Virtual Istagosthi: Mukunda Charan das, SA: Real And Apparent

PLANET ISKCON

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"Planet ISKCON" - 38 new articles

H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Tuesday 10 May 2011--Mission Impossible or Possible?--and--Do You Hear Our Prayers?

Japa Group: Do Not Chant Like The Parrot

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darshana

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Kesava Prabhu

Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Kirtan 2011-05-05

Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: The Symphony of Life

Gaura-shakti Kirtan, Toronto, CA: On How to Become More Kind...

Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Bhajan - 24hr Kirtan - Ram Pandit - 20/26

Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Opportunity at every step

Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: We have a book from everyone

Gaura Vani, USA: 24 Hour Kirtan 2011 – June 18-19

New Vrndavan, USA: Home Programs Monday and Tuesday May 9-10

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 305—Poem for May 9

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): OLD FRIENDS

Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Chandan Yatra 2011. Fresh Nectar from Vrindavan & Maypur dham

Akrura das, Gita Coaching: WHAT TO FOCUS ON?

Mukunda Charan das, SA: Real And Apparent

Dandavats.com: Book Review: Miracle On 2nd Ave

ISKCON Brampton, Canada: Saranagati Seminar - May 7

Dandavats.com: ISKCON Udupi Ratha Yatra – A Grand Success!

Dandavats.com: New Prayer Center on Vaisnavas C.A.R.E.

Dandavats.com: Flower Dresses on Aksaya Tritiya Morning

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Sunday the 8th bhajans

Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Altar of Sankirtan

H.H. Devamrita Swami: Mother's Day Manuevers

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Commenting on SlutWalks

Mayapur Online: Sri Jagannath- Flower Dress Darshan

Dandavats.com: “Just Be Humble Prabhu!”

Dandavats.com: Salt Lake City Temple Purchase

Dandavats.com: The Marketplace is Open! 7thgoswami.com

Dandavats.com: ISKCON Birmingham Presents the 12th Annual Birmingham 24 Hour Kirtan 2011 - ‘Sounds for the Soul’

H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Mauritius Vaisnava Etiquette – 4

H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Mauritius Vaisnava Etiquette – 3

Japa Group: Japa Chair

Maddy Jean-claude Durr, New Govardhana, AU: Amazing April (Belgium)

Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: 2011 Malaysia tour – Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre, Penang

Gouranga TV: Evening bhajan with Niranjana Maharaja in Villaggio Hare Krishna-Italy!!!2011!!(part 2)

Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Interview : James Swan, Author of 101 Things I Hate About Your House

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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Tuesday 10 May 2011--Mission Impossible or Possible?--and--Do You Hear Our Prayers?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(tm) Tuesday 10 May 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. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) 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: Mission Impossible or Possible? Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA My spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has given us the mission of delivering the entire world from its chaotic condition by educating everyone in the science of Krishna consciousness. How are we to do that when only an insignificant percentage of the world population cares to hear our message? It appears to be completely impossible. But yet by the inconceivable potency of the all-powerful, all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, even the most impossible thing can become highly possible. So reposing our full faith in the order we have received from Srila Prabhupada and in the inconceivable mercy of the Supreme Lord, we continue with our mission of enlightening the entire human society with the transcendental science of Krishna consciousness. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Our Mission: Inspire the Whole World to Chant Leading Kirtan--Gurgaon, India--10 April 2011 http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Spring/Gurgaon_Kirtan.JPG Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Do You Hear Our Prayers? Srila Gurudeva, I hope all is well with you. You mentioned, Always pray to guru and Krishna. Do you hear our prayers when we do that? Thank you for increasing my understanding. L.P. Answer: No Conscious Prayers Go in Vain Srila Prabhupada has nicely answered this question. So I am giving you his answer as follows: Regarding your questions: Are the spiritual master and the grand spiritual master consciously aware of the prayers of a sincere devotee who prays in love to Them? -- The answer is that no conscious prayers go in vain. They are transmitted positively. But one thing you must know that any prayer you offer to your spiritual master and superior spiritual Master, all of them are conveyed to Krishna, so no sincere prayers go in vain. We shall always offer such prayers to the spiritual master, superior spiritual master, Vaisnava acaryas, Lord Caitanya, and at the end Radha Krishna, that is the system. --from a letter to: Mahananda -- Los Angeles 27 April, 1970 Srila Prabhupada has given the perfect answer. 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. 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 Sankarshan Das Adhikari on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SDASITE Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization 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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Japa Group: Do Not Chant Like The Parrot

Practice to chant the Hare Krsna mantra. Do not chant like the parrot who may learn to utter “Hare Krsna,” but when grabbed at the throat cries, “Caw caw!” Prabhupada said practice so that when death comes you will chant Hare Krsna.

From Japa Meditations
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darshana

"The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities."

While taking darshan of Their Lordships, let us remember that it is by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada that we are able to be in such a close relationship again with Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Kesava Prabhu

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Kesava Prabhu

Daily Class - Kesava Prabhu
10.1MB
Posted by Bhakti Sara Dasa at 10/5/11; 11:02:42 AM to the Daily Class dept

Srimad Bhagavatam 12.6.44-50 - Besides the sixty transcendental qualities, Krsna has four more, which are not manifest even in the Narayana form of Godhead, what to speak of the demigods or living entities (...madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-namnam).

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Kesava Prabhu

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Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Kirtan 2011-05-05

Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Kirtan 2011-05-05

http://www.krishnalounge.com/2011/05/kirtan-2011-05-05/4590727059_365d7bdba3_z/" rel="attachment wp-att-1789

http://www.krishnalounge.com/2011/05/kirtan-2011-05-05/

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Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: The Symphony of Life

Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: The Symphony of Life

Human life allows us to see into the intricacies of material nature. The animals are primarily concerned with the biological behaviors of eating, sleeping, mating, and defense. In that state of egocentricity they cannot appreciate the “music of the spheres”, the complex symphony of life that is taking place around us at every moment. Human life is the window by which we can understand the deeper truths behind the mystery of life itself.
Talk by Giriraj:

http://www.krishnalounge.com/2011/05/1773/

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Gaura-shakti Kirtan, Toronto, CA: On How to Become More Kind...

It's so simple to purify your own heart and become more kind by considering the six loving exchanges mentioned by the great 15th-century scholar and devotee of Lord Krishna, Rupa Goswami:
(1) Sharing gifts with others
(2) Accepting gifts
(3) Revealing your mind to others in confidence
(4) Inquiring confidentially
(5) Accepting spiritual food
(6) Offering spiritual food to others

Gaura-Shakti will be presenting some of these beautiful aspects of bhakti this weekend at Moksha Yoga Downtown. We will be sharing some of these aspects with others in the forms of mantra meditation, kirtan, and the association of like-minded people. This is what our "Evenings of Bhakti" are all about! We're looking forward to the amazing evening that hopefully will give us a sweet taste of bhakti. Stay tuned for a report on the event! :)

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Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Bhajan - 24hr Kirtan - Ram Pandit - 20/26

Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Bhajan - 24hr Kirtan - Ram Pandit - 20/26

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ClassesAndBhajans/~3/9bWJxvEQ9OI/802-Bhajan-24hr-Kirtan-Ram-Pandit-2026.html

Ram Pandit singing a Hare Krishna bhajan for Dallas' New Year's 24hr Kirtan.
Dallas, TX
2010-12-31

Download: 2010-12-31 - 21 - 24hr Kirtan - Ram Pandit.mp3

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Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Opportunity at every step

As I was walking outside Urbanedgeyoga, I saw a girl crossing the street and tried to give her a card and she said no she has her own practice. At that time i asked her if she was interested n a little book - she looked undecided but at that very moment i saw the little Ganesha earings she was wearing. So i told her by the way - you know Ganesha wrote these books (Vyasadev dictated and Ganesha was the scribe). She got all interested and started to tell me that she lived in India and thats where she got earings from. Encouraged by Ganesha, she took a book home to explore

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Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: We have a book from everyone

I had a few minutes and was walking down Yonge and Finch and could see almost no one when suddenly a man passed by. He didnt want to stop for Yoga and passed me by saying 'I am Buddhist'. Remembering Vasesika Prabhu's strategy - i asked him really - you are Budhist, wait I will give you a book Buddhists use and handed him a Bhagavad gita. Luckily for me as I opened it, opened right on chapter titled 'Karma Yoga'. I told him how Budhism talks about Karma and he readily agreed and appreciated the picture of Lord Buddha in the Bhagavad gita. He switched from saying no to taking a flier to giving a donation for Bhagavad gita.

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Gaura Vani, USA: 24 Hour Kirtan 2011 – June 18-19

Register Now | Accommodations | Directions | Schedule | Sponsor
The 24-Hour Kirtan (24HK) is celebrating its 5th Anniversary. The dates for this year’s festival are June 18-19, 2011. Held in the foothills of West Virginia at the Krishna farm community of New Vrindaban, the festival offers an opportunity to chant shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most gifted Mantra Music artists in the world. For the nearly 1000 people who attend this festival each year, it marks the beginning of Summer. Taking place on the third weekend in June, as per tradition, it falls one week after the New York Ratha-Yatra. The festival is free to all who attend including meals throughout the weekend. A $25 suggested donation is requested to help cover the costs of running the festival. Larger donations and sponsorships are welcome and can be made from www.Mantralogy.com/24.

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New Vrndavan, USA: Home Programs Monday and Tuesday May 9-10

Dear devotees,
There will be a home program tonight (May 9th) at Damodara’s and Gopa’s home at 6.30pm.
All are welcome,
Please bring a prep if you can,
****************************************
Dear devotees,
Radhanath Swami will be doing a home program at Raghunath and Jamuna’s home on Tuesday (May 10th) night at 6:30pm.
Everyone is invited.
If you are able to bring a prep that would be great.
Thanks,
Jamuna

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 305—Poem for May 9

www.sdgonline.org.
4:40 A.M.
A Writer of Pieces
New forma—I will begin with a poem written on the day of its printing. Then I will print random excerpts of books I have printed over the last 35 years. I hope this variety will be pleasing.
Poem for May 9

Another full night of
migraine leaves me shell-shocked
before 1:00 A.M. I rise and my
rounds are mostly counting
and straining to keep the eyes awake.
But I finish on time and
eagerly arrive at a poem,
although a poor man.
Pariksit sat on the bank of the Ganges,
and because he was such a great devotee
demigods and sages gathered throughout
the universe just to stay with him
until he went back to Goloka Vrndavana.
There was no loss for the king,
but the people lamented that he
would no longer be with them.
As the Lord’s appearance is rare in this
world, so is the pure devotee’s.
Prabhupada’s coming and going
was like that.
Baladeva convinces me, and
I already have the conclusion
that I should just stay
put and not travel. The
mornings are too precious
with japa and writing,
and I don’t want to disturb them.
I live with Sri Krishna
as my spiritual master,
my guide and the Source
of everything. Through
quiet days I stay close to
Him, and He gives
me inspiration to speak.
The spring is full-blown,
the maple trees have their
buds and the ferns in our
yard grow tall. Baladeva
is still mulching and trying
to revive our lawn
as a community service
to beautify and keep
up with the Joneses.
We live in simple rhythm attuned to
our community
with cookies, prasadam
and lawn care to the neighborhood.

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): OLD FRIENDS

www.sdgonline.org.
From Journal and Poems, Book One
“World Pilgrimage Proposal
“I have an idea for a book, a travelogue of all the ISKCON centers around the world. One objection is that in some of the places it would be hard to disregard all the controversies and schisms that exist. And in some places there are obvious discrepancies. How to deal with that? The purpose of the book would be to glorify Prabhupada and Krishna in ISKCON in many branches. Therefore, I could seek out that which is good and glorious while not dwelling on the many bad things. In the mood of Raghunatha-bhatta Goswami, I would see only the good. And there is much good to see. And even when I see the deficiencies, I will not dwell on them but write about them in a philosophical, non-political way. I would be openly going for the honey in each place rather than being like a fly and going to the sore.
“I would not attempt to write a travelogue in the usual sense. I would not, for example, tell about all the different sites in New Vrndavana. Rather, I would give some impressions of my visit there in the ‘Journal and Poems’ style. So my purposes would be to make a world pilgrimage; to glorify Prabhupada; to show that ISKCON is alive; to share the nectar by telling everyone about the different centers; and to make poems about different places in ISKCON. In this way I dream for the future.
“Everyone Knows Radha-Damodara
“Everyone knows
Krishna and Balarama are stone,
brought to Vrndavana from Jaipur.
But thousands come to worship Them.
Everyone knows
Jagannatha in Puri
is made of wood.
But thousands flock to see Him.
And Tirupati’s Balaji—
everyone knows He’s stone.
Yet He’s Bhagavan.
“Here at Gita-nagari
everyone knows Radha-Damodara.
“Pink-and-blue dressed,
playful boy, You are Krishna—
whether here or in Your gorgeous mandirs.
As I behold You today
with Your silver crown and flute,
Your soft, pleated silks,
this prayer comes to mind:
‘Please don’t grant me my material desires.
I want to be detached.
Please take my lust away.’”
From Lessons from the Road, Volume I
“May 12
Appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva
“We left, headed for Interstate-95 South, our first movement as a traveling party—me and Madhu in the Kamadhuk, Baladeva in the Ram van with trailer attached, and a van ahead of us, Haryasva dasa, Narayana Kavaca dasa, and Caitanya-Nitai. Within less than an hour, from the combination of fasting, hot weather and shaking on the road, I got a headache. This is my reinitiation to the road on the anniversary of the day when Srila Prabhupada awarded me sannyasa. We arrived in a crowded campground in Raleigh, North Carolina, where I could do very little but wait for the day to end. Since I was unable to read, I tried to think about the lessons in writing I am preparing for my disciples. What will be best? Should it be like a correspondence course in bhakti-yoga? Should I turn away from events and speak more, as I do when I am on the vyasasana? But would that be less interesting? What do they want? What will enliven them? What is best?
“I just read a letter that was sent to me about three months ago. It is unsigned and I don’t have the slightest idea who it is from, except that he’s a disciple of Srila Prabhupada. He commends me for suggesting a contest of humility between devotees, and he elaborates how humility should be comprehensive and energetic:
“‘I suggest humility be judged by the extent of how much one institutes programs like printing and distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books, prasadam distribution, chanting sixteen rounds, following the regulative principles, attendance at morning program (including mangala arati), and evening programs, etc. In other words, how much one does to follow what Srila Prabhupada wanted.
“‘When I joined in 1974, the devotees were going out on harinama every day. On Saturday, those who were otherwise engaged during the week also went out on harinama, like the pujari or cook. Everyone was to go out, even the temple president. It was direct order from Srila Prabhupada that all the GBC men should go out at least one hour a day. The devotees would go out no matter what—rain, snow, or scorching heat; without fail, there was always something to distribute: a book or BTG, prasadam, invitation cards, etc.
“‘On Sunday, everyone would stay back and prepare for the Sunday feast program, and preach to the guests who would come. Because all week devotees would be going out and meeting people and inviting them to come, many people would come to the program. Those people would come and buy books, prasadam, take part in chanting, see plays and become devotees. This all happened due to the inspiration we all got by seeing Srila Prabhupada’s humility. At such an advanced age he was teaching us how to get life. He would quote Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada, “The preacher has a life. A dead man cannot preach.” Prabhupada always said that if you become Krishna conscious, you have everything. That’s humility.’
“Humility means to do all things Prabhupada advised. But can one person do it all? I am aware that as I grow older, I am no longer ready to do things in Krishna consciousness when I was a younger preacher. Tamala Krishna is going to live in New York City in order to become humble by preaching and with no disciples assisting him. He wants to personally clean the temple and serve prasadam to guests, and go out every day to meet people in the streets. Either through chanting or bookselling. I was supposed to go with him, but here I am, traveling with my disciples. Ours is a good program also, but it has to unfold and develop more, including my own austerity of meeting with nondevotees.
“Kamadhuk
“I like my new home and the fact that we are always traveling, and not so much in touch with the telephone. I saw one camper with the name ‘Escaper,’ and it reminded me that we cannot escape time and death. And I cannot escape the duty of serving Srila Prabhupada. But serving in this moving bhajana-kutir, reading and writing, has resulted, even after a few days, in increased taste for vishnu-smaranam. ‘Chanting produces more chanting,’ Prabhupada once said, and so it is with reading and also speaking the philosophy. I hope that I can remain enlivened in this way and enthuse the men who travel with us. I hope our party can contribute to ISKCON and not be simply touring. Yet Srila Prabhupada said spiritual life should be like ‘recreation only,’ transcendental to the modes . . . And the sannyasis and brahmacaris especially may enjoy the footloose aspect. Spiritual life means to be joyful, so why should I be surprised or guilty to feel so?”
From Dear Sky: Letters from a Sannyasi
“On the road: France
“Dear Friends,
“I was in the front of the cab, writing something in my diary. I would like to share it with you. I was saying that there are things in me that I want to express but I can’t, or rather my mind is so tired due to constant travel that I am unable to write or read sastra. Instead, I have been remembering my high school days. By observing my trivial thoughts, I realize that I have a deeper level that is not accessible to me, and that’s the main point—that the goal of Krishna consciousness is not accessible to me.
“I intend to love Krishna, but there’s not much I can say about that because it’s not very developed. Every living being is a pure soul and possesses the seed of a loving relationship with Krishna, but our natures are covered over in different ways. Prabhupada often said that Krishna consciousness means uncovering, cleansing, learning who we really are.
“Some writers have a craving to express as much of the physical world and their impressions of it as possible. But, ultimately, it’s not just facts that they want to convey. They want to remember their experiences, but they want to infuse their remembrances with meanings. Writers may also feel that there is no meanings to be found in this world, and that they may want to decry every human being’s incoherency. As Thomas Wolfe said, ‘O lost and by the wind grieved, ghost, come back again.’ Writers want to make music. They want to express inexpressible things. It’s almost a desire to be God. I don’t know what it is. I can’t speak for them.
“As for myself, it’s not that I want to erupt and pour out all the things I’ve seen and done. These old memories are not so important. I don’t usually find other people’s reminiscences so interesting, so why should I think my reminiscences are interesting? They’re only interesting to me because I have some love, attachment (for myself in this material world). That, in turn, makes me attached to the things I’ve done and seen. I’ve honored those experiences, so what?
“And so we speed along looking out at hills and highway and city congestion and commerce. Sometimes I shut my eyes because it is too much and has no purpose. And then the mind, almost as if stimulated by the spinning wheels of our van, spins out so many scenes. I feel helpless in this shallow consciousness. When I chant Hare Krishna, I don’t have access to the holy name in worship. But I think, ‘Anyway, at least I can say Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. It’s better than nothing.’
“Even my desire to communicate to you what I’m doing meets with the same dilemma. Namely, do I have anything to say? But the basic facts are nice: We are traveling toward a Hare Krishna temple where there are beautiful Radha-Govinda-Madhava Deities. Our little van itself is a moving temple, with pictures of Srila Prabhupada, Panca-tattva and special portraits of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami, and finally Radha and Krishna.
“Sometimes we just have to move ourselves from place to place like parcels, getting rudely bounced and simply tolerating it. The white highway line shoots out the back of the van. The wind roars in the overhead vent. Madhu drives relentlessly, passing and stopping, passing and stopping, and I am bounced around.
“I’m thinking of you and communing with you somehow or other. Let’s just serve Srila Prabhupada, although we know so little. Pray for faith, although we may not have much. Lets honor the other devotees and try to encourage each other, bring out the best in each of us, and to squelch those impulsive desires for sense gratification and sinful life. Everything is available in Krishna consciousness; we don’t have to fall down and suffer in the name of trying to be happy. Let’s do our duty and endure the tedious times, knowing that within this self is a pure self. And one of these days, we will be able to come closer to our goal of loving service to Krishna.”

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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Chandan Yatra 2011. Fresh Nectar from Vrindavan & Maypur dham

Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Chandan Yatra 2011. Fresh Nectar from Vrindavan & Maypur dham

As promised on Friday's post, here is fresh nectar from ISKCON Vrindavan and Mayapur dham. Here you can see the Supreme Enjoyer, Krishna smeared in sandalwood paste for Chandan Yatra. A favorite festival that lets us absorb the transcedental form and nectar of Radha Shyam in a different way.

To honour Chandan Yatra, this video was used as background during Subhavilasa das' lecture at New Remuna dham/ISKCON Toronto yesterday, however due to the amount of daylight flooding the temple room many were not able to get a clear view. So we hope those that were not able to see it, get a chance to view it here...

http://radhashyamasundar.com/2/post/2011/05/chandan-yatra-2011-fresh-nectar-from-vrindavan-maypur-dham.html

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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: WHAT TO FOCUS ON?

Research has shown, around the world, 65% of all the personal communications time is spent on:

A. People talking about how smart, special or wonderful they are or listening to this, and,
B. People talk about how bad, stupid or inapt someone else is, or listening to this.

What a huge productivity drain. In Mojo we focus on how to go beyond our own ego, how to get beyond talking about others, and we focus on what really matters for the organization, what's really critical for the mission and what's really critical for the company.

- Marshall Goldsmith

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Mukunda Charan das, SA: Real And Apparent

‘It is not for everything to serve such a small thing. There are many small things both in this world and in the realm of the Absolute. These small things may either try to Lord it over one another, to co-operate with onen another in lording it over themselves or they may serve things that are greater than themselves. In this world the small things pursue the first two methods. This is ego-worship. It is a very mean thing because the ego is so small. These ego-worshippers are punished by being endowed with an abnormal vision which is incapable of perceiving any thing which is really greater than themselves’ – [Real And Apparent p.40, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur]

Filed under: Quotes, Realizations, Spiritual Life Tagged: Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, ego worship, the absolute

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Dandavats.com: Book Review: Miracle On 2nd Ave

By Kavicandra Swami
I had a hard time putting it down and was feeling lost when I findished rreading. I gave my copy to one devotee who had lost his enthusiasm for preaching. He got so excited and claimed it had changed his life. He is recommended it to his friends and is reading it again

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ISKCON Brampton, Canada: Saranagati Seminar - May 7

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Dandavats.com: ISKCON Udupi Ratha Yatra – A Grand Success!

By Bhakti Raghava Swami
Being members of the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaisnavas sampradaya, devotees of ISKCON consider holding such an auspicious ceremony in this sacred and historical town of Udupi as most significant. Udupi is the revered abode of Srila Madhvacarya, the main acarya of the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya, who established the beautiful deity of Lord Krishna in the 13th century

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Dandavats.com: New Prayer Center on Vaisnavas C.A.R.E.

Your servants at Vaisnavas C. A. R. E.: We at Vaisnavas C. A. R. E. are happy to announce the new Vaisnavas C. A. R. E. Prayer Center. The V-CARE Prayer Center is now more user friendly, allows participants to register for a free login, and post prayers and requests for those in need. Once logged in your posts will be automatically and immediately added to the prayer center

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Dandavats.com: Flower Dresses on Aksaya Tritiya Morning

Deena Bandhu dasa: On the morning of Aksaya Tritiya the ladies made the most fabulous flower dresses that I have ever seen. My vote was Radha Shyamsundar no. 1, Krishna Balaram, no. 2, Gaura Nitai, no. 3! But all were fantastic

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Sunday the 8th bhajans

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Sunday the 8th bhajans

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Seminar – Sunday the 8th bhajans

My apologies for the mistakes, I am rusty on melodies.

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Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Altar of Sankirtan

We wish that this mass of our body of flesh and blood may be sacrificed at the altar of preaching the samkirtan movement propagated by lord Chaitanya. We are not desirous of becoming a hero of work or a reformer of a religion, but our reality may be identified with the dust of the lotus feet of Sree Rupa and Raghunath for that is our everything...We shall have no love or hatred for anyone in this world. All arrangements made in this world are temporary. There is, therefore,unavoidable necessity for that ultimate need for every one in this world. You should attain the transcendental loving service of the objective, being situated in concerted action for that one aim. Let there be constant flow of the ideas and thoughts as conceived by Rupa Goswami and His followers. We shall not at any time show our slightest dejection for the seven tongued 'Sankirtan' movement. If we have undaunted faith in it we shall then only achieve all protections. You should all therefore preach with fearlessness and with utmost energy the message of Rupa and Raghunath under the guidance of the followers of Sree Rupa.

His Divine Grace Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Maharaj, 23 Dec 1936 a few days before his passing from this mortal world

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H.H. Devamrita Swami: Mother's Day Manuevers

"My husband drove me to the Sunday program as a Mother's Day gift," Dvaraka-puri, a mother of three, gushed happily to me. My memory needed that jog—I remembered to call my own eighty-three year-old mother, sixteen hours behind, in the USA.
"All she wants is not much," Dvaraka-puri elaborated. "Just to hear your voice and know where you are—that's the eternal mothers' thing, no matter how old."
I fixed those words of my disciple, the mother of another disciple, in my mind: to hear my voice and know where I am—that's all mothers want.
For Mother's Day last year, none of my other brothers called her. Upon hearing that from mother, I seized the opportunity to deposit mega in the emotional bank account.
"Just see who is the son that really cares!" I declared. "This is the proof. I'm a swami, a homeless wanderer, and I'm calling all the way from New Zealand, the last stop before Antarctica. Your other sons, both quite well-off and materially accomplished, are easily accessible in the USA, yet no phone calls.
"Now accept the reality: admit that I am the most mindful and considerate son, even though I visit just once a year, and you claim you rarely know where in the world I am."
Deftly hiding any symptoms of favoritism, in a way expert mothers can do, she asserted that all her sons were equal in her eyes. Nevertheless, she did admit that because I was her her firstborn, she poured everything she could into me. "At last, the truth," I replied triumphantly.
"No, no dear, you don't understand," she struck back. "Your two brothers are married men. I know what they have to go through—you don't. You see, women are high maintenance. Unfortunately you passed up that wonderful and rewarding experience.
"No doubt what happened is that your brothers' wives are prevailing and predominating one way or another; therefore your brothers don't have the headspace to call on Mother's Day—I can appreciate that."
"Ridiculous," I protested. "You make so many excuses for them, but not for me."
In this way life in the family goes on: the high achievers and the mighty matriarch try to cope with and understand a homeless, moneyless swami,

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Commenting on SlutWalks

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Commenting on SlutWalks

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Commenting on SlutWalks

And the concept of how “It’s to bring awareness to the shame and degradation women still face for expressing their sexuality… essentially for behaving in a healthy and sexual way.”

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Mayapur Online: Sri Jagannath- Flower Dress Darshan

For the first time, Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra deities in Rajapur were offered flower outfits. During the Pushpa Abhisheka and on some special festival days, Sri Radha-Madhava in Mayapur were dressed in floral outfits, but never before have Our Jagganath, Baladeva, and Subhadra deities ever been offered an entire flower dress.
read more

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Dandavats.com: “Just Be Humble Prabhu!”

By Kesava Krsna Dasa
We all hate to be humiliated. What is the best defence against humiliation? It is humility. But our self-defence can assume false guises of humility, to fit our self-centred identity. We may be disappointed to discover that there is actually a Supreme Being other than ourselves. We are not the centre of the universe

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Dandavats.com: Salt Lake City Temple Purchase

By Caleb Warnock
"When will that day come when a temple will be established in every house in every corner of the world?" Daily Herald Daily Herald: Krishna to close on purchase of Salt Lake temple site this month

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Dandavats.com: The Marketplace is Open! 7thgoswami.com

Vaisesika Dasa: Dear esteemed devotee interested in the spiritual welfare of the world, Please accept our humble respects "All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!" We bring you warm greetings from ISKCON of Silicon Valley (ISV), where our mission is to serve all living beings by widely distributing the Holy Names of Krishna. We invite you to join and register at http://7thgoswami.com/ to have fun and blissful drive that will bring good fortune to everyone it touches

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Dandavats.com: ISKCON Birmingham Presents the 12th Annual Birmingham 24 Hour Kirtan 2011 - ‘Sounds for the Soul’

Mayapur Madhava Das: When: Sat 28th May (Ekadashi) to Sun 29th 2011 Dedicated to: HG Tribuvannatha Prabhu and HG Aindra Prabhu Special guests: HH Sacinandana Maharaj, HH Bhakti Vishramba Madhava Swami and HG Madhava Das Info: The oldest, annual 24 hour kirtan outside of India is back. Aindra prabhu personally gave many blessings and instructions to us on how to organise this particular 24 hour kirtan. Here are the details

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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Mauritius Vaisnava Etiquette – 4

H.H. Bhakti Caru Swami: Mauritius Vaisnava Etiquette – 4

H.H. Bhakti Caru Swami: Seminar – Mauritius Vaisnava Etiquette – 4

The following lecture and kirtan was given by H.H. Bhakti Caru Swami on 27 March, 2011, in Mauritius. This is the fourth of four lectures. The kirtan is at the end of the lecture. Thanks go to Srinjaya Prabhu & Viswanath Prabhu for providing the lectures.

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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Mauritius Vaisnava Etiquette – 3

H.H. Bhakti Caru Swami: Mauritius Vaisnava Etiquette – 3

H.H. Bhakti Caru Swami: Seminar – Mauritius Vaisnava Etiquette – 3

The following lecture and kirtan was given by H.H. Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaja on 26 March, 2011, in Mauritius. This is the third of four lectures. The kirtan is at the end of the lecture. Thanks go to Srinjaya Prabhu & Viswanath Prabhu for providing the lectures.

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Japa Group: Japa Chair

As I sat in my Japa chair today....the morning sun streaming through the window onto my chest - much needed heat and energy to help with the recovery of a 5 day influenza virus.

A thought came to mind.....just as the sun is giving relief and healing to my body - similarly the rays of the Holy names are giving me relief from material suffering and anxiety - it is healing and purifying our soul.

Krsna's association is incredibly powerful....He mercifully appears as the sound of the Hare Krsna mantra and purifies our mind and body and allows us to develop our pure love for the Lord.

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Maddy Jean-claude Durr, New Govardhana, AU: Amazing April (Belgium)

April was an amazing, jam packed month. We started straight up with a trip to London, for a 12 hour kirtana in honour of Aindra Prabhu. When we returned there was a fresh group of devotees back from India (including our friends Rama and Rishab) and thus the temple was back to being crowded. Rishab picked me up some new cloth while he was in the Dhams, which found its way into storage until the next month. Our weeks of Vaishnava Vedanta were super interesting but we were all still exhausted from our London fun.
I had an exciting breakthrough with the college, trying to bridge up links with our plans in Australia. The College in Australia is a few years off but it was an exciting prospect nonetheless.
Another new thing arrived in April: sun! With the sun came a new sense of peace in the break times and excitement in the busy times. I gave a few classes also this month; one topical class and an evening Bhagavad-Gita class.
Rama Navami rocked it up in the centre of it all. The girls put on a humorous and enjoyable drama. Maha Laksmi played Ravana and simultaneously maintained her own appearance day (birthday) on the same auspicious day.

It was essay time again and it was a mission and a half. We broke it all up though with our first group bonfire. I introduced the crew to some Aussie bush secrets; damper bread and foil apples.

In the midst of it all, Partha Sarathi came again, for another Sankirtana Saturday and harinama in Gent. I made my PowerPoint on the bus, because that same weekend was our Vaishnava Vedanta presentations. Our essay load was made easier with the cancellation of one of our extracurricular courses.
Krsna Dasa and Saradiya Rasa Mataji left for New Vrndavana, for work and thus our crew thinned out a little. I had to wake Krsna Dasa for his train, which he may otherwise have missed, and I said goodbye (not sure if I would see him for 5 months, although he thought it was only 3).

The japa retreat with HH Sacinandana Swami started, and so did our filming. We were filming footage for College promotional material, whilst trying to fit in the Japa retreat. The filming culminated in a great promotional video and our japa retreat culminated in a 64 round day, heaps of realizations and heaps of blessings.

Kadamba Kanana Swami slipped in for the final days of the retreat and then the party went on. We celebrated his Vyasapuja and ended the month with the Queen’s day harinama. Both Maharajas (and other kirtana leaders) took the front of the charge, marching a massive harinam down the streets of Amsterdam. I played the wampers the whole time and learned the concept of “bone shattering sound”. Partha Sarathi led a bunch of enthusiastic devotees in a supportive book distribution endeavour. I made some new friends, some new beats and had my Krsna consciousness boosted up to a new height.

Read original post: [http://maddmonk.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/amazing-april]

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Hari Sauri das, Mayapura, IN: 2011 Malaysia tour – Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre, Penang

From the island we drove to the BCC. I wasn’t expecting what I saw. An amazing temple is being built at a cost of about $3 million. Some ten years ago the government gave us more than one acre of land in an area designated for religious purposes. Other religious groups such as the Buddhists, Tamils, Christians etc. were also given plots of land in the same area and so our neighbors are all temples and churches.
Our devotees have already constructed a four story building which serves as temple, asrama, guest house etc. It stands out from a distance.

But the last couple of years they have embarked on a major temple construction which is impressive to see.
HG Kalesha dasa, the temple president, took me on a tour. The multi-level edifice will have domes 160′ high, surrounded by a series of chatris. Because the construction is still going on the main domes are currently covered with palm leaf matting

Most of the roof top chatris are completed

The main temple hall has a large hole in the roof that will be covered with a glass dome and there is a mezzanine level surrounding its perimeter; there are two bridges that link the temple to the existing building

Also surrounding the temple room are ten alcoves which will house the ten avatars of Vishnu
We were lucky enough to get a glimpse of the eleventh avatar, susupti murti
Next to our temple is a Tamil Murugan temple, and next to that, a Buddhist temple

On the other side some open government wetland is being utilized by our devotees to grow flowers and fruits, and that adjoins a bird sanctuary

All in all its an impressive effort which will greatly enhance our preaching presence there.
I stayed three days, speaking morning and night on the topic of Chanting and the audience were highly receptive
On the last night I also showed a powerpoint presentation on the Bhaktivedanta Research Centre in Kolkata, particularly focusing in on our efforts to record and preserve old manuscripts and rare works. Needless to say everyone was excited to see the project.

HG Ekatma Madhava prabhu, who has stayed at our BRC guest house last December, was so enthused that he donated $2,500.00 towards the project. He is a disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami, who gave a donation of Rs. 1,00,000.00 when the BRC first started, so he took the lead and inspiration of his guru maharaja and followed suit. May the presiding Deities of the BCC, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai
bless him and his family for further advancement in the path back home back to Godhead!

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Gouranga TV: Evening bhajan with Niranjana Maharaja in Villaggio Hare Krishna-Italy!!!2011!!(part 2)

Evening bhajan with Niranjana Maharaja in Villaggio Hare Krishna-Italy!!!2011!!(part 2)

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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Interview : James Swan, Author of 101 Things I Hate About Your House

James Swan is an interior designer and author of the recently released book 101 Things I Hate About Your House. What does he have to say on design trends past and present, organizing your life and how to work children into your decor? He lays it on the line without any pandering. Looking forward to the comments on this one!
You are an interior designer in one of the wealthiest parts of the country: Beverly Hills. What is your street cred when it comes to advising the average American on their design choices?
While I’ve been fortunate to have worked for a array of clients on exceptional projects at the end of the day I’m just a kid from Sacramento California. There was no silver spoon for me growing up but there was a certain gift for making rooms beautiful. I hope I can help homemakers across the country create more gracious and beautiful homes. The principles of good design apply regardless of the cost of an item, the style of the home or the size of the house.

What is the best way to incorporate children into a well designed home? A separate area? Lots of rules? Or is there a way to integrate children’s nature and needs into a space and still keep it ordered and adultish?
I don’t have kids myself but I’ve never shied away from celebrating children in the homes I design. The idea that kids should be seen and not heard is preposterous. However, I feel very strongly that without clear boundaries kids will tend to run amuck. And no one wins when that happens. I believe there should be rooms in the house specifically crafted for kids. In similar form there are to be rooms designed just for adults and children need to be taught to respect the differences. Then there are the wonderful spaces which bridge the two (family rooms) where the two respectfully cohabitate. Children however should never be allowed to “rule” the house. It’s a recipe for disaster.

With home decor, neatness counts. What are some tips you can give homeowners to reduce the clutter and simplify?
As a young child I recall hearing the words “a place for everything and everything in its place”. I’ve lived my life enjoying the benefits of those wise words and share them often. Don’t own something if you have no place for it. And why keep something if it’s not in its proper place. Sorry to be brutal on the subject but the only reason for clutter in a home is laziness on someone’s part. Stop making excuses and either dispose of unused “things” or find a home for them. If you don’t, you will soon find yourself swallowed by your own piles of clutter with no one to blame but yourself.

Let’s talk kitchens. What to do with all those oak cabinets? Is there any chance of a style comeback in the future?
Life is cyclical and like it or not everything eventually makes a come back. I was never fond of standard grade oak cabinets and know they’ll ever top my favorites list. In the meantime I never hesitate to sand blast them, paint them, ceruse them…anything but have to live with that terrible glow of red or gold tones. White oak on the other hand can be quite pleasant to live with particularly in a Craftsman or English styled home.

What is your stance on white kitchens? Overdone? Or keep doing it over and over?
No one ever rags on a simple black dress. It is fashion at its timeless best and when accessorized properly can carry a woman far. In my mind a white kitchen has the same timeless quality. When kept fresh with current appliances, toys and gadgets it’s a look that never goes out of style.

What elements are the quickest to date a kitchen? What will people look at in a kitchen 20 years from now and go, “Oh, that’s so early 2000′s!”
Personally I’m over bittersweet chocolate stained cabinets and floors. I always think of a “W” Hotel when I see that combination and realize I was ready to check out years ago.

Polished brass hardware in the kitchen. Time for a revival?
Right or wrong polished brass, for me, holds very clear historical references and should be used in homes judicially. If your architecture calls for the use of polished brass then by all means. Beyond that I find it a bit out of place with many architectural styles. Polished brass in a Craftsman Bungalow would be just silly.

I find it interesting that your book came out in the same month as Christiane Lemieux’s Undecorate. The two books appear to approach design from opposite ends of the room. Thoughts on this?
While I’ve not read Christiane’s book all the way through I think I have enough of its essence to comment. Yes, we do have different points of view on the subject of home design but I believe both are valid and valuable. Her book celebrates the individual and their unique decorating decisions and encourages more of same regardless what current style or trends might dictate. The point of my book is that there are parts making up a beautiful home that have nothing to do with style or taste but are principles for gracious living. Master these principles, regardless of how you elect to decorate, and you are well on your way to a more beautiful home. Between us it seems we’ve covered a lot of important territory for today’s home loving public.

Your book identifies common disasters in home decor. Any skeletons in your closets?
Truth be told we’re all cut from the same cloth so I’m certain you’d find a skeleton or two if you looked around a bit. Most obvious to me this morning are the bare wood floors I’m looking at in my study and dining room. I’ve had a serious lack of motivation to find something fabulous with which to cover them. Maybe with spring having sprung I’ll get myself into gear. Maybe…..

Finally, can you discuss the merit of good design? In what tangible, practical ways can the advice in your book, when implemented, improve one’s quality of life?
I can confidently say that a well designed, graciously appointed home will improve and enhance every aspect of one’s life. Only when one’s “nest” is in order can one venture into the world and successfully slay the dragons of modern life. Home is a haven; a place for rest, nourishment, regeneration and socialization. From these “nesting” activities we prepare ourselves for the battle of daily existence. An unkempt home is to life as a fat and sugar fed body is to an athlete; both are recipes for failure. For those willing to laugh, learn and roll up their sleeves and work a bit a more gracious and beautiful home is an easily attained goal; and that I can promise you.

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