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Revealer of Our Spiritual Identity

On December 12^th, Peruvian devotee Bhadra Rupa Das was presented with an honorary doctorate by the National University of Education, Peru at the Peruvian Parliament in Lima. But he quickly turned what was set to be an event in his honor into one in praise of Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON, and ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary.

Here is the most recent version of the BBT Style Guide.

BBT_style_guide_December_2016 (docx, 433 KB)

The Style Guide offers the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust’s latest standards on such matters as spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and word choice.

This is a routine update.

You can always find the latest version of the style guide on the permanent page of BBT editorial resources.

The post Updated BBT style guide (December 2016) appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

Pray! who, me?
As aspiring devotees we should know that it is spiritual ‘best practice’ to make prayers an important part of our daily sadhana.
Of course, we are aware (but are we conscious of it?) that prayer, vandanam, is part of nine limbs of bhakti and even following a single limb perfectly can help us reach our final goal. We should also know that each pranam mantra which we speak is a prayer to Krishna, Deity, Acharaya & Guru. Being aware of the importance of power of prayers, Srila Prabhupada very much ingrained them into daily program of our society. In fact reading and meditating on our daily temple prayer’s translation alone is a most purifying and uplifting experience.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/Xs1IGj

So my sister bluntly expressed to Srila Prabhupada that she wanted to leave. She told him that “When you are here, everything is fine; but when you leave, everything becomes harder to deal with, especially the men, and I don’t want to do it.” I looked at Srila Prabhupada, whose eyes glistened with tears of love. I was also crying—we all were. With a combination of deep love and gravity, he said: Please do not leave. We have the best philosophy. You will not find a better philosophy in this world. There is nothing like the knowledge that we have in Krishna Consciousness. We have the best scriptures, like Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, The Nectar of Devotion and Caitanya-caritamrta. Continue reading "Please do not leave!
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After reflecting on this exchange, I concluded that Krsna's instruction to, "Just surrender unto Me," is really another way of saying, "Just Do It." Of course, it took convincing to bring Arjuna to this position, and Krsna brought Arjuna step-by-step to the point of accepting His will. Yet, by saying "surrender" Krsna is telling Arjuna to forget the step-by-step process and just go for it. To me, this kind of surrender is like diving into a river on a cold morning as opposed to going in the river step-by-step. The goal is the same, but one takes a lot longer to get to the same place. In other words, in the end we still have to dunk our head under the water. Krsna said "surrender," and Arjuna finally did. He picked up his weapons and fought like anything. Continue reading "Just Do It
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Discipline. Discipline is the suppression of base desires, and is usually understood to be synonymous with self-control restraint and control.
If you are eager to advance in devotional service and to experience spiritual bliss, look to discipline.
Brahma, the first, and most intelligent being in the universe was advised by Sarasvati to engage in spiritual discipline by chanting the Krsna mantra. Brahma did this diligently for a long time, until Krsna was pleased with him and showed him the spiritual world.
The word discipline is related to the word disciple. “Disciple,” comes from Latin, discipulus, which means, “learner.”

And the word discipline itself derives from the Latin, disciplina, which means, “knowledge.”

It is clear that to learn, one must practice discipline.

To advance our spiritual knowledge, Krsna recommends that we submit ourselves to a spiritual master, accept training, and agree to strictly obey the disciplines he or she prescribes for us.

In the Gita, Krsna says, “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.” (Bg. 4.34)

By carefully applying the rules my teacher gives me, I move forward. But it is I who accept and apply them. No one else can do this for me.

However, one who voluntarily applies these prescribed spiritual disciplines is soon blessed with the mercy of the Lord.

In Gita Krsna says, “But a person free from all attachment and aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord.” (Bg. 2.64)

The beginning stage of devotional service is called vaidhi bhakti, “regulated bhakti.” During this stage, I must willingly accept whatever discipline is given by the spiritual master and scripture.

In Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada writes thus about Vaidhi bhakti, “One has to follow these different regulative principles by the order of the spiritual master or on the strength of authoritative scriptures, and there can be no question of refusal. That is called, vaidhi, or regulated.” (NOD Pp. 21-22)

But, happily, this is not difficult because the practices of bhakti are never dry or unnecessarily austere. Rather, they are juicy and blissful.

For example, chanting Hare Krsna, visiting the temple to observe the arti, associating with devotees, visiting the holy dhama, honoring prasadam, hearing Srimad-bhagavatam, worshiping the Deity, and so on, are all are joyfully performed because they keep one in touch with Krsna, the reservoir of all pleasure.

There are also prohibitive austerities. For instance, the “four regulative principles” which are to give up gambling, meat eating, intoxication, and illicit sex. Observing these vows keeps one situated in the mode of goodness, the mode that empowers one to discriminate between matter and spirit. Practicing bhakti without abstaining from the four sinful behaviors is compared to trying to light a fire while pouring water on it.

But, as I vigilantly practice the bhakti disciplines, my sinful desires are burned up and the natural devotion for Krsna within my heart is awakened.

When bhakti awakens, a spontaneous desire to serve Krsna springs forth, leading one to the next stage of bhakti, devotional service in ecstasy.

In the beginning however, I must follow the rules and disciplines, even when I don’t feel like doing so. Such discipline – along with the mercy of guru and Krsna – transport one to the higher stages of devotion.

Even in an ordinary sense, there are benefits to self-discipline. Psychologist, Nathaniel Brandon, mentions one such benefit, which he calls, “your reputation with yourself.” He says, “we build up or pull down our reputation with ourselves with everything we do or fail to do.” (ETF, Tracy, p. 72)

In other words, the more I voluntarily accept beneficial disciplines, the better I feel about myself. And, incidentally, the better I feel about my self, the more I will feel empowered to practice discipline. Discipline creates an upward spiral of improvement.

One way to adopt the self-discipline habit is to start with small disciplines that you’re sure you can handle. As you taste the rewards of performing these small disciplines, you’ll be encouraged to increase them. Furthermore, the disciplines you accept in one area of your life, will positively affect the disciplines in all other areas of your life.

The best and most important discipline of all is the chanting of the holy names of Krsna.

Arrange time to chant every day and listen carefully to the mantra. Also, stay fixed in chanting a regulated number of rounds of japa every day.

Regular chanting of the holy names will not only make all other disciplines easier, it will – as the following verses express – infuse the chanter with spiritual strength and bring him or her to the perfection of life.

“Let the all-auspicious glories of the holy name, which benedicts the entire universe, be victorious. Just as when the sun rises, it dispels the ocean of darkness. In the same way, when the holy name has only slightly risen within one’s heart, all one’s sins are completely destroyed.” (Padyavali 16)

“Oh King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the way of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge.” (Bhag. 2.1.11)
Vaisesika Das

Christmas Festival 2016 in San Diego, USA (Album with 98 photos)
New Govardhana Annual Prasadam Festival and 6 Hour Kirtan-On ...

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, September 2008, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Lecture)

What will please Srila Prabhupada the most? Well, I remember a story of Tamal Krsna Maharaj. He was appointed as the GBC secretary for India and he was taking care for all of India. This was a very important service as these were big, big projects. But for some time, Tamal Krsna Maharaj had been preaching in America with the Radha Damodara party.

Then Prabhupada said that since Tamal Krsna Maharaj had left India, things were not going so well and Prabhupada said that he should go back to India and resume GBC duties but he did not want to go because he was having a good time preaching. So how did he convince Prabhupada?

He brought a whole group of new devotees that he had made and they were all nicely dressed up with tilaka and he brought them to his room and he said, “Prabhupada, we have been preaching with the bus party and these are all the new devotees that we have made.” And he introduced them, “This is bhakta… and bhakta…” and he went through the whole room!

Prabhupada’s eyes just became round and excited and he said, “All right, yes, you continue this program! You continue this program!” This preaching was worth more than all the buildings and everything because what Prabhupada really cared for was that people would become devotees.

So let us do something to make devotees but how can we make devotees? Prabhupada said, “It is very easy! You just show people how happy you are!” Easy, isn’t it? So firstly, we have to become really happy.
 

Although the program runs all year long, due to the cold weather and the holidays, the month of December means increased service and dedication for the volunteers of Food for Life Hungary. During the December holiday season, they distributed 10,000 plates of hot meal and 6,000 packages of dry food all across the country.

The Residents of Varsana (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we visited Varsana, the eternal residence of Srimati...

TOVP Updates - By Sadbhuja Das.
View of the Demigods.
This is a panoramic view of the demigods on top of the first floor ...

Performed and produced by Dr. Sahadeva Dasa.

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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 11/27/2016

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima (Chair), Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Ranaka and Sri Tulasi Manjari

Participating Advisors: Vraja

Participating Managers: Nitaicandra

Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani

1. Bahulaban Barn Community Center Proposal Update

Mukunda plans to consult Bhagavan for help in drafting a construction estimate.

2. Developing ECO-V’s Endowment

A subcommittee was formed to answer the questions needed to move forward in establishing the endowment. This subcommittee consists of Ranka, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Nitaicandra and Vraja. Chaitanya Mangala will contact the group separately in order to schedule a meeting.

3. Improving Communication between ECO-V and INV

Nitaicandra previously reported that there had been some miscommunications between managers of the two organizations, but more recently the lines of communication have improved and things are operating more smoothly.

4. Steering Committee/Village Council Update

A Village Council was successfully elected and they made a presentation during the November meetings. The new members are Bhagavan, Gaura Bhakta, Gaura Shakti, Giridhari, Lokadrsti, Nityananda and Vrindavan.

5. November Joint Board Weekend Meetings Recap

Chaitanya Mangala reported on some of the highlights of the meetings:

• The new Village Council was introduced during the “Community Dialogue.”
• H.H. Varsana Swami, Gopalasyapriya, Damodara, Pitambar and Amburish prabhus were honored with lifetime service appreciations.
• Advaita and Sudhanu cooked sweet rice over an open fire using protected dairy from New Vrindaban cows and Amburish’s classic recipe.

6. Spring 2017 Onsite Meetings

The spring meetings are scheduled to be held March 24-26, 2017.

7. Mukunda’s Monthly Report

Nitaicandra reported on Mukunda’s projects from the previous month:

• Mukunda completed a few projects on the temple barn, including building/hanging/insulating three sliding doors and insulating the upstairs door.
• He organized distribution of the “New Vrindaban” t-shirts for the on-site meetings.
• He helped oversee the election of the Village Council.

November is Mukunda’s last month working with ECO-V. The Board members expressed their appreciation for his service over the past two years. During the on-site meetings, he was given a plaque which reads, “On behalf of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra, the Board of Directors of ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban humbly present this plaque to Mukunda dasa and Bhakti-lata dasi in appreciation of two years of exceptional service in the development of New Vrindaban.”

8. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report

Nitaicandra reported on the previous month’s projects:

• The cows and oxen at Nandagram have been separated from calves for the winter
• Caitanya Bhagavata will keep the oxen in shape throughout the winter by taking them on regular walks.
• The gardens at Nandagram are composted and turned in.
• Pippilada has finished the earth work necessary for the construction of a pit greenhouse at Nandagram.
• The saved seeds have been packaged and documented.
• The tractor work at Vidya’s flower gardens is complete.
• Nitaicandra plans to build a few single ox yokes and an ox cart over the winter.

9. Fall 2017 ISKCON North American Farm Conference

The 2017 North American Farm Conference will be held at New Vrindaban the weekend before Govardhana Puja. Sri Tulasi Manjari is currently working on a list of farmers to invite, making invitations and creating a list of workshops to offer.

10. Allocation of $70K Grant to ISKCON New Vrindaban

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to express its appreciation to INV for the negotiations Gopisa and Jaya Krsna made on behalf of ECO-V for the Williams Agreement.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board authorizes the following grants to ISKCON New Vrindaban: $40K for Prabhupada’s Palace kitchen remodeling and $30K for Vrindaban farm property renovations.

11. ECO-V 2017 Operating Budget

A subcommittee consisting of Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Nitaicandra, Ranaka and Sri Tulasi Manjari has been assembled to prepare an Operating Budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

For regular updates, visit the ECO-Vrindaban Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/ECOVrindaban

The Batam Devotees who did ratha yatra on December 11, 2016, was supported by Wajah Batam, a non-government organization in Batam, Indonesia. As Srila Prabhupada mentioned in his letter that “So all these variety shows will be so attractive with melodious musical sounds, and above all our good behavior and advanced Krishna consciousness will make this show very successful.” SPL to Haàsadüta, 4th March, 1968. A day before ratha yatra, in the field of Engku Putri field, the chariot team did preparation for the chariot. They worked tirelessly until midnight. Because of the rainfall, they skipped the work until the following morning. Arriving from Bali and Jakarta the devotees directly gave a hand to prepare the festival. They made garlands and assisted the chariot team to prepare the chariot. Continue reading "Jagannatha Ratha Yatra and Yoga Festival, Batam, Indonesia
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Iskcon Melbourne, Australia - Mega Kitchen Equipment Update (Album with photos)
Aniruddha Dasa: I was able to inspect kitchen progress on Friday with Greg, our project manager. I managed to get some shots. I’ve had such a busy weekend I couldn’t get them online till now. A lot of the equipment is in place. Not connected but you’ll get the idea.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Cv87Kn

Amazing video by the Russian devotees appealing for a Krishna Temple in Moscow ( min video)
According to the Vedas, God owns everything, not only in this universe but also in countless other universes, and in the spiritual world. But in Moscow, Krishna … has not home, has not a Temple. How so? In fact, here Krsna has already a beautiful, amazing Temple. Only time, and our efforts are separating us from it. By combining our efforts, thanks to the strong faith and friendship, we will be able to see it first hand and say, “Now, God has a house.” Please take part in the appearance of Krishna temple in Moscow!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/90ap96

Uncompromising

The post Daily Darshan: December 28,2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Like many people who engage in creative pursuits, I tend to have high expectations for my writing, which I have frequently expressed in blogs. I know, I know, I write about it too much, forgive me, but I think about it every day and whenever I write or teach.

As I chant and worship, I meditate and pray for uplifting spiritual power that flows through me in loving compassion and wisdom to be expressed through my speaking and writing. While I know it is there to some extent, I see being able to inspire people to take to spiritual practice, or devotees to revitalize their practice, as a natural outcome of sadhana, and personally, as a result of facing death. To me this is a win/win situation, good for me, and good for those who resonate with what I share. I will explain how knowing this about me may be of us to you--or why would I write it?

I share it because doing so inspires me by helping me keep my spiritual focus—when I write or chant I feel spiritually connected—with the prayer that you may also nurture high spiritual aspirations. For so many years I was busy in bhakti but didn't really have high spiritual aspiration as offered in our tradition, nor did I pray for them. I stalled accordingly and hope by this sharing that you will seek to understand the goal of bhakti and appreciate its value to pray for it with feeling. Ours is a path of grace--we endeavor or serve to attract grace.

So, what about you—what are your spiritual goals that you pine for, regardless of where you are on the spiritual path? Keeping this in mind and understanding its inestimable value is crucial for keeping on the path, not just casually, but with heart, for our whole lives—lest we give up in despair or hopelessness.

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"Srila Rupa Gosvami, after consulting various scriptures, has enumerated the transcendental qualities of the Lord as follows: (1) beautiful features of the entire body: (2) marked with all auspicious characteristics; (3) extremely pleasing: (4) effulgent; (5) strong; (6) ever-youthful; (7) wonderful linguist; (8) truthful; (9) talks pleasingly; (10) fluent; (11) highly learned: (12) highly intelligent; (13) a genius; (14) artistic; (15) extremely clever; (16) expert; (17) grateful; (18) firmly determined; (19) an expert judge of time and circumstances; (20) sees and speaks on the authority of Vedas, or scriptures; (21) pure; (22) self-controlled; (23) steadfast; (24) forbearing; (25) forgiving; (26) grave; (27) self-satisfied; (28) possessing equilibrium; (29) magnanimous; (30) religious: (3l) heroic; (32) compassionate: (33) respectful: (34) gentle; (35) liberal; (36) shy; (37) the protector of surrendered souls; (38) happy; (39) the well-wisher of devotees; (40) controlled by love; (4l) all-auspicious; (42) most powerful: (43) all-famous: (44) popular: (45) partial to devotees: (46) very attractive to all women; (47) all-worshipable; (48) all-opulent; (49) all-honorable; (50) the supreme controller. Continue reading "Qualities of Sri Krsna
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Power, such a seductive thing. It begins when we are infants and learn that a shrill cry can get you immediate attention. First we cry because we need something. Then we cry because we want something. Soon we cry just because we know we can. A younger, weaker sibling has to do what we tell them to - we borrow power from our strength. When the skinny girl finds her curves she realises that a look in the right direction and a casual flick of her hair can turn the biggest chunks of muscle into putty - she borrows power from her beauty. A frustrated father, worked to the grind by a condescending boss, lashes out at his wife and kids. Although he feels impotent at work, he claims power in the fact that he provides. Power games rule our lives. Continue reading "Power Does Not Corrupt the Divine
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Two albums of rare photos of Yamuna Devi from the beginning of the Hare Krishna movement. She is seen with her family, then with Srila Prabhupada, her early godbrothers and godsisters like Jayanananda Prabhu, Tamal Krishna Goswami, Vishnujana Swami, Mukunda Goswami, Malati Dasi, Guru Das, Hayagriva Das, talking with some celebrities like George Harrison and John Lennon, during the first Ratha Yatra in San Francisco, from her marriage, with a Godbrother of Srila Prabhupada and from her recent life before she left her body.

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Transcendental Greed.
There is one price that one must pay to get Krsna. That price is intense eagerness. This intense eagerness is called laulyam , “greed.”
In his Padyavali, Rupa Goswami has composed the following verse:
“Pure devotional service in Krsna consciousness cannot be had even by pious activity in hundreds and thousands of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price—that is, intense greed to obtain it. If bhakti is available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay.”

“Someone may say, ‘Oh, eagerness? I have eagerness.’ Ah-h-h… but it is not so easy. Janma-koti-sukrtair na labhyate: This eagerness cannot be achieved even by executing pious activities for millions of births. If you simply go on performing pious activities, still this eagerness is not available.

“So, this eagerness is a very important thing, but it can be awakened only by the association of devotees. Therefore we are giving everyone a chance to invoke that eagerness; then you’ll see God, face to face.” (JSD)
Vaisesika Das

My Cancer Diagnosis As Krishna’s Embrace.
It is often difficult to keep secrets, especially about one’s health, so after due consideration, I am publically sharing that after preliminary tests, secondary cancer has been discovered in a swollen lymph node in my neck. There is at least one more test in conventional medicine that could be performed—a PET or full body scan—to try to find the primary cancer. Unfortunately, I have found that just mentioning the word cancer freaks everyone out, as if this is a death sentence. However, this is not necessarily so. There are many alternative treatments with a high success rate—much better than the conventional radiation and Chemo. Although many who are reading this don’t know me personally, this could be your story just as easily, or it may already be, since in the USA, cancer strikes 1 in 2 men, and 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. In 2015, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths in the US.

I don’t like to give anyone any pain or discomfort by telling them this news, but I bring it up as an educational experience for all of us and to document my travels through what may be a long journey of recovery. There is much to learn about what cancer is, what it means when it grows in the body, and what the best way to treat it is. We have found this the following site very helpful in our both our education about cancer and quest for the best treatment. http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/

At the same time, I do appreciate all the loving I am getting from my friends and families! I get the most amazing hugs and those looks of disbelief like I might disappear at any moment. If only we could all appreciate one another like this all the time!

My wife jokes that I may be partially attracting the cancer to feel such love and appreciation. Additionally, it may be a result of my daily prayers for spiritual advancement, and to gain facilities for sharing my spiritual life through writing and teaching. My friends and family are far more upset and worried than I am. In any case, I can honestly say, that “it’s all good.” Whatever happens I know it is for my ultimate spiritual benefit.

Although I don’t think it is my time to go, I have found this diagnosis an interesting meditation on death, and all the hankerings and desires in my heart. As is often my process, I take time to observe my thoughts and feelings from a 3rd person perspective, so I can learn as much as I can from my reactions or responses. Who do I really think I am—my conditioned story, or an eternal soul? How do I define myself? What are my attachments? How much do I consider myself a servant of God, or as an enjoyer of the world? Where is my faith? Where is my shelter? What is my relationship with the holy name? How much to I truly want the goal of pure devotion and love for Krishna and everything in relationship to his service? How much to I care about others? What am I willing to give, for the time I have left in my body?
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/exUqB1

GITA LIFE PROGRAM!! (Album with photos)
H.H.Bhakti Vinoda Swami conducting the Gita Life program in Sri Lanka.
Srila Prabhupada: The devotees of the Lord, while delivering speeches and describing the transcendental attributes of the Lord, do not think that they can do anything independently. They think that they can speak only what they are induced to speak by the Supreme Lord, the master of the senses… No one is free to act freely and independently, and as such, one should always seek the permission of the Lord to act or eat or speak, and by the blessing of the Lord everything done by a devotee is beyond the principles of the four defects typical of the conditioned soul.
SB 2.4.11 purp.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/gsIuyN