martes, 19 de julio de 2011

Australian News: Transcendental Feasting… At Hare Krishna Valley








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"Planet ISKCON" - 56 new articles

  1. H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Tuesday 19 July 2011--Spiritual Seekers Beware--and--Is Initiation Required?
  2. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: YOU NEED TO PAY - EVERY SINGLE DAY
  3. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Kesava Prabhu
  4. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, July 18th, 2011
  5. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: No Admittance for certain Devotees
  6. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Sunday, July 17th, 2011
  7. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Saturday, July 16th, 2011
  8. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, July 15th, 2011
  9. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, July 14th, 2011
  10. Australian News: Transcendental Feasting… At Hare Krishna Valley
  11. Australian News: NEW MENU at the Heart and Soul Organic Chai Cafe in Cronulla
  12. Madhavendra Puri, New Govardhana, AU: Won-Durr Boiz in Poland (Part 3) – Dizzy in Dzwirzyno
  13. Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Devamrita Swami at the Krishna Lounge – The Conformity Game
  14. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Colonel Sanders
  15. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND CHALLENGE
  16. Dandavats.com: Everybody gets the mercy…
  17. Dandavats.com: 3 Rathayatra in 3 days
  18. Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Deconstructing the Bahulaban Barn
  19. New Vrndavan, USA: Deconstructing the Bahulaban Barn
  20. Matsyavatara das (ACBSP), Italy: Against violence, towards animals as well. By Matsyavatara das (Marco Ferrini)
  21. H.H. Sivarama Swami
  22. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  23. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  24. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  25. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  26. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  27. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  28. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  29. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  30. Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Genuine enthusiasm inspires
  31. Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Harinam magic moving hearts
  32. Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Summer time tales
  33. Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: What is my true identity
  34. Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Heart of a preacher
  35. Dandavats.com: Karmic Relief :-)
  36. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Julia Boroughs and Anjavati dd asks questions
  37. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  38. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  39. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  40. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  41. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  42. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  43. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  44. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  45. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  46. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  47. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: June 2011 Retreat - HG Bhurijana prabhu & HG Jagattarini mataji
  48. Japa Group: Free From Distractions
  49. Mayapur Online: Bhaktivedanta Academy Mayapur launches new website
  50. Mayapur Online: New housing project in Mayapur
  51. Dandavats.com: Sadaputa’s Archives: Letters from Nobel Prize Winners
  52. Dandavats.com: 16 Sanskaar
  53. Dandavats.com: Sri Gauranga-Ashtottara-Shata-Nama-Stotram and chanting the names of lord Caitanya
  54. Dandavats.com: Disapperance day of Srila Sanatana Goswami
  55. Dandavats.com: Unequivocal Acknowledgement About George Harrison’s Faith
  56. Gouranga TV: Kirtana; Jahnavi
  57. More Recent Articles
  58. Search Planet ISKCON
  59. Prior Mailing Archive

H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Tuesday 19 July 2011--Spiritual Seekers Beware--and--Is Initiation Required?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Tuesday 19 July 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: Spiritual Seekers Beware Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA Unfortunately many people nowadays who are seeking spiritual enlightenment by taking shelter of a spiritual master end up being grossly cheated by charlatans who use the position of guru for sense gratification. Due to the absence of spiritually enlightened governments these cheaters are allowed to continue with their nonsense without any restriction. Thus it is very easy to find a guru who will take away your money and very difficult to find a guru who will take away your anxiety. Therefore all spiritual seekers should be very cautious before accepting a spiritual master. They should make sure that he is bona fide. How does one tell? Here are some essential guidelines: 1. He must be coming in an unbroken line of disciplic succession from the original spiritual master. Lord Sri Krishna. 2. He must present the teachings of his predecessor gurus without any addition or subtraction. 3. He must be solidly fixed in the Absolute Truth and thus be fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness 24 hours daily. 4. He should be a living embodiment of the scriptures in all of his thoughts, words, and deeds. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Bona Fide Spiritual Master: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada http://www.backtohome.com/images/Prabhupada/compassionate-sp.jpg Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Is Initiation Required? Dear Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. It is stated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur that we are a siksha (instruction based) sampradaya (disciplic succession). Furthermore I have heard that diksha (initiation) is essentially given only for the sake of doing deity worship and is not very important for getting the desired result of Krishna prema (pure love of Krishna). Please explain the importance of initiation and whether or not it is compulsory. Your unworthy servant, Charan Answer: Initiation is Absolutely Required It is true that our disciplic line is based on siksha or instructions. Without the knowledge of Krishna's teachings purely passed down from master to disciple there would be no meaning to the initiation ceremony. But this does not mean that initiation is not important. Initiation is equally important because it is a contract in which the disciple vows to always follow the instructions of the spiritual master and the spiritual master vows to deliver the disciple from the cycle of birth and death. Just as a train runs on two tracks, our disciplic line runs on two tracks: siksha (instructions) and diksha (initiation). I would be interested to see if such a quote from Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati actually exists, or if it is just hearsay, because according to Srila Jiva Goswami diksha is how one gets the awakening of transcendental knowledge and the release from his previous sinful activities, as confirmed in his Bhakti-sandarbha (verse 283): divyam jñnam yato dadyt kuryt ppasya sanksayam tasmd dkseti s prokt deikais tattva-kovidaih Diksha is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental knowledge and vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity. A person expert in the study of the revealed scriptures knows this process as diksha. These two aspects of the guru/disciple relationship are both are of the topmost importance. Instructions are most essential because if one simply takes initiation from the spiritual master but does not follow his instructions, he has no connection with the spiritual master. Initiation is also most essential because if one decides to follow the spiritual master with no serious commitment, he can easily be deviated by the whims of the fickle mind. Srila Prabhupada confirms the absolute necessity of diksha or initiation in the Nectar of Devotion as follows: The connection with the spiritual master is called initiation. From the date of initiation by the spiritual master, the connection between Krishna and a person cultivating Krishna consciousness is established. Without initiation by a bona fide spiritual master, the actual connection with Krishna consciousness is never performed. In conclusion, both instructions (sikhsa) and the solid commitment to follow those instructions (diksha) are absolutely essential for attaining the topmost perfection of going back to home, back to Godhead. Therefore everyone who aspires for spiritual perfection should seek out a bona fide spiritual master who can instruct him how to become spiritually perfect and should commit himself to follow that spiritual master's instructions through the holy sacrament known as diksha or initiation. 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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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: YOU NEED TO PAY - EVERY SINGLE DAY

In working with hundreds of devotees from many parts of the world, I have seen that the real effective change and a positive progress starts when a devotee stops blaming anyone, including Krsna, for his distress or lack of success, and takes full responsibility for his life: past, present and future.

Success starts with clarity about what we want in life and what are our main roles (responsibilities and relationships) and with taking 108 percent responsibility for our behavior, our spiritual practice, our service and work, and especially our relationships. Taking responsibility is another great pillar for devotee’s success and I always look for an opportunity to encourage it.

As Bhagavad-gita is holistic, so is the Gita Coaching. It helps devotees become more effective in the areas of health, sadhana, service, relationships, etc. As all these areas influence each other, it is important to work on enhancing all of them, as far as possible.

We help devotees to look at their life as an indivisible whole and to see how various parts relate to and influence each other. For a peaceful and happy life, balance is an important factor, which is mentioned in the Sixth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita.

In helping devotees succeed, Gita Coaching approach does not create dependency, rather it strives to help devotees to help themselves by becoming spiritually and mentally strong and physically healthy. Success happens on the field, when you are not with your coach.

Your coach will provide powerful questions, principles, strategies and tools, but if you want to make progress you need to practice every day, you need to pay the price of success every single day. Accumulation of these sincere, regular efforts attracts Krsna’s attention and brings strength and momentum.

 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Kesava Prabhu

Srimad Bhagavatam 12.13.4-9 - The central theme of Srimad Bhagavatam is that Lord Sri Krsna is the original Personality of Godhead & the other incarnations are either plenary portions or portions of the plenary portions of the Lord (ete camsa-kalah pumsah krsnas tu bhagavan svayam...).

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, July 18th, 2011

Devotees

Toronto, Ontario

Devotees of Brampton and Orillia became initiated at Centre Island yestarday. I'm happy for them and thinking about their progressive steps as I walked the neighbourhood of Rosedale. From the walk I sprang into the temple room to facilitate a class.

Our Monday mornings are reserved for our guru, Prabhupada. It struck me while the few attendees and I read from the book named after him, in Feb of '72 he was mentally planning a design for our headquarters in Mayapura which included buildings to accommodate residents and guests. His intent was to set up structures fashioned for the traditional four social orders of life referred to as varnashram. That was interesting. (You can find this in the Chapter "Let There Be A Temple.")

Late in the morning, JW Windland of Encounter World Religions Centre brought to the temple forty plus teachers and ministers from Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, California, and Nebraska. The gracious guests came to learn about the Krishna Conscious ways. They really soaked in the chanting and the dancing. We are talking about people who are mostly middle aged.

It is my personal love to speak and mingle with these type of open-hearted people. They questions. They have experience and realizations.

Some remarks in the presentation that we may consider as highlights for them were:

"There's a piece of God in all of us, including animals and plants.", "God is a person.", "God has form.", "Human life is meant for controlling the senses."

10 Km

 
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Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: No Admittance for certain Devotees

Today is the day after a fantastic Ratha Yatra weekend in Toronto. After 3 days of kirtan, association, service and a overall blissful Krishna Conscious weekend, this news article pops up. It talks about the continuing ban on certain devotees to visit the Jagannatha Temple in Puri based on their birth place/skin color. 

This is wrong on so many levels...the most obvious one being the lack of basic understanding by the management or high caste brahmans that "we are not this body". 

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's lila  is intertwined with Jagannath Puri and it is His sankirtan movemement that is spreading around the globe and their continued ban on certain devotees is a disservice to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabu's mission. 

These same devotees have taken the glories of Lord Jagannatha to millions of people around the world with Ratha Yatra's being conducted on every continent around the world with the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and his sincere followers from all backgrounds. 

What is sad is that some of the priests and managers in charge of Jaganntha Puri cannot feel the mood of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's sankirtan movement. This mood manifested over the weekend in Toronto.  People were immersed in kirtan...and if you looked around you would have seen brown, white, black, yellow and shades in between of skin colour. 

But according to the logic of this ban, a brown bodied person who may have just eaten some fish and polished it off with a cigarette is allowed in the temple in Puri, however a white bodied person who chants at least 1,728 times daily, reads Srimad Bhagavatam daily and do not touch meat, fish, intoxicants, etc. is not allowed inside the temple. Perhaps there can be a test at the door of the Puri temple on the pastimes of Jagannatha and this will truly separate the "rift raft" to those who truly want to take darshan.  

But here in lies the true mercy of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada...that in every corner of the world including our own ISKCON temple in Jagannath Puri not only are devotees of every color and walk of life able to enter the temple to take darshan of Jagannatha but they are personally changing and worshiping Lord Jagannatha, cooking and serving His prasadam, preparing His Ratha Yatra and discussing and spreading the glories of Jagannatha. 
[Please see article below which instigated the above commentary.]
Picture
Picture from Ratha Yatra in Toronto this past weekend.

Remark on foreigners' entry into Jagannath Temple sparks row

Source: PTI   |   Last Updated 18/07/11

Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra's statement supporting the idea of allowing foreigners to enter into Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri has sparked a row with a local outfit staging agitation before the 12th century shrine.

Mohapatra, considered as the chief advisor to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, had on Sunday told a meeting on tourism that there was nothing wrong in allowing foreigners to enter into the temple in order to boost tourism potential of the state.

Clarifying his stand on Monday, Mohapatra said, "I had said to allow entry of people belonging to all religions into the temple with a focus on tourism. I was not speaking at any religious convention, rather at a business meeting on the promotion of tourism."

He added that only tourism could help in providing employment to the local youths.

The 12th century shrine, however, does not allow non-Hindus into the temple. A sign board at the temple's Lion Gate clearly states: "Only Hindus are allowed".

The BJP MP had said, "If we allow foreigners to enter into the temple, tourist flow to the state will be doubled."

Angry over Mohapatra's statement, activists of Jagannath Sena in Puri staged a demonstration in front of the temple and burnt his effigy demanding withdrawal of the statement.

Jagannath Sena's chief Priyadarshi Patnaik said, "How can Mohapatra make such a statement which hurts sentiments of crores of Hindus? He should withdraw it immediately."

Sri Jagannath Temple priest Jagannath Swain Mohapatra said: "Pyari Babu should not have made such a statement. It is better for him to withdraw the statement immediately."

Meanwhile, Assam Governor and former Orissa chief minister J B Patnaik on July 5 had advocated for entry of ISKCON devotees into the temple.

"The ISKCON devotees should not be prevented from the temple entry for being whites. They are Hindus and read the sacred 'Bhagavat' everyday and have set up a number of Jagannth Temples across the globe."

Gajapati Maharaj of Puri King Dibyasingha Deb said: "The religious leaders, saints, spiritual persons should decide whether non-Hindus should be allowed into the temple."

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Sunday, July 17th, 2011

Second Day at the Festival

Toronto Islands, Ontario

On the ferry going to the mainland, I met a young man from India who had just purchased a copy of the Bhagavad-gita. It was suggested to him to also consider the book “Krishna”. I imagine the salesperson from the festival’s book booth was encouraging a second reading material.

“Was I wrong to just take a Gita and not to read about Krishna’s life? Which book is more important to read first?” he asked innocently.

I recommended he read the book he acquired and once he gets his hands on a “Krishna” book, he could try a brief read of the Gita in the morning and a bedtime read of “Krishna” book at night and that it could be a daily practice.

He loved the advice on doing it in parallel lines.

Then I met an oriental fellow by the name of Yu who is a Yoga student. He has a copy of the “Gita” which has been in his home for some years. He has a struggle.

“How do you get beyond chapter one?”

“Just turn the page,” I suggested.

I understood that perhaps Yu had some psychological block about moving on. Perhaps the details of two lines of warriors stationed and pitted against each other was too much for him to bear. After all, chapter two expounds the very beginning of Vedic philosophy. It’s where you find depth in the Gita. There is no violence in it.

I have met other people who have some fear about the Gita’s message. This apprehension may be somewhat justified. After all, the truth hurts and the Gita sends out this naked truth. It appears that most of us are habituated to living in denial.

I urged Yu to step beyond that line of fear and accept the initial sting. From thereafter, he should be able to recognize an old friend or an old voice that speaks to all of us in the same way, the voice of sweetness, the voice of surrender.

7 Km

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Saturday, July 16th, 2011

Good Time

Toronto, Ontario

It has outgrown itself. The Festival of India following the chariot parade on Yonge St. had drawn such big crowds this year that the final venue, the Toronto Islands, is too small.

This happy problem is not to do with the capacity of the vehicle-free islands but more so with the limited ferry services going back and forth. Organizers say 25,000 flocked just for the festival.

Some friends I knew that were intending to come just could not make it over the harbour. The line-ups were too discouraging. And trying to return back to the mainland after the sun’s setting, people in queue remarkably held their patience in what would otherwise be mayhem. I guess it’s the green surroundings and the water’s serenity that cools passions.

Put the madness to the side and you will have seen nothing but a bright light of Jaganath (the prime deity) in the form of joy during the procession under a blistering sun, the ride over water and the calming of the green. Come to think of it, the event is really an elemental experience. From a Vedic perspective there is earth, water, fire, air and ether. All five come in full force for this two day phantasmagoria.

My day ended up the next morning. At 12:30 AM I took to a peach juice at the convenience store near the ashram before resting. As I walked in to purchase the refresher a young guy, about age 25, asked the classic question, “Are you a monk?”

“Yes!”

“What does that involve?”

By this time his two buddies joined him at the counter to make their purchases. Before I could respond he said, “I guess you probably avoid looking at this kind of stuff…” as he pointed at the woman’s revealing magazine that he was about to pay for.

“It’s true. We avoid that stuff.” In short I explained to these thoroughly inquisitive fellows that we just have a good time burning off karma.

16 Km

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Friday, July 15th, 2011

First Film

Toronto, Ontario

A young woman was asked, “Have you heard of Hare Krishna?”

“Yes! I think it’s a Jewish holiday.”

Another person was posed the same question, “Yes, I believe he’s a wonderful person, doing such good work.”

Other people gave similar answers but a surprising number knew that Hare Krishna is a spiritual movement, folks from the 60’s or 70’s, for instance, were more familiar then the decades that followed. A survey of the Montreal public was questioned about what they knew regarding the Krishna culture, a survey that our Halifax monks conducted.

Nitai Ram our head brahmacari (monk) in Canada empowered his young men to put together their first video. Yogendra and Matt, both Nova Scotians were the main engine behind “A Sankirtan Story”. A piece of film to show their viewers what sankirtan entails. It basically illustrates the outreach program that occupies much of their good and fun time on the streets meeting people.

They gave our community in Toronto a showing of “A Sankirtan Story” as an archival piece and as a way to attract others to the lifestyle of “simple living and high thinking”. Viewing the material was a highlight for me on this day in addition to a 12 hour kirtan (chanting) at the downtown temple and a procession, another form of sankirtan, at posh Yorkville and then Bloor St.

It’s merely an expression, but I “tip my hat off” to those brahmacaris who are working very hard to make a cultural shift in society by interacting with the public and encouraging people to consider the spiritual component.

May they live on!

12 Km

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Being Together

Toronto, Ontario

A group of us monks processioned our way to the Multi faith Centre at the University of Toronto for a unique convergence of groups. All groups are asked to bring their song and so we practically did that. Lyrics with translations were to be emailed ahead of time. This our group did. We forwarded the great mantra called the maha mantra which goes as follows:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,

Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,

Hare Rama, Hare Rama,

Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Our translation:

“O beautiful Creator, please allow us to joyfully engage in service to You.”

At 7 pm all groups mingled, brake ice and got to know each other. Then Matt, the facilitator introduced the Jewish group who sang “Hine Ma Tou”. And we all did so with them. We stood up and swayed with them arm in arm.

Next the Bahai group sang “Here Am I” with a harmony of soprano, baritone and alto. Each person there took their chairs to sing out with one of the three inclinations. We stood and sang in full participation.

Next we sat to the tune of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” with Prof. Narale a Hindi bhajan that he wrote. Finally Matt invited our ISKCON group to sing the maha-mantra. This three word combination of sacred names was executed with ease by all. All there sang, clapped, stood up to dance and to form a modest version of a Congo-line while chanting.

The Bahais sang one more up-beat gospel piece and that then finalized the program. It was great for establishing a potent camaraderie. Our group of monks were on fire to continue singing our song. We did so for a return journey back to the ashram.

7 Km

 
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Australian News: Transcendental Feasting… At Hare Krishna Valley

On the weekend we hosted our monthly Sunday Feast programme at Hare Krishna Valley, with around 30 guests braving the extreme weather conditions to attend. They were rewarded with a sumptuous vegetarian feast, which followed our regular dancing and chanting and spiritual discussion.

img_3171

Some lovely guests stayed over night in our guest accomodation facilities, and they reported they were very pleased with the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere on the farm. Some of them went and fed our cows in between the showers and stormy weather.

We look forward to speaking to you again next week.
Until then, I remain yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

Keshava Dasa.

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Australian News: NEW MENU at the Heart and Soul Organic Chai Cafe in Cronulla

Our new hot menu incudes Italian and Far East Flavours – Come and get your plate!

Heart and Soul is an organic eatery offering mindful alternatives to your typical cafe fare. From the locally sourced wood and fresh organic ingredients, to the ayurvedically influenced menu and the filtered rainwater brought in from our retreat center at Govinda Valley.

It is worth a visit to Cronulla just to take Prasadam here

OPENING TIMES

OPEN 7 DAYS

10am-7pm
CONTACT

Email: info@heartandsoulcafe.com.au

Phone: (02) 9523 6146

Fax: (02) 9523 7252

Mobile: 0412 583 715
LOCATION

Suite 6/17 Gerrale Street
Cronulla NSW 2230

Check out the web site

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Madhavendra Puri, New Govardhana, AU: Won-Durr Boiz in Poland (Part 3) – Dizzy in Dzwirzyno

 

Friday 1st, July 2011.

The internet in the Polish Tour base virtually died for the first day of July.  It was my scheduled day to start the Won-Durr Boiz blog series but it was postponed until better internet was available, much to my disappointment.

We arrived in the little town of Dzwirzyno.  The weather still hadn’t quite cleared up but we were determined to put on our show.  The harinam returned from its circuits on the beach and Sri Prahlada led it in a circuit of our festival site.  Maharaja pointed them on for another circle, and yet again and yet again.  Soon enough everyone was running and cheering until the harinam came to a climatic end.

The festival went along smoothly.  The Bhakti Seva Dance Company was down one member, because Mohini had forgotten her outfit on the bus.  The dancers quickly whipped up their numbers, improvising the loss but Mohini was crying out internally for some service.  Eventually, by the arrangement of providence, she found some young Polish guys who spoke good English.  She introduced them to me and Rupa, and we showed them around the festival site.  We would go to each exhibit and they’d translate to us.  It was an interesting experience being introduced to our own festival.  They ended up with mantra cards and prasadam samples but we still wanted to introduce them to Maharaja.  HH Indradyumna Swami ended up being too busy that night so he simply said to me: “I empower you.”  He was in a rather comical mood but I took it to heart.  I handed them my card and told them to keep in touch.  It was around this time that we had to hop on the buses and head home.

 

 

 

Saturday 2nd, July 2011.

The morning started with readings from the 7th Canto; pastimes of Prahlada Maharaja.  I published the first Won-Durr Boiz diary around midday.  The harinam left a little later today but publishing still held me back.  The festival in the evening started with a Sri Prahlada Bhajan, something new and fresh.

The Gita drama didn’t happen that day but it was replaced by the Govardhana drama/puppet show; this was going to be the arrangement from now on.  The show ended in usual style and we were soon back at the base.  I concluded that I was perpetually part of the late night dish crew, as it was the fifth day of the service and no signs of it ending; it seemed I was following years of Aussie gurukuli tradition.

 

(Indradyumna Swami)

 

Sunday 3rd, July 2011.

It was a rather squashy ride on the bus that day.  We were all standing, with only a foot of distance between us.  I sat with Sri Prahlada and HH Indradyumna Swami for lunch.  It was a nice and intimate gathering, and the conversation was light and uplifting.

The sun had finally come out, and for the Durr boys that meant it was time to hire out some peddle-power quad bikes.  We booked in an hour and roamed about town like mad elephants.  The Polish public looked on in fear and excitement, as the Durr boys cut the pavement in typical fashion.

Maharaja came out onstage early this evening, as a new gimmick.  HH Indradyumna Swami normally gives a half hour lecture, near the end of the show, but now they decided to try a shorter lecture, closer to the start of the show.  As Maharaja was going onstage, he asked/ordered me to lend him my shoes.  It was an awkward type of mercy but I submitted without question.  The early lecture seemed to go alright, thus it would probably continue to be this year’s norm (although I wasn’t sure how much Maharaja would ask to borrow my shoes).

I stood in front of the stage, watching some of the stage show.  I noticed now that they had face lifted the whole Lilamrta puppet series.  All the early puppets had been replaced with new, improved versions.  It seemed that a lot of subtle changes were happening this year, seemingly for the better.

The Durr brothers danced it up in the final kirtana, which seemed to go on forever.  We arrived back at base in a state close to dead.  It was only the second set of festivals but the pinch of exhaustion didn’t spare us.  Needless to say, the joys of tour more than compensated for the austerity, thus we soldiered on.

 

 

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