Find and learn about any ISKCON Center in the world in this new…
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Find and learn about any ISKCON Center in the world in this new interactive website, the new official directory of ISKCON centers.
To find the center you’re looking for on the website, there are many different options. You can simply type, say, “Spain” into the “What are you looking for?” box on the homepage, and find a list of all the centers in that country accessible through attractive thumbnail photos. Or, you can be more specific, and select “Spain” from the “regions” drop-down menu and “farm” from the “categories menu, and find the New Vrajamandala farm. Other search options include the “Browse categories” menu, where you can go straight to, say, all the Namahatta groups or all the restaurants in ISKCON worldwide. Then there’s “Centers by Region,” where you can go straight to all the centers in a major region of the world, like “Latin America” or “Asia-Pacific.” There’s also “Centers of Interest,” which currently has only “farms” in its drop-down menu, and leads you directly to the GBC Ministry of Agriculture and Cow Protection’s official global directory of all ISKCON farms. Future “Centers of Interest” to be added will include a one-click pathway to all major ISKCON schools.
To learn more about the website: https://goo.gl/F26ukn
To visit the website: https://goo.gl/Jhdzva

​Can we function at both spiritual and material levels in life?
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A Society Without Envy
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Hare KrishnaBy Gour Govinda Swami

One may be compassionate to fulfill his own selfish desire. One may be compassionate to some and not compassionate to others. He has raga and dvesa, liking and disliking. He is not equal to one and all. He cannot be. Unless one sees Krishna how can he be compassionate? He will see, this is Krishna's jiva suffering. His heart bleeds. He cannot sit tight. He will go out and preach Krishna consciousness. And who preaches? Prana ache yara, sei hetu pracara; one who has life? What is life? Jivanam sarva-bhutesu. Krishna says, "I am jivan, I am the life in all living entities." One who sees Krishna everywhere. Who sees Krishna's jiva suffering because of forgetfulness of Krishna, because of a lack of Krishna conscoiusness; he has prana, life. He goes out and preaches. He is completely surrendered to Krishna. Therefore Krishna came as Mahaprabhu, as a bhakta (a devotee), to teach devotion, to teach how to surrender unto Krishna (sikhaya sarangati bhakater prana). Saranagati is the life of the devotee who is completely surrendered.  Continue reading "A Society Without Envy
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Active Listening
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Hare KrishnaBy Bhurijana dasa

One fundamental requirement for active listening is the capacity to suspend the judging-propensity. Resist the temptation to immediately offer words of advice or throw out pat preachy lines. The general rule is to not advice unless you are quite sure the listener wishes to accept your words: “advice only when hired” is a saying used by professional counselors in this connection. Instructing one who is disturbed is usually not effective because the troubled person's turbulent mind will not allow him to hear. It is often better to wait until the person's emotions subside. This often happens quickly and naturally when he feels understood. Active listening is a powerful preaching tool: it warms the relation, it lets you know what “they are at”, it lets you enter their life by them opening up to you (while keeping, in a sense, above). People really appreciate when you want to hear what they have to say: many people go on all their life without experiencing it. Another analogy is “shot-gun” and “laser” preaching: when you know what is going on in someone’s mind your advice becomes more focused, more pointed, you know what to shoot for. Active listening is also useful in book distribution, it can defuse a tense situation in few seconds. Continue reading "Active Listening
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Bhakti Charu Swami on Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.29 at Sridham Mayapur
Bhakti Charu Swami

His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj arrived at Sridham Mayapur on 26th September 2016. Maharaj gave Srimad Bhagavatam class on Canto 7, Chapter 7, verse number 29 on 28th September 2016. Please watch the video of the lecture here:  

The post Bhakti Charu Swami on Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.29 at Sridham Mayapur appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Notes of a pilgrim. Mukhya Devi Dasi (President of…
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Notes of a pilgrim.
Mukhya Devi Dasi (President of Iskcon’s Raman Reti community in Alachua): We’ve spent the past week in the rarefied atmosphere of Sri Vrindavan Dhama, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. ISKCON’s Krishna Balaram Mandir is chock full of life: kirtan, seva and bhakti vibrating from end to end. Just watching the pilgrims stream through during sundara arati and hearing the 24 hour kirtan in full swing begin dancing as they have darshan of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Krishna Balaram and Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar, is an evening activity for us. There is nothing like it in the three worlds. We are charmed and humbled by their natural devotional feelings. Many classes going on from morning to night, in many languages, with many devotees in attendance. There’s even a class for guests that happens right after mangal arati, in an office within the Temple itself.
The holiest of holy tirthas, for me, is here too, Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi, his resting place. His huge murti form emanates a unique expression of compassion, certainly Krishna was guiding the hands of the artist who created this most extraordinary murti. In one form the pure devotee remains within his Samadhi to give mercy to faithful and sincere devotees, and here one can receive inspiration and enthusiasm in his devotional service. Each day after the morning program we leave for parikrama, visiting one or two temples where we can sit and read and chant, before getting into the market for shopping. Some of where we’ve been:
Gopiswara Mahadeva Temple (this linga was installed 5,000 years ago by Lord Krishna’s grandson Vajaranabha) Here we take permission to enter the holy dhama Vamsi Vata (where Krishna called the gopis to dance with Him)
Govindaji Mandir Even after desecration and deterioration, this huge mandir which was originally seven stories high made of huge red sandstone block, intricately carved domes and lattice work screens, seems like an architectural marvel. Somehow they take us right up onto the altar here, then down a secret stairwell to have darshan of an ancient deity of Yogamaya (Krishna’s sister).
Braja Mohan Temple. The deity of Narottam das Thakura, this lovely well maintained, quiet (and monkey proof) spot is one of our favorites. We sit here a while and chant the songs of Narottam das and feel our good fortune. His Holiness Indradyumna Swami gave a donation here to fix up the temple, and they are very nice and personal with us.
Radha Vinode, Radha Gokulanada, deities of Lokanatha Goswami and Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakur. We also visits the Samadhi garden here, chant and circumambulate.
Radha Kunda
We did a half day parikrama of Radha Kund with Dina Bandhu prabhu. The only way to go! We really understood why they say only mad dogs go out in the noon day sun, it was painfully hot for us, but Dina Bandhu was cheerfully carrying on, being respectfully and happily greeted by every baba we met.
64 Samadhis, all the major goswamis and preachers of Vrindavan have either a full or a pushpa, nama, or smrita Samadhi here.
Purnamasi Temple. The mother of Sandipani Muni, everyone considered her on all matters, and she made arrangements with Vrinda devi for Radha Krishna’s pastimes. Situated at a corner of Seva Kunj.
Bath in Yamuna, she was very shallow this week, but cool and refreshing nonetheless.
Radha Damodar Temple. “the center of the spiritual world.” The bhajan place of Rupa Goswami, where he would daily hold discourse on Srimad Bhagavatam with the other goswamis and their close associates. Also here is the Govardhan sila of Srila Sanatana Goswami which has the footprint of Lord Krishna impressed upon it. Srila Prabhupada’s rooms are here, beautifully maintained ‘as they were’. We spend extra time here reading aloud Bhagavad Gita, and chanting bhajan.
We were happy for the chance to visit with His Holiness Gunagrahi Swami, who is absorbing himself in kirtan, nice association, hearing-chanting-remembering. We had a nice chat, sharing realizations and memories. Two more days and we leave for the airport on a very very long trek home. Be it ever so humble…I will be very happy to get there.
Everywhere I go I am praying for all the residents of New Raman Reti, may we always stay engaged in service at Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet.

The handwriting of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself? (Album of photos)
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The handwriting of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself? (Album with photos)
The Bhaktivedanta Research Centre’s Mission for Manuscripts Team visited the Sripata of Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura, Denuda in Bardaman (West Bengal).
On the altar there is a wood and glass box containing a mss that is said to be the original Caitanya Bhagavat by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura.
We were not allowed to photograph these from the outside of the box because, following an attempt to steal it by a young man disguised as a Hindu sadhu, the box was sealed and even the current pujari can’t open it.
With it there is a thin strip with what the owners claim is the handwriting of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself.

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As they walked together under a steel bridge, Prabhupada pointed…
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As they walked together under a steel bridge, Prabhupada pointed upward with his walking cane, “Look”-a sign under the bridge read UNALLOYED STEEL-“they have unalloyed steel, and we have unalloyed devotional service.
"What if people don’t want to hear our message?” Pradyumna asked.
“The people might not understand our message, but Krsna will be pleased,” Prabhupada replied. “And that is our mission. They thought Jesus Christ’s mission was stopped. They killed him. But his mission was attained. He preached three years only, but so many followers. He pleased Krsna. We must not be disappointed that no one is hearing Krsna consciousness. We will say it to the moon and stars and all directions. We will cry in the wilderness, because Krsna is everywhere. We want to get a certificate from Krsna that "This man has done something for Me.” Not popularity. If a pack of asses says you are good, what is that? We have to please Krsna’s senses with purified senses.”

Легендарная обитель
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Фотоальбом на FB

Строительство во дворце Потала начали в 1645 г. Говорят, это мифическая обитель великого буддистского святого, покровителя г. Лхаса в Тибете. Дворец с незапямятных времен был центром средоточия многочисленных буддистских святых, многие из которых погребены здесь в огромных ступах. В самадхи одного из святых мы видели огромную “жемчужину из головы слона”, нечто подобное я искал уже долгие годы.

Construction on the Potala Palace began in 1645. It is said to be the mythical abode of a great Buddhist saint, overlooking the city of Lhasa in Tibet. Potala Palace has been the seat of numerous Buddhist saints throughout history, many of whom are entombed in the large structure. At the samadhi of one saint we saw a large, “pearl from the head of an elephant”, something I had been searching for for many years.

New Website Helps You Find and Learn About Any ISKCON Center
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The official ISKCON 50 magazine “The Hare Krishnas: Celebrating 50 Years” cites Srila Prabhupada’s society as having 65 farms and eco-villages, and 650 centers, temples, schools and colleges worldwide. That’s a surprisingly huge and growing network – growing family – that we’re a part of. But what if you want to learn more about what’s happening at a particular center? What if you’re traveling and want to stop off at the closest ISKCON center to get some prasadam and kirtan, a spiritual boost and a comforting taste of home? How do you find it?

Spiritual Awareness: Hear the Unheard
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Looks can be deceiving, and often far from the full story. It is said that one who laughs too much, even at small and insignificant things, may well be harboring dissatisfaction and sorrow within. A person who feels impelled to keep talking and communicating, could be experiencing loneliness and lack of meaningful camaraderie.

Devotees Called Upon to Attend Historic ‘Chant 4 Change’
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Already ISKCON communities in Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Alachua, Maine and New York are mobilizing large contingents of devotees to attend what promises to be an historic event this October 8th – Chant 4 Change.Kirtan chanter and organizer Gaura Vani is imploring all devotees from throughout the U.S. and beyond to come en masse and make a powerful statement on a public stage. That statement is that there’s only one way to heal the racism, sexism and terrorism that is currently plaguing the globe – and that is chanting God’s names.

H.H. The Dalai Lama’s Message for the “Chant for Change” Event
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On Saturday October 8th, at Washington’s famed Lincoln Memorial, at the site of one of America’s most famous landmarks, an event never seen before on this scale in Washington will take place. Chant4Change will focus on the performances of dozens of musicians, from a variety of religious and spiritual traditions, who will join together for a day and evening of music calling out to the Divine in chant, prayer, and song. To celebrate the event, H.H. the Dalai Lama also sent a message.

Monday, September 26th, 2016
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Monday, September 26th, 2016
Toronto, Ontario

C.H. Came

Chaitanya Hari is staying at the InterContinental Hotel on Front Street and is here on business.  He works with Telus and is based in Vancouver.  He is a young, promising, business person and his prospects for spiritual advancement also look good.  I’ve known him since he was a kid.

I took him south on Yonge Street and then over to Front to his hotel, where he was to retire for the evening before he started business training, and ideas and strategic planning during the next day.

Being from Vancouver, he noted some differences between that city and the current one he’s in.  Each place does have its own character and personality.  But every place you go to, reveals a similarity—people are driven.  People are motivated to forge ahead on some level of progress.  Even the homeless are motivated to survive.

Both Chaitanya and I witnessed some people, a few, lying down over the vents where heat rises from the underground traffic.  Other more driven men in suits walk with a speed of expectation.  In general, there is ambition.  That is natural.

It is also natural to look at, or at least ponder, the metaphysical, and consider transcending over the physical world and the freaks of nature.  That term, “freaks of nature,” was used by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, to reflect or express the turbulent nature of existence itself.

It’s beneficial to balance our physical and spiritual needs.  Do not suppress either.

May the Source be with you!

9 km

Sunday, September 25th, 2016
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Sunday, September 25th, 2016
Burlington, Ontario

The Bend at The Lake

Jagannatha Misra and I took a stroll along the northwest bend of Lake Ontario.  We have been there before, and again and again.  It’s in his very neighbourhood.  The trail, which is edged along the lake, also takes you past the historic Joseph Brant home.

Who was he?  Joseph Brant was actually a Mohawk Chief who became the leader of the Six Nations.  He was also a Christian.  He fastened a policy onto his people saying “unity and concord among themselves.”

The year that the Olympic Summer Games came through with the mighty torch, Jagannath and I were there at North Shore and Lake Shore when we accidentally bumped into the runner, not physically, but we met at the same intersection.

At the same time as the run, one of our couples from the Toronto community was giving birth to their first child at the Joseph Brant Hospital.  It was at this hospital that I was admitted after a serious foot infection, a result from getting punctured by a dead catfish on a beach in Guyana.  I was on my Guyanese cross-nation walk when this occurred.

These are memories of this trail.  It runs right up the sandy beach where you are likely to find the occasional beachcomber.  The air from the lake is invigorating—at least the many geese think so.

Walking in an area like this, with memories and history woven into it, makes it special apart from nature’s blast of invigoration.

May the Source be with you!


6 km

Saturday, September 24th, 2016
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Saturday, September 24th, 2016
Markham, Ontario

Burning Food

Jai Sri is a meek and simple kind of guy.  He’s a monk residing in our ashramin Toronto.  It was his birthday today.

“What’s your age?”  I asked him.

“It’s probably 70,” he said jokingly.

That makes him the seniour-most person living on our premises.  Oh, and then there’s God Himself who outdoes us all in longevity.  In the deity form presiding in our temple, we have Krishna who stands in the three-fold bending form, with the ceremonious flute in hand.

Back to Jai Sri.  He became the reason for the ice cream cake served and honoured at the home of Ramananda Ray in Markham.  It’s rare to see the few residing monks all getting time off to gather together.  Pizza was also on the menu.

Oh yes, it was offered to become prasadam.  The Jews have their kosher, the Muslims their halal, the Christians have their communion.  The Krishna-ites have their prasadam, sanctified food.

It was time to walk off the prasadam, to burn calories and karma.

Karuna Sindhu and I took to Danforth Avenue, not only to walk, but also to visit another congregant for more food.  Holy Moses! (Excuse me.) Holy Krishna!  When does the eating end?!

The walking is indeed a justification for dealing with food at times.  Adventure too.  One fellow saw us and took his head-phones out just to tell us, “You guys, there’s a UFO circling the CN Tower.  You’ve got to see it, man.”

May the Source be with you!

Friday, September 23rd, 2016
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Friday, September 23rd, 2016
Kitchener, Ontario

Cremation Within Creation

Rush we did, in our monk van, to Kitchener, for a funeral and cremation.  Brihat was our driver, and on board was Nick, Gordon, Keith and myself.  Gangotri, an 86 year-old, caring kind of devotee, was the deceased person we attempted to revere and respect in the best way possible, in a send-off to a new realm.

To put it in more simple terms, those of us family and friends participated in the last rites for Gangotri’s soul’s journey to a better place.  The event went smoothly. As usual, soft chanting is what truly makes the program—any program—sweet.  It created an atmosphere of comfort, and kept feelings of separation subdued.  The Pillay family was pleased.

As a monk who has a considerably large base of congregations across Canada, participation in events including last rites, weddings, birthdays and samskaras (purificatory rites of passage) is a willing obligation to fulfill.

Bear in mind that there should also be time set aside for some trekking.  Along with the boys, after the cremation and a meal, we ventured off to a trail along the Grand River near Conestoga College.  What a change of terrain this area is, compared to the north, where I was one week ago.  Here, it’s a softer wilderness where apparently native folks, at least the Mohawk, flourished in the 1800’s.  They had the river—which was the source of all their needs—food, travel, water, etc.  The Creator looked kindly upon them.

May the Source be with you!

5 km

From Death to Immortality
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Hare KrishnaBy Atmattatva das

According to our consciousness at the time of death we receive a suitable body. What we remember at the time of death is not just a matter of the momentary thought that occurs. What we have done throughout our entire life will naturally come to our mind as we leave our body. Just prior to death, our entire life is flashed before our mind's eye in a split second. One particular event will be very attractive to us, and we will focus on that. Based on that desire we will be given our next body, sometimes higher and sometimes lower. If our mind focuses on an activity which is very ignorant (tamo-guna), we will receive a suitable body among the lower species of life - as a plant, a fish, a tree, or an animal. Continue reading "From Death to Immortality
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Impressive technology
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 18 September 2016, Midrand, South Africa, Sunday Feast Lecture, Bhagavad-gita 9.9)

sp_smiling

A few years ago, I was involved for a while with the Mayapur Master Plan and one of the plans was to create a special exhibition using hologram technology. It was interesting because they showed us a film that was made of a 3D presence on stage of Michael Jackson after he had passed on. Michael came on stage, he did his shuffle and then he sat down on a big throne. Some girls were offering him trays; I think he had seen pictures of Krsna and the gopis because it looked exactly like that. Michael was sitting there and being worshipped.

The august assembly of vaisnavas, the Swamis, the crème de la crème of ISKCON were watching Michael Jackson! We were all looking at it and we thought it was great because our plan was, and I do not know if it is ever going to happen but the plan was, to do the same with a figure of Srila Prabhupada! To make Prabhupada come in on stage and Prabhupada would turn and give his beaming smile. Then Prabhupada would be there on his vyasasana being worshipped by many devotees… all this in 3D. You will see him as much as you see me here, right now, amazing – hologram! It will cost you an arm, a leg and a bit more than that but it is impressive though.

So Krsna is seeing how we are all playing with the material energy and Krsna is not going to interfere. If Michael Jackson wants to act as if he is Krsna and sit on a throne and be worshipped by these girls and served by many and if he wants to be known as the king of dancers, that is alright. But that title we know very well does not belong to him. Krsna is known as Nataraj, he is the king of dancers. Krsna is ultimately the only one. Krsna may have so many gopis but Krsna can also satisfy them. That is not so easy as every married man knows because, what can we say, it is hard work. That is how it is. But Krsna, he can do it not because he is unlimitedly powerful but because of his unlimited love. Therefore, Krsna can. That is ultimately only what can satisfy the heart!

​Can spirituality help people having acute mental health problems?
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​Can people with brain chemical imbalances practice spirituality and benefit from it?
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​What makes people evolve from seeking recognition to making contribution?
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In the Chatur Shloki Bhagavatam, Krishna refers to himself inclusively, not exclusively – what does this mean?
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​How to respond when devotees start campaigning against some mundane problem?
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Why do senior devotees sometimes divert from bhakti to fringe fields?
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Chatur Shloki Bhagavatam 1 – Understanding God is all that exists
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Bhagavatam class on 3.29.33-34 at ISKCON, Denver

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Preaching Is The Essence
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Hare KrishnaBy Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir

Srila Prabhupada saw lady walking near airport with child in arms and allowed the lady to enter first, opened the door and allowed her to go first. Mayapur festival 1975 Srila Prabhupada's guru puja. Thousands of disciples assembled. Srila Prabhupada spotted injury of one amongst those thousands disciples and immediately arranged for his medication. To Srila Prabhupada some devotee said " This picture Srila Bhakti Sidhanta Saraswati Thakur looks like you". Srila Prabhupada said," My guru is gold; I am like iron. Though we both are metals." Continue reading "Preaching Is The Essence
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I wasn’t convinced by your preaching…
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Atma Tattva: In the early ‘80s in Bangalore, I was required to make at least two Life Members a month. I was a bad Life Membership maker and one month I had only ten days left.
I was looking in the telephone directory for Bengali names and I found a 'Ganguly.’
I called and said, "I’m speaking from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. I want to come and see you today.”
Mr. Ganguly sounded positive. He said, “Oh, you are from the Hare Krishna Movement? Please see me at eleven o'clock.”
I took the membership form, a small set of books, a poster and so on, and I went to see him.


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