workshop - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-28T19:49:31Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/workshopISKCON Environment Initiative Invites You To Green Your Centerhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/iskcon-environment-initiative-invites-you-to-green-your-center2023-02-07T14:28:31.000Z2023-02-07T14:28:31.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10959779457,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="10959779457?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Vandana Dasi </strong></p>
<p>“Vaisnava philosophy leads us to be activists,” Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON GBC member, and Global Communications Director, said, citing Isopanisad Mantra 1, which states that everything within the universe is owned by the Lord and therefore, one should accept only what is necessary for His maintenance.</p>
<p>“This is a very heavy philosophical statement about how we are supposed to live in the world. Nothing in our tradition says the world was created for us to have dominion over. Everything belongs to Krishna, and He’s giving it to us as a gift. It is His property, His energy. He is the creator, the owner, the proprietor, and the enjoyer. In addition to the world being His energy, it is nondifferent from Him. It is sacred to us.”</p>
<p>The IEI Team invites you cordially to participate and find out more about what you can do to protect and sustain the Lord’s gift to us: Earth.</p>
<p>The ISKCON Environmental Initiative (IEI) held its first-ever global online workshop on November 18, 2022. The two-hour session was attended by 25 participants from North America, Europe, Australia, and Africa and was led by IEI co-directors Anuttama Dasa and Shyamananda Krishna Dasa. The Global Workshop can be viewed online in its entirety at <a href="https://iskconenvironment.org/">https://iskconenvironment.org/</a>.<br /> <br /> <strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-environment-initiative-invites-you-to-green-your-center/">https://iskconnews.org/iskcon-environment-initiative-invites-you-to-green-your-center/</a></p></div>Agri-ecology Experience Transforms Liveshttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/agri-ecology-experience-transforms-lives2022-07-04T11:23:18.000Z2022-07-04T11:23:18.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10619885681,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="10619885681?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>SPECIAL 2-DAYS CONFERENCE & WORKSHOP </strong></p>
<p>Today there is an increasing awareness of environmental and ethical dealings with the planet and the food production chain, there is a call to reintegrate with Mother Earth and bring spirituality to the heart of this understanding.</p>
<p>The introduction of positivism into science and technology has led to the widespread adoption of the paradigm of industrial agriculture. This type of agriculture currently represents 30% of the world’s food supply. It accounts for 75% of the ecological damage caused to the planet, therefore, one of the main polluting anthropic actions.</p>
<p>In response, many alternative organic trends have emerged since the 1920s in search of balance. Agroecology has unfolded as a paradigm that includes knowledge of traditional, holistic interaction with animals and also includes man as an essential transforming agent.</p>
<p>Agroecology is an emerging science that studies the agrosystems integrating knowledge of agronomy, ecology, economics, and sociology, among other sciences. Other authors include popular and millennial wisdom as areas of the composition of agroecology.<br /> <br /> <strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://iskconnews.org/agri-ecology-experience-transforms-lives/">https://iskconnews.org/agri-ecology-experience-transforms-lives/</a></p></div>Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies 2020 Workshop on Fifth Canto Cosmographyhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/bhaktivedanta-institute-for-higher-studies-2020-workshop-on-fifth2020-12-27T13:44:15.000Z2020-12-27T13:44:15.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><strong><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8346698695,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8346698695?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="450" />By Prishni Devi Dasi</strong></p>
<p>In 1976, Srila Prabhupada instructed the founding members of the Bhaktivedanta Institute “to build a model of the universe that could later be built full size at the future Mayapur Temple and Planetarium complex.” To help broadly facilitate Srila Prabhupada’s directive, the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) in Gainesville, Florida recently hosted its second cosmography workshop with the title, “Models and memes and maps: A modern journey through ancient cosmography.” It attracted participants online from around the world over the weekend of November 21-22, 2020.</p>
<p>The BIHS workshop was designed to facilitate intellectual discourse engaging 5th Canto cosmographical models frequently discussed within ISKCON. The workshop explored historical and contemporary models along with new research that enhances the rich devotional culture engaging this topic. The Director of the BIHS, Brahmatirtha das (MS Geology), one of the founding members of the Bhaktivedanta Institute who participated in the original 1977 “Life Comes From Life” conference held in Vrindavan while Srila Prabhupada was present, explained, “We are striving to elevate the discourse to a level suitable for publication in appropriate academic circles so that the efforts of the many Vaishnavas can be appreciated by the intellectual communities while remaining loyal to our tradition.”</p>
<p>Following Brahmatirtha Prabhu’s welcome address, Pracarananda das (PhD Geology) opened Session 1 with a presentation “On models, memes, and maps,” which helped set the workshop theme analyzing criteria for a productive model. The next speaker, Janakirama das (PhD Religion), spoke about “Historical perspectives on cosmological complexities.” He argued that various cosmological passages in Srimad-Bhagavatam suggest meditative “complexity” coupled with a “spirit of discovery.”</p>
<p>Sthita-dhi-muni das (PhD History of Science) wrapped up the opening session with a presentation on “The Legacy of Jyotir Veda” examining “jyotisha and Puranic cosmology discourse in a traditional context.” The presentation explained that textual passages historically identified with the tradition illustrate how various present-day concerns frequently expressed within ISKCON often involve “apparent discrepancies between esoteric” descriptions identified with the Puranas versus “exoteric accounts” drawn from mathematical astronomy that have also “proven a dynamic element of this ancient legacy.”</p>
<p>To put it directly, apparent dichotomies between celestial descriptions of an expansive Bhu-mandala plane alongside with descriptions of an observable and mathematically quantifiable spherical earth, are likewise found in textual accounts firmly rooted in classic Vedic civilization. Many of these works are attributed to noted jyotisa pandits recognized as leading figures in the global history of mathematics and astronomy. Examples of these texts date back well over a thousand years prior to the rise of the “new” sciences identified with European origin.</p>
<p>When considered this way, perhaps there is nothing new under the sun. Not only has this topic been thoroughly acknowledged by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in his scholarly work promoting Sanskrit mathematical astronomy, but more recently within ISKCON, Sadaputa Prabhu described at length how both views can be found embedded within a unified tradition identified with Vedic literature. In the pioneering BBT publication, Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (1990), Sadaputa argued that historical facts such as these invite fresh examination of the “proper understanding of the nature of space, time, and matter, as described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, and a corresponding understanding of the Vedic approach to describing and thinking about reality.” (p. 3)</p>
<p>Participants in the afternoon’s Session 2subsequently broke into working groups designed for considering fresh approaches intended to enhance the role of ISKCON scholars. Among the questions discussed by each group were, “What are the criteria for making a good model?” and “How can we make our voice relevant within ISKCON and its outreach?”</p>
<p>On the second day, Session 3 examined a selection of both historical and contemporary models active within ISKCON. Prishni dd (BIHS secretary and Richard L. Thompson Archives) opened with a presentation on the “‘Standard Accommodation’ model as cultural legacy.” It offered a summary overview of what scholars have defined as the dominant model on the Indian subcontinent during the Middle Ages within jyotisa and Puranic discourse. Radha Mohan das (BIHS researcher and Bhaktivedanta Manor communications secretary) followed with an overview of “Richard L. Thompson’s 4 models, and beyond.” He introduced a variety of sub-models drawn from Sadaputa’s Mysteries of the Sacred Universe (2000), which offer potential for further appreciating the complexity encoded within Puranic cosmological descriptions. Pavaneshwar das (MS Electrical Engineering) next spoke about his book, Bhagavata Cosmology (2018), offering a study of Fifth Canto cosmology that draws upon Vadiraja Tirtha Swami’s treatise, Bhugola Varnanam (16th Century). Rsiraja das (MS Chemistry) offered an introduction to his influential work, Mystic Universe (2016), that highlighted the need to appreciate the theory behind the model which facilitates a conceptual understanding of the Puranic universe. Sulabha das ended the morning session with a video that compared Puranic descriptions of the Bhū-maṇḍala earth-plane with a variety of identifiable geographic features similarly described in the Puranas.</p>
<p>The final session provided a platform for more recent research while facilitating peer-review feedback. Vrindavana Priya das’s talk on “Consciousness and Cosmology” described a consciousness centered approach to understanding the nature of the cosmos that drew upon insights from Rsiraja’s research. Prem Gauranga das (Mechanical Engineering) discussed his paper, “Mathematical Model of the Cosmos based on the Bhagavata Purana,” which highlighted information embedded within the text verifiable through human experience. A research proposal by Vaishnav das (PhD Astrophysics) titled “Pravaha winds as the missing mass in the universe,” explored the potential for testing this construct utilizing gravitational wave astronomy.</p>
<p>Three physicists from the BIHS research team closed the seminar with presentations in the final afternoon session. The topic “Bhu-mandala as the Horizontal Plane,” presented by Murali Gopal das (PhD Physics) examined the possibility of a coherent narrative that would incorporate several features of Bhu-mandala as described by various models under consideration. Dvija Govinda das (PhD Physics) discussed an “Investigation of connections between Puranic and Siddhantic sizes of the Universe.” He proposed “proportionality” and “total distance traveled” as part of a framework illustrating correlations between the vertical dimension of the universe described the Srimad-Bhagavatam and mathematically quantifiable data pertaining to cosmic distances. In the workshop’s final talk, “An Embedded Time Dimension in the 5th Canto,” Doug Watson (PhD Physics) proposed that 5th Canto spatial mapping of Bhu-mandala might not arise solely from a fixed point in time. Rather, time itself could provide an additional dimensional element.</p>
<p>Many attending the BIHS workshop expressed a desire to continue discussions in ongoing work groups intended to fine-tune analyses of Vedic cosmology. In his parting words to the international participants, BIHS Director Brahmatirtha Prabhu offered his invitation to “visit our new BIHS headquarters… situated near the University of Florida in an historically preserved neighborhood. Be our guest and enjoy our 3000+ book library, gardens, and beautiful walking areas.” Brahmatirtha concluded by gratefully acknowledging that the BIHS had been able “to secure use of this new facility with the generous support of Hridayananda Maharaja.”</p>
<p>To review a copy of the 2020 BIHS program brochure, please see:<br /> <a href="https://bit.ly/BIHS_Program_Brochure_2020">bit.ly/BIHS_Program_Brochure_2020</a></p>
<p><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=92374">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=92374</a></p></div>Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies Holds Virtual Cosmography Workshophttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/bhaktivedanta-institute-for-higher-studies-holds-virtual-cosmogra2020-12-21T12:48:05.000Z2020-12-21T12:48:05.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8314944678,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8314944678?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="500" /></p>
<p><strong>By Prisni Devi Dasi </strong></p>
<p>In 1976, Srila Prabhupada instructed the founding members of the Bhaktivedanta Institute “to build a model of the universe that could later be built full size at the future Mayapur Temple and Planetarium complex.” To help broadly facilitate Srila Prabhupada’s directive, the Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies (BIHS) in Gainesville, Florida, recently hosted its second cosmography workshop with the title, “Models and memes and maps: A modern journey through ancient cosmography.” It attracted participants online from around the world over the weekend of November 21-22, 2020. </p>
<p>The BIHS workshop was designed to facilitate intellectual discourse engaging Srimad Bhagavatam 5th Canto cosmographical models frequently discussed within ISKCON. The workshop explored historical and contemporary models along with new research that enhances the rich devotional culture engaging this topic. The Director of the BIHS, Brahmatirtha das (MS Geology), one of the founding members of the Bhaktivedanta Institute who participated in the original 1977 “Life Comes From Life” conference held in Vrindavan while Srila Prabhupada was present, explained, “We are striving to elevate the discourse to a level suitable for publication in appropriate academic circles so that the efforts of the many Vaishnavas can be appreciated by the intellectual communities while remaining loyal to our tradition.” <br /> <br /> <strong>Read more: </strong><a href="https://iskconnews.org/bhaktivedanta-institute-for-higher-studies-holds-online-cosmography-workshop,7632/">https://iskconnews.org/bhaktivedanta-institute-for-higher-studies-holds-online-cosmography-workshop,7632/</a></p></div>Transformative Self-care Workshop in New Vrindabanhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/transformative-self-care-workshop-in-new-vrindaban2020-07-23T14:08:41.000Z2020-07-23T14:08:41.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://i0.wp.com/newvrindaban.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RamboruWrkshp2.jpg?resize=1024%2C728&ssl=1&profile=RESIZE_584x" width="500" alt="RamboruWrkshp2.jpg?resize=1024%2C728&ssl=1&profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>Last weekend, July 17-19, Rambhoru Devi Dasi, a respected Srila Prabhupada disciple, Interfaith Chaplain, and Clinical Pastoral Educator, revisited New Vrindaban to offer a three-day workshop on the topic of “Bereavement after Loss and Self-care.”</p>
<p>Rambhoru Devi is a certified professional in her field. Her formal training includes a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, a Master of Divinity Degree, a Masters’ Degree in Patient Counseling, and Board Certification from the Association for Clinical<br /> Pastoral Educators. She served as resident senior chaplain at Virginia Commonwealth University, became the Director of the St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care: Urban Interfaith Chaplaincy program in Los Angeles, and recently started her own ISKCON-endorsed<br /> educational institute called Karuna Care Education to provide interfaith ministry education for ISKCON devotees who wish to provide compassionate care for people in crisis. </p>
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<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="align-center" src="https://i2.wp.com/newvrindaban.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RamboruWrkshp4.1.png?ssl=1&profile=RESIZE_400x" width="300" alt="RamboruWrkshp4.1.png?ssl=1&profile=RESIZE_400x" /></p>
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<p>Last month, Rambhoru Devi had assisted New Vrindaban devotees in dealing with grief and shock at the loss of our beloved community member, Venkatachalapati prabhu. This time, she broadened the scope of the discussion to address various kinds of loss,<br /> such as losses due to divorce, estrangement, moving to a new home, ending addiction, loss of trust, and so on.</p>
<p>Since everything in this material world is temporary, loss is an experience we all must go through. Rambhoru Devi encouraged participants to look at the different losses they have undergone throughout their lives and create a “timeline of loss.” With<br /> the help of a “feelings chart,” she guided us in understanding the emotions connected with those losses and exploring how certain feelings such as fear hold us back in various ways.</p>
<p>The workshop was attended by a small group of local devotees as well as GBC for New Vrindaban Anuttama prabhu and his wife Rukmini Devi who drove all the way from Washington DC to attend the event. Participants were deeply affected by Rambhoru Devi’s<br /> expertise, generosity, and genuine love. All agreed that the workshop was transformational and left them feeling lighter and more positive about the future.</p>
<p>One devotee who inadvertently walked into the yogashala during one of the sessions related how the workshop enabled him to make personal progress on deep internal issues which had been causing distress to himself and others who are close to him. He was<br /> grateful for Rambhoru Devi’s assistance in this and acknowledged that it was, in fact, Krishna’s arrangement.</p>
<p>A therapeutic harpist, Rambhoru Devi began and closed each session with a soothing harp kirtan which lifted the atmosphere to another dimension. She also delighted everyone by teaching a song based on the Bhagavad-gita which she had written for an interfaith<br /> gathering. The following is the refrain which all sang in unison:</p>
<p>You’re the cause of all Creation,<br /> You’re the wonder that we see.<br /> Nothing can exist without You,<br /> Splendid spark in all that be.</p>
<p>Of Lights, You are the radiant sun,<br /> Of stars, You are the moon.<br /> Of purifiers, You are the mighty wind.<br /> Of seasons, You are Spring.</p>
<p>You’re the Soul in every body,<br /> Inner Guide and dearest Friend.<br /> You are all-pervading beauty,<br /> Gracious Love that never ends.</p>
<p>You’re the perfect taste in water<br /> And the fragrance of the Earth.<br /> You’re poetry in Music,<br /> Cause of everlasting Mirth.</p>
<p>This song points to Krishna as the cause of everything. Nothing in our lives happens by chance, and the losses that we go through are all episodes expertly crafted by Krishna to help us learn valuable lessons in this lifetime so we can overcome material<br /> attachments and attain pure love for Him.</p>
<p>Through this Self-care workshop, participants were able to open their hearts and come a little closer to this sublime goal. Without a doubt, the great sense of camaraderie that was generated among the participants is something that will keep them enlivened<br /> on their ongoing journeys toward self-realization. <br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=87756">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=87756</a></p></div>9 Devotions Workshop by Bhaktimarga Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/9-devotions-workshop-by-bhaktimarga-swami2020-01-09T11:20:34.000Z2020-01-09T11:20:34.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3809653610,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3809653610,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="400" alt="3809653610?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div>
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<div>If rain is clean, clear and cooling, if the sun is bright, bold and benevolent, then snow is white, wet and wonderful.</div>
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<div>Jay and I drove through the white stuff, as it fell lightly upon us, our moving car, Highway 7, and the surrounding countryside. It was a quiet ride, and in this area from Toronto to Ottawa, you travel through the edge of the Canadian Shield, earth's oldest rock. The rock is embraced by a boreal forest.</div>
<div><br /> We arrived at ISKCON Ottawa, at 212 Somerset, and were greeted by Mandala Rama McAllister, a happy, holy chap who makes nice wraps. After a wholesome meal, we prepared for a "9 Devotions Workshop". A comfortable number of twenty-five people showed up, and the three hour interactive program worked well as a bonding-type of exercise. I received feedback. To summarize, I would say the 9 Devotions Workshop is engaging, enriching and educational. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/iskconottawa/videos/1187474058124158/">https://www.facebook.com/iskconottawa/videos/1187474058124158/</a></div>
<div><br /> Devotion or bhakti is a type of co-operation with the Supreme, and all methods of devotional endeavours are indeed fun and fulfilling.</div>
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<div>Let's go over these nine processes once again.</div>
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<div>1. Shravanam: concentrated hearing</div>
<div>2. Kirtanam: concentrated responding</div>
<div>3. Smaranam: positive recall</div>
<div>4. Pada-sevanam: accepting humility</div>
<div>5. Archanam: honouring sacred images</div>
<div>6. Vandanam: power praying</div>
<div>7. Dasyam: practising humility</div>
<div>8. Sakhyam: making friends</div>
<div>9. Atma Nivedanam: sweet surrender</div>
<div><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3809655999,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="400" alt="3809655999?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></div>
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<div><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2020/01/saturday-january-4th-2020.html">http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2020/01/saturday-january-4th-2020.html</a></div></div>