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"Planet ISKCON" - 40 new articles
- H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Thursday 24 February 2011--Deathlessness in a World of Death--and--Simultaneously Humble and Respected
- Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Recipe : English Rose Vegan Lemon Cupcakes
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Tamal Krishna Maharaja's Disappearance Anniversary
- Japa Group: Do You Have Love For It
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
- ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class -Parividha Prabhu
- Kurma dasa, AU: Christchurch
- Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Tolerate disturbances
- Akrura das, Gita Coaching: GITA COACHING AT GOLOKA DHAMA, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 2010
- Matsyavatara das (ACBSP), Italy: My first meeting with my Guru Maharaja: His Holiness A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada -PART 1/2- Di Matsyavatara dasa (Marco Ferrini)
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- Srila Prabhupada's Letters
- H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10, Chapter 2, Text 34
- Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THE SCIENCE OF THE MIND
- Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Without Human Feelings We cannot Love God
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 229
- H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem, February 22
- Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Bhajan - 24hr Kirtan - Mukunda Datta das - 3/26
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Honouring Sri Purusottama Das Thakura
- Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: In the News: Hare Krishna Community is Thriving
- Mayapur Online: Have a festival performed on your behalf in Mayapur!
- Mayapur Online: Mayapur Academy- Gaura Purnima Festival Courses
- Dandavats.com: “The Bhagavad-Gita as it never was” Praghosa Prabhu’s book distribution adaptation of the first two chapters of the Bhagavad-gita (GBC meeting)
- Mayapur Online: Srimad Bhagavatam Class- Live from Mayapur
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: Praghosa Prabhu’s book distribution adaptation of the first two chapters of the Bhagavad-gita (GBC meeting)
- H.H. Sivarama Swami: How is it possible that the deities of Christchurch, the Supreme Controllers could have been damaged beyond repair in yesterday’s earthquake
- Dandavats.com: GBC AGM Report- February 20th, 2011
- Japa Group: When He Chants Properly
- Japa Group: Japa - Kirtan Retreat Part 9
- Vraja Kishor, JP: Getting the Right Guru
- Vraja Kishor, JP: Tending the Garden of Your Heart
- Gouranga TV: Sri Radha Raman temple
- H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Quote Of Guru Maharaja
- Bhakti Lata, Alachua, USA: Welcome to Mayapur
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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Thursday 24 February 2011--Deathlessness in a World of Death--and--Simultaneously Humble and Respected
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(TM) Thursday 24 February 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. Today's Thought: Deathlessness in a World of Death Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA There is one certain thing about this material world. It is a place of death. We never know when death will strike. We hope it will never happen to us. But sooner or later each of us will face the ultimate inevitable disaster, death. It may come with a warning, as in the case of someone who succumbs to a terminal disease. Or it may come unexpectedly like the earthquake which several days ago ravaged Christchurch, New Zealand killing so many people. This is why there is no greater necessity than coming to the platform of deathlessness by reviving our dormant Krishna consciousness. Sankarshan Das Adhikari P.S. ISKCON's temple and deities in Christchurch were destroyed by the earthquake. For more information about ISKCON Christchurch go to: http://news.iskcon.org/node/3451 Powerful Earthquake Brings Death to Many in Christchurch, New Zealand http://www.backtohome.com/images/christchurch_2011_earthquake.jpg Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Simultaneously Humble and Respected Please accept my humble obeisances. May your mercy and blessings always be on me. How can a person be humble and command respect at the same time? Sunil Answer: Lamb at Home and Lion in the Chase In world history it is the humble sages who ultimately command the most respect. The great saintly teachers are remembered long after the scientists, politicians, rock stars, and sports stars are forgotten. So if you cultivate the perfect humility of complete surrender to the will of Krishna, you will command great respect wherever you go all over the world. But please understand that humility does not mean to accept all the cheating and dishonesty that is currently running rampant all over the world. Rather it means to serve the Lord's desire by fighting vehemently against it. Humility means to push forward the Krishna consciousness movement with great determination and enthusiasm all over the world for the deliverance of the suffering humanity from illusion and suffering. It means to bravely fight the darkness which has covered the eyes of all. The humble sage is a lamb before Guru and Krishna, but he is a lion when dealing with the ignorance which has blinded the entire human society. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. If you have extra frequent flier miles that you can donate to support our mission, please send an email for more information to:givemiles@backtohome.com Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed:http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:
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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Recipe : English Rose Vegan Lemon Cupcakes
English Rose Vegan Cupcakes
As you may know, I am a bit of an Anglophile, with a moderate case of Francophilia thrown in to keep things Continental. So when I came across this rose cake (or, if you prefer to eat in French, gateau de roses), I bookmarked it for future reference.
Despite being hopelessly American, I still run with a pack of Brits. Rarely a day goes by that my ear is not tickled by the Queen’s English. Trousers. Knickers. Rubbers. Bullocks. Bloody hell!
So there is this new work thing I am getting into that has its roots in England. I was working on it the other day and it and it really inspired me to re-visit this bookmarked cake! I want to tackle it for my daughter’s birthday, but in the meantime, I thought I would give it a go with the cupcake version. Even if you can’t garden or strike an accent pose like Madge, you can make these charming little cakes!
I used a 1M tip, as per I Am Baker’s tutorial instructions. For the cake part, I tweaked the PPK gals’ basic vanilla cupcake recipe, as well as their buttercream. Thanks, Isa and Terry. Love you!
Scroll down for the recipe.
These cupcakes were directly inspired by I Am Baker's rose layer cake.
The recipe I used was adapted from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. Instead of canola oil or margarine, I used softened organic virgin coconut oil with very good results.
Winter is the time for seasonal fruit in Florida. Right now citrus is still going strong. Lemon extract and finely grated zest made these English rose decorated cupcakes even more British by giving a nod to very British marmalade. Or some such rationalization...
My work bench. The baby was in the sling the entire time. And yes, she did end up frosted.
ENGLISH ROSE VEGAN LEMON CUPCAKES
Equipment
Cupcake Ingredients
Vegan Buttercream Ingredients
Directions for Cupcakes
Directions for Frosting
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Tamal Krishna Maharaja's Disappearance Anniversary
The anniversary of His Holiness Tamal Krishna Maharaja's disappearance falls on Sunday March the 6th.
His disciples and well-wishers will celebrate in the temple theatre from 11am.
Please join us.• Email to a friend •
Japa Group: Do You Have Love For It
Recently I read an article written by Satsvarupa Maharaja - he was asking himself the following questions.Do you pay attention to Hare Krishna mantra when you chant? Do you have love for it?This got me thinking about my own chanting and how much I have love for chanting - the answer was yes and no. Yes I like to chant, I wouldn't say I love to chant but I like it and I love it when I feel the Lord's spiritual energy.It's an important point....we need to feel the spiritual energy of the Lord when we chant and then we will love chanting our Japa - and how do we get this reciprocation from the Lord? We need to give attention and give respect to Krsna (who is present in the Holy names) - then Krsna has something to reciprocate with.• Email to a friend •
ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
Sri Sri Jagannatha's and Baladeva's turbans turned the heads of many this morning. May They also turn our hearts... towards Them!
And see how little Krishna is proudly showing off His flute garland, made purely from jasmine, while nobly posing next to His stunning consort with Her crown bedecked with jasmine also.
As for Chota Gaura Nitai it is the blooming frangipanis that They take pride in, and for Chota Jagannatha and His brother and sister, it's the intoxicating marigolds.
Here is the darsana of Their Lordships on another pearly and flowery day.• Email to a friend •
ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class -Parividha Prabhu
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.31.12 - Krsna is not visible to the non-believers and to those who have not developed full faith in Him.
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Kurma dasa, AU: Christchurch
If you follow the news you will be aware of the terrible devastation by earthquake to the city of Christchurch, New Zealand.
I have a number of friends there and have been keeping up with the reports from the shattered city. Apart from minor injuries, all my friends are alive.
The Hare Krishna Temple there has been pretty much destroyed, including the sacred inner sanctum. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those that are suffering.
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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Tolerate disturbances
As long as the body is there it is subjected to the influence of climatic changes, disease and natural disturbances, the threefold miseries of material existence. We cannot avoid them. Sometimes we receive letters from neophyte devotees questioning why they have fallen sick, although pursuing Krsna consciousness. They should learn from this verse that they have to become tolerant (dvandva-titiksaya). This is the world of duality. One should not think that because he has fallen sick he has fallen from Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness can continue without impediment from any material opposition. Lord Sri Krsna therefore advises in Bhagavad-gita (2.14), tams titiksasva bharata: "My dear Arjuna, please try to tolerate all these disturbances. Be fixed in your Krsna conscious activities."
>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 4.22.24
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: GITA COACHING AT GOLOKA DHAMA, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 2010
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Matsyavatara das (ACBSP), Italy: My first meeting with my Guru Maharaja: His Holiness A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Shrila Prabhupada -PART 1/2- Di Matsyavatara dasa (Marco Ferrini)
In the summer of 1976 I was in India, on the Himalaya. I was seriously interested in the philosophy of the sage Patanjali (yoga sutra) and I was living in an ashram in a very austere way, where I studied attentively from dawn to sunset. There nobody knew who I was; I was 31, unmarried and in excellent health. In Europe I was living a period of great material success. In Italy I had founded six companies and I was considered one of the most famous furniture designers in the world. Plenty of money, fame, and a social life studded with VIPs no longer satisfied me, rather the feeling of solitude even among my crowd of anonymous "friends" saddened me. I felt I was wasting my best years in vain and that I was moving in a direction that was completely the opposite of my aspirations. So in 1974, to everyone's great surprise, I gave a turning point to my life: with great caution I selected my friends, eliminated many worldly commitments and directed my interests more and more towards introspection. I found worldly literature nauseating, even if it was written by the most famous authors. Though I had taken part in the student movement in 1968, I had by now lost interest in their requests, which had been betrayed and politicised. Verbal and political violence, sex and drugs, had destroyed the movement's ideals of freedom and fairness, causing it to degenerate in an unacceptable and definitive way. With this state of mind, I was losing interest in the hedonistic, materialistic western culture and, thanks to some material I had read, was starting to look towards the Orient. Likewise, the course of my travels also changed and instead of going to Paris or New York, I began visiting China and India until I finally put into focus the barycentre of my research: My interest was concentrated more and more on the spiritual. I found Vedic literature very interesting, and among this, Patanjali's "Yoga Sutra" was my favorite book. In 1976 I went to India for the third time, resolved to find a satisfying answer to my existential questions. During this, as well as my previous sojourns, I had visited many ashrams and met many yogis and gurus but none of them inspired me deeply, nor did they convince me as much as I had expected. I began to think that I was not yet ready or did not have the "correct vision" and that I would have to purify myself through study and an ascetic life. I was convinced that by doing so God would reveal to me with clarity the path to follow. In this mood, I went to an anonymous ashram to "prepare" myself for spiritual research. This same year, at the end of August in the ashram I have just mentioned, I made friends with a brahmachari of my age, who looked intelligent and ascetic. We both attended the classes on Vedanta-sutra, studying together nd talking about our aspirations. Early one day, he told me gravely: " If you want to be happy you have to devote your life to Krishna and in order to do so you must meet Shrila Prabhupada personally, since he can introduce you to Krishna. Leave this place, go to Vrindavana and speak with Prabhupada". I had never heard anything about this Swami and the figure of Krishna, as it was presented in the Bhagavad-gita that I had read, did not impressed me much. Struck by my friend's attitude, I asked him for more explanations and he replied that he was a Vaishnava and that he was there to preach. We started to talk about Krishna and Prabhupada and one of the first things he told me, was that the Bhagavad-gita I had read was not authentic and that Krishna can be revealed only by one of His pure devotees which was why I should have immediately gone to meet Prabhupada in Vrindavana. We stopped attending the classes on Vedanta and we regularly met on the banks of the Ganges. We would chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and I would listen to him recount Krishna's and Prabhupada's pastimes. On August 27th we affectionately parted ways and I left for Vrindavana in search of Prabhupada. I did not know exactly where Vrindavana was, nor how far it was from where I was at the present. I knew only that I had to meet Prabhupada, who would introduce me to Krishna.In this manner, thinking intensively of Prabhupada, my trip began. I left that ashram and travelled up to Haridwara, from there I took a train to Delhi, then another to Mathura, from there I took a tanga (a cart drawn by a horse) to Vrindavana. I got to Vrindavan in the early afternoon and under an implacable sun I immediately began to look for Srila Prabhupada. I only knew that he was in a Krishna temple in Vrindavana, so I asked the driver candidly to take me to the temple of Krishna. He took me to innumerable Krishna temples, where I entered and asked about Prabhupada, but even from my first impressions, I knew I was not yet in the right place. After hours spent going in and out of many temples, the tanga driver lost his temper, afraid that I was making fun of him and would never pay him, after a series of threats, he threw my baggage in the middle of the street. I was in Vrindavana, now I knew there were thousands of Krishna temples and more then one person who was claiming to be Prabhupada, but I did not know in which temple my Prabhupada was. I was alone, tired, hungry, sitting on my luggage in the middle of a dusty street, the passerbys watching me curiously. My poor knowledge of English was not of much help. Since I was standing near a fence, after a while I decided to knock on it's large iron gate, which opened at once. A bright, clean devotee appeared and I asked him the same information I had already implored so many times that afternoon: "I am looking for Srila Prabhupada...", from the open gate I could see a coloured temple and a beautiful garden and even before the devotee answered, I felt I was in the right place. The devotee, who was Italian, invited me to come in and seeing my condition, he prepared me a room where I could rest and wash, then he told me that after taking prasada, I could meet Srila Prabhupada. I was extremely happy: I felt safe and my faith in the protection of Prabhupada and Krishna was increasing. Once I had recovered from my tiredness, the devotees informed me that Prabhupada had left for Delhi the day before, therefore the following day I also left for Delhi. Before leaving, I asked the temple president to write me a letter of introduction. When I arrived in Delhi, it was very late at night: I was to meet Prabhupada the next morning.• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1969 February 23: "Preach the message of Krishna Consciousness exactly as you have heard it from your Spiritual Master. The philosophy and spirit of the disciplic succession must not be changed but adjustments may be made for special circumstances."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1970 February 23: "The new boys should be taken care of very nicely. Always remember, we are in the kingdom of Maya, unless we are very, very careful in our dealings, there is always chance of falling down. Teach the new boys by practical example, and try to preach Sankirtana as far as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1971 February 23: "In 1875 Bhaktivinoda Thakura predicted that someone would come very soon who would individually preach this cult all over the world. So if his benediction and my Guru Maharaja's blessings are there, we can go ahead without any impediment but all of us must be very sincere and serious."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1966 February 23:
"Today no letter received. Meeting was held the collection $6.00. Today signed by the floating members, International Institute of God Consciousness. Mrs. Leblanc took away the tape recording for writing Introduction to Geetopanishad."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1967 February 23: "I hope you have received the goods from India via Jaladuta. You keep one Mrdanga and six pairs of cymbals and the balance may be sent here at once. We are arranging kirtana programme at different places. The Mrdanga and cymbals will increase the dignity of kirtana."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1970 February 23: "I am very glad that the final manuscript of KRSNA Book now reads very well. Thank you very much. I am enclosing a preface which I have written for Krsna Book. Please edit nicely and send one copy of the edited version back to me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1971 February 23: "We are negotiating for a plot of land on the University campus. If we can establish a seat of learning there, students may take their doctorate degree in Krishna Consciousness and go out and preach all over the world. It is my hope that more and more college campuses will follow."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971• Email to a friend •
Srila Prabhupada's Letters
1971 February 23: "As far as cooperating with my Godbrothers is concerned, that is not very urgent business. My Godbrothers have thus far regularly not cooperated with me and by the grace of my Spiritual Master, things are still going ahead."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971• Email to a friend •
H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10, Chapter 2, Text 34
FOLLOWING IS A LECTURE ON THE SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM CANTO 10, CHAPTER 2, TEXT 34 GIVEN BY HIS HOLINESS BHAKTI CARU SWAMI IN ISKCON TOWACO, USA, ON 05 MAY 2009. Transcription : Her Grace Ranga Radhika Dasi Editing : Her Grace Hemavati Radhika Dasi Audio : http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?q=f&f=%2F02_-_ISKCON_Swamis%2FHis_Holiness_Bhakti_Caru_Swami%2FSrimad_Bhagavatam Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Om [...]
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THE SCIENCE OF THE MIND
One who is not connected with the Supreme [in Krsna consciousness] can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?
The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence.
Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence [Krsna consciousness] and thus -- by spiritual strength -- conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust.
When one's intelligence, mind, faith and refuge are all fixed in the Supreme, then one becomes fully cleansed of misgivings through complete knowledge and thus proceeds straight on the path of liberation.
One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.
For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.
From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the self.
Bhagavad-gita• Email to a friend •
Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Without Human Feelings We cannot Love God
“Those who think that devotion to God and kindness to the jivas are mutually different from each other, and perform accordingly in their life, such persons will not be able to follow the devotional culture. Their performance is only a semblance of devotion. Therefore, all the types of beneficence to others, like kindness, friendliness, forgiveness, charity, respect, etc. are included in Bhakti. Charity of medicines, clothes, food, water, etc. shelter during adversities, teaching of academic and spiritual education, etc. are the activities included in the devotional culture.”
Aphorisms of the Truth – by Bhaktivinoda Thakura
“If we are without human feelings we cannot love God in the way in which we are meant to love Him – as men. If we do not respond to human affection we cannot be loved by God in the way in which He has willed to love us – with the Heart of the Man, Jesus Who is God, the Son of God, and the anointed Christ.”
Thomas Merton. Thoughts in Solitude. (New York: Farrar, Strauss, Giroux). p.13
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 229
EXPLANATION OF THE TEXT:
At present I am working on an autobiographical project. The writing of this project goes slowly, and I cannot write enough to print it every day. Therefore, I am posting daily a book called Every Day, Just Write. A book by that title was printed many years ago but it was heavily edited. I am now posting the unedited edition, which is fresh reading, and I am confident my readers will like it. So please note that this journal is telling of things that happened in 1996, and it is not a journal of my present day’s activities. Presently I am quietly writing my autobiographical text, and when it is finished I will print it.
Every Day, Just Write, Volume I: Welcome Home to the One Big Book of Your Life
November 23, 1996
3:38 A.M.You have accepted the post of spiritual master. Now help them, free them from death. Or else stop this farce. That is a full-time engagement, taking care of disciples. Then why don’t you prepare study guides and outlines and give them instructions? I do some of that, but more important is to be truthful. Help them in any way I can. That usually means repeating things I’ve heard Srila Prabhupada say. Because we all accept him. But I have to be honest. You see, I ask myself, “Do you pay attention to Hare Krishna mantra when you chant? Do you have love for it? If not, why do you so often give lectures and little talks on chanting?”
You say it’s very important. But you yourself don’t know anything about it. You just chant because it’s your duty, and you’ve been doing it for so long you don’t dare think of stopping. Maybe I do have a little taste and devotion. Don’t deny it, chant, chant. I like the idea of making prayers by calling on God’s names. Lord Caitanya says that the holy name is Krishna Himself. I want to study this science and present it, even if I don’t apply it to myself successfully. Call it theoretical academic study, it’s a theology, and we share it, teach it. You don’t always have to always put yourself on the spot. Teach it, teach what Ramananda Raya said to Lord Caitanya, and how the Lord said, “That is external,” and the way He rejected the imperfect things that Ramananda Raya said. Just teach the subject matter without always analyzing to death the teacher, yourself.
So self-help and art and devotional service, and writing for the sake of writing. And rest and be okay and try to have a nice day. Today I speak to them, and tomorrow also.
Therapy
Here is the therapist. She/he says, “Move your
arm. Now relax your body, foot by
foot. Now clear your mind of emotions. Now just be yourself, and like a good science student, examine the damage of your pain.
It’s okay? All pain gone?
No? Well, maybe you didn’t do it right. Try again.
Keep practicing with this tape, and buy some more. We will also send you a wristwatch that denotes the temperature rising when you meditate.”
That’s therapy and art, now let’s do devotional service, mad-gatenantar-atmana.
It’s only by devotion. By even a slight
touch of impersonalism, devotion flees. Faultfinding, especially blasphemy
against God and scriptures and holy men
is very bad. You read too many cynical poems,
and you’ll wind up in hell,
which they don’t believe in.
They believe only in their own ego
and their jokes, and publishing, and especially
in sex pleasure, trees, and favorite words,
and friends and booze
and discipline for writing craft,
and editor friends,
and most of them work in colleges.But devotion you learned from your spiritual master,
and it’s best you keep away from others because
that’s the ninth offense—to teach the glories
of the Lord to faithless. Also don’t teach intimate pastimes
of Krishna, and don’t eat meat or have illicit sex.
But be calm and work for Krishna.After writing a poem, Henry knew he would get drowsy by sitting in the comfortable chair, fingering his beads. Today he’s prepared to wash his face, even if it smears his tilaka. He’s got to keep sleep away. He knows. Of course if he “snaps,” it should only be for fifteen minutes at most. Better to stay awake and alive. You can do that in a variety of ways. If reading scriptures is too heavy for you, read your own, or read and look at pictures of self-taught art. Draw pictures, but don’t try to make them nice. Just let the hand do it. You don’t even have to finish up with explicit KC content, although that’s really what I want. Those pictures are best.
Empty your wastebasket, pinch yourself awake and alive. Sit before the altar and chant, and if bad thoughts come then you know what’s happening. If the stopwatch counts off fifteen minutes before you finish your round, you know you are not much. You want birthday praises and presents. You want ten thousand dollars for what? You’re lucky to go to India another time and not lose your passport or yourself.
You’ll speak of Cc. I know. You think you’re pretty good at that, but you are a sad cat. And the rasika guru cannot help you now because you won’t let him. Go love the one master and pray not to get so low. Please lift me up and let me remember you at best. You preach to all kinds of people such as businessmen at their club in Calcutta. You hit home, telling them that business is all right, but it must be dovetailed to Krishna. And you must care for the next life. Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
I approve of the writing and the way you spend your time, even the relaxing and the gazing out the window in Krishna’s kingdom of Lough Erne. And you go to see Radha-Govinda. I approve. I ask you only to continue it and hear the sastra as Lord Brahma said, from a self-realized soul. That is the first of Ramananda Raya’s suggestions which Lord Caitanya accepted. But even that He said, “Now go from this to Krishna-prema.” Ramananda Raya went on, but Lord Caitanya didn’t talk of that publicly, and neither should we.
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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem, February 22
Your poem is alive
with French toast for
breakfast. You overcome
your blues by writing
episodes about ISKCON
and in the Navy even though
the latter was prison,
writing from a distance
is freedom.Baladeva is out to the
doctor, and you are
alone in the house
listening to your heartbeats.You heard today this simple standard that
Lord Caitanya accepted,
I was previously taught
by Lord Brahma: Just
hear about Krishna from
a self-realized soul.Be submissive and loyal
and go on hearing
the pastimes and tattva
of the Lord.Some of it is prema and
too confidential to repeat,
but you can read it in
Caitanya-caritamrta and be like one of the
four internal devotees
of the Lord who He allowed
to hear the ravings
and songs to Radha.Your eyes are heavy, but
your soul is clean,
hearing from the Lord
has elevated you to
the transcendental stand.• Email to a friend •
Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Bhajan - 24hr Kirtan - Mukunda Datta das - 3/26
Mukunda Datta das singing a Hare Krishna bhajan for Dallas' New Year's 24hr Kirtan.
Dallas, TX
2010-12-31
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Honouring Sri Purusottama Das Thakura
Yesterday, in the festival mood for the appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Maharaj, we did not take the time to honour the disappearance day of Sri Purusottama Das Thakura, the great devotee of Lord Nityananda Prabhu.
Srila Prabhupada writes, "Sadasiva Kaviraja and Nagara Purusottama, who were father and son, are described in the Caitanya-Bhagavata as maha-bhagyavan, greatly fortunate. They belonged to the vaidya caste of physicians. The Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, verse 156, says that Candravali, a most beloved gopi of Krsna, later took birth as Sadasiva Kaviraja were great devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Purusottama dasa Thakura sometimes lived at Sukhasagara, near the Cakadaha and Simurali railway stations. All the Deities installed by Purusottama Thakura were formerly situated in Beledana-grama, but when the temple was destroyed, the Deities were brought to Sukhasagara. When that temple merged in the bed of the Ganges, the Deities were brought with Janava-mata’s Deity to Sahebasanga Bedigrama. Since that place also has been destroyed, all the Deities are now situated in the village named Candudegrama, which is situated one mile up from Palapada, as referred to above."
From the time he was a small boy, Purusottama dasa Thakura was dedicated to constantly meditating on the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. In Caitanya-caritamrta (C.C. Adi 11. 38-39), Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami has written: "The twenty-third and twenty fourth prominent devotees of Nityananda Prabhu were Sadasiva Kaviraja and his son Purusottama dasa, who was the tenth gopala. Since birth, Purusottama dasa Thakura was merged in the service of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, and he always engaged in childish play with Lord Krsna." The Caitanaya-Bhagavata records (C.B. Antya 5.741-742): "Sadasiva Kaviraja was greatly fortunate. His son was named Sri Purusottama dasa. Purusottama dasa Thakura had no concern for his external body; Sri Nityananda Prabhu always resided within the core of his heart.• Email to a friend •
Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: In the News: Hare Krishna Community is Thriving
Hare Krishna has taken off in Norwich with a number of followers
The county's Hare Krishna community meets every SundayA new Hare Krishna community in Norfolk is rapidly gaining members to its weekly programme of worship.
Sunday meetings in Norwich are regularly bringing in 30 attendees and their Hidden Glories of India festival in January attracted 130 people.
Local interest in the eastern faith has blossomed since two female Latvian devotees came to the city from Watford.
"People in Norwich are being very kind," said community co-founder Chandra Mohini.
Chandra and Madhuera Gaurangi first came to Norwich in 2010 after being sent by the International Society of Hare Krishna Consciousness to establish a mission in the county.
Since then, people from Norfolk have been very receptive to Hare Krishna, with individuals from all races and backgrounds being attracted to its philosophy and lifestyle.
"Mums and dads, artists and musicians, the homeless, professionals and people who are interested in finding out about an alternative lifestyle are finding out about us," said Madhuera Gaurangi.
International community "Perhaps they are attracted by seeking a self-realisation, a simpler lifestyle, like the idea of vegetarianism and living in harmony with the environment, and want some space and connection in their busy lives," she added.
Community meetings, which take place every week at Friends Meeting House in Upper Goat Lane, include the chanting of holy mantras, reading sessions from the holy book, meditation and a vegetarian feast of blessed food.
Some even have visiting monks who play music to accompany the chanting, with the harmonium, hand cymbals and a mrdanga - the traditional holy drum - all providing the mantras' rhythms.
The county's Hare Krishna community meets every Sunday Chandra and Madhuera joined the Hare Krishna movement some years before they moved to England.
For Chandra, the journey to find her faith began after studying in India and Bangladesh, before she joined the International Hare Krishna community in the UK.
The pair's former bases in Britain include Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire, where the manor and land was donated to the local Hare Krishna followers by late Beatle George Harrison.
Latvians are not new to the faith and many Bulgarians, alongside white British, Arabs and Asians, are congregating in their droves to be part of the Norfolk Hare Krishna community.
"Many people from eastern Europe have been drawn to Hare Krishna in recent years," said Chandra.
Food For All "Under Soviet rule religion was discouraged and when the bloc collapsed there was a thirst for finding spiritual connections.
"Hare Krishna flourished and grew massively in the Ukraine and Bulgaria after the collapse."
Madhuera Gauerangi (left) and Chandra Mohini brought Hare Krishna to Norfolk The next venture the pair are keen to try out in Norwich is to create a local version of London's thriving Food For All campaign.
In the capital it currently delivers food to thousands of homeless people and those in need.
The food is donated by supermarkets and is cooked by the community to provide hot dishes at a variety of locations.
"It is an ancient philosophy from India that within nine miles of a temple no-one should go hungry," said Madhuera.
Businesses in Norwich are already showing their support for the cause and Madhuera is confident that the county's support of Hare Krishna will continue to grow for a long time.
"Market stalls are giving us flowers for our temple. Vegetable stalls and a shop in the Royal Arcade are both donating food that we can use for preparing the feasts at our Sunday meetings," she said.
"On Christmas Day we handed out 500 portions of halva [sweets] in the streets of Norwich. People were very surprised that we were giving away food for free."
Madhuera Gauerangi (left) and Chandra Mohini brought Hare Krishna to Norfolk• Email to a friend •
Mayapur Online: Have a festival performed on your behalf in Mayapur!
Every year during Gaura Purnima Festival, the festivals that are taking place all around the year are celebrated to give the visitors a glimpse of Mayapur Festival experience and an opportunity to take part in service to Sri Radha-Madhava. We will be celebrating Ganga Puja and Elephant procession on 15th March. Small Sri Radha-Madhava deities will visit the Srila Prabhupada pushpa Samadhi pond to have Their transcendental boat festival, after which They will enjoy swinging pastimes.
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Mayapur Online: Mayapur Academy- Gaura Purnima Festival Courses
Every year at Gaura Purnima festival time, the Mayapur Academy presents a range of interesting courses for the visiting devotees. As usual most of the courses are free of charge. There will however be a fee for the Vedic Astrology seminar with Ramanuja Prabhu and the Cooking course with Rasesvari Mataji. Here is the list of Mayapur Academy festival courses. For more information please contact us at: Mayapur.Academy@pamho.net or call us on 03472 245 480.
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Dandavats.com: “The Bhagavad-Gita as it never was” Praghosa Prabhu’s book distribution adaptation of the first two chapters of the Bhagavad-gita (GBC meeting)
By Praghosa Dasa
At that time Arjuna spoke the following words: Oh infallible sankirtana leader Krishna please park up my sankirtana van so that I can look on the street to see where it is best to distribute books, let me see who has come out today to do their shopping. When Arjuna saw all the stressed faces of the shoppers he spoke the following words....
jueves, 24 de febrero de 2011
Vraja Kishor, JP: Getting the Right Guru
PLANET ISKCON
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