pandemic - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-29T02:35:42Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/pandemicNews Brief - ISKCON Vrindavan Devotee Care Department Needs Donationshttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/news-brief-iskcon-vrindavan-devotee-care-department-needs-donatio2021-05-16T12:17:57.000Z2021-05-16T12:17:57.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8935004899,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="450" alt="8935004899?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>Like so many parts of India, the holiest city of Vrindavan is suffering from the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic. </p>
<p>Due to the ongoing outbreak of the Corona Virus, ISKCON Vrindavan reports that it has recently lost five wonderful devotees who were a part of the community.</p>
<p>Throughout the pandemic, if a Devotee of ISKCON Vrindavan contracts the virus, the Devotee Care Department provides them with medical and emotional support, to the best of their abilities. They are always ready to give any sort of assistance needed by devotees who are feeling unwell and showing slight symptoms similar to Covid. At present, Covid 19 is infecting many of the congregational and community members, and help is urgently needed to support the Devotee Care Department.</p>
<p>ISKCON Vrindavan, aka Krishna Balaram Mandir, is therefore requesting the support of the international community of devotees and well-wishers to help them through the Covid crisis in Vrindavan.</p>
<p>ISKCON Vrindavan provides oxygen and medication for those devotees who are affected. In order to support this work. </p>
<p>Donate by visiting the <a href="https://iskconnews.org/admin/content/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Word/To%20donate%20and%20support%20us,%20please%20visit%20https:/iskconvrindavan.com/donate/">link</a> or going to <a href="https://iskconvrindavan.com/donate/">https://iskconvrindavan.com/donate/</a>. Anything you can spare is gratefully received and goes to support the Vrindavan devotee community.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/news-brief-iskcon-vrindavan-covid-relief-fund,7804/">https://iskconnews.org/news-brief-iskcon-vrindavan-covid-relief-fund,7804/</a></p></div>India Today’s news report on ISKCON’s free food distribution program in the Delhi regionhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/india-today-s-news-report-on-iskcon-s-free-food-distribution-prog2021-04-29T12:35:48.000Z2021-04-29T12:35:48.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:left;"><iframe style="border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fiskconglobal%2Fvideos%2F576088767118055%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /> <br />India Today’s news report on ISKCON’s free food distribution program in the Delhi region where more than 18,000 meals are home delivered to senior citizens, pregnant women, and Covid patients.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=94972">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=94972</a></p></div>Thriving During the Pandemic: The Story of ISKCON Naperville, USAhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/thriving-during-the-pandemic-the-story-of-iskcon-naperville-usa2020-12-09T07:11:19.000Z2020-12-09T07:11:19.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8264873485,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="8264873485?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>ISKCON Temple of Greater Chicago is based in Naperville, a growing suburb of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The temple moved to its current location a few years back and since then, the community has been growing exponentially. Looking at the growth, there is need for a commercial kitchen, community hall along with additional space to conduct different programs for children, youth, devotees and other community members, and thus a new temple construction plan was in motion.</p>
<p>And then COVID came along! While there was initial apprehension about conducting devotional activities in person at the temple, safety became the topmost prerogative. But that only created more opportunities for us to engage with the community. </p>
<p>The devotees quickly adapted to the new normal which was to do everything online with limited physical presence. The fact that so many senior leaders across ISKCON started delivering lectures online also helped devotees with plenty of spiritual content. </p>
<p>During such a session, a child asked Romapada Swami as to “Why do devotees have to go through such a thing like COVID?” <br /> <br /> <strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/thriving-during-the-pandemic-the-story-of-iskcon-naperville-il-usa,7617/">https://iskconnews.org/thriving-during-the-pandemic-the-story-of-iskcon-naperville-il-usa,7617/</a></p></div>In a Pandemic Is There a Secret of Health? by Prahladananda Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/in-a-pandemic-is-there-a-secret-of-health-by-prahladananda-swami2020-11-08T11:25:52.000Z2020-11-08T11:25:52.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8136245500,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="8136245500?profile=RESIZE_584x" />In this unprecedented period in the world’s history where health has been come a constant source of concern, a pure devotee can give us some secrets of health.</p>
<p>What is the most important secret of health? Srila Prabhupada reveals it in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.10:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“In Kali-yuga, the duration of life is shortened not so much because of insufficient food but because of irregular habits. By keeping regular habits and eating simple food, any man can maintain his health. Overeating, over-sense gratification, over dependence on another’s mercy, and artificial standards of living sap the very vitality of human energy. Therefore the duration of life is shortened.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ayurveda explains that one of the main causes of ill health is stress. Stress can result from natural changes like the fall in temperature from day to night. When the stresses of material life occur, an imbalance in the body’s energies (doshas) may prevent the body from adjusting adequately. The result is disease. Regulating our lives, however, will minimize the effect of stress, and therefore it may be said that the more regulated one’s life, the healthier one will be.</p>
<p>To aid the regulation of life, Ayurveda prescribes daily and seasonal regulations.</p>
<p>The briefest possible healthy scenario would include:</p>
<p>1. Preparing the night before</p>
<p>2. Arising before dawn</p>
<p>3. Urination and defecation, to empty the digestive tract so that it has space to take in new nourishment.</p>
<p>4. Washing the hands, feet, face, mouth, eyes, and nose (all the senses), so that with purified sense organs we may accurately perceive the sense objects. Bathing. </p>
<p>5. Contemplation of the Deity.</p>
<p>6. Light massage, exercise</p>
<p>7. Breakfast<br /> <br /> <strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/in-a-pandemic-is-there-a-secret-of-health,7587/">https://iskconnews.org/in-a-pandemic-is-there-a-secret-of-health,7587/</a></p></div>GBC SPT Strategic Planning Support Unit Releases Safe Re-opening Guidelines for Temples Amid COVID-19https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/gbc-spt-strategic-planning-support-unit-releases-safe-re-opening-2020-09-04T06:27:53.000Z2020-09-04T06:27:53.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div id="article_byline"><a href="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/09-Sep/temple_entry_and_covid-19_guidelines_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/09-Sep/temple_entry_and_covid-19_guidelines_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" alt="temple_entry_and_covid-19_guidelines_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="550" /></a><strong>By Madhava Smullen<br /> <br /> </strong></div>
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<p>In June, ISKCON’s GBC SPT Strategic Planning Support Unit released a Temple Re-opening Guide along with a decision-making toolkit to help leaders assess the right time to re-open their temple during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>In August, the Strategic Planning Support Unit (SPS) has followed up with a set of Safe Re-opening Guidelines containing safe practices for ISKCON leaders and devotees to use while visiting or doing devotional service at the temple, as well as while doing day-to-day activities such as going to work or the grocery store: <a href="https://gbcstrategicplanningteam.com/2020/08/guidelines-for-a-safe-re-opening-of-temples/">https://gbcstrategicplanningteam.com/2020/08/guidelines-for-a-safe-re-opening-of-temples/</a></p>
<p>The set includes a comprehensive Safe Re-opening Handbook for all, to be distributed to your social media, WhatsApp and email contact list; a one-page Leaders’ Quick Guide on how leaders should prepare their temple for re-opening; and a Visitors’ Poster providing safe practices for visitors to follow when they come to the temple. The SPS recommends that this poster be printed and displayed at the temple entrance and at other strategic areas in and around the temple.</p>
<p> “The current pandemic has infected more than 24 million people globally and claimed the lives of close to 900,000 people,” says Subhananda Das, convener of the SPS. “No one knows for sure when a vaccine will be available and implemented globally, although many are in development. We are here to assist ISKCON leaders to make proactive strategic decisions in uncertain times.” </p>
<p><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/gbc-spt-strategic-planning-support-unit-releases-safe-re-opening-guidelines-for-temples-amid-covid-19,7483/">https://iskconnews.org/gbc-spt-strategic-planning-support-unit-releases-safe-re-opening-guidelines-for-temples-amid-covid-19,7483/</a></p>
</div></div>Christchurch, New Zealand: Rebuilding, Pandemic and morehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/christchurch-new-zealand-rebuilding-pandemic-and-more2020-06-28T10:29:33.000Z2020-06-28T10:29:33.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}6400216671,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="6400216671?profile=RESIZE_710x" /><br /><iframe style="border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgbcspt%2Fvideos%2F2828699023906753%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p></div>ISKCON Alachua Starts Gradual Reopening of Temple with Restrictionshttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/iskcon-alachua-starts-gradual-reopening-of-temple-with-restrictio2020-05-24T10:48:49.000Z2020-05-24T10:48:49.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div id="article_byline" style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/05-May/nrr1_slideshow.png" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/05-May/nrr1_slideshow.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" alt="nrr1_slideshow.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div>
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<p><strong>By Madhava Smullen</strong></p>
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<div id="article_body">
<p>With the U.S. State of Florida, and within it Alachua County, in Phase One of Reopening from COVID-19 lockdown, ISKCON’s New Raman Reti temple in Alachua has also started phase one of a gradual reopening process with careful restrictions.</p>
<p>To do so, Temple President Mukhya Dasi is consulting local government recommendations, as well as her own committee consisting of two phsyicians, one nurse, and two members of management. She’s also taking guidance from Nila Madhava Das, a doctor, anesthesiologist and member of the COVID-19 team at Baltimore’s Northwest Hospital. Nila Madhava serves as temple president of ISKCON Baltimore, and is also beginning to reopen his temple with similar precautions. </p>
<p>Mukhya cautions that the gradual reopening at ISKCON Alachua is a trial run, and that the temple will continue to monitor Coronavirus cases in the Alachua area, where the rate of positive results from testing is currently low. “If cases goes up too much in our area, we will cut back; if the virus continues its current trend, we will probably continue as planned,” she says. </p>
<p>ISKCON Alachua began phase 1a of its plan a week ago. This phase allows one individual or one family who has been sheltering at home together in the same household to sign up for a time slot, and lead a kirtan during one arati on a particular day. </p>
<p>The individual or family leading are the only people present in the temple room besides pujaris. They are also asked to use hand sanitizer or wash their hands with soap and water before entering, wear masks, offer obeisances standing up, and stay at least six feet away from each other. The person leading kirtan may remove their mask, while the others should keep their masks on while joining in the kirtan. (Alachua County is a mandatory mask-wearing county.)</p>
<p><strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-alachua-starts-gradual-reopening-of-temple-with-restrictions,7369/">https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-alachua-starts-gradual-reopening-of-temple-with-restrictions,7369/</a></p>
</div></div>ISKCON Strategic Planning Support Team to Assist Temples Tackle Challenges Due to Pandemichttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/iskcon-strategic-planning-support-team-to-assist-temples-tackle-c2020-04-21T12:56:01.000Z2020-04-21T12:56:01.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div id="article_image" style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/04-Apr/spt_logo_slideshow_slideshow.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/04-Apr/spt_logo_slideshow_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="500" alt="spt_logo_slideshow_slideshow.jpg?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></a></div>
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<p>ISKCON Strategic Planning Support Team, which is a unit of the GBC Strategic Planning Team is extending their support to help devotee communities worldwide to survive, maintain and grow. Below is their letter to ISKCON leaders: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Dear ISKCON Leaders, </p>
<p>The GBC SPT’s Strategic Planning Support unit (SPS) is at your service. Should you require assistance in strategizing how to deal with the current and future challenges you face due to COVID-19, we can help.</p>
<p>Our objective is to assist you to ensure the survival, growth and sustainability of your centers and devotee communities impacted by COVID-19. It is never too late to develop a focused action plan that will ensure we emerge from this disruption as a stronger ISKCON.</p>
<p>We will listen to your situation and help you come up with a clear, customized plan. We envision three general stages a plan would include:</p>
<p><strong>• Stage 1 </strong>– Survival (Immediate Action Plan): This is aimed at helping you to survive the current crisis and its impact on your centers and devotee communities. We will assist you to make sense of COVID-19 and how it impacts your centers and devotee communities. The goal is to identify your major risks and develop solutions and a plan of action to ensure survival.</p>
<p><strong>• Stage 2</strong> – Reposition (Short term Plan): What you determine to be key ways forward in your yatra in the short term, once immediate crises are dealt with? Once your major crises are controlled and your centers stabilized, we will then help you determine what strategies should be adopted and actioned in the short term to stay relevant to the mission. Example, how to continue preaching during COVID-19? etc.</p>
<p><strong>• Stage 3</strong> – Transform, Post COVID-19: Help you envision dynamic ways forward in an ISKCON and world that may be quite different than what we have been experiencing. We will assist you with post COVID-19 Strategic Planning exploring what you need to change to be relevant and relatable in a changing world, what strategies and new program you need to implement and a practical plan for implementation to ensure the long term sustainability and growth of your centers and devotee communities.</p>
<p>The Strategic Planning Support (SPS) unit consist of long-standing devotees with both devotional and secular experience. They have served as National Council members, Directors, Temple Presidents, and more.</p>
<p>Contact the Strategic Planning Support unit at: sps@gbcstrategicplanningteam.com</p>
<p>NOTE: ALL INFORMATION SHARED WITH THE SPS TEAM WILL BE TREATED WITH THE UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Your servants,</p>
<p>Strategic Planning Support"<br /> <br /> <strong>Source:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-strategic-planning-support-team-to-assist-temples-tackle-challenges-due-to-pandemic,7333/">https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-strategic-planning-support-team-to-assist-temples-tackle-challenges-due-to-pandemic,7333/</a></p>
</blockquote>
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<p> </p></div>Vaisesika Das on Staying Safe and Sane During A Pandemichttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/vaisesika-das-on-staying-safe-and-sane-during-a-pandemic2020-04-09T12:30:53.000Z2020-04-09T12:30:53.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div id="article_image" style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/04-Apr/vais_slideshow.png" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://iskconnews.org/media/img_versions/2020/04-Apr/vais_slideshow.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="600" alt="vais_slideshow.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div>
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<p><strong>By Madhava Smullen</strong></p>
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<p>With most ISKCON temples around the world now closed except to residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and most devotees staying at home under “shelter-in-place” orders, day-to-day life can be a challenge. </p>
<p>In these times, it can be good to hear from a well-wisher who is grounded in both real-world smarts and spiritual understanding. We spoke to Vaisesika Das, Prabhupada disciple, temple president at ISKCON Silicon Valley in California and longtime inspirational leader, and asked him to provide some practical advice and uplifting words on how to stay safe and sane during a pandemic.</p>
<h3>Take COVID-19 Seriously and Follow Precautions</h3>
<p>“I don’t think that as a whole, from what I’ve heard, we ISKCON leaders are taking this seriously enough,” Vaisesika says. “I think we should set a good example by simply following what the scientists are telling us about the Coronavirus, and what we should do about it. We shouldn’t speculate, put forward conspiracy theories, do things halfway or say it’s not a big deal.”</p>
<p>“I think that’s dangerous not only because it could help to spread the virus in our communities and all over the world,” he adds. “But also because it’s a bad image for us, showing that we didn’t really care, or that we didn’t put the most into it that we could have.”<br /> <br /><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/vaisesika-das-on-staying-safe-and-sane-during-a-pandemic,7317/">https://iskconnews.org/vaisesika-das-on-staying-safe-and-sane-during-a-pandemic,7317/</a></p>
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<p> </p></div>May You Always Remain In Lockdown... by Achyut Gopal Dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/may-you-always-remain-in-lockdown-by-achyut-gopal-das2020-04-05T03:56:05.000Z2020-04-05T03:56:05.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuRXus5DEsg/XoiLLvtpLpI/AAAAAAAAHXA/BJnWyX9OvBcm4NWqJHamWRGDi1vhsWiJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/lockdown.webp?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500" alt="lockdown.webp?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></p>
<div>There is a wonderful, simple and instructive anecdote from the life of Namacharya Haridas Thakur. Haridas Thakur was staying in a small village called Phuliya in Bengal and chanting the Holy Names of Krishna, throughout the day and night. Chanting the Holy Names was his food, his sustenance, his everything. The local magistrate of that place (Kazi) knowing that Haridas had been born in a Muslim household, and now was showing such a taste for chanting the Holy Names of Krishna, began to fear that he might convert others to Vaishnavism. He took his complaint to the governor (Nawab), suggesting that Haridas be punished as soon as possible. The governor ordered his officers to place Haridas under arrest. The other prisoners already knew Haridas’s glories and thought that the sight and blessings of such a great spiritual personality would surely bring them merit to insure their early release from jail. But, when Haridas saw them, he blessed them saying, "May you always remain like this." In other words, he blessed them with the blessing, "May you always remain in lockdown". The prisoners were naturally unhappy to hear such a statement, but then Haridas explained his strange blessing (paraphrased):</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"I don’t mean to say that you should remain prisoners. Very soon, by the mercy of Lord Krishna you all will be freed from this jail but, my worry is that as soon you are free, you may not chant Hare Krishna in a desperate mood like you are chanting now and you may forget to take seek shelter of devotees and beg for their mercy in a desperate and humble mood like you are seeking now. While in jail, you could forget the entanglements of material life and simply concentrate on chanting the Holy Name but once you are out, you may captivated by the temptations of Maya. My blessing is that, the intensity with which you are performing Bhakti now in lockdown may continue always."</div>
<div> </div>
<div>During this lockdown phase due to the Corona virus, devotees all over the world have intensified their devotional practices. Those who couldn't chant 16 rounds are now able to chant 16 rounds. Many devotees are chanting 24 or 32 rounds. Many devotees have increased their quota of reading Bhagvat-gita or Srimad-bhagvatam and have taken a vow to complete a fixed number of pages per day. Most importantly, this situation of crisis is making everyone take shelter of Krishna, His devotees and the process of Bhakti with a lot of desperation and helplessness. This situation is making us all humble and realize that we are endlessly lost and hopeless without the grace factor. But the worry is that, once this phase is over, we may once again become relaxed and laxed in our practices of Bhakti; we may once again become arrogant and boastful that we are great and that we are not dependent on the grace of the devotees. That is the worry. That is the reason why Kunti Maharani very intelligently prays to the Lord in the pages of Srimad-bhagvatam for more and more miseries so that, her desperation for Krishna doesn't reduce an inch. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>vipadaḥ santu tāḥ śaśvat</div>
<div>tatra tatra jagad-guro</div>
<div>bhavato darśanaṁ yat syād</div>
<div>apunar bhava-darśanam</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths." - Srimad-bhagvatam 1.8.25</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We may not have the courage to pray like Kunti Maharani but we can do well if we remember that being in this world is being in a lockdown and being encaged in this material body is another lockdown. The lockdown due to the Corona pandemic is a lockdown within a lockdown, within a lockdown. Thus, let this blessing of Haridas Thakur be always upon us and thus let us chant the Holy Names of Krishna and beg for the mercy of His devotees in a desperate mood for, only the mercy of the Lord and His devotees can free us from all our lockdowns, once in for all.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://thewisdompark.blogspot.com/2020/04/may-you-always-remain-in-lockdown.html">http://thewisdompark.blogspot.com/2020/04/may-you-always-remain-in-lockdown.html</a></div></div>