When intelligence can be used or misused, is intelligence a power of our consciousness or a gift from the Supersoul?
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Anwser Podcast


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Tap your inner power by understanding your inner hierarchy – Gita 03.42
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[Evening program at ISKCON, Orlando, USA]

Podcast


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ISKCON NA Farm Conference
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Hare KrishnaBy Madhava Smullen

New Vrindaban is set to host the second annual ISKCON North America Farm Conference from October 13th to 15th this year. The GBC Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture, which organized conferences on simple living in four continents last year, is behind the event. The conference, themed “Back to the Basics,” will be facilitated by ECO-Vrindaban and ISKCON New Vrindaban. Continue reading "ISKCON NA Farm Conference
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Gita 13.11 The way of devotion is different from the way of the masses
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Gita verse-by-verse Podcast


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Cladding The Ribs
- TOVP.org

We have completed concreting the Domes, the next phase is cladding the domes with different types of materials.

The first phase is to clad the ribs in GRC (glass reinforced concrete). By this images you are seeing now, installing has commenced and the very first piece has been fixed.

In a few days time we will also be adding the gold effect, titanium nitride on the side of the ribs. Stay tuned to see the progress!

The post Cladding The Ribs appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Two-Month Mridanga Course for Beginners
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is very pleased to announce that we will be starting a two-month Mridanga Course for beginners, but everybody across all age groups and levels are welcome for this course. The start date for the course and other particulars are mentioned below.

This course will be taught by our resident devotee – Gopal Prabhu, a young, enthusiastic and energetic devotee who studied mridanga among other subjects in Gurukula from Vrindavana, India.

This course is primarily aimed for beginners to build the foundation for learning the art of mridanga. This course will still be very valuable for mridanga players of others levels to perfect their technique and playing.

Tentative Course Details: 

  • Dates: Starting on Saturday March 11th
  • Venue: ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple on 243 Avenue Road, Toronto
  • Timings: Wednesdays (6pm -7pm), Saturdays (10 am – 11 am)
  • Fee: $150 for the 2 months course (non-refundable)
  • Registration: Registration is mandatory and payments must be made before Saturday March, 4th 2017 (Payment instructions will follow)
  • Other Notes: It is highly recommended that you have your own mridanga because you will need it for practicing, if you don’t have one and are interested to buy, please let us know we will try to make some arrangement.  
Contact: Hitesh Patel or Santosh

If you're interested in taking the course, please click here and fill up the form and we will get back to you soon.

Pujari Sanga Inspires North American Priests
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

 

Pujari Sanga Inspires North American Priests

By: Madhava Smullen for ISKCON News

Malati Devi shares stories of Srila Prabhupada and Deity worship

Pujaris from all over North America gathered in New Vrindaban, West Virginia in January to gain inspiration, support and training from two events organized by the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry: the inaugural North American Head Pujari Sanga, followed by the third annual Weekend Pujari Training.

First off, twenty-one head pujaris and deity department managers from seventeen temples gathered for the Head Pujari Sanga, from January 3rd to 5th.

Proceedings began with attendees taking the time to get to know each other, brainstorming and discussing what they wanted to achieve during a one-hour orientation, as a major goal of the sanga was for pujaris to develop lasting relationships amongst each other.

The group then had a forty-five-minute teleconference with Global ISKCON Deity Worship Minister Nrsimha Kavacha Das, who elaborated on the various roles and responsibilities of a head pujari.

This was followed by the pujaris identifying some of the universal challenges they shared in their service, and how to overcome them.

“For instance, at the top of the list is the shortage of pujari teams to cover the worship in many temples,” says North American Deity Worship Minister Jayananda Das, who led the Sanga. “Many head pujaris find themselves having to pick up a lot of additional service. So we discussed how, when devotees come forward to get involved in their temples, we can have a proactive focus on getting them engaged in their deity departments.”

The head pujaris also shared best practices. Assistant head pujari from ISKCON Los Angeles Vaninatha Raya Das, for example, explained how whenever an offering or arati is late, it is recorded and posted on the wall, so that the issue can later be addressed to improve punctuality.

North American Deity Worship Minister Jayananda Das speaks to the head pujaris

Meanwhile second-generation pujari Sri Caitanya Hari Das from Vancover shared how his department handles the common problem of deity jewelry being haphazardly put away and left in a disorganized state. Instead of leaving the task to the evening pujari, who is already exhausted from a long day, they set it aside for someone else to come in and properly organize it the next morning. Many representatives from other temples expressed their eagerness to try this system too.

The next day, Braja Bihari Das of ISKCON Resolve led a three-hour workshop entitled “Getting to the Heart of Conflict and Communications for Head Pujaris.” Among the many interpersonal challenges for pujaris discussed were those between younger and older generations, who came into the service with vastly different moods and training.

“A better understanding of conflict resolution helps these challenges,” says Jayananda. “For example, a central point was that we make so many assumptions about others that are often incorrect. But if head pujaris ask open-ended questions, and try to come to an understanding of what someone’s interests are, rather than just opposing their position, then we can often come to a collaborative solution. It’s important to get beyond the ‘I win, you lose’ mentality to a ‘win-win’ approach.”

Later that afternoon, Malati Devi, who played a key role in the beginning of deity worship in ISKCON and is still hugely supportive of deity worship in North America, led a team-building exercise. Called “Bundle of Sticks,” it showed how pujaris working together in cooperation are much stronger than they are going at it alone. Malati also shared some of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on deity worship.

Finally, there was a brainstorming session about what head pujaris needed to be more successful in their service, and how the North American GBC and Deity Worship Ministry could support and assist them.

On the last day of the sanga, Jayananda facilitated more sharing of best practices, and discussed some of the Deity Worship Ministry’s current efforts and future goals. These included the Ministry recently taking up management of a deity dressmaking shop in Mayapur that aims to make deity outfit creation an internal operation.

“Currently ISKCON Temples worldwide pay literally millions annually to outside businesses for their deity dresses,” says Jayananda. “We would like to scale the shop’s operations up so that it can handle demand, allowing us to be able to keep it inside the ISKCON family.”

The shop will be headed up by Ananda Lila Dasi, who considers deity dressmaking a personal passion and has been serving and teaching at the Mayapur Academy for many years. Profits will go towards supporting ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry’s training efforts around the world as well as new school buildings in Mayapur.

Graduates from the Pujari Training Seminar 

Concluding the Head Pujari Sanga, everyone discussed how best to stay connected, and Jayananda resolved to develop an internal website featuring informational documents and relevant Srila Prabhupada quotes. He also plans to set up a Google Group so that head pujaris across North America can post questions and continue to share best practices.

Afterwards, head pujaris who attended were effusive in their feedback. “As a second generation devotee, who now finds myself in a managerial role within our community of Vancouver, Canada – this was one of the most enlivening and engaging experiences I’ve had since coming on board,” said Sri Caitanya Hari Das.

“I feel completely recharged, inspired, and determined to do better,” said Indulekha Dasi from ISKCON Boston.

ISKCON Miami head pujari Dharma Das – the seniormost head pujari in North America, having consistently served the Miami deities for well over forty years – said, “I sometimes become a little overwhelmed with so  much service at our temple. Being at this meeting helped me realize that the problems that we experience at ISKCON Miami are also experienced almost everywhere.”

And Prana-Hari Das of ISKCON Denver said, “This sanga unified head pujaris across North America so that we can work together to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desires concerning Deity worship in ISKCON.”

After the Head Pujari Sanga, thirty-three devotees attended the third annual Weekend Pujari Training from Friday January 6th through Sunday the 8th. They came from all over the country and ranged from young new bhaktas and bhaktins to senior pujaris – some head pujaris stayed to brush up on their skills.

The most thorough deity worship training offered in North America today, the three-day program included nearly twenty hours of training. The first half covered the foundational and theoretical aspects of deity worship – why we do it, what are its benefits, qualifications required, and the position of the spiritual master.

The second half was practical, with demonstrations on how to perform acamana, wake the deities and put them to rest, offer bhoga and arati, and perform festival abhisekhas. The grand finale consisted of a demonstration of an elaborate sixteen-item puja to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai.

Jayananda hopes to offer the Weekend Pujari Training again in April or May 2018, once again at New Vrindaban, which he finds to be an ideal location. “ISKCON New Vrindaban offers perhaps the best facilities for accommodating multiple guests of any temple in North America, and they are very supportive and accommodating,” he says.

For Jayananda, providing all this training and support for pujaris is essential. “Deity worship is a core activity of our vaidhi sadhana bhakti,” he says. “And we see how Srila Prabhupada put so much effort into establishing temples and deities all around the world. So it’s of utmost importance that we do our best to serve the Lord favorably and to the best of our abilities. And systematic training goes a long way to that end!”

Symptoms of spontaneous love for God
→ Servant of the Servant

Offenseless chanting of Krishna's Holy Name even once can liberate one from the pangs of material miseries. Srimad Bhagavata Purana sets the standard for pure chanting. This standard can be achieved by one who is on the stage of bhava or spontaneous loving sentiments towards Krishna. Below are the symptoms of such a soul.

tad aśma-sāraṁ hṛdayaṁ batedaṁ
yad gṛhyamāṇair hari-nāma-dheyaiḥ
na vikriyetātha yadā vikāro
netre jalaṁ gātra-ruheṣu harṣaḥ

Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of one’s chanting the holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change when ecstasy takes place, tears fill the eyes and the hairs stand on end. 

Symptoms of bhava;
  1. Kṣānti - cessation of material desires 
  2. Avyārtha-kālatvam - utilization of every moment in the transcendental loving service of the Lord 
  3. Nāma-gāne sadā ruci - eagerness for glorifying the Lord constantly 
  4. Prītis tad-vasati sthale - attraction for living in the land of the Lord 
  5. Virakti - complete detachment from material happiness 
  6. Māna-śūnyatā - pridelessness 

- Srimad Bhagavata Purana 2.3.24

Hare Krishna


Monday, February 20th, 2017
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Mayapur, India


Talking to the Monks


It was the first time in days to feel a breeze coming.  Most likely it has something to do with Mother Ganga, who moves with speed, and carries air currents which piggy-back on her.  In any event, the cool gusts are welcoming.  Ascending the stairs of the Lotus Building was the opportune time for the experience.

Now, I was honoured to be asked to present myself as a full-fledged monk of thirty-three years (and ten celibate brahmachari years before that) in front of a class of soon-to-be-ordained sanyasis (monks).  There were thirty of them, representing the U.S., Europe, Russia, Bengal, and Bangladesh.  My impression of the group was that they are mature, sober (a word our guru, Srila Prabhupada, used to denote cool-headed), good listeners, appreciative….

Krsna Ksetra Swami, the co-ordinator, had asked that I present a biographical opening.  Of course that included how I began my walking excursions.  I then walked everyone through the Society’s 7 Purposes (of ISKCON).  He suggested I bring up personal, relevant points to do with the renounced order.

At least three bullet points were:

1)    Encourage wholesome family life, as most people on the spiritual path will not become fully renounced anyway.

2)    Do not become wholly dependent on others. Learn some self-reliance—as a sanyasi many people will be inclined to do many menial tasks for you

3)    Watch out for the adoration; always take a humble position

A a fourth would be:

4)    Example is better than precept, or as St. Francis of Assisi is attributed to have said, “Preach…and, if you have to, use some words.”

May the Source be with you!


6 km

Sunday, February 19th, 2017
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Mayapur, India


Starting Trends


It looks like we started a kind of cult among the kids with our drama, “Mr. Puri.”  We presented this endearing story to the school.  We are hearing that some children have viewed it as many as four times.  They’re singing at school one of our songs, “Gopal, Gopal, we’re looking everywhere.”  When the public see the actors,they call them by their names in the play.  Pariksit, one of the actors, speaks of his threatening dog, Pinto, in the drama.  When Pariksit is seen on the street, they call out, “Pinto!  Pinto!”  They also ask Jambhavan, another one of the actors, from South Africa, if he could do his dance move “the worm” which he pulls off expertly in the show.

It’s trail-blazing, in a good way.  The compulsion to imitate, or recall, well-motivated stories, lilas, centered around spiritual themes is a good thing.

After hearing a Bhagavatam class from Guru Prasada Swami, an American-born monk, I met Uttama Sloka Swami, who gently pulled me over to the side and said, “Maharaja, you have begun a new fashion.  You are using your uttariya (beggars cloth, usually tied around the neck) and draping it over the shoulder, like a chauddar (shawl).  Other sannyasis are following your lead on this.”

To the swami making the remark,I had this to say. “When I do my marathon walks in the mind-swept prairies, the uttariya flings in the air in a most unmanageable way, so I wear it like most folks in India.  I do get my dhoti (lower garment) sewn so the cloth is like a tube you step into.  The strong wind can’t send it in a way to expose yourself.  Also it keeps your legs warmer in Canadian coolness.”

There’s a method to the madness.

May the Source be with you!


6 km

Saturday, February 18th, 2017
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Mayapur, India

Message of the Day

Before our meeting, I had the privilege of reading out the verse of the day.  Sometimes it is a personal letter our guru has written to someone.  If you don’t quite know all the persons mentioned in this passage (from the Bhagavatam) at least you can glean something from the verse and purport.

From Bhagavatam 1.9.12:

Bhīṣmadeva said: Oh, what terrible sufferings and what terrible injustices you good souls suffer for being the sons of religion personified. You did not deserve to remain alive under those tribulations, yet you were protected by the brāhmaṇas, God and religion.

Purport by Srila Prabhupada:

Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was disturbed due to the great massacre in the Battle of Kurukṣetra. Bhīṣmadeva could understand this, and therefore he spoke first of the terrible sufferings of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira. He was put into difficulty by injustice only, and the Battle of Kurukṣetra was fought just to counteract this injustice. Therefore, he should not regret the great massacre. He wanted to point out particularly that they were always protected by the brāhmaṇas, the Lord and religious principles. As long as they were protected by these three important items, there was no cause of disappointment. Thus Bhīṣmadeva encouraged Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira to dissipate his despondency. As long as a person is fully in cooperation with the wishes of the Lord, guided by the bona fide brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas and strictly following religious principles, one has no cause for despondency, however trying the circumstances of life. Bhīṣmadeva, as one of the authorities in the line, wanted to impress this point upon the Pāṇḍavas.

May the Source be with you!


5 km

Friday, February 17th, 2017
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Mayapur, India


Unwanted


I guess it was like a pedicure.  This nice devotee, Dhananjaya Pandit, an American follower, offered to help me with my feet.  With some experience he went at those feet for a second time, this time equipped with sand paper.

“This is better than pumice stone,” he confirmedly said.  So he went at those callouses at the toe edges, the balls of the feet and for those who sit in the lotus position, the ankles.  He seemed satisfied at his carving.  All that was dead in the way of skin was now being eliminated.

I thanked Dhananjaya for his help.  He took away what’s dead.  And that, in reality, is what you are achieving when cultivating devotional life.  You are shaving away anarthas, unwanted things.  Those items that stand in the way of spiritual progress.

To some extent, these anarthas or hurdles are mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita.  “Lust, anger, and greed are the gateways to a form of hell.”  The Bhagavatam addresses three more enemies—illusion, madness and envy.  That makes six demons to watch out for.  They are not outside of us, rather they reside inside.  They are sharing the space together with us.

Now, in the room where I’m staying I’m sharing space with an army of ants.  Through the electric sockets they have found their way to crawl through along the walls.  Forming incredible freeways they are drawn to the honey in the jar and anything sweet.  My roommate, Karuna Sindhu, has devised a structure made of sweet contents and formed a moat of water.  That settles the problem for now.  It didn’t solve the problem when some great massage oil was smeared on the leg at night.  A new traffic lane formed during sleep.  We’ll have to deal with it.

May the Source be with you!


5 km

Ancient temple in Nabadwip (Album with photos) Srila…
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Ancient temple in Nabadwip (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Those engaged in broadcasting the holy name of Narayana, Krsna, through the Krsna consciousness movement should always consider what our position was before we came and what it is now. We had fallen into abominable lives as meat-eaters, drunkards and woman hunters who performed all kinds of sinful activities, but now we have been given the opportunity to chant the Hare Krsna mantra. Therefore we should always appreciate this opportunity. By the grace of the Lord we are opening many branches, and we should use this good fortune to chant the holy name of the Lord and serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly. We must be conscious of the difference between our present and past conditions and should always be very careful not to fall from the most exalted life. (Srila Prabhupada’s purport to SB 6.2.34)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/qKh039

Iskcon devotees completed a total of 64 Padayatras for ISKCON50
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Hare KrishnaBy Padayatra Worldwide

In 2016 ISKCON celebrated its 50th anniversary. Every ISKCON leader, member, project and zone was immediately inspired to jump into action. All festivals were geared at glorifying ISKCON and ISKCON’s Founder Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. We at the Padayatra Ministry gave serious thought as to how we could celebrate this auspicious event. So we pledged to organise fifty Padayatras during this Golden Jubilee Anniversary year. We appealed to everybody far and wide. The response was so overwhelming that we surpassed our own expectations. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the organisers and participants who assisted us in making this offering to ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada possible. Continue reading "Iskcon devotees completed a total of 64 Padayatras for ISKCON50
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Crack the Code to Your Inner Joy – Read with us Everyday!
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Crack the Code to Your Inner Joy – Read with us Everyday! (Based on Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15.27 — Los Angeles, December 5, 1973 ) Real meaning of being in this world
Just like in this winter season, we cover ourselves very nicely with gloves, with overcoat. It is simply counteracting the suffering. But a man who has got a nice overcoat and gloves, he is thinking he is enjoying. This is maya. He forgets that he is simply trying to counteract the suffering. There is no enjoyment in this material world.This counteraction of suffering , we are accepting as enjoyment. So this material world means you must suffer. That is the position of the material world.

Just now we got this car, horseless car. But now there is a problem. They are thinking, “If there is no petrol available, then what will happen?” So this is material existence. Anxiety . That anxiety is suffering, “What will happen? What will happen?” That is material existence. Always full of anxiety.

Real Medicine in Every Circumstance
So Narottama dasa Thakura says: “The heart is burning on account of this material existence. But I did not try to find out the means by which I can get out of this.” The medicine is Krishna’s teachings, Krishna’s name, Krishna’s glorification. That is the real medicine. So actually, if we want to enjoy life, then we should take the instruction of Bhagavad-gita, That will give us relief from the blazing fire. [Image: gita-logo2] This is the only way.You can derive the same benefit as Arjuna by reading Bhagavad-gita. People say that Arjuna was enlightened because Krishna was present before Him. But Krishna is present before you also, by His words, by His sound representation… Bhagavad-gita is nondifferent from Krishna . As Krishna is everywhere, similarly, Bhagavad-gita can be appreciated in every country, every season, every circumstances.
Daily Reading Sessions for adults and kids
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Gita Nagari Eco Farm report
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Hare KrishnaBy the Gita Nagari devotees

In recent years Gita Nagari attained USDA certification to become the only ahimsa dairy farm which is able to joyfully offer its milk products to the public. With a herd of nearly 80 cows and oxen in total and a vision for agricultural sustainability and self-sufficiency, Gita Nagari has emerged as a top choice for devotees interested in living a simple life in nature. Whether one is searching for a long-term residence or a place to visit seasonally, the ocean of devotional service nourishes the heart of all who call Gita Nagari home. As an event venue, retreat center, farm project, and devotional community, Gita Nagari extends its warmest invitations to their ISKCON family members. Whether you are a long-time friend of the farm or a newcomer, we offer ourselves in service to you. Continue reading "Gita Nagari Eco Farm report
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Is Krsna consciousness a programme for the whole world?
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 08 October 2016, Johannesburg, South Africa, Nama Hatta Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 9.10)

The four regulative principles are not so easy to follow. It is only possible if we have an intimate relationship with our spiritual master and we really feel that we are offering our life from moment to moment to our spiritual master, then it is possible. Otherwise, it may be possible for a while and then not anymore. These things are like that. Therefore, in our process the pure devotee, the spiritual master and our founder acarya and previous acaryas are very important. They make the difference.

How can we do this? Srila Prabhupada came with teachings that said no meat, fish or eggs; no gambling; no intoxication and no illicit sex. And you go, “Is this a programme for the whole world?” I mean, is this a programme for the world or is this a programme for a few people who have some special karma? What do you think?

If you would look at it objectively, you would say it is a programme for people with special karma. But NO, it IS for the whole world – when they take shelter, when they chant Hare Krsna, when they take shelter of the spiritual master, then anybody can become empowered to do it. Anybody! Then for anybody, the impossible becomes possible…

Gita 13.10 Detachment is not meant to make us hard-hearted
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Gita verse-by-verse Podcast


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FEAST OR FAMINE FOR MANY FACILITIES OR PREFERRED ACTIONS and Forced to Wake Up or Fade Away
→ Karnamrita's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

photo Know yourself_zpsy1masgez.jpg
FEAST OR FAMINE FOR MANY FACILITIES OR PREFERRED ACTIONS: These days I am in somewhat of a famine, or at least some restriction, in terms of writing, which I consider so central to my life lived in the pursuit of being a giver. This makes me sad, but also brings introspection on the way my life --a very good practice!

Our lives have their demands which require our attention to deal properly with them. This seems to be just the nature of material reality even for spiritual practitioners in bhakti. Though our ideal is to be fully absorbed in seva, still, we can't completely escape material necessities that require payment and thus bring certain ebbs and flows in our life aspirations. We could also describe these ebbs and flows as cycles.

This is certainly no big revelation, but for me, at certain times, it is more painfully evident (during the ebbs) then during those inspiring flow states when everything seems divinely ordered and empowered. As always, in addition to just sharing, my intention is for you to think over your own life and how this might apply to you.

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Gaura Purnima Festival begins
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Hare KrishnaBy Gopijana vallab das

With the hoisting of Garuda flag , in a colorful ceremony at Lotus park, HH Bhakti Charu Swami, GBC chairman, announced the official start of Gaura Purnima 2017 festival. As the Garuda flag started raising with divine chanting of Gurukulis & harinam, thousands of colorful flower petals showered all over the devotees with sweet bliss. Assembled Sanyasis broke coconuts as an auspicious way to begin the festival, infront of hundreds of cherring devotees. For the upcoming 21 days, festivities are lined up one after another, beginning from Kirtan Mela and for the next five days, kirtan rasa from Mayapur shall inundate the whole world. HH Gopala Krishna Goswami mentioned that Mayapur Gaura Purnima festival is the mother of all festivals. By coming to Mayapur during the festival, one can recharge his spiritual batteries in the wonderful sanga and go back to their home countries to preach with great vigor to distribute the mercy of Mayapur. Continue reading "Gaura Purnima Festival begins
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Sri Isvara Puri – Disappearance
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Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has described in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta that the first sprout of the desire tree of devotion was manifested in the person of Sri Madhavendra Puri, and that that sprout developed into a sapling in the person of Sri Isvar Puri. Then, in the person of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Who was also the gardener Himself, that sapling become the trunk of a enormous tree, the desire tree of devotion. [C. C. Adi 9.10-11]

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New Raman Reti Policy on Non-ISKCON Vaisnava Groups
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New Raman Reti Policy on Non-ISKCON Vaisnava Groups.
The President: Alachua is the home of the largest ISKCON temple in North America. A vibrant Gurukula, world famous Deity darshans, exhuberant kirtan and daily prasad distribution are just some of the features that make the Alachua Temple attractive to devotees far and wide. Within our small town there is also a Gaudiya Math temple and devotees who have separated themselves from our International Society for Krishna Consciousness in a variety of ways. New Raman Reti has a clear and posted policy on our relationship with any non ISKCON group or person visiting our temple. Please read the Policy below over for your edification. We take the policy seriously. Our devotees should feel comfortable and safe when they spend time here. It is their place of worship and seva, it is their family of devotees. Although we are cautiously open to others with views opposing ISKCONs we will not allow proselytizing those views to our devotees and guests. We spend buckets of energy, time and money to keep our temple open for everyone, to grow our community and create programs that enrich the spiritual lives of those who come. It attracts a lot of people. But those who choose to move away from the organization must respect our right to present and protect our efforts to spread Krishna consciousness as we understand would be pleasing to Srila Prabhpada. Our temple is neither a soapbox for a few rebels without a cause to put forth their ideas, or a place to pull new recruits to their side. Neither will be tolerated, and anyone who comes here and engages in this way will no longer be invited to come. Our Position: ISKCON of Alachua, Inc., the New Raman Reti Temple and home of Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara, Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, is a temple within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, as established by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acharya. We are loyal to, preach from, promote the books of, and espouse the teachings of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. We serve within the greater ISKCON society, under the direction of the ISKCON Governing Board Commission (GBC). Reason for the Policy: It is recognized that spiritual movements will inevitably develop many branches over time, particularly after the passing of the Founder Acharya. Since the physical departure of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, we have seen a number of devotees join groups associated with the Gaudiya Math or other Vaisnava groups, as well as those following alternative philosophies regarding disciplic succession. Our Goal: Although Alachua is a large community with philosophical and organizational diversity, our goal is to exist peacefully with all elements. However, to preserve the purposes of ISKCON, certain policy standards regarding activities on Temple property need to be clarified: Policy Standards: Welcomed Activities: All devotees are welcome to come to the NRR Temple and engage in the following activities: Join in kirtan Attend classes and programs Take darshan of the Deities Offer service as deemed appropriate by the Temple management. Leaders and sannyasis of non-ISKCON groups will limit their attendance at the Temple to only taking darsana of the Deities, and taking prasadam in the Welcome Center. Restricted Activities: No persons shall be allowed to engage in the following activities on the Temple grounds and property: Promote beliefs, personalities or organizations that are not directly endorsed by ISKCON and its representatives, or unduly criticize ISKCON and its authorities Distribute literature that promote such beliefs Influence guests or devotees in the above beliefs/criticisms. This includes inviting congregational members to attend their functions and/or join their groups Also, members of non-ISKCON group may not lead kirtan or perform bhajans* Consequences: Anyone in violation of this policy will be asked to leave the Temple property. Conclusion: In making this policy statement, we are in no way denying the freedom of thought and speech of any person. We respect an individuals rights to other philosophical positions. However, we are upholding the purpose of the New Raman Reti Temple property and projects, which is to promote Srila Prabhupadas teachings as enunciated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) under the direction of the Governing Board Commission. * Exceptions to the kirtan/bhajan policy will be made on a case by case basis by the Temple President and GBC

Sri Radha – The Giver Of Never Enough
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Hare KrishnaBy Kesava Krsna Dasa

“You (Sri Krishna) are the playful king of Goloka and She is Your playful companion. When You are the king of Vaikuntha, She, the daughter of Vrsabhanu, is Goddess Lakshmi. When in this world You are Ramachandra, She is Janaka's daughter Sita. When You are Lord Hari, She is Kamala. When You are Yajna-avatara, She is Sri Daksina, the best of wives. When You are Nrsimha, She is Rama. When You are Nara's friend Narayana Rsi, She becomes Goddess Santi and follows You like a shadow. When You are Brahman, She is Prakrti. When You are Time, the wise know She is Pradhana. When You are the Mahat-tattva, from which the universes have sprouted, Radha is the potency Maya, filled with the three modes. When You become the four things in the heart [heart, mind, intelligence, and false ego], She becomes the power of understanding something from a hint. When You become the universal form, which includes everything, She becomes the earth”. Continue reading "Sri Radha – The Giver Of Never Enough
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Krishna Meditation
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Hare KrishnaBy Sivarama Swami

Not only is Srimati Radharani’s love golden—that is the color of maha-bhava—but the color of prema is also like that. So our attachment to Krishna, our love for Krishna when it is offered to Him, it will also increase the greenness of all things, and green of course means that things are growing very nicely. When things become burnt out they turn brown, or when they die they wilt. So similarly, if our thoughts are always green with remembrance of Krishna’s pastimes, then that means we have a healthy state of Krishna consciousness. And it indicates that soon there will be many beautiful leaves of real attachment to Krishna developing, and from those leaves there will come very, very beautiful flowers of ecstasy and love for Krishna. And those flowers are very aromatic. They draw Krishna just like a bumble-bee to that devotee, and whereas bees usually take from the flower and the flower becomes bereft, when Krishna comes and He touches—Srila Prabhupada uses the word “kisses”—the flower-like devotees, then they begin to bear the fruits of rasa, or real relationship with Krishna. And once again our eternal relationship, our mellow of friendship, or parental, or conjugal attraction for Krishna becomes manifest and we find ourselves in our eternal home, Goloka Vrindavan, in loving exchanges with Krishna. Continue reading "Krishna Meditation
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Are you ecstatic?
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 April 2013, Stockholm, Sweden, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.1)

Although it is mentioned that harer nāma harer nāma, harer nāmaiva kevalam, kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva, nāsty eva gatir anyathā (CC Adi 7.76), that this chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is the only way by which we can overcome the influence of this age of kali, we see that at the same time, it is the most difficult activity.

It is very interesting that this is the activity that will free us from the age of kali but it is exactly the one thing that devotees find like so difficult – chanting japa! Somehow or other, to chant is the big struggle; very few are chanting japa in ecstasy. Most are just going through it but are experiencing it like a struggle, like a burden. That is interesting.

Reading Srimad Bhagavatam along with chanting will make a huge difference. It is mentioned in the Caitanya Caritamrta, first chapter, that Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda are driving out the influence of ignorance through the Bhagavat. This is interesting that it does not say through the influence of the holy name, it says through the influence of the Bhagavat. Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami makes that a major point in the first chapter, emphasising spreading the knowledge of the Bhagavat. So without knowledge it is not possible for anyone to be motivated to chant.

Therefore Srila Prabhupada spent so much time to provide knowledge – not only by quoting from scriptures, not only by translating but by logic and argument – by logically explaining why there is no alternative to Krsna consciousness and why it is the only way.

And Srila Prabhupada never took it for granted that those who had joined the Hare Krsna movement were convinced. We tend to take that for granted, “Oh, you know, he is a devotee.” But Prabhupada did not take it like that. Prabhupada asked his leaders, his best men, “Are you convinced?” And they looked down to the ground. They could not look him in the eyes when he asked that question.

So that was a fact. Now the times may have changed, in the sense that there is more responsibility with the individual. The movement is maybe in a more individualistic era and there is more individual responsibility. So each for himself has to actually take shelter of Srimad Bhagavatam and become convinced. Maybe no one will come to convince us. Maybe no one will knock on our door and asks us, “Are you convinced?” But we will have to convince ourselves if we want to be able to carry on.

NASN January 2017 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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Hare KrishnaBy Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of January 2017. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN January 2017 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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TOVP Update 2017
- TOVP.org

The year 2016 was a very marvelous year ​for the TOVP as all the works planned were completed.
The superstructure has been fully completed with many major works.

In 2017 we look forward to commence the prime internal and external detailing work such as blue tiles and ribs on the domes.
We will see the Kailash completed and even the Chakras will be installed!

We would like to thank Ambarish Prabhu, the fund raising team, the construction team and all the devotees that are participating in bringing this extraordinary offering to Srila Prabhupada and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to life.

Let’s keep on working together to please Srila Prabhupada!

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