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"Planet ISKCON" - 54 new articles - Dandavats.com: Varnasrama agenda at the Capitol
- Dandavats.com: ISKCON Prison Ministry An Hare Krsna from the Hindu Tribe
- Dandavats.com: A Last minute decision!
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 3.18.8 Can You Recreate The Accident
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 3.18.7 Tide Is Coming Over Our Slightly Longer Dream
- Atma Yoga, Brisbane, AU: Holiday Closing Dates
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 3.18.6 Krishna Is A Nice Sentient Being
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 3.18.5 Interested In Opening The Gates Of Lust, Anger, & Greed
- H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 3.18.3 Praise Of Krishna Everywhere
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
- Australian News: Kirtan Australia Presents: GAURA VANI and As Kindered Spirits – LIVE IN AUSTRALIA
- Australian News: Vaiyasaki Dasa: Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance 2010 in Brisbane, Australia – on video
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Ramai Swami
- Kirtan Australia.com: Gaura Vani & As Kindred Spirits 2011 Australian Tour
- Australian News: And the Grammy goes to – ISKCON’s Havi Dasa – See the video before they remove it
- ISKCON Toronto, Canada: We're Officially Now on Twitter!
- ISKCON Toronto, Canada: We're Looking for Blog Contributors!
- Japa Group: Faith In Chanting Japa
- Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: innovative distribution
- Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Kali-yuga is so strong, what hope is there?
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: Prema Vilas dasa (Mauritius) inquires about Mangala Arati
- Book Distribution News: innovative distribution
- Kirtans in Oxford, UK: Chakrini and the Christmas Kirtan
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- Kirtans in Oxford, UK: November Kirtan
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: 162
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Prabhupada Meditations
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Crumb
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami: Free Write
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Thriving Ethical Business, Vegan Compassion & the Hare Krishna Connection!
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 By Bharat Chandra Dasa
Around 40 devotees who went through a packed program for 4 days came out as strong advocates of "Simple living and High thinking" convinced of the right alternative Srila Prabhupada gave to the looming problems of the world  By Bhakti-lata dasi
The brhat mrdanga continues to resound very loudly in all the jails and prisons through IPM (ISKCON Prison Ministry) and many hear and respond to Lord Caitanya's call, as the quotes below illustrate  By Gadi das
At the Sheraton in Birmingham was a small regional convention of AAOHA members…. Asian American Hotel Owners Association. At the last international convention in June in Chicago, where I had met and made friends with the vice chairman of AAOHA, Mr. Hemant Patel,(next year he will be the chairman), my goal was to get a picture of he and I holding the Bhagavad Gita… SB 03.18.08_Can You Recreate The Accident_2004-03 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.8 Can You Recreate The Accident 2004-03 Radhadesh (evolution) SB 03.18.07_Tide Is Coming Over Our Slightly Longer Dream_2004-03 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.7 Tide Is Coming Over Our Slightly Longer Dream 2004-03 Radhadesh Atma Yoga will be CLOSED from the 24th of December until the 4th of January. Last class of 2010 will be Thursday evening 23rd December at 6:00 pm. Class returns Tuesday 4th January at 6:00pm. See everyone in the new year!!! SB 03.18.06_Krishna Is A Nice Sentient Being_2004-03 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.6 Krishna Is A Nice Sentient Being 2004-03 Radhadesh SB 03.18.05_Interested In Opening The Gates Of Lust, Anger, & Greed_2004-03 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.5 Interested In Opening The Gates Of Lust, Anger, & Greed 2004-03 Radhadesh SB 03.18.03_Praise Of Krishna Everywhere_2004-03 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 3.18.3 Praise Of Krishna Everywhere 2004-03 Radhadesh 
SS Gaura Nitai and Chota Krishna are ready for summer;
They are lightly dressed in sleeveless upper garments, or simply in a chaddar as is the case with chota Krishna.
The mild blue of Their Lordships' outfit brings a freshness to what promised to be a warm day!
But all the Sankirtan yajnas of the book marathon and harinama brought in the rain instead.
Here's a slideshow featuring the enchanter of Cupid and She who enchants even the enchanter of Cupid.
Radha Ballabha indeed look mesmerising today.
Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits are back! After a huge reception from Australia in October 2009, they return to our shores with their innovative and engaging kirtan experience. Click here and visit www.kirtanaustralia.com for all the tour dates and details Kirtanaustralia.com brings you information on upcoming kirtan events, as well as the best audio, video, and photos of past events. So clear your hard drive and get your download folder ready. Share this story your way:          
Video and audio presentations of Vaiyasaki Das’s discourse and kirtans for Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance 2010 in Brisbane, Australia. Video compiled by Vraja Dhama Prabhu. 
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Srimad Bhagavatam 11.28.10-11 - The secret of spiritual advancement is subordination to spiritual master.
Gaura Vani and As Kindred Spirits are back! After a huge reception from Australia in October 2009, they return to our shores with their innovative and engaging kirtan experience. 
This tour includes a kirtan / yoga retreat, and several kirtan workshops for those who want to get deeper into kirtan/lead kirtan. Jan 3 – Jan 9 Murwillumbah, NSW
Kuli Mela Festival
Visit www.kulimela.com.au for further details. Jan 12 Wed – Gold Coast, 7pm
The Bhakti Centre
Suite 1c, Trust House
3070 Gold Coast Highway
Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
07 5538 3788 Jan 13 Thu – Byron Bay (feat. Mayapuris), 7pm
The Lotus Temple
1/5 Wollongbar St
Byron Bay
02 6680 8391 Jan 14 Fri – Brisbane, 7pm
Atma Yoga
Level 1, 99 Elizabeth St
Brisbane
0450 738 971 Jan 19 Wed – Sydney, 7pm
Govindas Lotus Room
112 Darlinghurst Rd
Darlinghurst
02 9380 5155 Jan 20 Thu – Sydney, 7pm
Body Mind Life Yoga
55 Foveaux St
Surry Hills
02 9211 4111 Jan 21 Fri – Gosford, 7pm
The Rhythm Hut
145/141 Erina St
02 43443658 Jan 22 – 23 Sat – Sun – Sydney
40 Hour Kirtan
ISKCON North Sydney
cnr Falcoln St and Miller St
02 9959 4558 Jan 23 Mon – Sydney
Kirtan Workshop
Venue TBA Jan 26 – Jan 30, Gold Coast
Atma Yoga Retreat feat. Gaura Vani
Visit www.atmayoga.com.au for further details. Jan 30 Sun – Murwillambah, 5pm
Hare Krishna Sunday Feast
525 Tyalgum Rd
Eungella Feb 4 Fri – Byron Bay, 7pm
The Lotus Temple
1/5 Wollongbar St
Byron Bay
02 6680 8391 Feb 5 Sat – Byron Bay, 12pm
Kirtan Workshop
The Lotus Temple
1/5 Wollongbar St
Byron Bay
02 6680 8391 Feb 11 Fri – Melbourne
Venue TBA Feb 12 Sat – Melbourne
Kirtan Workshop
Venue TBA Feb 18 Fri – Canberra
Insync Yoga Institute
14 Barker St
Griffith
02 6260 6666 Feb 19 Sat – Canberra
Kirtan Workshop
Venue TBA 
“Yes, I am proud of my connection with Srila Prabhupada, with Krishna consciousness and ISKCON and I am very open about this with the public and the media. Inevitably, with the third eye Srila Prabhupada gave us, I can sometimes see the misery that is present when we take Krishna out of the equation of our lives—especially in an insane environment such as the world of show business.” Breaking News: Havi Dasa is planning a tour to Australia…more news on that as it comes to hand. Click on the image to see the video 
Click here to find more video news like this at Dandavats.com
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 In what was the next logical step for our social media savvy temple, we are now tweeting about all that is happening here at Toronto's Hare Krishna temple. Our Twitter feed is basically linked to our blog, but will also feature some unique "tweets" along the way.
 As our blog continues to go through an exciting makeover, we are looking for enthusiastic members of our community to contribute regularly to the Toronto Krishna Blog. If you are interested in being part of our team, we'd love to hear from you!
Maybe you have some neat recipes to share, or want to upload videos, or even have some wonderfully crazy idea that we just haven't thought of. Now's your chance to contribute!
If you have some neat idea to bring to the table, or if you just want to join our semi-crazy blog team, please feel free to click here! Hare Krsna! A very nice video of Mahatma dasa and his young daughter, who has a taste for chanting...she has some very amazing realisation on Japa.
 Dear Friends, Here in Warsaw, when the sankirtan devotees returned to the temple last evening, one of them told me that while crossing the street, he had gotten hit by a car going a couple of miles an hour. Didn't hurt him, but broke his book trolley. The driver was freaked out, crying and apologising profusely. The devotee assured her he wouldn't call the police, but insisted she take a cookbook and a Bhagavad-gita. She did, plus she paid for his broken trolley. He also made her promise to read at least the Introduction to the Gita and to cook one of the preps in the cookbook for Christmas -- both of which she promised enthusiastically, so grateful not to be in serious trouble. :) All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Yours in his service, Mahadyuti dasa Tamala Krsna: Sometimes the devotees question that the Kali-yuga is advancing, and in that sense the standards are deteriorating. Yet you are preaching that "Get everyone to the position where everyone is Krsna conscious." How in the Kali-yuga advancing can everyone become Krsna conscious? Prabhupada: They do not understand. If I say, "The epidemic is increasing. You take this injection, then you can be saved. If you don't take vaccination, then you'll suffer." This is our propaganda. "You take this vaccination; you'll be saved. The epidemic is very strong." But if you think, "Now, because there is epidemic there is no other way. What is the use of taking vaccination?" This is no argument. The epidemic is there; the vaccination is there. (aside:) This is tulasi? Tell them. The disease is there; the medicine is there. So intelligent man should take the medicine, precaution, and then he'll be saved. Two things are there. Kalau nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. In Kali-yuga, if you don't take this, then there is no means of your save, safety. The two things are there. Why you are taking one thing? >>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walks -- January 22-23, 1976, Mayapura  Is it offensive for a devotee to chant his rounds outside the temple when Mangala-arati is going on inside, especially if the devotee is in the position where he is single and does not work or have any specific responsibilities to carry out during the day? Is it right to think that Mangal Arati is more of a luxury and that we should not waste time and better chant our rounds so as to finish as early as possible?
Dear Friends, Here in Warsaw, when the sankirtan devotees returned to the temple last evening, one of them told me that while crossing the street, he had gotten hit by a car going a couple of miles an hour. Didn't hurt him, but broke his book trolley. The driver was freaked out, crying and apologising profusely. The devotee assured her he wouldn't call the police, but insisted she take a cookbook and a Bhagavad-gita. She did, plus she paid for his broken trolley. He also made her promise to read at least the Introduction to the Gita and to cook one of the preps in the cookbook for Christmas -- both of which she promised enthusiastically, so grateful not to be in serious trouble. :) All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Yours in his service, Mahadyuti dasa 
For our upcoming December kirtan, we're fortunate to be having the young kirtaniya, Chakrini visit us and lead us in chanting. Chakrini, singer, songwriter and musician, has just released her new kirtan CD, Songs of the Soul. As her website (where you can also hear excerpts from the CD) describes: "A childhood and a lifetime spent immersed in sacred chants and music, has given Chakrini's devotional singing a depth that goes straight to the heart and the soul." We hope you can come and join us for and enchanting Christmas kirtan on 19th December. Sridevi dasi: You can choose to reveal who you are OR you can choose to be anonymous. The latest call will take place on WEDNESDAY, December 15th 2010 from 7-8 PM, Eastern Daylight Standard Time at 712-432-0111, Participant access code: 761698 # 
November's kirtan, led by Ranchor Prime, was unusual and interesting. Ranchor is an interesting person! As well as his work in the field of conservation, here and in India, Ranchor is an artist, a musician and a writer and publisher: this year he published his book on the ancient text Bhagavad-Gita. So this time, he spoke to us a little on the philosophy of Bhagavad Gita and led us in singing some of the Sanskrit verses from the text, something we've never done before at our kirtans, but which was inexplicably satisfying. Then we chanted some of our regular mantras, enjoying Ranchor's mellow singing and musicality and ended up with mulled apple juice and biscuits to completely satisfy the inner self.
We're grateful to Ranchor for so often taking the time to come to Oxford from London, on a Sunday, to give us the pleasure of his company and chanting. Thank you, Ranchor!
 www.sdgonline.org.  4:10 A.M.Sri Harinama Cintamani (spoken by Haridasa Thakura to Lord Caitanya and written by Bhaktivinoda Thakura): The remedy for the offense of considering the names of the demigods to be as the same as the Supreme Lord: “Illusion and madness blind the jiva, and thus he thinks that others are also on the same platform as the Supreme Lord Vishnu. The only remedy is to repent intensely and meditate on Lord Vishnu, Krishna, for by this remembrance offenses are dissolved. Thereafter, one must meticulously avoid committing the same offense again. Remembrance of the Lord is the most effective penance; the Vedas always recommend imperiled brahmanas to meditate upon the lotus feet of the Lord for protection. Remembering the Lord’s name is the same as meditating upon the lotus feet. The holy name can disperse all previous offenses for it acts as the devotee’s best friend. Lord Krishna is an ocean of mercy and forgiveness; the devotees must disassociate himself from demigod worshipers and polytheists and seek the company of devotees who exclusively worship the Supreme, Krishna, as their worshipful Lord. One who is blessed with love and devotion and takes pleasure in serving Srila Haridasa Thakura’s lotus feet will find this book Harinama Cintamani as valuable as life itself.” As with previous offenses the remedy is repentance and since this particular offense is to see the name of the demigods as the same as the Lord one must concentrate on remembering the Lord’s name and avoid the association of the demigod worshipers and polytheists. One should exclusively worship Krishna and his Supreme Lord. I woke up at 2:30 A.M. and began chanting but could not keep up a rapid pace. I am still besieged with tiredness early in the morning, even as late as 2:30. The remedy maybe is to get more sleep so that I will not be tired at the time of chanting. I’ve chanted over eight rounds but it is 4:00 A.M. If you have been guilty
of taking the names of the demigods
as equal to the name of Krishna then you
must regret this. You must
surrender to the tutelage of a guru
who is fixed on chanting Krishna
as the exclusive means of salvation.
Only by meditation on the names and
avoiding the company of polytheists
and atheists does one have a chance
of following the footsteps
of Haridasa Thakura
and chanting pure Nama Prabhu. www.sdgonline.org. 
Remembering a Friday Night Rayarama is cheerful and friendly, to break the ice: “How are you doing?” I say, “At least I’m working for Swamiji. Otherwise, I don’t see much sense in working for the welfare department anymore.” He repeats something he heard from Swamiji: “Yeah, the Swami says that there’s really no benefit in any material welfare. It’s like beating the husk of rice after the paddy has been removed. “Why don’t we go into the other room, and wait for Swamiji to do his bells?” Rayarama says. “Yeah,” I say, “but I want to first give Swamiji some typing that I finished.” Rayarama starts a conversation with Madhusudana. Madhusudana’s face is covered with white dots where Swamiji told him to cover his pimples with tilaka. Rayarama says, “Madhusudana, is your father going to bring butter again? Because Swamiji says tomorrow he wants to show us how to cook. He’s going to make puris, so we need butter.” “Yeah, well, my father usually comes by every Saturday at ten with the butter,” said Madhusudana. I go into Prabhupada’s inner room with my typing. There’s no one in there. I take out the typing and check it over again, count the numbers of the pages and see that it’s all right and then I briefly think of the essay. It was “Krishna, The Reservoir of Pleasure.” I sit and look at his tin suitcase which is his desk, and the mat that he sits on, and the picture of Krishna standing on the world. Glancing to the left through the glass window into the other room, I see Jadurani painting and singing Hare Krishna to herself. I heard Hayagriva’s loud voice. Umapati says, “Yeah, it’s a new language called ‘sansgratification!’” The Mott Street boys are goofing off. Swamiji comes out of the bathroom and comes into his room. I make obeisances and see his bare feet. He says, “You have finished some typing?” I present it to him. “Yes, Swamiji, it’s a wonderful essay. I really like the part where you say the chanting of Hare Krsna is nondifferent from Krishna and it’s the source of all pleasure.” Prabhupada listens attentively while I describe the essay. “Yes,” Swamiji says. “Everything is in the chanting.” I take in his words with thirst and hunger. Swamiji says, “Even philosophy is not necessary if we could simply chant. Or course, we can’t do that. I have so many activities for you boys to do but the chanting is sufficient.” He looks over the typing I did. “Very good. So we will print this. Gargamuni is distributing them in the shops.” Brahmananda comes in, and my moment alone with Swamiji dissolves. Brahmananda has just seen a building at Prabhupada’s request. They talk about it briefly and then Swamiji says, “Tomorrow we’re going to teach the boys how to cook for the love feast.” I say, “I’d like to come too.” “Yes,” Swamiji says, “of course. Do you know how to roll puris?”
www.sdgonline.org. In the eight-grade autograph book
she signed, “In the breadbox of your
affections, regard me as a crumb.”
What did it meant and what does
in mean in my connection to Krishna? Does it mean I love you very much, but
I’m so lowly that I can’t claim
to be your lover? Or does it mean
I think so little of you; you can
consider me as just a crumb, I think
of you as just a crumb? I have no talent, I have no
ardor, I have no knowledge
how to love You. I couldn’t care
less? You are just a crumb out
of the whole loaf? No! I prefer to pray like Lord Caitanya,
“Please place me as an atom of dust at
Your lotus feet. Please give me a place. If You retain me
as just a crumb I’ll consider it a great honor.” Sometimes I’m so negligent
in my japa, so tired
rolling off mechanically I take the holy names as just mechanical
and throw them in the garbage pail or
crush them into coffee grinds. But I don’t want that.
I want to be dear to You
even if it’s just like an atom of foot-dust
I want to cling to You. I see these demons trying to
shake me off, trying to make me
lazy and indifferent
to You. They take their pleasure
in cutting You from my heart.
But I can fight to hang on,
I am praying to You in my
poems and japa and lectures
and care for devotees. I’m
trying to hang on to
Prabhupada’s dhoti. “In the breadbox of your affections
regard me as a crumb.” Make
the meaning that I know I’m tiny
but I regard You as delicious
and in Your next loaf I want to
be a big centerpiece tasting
the aroma and distributing it to pious
holy people and to the people
of homeless Food for Life. When I was nine years old I
heard the expression that bread
is the “staff of life” and it
appealed to me. Let me understand
its spiritual meaning and take
part
in vigorous distribution
and consumption.
www.sdgonline.org. 
Closer to Christmas I continued to be sleepy when I get up in the morning and don’t chant in a very chipper fashion. I decided to push my morning rising a half hour later, to 3:00 A.M, because I don’t seem to be gaining time by earlier writing. Also my free-writing in the afternoon is sometimes sleepy, and I’m illegible in my penmanship so I’m thinking of trying to take a serious nap after lunch, then I can get up and write brighter, perhaps. Some time-management problem is going on. And this upcoming week is going to be stressful with a trip to Philadelphia and the Vyasa-puja talk. I decided on my topic for the first main talk. I’ll be paraphrasing the Srimad-Bhagavatam section where Vyasadeva expresses his dissatisfaction with his writing and Narada Muni tells him the remedy. It’s a good topic for a writer. Actually it’s not a writing topic, it’s about Krishna consciousness and how you have to meditate on the platform of personal glorification and service to Sri Krishna. “Do you think you can be happy without directly glorifying the Supreme Lord, prabhu?” It’s a great breakthrough for Vyasadeva and he sits by the Sarasvati and thinks of Krishna and has a realization of everything, the Lord, the energies, the anomalies of the age (bad stuff that’s coming and the remedy for it all). A wonderful section. It requires faith to believe what actually happens in this section, glorification of Krishna. It is such a simple religious thing but that’s the answer to according to Narada and Krishna. But my own writing, was it just the opposite? Free-writing? First thoughts are best thoughts? Freedom is the main pivot. Interesting question. I did become more satisfied when I started writing in a freer fashion rather than a straight parampara, Srimad-Bhagavatam essays for Back to Godhead magazine. The free books and than what to speak of the painting brought me satisfaction. A creative approach to Krishna consciousness. Traveling and preaching in Europe and taking breaks for writing retreats. A book called The End of The Year. High powered writing practice. Then the long volumes of Every Day Just Write, some seventy volumes, humongous prolificity. I don’t say it was wrong. Straight books too. Three volumes of My Letters From Prabhupada, Prabhupada Meditations volumes and Sanatorium in a stiff slap on the wrist. Then into the web journal and My Dear Lord Krishna: A Book of Poems. Where are you now? Writing poems and straight parampara stuff. And these writing session excerpts. So you are still alive. Poems in a pad. I hope we continue to have good relations. I don’t feel I need to go to India. But I need to think of Krishna. “I wanna hold your hand,” “She loves you,” Beatlemania. Krishna is the topmost person. Why isn’t He featured more in Christian gifts and dolls and TV shows and everything. Santa Claus and the religion of the son of Joseph. Narada has a kind of an anxiety about revealing Krishna’s secrets. He wants to do it because he wants Krishna to be known as soon as possible so he spills the beans, but Krishna and Balarama just laugh mildly and say, “Okay, we will go to Mathura and see what happens there.” China and Iran and North Korea want to take over the whole world. The USA has a righteous imperialistic, capitalistic look in its eyes. “Don’t touch my junk.” The email man wrote about the airline security patting you down to see if you are carrying guns and books. Do you know what I’m talking about?
Below is an insteresting article from the Montreal Gazette. It is about a business success story that was compelled through the preaching of a Hare Krishna devotee. Inder Bedi was convinced to go vegetarian and he has spun that into a line of vegan products which are now distributed through high end retailers. To his credit, he gives credit to the Hare Krishna devotee who began his journey.  Vegan compassion is in the bag Matt and Nat's Inder Bedi
By Eva Friede, Gazette Style Editor
MONTREAL - Inder Bedi has often told the story of how he built a handbag empire on compassion. The 37-year-old founder of Matt & Nat vegan accessories was asked at age 18 by a Hare Krishna priest to go vegetarian for 30 days:
“And it changed my whole life,” he says.
Almost 20 years later, Bedi’s Via Vegan company is thriving, although he won’t provide numbers. His faux leather bags, belts and wallets under the Matt & Nat label are sold in Canada, the U.S., U.K., Italy, Germany, France and elsewhere – in perhaps thousands of shops, Bedi allowed.
“It’s not about the numbers. It’s about the people that we touch. I meet someone who says, ‘I love what you guys stand for,’ ’’ Bedi said at a Holt Renfrew event, where five bloggers took up the challenge to style a mannequin using a Matt & Nat bag exclusive to the department store.
Naturally, there was no shrimp or chicken at the event, but tofu in cucumber, lentil salad in bamboo boats and avocado on chips. And the bloggers were not allowed to use real leather or fur in their stylings, with items gleaned from the third floor of the store.
The store staged the event to put the spotlight on bloggers and as part of a plan to promote local design.
Bedi was in the news recently when a former employee complained that the company violated her rights as a non-vegetarian by banning meat and fish on company premises.
“I think she’s entitled to her opinion,’’ he said. “When people are hired, they are made aware of the meatless policy on the premises.”
Most employees are not vegetarian, he said, noting many companies around the world are adopting meatless Monday policies.
“The United Nations a couple of years ago came out with a report saying the best thing you can do for the environment is adopt a vegetarian lifestyle,’’ he said.
He said he is vegan for “compassion, for love, for everything that’s living, breathing.’’
The bags are not shiny, cheap synthetics. Some cost as much as $300, and the materials are soft and supple. One called Stardust resembles soft metallic suede; another fabric looks like tie-dye denim, but is sturdy leather-like material. All use at least one recycled material; some bags have a tag saying 21 recycled plastic bottles went into the making of the item.
The industry has come a long way, Bedi said of the fabric development.
“We work with labs in Japan and Korea trying to push the envelope. Linings are now made out of recycled water bottles,’’ he added.
Jocelyne Hamel, the handbag buyer for Browns, noted the high prices because of the costly material, saying some are too high for their customers, although spring styles will be more affordable.
The bags are useful, not too fashionable – everyday bags for every season. “They are colourful and animal friendly, of course,’’ she said. “They have their own style.’’
The company has also collaborated with Apple, designing a line of laptop bags including the Mantra, $110, and the Ritual, $180, both available on Apple’s website.
Bedi, who employs about 20 workers at his Chabanel St. headquarters and manufactures in the Orient, attributes his success to passion for design and his “incredible team that works to push the envelope every season and give people great value.’’
“I think it’s the fact that we are authentic.”
Asked what he means by authentic, Bedi responded, “I started this business because I wanted to prove to myself, to the world that we could do beautiful products and still stand for compassion.
“I don’t think it’s a destination – it’s a journey. We’re always working at it. It’s been a hell of a ride. It’s been fun.’’
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Vegan+compassion+Matt+Inder+Bedi/3971226/story.html#ixzz186etmLKs
1967 December 14: "We should remain everlastingly a fool before the bonafide Spiritual Master. Not artificially but feelingly for as soon as one thinks that he is wiser man than the Spiritual Master he is surely doomed."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967
1968 December 14: "What kind of help do you want from them? They are already not cooperating. She has hung a sign, Gaudiya Math. So make clear to me exactly what sort of help you want to get and I will advise yo."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1972 December 14: "In the beginning we follow the principles. The more one becomes perfect at following the principles, the more his relationship with Krishna becomes manifest. Following Gopis comes in the perfectional stage. First come to the perfectional stage, then you talk of Gopis."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 December 14: "First of all ask the GBC men. If they cannot satisfy you, then you may ask me. But I have answered these questions many times, why you are not learning these things?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 December 14: "So why we should think like this? Saktyavesa Avatara means a living entity, but he is specially empowered. Not that he is Krishna. But on account of his exalted position the Spiritual Master is honoured as much as Krishna. Not that he is Krishna. That is Mayavadi."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 December 14: "There is fighting and making politics in the temple. How I can judge from here? But we must always be enthusiastic to serve, that's a fact, so much so that we gradually reduce eating and sleeping and save time for Krishna's service."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1973 December 14: "Try to convince them to return and work cooperatively. I am not at all pleased at what they have done, but if they return let us forget what has happened and go forward."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1973 December 14: "The whole world is going to hell and everyone is suffering. How can we argue amongst one another and neglect our responsibility for reclaiming the fallen souls for going Back to Home, Back to Godhead."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1968 December 13 : "Take instructions from your god-brother, chant your sixteen rounds daily, follow all regulations strictly, and you will have all blessings from the disciplic succession."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968:
1969 December 13 : "What people in general will understand about Radha-Krishna Lila? Radha-Krishna Lila belongs to the fourth stage of understanding, and we are publishing for people in the first stage. Always remember this."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969
1970 December 13 : "Kali Yuga is the fallen age undoubtedly. Keep yourself brave and fit to face the situation with faith in Krsna and Spiritual Master. Let us do something tangible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1972 December 13 : "We are not after so many centers, but we want to make pure devotees of Krishna, that is all. Better one temple with sufficient strong men than many temples with few strong men."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 December 13 : "So aim yourself at the top-class of men and give them every opportunity to become convinced and engage them to their satisfaction. That will be the best contribution. Now spread this idea also to the other leaders."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 December 13 : "Make big, big propaganda. Attract the public to hear our views and plans. You have got the best brains, now cooperate to place this Krishna Consciousness movement at the front of all others, that is my request."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 December 13 : "Real acting art is catching the ears. Emphasis should be given to the words of Bhagavat, they are spiritual and will have powerful effect. Now go on with your work and try to do something wonderful."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 December 13 : "My authorities and so-called officers, they sometimes order in such a way that everything becomes topsy-turvy. So you may write to me your grievance - what can I do?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1973 December 13 : "Do not fall victim to this sentimental idea. The 'communal form of Krsna Consciousness' which you mention is not approved by me. It is all concoction. That is not our dharma."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1973 December 13 : "They have done the wrong thing. It is fall down on their parts. You should not go to join them. We must vigorously preach the Krsna Consciousness philosophy to the world. That is the real spirit of Lord Caitanya's Movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
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The Ice and the Sun
Halifax, Nova Scotia
They lay overlapped in cuts like pizza slices all along its edge. They had no topping; thin, snow frosted and ever so fragile pieces of ice lining the East River. By 8:30 Saturday evening I had to excuse myself from the evening's events, being fatigued from a flu. At midnight I was up for a 10 kilometer loop starting from the river. That soothing ice embracing the river bank was a gap of a contrast to the thumping gut music pulsating from the downtown of New Glasgow, across the East River. Like two cultures juxtaposed, nature was soft, cool and sleeping in silence and the other hot, sweaty confused passions of humans.
It was a new day, officially anyway, although dark as I paced along the 10k loop. The rare human encounter was some youth who successfully hid their joints, but not the aroma, upon seeing me.
"How's it going, guys?" I asked
" Oh, pretty good!" ( with a giggle)
The loop was walked and two hours later it was time to retire until the sun came to vanish the frosty slices of ice.
Two neighboring couples came to the home of my host, Dr. Jal. The preparation for an ambitious brunch kept just about everyone occupied until it was time to eat, talk, and then drive to Halifax's yoga center, the Sunday meeting spot for the devotees, yogis, and just about anyone who wanted to experience the beat of a different drum. Today was indeed different.
Struggling with controlling the small fire from altering and setting off the sprinkler system, Manu, the priest set himself up for day two of a rites of passage. This was the first indoor fire ceremony for diksha in Nova Scotia.
Diksha refers to accepting a guru as guide, and the candidate was Stefina, our sixty-five year young lady from Holland. I say "young" because she does have this innocence of a young Alice in Wonderland. She looked vibrant.
Her first mentor, Jaya Kesava, a monk from Liberia, relayed to me that when she met him on the street in Halifax, she dismissed his mission by saying " this bhakti culture is of the heart, I'm of the head." A practicing Buddhist, Stefina made her proclamation but she did come to see the monks for Sunday feast. From then on she kept visiting, and now after two years she is in a new spot. She's born again, in a sense.
Her new name is Savitri Dasi. She will always stand in the sun. Savitri is the name of the sun god's consort.
10KM
Madhava Dasa kirtan
The Gosvamis, especially Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, strictly followed all the regulative principles. The first regulative principle is that one must chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra loudly enough so that he can hear himself, and one must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Antya 11.24
Be indifferent to bazaar gossips, stick firmly to your cherished goals, no lack or impediments of the world will ever stand in your way. - Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
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