Flight 872 via Air Canada was pleasant enough. The meal, a trite bland, was healthy. You don't want to overeat anyways when not being too active. About the most I do on these flights is mobilize my fingers on the right hand while chanting on my japa beads.
Once my prescribed 'rounds' are done, I read, which is nominal movement, and then treat myself to a National Film Board of Canada documentary. Tonight's film was on the topic of throat singing by an Indigenous woman named Tanya. This means my
There is a common saying amongst devotees these days: “I left my heart in Vrindavan.” Well, in all honesty we recently “left our hearts in a destitute South African township” because there we saw and experienced the presence of Lord Caitanya’s causeless mercy upon one and all. Without a doubt, such service is the ticket home to the spiritual world. Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati writes in his epic, Sri Caitanya Candramrita, Chapter 8, text 88: “To the degree that we surrender to Lord Caitanya’s
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
ISKCON Nairobi – The Bhaktivedanta Nritya Academy, under the guidance of Gitanjali Parida and Sandhya Iyer, recently showcased an enthralling dance drama inspired by the epic saga, “Ramayana,” on the 7th of October, 2023. The play also served as a fundraiser for Mwingi School in Kenya, which seeks to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged children in the community.
With its eloquent choreography synchronized with enchanting melodies, the dance-d
It was great meeting Isaac again. Michael, Navi, and I were on our nighttime walk, the one that usually winds me down and makes me fatigued in my endeavour to have a good night's rest. It doesn't always work. Neither does the herbal tea, 'Nighty Night' always sedate or calm me down.
What does work at times is bumping into an old acquaintance you haven't see for a while. "Thirty years," is what Isaac declared. Frankly, he remembers me more than I remember him. Meeting souls from the past is real
Hare Krishna,
🙏 Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, and all glories to Sri Kshetra Dham! 🌟
We are thrilled to extend a heartfelt invitation to all devotees and spiritual seekers to join us for this year’s Sri Kshetra Puri Parikrama, an extraordinary and spiritually enriching journey that will take place in Holiest month of Kartika 29th of November to the 2nd of December. 📅
*Here are the essential details for your reference:*
*Dates:* 29th November to 2nd Decemb
By Thomas Haribol
ISKCON leaders Visakha Dasi, Vinay Tanna, and Radha Mohan Das from the Bhaktivedanta Manor joined senior faith leaders today at St Albans Cathedral as a witness for peace in the Middle East. They were invited by HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Mr. Robert Voss, and Rt. Revd. Dr. Alan Smith, the Bishop of St Albans, to stand in solidarity with other faith groups across Hertfordshire in an act of silent witness and prayer. “It was a show of unity in a prayer for peace and st
“Did you know when you speak, there’s a hush across the entire room?” Danika Zoe whispers in Gopi’s ears, as she wraps her arms around her in love. Danika Zoe is an executive and leadership coach, guiding overfunctioning women in corporate spaces for more than 10 years. Those were the first personal words Gopi heard as she started her preparation at Rockstar Camp, a leadership empowerment program directed by Megan Jo Wilson, inspirational coach to thousands. For years, Megan Jo has pushed Ameri
[This is an article written for the recent 2023 Hindu Mandir Executives Conference for their “Mandir Vani” magazine. I’m always invited to this conference, and I’ve attended and spoken at several, which is always informative and inspiring as temple executives talk about issues all temple managers face, and any solutions we can share. But since I no longer care much for traveling, I don’t go to as many conferences as I used to.]
Amazingly, I am just turning 73 years old, and I’ve also now been i
Over 80 ISKCON leaders gathered at the ISKCON temple and cultural center in Houston, Texas, for the annual North American Leadership Conference on October 13-15th to discuss key issues, network, share resources, and empower leaders to serve their respective communities.
Kumari, North America Co-Director of Communications and one of the event organizers said, “It’s so important to meet regularly and share best practices and sanga; this was very overdue.”
The multi-day event included plenary pr
This month, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) interviewed Anuttama Dasa, the International Director of Communications and a member of the Governing Body Commission (GBC), regarding the celebration of Navaratri and Dussehra from the perspective of an ISKCON devotee.
Established in 2003, HAF is the largest and oldest education and advocacy organization for Hindu Americans. The interview by Syama Allard is part of a broader “Living Dharma” series that seeks unique perspectives on key topics. T
Georgian College hosted an event to encourage students, and it was Mohit, Naina, their son and daughter, and student, Yash, who made the connection for bhakti yoga practitioners. I was really taken by the duo Indradev, on drum, and Ekanath, on harmonium. These boys hail from Lithuania and Latvia. Their bhajan songs were sweet, as was a cozy room we were given to sing and speak in. I didn't mind the high ceilings and glass walls at all; there was a very good energy.
The fact is that many student
By Gopikā Rādhikā Devī Dāsī & Sundara Gopāla Dāsa
As an unprecedentedly unique offering to our illustrious Guru-paramparā and the Vaiṣṇava community, the Bhaktivedanta Research Center (BRC) established an endowment in honour of Śrīla Saccidānanda Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, at his alma mater—Presidency University, Kolkata, in September 2023.
Over 150 years ago, in 1853, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, then known as Kedarnath Dutta, attended Hindu College as a student. This historic institution, founded i
On October 15, 2023, ISCKON devotees, locals, and well-wishers gathered for the dedication of the new Krishna Balarama Hall in Vrindavan Dham. This building is part of the larger Krishna Balaram Cultural Center project that ISKCON News will report on this week. The Hall will greatly expand the Krishna Balaram temple’s ability to serve the growing number of pilgrims visiting the holy city, through prasada distribution and devotional events.
The sprawling 15,000 square feet complex promises to be
As a sannyasi practicing detachment, I accept my services wholeheartedly if the day calls for being put in one place or moving around. Today was one of those nomadic days where i enjoyed being in diverse association.
For starters, It was a great pleasure to be present in the temple room with mostly 20-year-olds who enjoy an early morning chant-and-dance for God. They are genuine party animals, I must say, and they are preoccupied in the program of the Bhakti Academy.
From that location at 243 A
Since I have a new liver and kidney, we have to make sure the body does not reject them. That is why I am having immunosuppressant medicines. That is why I wear mask when I go out. And my caretakers they come close and talk. They have to wear masks and stay away. I don’t like this, I want to embrace all the devotees! Want to get the blessings of all the vaisnavas, But I cannot do this. If I try to do this and I get some infection, then goodbye! The doctor said, that I need to be in seclusion. B
Dear Devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The Annual General Meeting of the ISKCON GBC Society will begin in February 2024. Following the ISKCON GBC Society’s Rules of Order, the GBC Secretariat requests proposals, duly sponsored by two GBC members, to be submitted by December 15, 2023. Note that no proposals will be entertained after this date.
Please follow the format for GBC Proposals linked as a fillable PDF here:
ISKCON News is continuing to follow developments in the Israel-Hamas war. Details on the ground are changing hour by hour, but we are striving to bring you the latest from multiple sources.
From ISKCON Israel, “At the moment, devotees are following the instructions of the Home Front Command and are safe. Families living in the south and north of the country have moved to the center, to safer cities. Around 20 devotees are participating in the military operations [another source mentioned that
By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
Chaitanya Chandra Dasa has unveiled his latest offering, an e-book titled “Traps in our Path Back to Godhead.” Drawing inspiration from a publication by Suhotra Swami during the 1990s, this e-book sets a philosophical foundation to illuminate the common pitfalls in one’s spiritual evolution, empowering one with the wisdom required to navigate and transcend these impediments.
Currently staying in Mayapur with his family, Chaitanya Chandra Dasa started his journ
Hallowe’en is approaching – that creepy and ghoulish time of the year. At least, in North America the hype or craze of this more tamasic custom is practically ranked as no. 2 in the list of favourite celebrations, leaving the sweeter events like Easter bunnies to trail way behind. Hallowe’en is challenging the whole Christmas Yuletide celebrations as far as participation is concerned. For our community, festivals such as Govardhana Puja and Diwali, the festival of lights, preoccupy us.
With all
