When entering the temple room, the centerpiece of the room and the worship is always the elaborate altar holding the deities. On a carpet to the devotees' left, to Krishna's right, sits a group of six or seven devotees who lead the music. The sides and back of the room are lined with benches and chairs where visitors sit; the majority of the devotees and some of the visitors occupy three or four carpets set up on the marble floors of the temple room—altogether a group averaging fifty or sixty people on any given week.

This year will see the first ever “Krishna’s Birthday” festival in Brisbane, Australia.

It will be held in the Roma Street Parklands on Sunday August 23 from midday to 6pm.

To get an idea of what it will be like, think Buddha’s Birthday meets the Brisbane Multicultural Festival.

There will be yummy Krishna food, free yoga classes, music, dance, multimedia presentations, a jumping castle for the kids, and much more…

We’ve held two festivals prior to this one, but nothing on this scale. The other two were in 2006 and 2008, and had around 1000 people attending. This year we are expecting 4000 to attend. I’ll be featuring performers and participants, and sponsors of the festival on this blog in the weeks leading up to the festiva, so that you can get an idea of what to expect.

1968 July 2: "By denying my application injustice has been done to me. Please try to convince him that my presence is essential. I am qualified Religious Minister. I have got sufficient money to maintain myself."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 July 2: "By denying my application injustice has been done to me. Please try to convince him that my presence is essential. I am qualified Religious Minister. I have got sufficient money to maintain myself."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 July 2: "In our Krishna Book we are showing the Western World for the first time what is God. So painting is no unimportant task. I have so many ideas for paintings. Try to help us out in this way as far as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 2: "I am pleased that this boy has become attracted. Please take nice care of him. When someone is sent by Krishna to help us it is our duty to help them understand Krishna Consciousness as far as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 2: "This is the sure and certain method. If we simply chant Hare Krishna with karatalas and mrdanga and if we speak from Bhagavad-gita As It Is then automatically the people become attracted."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

Sarvabhauma Dasa is one of the many characters you find at the Manor, he always says Hi and asks how you are keeping, I didn’t know that he had such a wonderful voice or sung such sweet songs, so for those who love a musical treat here is two links: Sarvabhauma On The Hare Krishna Bench [...]

1969 July 2: "I have so many ideas for paintings. In our Krishna Book we are showing the Western World for the first time what is God. So painting is no unimportant task, and try to help us out in this as far as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 2: "I am pleased that one boy has become attracted. Please take nice care of him. When a man is sent by Krishna to help us it is our duty to help him understand Krishna Consciousness as far as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 2: "This is the sure and certain method. If we simply chant Hare Krishna with karatalas and mrdanga and if we speak from Bhagavad-gita As It Is then automatically the people become attracted."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

The other day I wrote about the need to follow by example. This is always easier said than done, to turn the magnifying glass on ourselves rather than pointing it to others is never easy. I have also been pondering these words: The word khala means “jealous.” This material world is a world of jealousy and envy. [...]

Efi from Israel writes:

Please tell me which foodstuff is not warming in the hot summer. I'm living in Israel and it's very warm now. Hope it's not disturbance to you. Efi.

My reply:

Dear Efi,

Not a disturbance at all. Your Ayurvedic body type will have some bearing on what is most appropriate to cool you down, but here's a few things:

Bamboo shoot, banana, barley water, bitter gourd, cumin seeds, grapefruit, lettuce, mung beans, persimmon, salt, seaweed, star fruit, sugar cane, water chestnut, watermelon, lotus root, cucumber, barley, bean curd, marjoram, pear, peppermint, radish, strawberry, tangerine, yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower, zuccini, corn, tomatoes, pineapple, turmeric.

Trust this helps, Kurma.

FOOD, FAITH AND FARMING

The Emerging Alliance of Religion and Ecology

Sunday, July 12th 11:00 a.m. to 2: 00 pm

Organic teaching garden directly across the street from Palace Lodge
New Vrindaban Community, Moundsville

What role does religion and spirituality play in shaping a socially just and sustainable food system? Join us for a fast moving workshop which examines the link between ethics and natural living.

Our panel includes experts in the fields of academia, organic agriculture, animal husbandry, children’s education and community development.

Key Speakers:

Whitney Sanford: Assistant Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of Religion at the University of Florida.

Navina Shyam Dasa: Assistant Director of Hare Krishna Montessori School in Alachua, Florida. (MA in urban development).

William Dove: Founder of International Society for Cow Protection, Moundsville , WV.

Mark Meberg: Organic farmer/gardener, Middle Mountain Acres, Moundsville, WV.

Danny Swan: Director of the East Wheeling Community Gardens project, Wheeling, WV.

FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC

Entertainment provided, refreshments served!

For more information, please contact Terry Sheldon

The Small Farm Training Center info@farmeducation.org

(304) 243-5990

Life has been extraordinarily busy…2 jobs, college, yoga,temple seva, e-seva,sadhana,maintenance, etc, etc. Many ideas have come & gone for writing here mostly as I haven’t been able to sit down & write when I actually had the inspiration to do so. As I write this I have approximately a half hour before I need to [...]

I am practically better now and eager to write up lots of things. I’m kind of over writing things that happened more than a few days ago but I just found this poem which I’ve shortened as I do go on a bit. It’s just some observations from when I was put in the isolation ward in hospital.

Gentle nurse Ian
who loves what he does
wheels me out of yellow ward
past the hustle and bustle
of purple and green
into the narrow lift
and up into
old unrefurbished
Letchmore on 5th

the door closes
and we are behind
the Iron Curtain
deceptively O.K. at first
sister is friendly
lets me use the phone
as they do in yellow downstairs

health care worker
is incredibly rude
really insulting
about how she thinks
I got my sores
“if you are spiritual”
how sensitive can you get!

I see a sign on the wall
all the rules for honouring
patients’ dignity
that’s a laugh for a start

Ian tells them I have
cauliflower cheese on order
for my dinner
I’m now more optimistic
I might get something
to eat after two days
nothing happens
I decide not to ask much
from night sister
who has already laid down the law
I can’t use the phone
as I’m in isolation
can’t cross the corridor
to get hot drinking water

O.K. I get the message
I slide into accommodating mode
and am the essence of cheer
and co-operation
I get one flicker of personalism
when African night sister sees
my brightly coloured sarong
“Oh, it looks like my country”
then the curtain closes again

brusque, mildly chastising,
rarely smiling except
with nurse buddies
comments such as
“just relax” in curt tones
that tense me up

“I know what I’m doing!”
as she really tenses me up
with the penicillin shots
Health service……
in “yellow” I felt
their service mood,
here control rules
they are in charge
and watch out
if you go over the line

no clock, no food
I peep round the corner
down the corridor I see
night sister and nurse buddy chatting
having a bit of a laugh
they look around and see me
I try to be polite, hoping
they will feel I am
“honouring their dignity”
as the sign says
maybe some connection will occur

I ask, “what time do they bring the meal?”
It’s half past nine now
too late to ask for food
O.K. I let go of cauli cheese bhoga

to her credit she offers me a meat sandwich
I unfortunately can’t co-operate
(being a vegetarian)
again she offers
to get hot water
for my emergency instant mash

It’s one big emergency behind the Iron Curtain,

the registrar visits with two other curious doctors
everyone wants to see my mystery scabs and lesions
they are normal, friendly and uncondescending
it’s like heaven connecting with good professionals
who know how to treat you like a person
obviously imbibing the “dignity” rule
bit of fresh air really
they are gentle, polite, even a bit chummy
as the Indian registrar is leaving
he sees my pictures of Krishna and Prabhupada
he sneaks in a quick “Hare Krishna’
when no-one is listening

comfort relieves mild panic
as my mind had begun to revert to
wild imaginings –scenarios like
“One flew over the cuckoo’s nest!”

next day the docs will be here again
again I have to face
“God in a suit”
as I have called Dr X
whose icy politeness
could freeze the heart and hope of anyone,
perfect in a suit and impeccably clever
she commands obedience and obsequiousness
from her juniors
she’s up the ladder alright
and the hierarchical structure
looms large in her aura

the “nice yellow” consultant
whose name I keep forgetting
is direct, no-nonsense, respected
by other doctors but downright ‘good’
her warmth (which is not frilly)
enhances her professionalism
I get the feeling that aloofness
and icy superiority
are but a coat of fear
or perhaps even terror
at the possibility
of not being in control

seen it all before
in government
in religious organizations
everywhere you see it
impersonalism and voidism
all stemming from the fundamental desire
to control, enjoy and defend

no wonder someone is trying to enforce
rules to honour human dignity
easily lost in paradigms
where toxic mixes lurk
power, control, personal ambition, fear
plus a few chips on the shoulder
hey, how about a bit of
personal development here?!
“What’s that? Oh yes,
they don’t do it
behind the Iron Curtain”

what will today bring?
curt night sister might not be pleased
if she should sense that I am tense
but it’s day again!
maybe day sister will be O.K.
maybe I can call out
speak to a devotee on the phone
still the meeting with icy X
looms near and chills me
I nervously wonder
is “icy” higher on the ladder
than fabulous yellow
or even jokey tropical disease doc
can they force me to have a biopsy?

I muse over the immense courage
of devotees behind the Iron Curtain
in Russia, in Armenia who somehow survived
the atrocities of the prisons, psych wards
and labour camps, all for devotional service

Service is the Essence of Personalism

you can perceive its auspiciousness
in the little acts of kindness people perform
by their innate propensity to connect with others
their ability to put their own egotistic agenda aside
sufficient humility to let go of asserting what they know
in order to find out more by being open

knowledge is coming from the Supersoul
within the heart of every living being
those in the mode of goodness
less arrogant with good qualities
more likely to hear and assimilate
than those who hide behind their proud reserve

it’s an amazing experience observing
the modes of nature, how they cover
one’s consciousness, how Maya
propagates impersonalism
in every sphere of life
she leaves not a stone unturned

and myself, I have fear of isolation
isolation from devotees is scarey
isolation even from mode of goodness
and kind people is scarey
the one good thing about Isolation Row
is that I have my own room
and can put Prabhupada’s japa tape
on the computer – Hare Krishna!
Time to chant some more,
come what may!

This weekend is our annual Gundica Cleanup, which will be held on
Sunday, July 5th. As you know, on July 18th we will be holding our annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) and every year we clean the temple two weeks in advance.

This is following the example set by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who held the first Gundica Cleanup some 500 years ago. The famous Ratha-Yatra parade in Jagannatha Puri begins at the Jagannatha Puri temple and proceeds all the way till the Gundica Temple. Preparing for the arrival of Lord Jagannatha, Caitanya Mahaprabhu with his associates personally clean ed the entire temple.

This year we will be cleaning our temple, home on the auspicious occasion of Snana-Yatra. The clean-up will start at 10:00 am in the temple room and will continue till 4pm. Lunch Prasadam will be provided for those who come out to help clean! For further information, please contact Gopal at psenatoronto@gmail.com.

Dear devotees,

Please accept my blessings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I last wrote from the festival in the Altai Mountains in Siberia. That was about 2 weeks ago, and  unfortunately I’ve had a cold since then, and even now it’s trying to hang on, although it’s 90% finished. I’m resting my voice today and most of tomorrow and hopefully it will stabilize more in the meantime.

From Altai I went to Moscow for a night, where I stayed in the beautiful flat of Denis and Svetlana, aspiring disciples of BB Govinda Maharaja, and then on the morning of June 22nd I flew with Bhakta Igor from St Petersburg to Syktyvkar, a place I had never heard of before. We stayed there till the 24th, when I had to fly to Arkangelsk via Moscow.

Syktyvkar is a relatively new yatra, being developed under the supervision of Vanamali Kaviraja prabhu the Regional Secretary for most of North West Russia. He’s an older person, and although still a householder he’s
traveling around the region all the time, encouraging the devotees. We did evening programmes in a hall, which were attended by 30 or so devotees and others, and one day we did a harinama.

Of course I had to lead the harinama, at least at the beginning, and that was quite a strain considering my health. There was no sound system so somehow I had to shout over the top of the instruments, which made it worse. In between mantras I would cough to clear my voice a bit, and somehow I managed to carry on for about 30 minutes.

In Russia generally the devotees have to get permission to do harinama, and this day we only had permission to stay in a particular spot near the centre of town, and not to move around the town. Because of being new the devotees were not so expert when it came to dancing and generally developing the kirtana, and I wasn’t feeling up to running around too much, so we basically stood in the same spot and sang, although the ladies, as Russian ladies often do, got into some simple dancing.

There is no temple in Syktyvkar, and all the devotees are living at home, so I appreciated very much that practically the whole yatra came out and chanted in the streets with us.

One thing I noticed about Syktyvkar was the mosquitoes! When we left on the 24th morning they had taken over the airport, and it was practically impossible to avoid being bitten several times. Actually the most powerful mosquitoes in Russia, and maybe the world, are the Siberian mosquitoes, who are relentless in their pursuit of blood, but their Syktyvkar brothers did very well for themselves that morning. It was something like a Food for Life programme for them!

Vanamali Kaviraja prabhu and I then flew to Moscow, and he went on to the Russian National Council meeting in Sochi, and I flew back to Arkanglesk. Arkangelsk is a very nice yatra, which has been going for many years. There used to be a temple there, which had many brahmacaris and barhmacarinis, but then some of them married and others moved elsewhere, and the temple closed. Now they regularly hold their programmes in the house of one of my disciples, Lalita Madhava devi dasi, and this was where we met.

Nearby is the town of Severodvinsk, which is a closed city where they make submarines. You need permission to get in there, and the devotees have not been able to get it for me yet, so again I wasn’t able to go in. but the devotees from there came and joined us for our programmes at Lalita Madhava’s.

One day I went for a walk on the river front with Aravindaksha prabhu the Arkangelsk yatra leader and husband of my disciple and Arkangelsk translator, Jaya Radhika devi dasi. As we walked along the river bank we saw a couple of Indian boys drinking beer with some Russian boys. Aravindaksha called out “Hare Krishna!” to them and they responded, although they seemed a little embarrassed to be seen by us, drinking liquor. But Aravindaksha prabhu told me that he lives nearby, and Indian boys like this, who are
studying at the medical school in Arkangelsk, often come to the shop near his flat and buy meat and liquor. As soon as they leave India behind they start losing their culture.

I then flew to St Petersburg, where the devotees have a Saturday programme instead of a Sunday programme. On Sunday they do harinama. I arrived on Saturday and we went to the programme, and found at least 300 or so devotees there, chanting and dancing very enthusiastically.

St Petersburg used to have the biggest temple in Russia, which was being rented at the time Harikesa das left ISKCON. When he left his followers kept the temple, and since then, more than 10 years ago, we haven’t had a temple here, but have had to rent halls for all our programmes. However the devotees have now got some land and will hopefully start construction soon.

I had to meet devotees on Sunday, so I didn’t go on the harinama, and in one sense that was good, as I need to rest, particularly my voice. Then on Monday afternoon we had another programme in the same hall we used on Saturday. I was skeptical whether the devotees would come, but to my surprise, when we started at 3pm, there was almost the same number of devotees there as on Saturday, despite it being a working day.

That evening, the 29th of June, I flew on my own to Murmansk. The plane took off at about 9pm and as we approached Murmansk I noticed some spots of snow on some of the hills nearby. Even though it is officially midsummer, still this part of the world is cold.

Murmansk is in the Arctic Circle, and as far as I know it’s the northern most temple in ISKCON worldwide. We finally arrived at the temple around midnight, after being met at the airport by a large group of devotees
(accompanied by a very enthusiastic team of mosquitoes), and when I went to the bathroom at 12.15 I saw that the sun was still up in the sky, shining directly on some of the buildings in the city. Living in the far north is quite an amazing experience.

Again we went on harinama in Murmansk. There were about 15 or so of us, with accordion, and it all went very well, although the weather was a bit too cold for me, and my cold returned again. I assumed we had permission as usual, but as we stood in a particular place with a crowd gathered around us we noticed a police car stop right next to us.

The Temple President, Paramananda prabhu, immediately told us to move on, and as we walked down the street the police car followed us, stopping occasionally next to us and staring at us. When we finished I asked Paramananda if we had had permission, but he said no. In the past they would get permission, but the authorities would only let them go to quiet parts of the city, and they wanted to go into the centre, so they decided not to bother with permission and just take a chance with the police.

That was ok for them, but for me as a foreigner it’s very dangerous to get caught doing something that’s against the law. The Russian authorities are very touchy about such things, and will arrest foreigners easily if they do something they shouldn’t.

In both Syktyvkar and Arkangelsk news people came to interview. In Syktyvkar they did a very favourable half page article about my visit, and in Murmansk two television stations and a newspaper came. I saw on the temple noticeboard a clipping of an article done the previous year by a reporter who was a big George Harrison fan. When he heard that I had met George and spoken with him, the reporter couldn’t believe it, and thought I was some sort of big celebrity, and then wrote the article, which was very favourable indeed, and also half a page of the newspaper.

In Murmansk the devotees own the temple, having bought it from the profits from their transcendental cake business. They have cakes named Vrindavana, Mayapur, Radhe Syama, and many other names. We’ve included some photos of them, so please have a look. Some of them are quite amazing.

This morning I had to get up at 2am to take a cheap flight to Moscow, where I am now, waiting to fly to South Africa for the Phoenix Rathayatra this weekend. I will write further from there.

Hoping this meets you well.

Your servant,

Bhakti Caitanya Swami

I am so grateful to be part of such a progressive and innovative team of individuals who are trying to share the beauty of bhakti-yoga. Below is this year's commercial which will be seen by millions in Toronto, inviting them to take part in this event.

‘Akalpa refers to the texture of Krsna’s hair, His nicely dressed body anointed with sandalwood pulp and decorated with flower garlands, His tilaka and His chewing pan. Krsna was decorated constantly in this akalpa process. Krsna’s hair was sometimes decorated with flowers placed on the middle of His head, or else it was reaching down to His back. In this way Krsna dressed His hair differently at different times.

read more

Srila Prabhupada has said that his movement has created a taste for devotional service, even in DEMONS. "But our propaganda is, by some way or other, even they are sudras, even they're demons, we are creating the taste."

(Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.16 in SF on 19 Aug, 1972). A scriptural proof of this is that Arjuna engaged the demon Maya Danava in constructing a beautiful assembly house in Dwarka and the gift of a great club to Bhima:

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• When I stand in front of Srila Prabhupada’s murti, I feel like he can see me, body, mind, & soul. I presume he sees me other times as well. #

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Ratha Yatra Wrocław 13 06 2009 cz 4. Ratha Yatra we Wrocławiu, Festiwal pochodzący z Orissy, z miasta Jaganath Puri w Indiach, najstarsza parada uliczna świata. Co roku milion ludzi bierze udział w tym festiwalu w Indiach, dzięki Mi…

Dance performed by Surata and Shyamali.  Hari das is singing the bhajan Yasomati Nandana.  Performed at Diana's Yoga Studio.

Dallas, TX
2009-05-02

We took our final darshan of Krishna Kaliya at our ISKCON temple in Lautoka, Fiji on 30 June. It was a very heart touching moment for me. After putting some money into the donation box I humbly bowed down at Krishna Kaliya's feet thanking Him for the so many wonderful Krishna conscious experiences I have had preaching in Fiji over the years since 1985....

Fossil Suggests Human, Ape Ancestor Hails From Asia
June 30, 2009 -- A new Myanmar fossil primate, Ganlea megacanina, suggests the common ancestor of humans, monkeys and apes evolved from large-toothed primates in Asia and not Africa, according to new research published in the latest Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

If Myanmar, formerly called Burma, is confirmed as being the ancestral homeland of higher primates, or close to it, the discovery points to a circuitous migration route for some early primates, which must have gone to Africa and then come back to Asia. . . . Beard still believes modern humans descended from an African population that lived around 200,000 years ago. "But," he said, "some extinct species of humans, such as the 'hobbit' Homo floresiensis, almost certainly evolved in Asia." (Read the article thing here.)

This is interesting on a couple of levels, the first is that it shows the idea of evolution as a scientific theory is almost a joke. The whole thing can be turned on its head. At the very least it still evolving. The admittance that Homo floresiensis "almost certainly evolved in Asia" has huge implications. One of the big holes in the Vedic narative was India being the center of everything, when genetic evidence seemed to indicate that people migrated out of Africa. But it looks like the same evidence could also be used to show that people migrated to Africa from Asia. This is important for anyone who accepts the Vedic paradigm, whether we except the Vedas literally or whether we accept some type of guided theistic evolution.

A very nice topic of this booklet is "observation" - saying that we need to observe our chanting and check what our habits are, if we are concentrated, if we are doing other things at the same time while chanting - if we chant without interuption, this is regarding quality. He also talks about quantity and how we can increase our japa weekly, for the ones who want to achieve 16 rounds and still chanting less. Then he gives some forms and you are supposed to fill in and check your japa daily- by the end of the week you take 30 minutes and evaluate your whole week of chanting and see what you need to work on for the next week. He said that if we do that for a month, our minds will be trained and will be more peaceful while we chant.
I liked very much his guidelines and I think we can follow that as an example for our daily japa. Our aim is love of God....offenseless chanting and one day achieve pure love of God through chanting but to achieve this stage, we must focus on the sound vibration of the mantra because the Lord is there in the sound. When we understand that Krsna and His holy names are the same, we perceive that maybe we could give more attention to our japa time and make this time our personal moment with Krsna. The mood of prayer is also mentioned and the reasons why is so important....to have this child calling mood towards Krsna when we chant His holy names. Eagerness to achieve our spiritual goals is the key to success and when we give more attention to that, put efforts on this subject of improving the Lord Himself, gives you everything you need to get there. We just need to trust the Lord is with us all the time, living in our hearts and helping us to understand how we can develop a deeper relationship with Him through chanting....the main thing is to give a head start.

May our hearts be opened to new ways of learning how to improve our chanting so we can achieve pure love of God.

your servant,

Aruna devi

by Bhaktin Rita

Recently, the devotees organized a large kirtan in a public park in Pittsburgh. Almost right at the beginning of the festival, I saw a young lady, Elizabeth, standing in one corner of the tent. She was listening and watching, and seemed to be enjoying the festival. She was very pretty, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, and was carrying a business portfolio and backpack. From her appearance, she looked like a passer-by, and not like a devotee. So, I approached her and began speaking to her. As soon as I began speaking with her, however, I thought I had made a mistake. She seemed to belong there. I thought that she must be a second-generation devotee, so I apologized immediately. I said, “Sorry, I didn’t realize you are with this group.”

Elizabeth told me, “No, I’m not with this group. I was walking through the park and saw this happening.”

I asked Elizabeth whether she would like to join the ladies who were dancing in a circle on the other side of the tent. I expected her to say no, and for the interaction to end but she surprised me by saying OK. She put down her portfolio and backpack, and we joined the circle and started dancing.

A few minutes later, I saw two young ladies standing just inside the tent, and I invited them to join us. They immediately put their bags down and joined the circle. And a few minutes after that, I saw another young lady standing close by, and she joined us as well. For the next twenty or thirty minutes, I was simultaneously dancing in the circle, scanning the crowd for more ladies who might be interested in joining the circle, and scanning the ladies who had already joined us. I kept looking at Elizabeth. She never stopped dancing, and she never looked tired.

During the dancing, one of the ladies I had invited left the festival. She gave me a hug and thanked me for drawing her in. I asked whether she wanted to be put in touch with the group who organized the festival. She said yes, and wrote down her contact information. As she handed me the slip of paper, she said, “I used to chant ‘Hare Krishna.’” I told her, “Welcome back.” She hugged me again. I was very happy for her.

After the dancing ended, Radhanath Maharaja prepared to speak. All of my guests left except Elizabeth. She did not talk to anyone or look around to see what anyone was doing – she simply stood there. To me, it looked like she was unaware of what was happening around her.
I approached her cautiously and asked whether she would like to sit in a chair and listen to the lecture. She said yes, and again followed me.

After the class, Radhanath Maharaja invited everyone to dance and chant with him. He taught everyone the proper way to dance in kirtan. First, he demonstrated the “swami step.” Next, he explained that when the leader is chanting, everyone should stand with their hands folded, in a prayerful mood. Finally, when the group chants together, everyone should raise their hands in the air.

When the kirtan started, I could see that Elizabeth was following what I was doing. When I raised my arms up, she raised her arms. And when I lowered my arms, she lowered hers. But very soon after, she closed her eyes and moved her arms by following the kirtan. And she chanted the entire time.

Prabhupada explains in Nectar of Devotion that “it is found that a person actually attached to material enjoyment or salvation has the good fortune to associate with pure devotees while they are engaged in chanting the holy name of the Lord. By the good grace of the Lord one may also cooperate and join in the chanting. At that time, simply by the association of such pure devotees, the moonlike rays from their hearts reflect on him, and by the influence of the pure devotees he may show some likeness of attachment caused by inquisitiveness, but this is very flickering. And if by the manifestation of such shadow attachment one feels the disappearance of all material pangs, then it is called parä attachment.”

After kirtan ended, I asked Elizabeth whether she wanted to meet Radhanath Maharaja. She said yes, so I immediately took her behind the stage. I knew if I waited, Maharaja would be swamped by devotees, and Elizabeth would miss her opportunity.

I introduced Elizabeth to Maharaja and said, “Elizabeth had a wonderful time here.” Maharaja said a few words to her.

Then Elizabeth said, “I had a wonderful time. I’ve never heard of this before. I wish everyone could have been here. Thank you.”

Maharaja said a few more words, and Elizabeth thanked him again, “This was really wonderful. Thank you for organizing this.”

Maharaja looked at me to see whether I wanted to say anything. I turned to leave, but Elizabeth stood in her place. After a few seconds, she said again, “Thank you for doing this. I wish everyone could experience it.”

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.10.11 - Understanding the spirit soul.

7:23 A.M.

When Prabhupada first came to India, he tended to build temples and recruit Indian youths. At first, he complained that the young Indians were not interested in Krishna consciousness. But he eventually achieved grand success, both in building temples and in recruiting. In 1972, he was only pioneering, touring with his American disciples.

Yesterday, I heard a lecture he gave on Octobet 28, 1972, in Vrndavan, India. He began by saying that Krishna consciousness is not difficult, but it is the only way one can be happy. To be peaceful and happy, you have to recognize Krishna. But the material world is made in such a way that you can’t be happy. We have come to serve our senses, not Krishna’s. Due to illusion, we can’t understand. The hog feels happy, and he gets fat. But what is his happiness? Living in a filthy place and eating stool. Krishna is so kind, He’ll give you any kind of body you want—a body like a dog, a demigod’s body, or a body like His.

The safest way is to hear about Krishna. This is pious activity. We have dirty things in the heart, and they have to be cleansed. Krishna is trying to help us, but we refuse. Elicit sex is hard to give up, but if one is attracted to Krishna, Krishna will save him. If we want to remove the dirty things from the heart, we must scrutinizingly hear about Krishna. There are four pillars of sinful life, and they are dismantled by hearing. I can’t get out of the material world by my own endeavor, but Krishna helps. When the intelligence is purified by hearing about Krishna, you are elevated to the spiritual platform.

8:00 A.M.

1

Chanting is better than remembering.

Chanting captures the mind

and enables others to hear.

Just because controlling the mind is

so hard doesn’t make it better than

chanting. So say the messengers of

Vaikuntha against the opinion of

the sages of Tapoloka.

I love hearing the music of kirtana

and chanting. It is easy and

sublime. It is superior.

It wails and sails and brings

enjoyment on the sensual level.

Pretty tunes, and even horns

take part. The singers give it

wholehearted cry.

So take to kirtana and hearing and

don’t bother with the effort

to remember.

You reach Krishna soon in kirtana.

2

A man sings for his lover.

It’s a reflection of the love in the

spiritual world.

It’s moving, but only a shadow.

It contains grief at loss, and

anger, and cruelty. Krishna’s

love for Radha is a ballad with

no taints.

He sings, and She sings back

in pure bliss. Even when Krishna

is away, Radha’s songs are pure

lament, with an ecstasy at the core.

So we should not be deceived by

romantic ballads of this world.

Use them as a reminder

of the true love that goes

on in Vraja.

from #119→

1966 July 1:
"Chaturdasi. Today I entered the new house at 26 Second Avenue. For my purpose it is all good. I do not why Krishna is trying to establish me in New York. I am his servant's servant and therefore let His desire be fulfilled through my agency. In the evening there was meeting in the New Store. There was about eight men."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1969 July 1: "I am glad to know that one rich Indian is prepared to contribute. But my mission will be more successful if the Americans construct a temple."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 July 1: "I do not know what Kirtanananda has told you. If there is scarcity of qualified pujaris, each center should be satisfied only by worshipping Panca Tattva by performance of Sankirtana."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1974 July 1: "We do not have to be dependent on taking help from persons who will not even eat with us, thinking us inferior. We are not dependent on any Indian goswami. Let them come as invited but we shall conduct the affair ourselves."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 July 1: "All big officers should be invited. Goswamis and godbrothers also. All the inhabitants of Vrindaban will be invited. There is no question of money. Let it be a first class, A-1 arrangement"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1972 July 1: "I am so much pleased that you have taken Sannyas and are preaching whole-heartedly. Do not worry about your wife and child, Krishna will take care of them. Just you save the foolish world from going to hell."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1966 July 1:
"Chaturdasi. Today I entered the new house at 26 Second Avenue. For my purpose it is all good. I do not why Krishna is trying to establish me in New York. I am his servant's servant and therefore let His desire be fulfilled through my agency. In the evening there was meeting in the New Store. There was about eight men."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1969 July 1: "I am glad to know that one rich Indian is prepared to contribute. But my mission will be more successful if the Americans construct a temple."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 July 1: "I do not know what Kirtanananda has told you. If there is scarcity of qualified pujaris, each center should be satisfied only by worshipping Panca Tattva by performance of Sankirtana."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 July 1: "I'm very sorry that you are separated from the temple. But don't worry. Krishna will save you, you can be sure. There is no doubt about it. So go on chanting Hare Krishna at all costs and never mind these tribulations of maya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

Cabbages 'cut lung cancer risks'

"Eating vegetables from the cabbage family can reduce the risk of lung cancer for people with a certain genetic make-up, scientists say. Vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and sprouts are rich in chemicals called isothiocyanates, which strongly protect against lung cancer." more...

1975 July 1: "Actually we are not fond of having businesses. Regard your main business as trying to become Krsna conscious through reading my books and associating with the devotees in the Sankirtana movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 July 1: "Actually we are not fond of having businesses. Regard your main business as trying to become Krsna conscious through reading my books and associating with the devotees in the Sankirtana movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1972 July 1: "I am so much pleased that you have taken Sannyas and are preaching whole-heartedly. Do not worry about your wife and child, Krishna will take care of them. J
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972ust you save the foolish world from going to hell."

1971 July 1: "I'm very sorry that you are separated from the temple. But don't worry. Krishna will save you, you can be sure. There is no doubt about it. So go on chanting Hare Krishna at all costs and never mind these tribulations of maya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1974 July 1: "We do not have to be dependent on taking help from persons who will not even eat with us, thinking us inferior. we are not dependent on any Indian goswami. Let them come as invited but we shall conduct the affair ourselves."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 July 1: "All big officers should be invited. Goswamis and godbrothers also. All the inhabitants of Vrindaban will be invited. There is no question of money. Let it be a first class, A-1 arrangement"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

The other day I was reading an article which was talking about the preaching work done be the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormon’s in relation to devotees book distribution. They noted that from what they could see that both were more successful in making followers, and questioned why this could be? One is focus, what is the [...]

In the beginning, according to Indian philosophers, was sound. Sound is, according to writings dating back thousands of years, the original primordial, creative force. According to Lewis Rowell, "musical sound[s]…are identified with the creative vital force by which the entire universe is animated."

"Conversing before your japa uses up energy and is a distraction and shouldn’t be indulged in. Get right down to business as soon as you get up. Call to Krishna for help, and He will help you stay awake. Keeping up a good speed is also helpful. Gradually, you gain your wakefulness and take advantage of it. Harinama deserves your best effort."

From Bhajan Kutir #116

Thought is progressive. The author's thought must have progress in the reader in the shape of correction or development. He is the best critic, who can show the further development of an old thought; but a mere denouncer is the enemy of progress and consequently of Nature. "Begin anew," says the critic, "because the old masonry does not answer at present. Let the old author be buried because his time is gone." These are shallow expressions. Progress certainly is the law of nature and there must be corrections and developments with the progress of time. But progress means going further or rising higher.

Now, if we are to follow our foolish critic, we are to go back to our former terminus and make a new race, and when we have run half the race another critic of his stamp will cry out: "Begin anew, because the wrong road has been taken!" In this way our stupid critics will never allow us to go over the whole road and see what is in the other terminus. Thus the shallow critic and the fruitless reader are the two greatest enemies of progress. We must shun them.

The true critic, on the other hand, advises us to preserve what we have already obtained, and to adjust our race from that point where we have arrived in the heat of our progress. He will never advise us to go back to the point whence we started, as he fully knows that in that case there will be a fruitless loss of our valuable time and labor. He will direct the adjustment of the angle of the race at the point where we are. This is also the characteristic of the useful student. He will read an old author and will find out his exact position in the progress of thought. He will never propose to burn the book on the ground that it contains thoughts which are useless.

No thought is useless. Thoughts are means by which we attain our objects. The reader who denounces a bad thought does not know that a bad road is even capable of improvement and conversion into a good one. One thought is a road leading to another. Thus the reader will find that one thought which is the object today will be the means of a further object tomorrow. Thoughts will necessarily continue to be an endless series of means and objects in the, progress of humanity.

- Bhaktivinoda Thakur, The Bhagavata (here)

-Biography (here)

We had an invitation to perform and chant at the two day Prabhupada Festival, which happens at the Los Angeles Krishna temple on Venice Boulevard (New Dwaraka). It was an opportunity to honor the spiritual teacher, or guru, of the Hare Krishna Movement, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who founded the movement in the 60s. He also my mother’s teacher, so we were especially excited to come and honor him.

It turned out that my cousin, who lives in Los Angeles, was getting married at the same time as the festival, and I thought that I would be able to juggle going to both events. In the end, the rest of our group performed without me while I went my cousin’s wedding, which was a beautiful ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. Despite how beautiful it was, I was a bit distracted thinking about the band having a party without me.  At ten o’clock, when it was over, I came rushing back in my suit and tie and jumped on stage to chant with the rest of the group, who had been chanting since seven o’clock in the evening. Unfortunately, in my exuburance to join in, I hit the microphone stand that had the recorder hanging on it and it fell and caused the recordings to be corrupted. So all you’re left with, unfortunately, are the recordings from after I got there. Sorry AKS!

But it was beautiful night, culminated in a couple of kids going wild and jumping into the pool in front of the stage, which was full of floating lillies. Some of these guys just went nuts in their ecstatic kirtan bliss and dove into the pool, sending water in all directions.

Gaura Vani

Listen to the entire Kirtan!

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• 01 Ananta Govinda - Jaya Sacinandana (63)
• 02 Gaura Vani - Hare Krishna (120)
• 03 Gaura Vani - Nrsimhadeva Prayers (104)

Sunday feast lecture given by Bhakti Caksur Sundar Goswami on Bhagavad Gita 2.66.

Dallas, TX
2009-05-17

TRANSLATION

One who is not connected with the Supreme [in Krishna 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?

PURPORT

Unless one is in Krishna consciousness, there is no possibility of peace. So it is confirmed in the Fifth Chapter (5.29) that when one understands that Krishna is the only enjoyer of all the good results of sacrifice and penance, that He is the proprietor of all universal manifestations, and that He is the real friend of all living entities, then only can one have real peace. Therefore, if one is not in Krishna consciousness, there cannot be a final goal for the mind. Disturbance is due to want of an ultimate goal, and when one is certain that Krishna is the enjoyer, proprietor and friend of everyone and everything, then one can, with a steady mind, bring about peace. Therefore, one who is engaged without a relationship with Krishna is certainly always in distress and is without peace, however much he may make a show of peace and spiritual advancement in life. Krishna consciousness is a self-manifested peaceful condition which can be achieved only in relationship with Krishna.

Download: 2009-05-17 - Bhakti Caksur Sundar Goswami - Sunday Feast Lecture - BG 2.66.mp3

Three monkeys sat on a coconut tree,
Discussing things as they're said to be.
Said one to the other,"Now listen you two, There's a certain rumor That can't be true ... That man descended from our noble race.
The very idea is a sure disgrace." "No monkey ever deserted his wife, Starved her babies and ruined her life.
And you've never known another monk, To leave her babies with others to bunk,Or pass them on from one to another."
"And another thing you will never see ... Is a monk build a fence around a coconut tree;
And let the coconuts go to waste, Forbidding all the other monks to taste."
"Why, if I put a fence around this tree, Starvation would force you to steal from me."
"And here's something else a monk won't do ...Go out at night and get in a stew; Or use a gun or club or knife,To take some other monkey's life."
"Yes, man descended ... ornery cuss,But, brother, ... he didn't descend from us!

~ Author Unknown ~

I like to chant my japa alone, or at most with one or two buddies. Some places practice japa in a packed room with many devotees. At 26 2nd Ave, Prahbupada used to chant a round with all the devotees. But I believe Raghunatha dasa Goswami and Haridasa Thakura practiced solitary bhajana. It is nice chanting alone with the Lord in intimacy. You hear your own sound vibration clearly, without mingling with others. It lends itself to good practice by the nature of its concentration. There are no hard and fast rules to chanting the holy names. Either with others or alone is allowable. I am just stating a particular preference. As the hours go by and I stay within myself, I feel myself getting closer to the Lord and Srimati Radharani. I am more aware of the speed and the accumulation of the rounds than when I am others. I’m able to concentrate without distraction from loud chanters. I chant humbly and call on my Lord in the sound vibration. My tendency is to chant at a low volume. It helps me to hear myself when I am alone. This is just one person’s opinion, but if it helps me, then it’s good.

Prabhupada used to criticize

persons who went alone,

chanting for fame as a

great saintly person.

He also criticized those who

didn’t help others but

tried only for their own

salvation.

But I don’t think he would mind

a solitary japa chanter

who didn’t look for fame

but practiced modestly

alone.

As long as he did other

preaching, the chanting alone

is not forbidden.

It is a peaceful way

for concentration,

hours spent alone with the Lord.

It’s a way of looking always

to the Lord of the heart

and listening for His response.

from #118→

Thursday, 11 June 2009. I awoke after a pretty crazy morning session of vivid dreams. I battled the alarm for an hour or so not realizing that I needed some extra rest. I woke up a little earlier than usual in the end and started my usual program. I headed off to the park and found a back trail through the woods along the other side of the river bank. It was quite an adventure and I was starting to feel pretty healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. Today was Sanatan’s day off so we were supposed to be hanging out. I started to read while waiting. I decided to make some dough for puris. This procedure was strangely the same as making chapatti dough. I presumed Sanatan would come soon and we’d go make puris at his house (his kitchen being in a better part of repair than this one). I gave Sanatan a call, it seemed he slept in late at a friend’s house and would be coming round in the afternoon. I decided to make chapattis now and some puris later. I read some more Bhagavatam. Sanatan wasn’t showing any sign so I decided to clean the kitchen. For those who can imagine a kitchen a quarter the size of a normal kitchen shared between four young men…it was pretty horrific. This was tama guna personified. Finally Sanatan and Gaura rocked up. Everyone was tired and emotional. All of them had been working hard for little pay and were pretty fed up with the whole material situation. Not much came out of it but a fair bit of loitering. In a few hours the boys moved on to be more constructive and I had to start making use of my alone time again until Jaggi rolled in. I went asleep again with Bhakti Tirtha playing. Every time I put it on it was a new lesson. It was either try harder, be stricter and all the things that were right for my void time between preaching projects. I was enjoying learning some new skills for the preaching field but I noticed that now I had signed my soul away to the little blue boy with the flute that I had to be engaged in preaching or just start to go crazy. It was do or die now. Friday, 12 June 2009. I awoke for my usual program. I strolled through the massive park at my leisure, exploring new tracks and routes. I was starting to feel new life. I found my way to the dock only a few minutes walk from Sanatan’s. This was handy if I needed to make my way there on foot. I decided to use some of my old Italian cooking skills combined with some new basic Krsna style cooking and started to be a little inventive. I purchased some tomatoes and cheese and made myself some instant roti pizzas. I decided today I would make ghee. I went to the store to purchase some more utensils. The whole procedure was simple: stir and filter. The only problem I faced was that I had to improvise with what utensils I had and also had no idea how long to boil and filter the butter. In the end I made some ghee, but not much and I had to hold the thing while it dripped for such a long time. Now I could cook my roti pizzas in the new ghee. I was starting to feel more and more self efficient. All I needed now was a cow and a churning rod…Me and Jaggi shared our roti pizzas and shared some Krsna katha. Prasadam and talking about Krsna, who can think of any superior sense gratification than that? We went downstairs to watch a quick and scary doco. It was about the illusion of pop music. The producers of the film interviewed a daggy 45 year old man with a guitar, asked him to make up a song on the spot, hired some 17 year old model who couldn’t sing if her life depended on it and made some magic. Basically with technology they altered her tone and tune to suit. As if the reality and non reality of pop music didn’t scare me enough already! After this we were off to the temple! We sneaked a ride with Vrinni, gurukuli extraordinaire. We arrived to find the temple had been overtaken by an Indian birth ceremony. In gurukuli rebellion and attachment to our Krsna kirtana, we started to scheme up a solution. Eventually Jaggi, Madhava, Haridasa and I decided to do harinam around the building. The first question was: who is going to lead? I had lead many harinams in Australia but I did not feel up to scratch in front of all the gandarva voiced gurukulis. After much deliberation we decided to start by all singing at once. We started to march around the building. We quickly turned and took the back way around to build it up before we met our crowd of friends. When we went around the back side of the building we were quickly hushed down as a Prabhu kindly reminded us that the demon village down the road was lodging many complaints against the temple for minor noise “problems”. It was going into local court so we decided not to fuel them any hard evidence. After dismantling the ecstatic harinam we decided to juice up some more ecstasi and engage in some prasadam seva…I don’t even mean just eating (for once)! We helped carry the prasadam in and then chowed down on some Manor qual prasad. After prasadam the official Kuli bhajans commenced. It was a lot shorter this time because of all the fooling around before hand but we relished what we could get. I remembered last year when I was shocked to see Mohini, Aussie girl, in the ranks of bhajan and I was again shocked to see Tara and Rasa, friends of my youngest brother, Aussie girls, in this bhajan. In fact, considering Rasesvari/Jasmin Roberts randomly arriving last bhajan, every time I went to Friday night bhajans in London I bump into some Australian. After we stayed late in the park. I wanted to hit the hay but I was at the mercy of whoever would give me a lift and no one was leaving quite yet. Eventually the boys went back to Watford but stopped short at Tesco for some supplies. This lasted for an hour, while I lay down in the car till midnight. The boys made it back and we head home hoping for a sleep. Who knows when you are at the mercy of the Kulis.

Being Krsna conscious means being in a state of Samadhi always remembering Krsna and never forgetting Him - the rule Rupa Goswami says transcends all others. In Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna says, "Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krsna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt." (8.7)

Radha-Madhava darsan aroti in ISKCON Mayapur temple

This is the findings of a joint study by research universities in New Zealand and the United Kingdom Although the link in looking at how diet influences virus activity is in many ways the initial outcomes strongly points to the fact that a simple vegetarian diet does reduce risk. You can read it Here (source BBC News/Health)

Wow! I just recently finished reading the most amazing book, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

I am always a little vexed by the question, "What is your favorite book." I want to say Bhagavatam but that is not what people are looking for and it never satisfies people, and it is not really a book anyway, but now I have an answer, "The Brothers Karamazov is my favorite book."

The back of the jacket say, "The last greatest of Dostoevsky's novels, The Brothers Karamazov is a towering masterpiece of literature, philosophy, psychology, and religion." This is not an exaggeration, it really is a towering masterpiece.

It is hard for me to say anything about it because there is so much to say, the book is 700 pages. But I'll just say that it address all the most important questions.

Again from the jacket, "Into the framework of the story Dostoevsky poured all of his deepest concerns-the origin of evil, the nature of freedom, the craving for meaning, and most importantly whether or not God exists."

Many people consider Dostoevsky's work a precursor to existentialism, for in his books he lays bare the human condition. He looks into the inner recesses of the human soul and reveals all that evil but ultimately all that is good.

"Ultimately Dostoevsky believes that Christ-like love prevails. But does he prove it?"

It was really interesting for me reading this after my recent readings/writings/discussions/thoughts on atheism.

I see atheism as more of a existential issue than an intellectual issue. This is the only book I've come across that really address the issues on that level.

In the Brothers Karamazov Dostoevsky address the core issues without getting distracted in philosophical red herrings. How can the existence of God be justified in light of the suffering we see? Is there any such thing as morality without a conception of God? Is there a possibility for the redemption of humanity or are we doomed to kill each ot

I highly recommend everyone, atheists and theists, to read this book. It is well worth it. I was worried it would be boring and hard to finish, but it was actually hard to put down. The plot is very exciting, full of intrigue and sordid love affairs, and the issues address are even more fascinating.

Just one excerpt, this is from father Zossima, the revered guru and saint speaking about the importance of the monastic order, or more broadly devotion to God, in regards to creating peace and happiness in society (what Srila Prabhupada called "spiritual communism"):

"They have science; but in science there is nothing but what is the object of sense. The spiritual world, the higher part of man's being is rejected altogether, dismissed with a sort of triumph, even with hatred. The world has proclaimed the reign of freedom, especially of late, but what do we see in this freedom of theirs? Nothing but slavery and self destruction! For the world says:

"You have desires and so satisfy them, for you have the same rights as the most rich and powerful. Don't be afraid of satisfying them and even multiply your desires." That is the doctrine of the modern world. In that they see freedom. And what follows from this right of multiplication of desires? Int eh rich, isolation and spiritual suicide; in the poor, envy and murder; for they have been given rights but have not been shown the means of satisfying their wants. They maintain that the world is getting more and more united, more and more bound together in brotherly community, as it overcomes distance and sets thoughts flying through the air.

Alas, put no faith in such a bond of union. Interpreting freedom as the multiplication and rapid satisfaction of desires, men distort their own nature, for many senseless and foolish desires and habits and ridiculous fancies are fostered in them. They live on for mutual envy, for luxury and ostentation. to have dinners, visits, carriages, rank and slaves to wait on one is looked upon as a necessity, for which life, honour and human feeling are sacrificed, and men even commit suicide if they are unable to satisfy it. We see the same thing among those who are not rich, while the poor drown their unsatisfied need and their envy in drunkenness. But soon they will drink blood instead of wine, they are being led on to it. I ask you is such a man free? I knew one "champion of freedom" who told me himself that, when he was deprived of tobacco in prison, he was so wretched at eh privation that he almost went and betrayed his cause for the sake of getting tobacco again! And such a man says, "I am fighting for the cause of humanity."

How can such a one fight, what is he fit for? He is capable perhaps of some action quickly over, but he cannot hold out long. And it;s no wonder that instead of gaining freedom they have sunk into slavery, and instead of serving the cause of brotherly love and the union of humanity have fallen, on the contrary into dissension and isolation, a my mysterious visitor and teacher said to me in my youth. And therefore the idea of the service of humanity, of brotherly love and the solidarity of mankind, is more an more dying out in the world, and indeed this ideas is sometimes treated with derision. For how can a man shake off his habits, what can become of him if he is in such bondage to the habit of satisfying the innumerable desires he has created for himself? He is isolated, and what concern has he with the rest of humanity? they have succeeded
in accumulating a greater mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown less.

The monastic way is very different. Obedience, fasting, and prayer are laughed at, yet only through the lies the way to real, true freedom. I cut off my superfluous and unnecessary desires, I subdue my proud and wanton will an chastise it with obedience, and with God's help I attain freedom of spirit and with it spiritual joy. Which is most capable of conceiving a great idea and serving it-the rich man in his isolation or the man who has feed himself from the tyranny of material things and habits? The monk is reproached for his solitude, "You have secluded yourself within the walls of the monastery for your own salvation,k, and have forgotten the brotherly service of humanity!" but we shall see which will be most zealous in the cause of brotherly love. For it s not we, but they, who are in isolation, though they don't see that."

Here are a few more random quotes off the inter net (although these isolated quotes do not at all do the book justice):

"I think the devil doesn't exist, but man has created him, he has created him in his own image and likeness."

"People talk sometimes of a bestial cruelty, but that's a great injustice and insult to the beasts; a beast can never be so cruel as a man, so artistically cruel. The tiger only tears and gnaws, that's all he can do. He would never think of nailing people by the ears, even if he were able to do it."

"If you were to destroy in mankind the belief in immortality, not only love but every living force maintaining the life of the world would at once be dried up. Moreover, nothing then would be immoral; everything would be lawful, even cannibalism."

"What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love."

"There is only one salvation for you: take yourself up, and make yourself responsible for all the sins of men. For indeed it is so, my friend, and the moment you make yourself sincerely responsible for everything and everyone, you will see at once that it is really so, that it is you who are guilty on behalf of all and for all. Whereas by shifting your own laziness and powerlessness onto others, you will end by sharing in Satan's pride and murmuring against God."


"Listen: if everyone must suffer, in order to buy eternal harmony with their suffering, pray tell me what have children got to do with it? It’s quite incomprehensible why they should have to suffer, and why they should buy harmony with their suffering."

"Is there in the whole world a being who would have the right to forgive and could forgive? I don't want harmony. From love for humanity I don't want it. I would rather be left with the unavenged suffering. I would rather remain with my unavenged suffering and unsatisfied indignation, even if I were wrong. Besides, too high a price is asked for harmony; it's beyond our means to pay so much to enter on it. And so I hasten to give back my entrance ticket, and if I am an honest man I am bound to give it back as soon as possible. And that I am doing. It's not God that I don't accept, Alyosha, only I most respectfully return him the ticket."

"I'm a Karamazov... when I fall into the abyss, I go straight into it, head down and heels up, and I'm even pleased that I'm falling in such a humiliating position, and for me I find it beautiful. And so in that very shame I suddenly begin a hymn. Let me be cursed, let me be base and vile, but let me also kiss the hem of that garment in which my God is clothed; let me be following the devil at the same time, but still I am also your son, Lord, and I love you, and I feel a joy without which the world cannot stand and be."

"Imagine that you are creating a fabric of human destiny with the object of making men happy in the end... but that it was essential and inevitable to torture to death only one tiny creature ... And to found that edifice on its unavenged tears: would you consent to be the architect on those conditions? Tell me, and tell me the truth!"

"The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself."

"By the experience of active love. Strive to love your neighbour actively and indefatigably. In as far as you advance in love you will grow surer of the reality of God and of the immortality of your soul. If you attain to perfect self-forgetfulness in the love of your neighbour, then you will believe without doubt, and no doubt can possibly enter your soul. This has been tried. This is certain."

"His whole theory is a fraud! Humanity will find in itself the power to live for virtue even without believing in immortality. It will find it in love for freedom, for equality, for fraternity. "

"Beauty! I can't endure the thought that a man of lofty mind and heart begins with the ideal of the Madonna and ends with the ideal of Sodom. What's still more awful is that a man with the ideal of Sodom in his soul does not renounce the ideal of the Madonna, and his heart may be on fire with that ideal, genuinely on fire, just as in his days of youth and innocence. Yes, man is broad, too broad, indeed. I'd have him narrower. The devil only knows what to make of it! What to the mind is shameful is beauty and nothing else to the heart. Is there beauty in Sodom? Believe me, that for the immense mass of mankind beauty is found in Sodom. Did you know that secret? The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there and the battlefield is the heart of man."

Seeking paradise thousands and thousands of tourists regularly stream into Fiji from all over the world to enjoy its natural beauty. Ironically at the same time many of those who live here find it to be hell and are looking for ways to emigrate. Even though this material world is sometimes very beautiful, that beauty is never perfect. It is always marred...

A sure sign that the annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) is just around the corner is the annual Snana-Yatra festival! This upcoming Sunday, Toronto's Hare Krishna temple will be celebrating this wonderful festival, wherein Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Lady Subhadra will be bathed amidst amazing kirtan and chanting!

Feature 1: Modes of Combat Feature 2: Passion to Misery to Goodness—A Drama

Last Sunday was spent teaching a vegan cookery class at Gymea, a one-hour train ride from my Bondi Junction train station. Because it was a local class, I was there and back in one day.

Here's our crew, poised to commence a vegan extravaganza. My host Jitka (pictured third from right ) is herself a committed vegan, and wanted to share her dietary choice with her friends.

Here's our menu:

The Global Vegan

Fragrant Hot & Sour Masoor Dal Soup (Rasam) South Indian Mustard-infused Lemon Rice with Cashews & Fresh Coconut Seared Chili Tofu Steaks on a bed of Sweet Potato Mash with Rocket Salad BBQ Asparagus with Balsamic-scented Semi-dried Tomato & Macadamia Chutney Mild Karnataka-style Poriyal of Cauliflower, Potato and Peas Succulent Mixed Vegetable Balls in Herbed Tomato Sauce (Kofta) Lemon-scented Sticky Date, Walnut and Raisin Semolina Halava Pudding

A splendid time was had by all.

Parades and Processions

Toronto, ON

"I admire anyone who can walk in them", said the young guy to his girlfriend, referring to toothpick thin high hells worn by a woman they just observed in passing. I too agree that it is practically a mystical feat being able to accomplish such a task. Walking on stilts would be easier.

The street is Yonge St. I wasn't aware that today the Gay Pride Parade has passed through here in the afternoon. Eventually I found out that it attracted seven hundred thousand people which is three-hundred thousand short of the city's Caribana. In three weeks our won Jaganatha Pride Parade will roll down on the same street but in terms of numbers we are a little behind others although we might boast the largest Ratha Yatra in North America.

The Metro Newspaper captured a picture of a girl in blue portraying Krishna in London's Ratha Yatra. The picture was dispatch globally. She had a huge smile.

Parades, Processions draw crowds. As a kid I remember the parade organized by the Shriners. I loved the beat. Other big draws are the Santa Claus and St. Patricks' Day parades held at least in this city. The thump and rhythm of marches and drums becomes synchronized to the heart beat. The worries I mostly have about our own Ratha Yatra procession is "Will our participants sufficiently smile?" or "Will we overly display plastic bottled water when handed out to processionists to address their dehydration. Plastic bottle image is not a good profile for a spiritual organization..

When in Durban, I got extremely upset that hundreds of balloons were discharged into the air creating a refuse problem for the future.

8 KM

Hindu and Non-Hindu

Toronto, Ontario

Highway 50 became the location of a Ratha Yatra festival hosted and organized by the Hindu community. The sun blazed on us chanters as we were propped up on a cart with Oriyan sacred images of Jaganatha, Baladev, and subhadra behind us. The harmonium pumped powerfully, hands slid and tapped on a mrdunga drums and kartals (hand cymbals) clanged to back up mantras.

After the sun moved to the West, I was transported to the temple for a photo art gallery exhibit. The photos excellently captured impressions of India. Photographer Haidee Malkin was excited to have her best shots on display in the temple's Govinda's Dining Room. People came and feasted their eyes on spirit-catching images of rural and industrious India. The attendance was predominantly non-Hindu. They, however, got to see classical Indian dance and also were entertained by mantra chanting by musical group "Gaura Shakti".

I had a few minutes on the microphone. People were shocked when I recommended that the best shoes for long distance walks are crocs.

While these function took place our youth were engaged in a sankirtan festival. Twenty two youths hit the streets with homemade veggie friendly cookies and soul friendly books for distribution. There was no discrimination as to who gets these little treasures.

Response was good. The sun shone.

7 KM

Not Africa/Not Heaven

Toronto, ON

Was I happy to see Josh (short for Joshveer) from South Africa newly arrived. This young chap is leading man material for some upcoming dramas I'm planning to stage. I've worked with him in Durban and I slipped the idea by him when he was back in his country, "Why don't you come to Canada? We could form a serious troupe." And so he agreed and had arrived just hours before I returned.

As is usual, I introduce newcomers to my favourite japa walking trails. "It's a whole new foliage here for you, Josh. That's a maple tree. It provides the greatest syrup. There's poison ivy. Stay away from it. Here's a mulberry tree. Pick! Aren't they tasty? IN the pond you see goldfish. Oh! A turtle! Natvie blue wild flower. It's chickory. Maybe it's not foreign to you. Look! A red winged black bird, very territorial! There's some squirrels. They look like cute rats with bushy Hare Krishna hair tails at the end." for Josh, it's a new world - a change from monkeys, zebras, lions, elephants and everything African. He is surprised to see few homes with walls and barbed wire around them. "It's all very open, Josh."

After the initiation walk, he had to deal with jet lag dynamics and rested.

I received a call from Vrnda, our spiritual facilitator in Winnipeg, that a dear godsister, Ghandiva, student of Srila Prabhupad, is in a coma and doctors inform that she will not revive again. Ghandiva has been struggling with health issues for some time including diabetes. She was one of the earlier pioneers for establishing the consciousness of Krishna in Mumbai. She spent some years living in L.A. and the last years in Manitoba, Canada.

I make an appeal to all walking monk readers to please throw a prayer out there for this good soul who lives in a desperate situation at the moment.

Please wish Ghandiva well.

12 KM

NEW GOVARDHANA RATHA YATRA

 

SUNDAY  5th JUNE 2009

 

RATHA YATRA BEGINS AT 3:00PM FROM THE FARM ENTRANCE.

 

PROGRAM

 

3:00PM  RATHA YATRA LEAVES FROM FRONT BRIDGE

FOLLOWED BY CLASS BY H.H MUKUNDA GOSWAMI

MAHA RATHA YATRA FEAST

 

SPONSORSHIP

 

RATHA YATRA FEAST  -  $608

FLOWERS  -  $151

 

FOR SPONSORSHIP AND FESTIVAL INFORMATION

PLEASE CONTACT

 

GAURA SHAKTI DEVI DASI  -  02 66722773

040 4194830

gaurashakti@exemail.com.au

 

AJITA DAS  - 0419645305

 

ajita@in.com.au

1968 June 30: "Krishna Consciousness is not a religious movement as it is generally understood. We are teaching love for God. That means Krishna Consciousness is the post-graduate class for all religious sects."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 June 30: "Neither Krishna claims Himself that He is an Indian or a Ksatriya, or a Brahmin. Krishna is universal. Krishna is non-sectarian, and therefore they must know how that non-sectarian institution is possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1973 June 30: "We received copies of the Swahili Topmost Yoga System and it is very nicely done. This printing and distribution of our literature is most important aspect of our propaganda work."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 June 30: "My blessing does not require my physical presence. If you are following all of my instructions then there is no question of not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya whose mission I am humbly trying to push on."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 June 30: "Why work in hellish factories? Let everyone live simply and be Krsna conscious. This farm project you should consider very important. Let people be self sufficient."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 June 30: "There is no need to form a separate committee. Let each zone and center push on in their area of the world. I have organized GBC for the purpose of spreading Krsna consciousness all over the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1968 June 30: "Simply for land, we don't care. We simply want favorable place for worshipping Krishna. If your neighbors are always suspicious, there may be always danger. Why should we make our residence in such a place?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 June 30: "Live as simply as possible without any exaggeration, regularly hold Krishna Kirtana, and try to convince people about the non-sectarian nature of Krishna Consciousness. That will make you successful."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1975 June 30: "There is no need to form a separate committee. Let each zone and center push on in their area of the world. I have organized GBC for the purpose of spreading Krsna consciousness all over the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1968 June 30: "Simply for land, we don't care. We simply want favorable place for worshipping Krishna. If your neighbors are always suspicious, there may be always danger. Why should we make our residence in such a place?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 June 30: "Neither Krishna claims Himself that He is an Indian or a Ksatriya, or a Brahmin. Krishna is universal. Krishna is non-sectarian, and therefore they must know how that non-sectarian institution is possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 June 30: "Krishna Consciousness is not a religious movement as it is generally understood. We are teaching love for God. That means Krishna Consciousness is the post-graduate class for all religious sects."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 June 30: "Live as simply as possible without any exaggeration, regularly hold Krishna Kirtana, and try to convince people about the non-sectarian nature of Krishna Consciousness. That will make you successful."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1975 June 30: "Why work in hellish factories? Let everyone live simply and be Krsna conscious. This farm project you should consider very important. Let people be self sufficient."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1973 June 30: "We received copies of the Swahili Topmost Yoga System and it is very nicely done. This printing and distribution of our literature is most important aspect of our propaganda work."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 June 30: "My blessing does not require my physical presence. If you are following all of my instructions then there is no question of not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya whose mission I am humbly trying to push on."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

I've officially abandoned this blog in preference for sabjimata.blogspot.com, but even there I am not posting much these days.

But since this blog gets fed to Planet Iskcon and the Sabjimata blog is not being fed since I changed the url recently, i am posting this link here for anyone interested in honesty on the path to Krishna.

A longtime friend of mine has written an excellent post at his blog, A Convenient Truth, complete with a warning for the squeemish. My blog carries no such warning. His original cartoon, which accompanies the post, appears below.

Enjoy!

The 37th Annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) is just around the corner and so it is with great excitement that we present this year's official Festival of India TV commercial. The 30-second spot will be played on OMNI, CP24 and on the OneStop Network, which runs information screens on all 69 subway stations on the TTC!

yad yad acarati sresthas tat tad evetaro janah sa yat pramanam kurute lokas tad anuvartate TRANSLATION Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues. Bg 3.21 Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about the need for good examples, that we need to develop ourselves in order [...]

We are driven by lust, which is characterized by selfishness and self-centered desires and pursuits. It makes us do things without thinking of the consequences.

Srila Prabhupada says in his purport to the 39th verse of the third chapter in the Bhagavad-gita:

Radha Mohan das: On Sunday 28th June London’s Ratha-yatra returned to the streets of the British capital. London was illuminated by the wonderful colours and sounds of the festival, a vibrant celebration of Vaishnava culture and spirituality in the city.

Ramanuja Dasa: If anyone is in touch with India, or Indian media, then they will know the we are going through a heavey drought, with monsoons late as much as a month. Power cuts are getting longer and longer(almost 15 hours a day in North India).