Our cast for the summer drama, Big Fish Little Fish, went over the script which we pulled off the shelf from the January 1st performance. We encountered some rough edges but concluded that we'll be okay.
This was followed by a zoom class on some verses on the Gita, chapter five. Krishna is saying here that we must be like a lotus – on the water, but not getting wet. It’s great to see some young folks coming on board with these discussions which are thoughtful.
Once our chat concluded, I asked C
By Thomas Haribol
Thursday, June 22–Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Global Minister of Communications, participated in a White House gathering this morning of several thousand guests—mostly Indian-Americans—when US President Joseph Biden welcomed India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an official visit.
Prime Minister Modi and President Biden both offered remarks after witnessing marching bands and a 21-gun salute on the White House South Lawn. Both leaders stressed the values shared by their two cou
On the 12th June 2023 one devotee, Bhakta Max moved back into the ISKCON Kherson Temple. His mission is Biblical, he has to clean up over two tonnes of rubbish and restore the Temple to its former glory. Max is from Kherson and is in no illusion about the dangers of material existence — padam padam yad vipadam
Over a year ago the devotees had to leave their beloved Temple due to the war. Soldiers from the Russian Army occupied the Temple and used it as their base. The war has raged in Kherson s
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Their Lordships Sri Sri Kisora-Kisori
My wife and I were living in Madison Wisconsin in the early 1970s. I had gone there to join an experimental theater group. In 1973 we decided to move to the Evanston temple. I arrived early, just a few days before the June installation of the Deities, Their Lordships Sri Sri Kisora-Kisori.
Actually my wife and I visited Chicago several times to see the devotees.
First in 1971 when Bahulasva and several brahmaca
Speaking about Ratha Yatra during a July 12, 1973 lecture in London, Srila Prabhupada said, “Organize this all over the world. They will be saved. They will understand Krsna.” For the last fifty years, devotees have taken up this instruction with great success, and this 2023 season has seen record numbers at events across the globe. New York City, in particular, saw a surprising number of participants at its peaceful procession down Fifth Avenue on June 10th. The event was even covered by a le
By Thomas Haribol
Astottara Sata Dasa, a native of Brunswick, Maine, USA, spent several years of his youth growing up at the ISKCON Gita Nagari Farm. Later, he graduated from Hampshire College and is currently a woodsman in the Maine woods. This week, he will be sharing online about his extraordinary service and experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Astottara Sata is the founder and president of Working Village International, a non-profit organization founded in 2005 with the missio
Kishor Mani Is celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary with a kirtan fest at his home. He got happily involved by calling some of the more noted leaders of kirtan (musical mantra meditation), So I agreed to the initial contact. On the list of fine musicians was Bhakti Brngha Govinda Swami (BB Govinda), Akinchana, and the Bhakti Brothers, Ananda and Yogi. They came all the way over from Vrindavan, India, to grace us with their presence on this first of a six day event.
A part of the major fest
By Atma Tattva Das
In the heart of the ancient country of Bulgaria, a beacon of spiritual enlightenment has emerged in the form of the Gauranga Yoga Institute. Led by the dedicated and talented Vraja Krsna Das, this preaching center is making waves and attracting people from all walks of life. With its unique approach to spreading the teachings of Krishna consciousness, the institute has become a hub for individuals seeking inner peace and connection with their higher selves.
Vraja Krsna, a dev
I'm back from travels to the Atlantic provinces of which there are four – Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. It was a glorious travel, as usual, for me. We have some really good leadership there. Since a year ago when I visited, I witnessed increased participation in the various communities, not multitudes, but a slow and steady growth. And although there was a rather steady overcastness and coolness, it kept mosquitoes down, as well as fires. It is always good
By Manmohan Singh
It’s no doubt that long traffic hours, desk-bound jobs, endless chores, altogether lead to a complete mental and physical exhaustion. Owing to the overworked body, many people are unable to pursue their hobbies or find it difficult to indulge in any other form of exercise. All this is because of low energy levels and insufficient prana (vital force) in the body. Now, if you are wondering whether there exists any powerful solution to increase the energy, then the science of yo
The United Nations General Assembly in accordance with the call of the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is celebrating World Yoga Day on June 21. This is the day of the Summer Solstice, the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and a day considered significant in many traditions. The fact that scores of countries all over the world, including many Islamic countries, are observing the day is testimony to yoga’s universality.
Unfortunately, in India, this occas
By Thomas Haribol
On June 13th, a Food for Life – Odesa team arrived by police escort to serve the Ukrainians in Kherson who have been devastated by the ongoing military conflict and now face the challenges of extensive flooding caused by the recent dam breach.
Odesa devotees arrived in Kherson wearing body armor and helmets while being escorted by the local police. Rasagya Govinda Das, Bhaktin Irina, and their team of blissful devotees engaged the flood victims with both kirtan and prasada.
W
By Thomas Haribol
On June 12, devotees returned to survey the condition of the ISKCON Kherson Temple in Ukraine, which was damaged during the ongoing conflict there. The Kherson region has also been in the news this week because of the bursting of the Kakhovka dam the previous week. The breach unleashed floodwaters across a portion of the war zone and has had devastating effects on thousands of area residents and animals.
“Over a year ago, the devotees had to leave their beloved Temple in Khe
I stumbled upon this freshwater lake that locals call ‘The Rez’ (short for ‘reservoir’), And it has this well-maintained trail that skirts around it. I was accompanied by birds on this walk. I spotted those striking goldfinches, deep red Cardinals, ducks, geese; most of them appeared as couples in their respective species. My favourite fowl of this morning was the loon coming in for a landing to contact the waters. He went solo, and he made his cool sound before splashing.
It wasn't the birds a
By Mahābhāva Dāsa
International Yoga Day is an eagerly awaited event that will be taking place in the picturesque location of Radhadesh, Belgium, on June 17-18th. With 100 participants expected to attend, these two days will provide a unique opportunity for individuals to relax and immerse themselves in various yoga practices.
This weekend will be the 9th time the tranquil surroundings of Radhadesh will welcome people from all walks of life to this annual celebration of yoga and mindfulness. Pa
By Khusboo Basan
Noted for her welcoming smile and joyful service as a book distributor, Malini Priti Devi Dasi (Meera Thuraisingam) is an exemplary disciple of HH Jayapataka Swami, serving locally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but inspiring devotees worldwide.
Raised in Krishna Consciousness, her first book distribution service started at fourteen during a Hindu festival called Thaipusam, celebrated for Lord Kartikeya. In addition to this, she served at BBT Malaysia for a few months after her co
Srila Prabhupada wrote me in Madras, “The fact is that I am the only one in India who is criticizing not only impersonalism and demigod worship but anything that falls short of complete surrender to Krishna. My Guru Maharaja never compromised in his preaching, I will never compromise in my preaching, and similarly, none of my disciples should ever compromise in their preaching. You must declare it boldly that people should not dream of world peace unless they are prepared to surrender to Krishn
While much of Canada is consumed in forest fires (and there are videos out there of a hazy New York skyline to prove it), wherever I have been travelling within the land of the Maple Leaf, I see nothing but water, whether it be the West or east. You certainly don't hear of blazing flames in the far north.
As Nakula and I make that drive South towards the south, we encounter clouds and rain, and for a fraction of the day, that welcoming sun bursts through. Global warming? Well, I don't see avoca
By Gauranga Darshan Das
“A brief outline of the twelve cantos of Srimad-Bhagavatam that represent the bodily limbs of Lord Sri Krsna and present ten transcendental topics.”
Of all the sacred Vaisnava scriptures, Srimad Bhagavatam is considered the topmost. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu hailed the Bhagavatam as the spotless authority (pramanam amalam) amongst the Vedic literatures. Srila Rupa Gosvami, in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu declared that hearing Srimad Bhagavatam is one of the five most po
