countless abominable sinners. Please deliver me in the same way. Today, this lowly sinner falls at your holy feet, praying for your mercy." Continue reading "Jahnava Mata
→ Dandavats"

Ramanujacarya meets Iskcon’s Founder-Acarya!
Aniruddha Dasa: Hare Krishna Melbourne - We helped members of the local followers of Ramanujacarya celebrate the 1000th anniversary of his appearance last night. A special occasion no doubt and this meeting struck me with its significance. Srila Prabhupada being the modern day representative of the Vaisnava sampradayas.

By Drutakarma das

In 1992 and 1993, paleontologists of the San Diego Natural History Museum were monitoring the construction on State Highway 54 in San Diego County. In the road excavations they found some interesting fossils that raise the possibility that humans have existed in North America for far longer than most archeologists now think possible. Continue reading "California Dreaming: The State Highway 54 Mastodon Blues
→ Dandavats"

By Bhaktin Anya Nimaeva

We are all looking for inspiration. Without it our life becomes dull and our spiritual practice stagnates. Attending a retreat is a great way to find inspiration and get a new perspective. The VIHE International Vaisnavi Retreat 2017 gave inspiration to more than seventy vaisnavis from all around the world and left a deep impression on me personally. I can still feel the warmth of holding hands and the sweetness of smiles on many faces. The sound of the tambura is still playing in my mind and Giriraja is still right there within a few steps. This was my first vaisnavi retreat and I didn't know what to expect. It turned out to be much more than I could imagine. Just having an opportunity to see Giriraja every day felt surreal. Being engaged in service to all the devotees was a special blessing. Sharing responsibility with the wonderful team of staff created a bond which will stay no matter if we ever meet again. Continue reading "Vaisnavi Retreat in Govardhana
→ Dandavats"

From real life to reel life!

Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the Hare Krishna movement, his contributions, his spiritual outlook and the experiences of his disciples & grand disciples will be available on the big screen in a month’s time!

Through the wonderful efforts of Yadubara prabhu (John Griesser) and his wife Vishaka mataji (Jean Griesser), this documentary will give people an idea on what the Hare Krishna solution to the suffering world is all about. I am hoping that someone will get inspired to make a full length hollywood movie on Srila Prabhupad.

The official Facebook page is here. Please LIKE them!
https://www.facebook.com/harekrishnathefilm/

Here is the official website of the movie:
http://harekrishnathefilm.com

Here is the trailer video if you want to watch it quickly:

If you want to help, here is the director team’s request for financial assistance:
https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/hare-krishna-the-film

The movie will premiere at the Illuminate Film Festival. Here is the website for more info: http://illuminatefilmfestival.com/films2017.php

If you want to read through a quick bio of the directors, here it is:
> Yadubara Dasa: http://howicame.com/yadubara-dasa/
> Vishaka Devi Dasi: http://btg.krishna.com/vishakha-devi-dasi

Vishaka mataji has also written a wonderful book, “Five Years, Eleven Months and a lifetime of unexpected love“, which you can buy at Amazon. Here is the link.

Hoping all that links above will help you link with the Hare Krishna! movement Please let me know of your thoughts of the movie after you have watched it in the comments below. In the meantime, let’s wish the entire team with our best wishes, blessings and hopes! Good luck Hare Krishna team!

Preaching program in Krishna Tempel Leipzig, Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: It is essential for persons who are ...

Podcast

 

The post Meditation on Niagara Falls appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

A Far Distant Corner Of The World (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The ISKCON devotees of Omsk, in southwest Siberia, Ru...

Krishna Mangala das: Today is Jayananda’s disappearance day. We compiled the film about Jayananda Thakur. Also we put his Bhagavad-Gita Class
Read More...

How much weight do we put on our intelligence?

The other day I read about a young lady who was killed on the M4 a motorway I use regularly, why was she killed? Simply by exiting her car to chase a dog that was loose running across the lanes.
I’m sure normally speaking she wouldn’t entertain or think of leaving the safety of her car due to dangers involved; but her love of dogs made her intelligence temporarily disappear in regards to the real danger.

Then the sad news of a wonderful devotee who was killed upon his return to New Zealand at a local road junction, it’s unclear what happened or who is at fault; but as we know their is always need to be cautious before entering any junction. Again the intelligence is temporarily lost in regards the danger.

Material life is like this, we put lots of emphasis on our intelligence indeed each and everyone​ of us are a slave to our mind which leads us in so many directions, convincing us that our thoughts and our way is constantly right, indeed we then surround ourselves with like minded individuals who will validate our thought processes.

But disaster is always one step away, most of the time we can simply dust ourselves down say how much we’ve learned from the experience and carry on; sometimes sadly actions mean loss of life were upon the onlookers state how their superior intelligence means they wouldn’t make such mistakes.

It reminded me of the simple fact that devotional life isn’t always easy, for we actually if practicing correctly have to deal with the real self and our not so intelligent intelligence. Even the Guru’s mission is to help us overcome this faulty material intelligence and replace with spiritual intelligence.

Srila Prabhupada translated so much and took the time to explain the real meaning each verse and sentence designed to enhance our intelligence and explain how material nature works and how best to overcome it. Every situation is covered there is not one problem or circumstance that isn’t covered and in each turn a positive outcome can be seen, no matter what our own personal situation we can return home this lifetime.

Time and time again Srila Prabhupada reminds and requests we simply chant the holy name’s for in this age of Kali there is no other way, simple reading and chanting, offer our food to the lord.

But best of all we can share this amazing inspirational intelligence with everyone we meet freely and unconditionally just as Srila Prabhupada showed us, and make sure they leave with a book

Hare Krishna

Podcast

The post Science-Religion QA appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post How can we share bhakti wisdom with the non-religious? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post What is our religious identity – what is a simple answer that our kids can give to other kids at school? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Jayananda Thakur’s Own Words (Album with photos)
Jayananda made his own notes in the jacket of his Krishna book in a list in point form. He wrote: ;As your begin to apply the book’s clearly described principles to your life you will quickly experience a new realm of mental poise and experience an inner happiness even in the midst of the most trying circumstances...

Read More...

[Youth meeting at Toronto Public Library, Canada]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

The post From mindless accumulation to mindful realization appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Ajitananda das

From the very beginning of our association I sensed something special about Jayananda, and always felt extremely happy and contented in his company. I certainly considered him to be my spiritual superior, but never felt uncomfortable or intimidated in his presence. He was like a kind elder brother. I could sense that his heart was filled with genuine humility and spiritual affection, and this instantly endeared him to me. Never one to condescend, Jayananda would always take the humble position and solicit my advice on matters which he was obviously competent to deal with himself. That was his considerate nature, always depreciating his own importance, while offering all respect to others. Continue reading "Remembering HG Jayananda Prabhu
→ Dandavats"

[Sunday feast lecture at ISKCON, Brampton, Canada]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

The post Being religiously spiritual in a multi-cultural world appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Podcast

The post Gita 02.58 Inevitable exposure to sense objects is different from initiated or instigated exposure appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Podcast

The post Gita 16.09 All truth-claims are power-claims – This is also a truth-claim and a power-claim appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Seminar at ISKCON, Brampton, Canada]

Podcast

The post 9 forms of devotional service part 2 – Pada Sevanam Archanam Vandanam Dasyam Sakhyam Atma-Nivedanam appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

By Kalindi Devi Dasi

Around 8 a.m. on August 6th I entered her room and found that she was getting closer to leaving her body. She was unresponsive to verbal cues and her body was quite limp. I took this opportunity to sing the Maha Mantra one last time while she received her final bath. Continue reading "Jayananda Prabhu’s Mother
→ Dandavats"

[Seminar at ISKCON, Brampton, Canada]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

The post 9 forms of devotional service part 1 – Shravanam Kirtanam Smaranam appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[House program at Toronto, Canada]

Podcast

Podcast Summary

The post Why spirituality matters – scientific, ethical and relational perspectives appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Yesterday, after the Bhagavtam class, Abhishek prabhu was approached by an elderly Indian gentleman.

He was well-dressed, had a smiling face, respectful and later declared to us that he was from Bengal, a diplomat during his working years and was now retired. Visiting his son in Sydney, he was out and about when he happened to see the temple complex. Curious, he had stepped in and eventually stayed for the Bhagavatam class. He could speak fluent Chinese too!

Anyway, it was nice to see his interest but as an elderly person, he obviously had a slight inclination towards correcting the youngsters. So, he began to quiz & debate with Abhishek prabhu (and myself too). Abhishek prabhu, for his young age, happens to be well-versed in spiritual literatures. His answers to the gentleman was cut and right – no diplomacy from him. His sharp answers actually subdued the man who now respected him more.

As we shared the breakfast table, munching on our elaborate feast (cabbage subji, carrot halva, kofta balls, coconut chutney, crispy jalebi, salad, upma and a pea curry), his attention turned to an incoming tray of hot samosas! “Is that samosa?“, he asked like a little child. Before we could answer, he picked his plate and hurried towards the server. Grabbing a piece topped by a generous amount of tamarind chutney, he sat back on his seat again. As his eyes twinkled over his conquest, I quickly ran over and got me a piece too. Abhishek was avoiding anything deeply fried although he was munching away on that crispy jalebi pieces! Hypocrisy, i say!

As the man relished his samosa, he asked, “Are you both living at the temple?“. We replied that we weren’t but the Brahmacaris (renunciant students) were. He looked at us with concern and asked, “You mean they have no house of  their own, no job also?“. Abhishek prabhu explained that as brahmacaris, they had no outside work or financial assets, were devoted to the temple full-time and were under the care of the temple management. The man’s fatherly instincts were raised, “But how is that possible? How can someone live without any work and no money – how will they get food and clothes? What if he wants to buy a tooth-brush?! Who will give?“, he asked with great concern.

I thought that was funny and chuckled. Who will get their tooth-brush? I told him that just like there are people for whom material assets are important for their security, there were those who were completely attached to devotional service of the Lord. In that service, they are completely dependant on Him for all their needs, sustenance and protection. I told him that it’s hard for people like us to understand or live such a lifestyle but those who had made the jump were happy. I told him that temple took care of  their food, clothing and shelter besides engaging them in a wide variety of devotional work. He seemed surprised but content that they were being looked after. He eventually finished his meals, bid us farewell, promising to return again next weekend too.

Many things passed by mind after the incident:

1. Life of brahmacaris: how sacrifice, austerity, simplicity and unselfish devotional service is so pure, healthy and powerful.
2. Goal in life during old age: Instead of spending time visiting children here and there, attached to one’s past work life & achievements, it’s important that one takes up full-time devotional life also after retirement.
3. My fortune of being a part of a devotee network early on in life: The earlier one takes the risk and associates with a spiritual group, the better.
4. Importance of regular study: Watching Abhishek prabhu answer the questions from a shastric angle was so wonderful to watch. It inspired me to study regularly, contemplate more and apply the learnings in one’s life.

So, that was a great Saturday morning well spent, i thought.

Written by Uddhava

The morning (27 April) started really early. It was dark, the temperature was almost zero and most were heavily wrapped in warm winter clothes but spirits were high – Kingsday here we come!

At 5 am, three buses arrived at the Radhadesh guesthouse parking. 2017 marked the first year that we needed three buses to take 205 devotees to Amsterdam. This was a record number and we are not counting the large number of devotees who went directly by car and those that came straight from the UK. About an hour away from Amsterdam, our stomachs were rumbling as we made a stop for breakfast. The amazing prasadam packs were prepared under the expert guidance of Nama-rupa dd. There were sandwiches with humus, fruit, a drink, sweet bars donated by Pada Pankaja and, of course, the famous sweet ‘haribols’. These food packages were a lifesaver and many devotees saved some of it for the harinama!

Around 9:30 am, the buses arrived in Amsterdam which would soon be turned into a dham (holy place) by the presence of approximately 350 happy devotees. A whole group of about 25 devotees also arrived from the UK headed by Parasurama. He also brought his sound machine again, complete with drum kit and bass guitar. It was going to be a fun parade! After a short break and a quick visit to the ISKCON temple, the group was about to step out for the start of the biggest and most orange harinama in Europe!

From the temple, immediately we took a straight course to the city center and Dam Square as we danced our way towards the middle of Amsterdam. It was still quiet in those parts of town, so after spending some time on Dam Square we headed off into Damstraat. Finally, it got crowded and some people starting jumping and dancing with us. We arrived in the middle of the Red Light district and almost passed what was the first ISKCON temple in Amsterdam, established in 1973. From there, our orange journey unfolded onto central station and back to the Dam Square.

Vraja Krsna Das took over the microphone and rocked the Dam for at least an hour. He is a great singer and he inspired many to join in and to take LOTS of photos and videos! At the sound of the bells announcing 2 o’ clock, we walked on towards Rozengracht and with a loop back to Leidseplein. At the Leidseplein, we got the feet of many onlookers swinging about and attracted the crowds again. That was an easy job since we were the only big ‘event’ that was actually doing something organised in Amsterdam that day!

The first part of the day came to an end at the nearby site where we stopped for lunch. Rick from Radhadesh was there again to help with the logistical part of the site and he brought a big tent, tables and chairs. Gita Govinda and her amazing team organised the prasadam, distribution and overall planning of Kingsday. It was a BIG success and we are forever grateful for her contribution! Even though the cooking team (headed by Marcel & Kerstin) cooked for 400 people, all prasadam was finished swiftly. After the amazing lunch of pasta, halava, sweet and cake, most devotees were taking a break in the nearby park to give our feet a well-deserved rest.

An idle mind is the devil’s workshop – so goes the saying – but we did not have time to sit idle as the second part of the day was about to commence. Our stomachs were filled, feet rested and the sound system geared with new batteries, once again we hit the streets of AmsterDHAMA!

And we all knew what was coming… the famous ‘bridge’ in Vondelpark!

Parividha Prabhu was leading the group into Vondelpark and peaked under the bridge. People came running to ‘our’ party to join in and dance like crazy. In the meantime, Kadamba Kanana Swami took the microphone and rocked on! He is famous for draining the energy of the mrdanga players but this was the first time that he drained all the energy from the batteries of the sound system!!! But that did not stop him and while using the portable sound system from the Harinam Ruci group, he continued the crescendo into a huge final craze. I thought I saw flying devotees at once stage!

After the ‘bridge’, we walked, albeit slowly, through Vondelpark and headed for the buses again. We did it again – eight hours of singing and dancing.  At least 350 devotees, 3 buses, 4 vans and many cars. One sound system and six (!!) car batteries. A team of 21 devotees organised the Kingsday festivities with five cooks. And, against all odds, a sunny day without any rain. Nothing can beat that!

See you in 2018!?

Practically everyday, I look out of my window and I see my neighbor working on his yard. Of course, in winter he is not doing yard work but plows the snow if it snows etc. At least major part of the year, I see him waving at me and enthusiastically doing his work. Clearly, I saw how he was connected and was taking pleasure in maintaining his garden. His persona was one of energy and movement. I guess as a proud homeowner, Americans in general tend to take pride in their upkeep of yard and gardening.

Then one day I saw he was missing in his regular activities. After few months, I chanced to meet him in his yard and I was told by my neighbor that he has cancer. As a result, he reduced his movements and stayed indoors most of the time. I prayed to the Lord for His well-being.

As time passed, the yard seemed eerily silent and void. I started to have a gut feeling that something was not right. What once was a yard of energy looked desolate like an abandoned brownfield. It did not sit well with me. I was constantly meditating on his missing figure. Has the inevitable taken place? Not able to withstand my apparent internal conflict, I googled the obituary only to find my good neighbor passed two months ago. He was 61, by modern standards that is young indeed.

I went over to my neighbor's house with a single rose stem and expressed my support and sadness to his wife. Life goes on...isn't it (as my brother would say in his english accent). Everything seems normal and now i see a hired landscaper doing the yard work every week.

Once upon a time my neighbor was real, he existed and his passion for keeping the yard was real. His energy could be felt and he was constantly up and about. Now that same energy is there but it can be felt in the emptiness by him not being here. So which is true? The fact that he existed or the fact now that he doesn't? The Bhagavad Gita says that the soul is eternal and that there is no birth or death for the ever lasting soul. So I am pleased to know that my neighbor truly is somewhere in the cosmos. While the soul may be eternal, the reality as "my neighbor" and "his yard work" is not. It is this apparent reality I am questioning - is it even real? Both his presence and non-presence seems very real but also very opposite! Which is true, bewildering indeed, Maya is!

I am reminded of this deep statement by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami which jump started my own quest for the truth. It comes right in the beginning pages of the introduction of Bhagavad Gita - "Our very existence is in the atmosphere of nonexistence. Actually we are not meant to be threatened by nonexistence".  These words cannot be anymore truer for me especially now as I can feel the presence of existence and non-existence and my struggle to grasp the truth?

Hare Krishna

Answer Podcast

The post Is the holy name scientific, ethical or relational? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post How can a newly married couple new to bhakti strengthen their relationship? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post What is the spiritual recourse amidst abusive relationships? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post How do we have free will – how much can we use it? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Nectarean Krishna katha by Romapada and Bhakti Chaitanya Swamis while visiting several sacred sites in Vrindavan.