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A day in the life of Shri Krishna is filled with numerous activities: tending cows, playing pranks on the women of the village, feasting on sumptuous food with the cowherd boys and vanquishing an ill-fated demon whose misfortune brings him wandering into Krishna’s abode. Considering all this, one might ask why Krishna would choose to lose sleep over dancing with a group of mere milkmaids.

The Adi Purana narrates a conversation between Krishna and Arjuna. The Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna, describe

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By Natalia Popenko

A group photo of the European ISKCON Youth Leaders' meeting in Spain

On the last weekend of February in New Vraja Mandala ISKCON temple in Spain the first European ISKCON Youth Leaders meeting was organized. 35 ISKCON devotees from 25 European countries gathered for three days to overview the existing and future possibilities to help young devotees to develop their full potential, and opportunities within the existing Erasmus+ framework. 

The main speakers presented their

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In honor of ISKCON’s 50th anniversary, two award-winning film were produced. While Yadubara Das’ film the Hare Krishna! presents Prabhupada’s extraordinary life, an ISKCON Communications Ministry documentary The Joy of Devotion directed by Krisztina Danka (Krishna Lila Dasi) of Karuna Productions picks up where the other film leaves off and captures Prabhupada’s worldwide impact, and gives an overview about what ISKCON is today, featuring dramatic, personal and very inspiring stories of devote

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I was happy to be part of the wedding reception for Damodhara, Gujarati born practitioner of bhakti yoga.  He resides in Sudbury, the place where I lived when I met Krishna monks who changed my life.  I spoke a few words to the crowd, addressing my joy at his partnership, before the toast and the cake cutting.

I really support marriage and the prospect for a one-shot deal.  I expressed my wish they'll have twelve kids.  People roared laughing.

The reception was held right in Govinda's Dinning
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There is so much fear, and perhaps rightfully so, about COVID-19 virus.

If we subscribe to the philosophy that Krishna’s plan is always for our welfare, then the COVID-19 virus is here to help us.

To reset.
To remember.
What is truly important.
What is the purpose of life.
By reconnecting with family, community, and, God.
Reducing travel so that the environment, the air, lungs all get a break.

Huge regions of China are seeing blue skies and clouds for the first time in decades because the ugra

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If we had a rand for every time we felt discouraged and aimless in our spheres of livelihood, we would probably be well-off by now and ready to take early retirement. Srila Prabhupada explains that everyone has a prescribed duty according to the four social dispositions; namely the priestly, warriors, merchants, and labourers. Those who properly perform their prescribed duties as an offering to God “live peacefully and are not disturbed by material conditions.” Thus they achieve the highest per

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Updated Coronavirus Announcement

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Dear ISKCON Community Members,

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

We received the sad news of a beloved member of the Bhaktivedanta Manor Community in the UK passing from this world as a result of the coronavirus.

In light of the seriousness of the situation, we request you to follow the protocol put into place by your local temple management to minimize the risk of infection.

We also request all of our ISKCON communities, temples, and centers to adhere to the

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"Srimad Bhagavatam  explains  that  the  material  world  is  a  place  of  constant  danger: padam  padam  yad  vipadam  na  tesam …  the  place  where  there  is  danger  at  every  step. We are  constantly  confronted  with  a  myriad  of  challenges  in  this  world  and  it  only  worsens  as  Kali-yuga  progresses.  The  devotee’s  only  shelter  is  the  lotus  feet  of  the  Lord.  The  more  we  take  shelter  of the  Lord’s  lotus  feet  the  more  we  become  freed  from  the  effec

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Devotees who are always hesitating in completing the sixteen rounds of chanting the Hare Krsna mahamantra may say, “You know, I just cannot do it. It is too difficult!” These people do not advance very much even if they are having difficulties in chanting. We are tolerant, we understand that it can be difficult to immediately go to sixteen rounds, but one must still get there. One cannot just remain on eight rounds because that is just not good enough! Eight rounds means another birth; eight me

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About Others by Bhaktimarga Swami

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When I was in Mayapura, India, I saw a piece of myself on someone's table.  I'll clarify.  An artist had a booth where he was displaying his wares—copies of painted portraits of bhakti-yogis  Well, I was in that pile of twenty or so.  I picked one up off of his display table, to have a look.
 
That's me, alright, I thought, and reasoned within.  Actually, I was separated from the portrait, just as my body is separated from my soul.  My body, a temporal object, is what some identify as me.  It's
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It was very late December in 1958, the disappearance day anniversary of Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura. His elderly disciple, initiated in 1933 as Abhay Caraëäravinda Däsa, was sitting alone in Våndävana. Outside his window, the sacred Yamunä River flowed by peacefully – but his heart was in turmoil. He felt so helpless and hopeless. What service did he have to offer as a meaningful gift of gratitude to his Gurudeva on this most painful yet precious day? Any attempt to even remember hi

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A few weeks ago, Dhanurdhara Swami approached the GBC Executive Committee with the idea of possibly being reinstated as a member of ISKCON. The GBC EC has discussed the topic and issued a statement:

"Dear Devotees,

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

A few weeks ago, Dhanurdhara Swami approached the GBC Executive Committee with the idea of possibly being reinstated as a member of ISKCON.

The GBC EC sought out the opinions of a number of affected parties such a

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The darkness of kali yuga is everywhere around us, but it is also within us. This is the main problem! It is said that when we are looking at a jewel, that ornament appears to look more beautiful when placed against a blackish background. So in this way, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur explained that at the time of the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, kali yuga had become darker. It is said that kali yuga showed its darker feature during this time, just to highlight the golden avatar. So now

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The Sun by Bhaktimarga Swami

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The sun was beckoning to me in the second half of the afternoon.  It shone strong like a laser from the westerly direction.  It was directly blinding me, as I ambled along Bloor Street, and it created silhouettes of moving pedestrians, some who passed me to the right, some to the left.

I took to a park bench in Queen's Park, by the war memorial plaque, and sat there for five minutes.  Inscriptions on it indicated places where Canadian soldiers fell during the last century's two wars.  Italy wa
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Dear Srutidharma Prabhu,

My humble obeisances to you. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, the Founder Acarya of Bhaktivedanta Manor.

An interviewer asked Srila Prabhupada: How would I recognize a true follower of the Krsna consciousness movement by his behavior? What would his outward expressions be?
Srila Prabhupada: He’d be a very perfect gentleman, that’s all. You could not find any fault in him.

Srutidharma Prabhu, You are that perfect gentleman!

•Tolerant and patient and never got angry with

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From Back to Godhead 

Developing the quality of empathy has many benefits for aspiring devotees of the Lord.

When I was doing my clinical psychotherapy internship in graduate school, a supervisor stressed connecting with our clients through realized empathy. Most of his interns came from privileged backgrounds, and he felt we needed more than just a theoretical understanding of our clients’ pain.

My first session in “experiential empathy” was with Doris, who suffered from schizophrenia. A sligh

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By Madhava Smullen

With Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading around the world, ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission has issued a statement to all ISKCON centers advising precautions to avoid further spread of the virus.

Based on recommendations from local officials, many temples in the U.S. have put their Sunday Feasts and other public events on hold at least until early April, and schools are temporarily closing.

Meanwhile in the UK the Hare Krishna Festivals program has cancelled upcoming festival

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Sharing a few afterthoughts of the recently concluded Vrindavan Yatra. Feeling extremely grateful for all the places of the pastimes of the Lord that I got to see this time in Vrindavan. There were a lot more places to be seen but Vrindavan is unlimited like the Lord so, the places of Lord's pastimes are also unlimited. Therefore to expect to see all the holy places in a few days is unrealistic. But, one can try to relish the few places one gets to see and genuinely feel grateful that at least

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Back in the Swing by Bhaktimarga Swami

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Back in the swing of things.  I'm walking on the streets to be nice to this body, a vehicle of honour.  With our bodies, we express ourselves best, or worst.  At best, we serve humanity, nature and the brains behind creation.  At worst, we self-serve and indulge in that which destroys us.  Take your pick.

I walked down Roxborough.  Two young men in a parked van gave me that look of curiosity.  They rolled down the window.  I thought they wanted to talk to me.  I wasn't sure so I stopped and to
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Mayapur Spiritual Safari 2020

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4103850502?profile=RESIZE_710xSpiritual Safari 2020 which was planned to visit Bangladesh for 20 days got cancelled and safari is being organised at Mayapur with various activities planned for the guests.

Devotees from more than 25 countries including China are chanting dancing, serving, remembering, absorbed in Krishna consciousness and sheltered by the Holy dham.

On first day, safari team did Harinam at  Goshala and spent the day there to hear about cow and land protection, and to live in simplicity and gratefulness.

Oth

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