Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post How did the Gaudiya tradition become deviated by the time of Bhaktivinoda Thakura? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
How did the Gaudiya tradition become deviated by the time of Bhaktivinoda Thakura?
Pioneer of the Hare Krishna movement!
→ Servant of the Servant
Today is the merciful appearance of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivinod Takur. He was born 178 years ago in India to spread the mission of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He is called the 7th Goswami because he re-established Mahaprabhu’s movement in Mayapur in an authentic manner strictly adhering to the principles of suddha bhakti as enunciated by the Six Goswamis.
His core principle was twofold (1) nama ruchi (2) jiva doya. In fact, this is the core value of all our sampradaya acharyas. There is no contradiction in these two principles.
- Nama ruchi or attachment (spiritual taste) to chanting the Holy Names of God is the primary principle where the fallen soul re-establishes his lost relationship with God and is on-track to the spiritual kingdom.
- Jiva doya or compassion to the fallen soul is the second principle where one is encouraged to show compassion to the lost souls in this world by helping them connect back to God through His names.
Srila Bhaktivinod Takur dedicated his whole life in spreading these two core ideas to the bigger world followed by his son and by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Following in the enlightened path of these great masters, on this day, I humbly seek the blessings of His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktivindor Takur!
Srila Bhaktivinod Takur Maharaj ki jay!
Hare Krishna
Monday, September 5th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk
Monday, September 5th, 2016
Montreal, Quebec
Memory Walk
Major walking today constituted more of a slower sway while moving forward. I wasn’t alone. I was on a schedule to conduct a chanting party with all who could attend, in order that, as we say in Krishna parlance, “We get the mercy.”
A group of about forty of us converged at the Bay Shopping Centre to move along to Place Des Arts, and then finally to 420 Prince Arthur Street, the actual address where our guru, Srila Prabhupada, stayed for some weeks to train-up some of his students in the art of bhajan,before they set off to the U.K. to bring the mission there.
In ’68, he came to Canada to address the extension of his visa, and while here not only engaged in teaching the songs we now know, but also taught the art of archana seva, honouring the deities of Radha-Krishna. With a small set of brass deities, a kind donation from a New Yorker, Srila Prabhupada demonstrated the art of worship. These small, charming deities that go by the name “Radha-Krishna” made their way to the Toronto ISKCON shrine on Avenue Road, where they have now been looked after for close to half a century.
Once we arrived in Place Des Arts, that open space friendly to pedestrians, we formed a circle for dancing. A second circle was formed by tourist spectators.
What can I say? Everyone had a jolly good time, including Gurudas, who was with our Guru, Srila Prabhupada, during that time so many years ago.
We had stepped into the past and become very present enjoying each other’s company.
May the Source be with you!
Tuesday, September 6th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk
Tuesday, September 6th, 2016
Hastings, Ontario
The Force Behind
My primary school teacher used to say “kids” refers to baby goats, so I’ll refrain from the use of the word. Children are back to school and in many cases, adults are back to work after the summer holidays.
There is a change of sorts in the atmosphere. Nights are slightly cooler—a relief—but days continue to offer a warmth Canadians don’t mind.
Our program, like dharma, doesn’t change. We’re up early. That’s what all of us should do. Then we take to a trail (the Trans Canada Trail in this case) and head for the farm for some sadhana (spiritual workout) and then something physical.
A sign on the trail reads “Watch for…” and below it are images of a frog, a turtle and a snake. When on foot, there’s no real problem. On bicycle, then it’s another issue due to speed.
This imagery brings to mind the verse from the Gita: 5:18, where Krishna lists categories of creatures—certain mammals and certain humans, namely the cow, elephant, dog, brahman and a dog-eating man. The message is that all are one, being spiritually equal.
The sign before us may also reflect that all creatures are important. All have life force so let’s take care. Let’s share this vision.
While walking to the farm on this trail, I noticed a perished bat. He was not on the list but is nonetheless an entity with a progressive force; a force that moved on to another body.
Whenever I see something alive, or something lying deceased, it stirs reflection.
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Thursday, September 8th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk
Thursday, September 8th, 2016
Hastings, Ontario
Skye Has No Limit
Our landlady at The Doors Guesthouse is quite awesome. She surprises us with her gifts, remarks and hospitality. For instance, knowing I’m a traveler with a spot of patriotism in me, she offered as a present, the perfect book to savour—a hard-bound Canadian Book of the Road.
I’m reading,or at least pursuing it, Skye. Skye Morrison is her name.
Today, she brought over a mini wooden, toy sculpture of “Krishna and the Gopis Vastra Haran,” that is Krishna’s teasing the young maidens during their river-bath hour. It’s surely a conversation piece. Skye insists we bring this objet d’artfrom her home to the Hastings Civic Centre on Sept. 20th where I’ll be speaking on “Tales from Trails.”
Her remarks, well, they are light-hearted. The bag of Indian snacks we have, she calls “snakes” because that’s the way they pronounce it in India, where she spends five months of every year. The local “Hysterical Society” is what she calls the Historical Society, and being a member herself, I guess she has the right to speak endearingly about the people there whom she loves.
The quarters she provides for us to occupy are homey, and old (for Canada)—a 160 year old structure of charm. The ceiling is red and the walls are yellow, which reminds me of Van Gogh’s room, which he painted, naturally.
Hastings is a quiet town where people can retire or raise a family in a relatively safe place. I’m getting to meet residents, one by one, after a few hours of chores at the farm.
Simple living, high thinking!
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Friday, September 9th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk
Friday, September 9th, 2016
Hastings, Ontario
Exercise: The Drug That Does it All
It is an eight kilometre trek for Nick and I. Brihat leapfrogs uswiththe van, but does some walking, too. That gets us from the centre of Hastings, at the guest-house where we are staying, to Govardhan Farms on Friendly Acres Road. It’s a pleasant walk with little traffic. We relish the countryside sights, sounds and smells.
Eight kilometres is great for a morning workout. We also get a good portion of our allotted soft-volume chanting done. And when we arrive at the eco-friendly farm, we put ourselves to work, harvesting tomatoes, squash, beans and okra. It’s the bending over and squatting that works extra muscles.
I’m compelled to quote from this month’s “Time” magazine in regard to—in particular—walking and yoga.
For strength,yoga is beneficial.
“Lift your own body weight and flow through intense poses, and yogawill give you strength with a side of mindfulness and stress relief.”
For cardio, walking excels.
“With the lowest quit rate of any type of exercise, walking improves memory, well-being, heart health and even creativity.”
In the article,McMaster University’sDr. Mark Tarnopolsky concludes his research with “The most effective therapy available to my patients right now is exercise.”
It’s not surprising that more than half of all baby boomers report doing no exercise whatsoever, and 80.2 million Americans over the age of six are entirely inactive.
For the sake of longevity, optimism and service to others, let’s do the workout needed.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Wednesday, September 7th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk
Wednesday, September 7th, 2016
Hastings, Ontario
Red
If I were to colour the day, it would be red. Red is what I see, and I shared it with one of the boys, Brihat.
As part of our chores for these last two days, we’ve taken to Fil’s expansive garden and harvested the darling—big, firmly ballooned chunks of circular happiness—tomatoes. Minus pesticides, these tomatoes are not on the food list of the dirty dozen,and are screaming with redness for attention.
Harvest—we did. Cleaning, cutting, cooking and canning—we did. We even rationed some of the day’s sauce we had cooked to flavour the pasta we ate.
Mama Mia!
This month, September, is the best month for tomatoes around here. The red comes through those green vines. Red also is the colour slowly creeping up from within the trees. It is the chlorophyll which supplies the leaves of the tree with a green colour. The autumn hues, slowly surfacing, are from the lack of chlorophyll. We are left with bright oranges, yellows, burgundies and reds all making a pronounced presence by the end of September.
There is also an avatar by the name of Yajnaand He has the complexion of red. Red is wanted, craved for, especially when the snow white sets in for months at a time. Only the red dogwood stands out as a rival to the snow. They actually complement each other, in my opinion.
Here I go, sounding like a horticulturalist or a botanist. I’m really just seeing the colour red in nature. I haven’t dreamt in red, not even of tomatoes, but during the course of these few days, we are consuming a lot.
May the Source be with you!
1st Anniversary -Brahmotsava Festival @ ISKCON Miraroad (Album…
→ Dandavats
1st Anniversary -Brahmotsava Festival @ ISKCON Miraroad (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” If one practices chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, he is naturally expected to chant Hare Krishna when he meets with some accident. Even without such practice, however, if one somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord (Hare Krishna) when he meets with an accident and dies, he will be saved from hellish life after death. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.2.15 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XD0JXs
Is the pronunciation of the mahamantra important or is intent alone important?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Is the pronunciation of the mahamantra important or is intent alone important? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
How important is initiation in the process of assimilating spiritual knowledge?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post How important is initiation in the process of assimilating spiritual knowledge? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Isn’t fasting self-torture?
Question: Spiritual people often…
→ Dandavats
Isn’t fasting self-torture?
Question: Spiritual people often fast on certain occasions, thus depriving themselves of natural bodily needs. Isn’t such fasting an unnecessary self-torture?
Answer by Chaitanya Charan das: Not at all. To the contrary, for many people, their daily gorging of food is an unnecessary self-torture. WHO statistics show that over 1 billion suffer due to obesity, whereas 800 million people suffer due to undernourishment. More health disorders result due to overeating than due to fasting. We eat more often to fulfill the greed of the mind than the need of the body. Due to eating too often and too much, our digestive system becomes like a perpetually overworked machine in desperate need of rest. That’s why many alternative cure doctors recommend periodic – fortnightly or monthly – fasting with intake only of fluids so as to rest and flush the digestive system. Though abstaining from food may seem like an infliction of torture for our minds, it may well be a relief from torture for our bodies. Fasting, when done according to scriptural guidance, can also purify the mind and awaken the soul. By analyzing how life and consciousness cannot emerge from dead, unconscious matter, we can intellectually understand that the soul – and not the body – is the real source of life and consciousness. This implies that all of us are actually souls, temporarily occupying material bodies. But how can we transform this intellectual understanding into an experiential realization? Fasting is one important way. During our normal lives, we pander to the demands of the flesh, thus perpetuating our misidentification with flesh. Consequently, the desires and plans to fulfill our bodily demands preoccupy and fill our minds, leaving little mental room for spiritual contemplation. When we resolve to fast on certain days, we soon realize that if we keep thinking of food while fasting, we will simply be torturing ourselves. This realization gives us the impetus to evict thoughts of food from our minds. Then with the mental room thus created we become free to contemplate on the deeper spiritual dimension of our existence. Of course, such contemplation is possible without fasting too, but starving the flesh sharpens the spirit, thus making spiritual contemplation more intense. During the fasting period, if we lovingly call out to God by chanting his names like the Hare Krishna mahamantra, then we can experience a nonmaterial nourishment far more fulfilling than the most delicious food. This strengthens our realization of our spiritual identity, reinforces our commitment to the path of progressive spiritual advancement that ultimately elevates us to the realm of everlasting devotional delight. Thus, temporary bodily fasting eventually becomes a doorway to eternal spiritual feasting
The Essence of Cow Protection (10 min HR video) New Govardhana Australia
→ Dandavats
The Essence of Cow Protection (10 min HR video)
Cow protection at ISKCON New Govardhana Australia.
Ask a Monk – Harvard University Science Center (3 min video)
His…
→ Dandavats
Ask a Monk - Harvard University Science Center (3 min video)
His Grace Ter Kadamba Prabhu talks to people in front of the Harva...
Matters that matter more than matter
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Talk at youth meeting in Atlanta
Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Matters that matter more than matter appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
How do we understand that demons like Ravana were expert mantra chanters?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post How do we understand that demons like Ravana were expert mantra chanters? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
When we chant, does Krishna come from inside outside or from outside inside?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post When we chant, does Krishna come from inside outside or from outside inside? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Are varnavada and sphotavada studied in academic circles?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Are varnavada and sphotavada studied in academic circles? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Can feeling angry when insulted instead of tolerating insults spur us towards Krishna, as happened with Dhruva?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Can feeling angry when insulted instead of tolerating insults spur us towards Krishna, as happened with Dhruva? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
In the light of Gita 2.47, how can we understand the Gita’s call to see action in inaction and action in inaction?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post In the light of Gita 2.47, how can we understand the Gita’s call to see action in inaction and action in inaction? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
The Appearance Day of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur
→ The Vaishnava Voice
Today is the appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur. On this day in 1838 he was born in Birnagar, Bengal, India. He was to become a prolific author of books on the philosophical teachings of devotion to Radha-Krishna, a masterful songwriter, and the great-grandfather of the present day Hare Krishna movement. By his monumental, single-handed efforts the pure bhakti taught by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was rescued from the hands of numerous false teachers, charlatan yogis, and Anglicised Hindus.
He redefined the Gaudiya Vaishnava path, created a very popular movement with over 500 branches, and put the teachings of Rupa Goswami into English for the first time. His son was to later become Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada, whose dear disciple was our Srila Prabhupada.
He once predicted that the sound of the mridanga and karatals, and the sound of the holy names of Krishna, would one day resound in the cities of the world. On another occasion he said that he would personally accompany anyone who took the harinam sankirtan to a new town.
His last song, composed in 1907, was an exposition of his personal meditation and daily spiritual principles. Here they are, in English translation, as well as sung in Sanskrit and Telugu, the language of Andhra Pradesh / Telangana.
If a butcher has no alternative way to earn, will Krishna accept the fruits of their work?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post If a butcher has no alternative way to earn, will Krishna accept the fruits of their work? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Transforming shadow bhakti to real substance – Sacinandana Swami
→ SivaramaSwami.com
The post Transforming shadow bhakti to real substance – Sacinandana Swami appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Should we not give suggestions to others because of the fear that the suggestions will be rejected?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Should we not give suggestions to others because of the fear that the suggestions will be rejected? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Transforming shadow bhakti to real substance
→ SivaramaSwami.com
Summary of Sacinandana Swami’s SB class.
The post Transforming shadow bhakti to real substance appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Fulfilling desires
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 11 September 2016, Durban, South Africa, Sunday Feast Lecture)
Krsna does not have work to do; everything is simply going on by his desire. Whatever Krsna desires will happen. If we should have this power, it would be dangerous. If whatever we desire would happen, we would be in trouble since we have conditioned desires which we sometimes regret later. We always have to work for a long time for our desires to be fulfilled which is good because we then have time to rethink our desires. There is always an element of struggle for us. But struggle for Krsna is nice because then struggle becomes meaningful.
There is the story of a boy who worked hard to buy a ring for a girl. He was thinking of her the entire time he was working, therefore he actually worked for her! Similarly, we must work for Krsna then we can be in a state of mind where we are not affected by material conditions whether we are in hell or somewhere else. If we change our condition instead of trying to change our surroundings, we can actually be happy with whatever situation we are in.
Kunti devi prayed for trouble because in troubled times she always remembered Krsna. She was not affected by the hardships of this world; she had a state of being equipoised. We maybe cannot reach that state but we can get close to it. We can create distance from the mind; from our emotional experience. Thinking, feeling and willing are functions of the mind but we can spectate on those once we are distant from it and get grounded in our spiritual life.
*Notes taken my Nimai during the lecture
Daily Darshan: 13th September,2016
→ Mayapur.com
The post Daily Darshan: 13th September,2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s Influence On The Establishment And Development Of Iskcon
→ Dandavats
By the EuroGBC This paper aims to present the contribution of Bhaktivinoda Thakur to the establishment and development of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It regards his personal life as the role model for the practitioners of Vaisnavism, and it considers his input in expanding preaching techniques, both innovative and traditional ones. Being born in a non-Vaisnava family, educated in Christian and Westernized Hindu schools and colleges, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, more than many other spiritual teacher in Gaudiya tradition, is the reference point for ISKCON, many of whose members have been born in and molded by the Western civilization. The historical context in which Bhaktivinoda Thakur commenced his spiritual quest can be portrayed as a time of serious encounter and conflict between Hindu traditionalists and a Westernized and secularized Bengalis intelligentsia. Continue reading "Bhaktivinoda Thakur’s Influence On The Establishment And Development Of Iskcon
→ Dandavats"
ISKCON NZ: Historical Event For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada…
→ Dandavats
ISKCON NZ: Historical Event For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada (Album with photos)
Kalasamvara Das: Devotees from New Zealan...
Govardhana Parikrama during Ekadasi (Album with photos)…
→ Dandavats
Govardhana Parikrama during Ekadasi (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: On our way through Vrindavan to pack our gear for our trip to Tibet, we did Govardhana parikrama. It was Ekadasi and the parikrama marg was packed with people. By Giriraja’s grace we discovered a newly opened path near the village of Aniyor, that runs very close to the hill. It was a photographers dream and was perfectly captured by Ananta Vrindavan dasa.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Wb6Tg0
Instructions to worship the Moon of Godruma
→ Dandavats
Bhaktivedanta Research Centre: Sri Godrumacandra-bhajanopadesha by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura. NASN August 2016 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats
By Mayapur Sasi dasa For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of August 2016. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN August 2016 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"
US Congresswomen and dedicated Vaishnavi Tulsi Gabbard chanting…
→ Dandavats
US Congresswomen and dedicated Vaishnavi Tulsi Gabbard chanting the Maha Mantra in Washington DC’s Hilton during the celebrations of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary!
ISKCON 50 Meditations: September 14, 2016
→ ISKCON News
Diving Into Kirtana With Swamiji
Traveling Monk 2016-09-14 03:59:44
→ Traveling Monk
15.02.2014
Мой друг Вишну Мурти даса, отвечающий за Vanipedia, любезно прислал мне эту ссылку на аудиозапись со Шрилой Прабхупадой в Нью-Майапуре (Франция) 5 августа 1976 года, в которой я задаю вопрос Его Божественной Милости. Ответ Шрилы Прабхупады дарует мне великую надежду!
Невозможно передать, как я был счастлив услышать свой личный разговор с духовным учителем, который произошел 38 лет тому назад!
Индрадьюмна Свами: «Шрила Прабхупада, Вы несколько раз упоминали в прошлых лекциях, что чистый преданный видит Кришну повсюду – что Он никогда не бывает вне пределов нашего видения. И в то же время в молитвах Шикшаштаки Господь Чайтанья говорит: «Говинда, (миг) разлуки с Тобой будто 12 лет. Я ощущаю пустоту в Его отсутствие». Вы могли бы это объяснить?»
Шрила Прабхупада: «Да. Он показывает, как можно обезуметь без видения Кришны. Это более высокий уровень. Это невозможно объяснить. Но когда ты постепенно поднимешься выше, то поймешь».
Моя ежедневная молитва перед джапой
→ Traveling Monk
Прекраснейшая молитва из Риг Веды, прославляющая святые Имена Господа.
Необходима всем, кто искренне воспевает Шри Наму Прабху!
“О Всевышний, Шри Вишну! Твоему святому Имени известно абсолютно все,
оно освящает всех, так как все Ведические писания эманируют из Него.
Имя Твое – неиссякаемый источник высшего блаженства, воплощенье брахмана,
обретаемо легко, исполнено трансцендентального знанья.
Медитируем на сущность Твоего Имени, говорим друг с другом
об имени Твоем, непрестанно воспеваем имя Твое. Так поклоняемся Тебе”.
[ Риг Веда 1.156.3 ]
aum asya jananto nama-cid-viviktanas
mahas te visno sumatih bhajamahe
aum tat sat
(дата уточн. )
Jiva Goswami
→ Ramai Swami
After the disappearance of Shri Rupa and Shri Sanatana Goswamis, Shri Jiva Goswami became the Gaudiya Sampradayacharya to guide all Vaishnavas in Navadwipa, Vrindavana, Jagannatha Puri.
Although he was the undisputed leader, he always acted as a humble servant of all the jivas. Whenever Bengali Vaishnavas visited Vrindavana he would lovingly receive them, arrange for Prasadam and comfortable rooms, an even guide them on Vraja mandala parikrama.
Black Sea Festival, Russia
→ SivaramaSwami.com
The post Black Sea Festival, Russia appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from Lord Vamanadeva
→ Dandavats
By Kripamoya Das There are many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from the narration of His activities, as found in the 8th canto, 18th chapter of the Bhagavat Purana (Srimad Bhagavatam). Amongst the lessons are these: 1. That God comes to this world in many forms; not just once, in one form, or even many times in the same form, but many times in many forms. He is never limited by the form, but remains all powerful. 2. That all other gods are meant to offer homage to Him. They did this when, appearing as a young child, he was awarded the sacred thread by Brihaspati, the guru of the gods. The sun god gave Him the Gayatri mantra and His father, Kasyapa Muni, a straw belt. Mother Earth gave Him a deerskin and Lord Brahma gave Him a waterpot. Kuvera, the heavenly treasurer gave Him a monk’s begging bowl, and the wife of Lord Shiva gave Him the first alms. In this way, the gods all offered the best of what they had to the Supreme God. Each of us, in our own way, must also give the best of what we own – our talents, intelligence, words and wealth – as a gift to that same God. He gave it to us along with our birth, and we can offer it back to Him. Continue reading "The many lessons for Vaishnavas to learn from Lord Vamanadeva
→ Dandavats"
Ecstatic Harinam and Book Distribution in Detroit Jazz Festival…
→ Dandavats
Ecstatic Harinam and Book Distribution in Detroit Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Any...
Daily Darshan: 12th September
→ Mayapur.com
The post Daily Darshan: 12th September appeared first on Mayapur.com.