martes, 30 de noviembre de 2010

Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: A Mostly Vegan Thanksgiving



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  1. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Open Day - Saturday 4th December
  2. Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: A Mostly Vegan Thanksgiving
  3. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Wave of Sankirtan in Fiji.
  4. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  5. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  6. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  7. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  8. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  9. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  10. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
  11. Japa Group: Chant, Chant, Chant
  12. Kurma dasa, AU: The Lord of Sweetness
  13. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: to give girls gayatri mantra
  14. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Memories of Srila Prabhupada DVDs
  15. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Bhakti in its Beauty hits Bankers
  16. Dandavats.com: Appreciating Purnacandra Goswami
  17. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 147
  18. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Prabhupada Meditations
  19. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Two Brothers
  20. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: The End Notes
  21. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: "Gopis from Guyana"
  22. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Gopal Krishna Maharaj and a Rock Band...
  23. Jaya Kesava Das, USA: CATCH AND RELEASE, ... with Knowledge
  24. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: "...Sweet intimate vocals..."
  25. Maddy Jean-claude Durr, New Govardhana, AU: The Heat In The Cold
  26. Mayapur Online: Sri Ksetra Parikrama – An ecstatic experience!
  27. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Rasamrta dd asked me to speak about Radha Damodara
  28. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, November 26th, 2010
  29. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, November 25th, 2010
  30. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakti Sara Prabhu
  31. H.H. Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Class – 27 November 2010
  32. Gouranga TV: Spontaneous Dancing On Harinam 11/20/10
  33. More Recent Articles
  34. Search Planet ISKCON
  35. Prior Mailing Archive

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Open Day - Saturday 4th December

mandir
We are holding an Open Day this coming Saturday at the temple for our neighbours all over Albert Park.

This is an initiative launched by Bhakta Prabhu in an attempt to introduce our surroundings to the Hare Krishna Culture.

On the program for the day: snacks and guided tour of the property for our guests, small gifts and face-painting for their children.


So be prepared to see some inquisitive yet delighted faces from 10.30am to 12pm on the premises this Saturday.
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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: A Mostly Vegan Thanksgiving

Fresh Cranberry Relish Garnished w/ Lime Zest
Absolutely simple to make, this no-cook prep brings a burst of freshness and color to the holiday table.
I had leftover dough from my won ton experiment. The combination of semolina and rice flour was very pliable but a bit delicate.
I combined the leftover won ton seitan/spinach/ginger mixture with freshly cooked potatoes and spices to create a samosa filling.
Pleating
This unusually smooth samosa was rolled by my daughter using the semolina/rice flour dough (we made a second batch of dough that was all white flour). When you see them all fried up, this one stands out as a smooth beauty!
I lay my samosas out on parchment paper because I have a very terrible track record of having things stick. I really love parchment paper. And yes, I wash and re-use it.
Samosas--traditional Indian food for Thanksgiving. These took the place of mashed potatoes at our holiday table.
Our hostess, Padi, made these ridiculously good vegan sticky buns. She has perfected the art of buns.
Padi's husband Braj is also excellent in the kitchen. He cooked at a Govinda's restaurant in New Zealand and now he makes his friends delicious things, like this vegan pot pie, whenever the occasion merits.
Adi Gopi brought along the roasted carrots (I know they were made by her because they appeared on the buffet in a FiestaWare bowl). Padi made the roasted root veggies--parsnips being her very favorite and very British signature tuber.
The gorgeous auburn haired hostess, Ms. Padi Sutherland, nurse, student and mom extraordinaire, master of no-knead artisan bread recipes and a damn nice person. Here she is holding a platter of green beans, brought by Adi Gopi (notice the FiestaWare!).
Also on the menu that night: Marmite (England version) based gravy,  vegan turkey roast, 3 pumpkin pies, cranberry shortbread bars, peanut butter cookies and  full dairy whipped cream. Did I miss anything?

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Wave of Sankirtan in Fiji.

Here is a very inspiring article about devotees from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the States inundating the Fijian streets with the nectarean waves of the Holy Names.
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 November 29 : "I have received so many encouraging reports. So long our students remain fixed up to the regulative principles without deviation they will be enthusiastic for spreading this sublime movement."Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 November 29 : "The university community is a prime target for our propaganda work so please try your best to convince the students of the necessity for chanting Hare Krsna Mahamantra."Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 November 29 : "I shall arrange to initiate the two students as soon as possible. This is the greatest service you are rendering and Caitanya Mahaprabhu will certainly bless all my sincere students more and more."Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 November 29 : "Please see the standard of devotional practice is kept very high. Then the atmosphere will naturally be joyful and enthusiastic for working cooperatively for the satisfaction of Krsna."Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 November 29 : "A Krsna Conscious person never associates with the materials of mundane work or with the mundane workers, he is always associating with Krsna by devotional service whatever his position may be."Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 November 29 : "You should not try to speculate on the level of consciousness of the pure devotee. The consciousness of such a devotee is not limited by the influence of maya so do not speculate in that way."Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

30/11/10
The intricate Persian embroidery of today's set sends us to the Middle East again on Day-2 of Week-2 of the Srila Prabhupada book marathon.
Here's another quote from Srila Prabhupada:
"If he reads one sloka, his life will be successful. If one sloka, one word. This is such nice things. Therefore we are stressing so much, Please distribute books, distribute books, distribute books." January 5, 1974.
Here's a slideshow of the Deities to inspire us even more.
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Japa Group: Chant, Chant, Chant


The mind says "Can't, can't, can't" - it's the nature of the mind to accept and reject and sometimes we find our mind will reject the idea of chanting the Holy names.
Each day the mind may come up with many excuses and reasons not to chant or to put it off "Don't worry about this chanting, you can do it later...there are more important things right now" - heard your mind preaching like this?
What we can do is to ignore this internal dialogue and remember the importance of making Japa the number one priority and to act on this knowledge.
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Kurma dasa, AU: The Lord of Sweetness

Sri Sri Radha Krishna:
The Sweetness of Lord Sri Krishna by Sripad Vallabha-acharya
adharam madhuram vadanam madhuram nayanam madhuram hasitam madhuram hridayam madhuram gamanam madhuram madhur-adipater akhilam madhuram
His lips are sweet, His face is sweet, His eyes are sweet, His smile is sweet, His loving heart is sweet, His gait (walk) is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.
vachanam madhuram charitam madhuram vasanam madhuram valitam madhuram chalitam madhuram bhramitam madhuram madhur-adipater akhilam madhuram
His words are sweet, His character is sweet, His dress (garment) is sweet, His posture is sweet, His movements are sweet, His wandering (roaming) is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.
venur madhuro renur madhurah panir madhurah padau madhurau nrityam madhuram shakhyam madhuram madhur-adipater akhilam madhuram
His flute-playing is sweet, His foot-dust is sweet, His hands are sweet, His feet are sweet, His dancing is sweet, His friendship is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.
gitam madhuram pitam madhuram bhuktam madhuram suptam madhuram rupam madhuram tilakam madhuram madhur-adipater akhilam madhuram
His song is sweet, His drinking is sweet, His eating is sweet, His sleeping is sweet, His beautiful form is sweet, His Tilaka (mark on the forehead) is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.
karanam madhuram taranam madhuram haranam madhuram ramanam madhuram vamitam madhuram shamitam madhuram madhur-adipater akhilam madhuram
His deeds (activities) are sweet, His conquest (liberating) is sweet, His thieving (stealing) is sweet, His love-sports are sweet, His oblations (offerings) are sweet, His countenance is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.
gunja madhura mala madhuram yamuna madhura vici madhuram salilam madhuram kamalam madhuram madhur-adipater akhilam madhuram
His gunja-berry necklace is sweet, His flower garland is sweet, Sweet is the Yamuna river, and sweet are her rippling waves, Her water is sweet, and sweet are the lotus flowers also, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.
gopi madhura lila madhuram yuktam madhuram muktam madhuram dhristam madhuram shistam madhuram madhur-adipater akhilam madhuram
His gopis (cowherd girlfriends) are sweet, His pastimes (plays) are sweet, His union (meeting him) is sweet, His deliverance (rescue) is sweet, His sidelong glances are sweet, His courtesy (etiquette) is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.
gopa madhura gavo madhuram yastir madhura shristhir madhuram dalitam madhuram phalitam madhuram madhur-adipater akhilam madhuram
His gopas (cowherd boyfriends) are sweet, His cows are sweet, His cane (herding-stick) is sweet, His creation is sweet, His victory (trampling) is sweet, His accomplishment (fruition) is sweet, Everything is completely sweet about the Lord of Sweetness.
|| iti srimad vallabha-acarya viracitam madhurastakam sampurnam ||
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: to give girls gayatri mantra

Balai Mataji remembers: At first Srila Prabhuapada didn't want to, to my understanding, he didn't want to give girls gayatri mantra, in India I believe girls didn't get gayatri mantra but one very outspoken woman, Madhavi Lata devi dasi, insisted that the women, especially her, be given gayatri mantra and Srila Prabhupada gave women gayatri mantra...
>From Memories of Srila Prabhupada DVD #48
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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Memories of Srila Prabhupada DVDs

Available from www.prabhupadamemories.com
Highly recommended!
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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Bhakti in its Beauty hits Bankers

by H.G. Radharaman Prabhu, sent in by H.G. Dina Krishna Prabhu Thursday 11th November 2010 saw history in the making with its first corporate sponsored event in the financial industry to host a Gaudiya Vaisnava sannyasi. In the heart of UK’s financial district of Canary Wharf, over 200 bankers and traders assembled 512 feet high [...]
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Dandavats.com: Appreciating Purnacandra Goswami

By Su-gita Vani devi dasi
His samadhi will come up in the gosala gardens of the Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan. To those who were familiar with Maharaj’s personality, this venue, with its peace and quiet, complete with cows and monkeys, appears to be the perfect choice for his samadhi
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 147

3:45 A.M.
Excerpts from Sri Harinama Cintamani spoken by Haridasa Thakura to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and written by Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
Excerpt #16: Anartha-free namabhasa becomes nama. “Short of krishna-prema, every other success is available in namabhasa. When anarthas are nullified then namabhasa is converted to nama or suddha-nama, the pure name. By pure chanting and by following the rules of sadhana as instructed by guru, sadhu and sastra one slowly but surely acquires krishna-prema—love of Godhead. But namabhasa chanting can never give krishna-prema.
“I bow down to that fortunate soul who has freed himself from the contaminating namaparadha, offenses against the holy name, in the namabhasa stage. This namabhasa stage is far beyond knowledge and fruitive work and if ones sraddha is furthermore rooted in rati or attraction and is offenseless as well, then gradually it will lead to the pure name.”
The stages are clearly outlined here. The high position of namabhasa is emphasized. Namabhasa brings everything auspicious except krishna-prema. Haridasa Thakura bows down to the person who has attained namabhasa or freedom from the offenses committed against the holy name. There are many forms of namabhasa but the big distinction is when namabhasa is committed with faith. And it can lead one on to suddha-nama or pure chanting. Sraddha-nama clears away the anarthas very easily and quickly and brings one to the stage of namabhasa which turns into suddha-nama.
I woke up this morning with the alarm clock at 1:30. I’m getting used to that habit, and it does not seem too late. The only difficulty is I fall into a sleepy chanting and progress very slowly. By 3:40 I had not completed twelve rounds. This is a slump that I must correct myself from.
Namabhasa is judged by Lord
Caitanya as very auspicious
in chanting. One who has reached
this stage has only one more
big step to make. All the dirty and
sinful life of chanting is vanquished,
and he is already liberated from that.
But he has not yet reached the krishna-
prema and he just has to persevere
in namabhasa with faith.
Gradually by his sraddha
in namabhasa he will reach
the stage where namabhasa
will transform to the perfection
of chanting.
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Prabhupada Meditations

“Baladeva invites me to be there with Swamiji in 1966, but I’m here in 1990 looking back. It seems so long ago. As soon as I speak about it, I encounter the same “canned memories” which I often repeat. But they are reliable memories, and I am trying to open the cans and see what’s actually in them.
B: “When was the first time that he looked at you?
S: “That was in the temple room when I asked a question, “Is misery eternal?” He answered, “Yes, material misery is eternal. But there is another world.”
B: “It was more than just an answering a question.”
S: “I had been there before, and I knew that people raised their hands and he called upon them. In order to call on you he had to look at you and recognize you. Maybe he had already noticed me from the audience. So he asked, “Any questions?”
B: “What was your first time alone with him?
S: “The memory I always go to which is established in my mind as my first time alone was when I asked a question, “Is there spiritual progress you can make that you don’t fall back from?” He said, “Yes.”
We used to imitate Swamiji in various ways, trying to act as spiritual persons, sometimes to show off to newcomers. One thing I began to imitate was a sound that Prabhupada made, an ecstatic utterance which sounded like “Mmmm”. An ecstatic moment in his speech. He might be saying, “Krishna is very beautiful,” and then he would pause and feel something and make that sound, “Mmmm”. When I did it in imitation I was not feeling ecstasy, but I was Swamiji’s follower. It was something that I had picked up and something that some of us did. It was the sakti of Swamiji. We had noted it and taken it up as our way. So one day a guest was eating prasadam with us in Swamiji’s apartment, and he sat down next to me. He was a marijuana smoker, and he was checking people out closely to see their mannerisms. When he sat down next to me there was a moment of silence and then I made that sound, “Mmmm”. He immediately noticed it and appreciated, “Yeah I dig you man! I see what you are into.” My sound had proclaimed, “We are Swamiji’s followers and we are not afraid of anything because we know Krishna.” If I had said the same thing it would have sounded arrogant or untrue but by making that sound, the young hipster picked it up and appreciated it. “Mmmm” implied that we didn’t die, we’re eternal souls, Krishna is full of bliss, He is within your heart.”
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Two Brothers

Krishna is the topmost person
above all the heroes and poets
existing.
Krishna is the crest jewel, peacock
atop his crown. Is there
anyone whom He can’t beat up?
His older brother Balarama just
smashed Pralambasura,
split his skull in two
so They are always
ready to help each other,
but They can take care
of Themselves alone.
They like to be together and
touch each other’s lotus feet.
They are always faithful
to each other and never
misuse Their friendship
to forge a check or
to take advantage.
They each have Their own set
of gopis. They protect each other’s
condition.
Balarama wants to be worshiped
by Krishna and understood
that all the calves and boys
that He had expanded into
were actually Krishna Himself.
What about Radha? Baladeva has His own,
Revati. They keep separate, and there is no
competition or envy.
These two brothers have intimate
love in Vraja, Mathura and Dvaraka.
They have some differences as
when Baladeva taught Duryo how
to fight, and He didn’t take part
in the battle at Kuruksetra. But
They never fight. They are brother to brother
with love. Did I not tell you something out of
embarrassment because I thought it was too confidential?
Just take my word for it; They are one, Krishna and Balarama.
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: The End Notes

Free Write
I turned at random to Canto 3, Chapter 30, text 18: “Thus the man who engaged with uncontrolled senses in maintaining a family, dies in grief, seeing his relatives crying. He dies most pathetically in great pain and without consciousness.”
The example is given that a farmer does not like an old bull who has seized to work. Similarly, when a detached person in family becomes old and is unable to earn, he is no longer liked by his wife, sons, daughters and other kinsmen, and he is consequently neglected, what to speak of not being given respect. It is judicious therefore to give up family attachment before one attains old age and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should employ himself in the Lord’s service so that the Supreme Lord can take care of him and he will not be neglected by his so-called kinsmen.
In the Vedic way of life one has to give up family life when he is strong enough. It is advised that before getting too weak and being baffled in material activities, and before becoming diseased, one should give up family life and engage oneself completely in the service of the Lord for the remaining days of his life. It is enjoined therefore in the Vedic scriptures that as soon as one passes fifty years of life he must give up family life and live alone in the forest. After preparing himself fully, he should become a sannyasi to distribute the knowledge of spiritual life to each and every home.
read more from SDGonline - daily updates Viraha Bhavan journal 
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: "Gopis from Guyana"

Picture
That is the title of the article. Might make some of the many great devotees with Guyanese heritage crack a smile :)

Much like a gopi from the Ragamala miniatures, Satyabhama, a 32-year-old Krishna devotee from Guyana, wore a green ghagra or long skirt and embroidered duppatta, teamed with a rust-coloured blouse. Swaying to the music of mridangam and cymbals, she chanted 'Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare', as she pulled the ropes of the Lord Jagannath's chariot in the yatra organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Old Delhi last fortnight. She was part of a big family of devotees from India and abroad who took part in the festivities. Read more:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spirituality/faith-and-ritual/Gopis-from-Guyana/articleshow/7009605.cms
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Gopal Krishna Maharaj and a Rock Band...

Check out the articles in Time of India about the Rock Band called Madhava's who performed over the weekend at the Chandigarh Ratha Yatra.
Found a You Tube clip where Gopal Krishna Maharaj joins in on the chanting...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Hare-Rama-Hare-Krishna-to-come-alive-on-rock-stage/articleshow/6997830.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/ISKCON-rock-band-a-hit-among-the-young/articleshow/7002580.cms
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Jaya Kesava Das, USA: CATCH AND RELEASE, ... with Knowledge

Before I left Montreal for St John's Newfoundland yesterday morning, the bhaktas put forth a series of questions, one on the topic of dovetailing our attachment in devotional service. What actually is dovetailing? Especially as we would use it as an ISKCON jargon. Devotional service happens on so many levels and each level, leading up to the highest stage of pure love for God, requires a deeper commitment to serving Krsna as Krsna desires.
In the beginning, for accommodating purposes, one may use certain things natural to his/her culture to offer to Krsna as an act of love. So for example, the offering of foods like pizza, or playing musical instruments like guitars might not be the highest form of expressing devotion, but it does stimulate a devotional mood when the devotee offers it up for service to Krsna. The acharyas do inform us of what type of music Krsna likes most, what type of foods, etc etc. Advancement in Krsna consciousness means that a person accepts Krsna as a person, and wants to offer him what pleases him the most. Simplicity, I find always saves the day. {If your love one likes potato and cauliflower subji with sour cream, and you know that every bit of it will disappear once it hits their plate, then making such subji is the safest,  and simplest way of expressing love. Now, you may change things up a little and offer beets and artichokes, but there's the risk of not knowing whether it was relished or not. They might let you know-- or not.}
But eventually, we have to give it up. Which brings me to the next part of my thought flow, Newfoundland. I am visiting a friend of mine who is a Doctor, and the concept of dovetailing came up, especially when administering medication to young patients. My mother, and I'm sure yours too,  would often dissolve hard to swallow or bitter pills in some kind of juice, just to get us to take them. Why? Because the medicine would heal us. Eventually as we grew up the purpose of the medicine was explained, and when we actually realized how sick we were, we would take the medicine straight.
So we have to find out, or go deep within and see how materially "sick" we are. And from that understanding see how well we want to become. Those who take the first instruction of "you are not this body" seriously, might take more seriously to the process, where as those who come for other reasons, might not.
The underlying principle is being in the know. Of the four types of people who surrender to Krsna, Krsna says He appreciates the one who comes for Knowledge most. He even considers such a person to be like his very self. There is every chance that one who comes for wealth, piety, or solace may leave after they have their wishes fulfilled. But one who comes for knowledge realizes the wealth of knowledge in the books, and ultimately uses that knowledge to transcend the material sphere.
More about St. John's in the next blog... but I should say, the people here are toooo cute! It feels like I just walked into the shire. Every one's completely chilled out, etc etc etc...
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: "...Sweet intimate vocals..."

"It’s the Hare Krishna chanting, sweet intimate vocals and soft repetitive melody that will live on forever in ‘My Sweet Lord’
~ In Today's Post on Clash Music (Nov. 29, 2010)
Under Headline: George Harrison - All things must pass Remains his definitive work.
So this You Tube Video which appeared on the Facebook feed over the weekend was an appropriate match.
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Maddy Jean-claude Durr, New Govardhana, AU: The Heat In The Cold


                We gathered at Manu’s house for what is known as “Thanksgiving” (it’s an American word – nobody knows what it means).  The general celebration involves eating a lot of food and saying thanks to somebody (probably God).  Kumari Mataji did the shopping and was cursing her luck as everything she was purchasing contained traces of alcohol – apple cider, ketchup and so many other things – all had alcohol.  In other western countries, we normally have to keep our eyes out while purchasing ingredients, because they may contain traces of animal products, but in Europe (at least in the French-like countries such as Belgium) it seems to be the culture to buff everything up with a bit of alcoholic substance.
                We sat and made thanks, mostly making jokes about the whole thing and then took prasadam.  The crowd wandered on, into the temple, and we stared in awe at the glimmering faces of our beloved Deities.  I happily glanced over to see Jaya Bhadra Mataji.  Jaya Bhadra Mataji had been in hospital and we were all very concerned for her.  It was nice to see that Radha Gopinatha had nicely looked after her.
                I went to my room, late and keen for rest.  I touched my hand on the heater, which I had jacked up to full magnitude, but it was stone cold.  Where is my heat?  I had just been taught by Manohara Prabhu about the heating system so I went through the phases.  First, I opened the valve in my room, to let the excess air out (leaving only hot, sweet liquid) but instead, it sucked air back into the system.  Something was wrong so I set off to figure out exactly what it was.
                I went to the heater room.  The pressure was down 35% below recommended.   I had heard Jaya Bhadra Mataji’s heater had exploded when she had been in hospital so I quickly found her.  I pulled her out of her conversation so I could ask her if her room heater had been sealed (I didn’t want to put the pressure back up and make her room into a lake).  She informed me that it had been sealed and replaced with an electric heater.  I was still a little bit nervous about putting the pressure back up, just in case there were other reasons for it being so low.  We found Bhakta Rick Prabhu, who was sleeping.  I simply told him what I was going to do and saw if he objected.  He woke enough to make sense of what I was saying and gave me the go ahead.  The pressure gauge went up and up; all I could do was pray.
                I let the air back out in my room and within moments the heat had returned.  Warm and snug, I finally made it to sleep, with less than five hours to Mangala arati!

I awoke full of energy (I love these mysteries that Krsna throws on us, which you normally pay for three days later).  After the morning program had abated, I looked out to see snow!  I had seen a little snow the night before but this was the serious deal.  I picked up big fluffy handfuls, giving one to Hilary Mataji (the other token Aussie – ignorant to such cold miracles).
On the way to the library I observed a snow ball fight between Narottama and Manoj.  I quickly collected ammunition and joined in the fray.  Feeling sufficiently snowed, Narottama and I took a full tour of the Castle, making sure to catch all the views of the snow, from each of the Two Towers.  We collected ourselves in our room, letting the numbness in our hands die away.  I was glad that the heat was on, as the cold set in in Radhadesh.  It was a fridge on the outside and an oven on the inside – the best kind.

[25-26/11/2010]




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Mayapur Online: Sri Ksetra Parikrama – An ecstatic experience!

Sri Kshetra Dham is the conchshell shaped abode of the Lord of the Universe, Jagannathdev. Here He resides with His transcendental brother Baladeva and sister Subhadradevi in a magnificient temple with 3 grand domes. This wonderful place was where we went on parikrama from the 24th to 26th November. It was truly an ecstatic one especially in the association of exalted, leading devotees of our movement.
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Rasamrta dd asked me to speak about Radha Damodara

So here is a little about Them.
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, November 26th, 2010

Bagels and cream cheese

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

How accents change from place to place! I was driven from Toronto, to Buffalo, then flew to Boston to catch another flight to Baltimore, only to be driven to Harrisburg for a beautiful lunch at Tamal's, a friend. A last drive landed me near Port Royal in the state of Pennsylvania. At each stop you note variations of English. Fortunately, all people share the same air, clouds, sun, earth, water and space.

My few moments with these elements at the tail end of the day allowed me to tredge through plants and weeds, lightly hit by fall frost. Traces of human being was scarce in my private little valley of the day. Signs painted on trees nearby forbade entry. "No hunting! No trespassing! Violators will be prosecuted!"

Deer droppings and tracks do give away the fact that fur and hooves pass through here. I had also come to produce new tracks, making my mark over the soft and moist soil.

I reflected on my conversation with a retired Bengali couple at the Baltimore Airport. With little information about their own provincial hero, Chaitanya, they became curious. As they ate their bagel with cream cheese, I recited the song of Bhaktivinode who authored, "Sarira avidya jal..." I refrained from giving the translation which states that our tongues are uncontrollable. I didn't want to offend, only befriend.

As far as Chaitanya is concerned the couple were aware that he is the revivalist of many things, most notably he established the social gatherings of kirtan (chanting groups) which is now custom as tradition and which is currently experiencing a great welcome around the world. And these people do sing sincerity even though when you apply that anglo-lingo to Sanskrit it sounds a bit weird.

Rest assured one's utterance of sound is judged on the basis of sincerity of purpose and not pronunciation or accent.

3 KM
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, November 25th, 2010

We can start to live

Toronto, Ontario

Perhaps the most familiar verse from the Gita which Hindu folks relate to starts like this... Karmany evadhikaras te ma phaleshu kadacana... One guest from Gujarat, India, a doctor, began to recite the verse expressing the importance of duty. To put it in simple terms, this verse translates as, "One is entitled to perform his/her duty and not necessarily the results."

He said it with a smile. I took it that the verse was his life-line and I was happy to hear that he didn't prescribe to the tune so common with the entitlement generation. He is among the ranks of people who believes in work and earn. Of course, for some people it becomes a question of "how much?" At least the mood here is "I am a contributor first, an enjoyer second."

While in Jerusalem recently an Orthodox Jew who had accrued some Vedic wisdom said to me in an amicable way, "You have to follow your dharma (duty)." And Krishna strongly advised his warrior-friend, Arjuna, that rejection of dharma is sin; that it's evil.

I like the scramble of letters or rather the reversal of letters to the word "evil". Do not be evil, but live. So when we master dharma, duty or responsibility, then we really begin to live.

7 KM
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakti Sara Prabhu

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.27.25-26 - Krsna is the reservoir of all beauty (lavanya).
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H.H. Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Class – 27 November 2010

I met Indradyumna Maharaja in Vrindavana at the ceremony for Purnacandranbsp;Maharaja's samadhi, and Indradyumna Maharaja got on my case a little for notnbsp;making any classes available on my web site. So here is a class I gave innbsp;Vrindavana on the 27th November.
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Gouranga TV: Spontaneous Dancing On Harinam 11/20/10

Spontaneous Dancing On Harinam 11/20/10

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