Devotee soldier gets 600 American soldiers to chant Hare…
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Devotee soldier gets 600 American soldiers to chant Hare Krsna.
“ I am a soldier in the US Army and thought you all might get a laugh at what happened the other day. We had to do a 6 mile run for fitness. It’s custom to sing during these runs to build soldier cohesion.”
“ So they asked me to sing. I agreed so we were running down the street when the idea popped in my head to get them to chant. Now this wasn’t 6 or 7 people, its was a total of 600 soldiers. And they were into it, for 3 miles they chanted the Maha Mantra as loud as they could and were really into it. Amazing what the power of the Holy Name can do! ”
Your servant,
Partha-sarathi dasa

Choosing To Forgive
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Hare KrishnaBy Mahatma Das

The sastras are full of stories of forgiveness: Ambarisa forgiving Durvasa, Parikshit forgiving Sringi, Narada Muni forgiving Daksa, Prahlada forgiving Hiranyakasipu, Haridas Thakura forgiving the guards who beat him, Nityananada forgiving Jagai and Madhai, Parasarama forgiving those who stole his family’s kamadhenu cow. Srila Prabhupada forgave anyone who came to him to serve Krsna. And of course Krsna forgives all of us no matter how sinful or blasphemous we were. Sastra implores us to forgive. The Srimad Bhagavatam lists forgiveness as one of the qualities of civilized human beings. And Srila Prabhupada asks us to be forgiving so we can cooperate to spread the movement. Yet despite the examples of devotees demonstrating incredible acts of forgiveness, despite the sastra telling us to accept suffering as a token reaction of our karma, despite Prabhupada’s plea for us to forgive, and despite the cleansing it can do to our hearts, forgiving is difficult for many of us. Devotees often say, “I was so deeply hurt that I just don’t know how I can forgive.” Continue reading "Choosing To Forgive
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New Years Eve 2017 – Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast (Album with…
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New Years Eve 2017 - Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast (Album with photos)
Dharmatma Das: Our nightly Harinams have been exceptional. So many people smiling, waving and chanting and dancing with us. We really were the best and most enlivening show in town. Yes, there were a few Buskers but no one can get the crowd excited like Lord Chaitanya’s Harinam Party. This New Years was no exception. Kadamba Kanana Maharaja led the charge, then Janananda Maharaja took it to an even higher level, then the “Mad Hatter”, Mahavishnu Swami turned it into complete transcendental madness. Muslims, Christians, Hindus, whites, blacks and every other nationality and color were somehow or other implicated in the glorious sound vibration of the Lord’s Holy Names. Thank you Srila Prabhupada for the wonderful mercy you have given the entire world.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Ga3KTU

Preaching in Mexico by the Bus tour devotees (Album with…
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Preaching in Mexico by the Bus tour devotees (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When a disciple becomes perfect in spiritual advancement, the spiritual master feels very, very happy, that “I am a nonsense, but this boy, he has followed my instruction and he has achieved the success. That is my success.” This is the spiritual master’s ambition. Just like a father. This is the relationship. Just like… Nobody wants to see anybody more advanced than himself. That is the nature. Matsarata. If anybody becomes advanced in any subject matter, then I become envious upon him. But the spiritual master or the father, he does not become envious. He feels himself very, very happy, that “This boy has advanced more than me.” This is spiritual master’s position. (V�ndavana, March 13, 1974)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/uBsL6p

diplomacy
→ Servant of the Servant

I always wondered if by being diplomatic one borders duplicity. For some reason, right or wrong, I am not a big fan of diplomacy because of this reason of sounding or looking duplicitous. In America, political correctness is a prevalent idea. According to the dictionary, politically correct means to speak or act in such a way that no one (especially based on sex and/or race) be marginalized or offended. Diplomacy on the other hand, although overlapping in concept with political correctness deals with the art of interacting with people in a sensitive and effective way. To express an idea without so much offending the values of another. This certainly is an art and an art I am very much lacking. Anyways, this is not about me!

I always wondered how such a nuanced art of diplomacy or even political correctness relates to the art of devotional service especially when we outreach to other individuals. Sometimes, it is necessary to be blunt but certainly many times it is warranted to speak diplomatically without sounding disingenuous. For the untrained ear, this may seem as compromising of values because does it mean we are devaluing the position of bhakti in relation to social etiquette. Today as I was reading Chaitanya Charitamrta, I found this definitive statement in one of the purports.

"The conclusion is that diplomacy used for the service of the Lord is a form of devotional service" - SP purport to CC Madhya 12.44.

Srila Ramananda Raya was speaking diplomatically by praising King Prataparudra in order to soften the mind of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu being a sanyasi did not want to meet a pounds and shillings person in the form of the king. Yet, Ramananda Raya very astutely glorified the qualities of the king just so Mahaprabhu will one day meet the king. This diplomacy to help another soul approach God is a direct form of devotional service. Similarly, if we also speak, according to the culture we are in, in a way that softens the heart of the listener so they are inclined favorably about bhakti to Krishna, then from this verse, we can understand such diplomacy or political correctness is nothing but devotional service. Certainly, this requires training and practice, nevertheless it is heartening to know that any form of art be it fine-arts or the art of communication, if it can be somehow engaged to get closer to Krishna, is another form devotional service (and not necessarily duplicity as I used to once think).

Hare Krishna

New beginnings!
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, July 2007, Phoenix, South Africa, Ratha Yatra Lecture)

Sometimes we get so disturbed by the past that the clock stops, “On 12 December 1937, I …” and we still remember what happened! Forget what happened! Who cares about what happened! First of all, accept that whatever happened maybe due to our past karma, that it was due to us. Now we are finished and we start again, start fresh, start positive and build up something good. Then the future is bright, the future is what you make it to be. The past does not make the future; the past is gone, dead-and-gone! What are you planning for the future … You can make something of it. It is up to us!

Krsna consciousness takes more than just determination. Determination means, “Okay, I will do!” Okay, we will do it but it takes more than that; you also have to DO something. You have to spend time with devotees and you have to do things in devotional service! You have to make an endeavour – you have to chant sixteen rounds and sixteen good rounds! That is an endeavour. So like that, we make an endeavour in spiritual life then we can become very successful…

 

An Old Friend
→ Seed of Devotion

"The bus is only two stops away, honey," Ghanashyam said, glancing at his phone. "I've got to go."

"Yes, yes, coming!" I poured hot soup into my husband's thermos and twisted on a cap with shaking hands. I slid the thermos into his lunchbox and handed it over.

"Thank you!" he said, then dashed away out the door. I took a deep sigh and began to clean up the kitchen. I turned around to face another counter and my heart dropped. The inner cap of Ghanashyam's thermos. This would mean his lunch would be cold and worse, the soup would spill everywhere. I hadn't woken up at 5:45am to make fresh soup for this!

I grabbed the cap and raced to the door. "Ghanashyam!" I called out into the hallway. Silence. I prayed that he hadn't left on the elevator yet. Frantic, I took several steps into the hallway.

The door behind me closed with a thump that echoed off the walls.

I spun around. I stared at the closed door, frozen.

Oh no.

I was in my pajamas and a robe, barefoot, holding a thermos cap. It was 6 o'clock in the morning in winter, the world still dark and asleep.

If Ghanashyam hasn't caught his bus yet, he could give me his key! I thought. Without many other options, I raced down the hallway, the elevator, and through the cavernous front lobby, my robes flying about me.

I dashed right out into the streets.

Barefoot, in pajamas, in the cold, dark morning.

Man, I must've looked like a lunatic!

I sprinted to the end of the block and glanced at the bus stop across the street. No Ghanashyam. Oh dear. So I padded back to our building. I had closed the front apartment building door carefully so that I could still get back inside. Once inside though, I realized I had looked at the bus stop for buses going in the wrong direction! So I RAN BACK OUTSIDE - barefoot, in pajamas, to search the OTHER, correct bus stop.

No go.

This time, though, I hadn't shut the front apartment building door so carefully and it had shut (and locked) behind me.

Great.

Now I was locked OUTSIDE in the cold, dark morning, barefoot, in my pajamas and robe. With a thermos cap!

So I waited and waited, but it wasn't too long before a lady came out the door on her way to work and I got inside.

So what to do?

The building superintendent. Maybe he had a spare key to our apartment. But it was so early, surely he was sleeping. I had no phone to call him, I didn't know which apartment he lived in. Barely anyone was out and about at this hour, and I did not want to feel like a crazy woman, tapping on my neighbors' shoulders begging for our super's phone number.

So I went up to our hallway and thought, hm, I could ask Eddie for help, our friendly neighbor in the apartment directly above ours. But it was just too early for EVERYBODY.

So what to do??

Wait.

I slid to the floor outside my door, the tile cold against my seat and feet. I put the thermos cap up on the doorknob to keep it off the floor and out of my hands. I took a deep breath and, keeping count on my fingers, I began to chant, "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna..."

It was a strange feeling, to be stripped of absolutely everything except the clothes on my back (and a thermos cap). I had nothing and no one to turn to in the world, everyone was out of reach. And yet what could never be taken away from me was the holy name. The holy name was there for me to keep me company. The holy name didn't care whether I was a billionaire in a mansion or some young woman with only the clothes on her back.

The holy name was simply my friend, unconditionally.

In the dark and quiet morning in our hallway, I chanted for about an hour and a half. I would regularly check the sky to see if the sun had come up yet. At last, I figured it was early but not too extreme, so I walked upstairs and rang Eddie's doorbell. Sure enough it took two times, as he was scrambling to wake up and answer the door. He called and texted the super to no avail, then he suggested going through the fire escape as long as my window was open.

Eddie climbed down to my place, opened my window, climbed through and opened my front door. When he did so, the thermos cap came tumbling into the hallway from its perch on the doorknob.

So there you go.

That was my morning.

When I settled once again on the warm couch in my cozy apartment, I reflected how in the chaos of the morning, I had experienced a glimpse of magic. I had connected with an old and beautiful friend who was right there in my heart and would be there until the ultimate moment when all trappings of this material world would be stripped away - death. He would be there even if I couldn't physically bring His name to my lips.

My dear Krishna, O Holy Name, thank you for being there, thank you for being my friend. Unconditionally.   
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Visit with Rajani-priya Dasi
Giriraj Swami

rajani-priya-holding-photo-of-lila-saktiLast night night Swarup Damodar, Sukumari, Nikunja Viharini, and I went to visit Rose Forkash (now Rajani-priya dasi) at her home in Carpinteria. For three hours, she enlivened and inspired us with stories of her and her family’s association with and service to Srila Prabhupada. And Swarup Damodar gave me a wonderful exchange with Srila Prabhupada about her and her daughter, to read out loud.

Ramesvara: We have one mother in Los Angeles of a girl named Lila-sakti. She’s a big book distributor. And her mother, she loves this movement so much that when the deprogrammers start debating us, she stands up and yells at them that “My daughter was on drugs, hippie, before she came to this movement. This movement has saved her. If I had known about this movement when I was a young girl, I would have joined this movement!” On television she’s speaking like that, very strongly: “You have no right to criticize! You don’t know anything about this movement.” . . . She says, “You just come over to my house for lunch and I’ll tell you all about this movement, how nice it is.” She started this club, Parents for Krishna.
Prabhupada: Oh, she is very sincere. And her daughter, this Lila . . .? What is?
Ramesvara: Lila-sakti.
Prabhupada: She’s wonderful girl. She’s expert in everything.
(Room Conversation, January 20, 1977, Bhubaneswar)

Rajani-priya is now ninety-six years of age, but she is full of life—Krishna consciousness.

—Giriraj Swami

Management vs Theology – a new challenge
→ The Vaishnava Voice

95-theses-620x324

Martin Luther nails his protest to the church door

Any human endeavour requires good management. Any organisation of a certain size – and some say over 150 members – requires a different system of management from that of its beginnings. But when good management dominates theology, and spiritual vitality, and moderates religious practice, and we choose a religious leader on the basis of how good a manager he is, then the very purposes for which the organisation was founded are threatened.

This year is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s challenge to the Church of his day. He thought it needed reform and he wrote his suggestions as a list. A contemporary list of suggested reforms for bishops of the Church of England, all 95 of them, has been published and makes interesting reading. It’s a long piece, but it can be ‘translated’ for the organisation or movement of your choice.

Here it is.

 


Vidagdha Madhava verses by Rupa Goswami
→ Krishna Dharma

krishna_w_gopis

Purva raga

Dear friend, the trembling of my heart can never find a cure.
No herb or medicine or balm, my beating breast can calm.
For this disease one remedy will bring relief for sure,
but that alas will soon produce painful opprobrium.

My friend I am severely struck and all my sense departs,
when Krishna’s name enters my ears and lodges in my heart.
And then there is another one whose flute enchants my mind,
seizing it with such madness that I can no peace find.
Again there is a third one, whose brilliance I see
in pictures of purest beauty that are entrancing me.
Shame upon my sinful self for loving all these three
at once, and thus I think it best if death does now take me.

Sweet Radha when Krishna’s pure love does deeply pierce the heart,
one feels at once profound pleasure mixed with most poignant pain.
Like poison and its antidote that both the other thwart,
does one all bitter sweetness of that rapture thus obtain.

My dearest love, your loveliness within my mind impressed
does agitate my aching heart with pangs of deep distress.
For you are gone and in this grief I know not where to flee.
For here and there and on all sides your face I simply see.

If Krishna should be cruel, dear friend, to me, you need not cry,
for it will not be through your fault, though surely I shall die.
But please then place me with my arms around a tamala tree
like tight creepers so that I may in Gokula ever be.

(English rendering by Krishna Dharma)

Special Fire Yajna this Sunday, January 8, 2017
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

As Hare Krishnas, ceremonies are a big part of our spiritual practice.  Almost all major times of life are marked by some time of ceremony.  From the time a child takes it's first grains, to the time of initiation, and even when someone is about to pass from this world, auspicious ceremonies can often be performed and mantras are regularly chanted.

This upcoming weekend, the Toronto Hare Krishna temple is welcoming Brahma Muhurta das from New York, USA.  Brahma Muhurta das is specially trained in teaching qualified devotees how to perform fire yajnas (pronounced "YUG-yuh").

A fire yajna is a ceremonial ritual wherein ghee (clarified butter), grains and other items are offered into fire amidst the chanting of mantras.  It is a beautiful ritual that brings a level of auspiciousness and peacefulness to the atmosphere.

This Sunday, January 8, 2017, we will be hosting a special Sunday Feast at the Toronto Hare Krishna temple.  Brahma Muhurta das will be leading a special fire yajna which will be performed during the normal class time (6:45pm to 7:30pm) and everyone in attendance will get a chance to observe.  The purpose of this yajna will be to seek blessings from Lord Krishna for the temple and the community of devotees as we embark on the year 2017.

A warm invitation goes out to you and your family to come to the temple this upcoming Sunday evening!

Festival Report: Srila Prabhupada Festival
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

What a Way to Kick Off the New Year!
Festival Report by: Smruthi Venkateshan

New Year's Day kicked off with a bang at the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple, with grand celebrations for His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada who is the founder of the ISKCON movement.

The night started out with a melodious kirtan and arati ceremony for their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Ksira-Chora Gopinatha. After the arati, everyone gathered around Srila Prabhupada and offered their thanks to him, by placing flowers on his lotus feet.

In the mood of giving thanks, devotees presented Srila Prabhupada a letter that the Right Honorable Justin Trudeau wrote to ISKCON Toronto in celebration of our movement's 50th anniversary. Devotees attempted to persuade Prime Minister Trudeau to join them for the Ratha Yatra this year, by sending a photo with the letter and all the devotees who were gathered.

Following the special photo session, kids from 4 to 13 years, gave a small recital of verses from the Gita as a special offering to Srila Prabhupada. Continuing the celebrations, Toronto showcased its unique connection to Remuna a holy place in India and explained the origins of Sri Sri Radha-Ksira-Chora Gopinatha in the form of a play, expertly directed by Bhaktimarga Swami. After a ecstatic kirtan, and arati, devotees celebrated the night away with a wonderful vegetarian feast!

Welcoming Brahma Muhurta das to Toronto this Weekend
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Toronto's Hare Krishna Temple will be welcoming Brahma Muhurta das to our community this weekend!  He will be conducting a "Yajna Training Seminar" (by invitation only) to help train local devotees in performing yajnas.  "Yajnas" are fire sacrifices wherein grains and other items are offered into fire amidst the chanting of mantras.

At the age of 14 Brahma Muhurta das first read the Sanskrit philosophical text Bhagavad-gita. Inspired by its teachings, he devoted himself to more fully understanding classical Indian philosophical and religious culture. At 17 he received initiation from Bhakti Tirtha Swami and a few months later received second initiation. While a brahmachari (celibate monk), he served as the Head Pujari (Priest) in the Gita-Nagari temple and the personal servant of his guru. He later received his BFA from Tufts University and and MFA from the University of Florida, as well as a Fulbright Fellowship to India to support his work on art and India Ritual.

Brahma Muhurta das’ endeavor to study classical  Indian rituals has lead him to seek the tutelage of various teachers. He began his Sanskrit studies under Professor Michael Witzel of Harvard University. He developed curriculum on rituals at the Sri Rupanuga Vidyapitham, Mayapur, West Bengal and studied under Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami. He later continued to study temple rituals and the pancaratrika agamas under Gaura Keshava Prabhu of Sri Rangam and Maui, and did research under the guidance of Sri Ramana Bhattar of Sri Rangam.

In Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s final days, he requested Brahma Muhurta das to return to his home in the US and perform his last rites where Brahma Muhurta was given the instruction and blessing to dedicate his life to studying and teaching ritual. In addition to his art and academic career where he has taught at RISD and Boston College, and in accordance with this, Brahma Muhurta das has been officiating weddings and myriad other Hindu rituals, including the opening of temples, for nearly 20 years, in the Americas, Europe, and India.

A Russian Krishnaite responds to allegations against ISKCON
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By Ajay Kamalakaran

The Russian Krishnaite said he respected the right of the Orthodox priest to have an opinion but felt the young man was misguided. “We have absolutely no political agenda of any kind. Even if we had 100,000 followers in Russia, could we possibly topple a government in a country of 140 million?” Das agreed that there were many followers from Western countries but insisted that these people merely sought salvation from the “vicious cycle of karma.” He said his guru told him about how some Western intelligence agents “penetrated the ranks of the movement,” but added that these were the exception and not the rule. “Russians, like Indians, strongly resist change and any idea that is considered new,” he said, “and that’s why there is suspicion against the movement.” Das said yoga was looked upon with suspicion a few decades ago in the country but now even stringent followers of the Orthodox faith practice the Indian system of physical and mental wellness. “It’s only matter of time before those who have misplaced fears understand that we’re not on some sort of political mission.” Continue reading "A Russian Krishnaite responds to allegations against ISKCON
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Krishna’s Healthcare
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By Bhakta Jorge Camara

In 1967, Srila Prabhupada wrote to his disciple: “Be careful about your health first. This information is not only for you but all my noble sons. I am an old man. I may live or die it does not matter. But you must live for long time to push on this Krishna Consciousness movement.” Since time immemorial, human societies have championed Mother Nature’s therapeutic splendor as a reliable and sacred source of healthcare. Whether one is a spiritual dilettante or a vigorous meditator, it is important to be aware of the various health issues sprouting up during this iron age of Kali. By learning how to make conscious decisions about our material wellbeing we can avoid unnecessary disturbances and peacefully perform our spiritual practice. Continue reading "Krishna’s Healthcare
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Srila Prabhupada explains why cooperation is the essence of the movement
→ Dandavats

By His Divine Grace A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada

Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself wanted our cooperation. He is God, Krsna. And therefore cooperation is very important thing. Nobody should think that "I have got so great ability. I can do." No. It is simply by cooperation we can do very big thing. "United we stand; divided we fall." This is our.... So be strong in pushing on Krsna consciousness, and Krsna will help. He is the strongest. Still, we must be combined together. Sankirtana. Sankirtana means many men combined together chanting. That is sankirtana. Otherwise kirtana. Sankirtana. Bahubhir militva kirtayeti sankirtana.(?) Bahu. Bahu means many, many combined together. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission, combined together. All nations, all persons they should combine together. There is hope in our society, combination. There are Hindus; there are Muslims; there are Christians; there are black, white. Combine them. That looks very beautiful, just like combination of many flowers. There is black flower also. It looks nice, very nice. Each and every flower take alone; it is not beautiful, but when they are combined together, it looks very beautiful. It is attractive. And that is wanted. Because from the spiritual platform we are all working. Panditah sama-darsinah [Bg. 5.18]. Spiritual platform, every one of us, we are servant of Krsna. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada explains why cooperation is the essence of the movement
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Trained up to think of Krishna twenty-four hours
→ Dandavats

Srila Prabhupada: Generally, we work for our sense gratification. "I have got this money. I must use for my sense gratification or for my relative's sense gratification or for my country's sense gratification, for my society's sense gratification." So this is materialism. But when the same thing is turned for Krishna's sense gratification, that is spiritual. That is the difference between prema and kama.

A visit to Rose Forkash (now Rajani-priya dasi). Giriraj Swami:…
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A visit to Rose Forkash (now Rajani-priya dasi).
Giriraj Swami: Tonight, Swarup Damodar, Sukumari, Nikunja Viharini, and I went to visit Rose Forkash (now Rajani-priya dasi) at her home in Carpinteria. For three hours, she enlivened and inspired us with stories of her and her family’s association with and service to Srila Prabhupada. And Swarup Damodar gave me a wonderful exchange with Srila Prabhupada about her and her daughter, to read out loud:
Ramesvara: We have one mother in Los Angeles of a girl named Lila-sakti. She’s a big book distributor. And her mother, she loves this movement so much that when the deprogrammers start debating us, she stands up and yells at them that “My daughter was on drugs, hippie, before she came to this movement. This movement has saved her. If I had known about this movement when I was a young girl, I would have joined this movement!” On television she’s speaking like that, very strongly: “You have no right to criticize! You don’t know anything about this movement.” … She says, “You just come over to my house for lunch and I’ll tell you all about this movement, how nice it is.” She started this club, Parents for Krishna.
Prabhupada: Oh, she is very sincere. And her daughter, this Lila …? What is?
Ramesvara: Lila-sakti.
Prabhupada: She’s wonderful girl. She’s expert in everything.
(Room Conversation, January 20, 1977, Bhubaneswar)
Rajani-priya is now ninety-six years of age, but she is full of life—Krishna consciousness.

The Struggle To Feel Alive With A Passion To Give. I must…
→ Dandavats



The Struggle To Feel Alive With A Passion To Give.
I must discover and name my gift—yes, that is a practice, but more.
I must also share it now, not just keep talking about it,
like a prisoner in a cage,
because I will never be completely ready
to be who I want and pray to be.
I used to be a workshop and training junkie,
wanting titles and certifications,
but it was never enough,
because inside of myself
I didn’t feel worthy to teach,
feeling incomplete and insufficient,
thinking my sad past story defined me.

It has taken having to face my imminent death by cancer
that I have been forced to actually live each day as fully as I can—
thinking I can, I will, I must, I am living my true purpose
one moment, hour, day, week, year, and life at a time.

There is no time like the present, and that is all I have,
that, and my desire to love and serve, to give to make a difference.

I need to be a teacher of essential truth,
now, from my lifetime of becoming,
accepting that I, and we, are always a work in progress,
but we don’t have to wait till perfection to give.

I have learned that by giving who we are now,
we become more than we could have ever imagined.
We don’t just wake up one day fully formed and realized
but it happens gradually, like the sun rising, or the coming of spring.

As it is said, the journey of a thousand miles begins
with the first step, so I, and we, have to step forward,
instead of hesitating in fear and doubt and complaining,
remaining in the background of what could have been
and then dying angry and resentful that we stopped short.

I, and we, have to make room for our gifts
which is as simple as giving love and caring
at every moment through our natural daily rhythm of being.

By living through my spiritual practice of prayer, worship,
studying scriptures and the practical knowledge from the wise,
I deepen who I am, and joyfully become my gifts and loving service
which give me life and inspiration, to share who I am.

As I focus on the Lord of my heart
to gain a oneness in spiritual purpose
and strength, so I can be, speak, and write
my confidence in my divine packing
believing in myself and encouraging you
to do the same—which is why I share.

I realize that while I have to be self-reliant while depending on God
I also need to help you by giving myself and all I have learned—
one truth of which, as difficult and foreign as it is to accept:

The greatest gift we have to give is ourselves—first to God
and then to everyone else, to be emissaries of the spiritual Light,
for me the devotional life of bhakti, or loving service to
the divine couple, Radha and Krishna, through their remembrance
and fully taking the holy name as my constant companion
as given by the kirtana and prema avatar,
Shri Chaitanya, & his agents, my mentors and companions.
Karnamrita Das

In Life or Death – Take Shelter! After leaving the hospital a…
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In Life or Death - Take Shelter!
After leaving the hospital a few weeks ago, my firm determination was never to return. It was by far, one of the most painful experiences of my life. Yet, today I did. This time, to the ICU, a place I cringed to think about. However, the visit was for a completely different purpose. The daughter of a devotee from Pune, passed away at a very young age in California Medical Center Hospital here in San Francisco, due to organ failure. A group of devotees and I had the opportunity to be next to her body and pray for her. Life is so fleeting and can pass through our fingers at any time. It’s so shocking, that it almost feels unreal. So many people on life support, young and old, just barely holding on. Death and pain don’t discriminate, do they? Time and tide wait for none.

I came across a feeble young girl from her bed in the ICU, around my age, smiling back at me. I waved at her and she waved back. I took the liberty to walk into her room and her sister welcomed me with a warm embrace and tearful eyes, as though I was a part of their family.

“We were just waiting for someone, come by, smile at us, and give us some warm feelings of love amidst all this suffering,” the sister said, firmly holding on to my hand. “Thank you for stopping by. You don’t know how much it means to us.” I gave them a Bhagavad Gita, saying this is main book of prayer, the source of our strength. They eagerly took two copies. While I was leaving, they all folded their palms in gratitude and bowed their heads saying, “Thank you so much. I’m sure our daughter will get better soon. Thanks for sharing the love.”

Death is all pervading, so unstoppable. There is nothing in our humanly power that we can do to prevent it. Its all a cycle of every individuals personal karma. Surprisingly, though, we do have control and responsibility over the situation. Srila Prabhupada has given us our only shelter, Krsna, and his words in the form of Bhagavad Gita. We are encouraged to drink the nectar of its contents to our fullest, and make it a goal of our life to distribute it to our suffering brothers and sisters.
Priya Kishori Devi Dasi

What is the connection of vibhuti yoga with perceiving spiritual reality?
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What we are is God’s gift to us – what we become is our gift to God
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When a close relative troubles us, do we need to tolerate infinitely?
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Gita 11.34 Assurances are reassuring when they are not just generic but also specific
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New Year’s Harinama
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Most people take their holidays between Christmas and New Year’s and like to go down town for shopping or go to the beach and other areas.

Hare Krishna devotees take advantage of this opportunity to increase Harinama Samkirtan and book distribution.

Govindas Asrama devotees in Sydney went out a number of times during this period and especially on New Year’s Eve they had a Maha Harinama to the delight of ten’s of thousands of spectators.

I was fortunate enough to be able to join them.

Eager for blessings
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 12 November 2016, Vrindavan, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.18.1-8)
Just before I came to present this class, I met Gurukripa Prabhu who said, “I am going to listen in on the radio,” to sort of put some pressure on me which I appreciated. When Srila Prabhupada wanted to build this Krsna-Balarama temple then Gurukripa Prabhu said, “Do not worry Prabhupada, I will get you the money.” In those days, it was not so easy to raise funds to because there was no fame to the Hare Krsna Movement. There weren’t lots of people in India who knew about this Movement, who accepted this Movement and who were ready to give. It was hard work to collect that money for this temple and now we sit here so nicely by the mercy of Gurukripa who did that service because he wanted guru-kṛpā (mercy and blessings of the guru), he always was very eager for guru-kṛpā. So this is why this temple is here. Somehow or other, we need to become inspired to serve Srila Prabhupada with great enthusiasm.

New Vrindaban Elects Its First Village Council
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New Vrindaban Elects Its First Village Council

By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON New Vrindaban Communications

On Saturday November 12th, New Vrindaban’s first elected Village Council introduced itself to the community, inaugurating a new more democratic method of community governance.

Advaitacarya Das and Mukunda Das, members of the Steering Committee that guided the Council’s formation, began by giving a historical overview of how it came to be.

The effort is inspired by Srila Prabhupada’s 1973 instruction to the leaders of New Vrindaban to “establish a local self-governing village” that would “show all the world a practical example of spiritual life.”

 It also comes from a longtime desire of New Vrindaban residents to have more influence on how their community is run.

The recent effort began with a group of New Vrindaban residents forming an “Advocacy Sanga” in December 2013. For a year-and-a-half, they worked informally, exploring options for better representation.

From their discussions, it became more and more clear that some kind of formal governance structure was needed.

It was also obvious after many years that trying to channel all community decisions through ISKCON New Vrindaban, and its religious non-profit management structure, did not work.

At a Community Dialog in Spring 2015, the ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban boards, and the Advocacy Sanga agreed that they would work on establishing a Village Council. The idea was to give community members more say in running their own community, and to have ISKCON New Vrindaban serve as a temple within the village – to become more of a spiritual rather than a managerial center.

From that Dialog, a Steering Committee consisting of ISKCON New Vrindaban, ECO-Vrindaban, and long term community members was formed to help develop the Village Council.

Over the next year-and-a-half, they met with different devotees to crystallize the concept and form a “New Vrindaban Village Association” made up of community members who would elect their chosen representatives to the Village Council.

It was decided that membership of the Village Association would be broad, comprising any devotees, friends, or spiritual aspirants living in the Tri-State area who wanted to be involved.

On October 28th, 2016, over 130 Village Association members voted in an election for their Village Council representatives. There were seventeen candidates for the seven council member seats, who each got a chance to speak for five minutes about their platform before voting officially began. Steering Committee members volunteered not to put themselves forth as Village Council candidates to keep the process transparent.

On November 5th, the election results were announced. The elected members were Bhagavan Das, Gaura Bhakta Das, Gaura Shakti Das, Giridhari Das, Lokadristi Dasi, Nityananda Dasi and Vrindavana Das.

On November 12th, during a community dialog, Mukunda Das of the Steering Committee introduced each member of the Council to the community.

“The Council is a nice representation of men and women, pioneer generation and next generation,” comments Council chair Bhagavan. “We each bring a variety of skills and knowledge to the table, and all are willing to work together for the benefit of the Village Association.”

Bhagavan then made a presentation about the Village Association and the Village Council, explaining their roles and workings.

The Village Association, he explained, will bring a diverse group of devotees together and encourage members to get involved in smaller, focused groups. These will include men’s groups, women’s groups, youth groups, book reading clubs, and various other interests. They also hope to have monthly meetings for everyone, switching between fun social gatherings that build relationships – for instance, this month’s Secret Santa gift exchange – and productive discussions about challenges community members are facing.

Meanwhile the Village Council is the smaller elected group that will represent the Village Association in their interactions with ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban.

Bhagavan emphasized that the Council will not be the be-all and end-all solution to all problems, but will help residents to come up with their own solutions. “We anticipate the most effective changes to happen at a small group level,” he said.

He also explained that the Council initially plans to have a rotating chair every month, so that everybody gets a chance to experience a leadership role. Internal Village Council decisions will aim for either a unanimous vote or at least a majority of 80 to 90 per cent, so that differing views are really taken into account. And new Council members will be elected every two years.

Many questions were asked by community members during the presentation, about how the Council will govern, how people will be able to interact with it, when meetings will start and how often they’ll be.

Bhagavan and other Council members answered many of these, and also requested community members to be patient with them, as the Village Council is just beginning to organize itself and define what its role will – and won’t – be in New Vrindaban.

The overall mood as the presentation concluded was upbeat and positive. The audience indicated that it was willing to allow the Village Council the time it needed, and Council members were eager to begin work. It was also evident that New Vrindaban residents are beginning to feel like they have representation in the broader community.

“A lot of people came up to me after the presentation and said they were excited to see what will come next,” Bhagavan says. “Personally, I feel enthusiastic about making a difference and helping everybody get connected rather than feeling like they’re on the outskirts. I’m glad that New Vrindaban is focusing on the resident devotees, and that we’re moving away from a hierarchy towards more of a partnership that allows everyone to be seen and heard.”

“I think if it’s successful, and we’re able to have a thriving community that everyone’s excited to be a part of again, it could be beneficial for other communities to take on too,” Bhagavan adds. “Ultimately, this is all about creating loving relationships between devotees – and that’s what we hope to see.”

Reconnection, a film about Vrindavan
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Reconnection, a film about Vrindavan.
BB Govinda Swami: Recently you have seen promotional activity regarding our movie about Sri Vrindavan Dham, Reconnection.
It’s a story about a person who transcends trials in his life … through the transformative experience of visiting Vrindavan.
Let me give you a little background … because the story of Reconnection actually did not start in Vrindavan.

WSN November 2016 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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Hare KrishnaBy Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following results of book distribution for the month of November 2016 from the whole planet. World Totals, Monthly Congregation and Weekend Warriors, Monthly Continents, Monthly Top Ten Temples by Size, Monthly Top Ten Temples by Continent, Monthly Top Teams and Individuals, Monthly All Countries, Monthly All Temples, Monthly All Prabhupada Disciples, Cumulative Top Ten Countries, Cumulative Top Ten Temples, Cumulative Top 50 Individuals Worldwide Continue reading "WSN November 2016 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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