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ISKCON SYDNEY
Founder Acraya: A.C Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada
Sri Harinama Sankirtana Sydney Newsletter
Report for month of September 2010
Dear readers,
Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to Sri Harinama Sankirtana !!!
By the mercy and arrangement of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga, the Sydney servants are bringing back the regular street chanting of Holy name here in Sydney.
This is the second week for the Harinama Sankirtana party, with around 15 devotee's going out every Thursdays night in the Sydney CBD chanting the Holy name in the streets.
Out there you won't believe that actually so many people are out in the streets, and are in shopping centers, pubs, clubs and restaurants , enjoying there material lives. They suddenly hear the kartals and mrdanga's beating and the Maha Mantra being chanted out loudly and stop for a moment.
Everyone in the streets really appreciates the Hare Krishnas and joins the chanting parties. Many take out there cameras and take shots. Many young boys and girls as soon as they see the dancing devotees they just join in and start to dance with devotees spontaneously . It just has been fun being out there and seeing how much everyone appericates and loves this Congregational chanting.
Many take the books from our book distributors and even Back to Godhead!
As weeks are passing bye, our Harinama numbers are growing with more and more devotees turning up to be part of the Sankirtana army of Lord Chaitanya.
We thank all the devotees who are helping in the propagation and who have taken up this responsibility and have come forth to be apart of this Sankirtana army.
Check us out in Facebook (Sri Harinama sankirtan group page)
Please come and join us every Thursday night from 7-8pm in 580 George Street, Sydney, CBD. Also please join us with HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaja on the14/10/10 (Tonight) for a Maha Harinama Sankirtana!!!.
Hare Krishna!
Your servants,
Sri Harinama Sankirtan Party
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
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By Antony Brennan for ISKCON News: "We need a grass roots revolution," said the late Aindra Dasa, head of the 24 Hour Kirtan Department in Vrindavana, India. "That means YOU and ME. I'm part of the grass roots. For years, at least 21 years, I've personally been here trying to somehow or other bring it to the attention of the lay devotees.
"Nama Sankirtana [chanting of God's names] will come back, I guarantee it," he continued. "With the co-operation of a few good people who are willing to step forward in their various localities all over the world to help to generate that faith, that consciousness in the Holy Name. So please help, wherever you may go, and do the real thing to actually implement the Yuga Dharma."
In 1993, the kirtan album Vrindavana Mellows by Aindra, Madhava and friends, came out and, according to many, took the devotee world by storm. The album, followed by a series of equally popular recordings, created what Madhava calls "a kirtan revolution." Devotees around the world became so interested in kirtan that this musical form was also taken up and popularised by many non-devotees.
Since the passing of Aindra Dasa earlier this year, many second generation Australian devotees seem to have taken up the karatals and added fuel to the fire of the kirtan revolution. A series of 24 Hour Kirtans has drawn people from around the country creating a serious desire in the hearts of many to get out on the streets.
Taking their lead from Aindra Dasa, they call this the Grassroots Harinama Sankirtan Revolution. It's a grassroots movement because the motivation comes from the bottom up. No-one in particular is directing the effort, but groups of devotees are taking it upon themselves to bring back the Harinam culture which older devotees talk about.
"Australia is definitely experiencing a grass roots Harinama Sankirtan revolution," says Krishnapada Dasa, who helps organise Harinam Sankirtan around Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. Krishnapada maintains that Aindra's passing is certainly the motivating factor. Aindra had pressed all the devotees he met with to "implement the Yuga Dharma." He was telling everyone to perform Harinam Sankirtan.
"Seeing groups of devotees on the streets is certainly evidence that something is occurring," Krishnapada says. "Generally these devotees have an invested faith in the chanting of the Holy Names. Their lives have been positively affected by the chanting and they naturally want to share their joy with others."
"Here in Vrindavana, people come to the temple," Aindra said. "We can chant here, but you guys have to go out—in the west they are not willing to come to the temple, you must go out to chant." Aindra believed what Srila Prabhupada taught, that when non-devotees see the devotees happily chanting the Holy Names it is a very powerful method of outreach.
"Performance of Nama-bhajan in the Temple is for one's own personal purification," Krishnapada Dasa says. "But a Vaishnava cannot bear to see the suffering of others, therefore they take the chanting to the streets in a sincere effort to appease suffering and to introduce people to their ever well-wishers Radha and Krishna via the medium of Their Holy Names."
In all of Australia's major cities there are regular Harinam Sankirtan parties going out. The revolution is small but it is attracting the attention of all devotees and moving something deep in the hearts of those who know what it is about.
When asked what devotees should do to get involved, Krishnapada says: "Get fired up and associate with others who recognise the importance of Harinama Sankirtan. Devotees should enlist those in their local temple. If they are not within reasonable vicinity of a Temple, then they can start their own Harinama Sankirtan Party. All you need is two devotees with vocals and sincerity."
Krishnapada continues: "In the words of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, 'There are no hard and fast rules for chanting these names.' Mahaprabhu broke open the storehouse of love of God and distributed the contents to all regardless of their qualifications or lack thereof."
In planning to join the grassroots revolution, Krishnapada says, "Devotees should think about pleasing Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya by sincerely endeavouring to give others a taste for the Holy Names. They should present themselves in an attractive way by chanting simply and sweetly so other can follow and participate.
"Dancing should be uniform and dress standards should be clean and tasteful," he adds. "Smiling is a powerful weapon, along with the distribution of sanctified Prasadam food and Srila Prabhupada's books."
In your city, there may be regulations regarding street performances. "Firstly, contact your local council and work within their guidelines so as to establish a healthy relationship. Be conscious of local laws," Krishnapada says. "Do not be attached to the results. Go out consistently and in an enthusiastic mood."
Krishnapada quotes a letter from Srila Prabhupada to Madhudvisa in October 1970 for support: "I am so much pleased that you are carrying on the Street Sankirtana Party as we have instituted in the Western countries even though you have sometimes only one companion. This spirit is most satisfactory and this work is proven as the basis of our successful movement in the United States, so please go on more enthusiastically than ever with my blessings and you may rest assured that Krsna will always help you in any difficulty."
Nimai Hawkins has been instrumental in organising the most recent 24 Hour Kirtan Festival at New Gokula farm in Millfied, News South Wales, Australia. Many devotees gathered there and gave their all, during the entire event, to the thundering kirtan.
The organization of the 24 Hour Kirtan took a great deal of effort, but it was worth it to inspire devotees on a mass scale. "Many individuals stepped up to the task of putting on a great 24 hours of Kirtan and I am indebted to them," Nimai says. "Over three months I sent out over 400 hundred emails to organize the event.
"I felt the festival was a success for one standout reason," he continues. "Everyone gave kirtan everything they had. I am 1000% behind the Harinam sankirtan revolution. There is not a flicker of doubt in my mind that this is the only way to save not just our society but the entire world from the perils of the onslaught of the modern age. I am seeing all my friends who were just a year or so ago not so interested in Krishna consciousness pursue chanting with a determination unrivaled anywhere in the world."
To those who might be toying with the idea of organising a 24 Hour Kirtan or getting out into the street Nimai says, "Go all out, spare no expense, spare no moment of lethargy. Be a warrior, a revolutionary, change the world now, you won't ever regret it or forget it. All devotees should pursue a life of Harinam Sankirtan in the close, intimate devotee assocation of 24 hour kirtans, or in the revolutionary spirit of saving the world on Harinam."
Bring on the grassroots Harinama Sankirtana revolution. Join a Sankirtan party or start your own. It's up to you now.
Click here to read more at ISKCON News
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By Madhava Smullen on 14 Oct 2010
 | Over 2,500 devotees from all over South Africa will flock to Durban this October 16th and 17th to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sri Sri Radhanath Temple of Understanding.
|
By Antony brennan for Brihadmrdanga.com: Last night, October 14th, 2010, H.H. Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj appeared at Govindas in Sydney, Australia. On the menu was sacred chanting, and we took as much as was possible. At the end the sweat was beading on our smiling faces.
Kadamba Kanana Swami lead a soulful Kirtan with the chant OM Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, and Govinda Jaya Jaya, Gopala Jaya Jaya, Radha Ramana Hari, Govinda Jaya Jaya. The room was in ecstasy meditating on the sounds of these divine words.
Maharaj then gave a talk about sacred space and how the environment has a significant impact on our minds and body. We should create a sacred space in our minds each day by chanting divine mantras, such as those we had just been using. He also dissected the meaning of the mantra Om Namho Bhagavate Vasudevaya in a number of ways, each inspiring us to take up chanting in our daily lives.
We heard that the chanting of sacred mantra can purify us as well as the environment in which we chant. We should chant in the morning as this will percolate throughout our activities for the whole day.
Kadamba Kanana Swami told us prior to coming to Krishna he was into rock music. He then proceeded to rock the room with the Mahamantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
We could not prevent ourselves from chanting with our minds and mouths and dancing with our bodies.
A wonderful time was had by all.
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Galactic Space-time co-ordinates:
On October 15th, (Friday Night) at 7PM to 8.30pm, the Harinama Party will leave from Govinda's Restaurant – 99 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, Australia.
*PLEASE INVITE MORE PEOPLE!*
*Myer Centre Parking – $15 maximum after 4pm
"We need grass roots revolution. That means YOU and ME. I'm part of the grass roots…For years and years and years, at least 21 years, I've personally been here trying to somehow or other bring it to the attention of the lay devotees… Nama Sankirtana will come back, I guarantee it, with the co-operation of a few good people who are willing to step forward in their various localities all over the world and help to generate that faith, that consciousness in the Holy Name. So please help, wherever you may go and do the real thing, to actually implement the Yuga Dharma." – Aindra Dasa.
Click here to make yourself known and find out more on the Facebook page
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Srimad Bhagavatam 11.25.21-22 - Bhakti is nirguna.
www.sdgonline.org. 
3:37 A.M.
Namamrta by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:
'One must receive the holy name from proper spiritual authorities.
"One has to learn about the beauty and transcendental position of the holy name of the Lord by hearing the revealed scriptures from the mouths of devotees. Nowhere else can we hear of the sweetness of the Lord's holy name.
It is said in the Padma Purana, "No one can understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Sri Krishna through his materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him." Chanting and hearing of the transcendental holy name of the Lord cannot be performed by the ordinary senses. The transcendental vibration of the Lord's holy name is completely spiritual. Thus it must be received from spiritual sources and must be chanted after having been heard from a spiritual master. One who hears the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra must receive it from the spiritual master by aural reception. Srila Sanatana Gosvami has forbidden us to hear the holy name of Krsna chanted by non-Vaisnavas, such as professional actors and singers, for it will have no effect. It is like milk touched by the lips of a serpent."(Cc. Antya-lila 1.101)
There is no bar for chanting of the holy name by anyone provided it is received through authoritative representatives coming down in disciplic succession or the parampara system. One may receive the published mantra anywhere, but unless he has received it in disciplic succession the mantra does not act. It is said by authoritative sources that any mantra chanted after being received through disciplic succession has no efficacy. When Lord Caitanya was talking to Prakasananda Sarasvati the Lord told him that he had received the holy names from his spiritual master, Isvara Puri. He said that when He chanted He became transformed into a madman, and He did not know what kind of the mantra it was he had received. He went to His spiritual master who told him that he was doing very nicely and that he was manifesting symptoms of love of God. "'My dear child, continue dancing, chanting and performing sankirtana in association with devotees. Furthermore, go out and preach the value of chanting Krishna nama, for by this process You will be able to deliver all fallen souls."
Unless you receive the
maha-mantra from the
spiritual master and the
pure devotees, it has no
effect. You can't pick
it academically from a
book or from a professional
reciter or musical performer.
For full effect you
have to chant thinking it
is no exaggeration and
having faith in the Vedic
scriptures. Chant in
the morning when the modes
of nature are peaceful
and always remember who
gave you the mantra
and don't be disobedient
to him. I chant
today because my master
got me going, handing
me my beads after he
chanted on them himself.
By being faithful to
the giver of the names
you can chant and
Krishna will receive it
with love.
www.sdgonline.org.
#57
Today I started a new practice
called "Writing While Reading."
I am giving more emphasis to reading
Srimad-Bhagavatam
even if at sacrifice of unleashed writing time.
Does it bring me closer
to you, Prabhupada?
It is certainly a good thing when I
stay with your prose of the absolute.
No one else in the world is saying what you say
no matter how skillfully they write.
The book blurb says of Sharon Olds,
"Her radiance and daring . . .
find their most powerful expression."
But there's no Krishna in her words,
no knocking down all the nondevotees as mudhas,
no exposé of all those who have no conviction
about spirit soul and Supreme Lord.
So it's good for me to read your book.
When my allotted time was up I wanted
to read one more verse and purport.
Exhausted, I waited for a second wind,
and it came and lifted me forward.
It makes sense,
Lord Krishna is inconceivable. He is all energy,
but He is Himself in sac-cid-ananda form.
Unlike us He is never attracted to possessions.
He doesn't hanker to complete Himself by
sex attraction. He is aloof but all-affectionate.
He moves everywhere but no one sees Him,
unless they have eyes of devotion for God.
Only Krishna consciousness will give us eternity and bliss.
Why should I not sacrifice to stay with Him?
Today I did it,
and so today is a good day.
www.sdgonline.org.
The leaves are turning yellow,
the walnuts are black
and rotten under our feet.
Be careful you don't
strain your ankle walking
upon them.
Mushrooms in the grass
so wide and flat they
look almost like cows paddies.
We walked out laps around
the healthy green grass
of the mown lawn.
He talked to me about his
meeting with the brother in
Mexico, it was friendly.
The brother talked openly
of his projects and opinions.
My friend mostly listened.
I try to count the laps,
no more than three,
then we return to the
house, huffing and puffing.
The little children have
come out, and they all are
bouncing on the trampoline
which has a safety net
around it so they don't
fall off. They're all
blond. All the children
here seem to be blond.
The Reddys don't sweep
their leaves, and they are all gathered in the
driveway, brown and withered. Still, it has
not turned cold although
Baladeva said he found
frost upon the windshield
in the morning.
Soon it will be Kartika season when people
make month-long vows of austerity.
I will not make any.
Getting through my headaches
is enough.
But you can try to read some books of
Vraja-lila.
No urad-dal.
read more from SDGonline - daily updates Viraha Bhavan journal
www.sdgonline.org.
I turned at random to Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 5, Chapter 12, verse 3: "Whatever doubts I have about a particular subject matter I shall ask you about later. For the time being, these mysterious yoga instructions you have given me for self-realization appear very difficult to understand. Please repeat them in a simple way so that I can understand them. My mind is very inquisitive, and I want to understand this clearly."
Maharaja Rahugana realized he had misunderstood the position of his palanquin carrier Jada Bharata, and he now surrendered to him as a self-realized person, Jada Bharata had given him thorough instructions about spirit and matter, but the king admits here that he found the instruction difficult to understand. He asked Jada Bharata to repeat them in a simple way, so he can understand them. The king is accepting Jada Bharata as his spiritual master. In Bhagavad-gita, Krishna says, "One should approach a spiritual master and make enquires and render service to him." Absurd enquires without service are useless. One should avoid a challenging spirit in enquiring before the spiritual master if he wants to learn the Vedic instructions in depth.
But the spiritual master has the responsibility of presenting the knowledge simply and clearly so that his disciple can understand. Maharaja Rahugana already heard explanations, but he doubted some of them and could not grasp some of them. He is enquiring in a nonchallenging spirit for Jada Bharata to repeat the instruction, because he was too slow-witted and materialistic to comprehend them all the first time. The spiritual master will kindly repeat new clear instructions.
Saci is reading in the chapter on the madness of Lord Caitanya. He spoke like Radharani is separation from Krishna. Ramananda Raya would recite verses and Svarupa Damodara would sing songs to bring Him solace and augment His moods. He liked to hear from Bilvamangala's Krishna-karnamrta, from Jayadeva's Gita-govinda and from the poems of Vidyapati. He saw Krishna of Vrndavana in Lord Jagannatha and fainted unconscious. He saw a garden and entered it thinking it was Vrndavana and wandered in search of Krishna, just like the gopis did when Krishna left the rasa dance. I eat my breakfast quickly so there is no time to hear much. Saci gave me baseball news and told me Baji is sick today and not going to school. I haven't began Kalyana-kalpataru. I told Narayana about the writing sessions and he said, after I warmed up I would probably write deeper and freer. But I'm not like when I was years ago, writing so wildly, jumping from peak to peak. I'm slowed down and reporting surface events.
Narayana cooked lunch but he read from Caitanya Bhagavata while we ate. He read he section where Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda visit a "householder" sannyasi who wants to bless them with wealth and material enjoyment. Lord Caitanya teaches him that these goals are temporary and the true goal of life is devotional service to Krishna. The sannyasi is insulted but Lord Nityananda pacifies him. The two brothers then agree to accept the meal of fruits from him. They first bathed in the Ganges. But then the sannyasi suggests to Lord Nityananda that he serve them some "bliss". Lord Nityananda has experience travelling to holy places and meeting Swamis. And he realizes that this sannyasi is referring to wine. The sannyasi's wife then comes out and expresses lusty feelings to two brothers. Lord Caitanya asked Lord Nityananda, "What is this bliss?" Lord Nityananda says, "He means wine." "Visnu!" Shouts Lord Caitanya and he runs to the Ganges and jumps in. The two brothers then escape by swimming down the Ganges towards Advaita Acarya's house. Lord Caitanya roars out, "I am He!" And Lord Nityananda smiles to himself. They are on their way to an angry confrontation with Advaita Acarya who has been preaching impersonalism. Advaita Acarya is trying to get Lord Caitanya to stop honoring him and to punish him. Advaita Acarya is aware that the Lord is coming and that He is going to punish him. It is an exciting section of Caitanya Bhagavata.
I proof of one hundred page manuscript Caitanya Candrodaya sent me of a book we are going to publish, 108 Japa Poems. I liked it. He selected from about 250 japa poems from my morning session and edited a selection and gave each one a title. I think devotees would like to read it. It is very accessible and helpful for japa chanters.
Hello fellow greenthumbs! Here are some recent photos of my patio herb garden.
The green team
Spring yields new growth, replenished greens, and a chance to look at life afresh.
Continental Parsley and Mint
Those close enough to know me well understand that this particular change of season also brings a new, fresh look at life and all its temporary manifestations.
Rainbow Chard
Great thinkers have concluded that his world is an impermanent place, a reform school for the wayward soul.
resplendent Marjoram
I see my little garden not as belonging to me, but rather as a prison garden, where the Jail Mistress Durga (working under her Master, Krishna) has kindly allocated me a small allotment to tend to.
Vietnamese mint
A far bigger and better garden lies beyond the purview of this cosmic manifestation. But that is a vast discussion, outside the scope of this tiny blog.
Oregano
I continue to pick sprigs and leaves from this garden treasurehouse with gratitude, cook them with love, and offer them back to The Lord of Vrindavan.
Silverbeet
This post is cross posted on the Horton Brasses Blog.
Whether decorating a new home or snazzying up an older model, the question often arises as to whether or not it is okay to mix finishes. Maybe all the doorknobs in your house are a shiny brass but you had your heart set on satin nickel in the kitchen and oil rubbed bronze in the loo. Or maybe you just can't decide between polished nickel and polished brass. And satin nickel. And milk glass. And want them all in one space–the super expensive kitchen you are remodeling. You want it to look finished and pulled together and are afraid mixing finishes will give you a final product more akin to a Home Depot kitchen showroom than the Crown Point Cabinetry website.
Well, rest your pretty little head. While it is true that most of the pics of kitchens you find online will make you believe matchy match match is gospel, some Google Image searching will turn up quite a few well executed examples of mixing finishes in the kitchen without looking like you outfitted your cabinets in salvage off of eBay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Here are some real life worries regarding mixed finishes:
I am planning on stainless cabinet hardware but want to get an ORB faucet….will this look okay?
Can I mix matte bronze light fixture with satin nickel cabinet hardware?
Brushed nickel cabinet hardware, stainless steel sink and faucet…can I go dark bronze on the lighting?
These kinds of threads always pop up on the GardenWeb Kitchen Forum, possibly the most useful reference and interactive website when it comes to remodeling a kitchen. As you can see from visiting the linked threads, there are some traditionalists out there who probably go so far as to match their faucet to their saucepan. That definitely is playing it safe.
But mixing finishes is not a strenuous task best undertaken by design mavens only. Even us commoners can use our good sense to pull off a fabulous mixed finish space without looking mis-matched. Let's call in some visuals!
This shaker-style kitchen from the Crown Point Cabinetry website shows stained wooden knobs, stainless steel hood/range/sink/faucet and a wrought iron chandelier. The result is positively un-quirky.
Another example from the esteemed custom cabinet maker Crown Point, painted wooden knobs, copper sink and wrought iron pendants. Three different finishes, one unique charm!
GardenWebber Cotehele's gorgeous kitchen remodel, complete with Horton Brasses dark antique cabinet hardware, stainless steel faucet and white fireclay sink.
From Souther Living, this kitchen shows the eclectic pairing of antique brass pendants, stainless steel appliances and oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware.
Bronze, stainless steel and brass finishes adorn this Nantucket kitchen featured in House Beautiful.
Above is a glimpse how mixing finishes can give a high end effect on a budget. This Ikea kitchen remodel, by DIY Gardenwebber Brickmanhouse, was done for under $20k. Finshes include glass as well as chrome bin pulls, fireclay sinks and a black chandelier. This kitchen definitely is an inspiration on many levels! For more pics and info, click here.
Below is my own personal favorite, which not so coincidentally happens to be my personal kitchen. I could bore you with the details: white enamel light fixtures, satin nickel and polished nickel hardware. And milk glass and crystal and antique brass. Satin nickel faucets as well as chrome w/brass. I could go on and on about the four different tiles, two different grout colors etc., but instead, you can look for yourself.
So, while I don't want to squelch your creativity, let me share some guidelines (I use that word loosely) to help you ease your fear over mixing and matching your finishes.
1) Know your style. Defining your decorating style will give you a design neighborhood to work in and help you achieve a cohesive end product. Are you going for a cottage look? Is a vintage or period feel where you are headed? Or are you trying to create a sleek, modern space? Asking these questions early on will allow you to narrow down your style choices (bin pulls vs. bar pulls) and may also steer you towards certain finishes or away from certain finishes.
2) Look for natural divisions of space. Good design is organic and not over thought. Examine your space and determine where there are natural divisions or breaks. You may want to offset a work island from the perimeter cabinets with different hardware. Or maybe bring in a finish on a hutch or pantry cabinetry. Another way to visually divide up your space is to think in terms of horizontal layers. Ceiling fixtures, then sink/faucets then cabinet hardware. There are many ways to break up the space, adding reason and order to your varying elements.
3) Be practical! Don't forget to find out what kind of care goes into the finishes you've selected. Most lacquered hardware won't require much upkeep at all, but do your homework. And don't rule out chrome faucets just because the rest of your kitchen is chromeless. I promise you, the shine of chrome, while being bluer than the pink tones of polished nickel, will not clash. There will be no pictures turning up in the press with your kitchen listed as a "Fashion Don't." I promise.
4) Don't sweat the small stuff. This goes along with "be practical" but I feel it is de rigueur for any list of guidelines to include this cliche'. What I am thinking about here is your sink drain. Get chrome. Trust me. I don't care if your sink is black or white or stainless or pink. Chrome is the most durable finish and perfect for water applications. I had a Brasstech satin nickel basket for my drain and within a month or so I had myself a two toned satin nickel/brass basket where the finish rubbed off. Of course, if that is your idea of mixing finishes, than go for it.
5) Fill your kitchen with what you love! Another cliche'? Oh, totally! This is actually one of the most over-simplified decorating advice I've come across, but still, on one level it works. Of course, if you are like me and find yourself completely adulterous to any one style, you're on your own. Perfecting that bohemian, time traveler look is probably one of the most complicated styles to execute. But if you've made it this far down my list of guidelines and have honed in on a specific style, divided your space up visually and have some practical ideas for your choices, then I say you have enough parameters to pick out your faves and deck your kitchen out in those things. That's what I did.
The following lectures nbsp;were nbsp;given by H.H. Bhakti Charu Swami on Mahābhārata fromnbsp;September 11th to 16thnbsp;, 2010, at ISKCON Ujjain.
Today I realised the importance of giving respect to Krsna in the form of His Holy names....how do we do that? I thought about firstly pronouncing the Holy names properly....chanting each syllable properly and clearly....then I thought about how we appreciate when someone pronounces our name properly....we always like it when people take the time and effort to understand how our name is said and Krsna also appreciates that effort.
Let us all give our best effort to chant and hear the Holy names with respect and keep in mind that Krsna is present with all His energies in the Holy names.
1967 October 13: "Hard as the thunderbolt softer than a rose is quite right in the line of Krishna Consciousness. He is playing the part of a foolish man & it is necessary for me to play the part of a thunderbolt for his nonsense activities. All his instructions should be neglected."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967
1968 October 13: "We require hundreds of pairs of Deities so there will be tremendous possibility of working for our society. After all you have to work with confidence and faith in Krishna, under my direction, and therefore I am sure you will come out successful."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1968 October 13: "So three male members and four Englishmen members, it is nice. I want Englishmen to join more than from the Indian community because they are not fixed up, neither they are very serious about Krishna Consciousness. They are more interested in something else."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1971 October 13: "We have all taken on a great responsibility for spreading Krishna Consciousness all over the world. People are suffering and Krishna wants to deliver them. He comes personally and He sends His authorized devotee. I am so much obliged to you for your helping."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
1971 October 13: "Of all the churches I saw, I found the old Paddington church very nice. Why not negotiate for this property? What is the difficulty? It is quite suitable for our London temple and I think there will be no difficulty in raising the necessary funds. Krishna will help you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
1972 October 13: "Money invested, money collected. For magazine publishing, money should be collected and then the magazine is republished. What is this that every time money is invested, then for republishing, more money has to be re-invested?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1973 October 13: "Regarding reading other books, I request you to stop this practice. Our students have no time to read our own books, but they have time to read other's books? You have correctly found the defect in these books. We don't want babaji class. We want active preachers."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1973 October 13: "It is not possible for me to tax my brain on every detail. My inclination is to retire completely from management and devote my time to my books. Let all of you give me this chance."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
Spiritual Soul Shakers performing at the KuliMela held at New Vrindavan in 2006.
One Way performing "Good King, Bad King" at KuliMela 2006 in New Vrindavan.
Want to know where the nearest Kirtan is? Want to listen to Kirtan radio? Want to sign up for the newsletter?
There's audio and video all over the place and there are downloads galore. Why would you go anywhere else?
According to the web site: Kirtan is a folk form that arose from the devotional Bhakti movement of 15th century India, spearheaded by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The primary musical feature of kirtan is the use of call and response, a figure that also deeply informs Western bluegrass, gospel music and jazz. The form is simple: a lead group calls out the melodies and the mantras. The crowd responds, clapping and dancing and the rhythms build and accelerate.
I dare you to click here and go over there and download something and get clapping/
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I was asked to write a BBC TV interview (a mock one) for a documentary show called "Thought For the Day". The context is that I am a Hare Krsna, presenting Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the epic commentaries on India's timeless classic, telling the story of Krsna and Arjuna on the battlefield. I am asked a specific question based on the subject of the day, "Can we make it to God by our own endeavours or are we reliant on God's grace?" and I'm expected to represent the Bhagavad-gita's/Hare Krsna's version of this concept.
So the question is – can we make it to God by our own endeavours or are we reliant on God's grace? We are going to use the analogy of the Sparrow and the ocean to answer this question, so that we may shed some light over the issue. This famous analogy is quoted by Srila Prabhupada in his famous Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
The sparrow was just another ordinary bird, nothing special about her in physical or intellectual nature; actually she was quite simple. Similarly, if we are humble, we can understand that we are very minute (especially in comparison to God and His creation) and, although we are seemingly unique, our abilities fit into a very limited spectrum.
So the sparrow had some eggs (as sparrows do) and she wanted her young hatchlings to be born with the best. Most of us dream of having a house by the sea, so the sparrow also had this inclination. She made herself a nice nest, by the sea side, a picturesque scene indeed. With this material endeavour, she was somewhat happy.
It just so happened, that one day, while our sparrow was fetching some sticks for her nest (probably renovating some space for a nursery) the tide began to rise. The ocean waters rose up so much that her little nest began to float away. The little sparrow was horrified when she returned, her young now miles out to sea.
The young sparrow begged for the Ocean to return her little babies-to-be….
Click here to read the rest before it's too late (and don't tell him I posted his stuff again)
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In an attempt to get the books to balance the government is proposing major cuts in benefits, leading to the likelihood of austere times ahead for many poorer families. The cuts are not that unpopular, not at least with the tax-paying section of the country, but as a value and practice austerity itself is not at all popular today. The word is synonymous with hardship in most people's minds, fit only to be eradicated wherever it may be found and replaced with comfort and convenience.
Vedic culture tends to take a different view. Far from being anathema, austerity is seen as helpful to those desiring to secure their actual and lasting happiness. The Vedas enjoin that everyone should embrace austerity during the final stages of life in order to prepare for death. That definitely goes against the modern grain. Most of us are hoping that our pension will provide an easy life of comfort and enjoyment. A bit of bowls or golf, plenty of holidays, and feet up in front of the fire. Heaven.
Not in the Vedic model, which instructs that we should leave our happy home and head off to holy places for a life of privation and spiritual practise. Not a golf course in sight.
It all comes down to our basic paradigm, which in turn stems from our philosophical view of life. The materialistic worldview begins with the underlying and largely unstated assumption that we are material beings. Life's aim therefore is to live it large with all mod cons and if possible a servant or two would also be nice.
The first point of Vedic philosophy, on the other hand, is that we are eternal spiritual beings stuck in temporary forms. The material world is not our real home and life's purpose is to extract ourselves from it for once and for all, going instead to immortal realms of unending happiness. This means we need to be free of attachment to this world and all that it has to offer in the shape of bodily pleasures. Otherwise we will get to stay here in one body after another as we pursue worldly desires.
Giving up those desires may not be too difficult if we are struggling to find sufficient means to merely survive, as the benefit cuts threaten to inflict upon some. But Vedic teachings help us to cope. They explain that we depend upon God only, that he alone provides sustenance to all beings. We do our best to earn a living and provide for ourselves and our families, but at the end of the day what we do or do not have depends upon God. He is the supreme controller, even of Mr Cameron and his government. The Bhagavad-gita therefore instructs that the first austerity of the mind is to be satisfied. Do our duty and accept the God-given result without over endeavouring for more.
For some the God-given fruits of our labours may be more than others, and maybe that means more comfort, but if we accept that we eventually need to free ourselves from material bondage this is not necessarily the best situation. Heading off to holy austerities will be a whole lot harder if we have become too accustomed to luxury.
Real austerity though is not simply a belt tightening exercise. Nor does it have to mean punishing the body; suffering in horse hair shirts and the like. The Gita describes true renunciation as detachment from an enjoying spirit. It explains that a genuinely austere person uses everything in God's service rather than for selfish interests. Such a person claims no ownership over anything, accepting only what is required to keep body and soul together so he can render divine service.
Most of us will need to cultivate that mood and vision through long and serious practise. It is therefore recommended that we start scaling down our enjoyment and consumption at least from the age of fifty, when the end of life hoves ominously into view. Death will surely come and snatch everything away, so start letting go before that happens. Give it all to God before he takes it anyway. One Indian philosopher said that if we are intelligent we should use our temporary possessions while we have them to gain eternal benefit, and the way to do that is to employ them in Krishna's service.
This is the easiest form of austerity. Not many of us can abandon our earthly lot and go to the forests clad in tree bark, gleaning fruits and roots from the wild, as was the practise in ancient days. A lifetime of Tesco and central heating leaves one ill-prepared for such agonies. But any of us can sit down peacefully in Vrindavan or some other sacred site and chant Krishna's names, leaving the anxieties of our earthly trappings to the next generation. A lifestyle that even the meagre state pension could stretch to, if it still exists when we finally retire.
Today is my Guru Maharaja's HH Devamrita Swami's vaysa puja so I wish to mark such a wonderful day with my two humble thought's one sent out as a mobile text: Hare Krishna PamHO AgtSP Today is my Guru Maharaja's vaysa puja he has given a gift more rarer than the rarest metals more precious [...]
Why women in ISKCON are obliged to overdress and cover themselves up as if seeing even a little of their skin will make men fall down
The chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is recommended even for persons who commit offenses, because if they continue chanting they will gradually chant offenselessly. By chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra without offenses, one increases his love for Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 6.3.24 purport 
By Suresvara Dasa
Like to help ISKCON develop into all that Prabhupada wants it to be? Be part of the changes you would like to see! For the last 12 years, the Mayapur Institute (MI) has been educating mostly younger devotees in Prabhupada's mood and mission as found in his books. As life changing as the MI's courses are, to make them truly revolutionary, we need the attendance of devotees like you to:
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Bhajan – Mukunda das – Hare Krishna
If we are serious in executing the devotional principles, this one lifetime of service to
Krishna will absolute and final solution to all the problems of life. Sincere devotional service in even one lifetime is sufficient to make one eligible to return to the Vaikuntha world permanently.
- Srila Prabhupada
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