Vaisesika Dasa: My father used to take my brother and me for regular backpacking excursions into the mountains of California, Wyoming, and Canada. To help us keep our backpacks as light as possible, my father would tell us as we packed: “Watch out for the ounces and the pounds will watch out for themselves.”
His philosophy worked well.
By carefully considering the relative importance and physical weight of each item before putting it into my backpack – no matter how insignificant the difference
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By Tirtha-pavana Das
I. Principles of education.
Our first business is to preach to the devotees and to maintain the highest standard of Vaisnava education. (Letter from 9th July 1972)
I’ve been approached by the Executive Committee of the Ministry of Education to present a brief observation of the education at ISKCON institutions in Russia. Before I start talking about different projects and programs, I would like to state the principles that are the base of the education.
We’ve tried to list k
By Rachael LeValley
Right now, this moment in Harinam Sankirtana, the Maha Mantra rises. The kirtan leader was born a devotee – blessed by the commitment of his parents and the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. The volume is high, the beats are many per minute. The devotees are all swimming with the current. The commuters are now running – it is rush hour in New York.
Everyone is running. These busy people may not notice the devotees – it appears this way – but the inner ear, the Soul’s accomplice, ha
By Sadbhuja Das
The marble cladding of the interior walls of the TOVP temple room continues and is starting to take shape.
You can see how beautiful it looks in the video, with the white marble and red border. We will also be adding ceramic gold tile inlays in certain areas which will commence soon.
Currently, about 80% of the work is completed on the first whole circle phase of work. We are also now beginning to clad the pillars. Keep your eyes and ears open for more news soon.
Video: Click her
(Srila Prabhupada’s 11-story Hare Krishna Center, 340 West 55th Street, New York, 1976)
(The same building in its pesent state.)
Submitted by Padmapani das ACBSP
“Yes, from the very beginning I went to New York because I thought that Krishna Consciousness is the most important idea in the world, so let me go to that place, New York, which is the most important city in the world, and if I am able to do anything for Krishna and my Spiritual Master, even I am at the fag-end of my life, at least l
The Bhakti Center, located in the heart of Manhattan, recently hosted a unique confluence with academics, diplomats, researchers, monks and in enthusiasts concerned with the topic of environmental sustainability.
“Sustainability from the Inside Out”, as the conference was named, was hosted conjointly by Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), Mumbai and the Sacred Ecology Forum at the Bhakti Center on June 10th, to explore the profound connection between the practice of yoga and the sustainability of the
I used to think, before I came to Krsna consciousness, that now I would join a movement of very like-minded people and that I would feel very intimate friendship. Then, I was shocked to see that that person who I kind of detested for his views, he also had joined!
I thought, “How is this possible? Not this guy! How is it possible that he became a devotee!?” Well, because of the universal nature of Krsna consciousness, people of all kinds, from all walks of life, even from opposing world views,
The concluding day for the Bhaktivedanta Medical Association Retreat included grainless meals to honour the bi-weekly Ekadashi. (That was #1.)
2) Improving japachanting
3) Financial Planning for seniors (I led this discussion)
4) Asanas/ postures and stretches
5) Physical / mental foundation ofMahamantrayoga
6) How to grow your own food
7) Medical updates
8) Spiritual Jeopardy
9) Spiritual journaling
10) How well do you know your spouse (a workshop)
11) Breathing Exercises
12
By Howard Wheeler (Hayagriva dasa)
When I first met my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I felt that there was never a time when I did not know him. I never tire of telling of my first meeting with him on the streets of Lower East Side New York.
At the time, I was hurrying from my Mott Street apartment, which had become a refuge for psychedeliacs, to a much quieter apartment on Fifth Street where I hoped to get some peace. I was walking down Houston Street
Here were some of the activities that doctors and healers, who had converged in New Vrindavana, took part in. I witnessed and partook of the education and fun, too.
1) A full morning sadhanaof chanting, a lesson from the Bhagavatam,and a wholesome breakfast
2) Pranayama / good breathing
3) Surya Namaskar
4) Cooking demo on an oil-free meal—quick enough and easy for doctors on the go
5) Lunch from the demo—chili, quinoa, oat and banana cookies and asparagus
6) Stroll to Palace of
By Madhava Smullen
A common observation by both the secular media and internal critics about ISKCON today is that while it is providing a home away from home for many Indian nationals, it is reaching less young Americans, as Srila Prabhupada desired.
New introductory magazine “Spirit Soul” is one of several efforts to connect with this audience by speaking to them in their language and offering ways that bhakti-yoga can improve their day-to-day lives.
The magazine, full of practical how-to-guid
By Srila Prabhupada’s mercy, I successfully completed my vratas (vows) for the sacred, extra month of Purusottama. I chanted extra rounds and read and recited the fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita (Purusottama-yoga) every day—and I finished the first draft of my book about Srila Prabhupada and Juhu (I’ll Build You a Temple). And, remembering how Dr. Patel brought Prabhupada a palmful of sea water on the last day of the month, for his auspicious bath, I also took some sea water on my head.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 February 2016, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, UK, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.21)
After the Govardhana pastime, Krsna went to Govardhana Hill to inspect the damage done by Indra’s thunderbolts. During the seven days that Krsna held Govardhana Hill on his little finger like an umbrella, Indra, out of being disturbed, battered Govardhana Hill with thunderbolts. These thunderbolts were very serious and could smash mountains. So Krsna was concerned about Govardhana. But when Krsn
Next to me on the Air Canada flight was Justin, a cradle/born Catholic, and a medical practitioner in the field of radiology in a hospital in Pittsburgh. He struck me as being a nice caring guy—caring enough that I could have a conversation with him about life for almost the entirety of the plane ride, which was only an hour or so, but still.
Justin told me he has a friend from India and that he heard about karmafrom him. Indeed he also learned of dharma,and, in my analysis, couldn’t put t
Please click the link provided to experience the preview trailer of what’s to come and also to learn more about the team and the project. This documentary, which is an art in-itself, can come to life through your help.
Thank you very much!
Danavir Goswami
Dedicated to: His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Founder Acharya International Society For Krishna Consciousness)
Actual Link - http://www.vediccosmology.com/
At this auspicious ending of the month of Purushottama the TOVP Team is pleased to announce the launch of its updated and improved website at www.tovp.org on June 13 th . From this website, as in the past, you can access all the various different options for donating to the TOVP, read articles relating to construction progress, etc. and keep informed about this dearmost project of Srila Prabhupada as we approach the Grand Opening in 2022. Through the new website all donations will be easy and
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (ISKCON Founder Acharya)
"So this is a movement which is trying to create at least a section to become first-class. The first-class man does not mean that he is nicely dressed or very rich or very opulent. Generally, of course, a first-class man means good parentage, good education, good looking and nicely rich. That is the standard. But... That may be first-class position, but first-class man is different. First-class man means he is self-co
This morning while chanting japa before my deity of Srila Prabhupada, I was struck by how merciful he had been to accept me as his disciple, appreciating that, despite all my failings, he will never let me go but would do whatever it takes to deliver me. As he said of his guru maharaja, “My spiritual master was no ordinary spiritual master - he saved me.” Thinking of Srila Prabhupada’s compassionate, selfless commitment, my hard heart melted.
Hare Krishna.
Your grateful servant,
Giriraj Swami
S
The morning’s discussion with the resident men proved lively. It entailed modes of transportation in the ancient Vedic context, particularly by horse and chariot. We identified several famous charioteers. There is Akrura, who came to Gokula to give Krishna and His brother a lift to nearby Mathura. Krishna had a regular chariot driver when residing in Dwarka, Daruka was his name. And let’s not forget Krishna Himself in the position as a chariot driver to friend, Arjuna. Also, what came to m
What is quite surprising to me is witnessing the enthusiastic devotion of a small group of people living in a little place far, far from a temple. The eight men who trekked with me brought with them their japa meditation beads. When this group of people goes for a walk, it is synonymous with chanting. This motivation amongst them occurs under the influence of two brothers, Jaya Gopal and Vyasacharya.
We took to trekking a short distance along the Great Trail—formerly the Trans Canada Trail
