When I joined the Hare Krishna movement, I was 20. I was young and full of anticipation for an improved life. Well, that has happened. I am blessed. Now looking at fifty years later, my intentions are the same. I continue to work on self improvement, although externals have changed.
Other young persons had joined when I did. For instance, two of the decent people I got to know were a couple, Vallabha Chaitanya and Lila Sukha. Last week, Vallabha passed away at Saranagati where I just visited. L
The sun and the green of the park drew me to take those few steps to a bench of contemplation. The dog park just behind me has been a location of spriteful activities, for a good twenty-five years now, for pets and owners. Those frisky canines are so much loved by their masters. I pondered on the point, wondering if the masters reserve any affection for the greatest of masters.
While I see an explosive exhibition of life at that haven for animals, I did dwell a bit on the theme of death. On my
“Life exists not because of a functioning body, but despite being in an inherently dead body.”
Life after death is a popular philosophical topic with varying opinions about its possibility. The Bhagavad-gita is clear about it – life is eternal, unimpeded by death.
“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another bo
Will it be enough? Will I dedicate myself enough that when the time of death comes, that I will really be anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ (Nectar of Devotion 1.1.11); free from any other motivation, and that I can just turn to Krsna and say, “Krsna I am yours and I have no other interest than your interest and as you desire”. Will I develop abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhir (Bhagavad-gita 16.1); develop that spirit of fearlessness. This fearlessness is required where we have to shift our focus and look at Krsna’s
By Karnamrita Das
As some of you know I have mainly been recycling older blogs and slightly modifying them to represent some of my current struggles in my treatment protocols. With this offering I am writing afresh, having to discontinue my treatment due to the lockdown here in Vrindavana, though I present similar themes to what I teach as a result of facing possible death for the last 4 ½ years as well as intense headaches and other pains for the last year. I still consider personal or horizon
Life is like a game of chess – whether you’re the king, queen or pawn, at the end of the game everyone ends up in the box. Unless, of course, you get cremated. Morbid? Depressing? Dark? Though discussions on death are not usually number one on our conversation list, I was invited to the Southbank Centre a few weeks ago to speak on the topic “what happens next?” In an auditorium filled with coffins and somber lighting, I shared some thoughts on the logic of life after death. Living in a communit
The Passing of Arca Vigraha Devi Dasi
by Daivi Sakti Devi Dasi
Arca Vigraha Devi Dasi joined ISKCON in 1985. She was a successful artist who was disillusioned with material life and wanted an alternative. For a long time she searched for the truth, and she was finally satisfied when she met Srila Prabhupada’s devotees in South Africa.
She discussed philosophy with them and considered how to dovetail her art career in Krishna’s service. Thus she began working on a series of charcoal drawings whi
