Websites from the ISKCON Universe
By Drutakarma dasIn 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 ...
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
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...
[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 dasFrom 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.
Abhishek prabhu (in white) listens patiently to the elderly guest (29.04.17) @ Sydney Hare Krishna temple.
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:
So, that was a great Saturday morning well spent, i thought.
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!?
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. 
The confidential truth is that in order to quickly bestow auspiciousness upon the living entities of Kali-yuga, in the beginning, the Supreme Lord sent His devotees such as Sathhakopa (Nammalvar), Ramanuja, Vishnusvami, Madhvacarya and Nimbaditya to this world, and desiring to bestow the supreme secret of attaining conjugal love of Godhead, He personally assumed the form of a devotee named Sri Krishna Caitanya and descended with His own Golokadhama in the supreme place of pilgrimage, Gauda-bhumi
Deep In The Heart Of Russia (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our team has made it to Omsk in Western Siberia. The winter’s here are brutally cold. But spring has just arrived and there’s a pleasant atmosphere in the air. All the hearty Siberian devotees are most grateful for our visit and together we are enjoying kirtan and classes in the presence of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Radha Govinda are the only full-sized Radha Krsna deities installed and worshipped in Russia. And of all places - Siberia!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/aWCkfb
Preaching program in the beautiful Los Angeles temple (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/tX2aq3