Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, Chapter 11.

To download, right click and choose ‘Save As’.
Kirtan
Disappearance of Haridasa Thakura

Source:http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=11397

Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir Kartika Parikrama Schedule

Kartika is glorified in the Puranas as very special for making spiritual
advancement and the best place to be in Kartika is Sri Braja Dham. In fact this
month is known as Damodar, since in the middle of this month, the Lord
performed His very enchanting Damodar Lila. Kartika month also represents
Radharani, and devotees perform special austerities to gain Her favor.

With great happiness in our hearts, we invite everyone to join in the
auspicious Kartika Festival in Vrindavan. We have organized a wonderful variety
of parikramas to the Holy Places of Krishna's pastimes in Braja for all of you.
Almost daily, we will be going by bus leaving in the morning and returning in
time for lunch around 3 PM, unless otherwise noted. Sometimes we will also join
up with Lokanatha Swami's Braja Mandala Parikrama and enjoy the association of
the many devotees who will be wandering around Braja on foot. Tickets will be
available from the Welcome Center next to the temple, and all of Srila
Prabhupada's disciples and accompanied family members are free!

The 4th of November is the Holy Disappearance Day Festival of His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and we extend a warm invitation to all to
come and commemorate this sacred occassion with us in Sri Vrindavan, where His
Divine Grace is sitting in Samadhi. Leading up to this day, every evening,
senior disciples will be relating their memories of Srila Prabhupada. One day
before, we will take Srila Prabhupada in the very same palanquin from 1977 for
a grand Sankirtan Procession past all the Goswami temples in Vrindavan.

                        Parikrama Schedule

16 Oct  Moonlit Giriraja Parikrama

18      Vrindavan Temples

19      Madhuvan Talavan

20      Braja Mohan Mandir  Narottama Disap

21      Radha Kunda - Kusum Sarovar

23      Javat - Ter Kadamba - Lunch at Vrinda Kunda

24      Barsana

26      Badrinatha

28      Nandagram lunch at Vrinda Kunda

29      Kamyavan

30      Diwali Raval Gokul

31      Giriraja Parikrama

 1 Nov  Govardhana Puja

 3      Srila Prabhupada's Procession to Goswami Temples

 4      Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day

 6      Mansarovar, Bandhirvan, Baelvan Return by Boat

 7      Ram Ghat - Chir Ghat

 9      Javat - Ter Kadamba (Lunch at Vrinda Kunda)

10      Dauji and Lohavan

11      All night Kirtan in Vrinda Kunda

12      Tulasi Shaligram Vivah Vrinda Kunda

In service of Srimati Vrinda Devi,
Deena Bandhu dasa

The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple is excited to welcome Gaura Nataraj Dasa to our community.  An exceptional dancer, Gaura Nataraj will be presenting a special series of classical Bharatnatyam dances during this upcoming Sunday Feast on Setember 18, 2016.

Gaura Nataraj das (Aleksey Furdak) was born in 1989 to Russian parents in Riga, Latvia and started learning Bharata Natyam at the age of 15.

His first teacher was Pille Roosi (Estonia) who was his guide in the world of Indian dance for over 10 years. Gaura Nataraj participated in countless workshops (by Priyadarsini Govind, Rama Vaidyanathan, Parshwanth Upadhye, Mavin Khoo to name a few). Now he continues his training online at eAmbalam under the guidance of Smt. Indira Kadambi.

Gaura Nataraj also studies drawing and painting as well as ancient Armenian music instrument duduk.

Source:http://iskcontoronto.blogspot.in/2016/09/special-sunday-with-gaura-nataraj-dasa.html

Looks can be deceiving, and often far from the full story. It is said that one who laughs too much, even at small and insignificant things, may well be harboring dissatisfaction and sorrow within. A person who feels impelled to keep talking and communicating, could be experiencing loneliness and lack of meaningful camaraderie. The insensitivity and harshness that individuals exhibit, is likely connected to an internal weakness and existential insecurity. Some people seem to be compulsive critics and chronic faultfinders – there is a good chance that they are suffering from spiritual stagnation and a lack of personal growth. Interesting and revealing. Instead of reacting to people’s words and acts, it helps to invest some time and energy in understanding what’s behind it. We must venture into the invisible world in order to hear the unheard.

Back in the third century A.D., King Ts’ao sent his son, Prince T’ai, to learn leadership lessons under the great master Pan Ku. Upon arrival, the master sent him alone to the Ming-Li Forest, instructing him to return and describe the sounds of the tropics. When Prince T’ai returned, he began his description. “Master”, said the prince, “I could hear the cuckoos sing, the leaves rustle, the hummingbirds hum, the crickets chirp, the grass blow, the bees buzz, and the wind whisper and holler.” Wholly unimpressed, the master sent him back to the forest and told him to stay there for a year!

For days and nights on end, the young prince sat alone in the forest listening. But he heard no sounds other than those he had already heard. Then one morning, as the prince sat silently beneath the trees, he started to discern faint sounds unlike those he had ever heard before. The more acutely he listened, the clearer the sounds became. A feeling of enlightenment enveloped the boy. “These must be the sounds the master wished me to discern,”he reflected. When prince T’ai returned to the temple, the master asked him what more he had heard. “Master,” responded the prince reverently,” when I listened most closely, I could hear the unheard – the sound of flowers opening, the sound of the sun warming the earth, and the sound of the grass drinking the morning dew.” The master nodded approvingly. “To hear the unheard,” remarked Pan Ku, “is a necessary discipline to be a good ruler.”

Powerful and poignant. Deepening our spiritual consciousness empowers us to read the hidden story. Otherwise, we hear but don’t really hear. The Bhagavata Purana also talks of one who sees but doesn’t really see (pasyan api na pasyati). We must listen closely to people’s hearts, hearing their feelings uncommunicated, pains unexpressed, and complaints not spoken of. Relationships break down when we mechanically react to someone else’s superficial words and instinctive actions. We must penetrate beyond so we can ascertain the true opinions, feelings and desires of the people we relate to. Then we achieve substantial growth and make real progress.

Source:https://sutapamonk.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/hear-the-unheard/

Appearance of an acharya in this world is by no means an ordinary thing. Such acharyas are some of the most confidential servants of the supreme personality of Godhead. They come for accomplishing certain missions. As oppose to worldly missions by many others based on personal likes and dislikes, missions carried out by acharyas are directly under the instructions and direction of God. Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur was one such acharya who appeared on this planet in 18th century.  His contribution to the upliftment of mankind, especially in the field of spirituality, has been immense although not all of us are aware of it.

“Out of compassion, the most munificent incarnation, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu sent his eternal associate Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur into this world in order to reclaim those bewildered souls back to the path of divine love. Possessed of superhuman prowess, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur wrote more than a hundred books in several different languages with the goal of defeating all the unorthodox views opposed to the true teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.” – Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s not-so-known contribution

Last year on Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s appearance day we published a few words from his book Bhakti-tattva viveka. In this article we will read more from the same book.

Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur says that by negation one does not realize the Absolute Truth

Those who try to perceive the Absolute Truth through the cultivation of jnana cannot realize anything beyond brahma-tattva. Through such spiritual endeavour they try to cross material existence by negation of the qualities of the material world (neti-neti); thus they imagine brahma to be inconceivable, unmanifest, formless and immutable.

But merely imagining the absence of material qualities does not grant one factual realization of the Absolute Truth. Such spiritualists think that because the names, forms, qualities and activities in the material world are all temporary and painful, the brahma which exists beyond the contamination of matter cannot possess eternal names, forms, qualities, pastimes and so on.

They argue on the basis of evidence from the shrutis, which emphasize the absence of material attributes in the Supreme, that the Absolute Truth is beyond the purview of mind and words, and that it has no ears, bodily parts, limbs and so on.

These arguments have some place, but they can be settled by analyzing the statement of Advaita Acharya found in the Sri Chaitanya-chandrodaya-natakam (6.67) written by Kavi Karnapura:

ya ya shrutir jalpati nirvishesham sa savidhatte savishesham eva
vicharayoge sati hanta tasam prayo baliyah savishesham eva

In whatever statements from the shrutis where the impersonal tattva is indicated, in the very same statements personal tattva is also mentioned. By carefully analyzing all the statements from the shrutis as a whole, we can see that the personal tattva is emphasized more. For example, one shruti says that the Absolute Truth has no hands, no legs and no eyes, but we understand that He does everything, travels everywhere and hears everything. The pure understanding of this statement is that He doesn’t have material hands, legs, limbs and so on as conditioned souls do. His form is transcendental, meaning that it is beyond the twenty-four elements of material nature and purely spiritual.(from Part 1 – “The Intrinsic Nature of Devotion”)

Next, Srila Bhaktivinod says what happens when the Absolute Truth is realized only partially.

By the cultivation of jnana it will appear that impersonal brahma is the supreme tattva.
Here the subtlety is that jnana itself is material, meaning in the material world whatever knowledge we acquire or whatever principle (siddhanta) we establish is done by depending solely upon material attributes. Therefore, either that principle is material or by applying the process of negation of the material (vyatireka) we conceive of a principle which is the opposite of gross matter, but by this method one cannot achieve the factual supreme tattva.

Quoting from Bhakti-sandarbha by Srila Jiva Goswami Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur explains how Srila Jiva Gosvami has outlined the tattva which is attained by those who pursue the path of impersonal jnana:

“In the beginning the students who are pursuing the path of jnana require sufficient discrimination to comprehend the existence of a transcendent entity (chinmaya-vastu) which is beyond the contamination of gross matter. Although the specific attributes of Godhead established by the potencies inherent within the Lord’s very nature are intrinsically present within that transcendent entity, the adherents of the path of jnana are unable to perceive them. For example, the sun is a luminary which dispels the darkness of night.

Although its luminous quality is easily understood, the inner and outer workings of the sun planet, the difference which exists between individual particles of light, and the specific distinguishing features of the innumerable atomic particles of light are all imperceptible to human eyes. Similarly, those who view the transcendent entity through the eyes of impersonal jnana are unable to perceive the Lord’s divine personal attributes. If, as previously described, one acquires transcendental vision by the special mercy of great devotees, one will be able to directly recognise the Lord’s personal attributes. Otherwise, by realisation of the impersonal existential brahma, one will attain only the state of merging into that brahma.” (Anuccheda 214)

“This knowledge is stated in the Bhagavad-gita (8.3): svabhavo ’dhyatman ucyate — ‘The inherent nature of the living entity is known as the self.’ The meanings of the words svabhava and adhyatma are as follows. Sva refers to the shuddha-atma or pure self, and the word bhava refers to ascertainment. Consequently the ascertainment of the pure living entity as a unique individual, eternally related to the Supreme, is known as svabhava. When the atma or self is made the principal subject of focus and thus given the power to act in its proper function, it is known as adhyatma.” (Anuccheda 216)

The purport of this is that when spiritual knowledge is acquired through the process of negation (neti-neti), the Absolute Truth, which is transcendental to maya, is realised only partially. The variegated aspect of transcendence which lies much deeper within is not realised. If one who follows this process meets a personalist, self-realised Vaisnava guru, then only can he be protected from the anartha of impersonalism.(from Part 1 – “The Intrinsic Nature of Devotion”)

Source:http://mayapurvoice.com/svagatam/remembering-srila-bhaktivinod-thakur-negation-cannot-grant-realization-absolute-truth/

As you walk towards the twin-towered Complexe Desjardins, in the heart of downtown Montreal’s popular festival district, just opposite the prestigious Place-des-Arts, you are beckoned by the elegant Bharatnatyam dancer on the 15 x18 ft. banner at the main entrance to come inside to explore the exotic cultural event of Sept. 2-3 : Journey to the Heart of India. Upon entering the impressive central foyer with its 80 ft. ceiling adorned with skylights and saffron/yellow flower umbrellas, you can glimpse below at the fascinating vista: the 50,000 square-foot pristine venue now filled with the colorful array of 20 booths surrounding the large stage, where the best of India’s traditional devotional arts of dance and music captivate the hundreds of eager attendants. During this unique showcasing of India’s deep spiritual culture, the 15,000 + who attended were treated to an in-depth presentation of Srila Prabhupada’s amazing contributions, richly illustrated within the 20 professional displays: Sacred Literature, Bhagavad-gita, Hommage to Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON celebrates 50 years, Spiritual Solutions, Eco-Village, Harmony with the Earth, Higher Taste, Ayur-veda etc. Many of the thousands in attendance were thoughtful spiritual seekers already acquainted with spiritual India’s ancient yoga and wisdom traditions, who also donated towards the 2000 books and 1500 meals distributed. Thus this unique and very successful event created quite a buzz within Montreal’s prolific cultural landscape, allowing so many to become more deeply aware of Srila Prabhupada’s immense spiritual legacy.

The second part of our 50th Anniversary festival, under the theme: Joy of Devotion – Srila Prabhupada in Montreal, took place at the temple on Sept.4-5. Over 600 devotees and guests from all over Canada celebrated with grateful hearts Srila Prabhupada’s miraculous achievements. Several guests of honor, including Guru Das,Suresvara Das, Malati and Srutirupa, were able to share their very inspiring personal memories of their close association with Srila Prabhupada, to the delight and upliftment of all present. A special Maha-Abhishek was also offered to Srila Prabhupada with 125 golden kalasas. Another popular highlight was Monday’s maha-harinam of over 60 devotees who chanted throughout downtown Montreal for over two hours, as they made their way to Srila Prabhupada’s residence during his historic stay here during the summer of 1968.
Our Canadian leader, H.H.Bhaktimarga Swami, commented:The organizers reached a milestone with their presentation… The stage event and displays held in this prestigious complex were attractive, smart-looking, relevant, comprehensive and spiritual. Malati devi dasi also expressed her sincere appreciation: ….to present ISKCON 50 to the city of Montreal in such a fabulous manner…was just so classy and well done.Thank you again from my heart for another show of determined dedication to His Divine Grace.

Thus Montreal’s 50th celebration was crowned with success. And such a milestone event has so much enthused our entire community that we are already making plans for a possible repeat event for the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s historic visit to Montreal in 1968. Please stay tuned…

Gokulananda das, ISKCON Montreal vice-president

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=31409

ISKCON Leicester will host Kirtan Fest, 24 hours of Kirtan on 17-18 September, 2016…continuing the 50 year celebrations of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Hundreds of devotees from around the UK and further afield will participate in the two-day festival at the Centre at 31 Granby Street, Leicester, 9am-11pm on Saturday, and 9am-7pm on Sunday, which coincides with the 51st anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the US.
The cream of kirtan leaders from around the world will be attending this year’s Kirtan Fest, including Amala Harinama Dasa, Ajamila Dasa, Nadiya Bihari Devi Dasi, Madhava Anderson, Nitai Kirtan Dasa, Nimai Gadhvi, Jay Krishna, Ravi Pattni, and many others. On Saturday night, the chanting and dancing will continue onto the streets of Leicester in a maha street harinama.
This will be the first Kirtan Fest in the presence of Sri Sri Radha Madhava Who arrived in Leicester on August 15. The grade II listed building has been newly refurbished, with a first floor temple, kitchen, classrooms, with an ashram on the top floor, making it a fully functioning temple.
Prashadam will be served over the weekend.
Kirtan Fest, Saturday 17h and Sunday 18th September, 31 Granby Street, Leicester. For accommodation advice, sponsorship information, or volunteering opportunities, please contact the team on:
ISKCON
07597 786676
www.iskconleicester.org
info@iskconleicester.org
Twitter: #KirtanFest16
facebook.com/KirtanFest/

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=31416

On 10th september a workshop on “Building a humane and peaceful society” was organized at Gaya college campus. The organizer of the program had invited a leader from each religion to present the teachings of their religion about peace. They invited ISKCON Gaya to represent sanatan religion though there are numerous hindu organizations and leaders in Gaya. ISKCON Gaya’s presentation was appreciated by all the leaders of different religions as it was the only PPT presentation with so much interaction with the students. The presentation concluded with the powerful quote of Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur about how to respect other religions. The commissioner of Magadh division was the chief guest. The principal of Gaya College congratulated ISKCON Gaya and invited to organize programs for the youth in college campus. More than 500 students participated in the workshop.

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=31412

Many international religious and political leaders honored ISKCON Founder Srila Prabhupada’s achievements and contributions at a special ISKCON 50th Anniversary Gala Event in Washington D.C. on Tuesday September 13th. 

The event took place in the Presidential Ballroom at the Capital Hilton Hotel on 16th Street. Three blocks from the White House, the Ballroom has hosted every president since Harry S. Truman and features a permanent eight-foot presidential seal on its wall. 

Over 300 people attended the Gala event, seventy-five of them special VIP invitees including religious leaders, religious liberty experts, members of the media, government representatives and political leaders.

Among them were U.S. Congresswoman from Hawaii Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts Joseph Kennedy, Nepalese Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Arjun Kumar Karki, Community Affairs Minister N.K. Mishra from the Indian Embassy, and Deputy Chief of Mission Mahbub Hasan Saleh from the Embassy of Bangladesh.

There were also three rabbis including one from one of Washington D.C.’s most prominent synagogues; as well as the new chaplain of Hindu Life at Georgetown University, Brahmachari Vrajvihari, several Protestant ministers, and a representative from the American Jewish Committee.

Devotees and VIPs mingle at the Gala's reception

From ISKCON, GBC members Malati Devi, Bhaktimarga Swami, Anuttama Das, Emeritus GBC Ravindra Svarupa Das and GBC Chairman Sesa Das attended. So did many devotees from New York, Philadelphia, Massachusetts, Alachua, Florida, Canada and beyond, including Prabhupada disciples Devi Deva Das, Guru Gauranga Das, Sravanananda Das and Yogesvara das, who travelled to Washington to attend the event. 

The celebrations began with a special catered reception at 6pm with ordeurves and beverages in the Senate Room. The room was fitted with a display of Srila Prabhupada’s books that included twenty-five different translations of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, a full set of Chaitanya Charitamrita, a full set of Srimad-Bhagavatam, and signage explaining Prabhupada’s literary contribution. 

There was also a beautiful display of art by Kim Waters, the well-known ISKCON artist and author of the book Illuminations from the Bhagavad-gita, demonstrating ISKCON’s efforts in preserving and promoting Krishna art.

During the one-hour reception, VIPs milled about, browsing Prabhupada’s books and Waters’ artwork, and networking with each other. They also had the chance to get their picture taken on a red carpet in front of a large ISKCON 50 logo.

At 7:10pm, the doors to the main Presidential Ballroom automatically opened, and all 300 guests moved into the beautifully decorated space, with its grand ceilings and sparkling chandeliers, to the euphoric sounds of George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord.

The Presidential Ballroom, where the Gala event was held

As everyone took their seats at circular white clothed tables with orange and red rose centerpieces by Gopisvari Dasi, ISKCON of D.C. priest Manorama Krishna Das inaugurated the event by blowing a conchshell and chanting elaborate Sanskrit mantras to invoke auspiciousness.

M.C. Anuttama Das then welcomed everyone, and showed a four-minute trailer for the ISKCON 50 documentary film Joy of Devotion. Vaishnavas, the trailer explains, understand that God sends many messengers throughout history to bring his message of love and peace. And in 1965, Srila Prabhupada crossed the Atlantic Ocean to bring that same eternal message, ultimately impacting the lives of millions.

Following the trailer a series of eminent speakers delved deeper into these themes, beginning with Dr. Graham Schweig, Professor of Religion at Christopher Newport University, talking about Srila Prabhupada’s academic contributions.

Next Alfred B. Ford (Ambarisa Das) spoke about his own devotion to ISKCON and to Srila Prabhupada. He also discussed his great-grandfather auto magnate Henry Ford, an out-of-the-box thinker who believed he owed much of his skill and innovation to past lives, and would gift visitors to his Ford factories with reincarnation pamphlets.

Kristina Arriaga, an outspoken advocate of religious liberty from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom – a highly influential and prestigious organization – spoke about ISKCON’s contributions to the fight for religious freedom in America and around the world. When Hare Krishnas first showed up in America, she said, people thought they were brainwashed. But they didn’t give up their principles or faith – and today, they have grown to be respected around the world.

Alfred Ford (Ambarisa Das) speaks

GBC Chairman Sesa Das also spoke, identifying six key principles of bhakti from the Bhagavad-gita, and talking about how ISKCON is trying to uplift the world by teaching and promoting these principles – which include ahimsa, or non-violence, humility, and sama-darshina, or seeing all living beings with equal vision.

A break in the speeches saw Anapayini Jakupko of the Bhakti Kalalayam Dance School and her sister Komala Kumari Patel wow the audience with a fifteen-minute Bharatanatyam dance, depicting Krishna-lila and scenes from the Bhagavad-gita such as Lord Krishna’s displaying His universal form.

Before dinner Episcopal Minister and Founding Executive Director of the United Religious Initiative (URI), Reverend Charles P. Gibbs offered grace. He recalled his times with the late ISKCON leader Bhakti Svarupa Damodar Maharaja. He poignantly noted that Maharaja's humility, intellectual depth, and devotion had impressed him with a profound appreciation of the Hare Krishna tradition.

This was followed by a special catered prasadam meal, served with an apparently unlimited number of bottles of sparkling apple cider. During the dinner, guests were treated to an entrancing slideshow of images of ISKCON around the world, projected onto a big screen. As they ate, watched, and networked with each other, there was a real spirit of camaraderie and joyfulness in celebrating ISKCON’s 50th.

After the meal, there was a brief video showing former British Prime Minister David Cameron visiting Bhaktivedenta Manor, and then the speeches started up again.

Islamic Scholar Sanaullah Kirmani, who met Srila Prabhupada in 1968 at Harvard University while a student there, spoke very glowingly about the impact Prabhupada had had on his life. He concluded with a short Bengali poem he had written in Prabhupada’s honor: “I was standing in the doorway,” he read out, “And you gave me a beautiful flower, which is still blossoming.”

Anapayini and Kumari present a Bharatanatyam dance on the Bhagavad-gita

Father Leo Lefebure, Professor of Religion at Georgetown University, spoke about the reform the Catholic Church underwent in 1965, and the Nostra Aetate declaration which opened it up to a broader vision of other religions and encouraged interfaith dialogue, respect and cooperation.

Maryland State Delegate Kumar Barve compared Prabhupada’s struggles with those of his own grandfather, who emigrated to the USA from India for freedom and opportunity. Barve reflected on how he was a member of the House of Delegates today because of his grandfather’s struggles; and how in the same way, ISKCON has blossomed into what it is today because of Prabhupada’s struggles and achievements.

N.K. Mishra of the Indian Embassy spoke of ISKCON’s many contributions in India, such as its huge food relief programs, and called Srila Prabhupada a great cultural emissary of India. “You can’t go to a major city anywhere in the world and not find an ISKCON temple,” he said, citing twenty international cities with ISKCON centers.

Prakash Hinduja, chairman of the Hinduja Group in Europe, expressed much appreciation for Srila Prabhupada, whom he had met personally. He then led everyone in chanting the Hare Krishna mantra.

Finally Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the Keynote Speaker for the evening, spoke of her personal appreciation for Srila Prabhupada, Bhaktivinode Thakur and the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Quoting Mahaprabhu’s Siksastakam prayers, she explained that Vaishnavism is not sectarian, but that it appreciates the religious sentiment and expression of all people. She also offered her gratitude to Srila Prabhupada for all he has done in bringing the Vaishnava tradition to the West and all over the world.

U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard speaks

The Congresswoman then picked up her personal stringed instrument, which she dubbed a “Guitalele” – a combination of the ukulele and guitar – asked the entire audience to get to their feet, and led them in a Hare Krishna maha-mantra kirtan. As she sang, Gaura Vani, Visvambhar, Purusartha and Srivani of kirtan group The Juggernatus joined her, adding mridanga, kartalas and bass guitar to the mix.

As they chanted, the audience began to sway from side to side, clapping, singing along, and raising their arms to the ceiling.

When Congresswoman Gabbard concluded her part, The Juggernauts invited the entire audience to attend the Chant 4 Change event coming upon October 8th on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and then chanted for another twenty minutes, ending the evening with an uplifting flourish of kirtan. " (All are invited to attend this upcoming historic event. For more information or to offer your support see chant4change.com.)"

As the guests departed, they were all given gift bags containing either Mukunda Goswami or Yogesvara Dasa’s biographies of Srila Prabhupada; a 64-page commemorative magazine entitled “The Hare Krishnas: Celebrating 50 Years”; an attractive metal ISKCON 50 keychain; artful  bookmarks by Kim Waters; and a beautifully packaged box of assorted prasadam sweets.

The response from the VIPs to the evening was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting that they had been unaware of the depth of Srila Prabhupada’s scholarship, or the breadth of his contributions in spreading the Krishna tradition around the world. The ISKCON devotees present, meanwhile, were very inspired to see so many esteemed personalities appreciating ISKCON’s contributions.

“I found the event to be an unprecedented validation of Srila Prabhupada and his contributions to the world,” says Rukmini devi dasi, one of Prabhupada’s earliest female disciples. “To see so many important people appreciating him, chanting and dancing with their arms upraised, and thoroughly enjoying the experience, was just wonderful.”

Source:http://iskconnews.org/religious-and-political-leaders-appreciate-srila-prabhupada-at-iskcon-50-gala-dinner-in-washington-dc,5803/

Today marks Srila Prabhupada’s acceptance of Sannyasa. Thanks to Prabhupada Connect for so nicely putting together this list list of quotes by Srila Prabhupada on Sannyasa, which we have re-posted here.

Srila Prabhupada’s Sannyasa Initiation

Srila Prabhupada accepted the order of sannyasa from Sri Srimad Bhaktiprajnana Kesava Maharaja on September 17, 1959 at the Kesavaji Math in Mathura. Included below are some relevant quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s lectures and letters.

“When I was householder, several times there was indication given by my Guru Maharaja that I should give up family life and become a sannyasi and preach this Krishna consciousness movement. In several way there was hints from my spiritual master, but still, I was not willing. I was thinking, ‘If I go away, then my family, my sons, my daughters, they will suffer.’ But actually, I have left my family connection in 1950. Actually ’54, but introductory in ’50. For the last twenty years. But they are living; I am living. They are not dying in my absence, and I am not suffering without being in my family. On the other hand, by Krishna’s grace, I have got better family members. I have got nice children in a foreign country. They are taking so much care of me, I could not expect such care from my own children.

So this is God’s grace. We should depend on Krishna. If Krishna is kind, wherever we go, everyone will be pleased, everyone will be kind. And if Krishna is unpleased, even in your family life you’ll not be comfortable. Therefore, according to the Vedic system, at a certain age, it is indicated that one should retire from family life.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Tittenhurst, London, September 12, 1969)

“The Krishna consciousness movement is not that we are asking everyone to become a sannyasi like me, and give up everything. No. That is not our program. You act as a brahmaṇa, as a ksatriya or a vaisya or a sudra. It doesn’t matter. But you try to satisfy Krishna. That is the program.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Bombay, December 30, 1972)

“So my godbrother — his name is Kesava, Bhaktiprajnana Kesava — did this favor for me because he was an ocean of mercy; krpambudhi. We offer our obeisances to Vaisnavas: Vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. The Vaisnavas, the representatives of the Lord, are so kind. They bring the ocean of mercy for distributing to the suffering humanity. Krpambudhir yas tam aham prapadye. So I am offering my respectful obeisances unto this His Holiness, because he forcefully made me adopt this sannyasa order.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Seattle, October 21, 1968)

“I have got my personal experience. I never tried, never accepted that I shall become a sannyasi. And I tried my best to keep myself in this material world. And He has, several times He has frustrated me and has brought me by force (to) this life. And now I am happy. I can understand that how much favor has Krishna showed me. Yes. I did not understand in the beginning.

So sometimes, if Krishna takes special care for you, He’ll do in such a way that you will have no other way than to go back. He’ll take charge, take charge. If we sincerely want Krishna, if He sees that ‘Here is a person. He wants Me. But he’s a foolish. He wants Me; at the same time he wants to enjoy this material world. So crush this, crush this, his material propensities, and let him become simply devoted.’ Yes. Sometimes we see like that.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, New York, November 23, 1966)

“In the beginning, when my Guru Maharaja ordered me, I thought it that ‘I shall first of all become very rich man; then I shall preach.’ So I was doing very nice in business. In the business circle, I got very good name, and with whom I was dealing business, they were very satisfied. But Krishna made so trick that He broke everything, and He obliged me to take sannyasa. So that is Hari. So that I had to come to your country with only seven dollars. So they are criticizing, ‘The swami came here with no money. Now he’s so opulent.’ So they are taking the back side, black side, you see? But the thing is… Of course, I have become profited, profitable, or I have acquired profit. I left my home, my children and everything. I came here as a pauper, with seven dollars. That is no money. But I have got now big properties, hundreds of children. And I haven’t got to think for their provision. They are thinking of me. So that is Krishna’s favor. In the beginning, it appears to be very bitter. When I took sannyasa, when I was living alone, I was feeling very bitter. I, sometimes I was thinking, ‘Whether I have done wrong by accepting?’

So when I was publishing this Back to Godhead from Delhi, one day one bull thrashed me, and I fell down on the footpath and I got severe injury. I was alone. So I was thinking, ‘What is this?’ So I had very, days of very tribulations, but it was all meant for good. So don’t be afraid of tribulations. You see? Go forward. Krishna will give you protection. That is Krishna’s promise in the Bhagavad-gita. Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati (BG 9.31): ‘Kaunteya, My dear son of Kunti, Arjuna, you can declare throughout the whole world that My devotees will never be vanquished. You can declare that.’ And why He’s asking Arjuna to declare? Why He does not declare Himself? There is meaning. Because if He promises, there are instances that He sometimes broke His promise. But if a devotee promises, it will be never broken. Krishna will give protection; therefore He says His devotee that ‘You declare.’ There is no chance of being broken. Krishna is so kind that sometimes He breaks His promise, but if His devotee promises, He takes very careful attention that His devotee’s promise may not be broken. That is Krishna’s favor.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, New York, April 17, 1969)

“So anyway, so I was officially initiated in 1933, just before three years of his passing away from this mortal world. So at the last moment also, just a fortnight before his passing away, he wrote me the same thing. I wrote him one letter and just he replied the same thing that ‘You should try to preach this gospel amongst the persons who are conversant in English language. That will be very nice for you.’ So I was dreaming sometimes that my Guru Maharaja is calling me and I am leaving my home and going behind him. I was dreaming like that, and I was thinking, ‘Oh, I have to give up my home? My Guru Maharaja wants me to give up my home life and take sannyasa?’ So I was thinking, ‘It is horrible. How can I leave my home?’ This is called maya. Of course, it’s a long story, but incidentally I am speaking to you because you are my dear children. So I was thinking that ‘How can I take sannyasa and leave my home, my children?’ So that was a horrible thought for me, I tell you. I was thinking seriously, ‘Oh, I will have to take this course. Guru Maharaja wants me.’ But actually I did not like to give up my home life. But Guru Maharaja made me obliged to give up my home life. So now, by his order, or by his plan, I gave up my home life, I gave up a few children, but Guru Maharaja is so kind that has given me so many nice children.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Montreal, July 26, 1968)

“When my Guru Maharaj ordered me… When I was manager in Bose’s laboratory, so he ordered me. So I thought, ‘Oh, I cannot do this. I cannot accept this sannyasa.’ But he was so kind, and he is so kind still. Then he forced me, that ‘You must do it,’ taking… pulling my ear, he brought me to this life. In the beginning I was not willing. So it is his causeless mercy upon me. That I can understand now. I can understand now how much I have been relieved by accepting this life.”(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Los Angeles, July 13, 1971)

“And in 1922 I met him. At that time I was manager in a big chemical factory. So I thought that ‘I am married man. I have got so many responsibilities. How I can join immediately? It is not my duty.’ Of course, that was my mistake. I should have joined immediately. I should have taken the opportunity immediately. But maya is there. So I thought like that. So that’s a long history. Then in 1954… no, not 1954, 1968, when I was fifty-four years old… Nineteen hundred fifty-four, yes. Nineteen hundred fifty-four, I was at that time fifty-eight years. So I left home, and I was living alone. Then, 1958, I took sannyasa, and then I decided to take up the responsibility of my Guru Maharaja. I thought that ‘My other godbrothers are trying, so I am not capable to do it. They are better situated.’ But somehow or other, they could not do very much, appreciative activities, in this connection.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Atlanta, March 2, 1975)

“In this way I passed my life as a householder until 1950, when I retired from family life as a vanaprastha. With no companion, I loitered here and there until 1958, when I took sannyasa. Then I was completely ready to discharge the order of my spiritual master. Previously, in 1936, just before His Divine Grace passed away at Jagannatha Purī, I wrote him a letter asking what I could do to serve him. In reply, he wrote me a letter, dated 13 December 1936, ordering me, in the same way, to preach in English the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as I had heard it from him.

After he passed away, I started the fortnightly magazine Back to Godhead sometime in 1944 and tried to spread the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu through this magazine. After I took sannyasa, a well-wishing friend suggested that I write books instead of magazines. Magazines, he said, might be thrown away, but books remain perpetually. Then I attempted to write Srimad-Bhagavatam.” (CC Antya Concluding Words)

“You are all my children and I love my American boys and girls who are sent to me by my spiritual master and I have accepted them as my disciples. Before coming to your country I took sannyas in 1959. I was publishing BTG since 1944. After taking sannyas I was more engaged in writing my books without any attempt to construct temples or to make disciples like my other Godbrothers in India. I was not very much interested in these matters because my Guru Maharaj liked very much publication of books than constructing big, big temples and creating some neophyte disciples. As soon as he saw that His neophyte disciples were increasing in number, He immediately decided to leave this world. To accept disciples means to take up the responsibility of absorbing the sinful reaction of life of the disciple.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, July 27, 1970)

“So far the title Swami is concerned, although this word is used generally for Sannyasins, this Swami is my particular name as Sannyasi. Therefore, it must be suffixed at the end of my real name, A.C. Bhaktivedanta. So far the prefix ‘Swami’ is concerned, every sannyasi has got to do that, but two ways Swami (Swami A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami) is not good looking. The end ‘Swami’ is necessary because it is my Sannyasa name. The first Swami may be transformed into Goswami, which is on the same order of Swami. Therefore, I use the prefix Tridandi Goswami and suffix Swami, as I have printed on my card enclosed herewith. That will be nice. In small lettering, it can be written above my name ‘Tridandi Goswami.’ Vaisnava sannyasins are known as Tridandi gosvamis, and Mayavadi sannyasins are know as only Swami.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rayarama, Unknown Place Unknown Date)

“When I was householder, several times there was indication given by my Guru Maharaja that I should give up family life and become a sannyasi and preach this Krishna consciousness movement. In several way there was hints from my spiritual master, but still, I was not willing. I was thinking, ‘If I go away, then my family, my sons, my daughters, they will suffer.’ But actually, I have left my family connection in 1950. Actually ’54, but introductory in ’50. For the last twenty years. But they are living; I am living. They are not dying in my absence, and I am not suffering without being in my family. On the other hand, by Krishna’s grace, I have got better family members. I have got nice children in a foreign country. They are taking so much care of me, I could not expect such care from my own children.

So this is God’s grace. We should depend on Krishna. If Krishna is kind, wherever we go, everyone will be pleased, everyone will be kind. And if Krishna is unpleased, even in your family life you’ll not be comfortable. Therefore, according to the Vedic system, at a certain age, it is indicated that one should retire from family life.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Tittenhurst, London, September 12, 1969)

“The Krishna consciousness movement is not that we are asking everyone to become a sannyasi like me, and give up everything. No. That is not our program. You act as a brahmaṇa, as a ksatriya or a vaisya or a sudra. It doesn’t matter. But you try to satisfy Krishna. That is the program.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Bombay, December 30, 1972)

Source:https://theharekrishnamovement.org/2016/09/16/srila-prabhupadas-sannyasa-initiation/

Srila Rupa Goswami said that one must associate with devotees to cultivate faith. So how does that faith happen in association? In devotee association, one hears about Krishna. When one hears about Krishna constantly, his or her desire or taste to Krishna and His devotees (Krishna katha) goes on increasing. What is the result of one whose taste to hear about Krishna increases? His faith on Krishna increases. What is the symptom of such a faith on Krishna?

The symptom of faith on Krishna (bhakti) is twofold. This was told by Sage Kavi (one of the nine yogendras) to King Nimi. Sage Kavi said direct experience of the Supreme Lord (pareśānubhava) and detachment (virakti) from worldly things simultaneously occur to one who is in pure Krishna consciousness. This is a good litmus test to see if truly we are making progress in spiritual life.  

Detachment from worldly things or virakti means one’s understanding, enthusiasm, loyalty and faith upon the people, things and relationships of this world gradually reduce and eventually die out completely and instead be replaced with increased understanding, enthusiasm, loyalty and faith of Krishna and His pure devotees. Both has to happen simultaneously. To lose faith in the confidence of people of this world (including our well-wisher, friend and family) is our true test to faith in Krishna. Because both cannot go hand in hand.

When we make that transition of faiths, truly our journey back home back to Krishna is set, in other words, we would have attained mukti from material entanglement.

Hare Krishna

Source:http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.in/2016/09/transition-of-faith.htm

ISKCON New Vrindaban is warmly inviting everyone to attend its Srila Prabhupada Festival this September 30th to October 2nd. As an offering of love and appreciation for their service and sacrifices, current and previous New Vrindaban residents, as well as all Prabhupada disciples, will have their lodging and prasadam completely covered for the weekend.

The festival is a revival of the historical Prabhupada Festivals that began in the West Virginia rural community with the opening of Srila Prabhupada’s Palace in 1979, and continued through to the mid 1980s. Lavish affairs, they saw devotees from around the world come together to serve Srila Prabhupada with processions, abishekhas and gift-giving, as well as 24-hour kirtans, dramas, sumptuous feasts, and elaborate fireworks displays.

This year’s festival aims to not only bring back that tradition, but also to reconnect with previous residents who assisted in the gradual development of New Vrindaban; revive a spirit of giving special attention to Srila Prabhupada; and awaken the team spirit and sweet, sincere mood of service that the early devotees had for him.

To do this, much of the festival will be focused on taking participants on parikrama to the tirthas where Prabhupada spent time during his four visits to New Vrindaban, to commemorate those special moments.

On Friday, the parikrama will go to the Madhuban area of New Vrindaban, where Srila Prabhupada stayed in an old farmhouse during his second visit in September 1972. Upon arriving and sitting down in his room in the farmhouse, he was pleased to be back in New Vrindaban and said, “This Vrindaban, that Vrindavan, no difference.”

While at Madhuban, devotees will have a bonfire kirtan, and watch a video of Srila Prabhupada in New Vrindaban. Later that evening, they’ll launch lanterns into the night sky and set intentions for their service to him.

On Saturday, they’ll experience mangala arati at Prabhupada’s Palace and take a japa walk to Nandagram, where Srila Prabhupada visited gurukula students and received gurupuja during his last stay in 1976.

They’ll also hike to the original Vrindaban farmhouse, where the community was focused in its early days, and where Prabhupada spent 32 days in May/June 1969. While there, he marveled at the fresh milk from New Vrindaban’s first cow, Kaliya, the local tulip honey, and the sweet water from the well; and told devotees that everything they needed for a happy life and God realization was there.

He also spent many spring afternoons under a persimmon tree teaching the young devotees of his fledgeling rural community about every element of the simple life, from how to protect and engage cows and bulls to eco-building.

During a special program in a pandal at Vrindaban during the Prabhupada Festival, senior devotees who were actually present back then will recall all these memories and more, tell sweet stories, and show pictures of those days.

Then, taking some downtime, everyone will walk along Big Wheeling Creek, where Prabhupada walked in 1974. There’ll also be a chance for devotees to visit the cows, do yoga, or get a massage at ISKCON New Vrindaban’s devotee care center.

Finally in the evening, there will be a program at Prabhupada’s Palace, which New Vrindaban devotees built as an offering of love to Srila Prabhupada, and which he accepted with love, saying, “These devotees are my jewels.”

Afterwards, Prabhupada’s murti will be carried on a Palanquin around the Palace, just as devotees carried his murti in a procession when they installed him in his Palace in 1979. The procession will make its way down to the Kusum Sarovara Lake, where Prabhupada will ride a Swan boat in an ecstatic twist on New Vrindaban’s signature Swan Boat Festival.

On Sunday morning, there will be a class by New Vrindaban pioneer Kuladri Dasa on the front lawn of Ruci Dasi and Sankirtan Dasa’s house. Srila Prabhupada stayed in this house during his last visit in 1976, and in the evenings met with his disciples on the lawn, where he was famously photographed speaking from a grand vyasasana upholstered in bold yellow silk.

Everyone will then make their way to Govindaji Hill, to recreate the Bhagavat Dharma Discourses Srila Prabhupada gave under a pavilion there, speaking on the Bhagavatam to hundreds of devotees and guests for over a week.

Suhotra Swami recalled the Discourses as “a perfect outline,” going “deeper and deeper into the meaning of Srimad-Bhagavatam.” And Prabhupada himself described the experience as “truly a wonderful time,” and asked his disciples to “Go on holding Bhagavata Dharma discourses in every city of the world.”

The Bhagavat Dharma experience will be followed by local craft activities such as painting, clay sculpting and woodworking amidst the beautiful nature of New Vrindaban. Then there will be a closing sanga, and finally all the visitors will be seen off with lunch and travel packs.

ISKCON New Vrindaban temple president Jaya Krsna Dasa hopes that the festival will be an ideal way to honor Srila Prabhupada during the 50thanniversary of his ISKCON. He also hopes that next year’s Prabhupada Festival – for it will be an annual event from now on – will be even bigger, building towards New Vrindaban’s own 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018.

Until then? “This year I think we will be inspired by hearing about the adventures of the early residents, about how they dedicated so much of their lives to Srila Prabhupada,” he says. “And all the devotees will be inspired to hear stories about Srila Prabhupada in New Vrindaban, and about the instructions he gave for the community, that are valuable for all farm communities and for all devotees around the world.”

To find out more, or to register for the Srila Prabhupada Festival, please call Gaurnatraj Dasa at 304-312-6539 or email him at gaurnatraj@gmail.com.

Atheists write volumes of books explaining how or why God does not exist. But they cannot even explain why or how things that they believe exist exist; unless of course you consider chance as a logical, reasonable, and convincing explanation.

Due to some reason the atheists have got estranged from God. So much so that they are willing to be dogmatic about their chance explanation rather than allowing even a possibility of God.

Science was initially hailed as the search for truth but now it has become more of a rigid institution that is stifling free enquiry into the nature of truth. If trying to prove that there is nothing beyond matter is encouraged, then trying to prove otherwise should be equally encouraged.

What is the goal of humanity? To spread happiness and joy by harmonizing with the truth or to stop further fundamental enquiries about truth and try to be happy in potential ignorance?

The whole world is more or less is ignorant of the spiritual dimension of life. More research into matter is not bringing any fundamentally new knowledge to mankind.

It is now time to enquire into the spiritual dimension of life, individually and collectively.

Source : http://thebandwagonofmoltengold.blogspot.in/2015/01/its-now-time-to-enquire.html

Dear Devotees and TOVP Donors,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur is one of the most important acaryas in our Gaudiya line. He can be seen as the father of modern-day Krishna Consciousness. He, along with his son Bhaktisiddhanta, created an explosion of preaching all over India, and he was also the first Vaisnava to send books to the west. He rediscovered many of the pilgrimage sites in Mayapur and foresaw the day when devotees from all over the globe would arrive here to perform blissful Sankirtana together. Srila Prabhupada often told the devotees in Mayapur that they were fulfilling Bhaktivinoda’s prediction.

So it was the desire of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura that Europeans and Americans would come here and chant Hare Krsna mantra. That prophecy is now being fulfilled, and that is my satisfaction. (Arrival Address, September 27, 1974, Mayapur)

In 1890, soon after he moved here, Bhaktivinoda Thakur published the Navadvipa Dhama Matatmya. He preached all over the area, started hundreds of nama-hattas, and raised money in Kolkata to build the Yoga Pita at the birth-site of Lord Caitanya. He wrote several times in his book Jaiva-dharma that Mayapur is the most auspicious place in the whole universe.

“When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu descended to this material world, He brought His own original abode of Svetadvipa, that is Mayapura, with Him. Four centuries after Sri Caitanya’s advent, this Svetadvipa will gain pre-eminence over all other places of pilgrimage in the world. The benefit of residing in Navadvipa is that all offences are nullified and the resident is crowned with suddha-bhakti.” (Jaiva-dharma chapter 8)

On this most auspicious occasion of his appearance day, we should all pray for his blessings so that we can increase our appreciation for Sri Mayapur Dhama.

“My son! This place of Mayapura-Navadvipa that you reside within is also purely transcendental. However, as there is a net of maya covering your perception, you are unable to realize the innate transcendence of this place. When, by the mercy of the saintly souls, your spiritual vision arises, then you will be able to see this holy land as it really is. You will see that Mayapura and Navadvipa are transcendental realms; then only will your stay here be realized as the perfection of vraja-vasa, residence in Vraja.” (Jaiva-dharma chapter 13)

Yours in the Service of Sridham Mayapur,

Braja Vilas das

Global Fundraising Director

Source : http://www.dandavats.com/?p=31376

Giriraj Swami: Haridasa Thakura said, “I have had one desire for a very long time. I think that quite soon, my Lord, You will bring to a close Your pastimes within this material world. I wish that You not show me this closing chapter of Your pastimes. Before that time comes, kindly let my body fall down in Your presence. I wish to catch Your lotus like feet upon my heart and see Your moonlike face. With my tongue I shall chant Your holy name, ‘Sri Krishna Caitanya!’ That is my desire. Kindly let me give up my body in this way. O most merciful Lord, if by Your mercy it is possible, kindly grant my desire. Let this lowborn body fall down before You. You can make possible this perfection of all my desires.”

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “My dear Haridasa, Krishna is so merciful that He must execute whatever you want. But whatever happiness is Mine is all due to your association. It is not fitting for you to go away and leave Me behind.”

Catching the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Haridasa Thakura said, “My Lord, do not create an illusion! Although I am so fallen, You must certainly show me this mercy! My Lord, there are many respectable personalities, millions of devotees, who are fit to sit on my head. They are all helpful in Your pastimes. My Lord, if an insignificant insect like me dies, what is the loss? If an ant dies, where is the loss to the material world? My Lord, You are always affectionate to Your devotees. I am just an imitation devotee, but nevertheless I wish that You fulfill my desire. That is my expectation.” —Cc Antya 11.31-42

Source : http://www.dandavats.com/?p=31399

Arrived in Sweden yesterday. The silence is deafening, the stillness makes me restless, but it’s the ideal setting to hear the unheard. Though we live in times of chronic movement, we must pause for thought, reflect, and carefully examine our desires and motivations. In a society where life’s success factors tend to be external and tangible ones, such ‘soul-searching’ doesn’t come naturally. Nevertheless, however alien and awkward it may feel, we must make that investment. Walks in nature, personal journals, meaningful exchanges with trusted confidants, and regular sessions in sacred space; all tried and tested ways to begin exploring the inner world.

That said, take heed not to veer to the other extreme. Internal development and practical activity go hand-in-hand. Introspection which does not factor in rigorous practice and spiritual discipline can end up being sentimental and emotional. So what’s the balance? How often should we introspect? What should we be observing? How do we measure progress? The process of introspection, it seems, also needs some structure.

Imagine a patient who is being guided back to good health. The ward nurses dutifully do the daily routine checks. They ensure the diet is followed, the medication is taken, the bodily faculties are functioning appropriately, and cleanliness is maintained. Their daily checks are tangible and quantifiable, often a tick-box exercise. Simple and straightforward, but nevertheless essential. Then, once in a week, the consultant doctor comes in and conducts a deeper analysis. He checks all the records, scans the system, analyses the progress, calls upon his medical experience, and prescribes whether an overall change of direction is needed. He may change the treatment, call for an operation, or issue a discharge – whatever helps the patient to stay (or get back) on track.

It’s clear that both types of analysis are essential.

Similarly, in the spiritual journey, our day-to-day reflection is primarily based upon tangible and quantifiable aspects of spiritual discipline. Is my environment supportive to spiritual development? Have I factored in appropriate time for my daily practices? How distracted am I during my meditation? Daily reflection focuses on the quantity and quality of our external activities, checking that they are being conducted with due care and attention. Then, at regular intervals, we delve a little deeper. Is my character improving? Am I growing in my devotion and sincerity? What is the quality of my relationships? Such questions have to be asked after a period of break, allowing time for the spiritual practices to work their magic. There are good days and bad days so daily reflection on these things may not give us an accurate picture of where we are at. Such things are perceptible over a longer period of time.

So a quiet week in Sweden to kick-start the internal dialogue… It pays to slow down, so we can eventually go further and faster.

Source : http://iskconnews.org/spiritual-health-check,5805/

Sri Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura appeared in 1838 in a wealthy family in the Nadia district, West Bengal. He revealed that he is an eternal associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by his extraordinary preaching activities and prolific writing.

The original appearance place of Lord Caitanya had vanished under the indomitable Ganges River. In 1888, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura revealed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s birth place at the Yogapitha

In 1896 he sent to universities around the world a book of slokas, Sri Gauranga-lila smarana which had a forty-seven page English introduction: “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: His Life and Precepts.”

In Sridhama Mayapur, living as a maha-bhagavata vaisnava, he stayed in the grhastha ashram until the last few years of his life. Then he renounced everything, went to Jagannatha Puri, accepted babaji, and entered samadhi, totally absorbed in the loving service of Gaura-Gadadhara and Radha-Madhava.

Source : http://www.ramaiswami.com/srila-bhaktivinoda-appearance/

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Bhagavad-gita 9.13 on the morning after Radhasthami.

“In this verse the description of the mahatma is clearly given. The first sign of the mahatma is that he is already situated in the divine nature. He is not under the control of material nature. And how is this effected? That is explained in the Seventh Chapter: one who surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, SriKrishna , at once becomes freed from the control of material nature. That is the qualification. One can become free from the control of material nature as soon as he surrenders his soul to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the preliminary formula. Being marginal potency, as soon as the living entity is freed from the control of material nature, he is put under the guidance of the spiritual nature. The guidance of the spiritual nature is called daivi prakrti, divine nature. So when one is promoted in that way – by surrendering to the Supreme Personality of Godhead – one attains to the stage of great soul, mahatma.” (Bg 9.13 purport)

Source : http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=11382

Question: Spiritual people often fast on certain occasions, thus depriving themselves of natural bodily needs. Isn’t such fasting an unnecessary self-torture?
 
Answer by Chaitanya Charan das: Not at all. To the contrary, for many people, their daily gorging of food is an unnecessary self-torture. WHO statistics show that over 1 billion suffer due to obesity, whereas 800 million people suffer due to undernourishment. More health disorders result due to overeating than due to fasting. We eat more often to fulfill the greed of the mind than the need of the body. Due to eating too often and too much, our digestive system becomes like a perpetually overworked machine in desperate need of rest. That’s why many alternative cure doctors recommend periodic – fortnightly or monthly – fasting with intake only of fluids so as to rest and flush the digestive system. Though abstaining from food may seem like an infliction of torture for our minds, it may well be a relief from torture for our bodies. Fasting, when done according to scriptural guidance, can also purify the mind and awaken the soul. By analyzing how life and consciousness cannot emerge from dead, unconscious matter, we can intellectually understand that the soul – and not the body – is the real source of life and consciousness. This implies that all of us are actually souls, temporarily occupying material bodies. But how can we transform this intellectual understanding into an experiential realization?

Fasting is one important way. During our normal lives, we pander to the demands of the flesh, thus perpetuating our misidentification with flesh. Consequently, the desires and plans to fulfill our bodily demands preoccupy and fill our minds, leaving little mental room for spiritual contemplation. When we resolve to fast on certain days, we soon realize that if we keep thinking of food while fasting, we will simply be torturing ourselves. This realization gives us the impetus to evict thoughts of food from our minds. Then with the mental room thus created we become free to contemplate on the deeper spiritual dimension of our existence. Of course, such contemplation is possible without fasting too, but starving the flesh sharpens the spirit, thus making spiritual contemplation more intense. During the fasting period, if we lovingly call out to God by chanting his names like the Hare Krishna mahamantra, then we can experience a nonmaterial nourishment far more fulfilling than the most delicious food. This strengthens our realization of our spiritual identity, reinforces our commitment to the path of progressive spiritual advancement that ultimately elevates us to the realm of everlasting devotional delight. Thus, temporary bodily fasting eventually becomes a doorway to eternal spiritual feasting

Source : http://www.dandavats.com/?p=31372