​When we all lose everything at death, how does making better choices matter at death?
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​If spirituality helps us make better choices, who decides which choices are better?
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How has your spirituality helped you to practically solve the world’s problems?
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Tap the power of your mind​ – with Spanish translation
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​Talk at Hotel El Panama, Panama

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Proactive Leadership – with Spanish translation
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​Talk at UDELAS university, Panama

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​Discover your inner power – with Spanish translation
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​Talk at Ganexa University, Panama

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​What dogs, birds and elephants teach us about our habits – with Spanish translation
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​Talk at San Miguel Arcangel School, Panama

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Beautiful Madan Mohan Temple (Album with photos) Indradyumna…
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Beautiful Madan Mohan Temple (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On the 3rd day of our Kartika parikrama in Vrindavan we visited the famous Madan Mohan Temple, established by Srila Sanatana Goswami on the bank of the sacred Yamuna river. Madhava and Bada Haridas’ rousing kirtans and Chaturatma prabhu’s enlightening discussions satisfied the hearts of all present!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/cxeSoT

The Glories Of Damodara Masa
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The Glories Of Damodara Masa
Such is the benefit of devotional service in general. However, during certain times of year–such as appearance anniversaries of Lord Krishna and His devotees–the benefits of one’s service are compounded. During the month of Damodar, or Karttika (October/November), rewards for service to Krishna are greater than at any other time of year. For instance, Krishna always likes tulasi leaves, so it’s always a good time to offer tulasi leaves to Krishna. However, in the Hari-bhakti-vilas of Sanatan Goswami, we find these statements: “The result one obtains by giving ten thousand cows in charity can be obtained by offering only one tulasi leaf to the Supreme Lord during the month of Karttika.” (7.335) and…“Those who worship Lord Hari with an offering of one hundred thousand tulasi leaves during the month of Kārttika certainly advance on the path of pure devotional service, which includes liberation, with each leaf offered. (7.336)”

Cow Dung Protects Phone Against Radioactvity
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On a recent visit to the ISCOWP farm, HH Bhakti Ragava Swami, head of the Om Surabhi International Campaign, is putting cow dung on his phone after a discussion about the latest news of certain cell phones catching on fire.

From the Times of India Mar 2011

TOI spoke to associate professor in physics department, KN Uttam, about the nuclear radiation and ways to prevent it. He said some traditional Indian practices can help in minimising the effects of Gamma rays, the most harmful rays emitted in nuclear radiation.

"Traditional methods like keeping onions in pockets and applying a layer of Cow Dung on the outside walls of houses absorb the harmful gamma rays," Uttam said. "Cow dung, in fact, can absorb all the three rays -- alpha, beta and gamma. Among these, alpha rays cannot penetrate the layers of cloths whereas beta falls after hitting the same but the Gamma rays penetrate the body tissue and is the most harmful," he added. If the outer walls of houses are coated with thick layers of cow dung, it will absorb the gamma rays and in turn people would be safe, said Uttam who has worked in the ministry of science and technology and MHRD.

Krishna & Pleasure
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To depict Krishna and his rasa-līlā as something totally unlike what we ourselves know of happiness and pleasure is suicidal, for it causes us to feel that Krishna is irrelevant to what we spontaneously, naturally, and powerfully want and need. The fact is that nothing could be farther from the truth. Krishna is called “Krishna” for a reason! Rāma. Govinda. Madan Mohan. Rasarāja. Gopi-vallabha. All these names are bursting with exactly the flavor and experience our heart and soul spontaneously, eternally crave. If we deny or ignore that, why should we be surprised that our bhajan lacks life and attentiveness?

Yes, something also needs to be said to explain that our concept of happiness and pleasure pales in comparison to the pleasure and happiness experienced in rāsa-līlā. This is fine! Say it loudly, for it is also inspiring and powerfully attractive to us, right now, and for real. And let us clearly explain that this difference arises because of a fundamental difference in the nature of our approach to pleasure (karma and kāma – “selfishness”) vs. Krishan’s approach to it (līlā and prema – “selflessness”). Stress this all you want, and then some, otherwise we will never attain that all-attractive rasa!

But please beware of depicting Krishna as utterly “transcendental” as if “transcendental” means having no similarities at all with what we already understand and have spontaneous emotional attachment to. Besides being philosophically inaccurate, it will prolong our spontaneous disinterest in Krishna and his bhajan.

Vraja Kishor das (www.vrajakishor.com)


Tagged: madhurya rasa, Rasa-Lila, Sexuality

Srila Prabhupada’s Concern For Russia
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Hare KrishnaBy Govinda Dasi

Srila Prabhupada sat in the front passenger seat, and we all sat in the back. Shyamsundar read Mondokini’s letter aloud, and when Srila Prabhupada heard that she was ready to depart for Russia and marry this young man, his joy knew no bounds! "While this letter was being read, I snapped two pictures of Prabhupada. He was smiling the biggest smile I had ever seen! He was so overjoyed to hear her reply! To him, this was the beginning of the conquest of the demonic atheism that had invaded the land of the rishis, Rishiya." Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Concern For Russia
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Tuscon’s Iskcon 50 Gala
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Hare KrishnaBy Sandamini devi dasi

On Saturday, October 15th, under a brilliant Karttika moon, sixty-plus devotees and VIP guests celebrated ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in the courtyard of Govinda’s Natural Foods Buffet. The setting couldn’t have been more fitting. For thirty years Govinda’s has served as the temple’s portal to Lord Krsna’s sublime food, music, wisdom, and dear devotees—a spiritual oasis in the Arizona desert—what everyone had come to celebrate. As a harpist stroked heavenly notes, devotees and guests feasted on Govinda’s prasadam, forging new friendships and renewing old ones, for one thing was clear: practically everyone had been here before, setting the stage for the tributes. Continue reading "Tuscon’s Iskcon 50 Gala
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Departure of Sriman Vrajavasi Prabhu
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Hare KrishnaBy Guru Prasad Swami

On the morning of 18 Oct, Sriman Vrajavasi Prabhu, a Srila Prabhupada disciple from Mexico, left this world. He was in a coma for a week, with his loving family caring for him as best they could. He was one of the first, and biggest, sankirtan devotees of Mexico. At one point in the mid and late 70s, he would distribute as much as 500-700 big books a day. After marriage, he was the temple president for Mexico City for some time. Then he moved to a smaller town, Celaya Mexico, where he set up a small business to maintain his family. He was very strict with his sadhana thoughout his family life. He dedicated himself to translating essential books for preaching into Spanish, even the Brahma Samhita. He would hold regular classes in his home, and organize vaisnava festivals, especially for young devotees. Whenever the sankirtan devotees would distribute in that area, he vacated a cottage and rooms in his home for their stay. His last translationg work was the Srila Prabhupada Siksamrta, and the first installation was the section on distributing books. He is suceeded by his wife and two Children, Lalita and Abhaya, both initiated devotees, who are also very strict in their spiritual lives, following in the footsteps of their father. His example and dedication have inspired hundreds of devotees to follow Krsna Consciousnes. All glories to Sriman Vrajavasi Prabhu! Continue reading "Departure of Sriman Vrajavasi Prabhu
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Association with mundane people
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 31 July 2005, Lecture)

redlightdistrict_amsterdam

For a sannyasi to associate with mundane persons is like willingly drinking poison! And not only for a sannyasi but for a devotee too. One should not associate with women who are addicted to lusty desires nor should one associate with men who are addicted to such women. This is not recommended for one who is serious about going back to Godhead because it is said that sex life is the chain, maithunya argara, it is the chain that binds us in the prison of material existence. 

But you may ask, “Isn’t sex life natural? You cannot be artificial. It is one of the natural inclinations of the body just like hunger and thirst! It is also not only that… it is like a means to express affection and love.”

Yes, one must also make a distinction between the gross lusty activities which, for example, are going on in the red light district of Amsterdam and the exchanges in a loving relationship. That is also a fact. A distinction is made and therefore exchanges between a husband and wife is a different thing. In the Vedic culture, a husband and wife would together go for spiritual life but nowadays that is not always there. Spiritual life, if it is at all there, is something symbolic and for most, it is something in the background. It is not a very prominent thing. But in Vedic culture, spiritual life was in the foreground. It was an important element in life – prominent and it should be! Therefore, sex life should be within religious principles, within marriage.

For all of us, it is not beneficial to associate with people who are in the grip of lust. If one becomes very friendly with mundane people then after some time, we also become mundane.

The Talavan Forest (Album with photos) Indradyumna Swami: On…
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The Talavan Forest (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On our 2nd day of Kartika parikrama we visited the Talavan forest in Vrindavan. The land in Talavan is described in sastra as very even, smooth and expansive. The earth is black and densely covered with darbha grass and devoid of stones and pebbles. Talavan is especially known for it’s beautiful clear lakes filled with blue lotuses. The water of those lakes fulfills all desires and assures complete success in all undertakings. We were graced with a visit by Deena Bandhu prabhu who enlightened us all about Lord Balarama’s killing of the Dhenakasura demon.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Gt2MML

​Why do we tend to worry about future things that haven’t even happened?
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How can we measure our progress on the path of controlling our mind?
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​What does the Gita’s call to control the mind by practice and renunciation mean practically?
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​If devotion is innate for all of us, why does it seem alien to some?
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