How not to become spiritually foolish in an age of smart phones, smart appliances, smart everything.
The technological innovations of modern times can empower a life of vice or virtue.
It is the age of devices – smart appliances, smart weapons, smart phones. Scientists, engineers, and research students spend years in careers dedicated to increasing the efficiency, convenience, comfort, and profit from such devices. Yet finding ourselves in the midst of the wealth of these innovations can be con
What is the difference between the spiritual and the material worlds? In the spiritual world, everyone is serving Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And these lovers of Krishna are also serving one another. Even Krishna relishes serving His devotees. It cannot be fathomed. No one wants to get ahead, be the best, or have the most. Everyone is situated in a transcendent state of joyfulness and knowledge. Vaikuntha, the spiritual kingdom free from anxieties, is permeated with loving
By Tattvavit Das
On May 25, 2024, a new exhibition featuring the paintings of Annapurna Dasi (Anna Johansson) opened at the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) in Radhadesh, Belgium. Titled “Illuminations from the Ramayana,” it will be on display for one year and showcase more than 350 of her pencil-and-ink and water-color paintings.
Originally from Sweden, Annapurna Dasi has spent the last 25 years creating the artwork, mainly for the award-winning trilogy “Sita’s Fire,” written by her daughter, Vrin
Paul took a mighty amount of pictures
Of the crew that are now temple fixtures
The group is called Bhakti Academy Toronto
BAT for short and devotion is their motto
They took a brisk walk at Park Ramsden
A decent decision, a wise acumen
Catching sun rays and viewing squirrels
They are a combination of boys and girls
The zig zag trail can make one quite woozy
But mantra can anchor any tendency to be bluesy
The walk became an exercise, wholesome and sweet
Up the stairs, down the switchback, f
Though emperor of the world and a powerful warrior, Yudhishthira Maharaja displayed the character of a compassionate Vaishnava.
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Lecture given in Los Angeles on May 15, 1973.
After the Battle of Kurukshetra, Maharaja Yudhishthira’s lament was not limited to concern for the loss of human lives alone.
“Suta Goswami said: Being afraid f
By Yasoda-dulal Das
“The Four Questions: A Pathway to Inner Peace” by Vaisesika Dasa is a remarkable, compact book that not only summarizes the wisdom of ancient Vedic texts into four multi-layered questions but also provides practical answers that are highly relevant to the complex dilemmas and frustrations we all face in today’s world.
The four questions that the book answers are:
1) What is my purpose?
2) How may I be of service?
3) What is the lesson?
4) Where am I investing my attention r
By Parabhakti Dasa
June 1, 2024, marked a historic turning point for Yatra Italia as it moved closer to achieving the Agreement with the State, the highest recognition for a religion in Italy. This status will enable devotees to access grants, media spaces, schools, hospitals, prisons, and many other opportunities. A conference was held at the prestigious Protomoteca of the Campidoglio to celebrate this significant milestone and honor Srila Prabhupada, who visited Rome exactly fifty years ago
Last October I took a trip to France to visit a farm called New Mayapura. When we landed, the passengers were queuing up to deplane. I met Rick and his wife. In the small world we live in, our chat revealed that we both live on the same street in Toronto, which is Avenue Rd. Surprise!
Rick said, "I go by your temple every day. Now that we met I'll have to come by. I gave Rick a copy of, "The Saffron Path,", who expressed that he was an author himself. Well, Rick finally made it to our buildi
By Chirag Dangarwala
Complacency is a dangerous element in the progress of Spiritual Life. It is very essential for an endeavoring spiritualist to always remember that the material world is not a place of comfort. It has been certified by the Creator, Lord Sri Krsna himself as dukhalayam and asasvatam, which means it, is full of misery and temporary.
mäm upetya punar janma
duùkhälayam açäçvatam
näpnuvanti mahätmänaù
saàsiddhià paramäà gatäù [ B.g. 8.15]
“After attaining Me, the great souls, w
My name is Ishan das. I created the Balaram mridanga in L.A. It is really quite a story. But I’ll give you the brief version.
Some time in 1972-73 Srila Prabhupada saw that the East Indians were not carrying on the tradition of making the original mridangas and kartals. The younger generation who would normally take over the arts from their fathers were becoming more and more interested in going to school and going to the cities. They were thinking that wor
A concise refresher on Lord Krishna’s immortal teachings.
In 1968 His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada published the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, which has since sold tens of millions of copies in dozens of languages. As a lifetime devotee of Krishna and a consummate Sanskritist, Srila Prabhupada spells out the clear conclusions of the Gita that are often obscured by arms-length commentators with their own agenda. Srila Prabhupada’s purports (commentaries) illum
A tornado struck the Tongaat area, just north of Durban, 2 nights ago, causing massive destruction and even some deaths. We went out yesterday to do some Food for Life to help the residents there. Thanks to Gomatila prabhu and the FFL devotees for the service, and to Sudarsan Dhari prabhu for the photos.
Source: https://dandavats108.blogspot.com/2024/06/iskcon-devotees-distribute-prasadam-in.html
Sorry I’ve not written anything in a while but often think maybe me writting gets a bit too much and will just bore all of you, however I have been moved to write of a sweet simple loving exchange that I had recently. Every day I am meeting people through my work and everyday I get to realise how special all living things are. I never cease to be amazed how the Lord is everywhere, in one’s hearts whether known or unknown to them.
A few weeks ago there was a festival at Cheltenham headed by the
Young devotees from the Bali Jagannatha Gauranga Temple organized a camping trip to the beautiful lakes area, half way between Denpasar and Singaraja. The accommodation was a comfortable cabin style and over one hundred youth and parents attended.
Kavicandra Maharaja and I were invited to give class and lead kirtan in the mornings and evenings. During the day the devotees took each others’ association and went out on canoes around the lake. Prasadam was wonderful and everyone had a great time.
By Atma Tattva Das
In the heart of Vrindavan, amidst the vibrant colors of the Holi festival of India in 2024, devotees from around the globe converged to honor the Tirobhava & Samadhi Festival for Kadamba Kanana Swami. This sacred gathering, rich in devotion and celebration, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing spiritual journey of his seniors, disciples, peers, and admirers.
From the outset, the festival’s preparations demonstrated the community’s unity and dedication. By Saturday,
Carlos is my shiatsu therapist and since my last knee surgery two years ago, I see him by appointment from time to time. After a gap I had the pleasure of having this expert work on me. After that one hour session I really didn't want it to end. Jokingly he remarked, "you are my last client for the day, just stay on the cot until I come back tomorrow morning."
"Thanks!"
However, my thoughts lingered to the other responsibilities I have. An example: every Wednesday I do a "Gita Chat" zoom c
By Atma Tattva Das
Rupa Vilasa Dasa has dedicated his life to preserving and disseminating the rich heritage of our Vaishnava acharyas through his devotional biographies. Recently, he spoke with ISKCON News about his latest offering.
At the heart of Rupa Vilasa’s service lies a deep reverence for the Vaishnava acharyas, whose timeless wisdom continues to guide and illuminate the path of Krishna consciousness for millions. Through his extensive research and insightful writing, he has meticulousl
A new poem describing today's walk:
They shouted out in silence
In the spraying sharing rain
The greens that grow without license
Free feeling and lining every lane
If ever there was moksha on earth
It was in these moments we trailed
Sensations of newness and rebirth
An unlocking after being jailed
There were three of us in the drizzle
By Mud Creek away from people
In an abode of urban dismissal
And a oneness that had us equal
In years I'm declared as senior
But physical we are not
In s
By Vibhava Krsna Das
Seven decades ago in a remote Muslim village in the Kashmir valley (where a bus would come once in a day to drop the passengers) on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, a child was born in one of the few Hindu families that lived there. Although the family belonged to Brahmin class due to their association with the local Muslims for years they gradually fell from the Brahmanical standards and became voracious meat-eaters. The boy gradually grew up very intelligent and
