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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Krsnanandini Dasi: On Saturday, September 24, the Cleveland Nama…
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Krsnanandini Dasi: On Saturday, September 24, the Cleveland Nama Hatta Program, an affiliate of ISKCON, sponsored a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s coming to the west. Our hearts are brimming with gratitude for the devotees and well-wishers who contributed to the the success of this special event.
Mother Malati joined us with her unique brand of wit, work and wisdom; she shined on our Interfaith Panel and Prayer for Peace section, which was a hit of the celebration. Vrajalila Devi & Ekavira Prabhus just emanated cooperation, intelligence and devotion in their roles of Panel participant and Kirtan leader; Alicia Ambika Dasi Pascal devi, with so much love, along with her beautiful niece Shani, came all the way from New York to dazzle the audience with her BharatNatyam dance.
Sankirtana Prabhu, (Master storyteller, Andy Fraenkel, from New Vrndavan), patiently endured the technical difficulties to present a wonderful audio/visual offering of the Mahabharata and the history of Prabhupada’s contributions and the establishment of ISKCON.
The awesome teamship of the Nama Hatters like Sri Isopanisad, Agni-hotra & Avadhuta, Paurnamasi & Bhakta Mike, Tulasi & Sirrhan, Prashanti, Parvati Dasi, Lilasmaranam, Tariq Prabhu, Akhilananda & Jean, Ganga Sarasvati, Krsna-Jivani, Lola, Turiya, Sowmya and Hari, Mohan Dasabey, Visnu Ziyad, Kat Rasta, Dayal-Nitai, Ganga & Vrajendrananda, Jahanavi and Prasadat Iluvme Devi, Vani & Brahma bhuta, (Radica & Khrishna and Nishant Soni Prabhus were absent but very much present by their support and love) and others like Laksmi (LaToya Kent) who set the tone so effectively with her Yoga demonstration—left the audience marveling at how well everyone cooperated together, with courtesy and eagerness to serve.
The Christian ministers: Pastors C. Jay Matthews (Mt. Sinai Ministries) and James Roberson (Cory United Methodist Church) and the two Imams Akmed Saeed (Masjid Bilal) and Imam Abbas (First Cleveland Mosque) gave some thought-provoking and heart touching responses to our questions about why and how servants of the One God should work together on the Interfaith Panel.
Master Mayo from Northern Wind Martial Arts School had the attentive audience applauding as he and his young son demonstrated some martial arts techniques.
Finally, the extensive, delicious, vegetarian feast and bake sale, prepared and offered with love by AgniHotra Dasi, Kamagiri dasi, Krsnanandini dasi, Lilasmaranam Prabhu, Avadhuta Dasa Kibble Prabhu, Paurnamasi Turkal, Krsna-Jivani Ziyad, Lola Reeder, Indrani Bhattacharya, Sowmya Thirumoorthy and Dayal Nitai (Don Foose)– was relished by all.
“The only thing wrong with the program was that it was not long enough!” Mother Kamagiri
“Everyone left the celebration feeling inspired and happy.” a guest, giving feedback.

This sincere soul, wearing her traditional hijab, stopped…
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This sincere soul, wearing her traditional hijab, stopped everything to read her new Arabic “Perfection of Yoga” in the middle of the popular 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California. The gentlemen to her right, witnessing her excitement in obtaining the book and how fully absorbed she seemed to be in reading it, soon purchased from Nila Madhava Prabhu some of the Arabic and English books for himself. He explained that he had just undergone a major operation and was feeling very morose. But upon seeing the blissful Harinama party and the special effect this little Arabic book was having on this woman, he said he felt an immediate sense of relief and happiness. He knew then and there that he had to find out what was happening here, what was behind all of this…
The FAR EAST • MIDDLE EAST division of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust publishes Srila Prabhupada’s books and other BBT titles in fourteen languages of the Pacific Rim and Middle East for distribution in those regions of the world.
As a new Western outreach initiative, BBT FEME is also developing titles specifically for distribution in the Western world to foreign language speakers living within large foreign residential communities, as well as to the many foreign students studying in Western colleges and universities.
Read more: https://goo.gl/Rho3ON

ISKCON Imphal, Deities, Temple interior and exterior,…
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ISKCON Imphal, Deities, Temple interior and exterior, “function” kitchen - where they cook daily on wood (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: How can we think mundane thoughts and at the same time chant? Two things are happening, and one will conquer. As maya is working to drag you from Krishna consciousness, you can challenge maya by chanting Hare Krishna. (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita, 3.6.10, Los Angeles 1968).
Find them here: https://goo.gl/9rv144

The Sweetness of Bhakti
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Hare KrishnaBy Subhag Swami

We should be eager, very eager. As Srila Prabhupada beautifully wrote in a poem, ‘When will that day come when I will be rolling on the ground with Krsna and playing with Him? When will that day come when I am very eager to join with Madhu Mangala and steal sweets from Krsna? I will run onto the pastures with the cows and calves with Sridama, Sudama and Vasudama playing with Krsna and defeating Him in sports. They will then tell Krsna to carry us on His back but Krsna will be reluctant. Sridama will say, ‘Krsna cannot play with us! He doesn’t play fairly!’ Krsna will argue, ‘I am the prince, the son of Nanda Maharaj! I don’t have to obey you!’ And Sridama will say, “Okay you remain the prince and play by Yourself and we other cowherd boys will play together.” Continue reading "The Sweetness of Bhakti
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Scenic Shots from the top of the Dome of the TOVP (Album with…
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Scenic Shots from the top of the Dome of the TOVP (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Please see these​​ new scenic shots that were taken from the top of the side Dome Kalash. These images we captured when the final measurements on the Kalash frame were made.
Savyasachi Prabhu, Jagadananda Prabhu, and the Russian Engineer, Yurii Tereshkov, were the brave servants that climbed to the heights (67 meters / 220 feet high) to take the measurements and record the footage for us.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/VRneNc

How can we use our talents at work without being sucked by the work away from Krishna?
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Sunday love Feast, September 25, Radha-Kalachandji Temple, Dallas
Giriraj Swami

sp japa 3Giriraj Swami and Rtadvaja Swami spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.6.

“It is a great transcendental science and begins with the process of hearing and chanting the name, fame, glory, etc., of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Revival of the dormant affection or love of Godhead does not depend on the mechanical system of hearing and chanting, but it solely and wholly depends on the causeless mercy of the Lord. When the Lord is fully satisfied with the sincere efforts of the devotee, He may endow him with His loving transcendental service. But even with the prescribed forms of hearing and chanting, there is at once mitigation of the superfluous and unwanted miseries of material existence. Such mitigation of material affection does not wait for development of transcendental knowledge. Rather, knowledge is dependent on devotional service for the ultimate realization of the Supreme Truth.” —Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.6 purport

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Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.6

Thursday, September 22nd, 2016
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Thursday, September 22nd, 2016
Castleton, Ontario

Real Men

It is my final day with the crew of men working at the farm.  Before we pulled in the last of what we could—tomatoes, Long Island Cheese Squash, beans and basil—yanking out dead bushes and branches, we had a good walk through pretty Campbellford.  There was the Trent Canal, the river portion with gorge and plentiful cedars along the path.  Our promenade also included going over a suspension bridge and through the downtown itself.

As the five of us walked, we chanted on our beads.  We were at first rather chatty, but in the last hour we all got serious.  What a great gang!  I’m so fortunate to have their company.  Each one of them has been very real.  Even as they wait for the breakfast porridge to be set by the table, one by one they take one of the nine month old twin girls, Fil and Sukayanti’s daughters, on their lap, to comfort and play with them.

To me, these guys were being real men, having wholesome topical exchanges, working hard in the out-of-doors, enjoying meals, and discussing Krishna Consciousness.  I feel we are living the Bhagavatam; living what the ancient texts talk about.

Another farm was visited by us.  Jai Chaitanya and Rasa, along with their four kids, secured a farm of sixty acres in Castleton two years ago.  After the work at Fil’s farm, and a scrumptious meal at Jai’s, the boys agreed to two hours of moving and piling bales of hay.

The reward was going wild on the concord grapes from vines that have been there for generations.  Secondly, there was the relishing of a final swim at Little Lake to get clean and relieve the prickly sensation from the hay.  No one complained about the day.

They were real men.

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Wednesday, September 21st, 2016
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Wednesday, September 21st, 2016
Picton, Ontario

Good-bye Gangotri

Summer has come to a close, officially and also in the reality sense.  Temperatures are lowering more to the teen category (in Celsius) actually leaving a favourable climate for trekking.

Gordon and I left The Doors Guesthouse for the Trans Canada Trail, now, as we understand it, known as The Great Trail, of which we tackled four kilometres before we made a turn for the highway.

At this location, an osprey nest is situated atop a twenty-five foot (or so) post and platform, a second one we have noticed on this jaunt.

I received a call informing me that two hours before, at 4 a.m., our dear Gangotri passed away.  Born in South Africa, and now a resident of Canada (in truth we are not sure) she led a very pious life.  Gentle, peaceful, full of shanti, she is leaving behind a family, also of outstanding qualities.

We are confident that her departure is merely an entry into a larger family and a home well lit.

Param dharma is the term used in the text Bhagavad-gita, to describe the immortal world where personal cravings are done with.  Desire of an excessive nature is what apparently brings us here into the world of duality.  When our interests are redirected to the divine source, and excessiveness or selfishness is dropped, then we gain a once-and-for-all stable situation.

Our group of morning walkers and farm enthusiasts took that trip to Picton, an hour away, to visit and morally back-up new farmers from the city.  They are Dhyana Chandra and Graham, identical twins.  We scouted their fifty acres, received a tour of their house and a gracious tray of prasadam, blessed food.

May the Source be with you!

8 km

Tuesday, September 20th, 2016
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Tuesday, September 20th, 2016
Hastings, Ontario

At the Civic Centre

Hastings has a civic centre which is located on the top of a hill at Albert and Hwy 45.  Being situated on the lower level of the library makes it a central place people know about.  This became the venue for our presentation, “Tales from Trails.”  With this presentation, I basically took the attendees—over fifty in number—for a walk across the country, mentally.

Attendees were attentive.  What a marvelous group of mature people they were.  Should I expect anything else?  We are looking at thoughtful, mindful folks.

Skye was the real hero for the event, in my opinion.  She secured the venue, called friends to come, did additional promotion and was the brains behind the set up.  She’s a networker, practical and conscientious.

Fil came with his produce, for sale and for talking about.  “Beyond Organic” is his slogan.  He met people also in his field, among them organic farmers, bakers, and professionals. Down to earth people indeed.

Tony, from the Norwood Holistic Centre, arrived and began the kirtan, which engaged people in singing and clapping.

Kirtan (the person) brought her home-made wraps as refreshments, enjoyed by all.

The line of credits to a successful program goes on.  Perhaps the most curious of questions that arose was, “What type of shoes do you use for the long-haul walking?”

Answer, kyboots, Swiss technology and Italian-made.

May the Source be with you!

7 km


Monday, September 19th, 2016
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Monday, September 19th, 2016
Hastings, Ontario

Beans and Things

Brhat and Nick took to tomato harvest.  Keith and Gordon went at rewinding the water-line and hose system, and I got at the bean gathering.  As I was about to start picking, Gordon told a joke.

“You know why you can never keep a secret on the farm?”

“No, I don’t know.”

“Because the corn has ears, the potatoes have eyes and the beanstalk.”

“Very funny, Gordon.  On that note, I’ll start gathering the beans.”

There is a fervent push now to get crops in.  Everything is a race against time, before the first frost hits.

In regard to frost, I encouraged Gordon to try the wild grapes as we were trekking the Trans Canada Trail before gardening.  He took a clump and put them in his mouth.  Generally after the first frost, the grapes are sweet, but even at this stage, before the light freeze, those grapes were nice—tart but nice.

After the laborious morning of farm-related tasks, lunch was to aspire for.  Succulent it was.  Then, most deserving, came the swim.  I remember a limestone quarry in the area with pristine water.  Our crew’s eyes widened, at the discovery, and soon their bodies wettened.

While outdoor farm-life goes on, there is a constant contemplation over people I know.  Gangotri is a devotee who is in her old age, dying.  Another friend, Yamala, has a dad who was in a serious auto accident.  Prayers and thoughts are being sent.

May the Source be with you!

7 km

Saturday, September 17th, 2016
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Saturday, September 17th, 2016
Hastings, Ontario

Chill at the Farm

Back I am into farmland and the countryside, and with two extra men—Gordon and Keith.  That makes five of us—Brihat, Nick, Gordon, Keith and myself.  We are here for a final week to assist in harvest, barn clean-up, yard clean-up, canning goods and whatever else necessity dictates.  We leave the dictating to the Supreme, while we, His servants, are the instruments.

Fil and Sukayanti are the proprietors of Govardhan Farms, on Friendly Acres Road, where we converged with a host of other folks, mostly from the city, for an Open House.  “Open Barn” would be the more appropriate nomenclature.  All attendees were made aware of operations on the farm—this included Suzanne Atkinson, journalist for the weekly publication “Ontario Farmer.”  She found it unique to learn Fil and Sukayanti’s approach to agriculture, which includes a sanctuary for cows, bulls (and cats I imagine), in addition to cultivating good quality, organic food, or what Fil refers to as “Beyond Organic.”  Generally, Suzanne reports on cash crops/cattle raising dynamics.  This is different for her.

The visit to Govardhan Farms is always full of educational and physical workout opportunities, time to bond with people, animals, and the earth.  Chilling-out is also a component.  Young Nimai is 3.  He loves the barn and the hay.  Lemonade with mint and cookies—home-made—gave it that down-home feel.  Just after lunch, we had a look at YouTube on New Walkers Popadums.

May the Source be with you!

4 km 

Sunday, September 18th, 2016
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Sunday, September 18th, 2016
Hastings, Ontario

Gordon hails from Red Lake, Ontario where eagles galore, are there, out to soar.  He stays in a tiny cabin in the wilderness near Wawa.  He’s a real drifter, but does his drifting via bicycle.  He caught onto the Trans Canada Trail (TCT), but lost it somewhere along the way.  This does indeed happen.  My last trip across Canada took me through Oxford, Nova Scotia on the TCT.  Suddenly, it just came to an end.  I looked for confirmation on this and indeed locals told me the same.  So where do you pick up this trail then, which is supposed to go from coast to coast?

No answer!

So, I’m lost.  And that’s the reality of the TCT.  It lacks good signage.  Next year, it will be called The GreatTrail, I’m told.  Many sections of trails will be linked to form and finalize it, in preparation for Canada’s 150th birthday.

Let’s see what The Walking Monk makes of it.  I still have the youthful passion to explore.  I want to know what hidden secrets lie along this and other paths.  Each new route brings an essential treasure, which is Krishna in nature’s form.

Some people are enthralled by what new arrivals are on display and up on sale at the shopping mall.  For me, the adventure lies in the trail, the forest and the field.  There is no match or comparison in this regard.

May the Source be with you!

12 km

Friday, September 16th, 2016
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Friday, September 16th, 2016
Niagara Falls, Ontario

At the Falls

I spoke to the Nama Ruchi monks before we began to do some kirtan, public chanting. Out of respect for the famous falls itself, and the people who have come to view the awesome waters rushing down, I said, “Take a few minutes to appreciate it, and perhaps see it as a spark of Krishna’s splendour.”  I told them that I see it as God in liquid form.

Once photos were taken and time spent to absorb this great wonder of the world, we set out on the streets where pedestrians were in motion.  Naturally, people are anticipating something unique when they arrive at this tourist destination, and they are coming from all over the world.

At the Hard Rock Café, from the stage, a musician, a guitarist, welcomed us in.  He heard our vocalist playing the accordion and asked, “What key?”  He took the note and played along with our mantra.  The customers seemed to enjoy the sound from their tables and beer.  I found it interesting that it was an older crowd.  Everyone deserves a chance to chant and, if boldness will allow, to dance.

Out of all the people we encountered, perhaps the most enthusiastic for singing and jigging were a couple of oriental elderly men who took the prize.  They were jolly good in their gyrating.  They wouldn’t stop.  They were so excited.

There is a following of devotees in Niagara Falls, and it was lined up for us that we would lunch with time.  A lot of output goes into pleasing the crowds.  I’m starting to see how these men, the Nama Ruchi group, are on a roadshow of sorts, and constantly on the move.  Their next stop is Chicago.  It’s a twelve hour bus ride for them.  Their visit to the Falls and Canada was just too short.

May the Source be with you!

4 km

Thursday, September 15th, 2016
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Thursday, September 15th, 2016
Toronto, Ontario

Ruchi Group in Town

The Nama Ruchi group is in town.  World travelers, they are.  Four of their members were kind enough to honour my request from last year.  We are looking at a foursome—young, healthy, strong, enthusiastic monks whose mandate is to give a taste (ruchi) of the name (Krishna’s).

The timing is perfect for their arrival to the city, because we are in the midst of the TIFF, The Toronto International Film Festival.  To my understanding, the public is drawn to venues of new film releases.  Secondly, many renowned and upcoming actors make their appearances.  The Nama Ruchi group and some local devotees, including my humble self, drove to hip Kensington Market, and from there, on foot, processioned our way through the entertainment district on King Street and its adjoining roads.

People were lined up like crazy at the film venues, down and around the block.  They were anticipating to see “the stars.”  As we chanted along these queues, I witnessed some glum-to-grave looking faces light up at the sight and sound of us; the sound being sweet and melodic with a reggae kick.

I really felt like saying to some of these fans, “You came to see the stars, but you may be barking up the wrong tree.  The stars are in the sky and they are accompanied by a fairly full moon.  Your high rises are blocking out reality.”  In any event, the public came to be entertained and perhaps we could be considered the opening act.

May the Source be with you!

6 km

​Is there a time when the soul says – I don’t want any more bodies?
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The Transcendental Effects of the Holy Name
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Hare KrishnaBy Sri Namamrta

As a snake-bitten man is brought back to consciousness by the chanting of certain mantras, so one in the unconscious state of material life can be revived by hearing the maha-mantra: In the Garuda Purana the stress on hearing is expressed very nicely. It is said there: "The state of conditioned life in the material world is just like a man Iying unconscious, having been bitten by a snake. This is because both such unconscious states can be ended by the sound of a mantra." When a man is snake-bitten he does not die immediately, but first becomes unconscious and remains in a comatose condition. Anyone who is in the material world is also sleeping, as he is ignorant of his actual self or his actual duty and his relationship with God. So materialistic life means that one is bitten by the snake of maya, illusion, and thus, without any Krsna consciousness, he is almost dead. Now, the so-called dead man bitten by a snake can be brought back again to life by the chanting of some mantra. There are expert chanters of these mantras who can perform this feat. Similarly, one can be brought back into Krsna consciousness from the deadly unconscious state of material life by hearing of the maha-mantra: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Continue reading "The Transcendental Effects of the Holy Name
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​On leaving the body, does the soul retain its identity or merge with the cosmic whole?
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