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Here are the latest updates for    "Planet ISKCON" - 52 new articles H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Saturday 23 July 2011--Our Degrading Consumeristic Mentality--and--How Did Krishna Leave this Earth Planet? ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PRINCIPLES Akrura das, Gita Coaching: WHAT IS COACHING? Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PREPARATION BRINGS INSPIRATION Japa Group: Avoiding Distraction Akrura das, Gita Coaching: SPIRITUAL HERO QUESTIONS ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakta Prabhu Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Krishna Culture Festival Tour 2011 David Haslam, UK: Classes By HG Jananivas Das Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: sweet relation between the Lord and His devotees Kurma dasa, AU: Succulent Eggplant Pickles Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Get a job! Book Distribution News: Get a job! Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PERSONAL COACHING Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Srila Prabhupada's Letters Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: The Battle of Blackberry Row ISKCON News.com: Use Your Diet To Turn Off Cancer ISKCON News.com: Sannyasa Initiation in Moscow New Vrndavan, USA: New Vrindavan 24 Hour Kirtan 2011 Audio Files Released! H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, July 20th, 2011 Japa Group: The 10 Offenses Pt. 2 H.H. Sivarama Swami: If you see the picture in Articles, then you know what I mean by saying this podcast is about the sanctity of life in the womb Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Communication ISKCON News.com: Dubai Is the Future H.H. Sivarama Swami: The baby grabs the surgeons fingers ISKCON News.com: Experts To Catalog South Indian Temple Treasures Mukunda Charan das, SA: The Purusa-avataras H.H. Sivarama Swami Dandavats.com: The holy disapperance day of Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami Dandavats.com: We Are Not Ready for Varna-ashrama Dharma Yet Akrura das, Gita Coaching: MY SERVICE Dandavats.com: 1st Ratha-Yatra @ ISKCON Ahmedabad Dandavats.com: Seeking contentment, pleasure through the many names of God ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Svarupa Sakti Mataji ISKCON News.com: Churches Divided On Hungary's New Religion Law ISKCON News.com: Vegetarian Hindus Can Sue Indian Restaurant Over Serving Meat Dandavats.com: HH Bhaktividya Purna Swami Maharaja’s Lectures in Budapest 13-19/07/2011 Dandavats.com: Highly Recommended Reading Australian News: Veda – Secrets from the East Vraja Kishor, JP: Dog Poop in Space – Gita 13.33 Mayapur Online: Sri Kshetra Parikrama 2011 Vraja Kishor, JP: Everything you wanted to know about Raganuga, but couldn’t ask. Vraja Kishor, JP: Todo que usted quiso saber sobre Raganuga, que no pudo preguntar. Gouranga TV: Harinama in Madrid with Sacinandana Swami and Madhava Prabhu – Kirtan Fiesta 2010 ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana More Recent Articles Search Planet ISKCON Prior Mailing Archive H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Saturday 23 July 2011--Our Degrading Consumeristic Mentality--and--How Did Krishna Leave this Earth Planet? A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Saturday 23 July 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. Today's Thought: Our Degrading Consumeristic Mentality Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA Instead of living in harmony in a symbiotic loving relationship with Mother Earth, and our father, the Supreme Lord, we are not accepting our father's existence, disobeying His instructions, and mercilessly raping Mother Earth. Foolishly denying the law of karma, action and reaction, we continue as frenzied marauders plundering the earth's resources turning this planet into more and more of a hell every day. In spite of all environmental propaganda to the contrary, being impelled by an passionate consumeristic spirit, the human society forges foolishly forward into ever-increasing degradation. The difficulty is that we have forgotten that true happiness comes from giving, not from taking. We must now wake up and change our attitude before it's too late. If we can learn the art of perfectly serving all by serving the Supreme, there will the dawning of a new age of peace, happiness, and prosperity for all. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Selfish Consumerism is Dismantling Our Civilization http://www.backtohome.com/images/air pollution.bmp Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How Did Krishna Leave this Earth Planet? Hare Krishna Maharaja. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thank you for your most kind service. Your "Thought for the Day is very inspiring. I was told that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu after concluding His divine pastimes on this earth planet left by entering into a Deity. Could you please let me know how Krishna left after concluding His pastimes? I was told that Krishna got shot by a hunter and died and His body was just lying in the ground. This doesn't seem to make sense to me because Krishna's body is spiritual and whenever He appears in the material world He appears in His spiritual body and not in a material body. So I cant understand why Krishna's body was lying in the ground after He supposedly got shot and left. Furthermore Lord Caitanya's disappearance from this world is so mystical and extraordinary, why then would Krishna leave this world in such a normal way. Krishna appeared in such a wondrous manner in the jail cell why then would He opt for such an ordinary way to leave? A lot of people foolishly believe and accept that Sai Baba is God. So these people could argue how is Krishna's leaving this planet by being shot by a hunter different than Said Baba leaving by dying in a hospital. Our argument would be that God doesn't die in a hospital from organ failure and their argument would be that God doesn't die by being shot. Please enlighten? Your servant Hare Krishna C.B Answer: He Departed in His Transcendental Body Krishna did not die by being shot in the foot with an arrow. In fact, according to the great Vaisnava acarya, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the hunter's arrow merely touched the Lord's lotus foot and did not pierce it since the Lord's limbs are composed of eternity, knowledge and bliss. Since Balarama had just departed for the spiritual world, Krishna took this pastime with the hunter as an opportune moment to wind up His earthly pastimes and return to His eternal abode in His transcendental spiritual body. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. 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Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address:   • Email to a friend • • ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana "I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is adept in playing on His flute, with blooming eyes like lotus petals with head decked with peacock's feather, with the figure of beauty tinged with the hue of blue clouds, and His unique loveliness charming millions of Cupids." (Brahma-samhita 5.30) We worship Sri Sri Radha Krishna whose darsana never fails to capture our undivided attention; enchanting our mind and melting our heart, day after day, after day, after day...   • Email to a friend • •   Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PRINCIPLES “Knowledge shrinks as wisdom grows: for details are swallowed up in principles. The details of knowledge which are important will be picked up ad hoc in each avocation of life, but the habit of the active utilization of well-understood principles is the final possession of wisdom.” Alfred North Whitehead   • Email to a friend • •   Akrura das, Gita Coaching: WHAT IS COACHING? (Click to enlarge.) Coaching is a deliberate process utilizing focused conversations to create an environment for individual growth, purposeful action, and sustained improvement. It is designed to help people focus on what they need to do more and less of to achieve their goals. In addition, coaching is a one-to-one process and a relationship between an individual and a coach, usually via telephone, with specific objectives and goals focused on developing potential, improving relationships, and enhancing performance. Coaching uses a formal yet personalized approach that integrates proven techniques for change with behavioral knowledge and hands-on practice. Coaching breaks down barriers to help achieve greater levels of accomplishment. It is a process of self-leadership that enables people to gain clarity about who they are, what they are doing, why they are doing it, and where they want to go. coaching.com   • Email to a friend • •   Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PREPARATION BRINGS INSPIRATION The more I learn from the scriptures and professional resources various ideas and tools to help devotees succeed, the more I am able to say the right thing in a coaching session that will help devotee who is in front of me to succeed.   • Email to a friend • •   Japa Group: Avoiding Distraction Hare Krsna dear devotees. Today on the Japa Room we talked about the the different manners of avoiding distraction, here follows the quote from Harinama Cintamani. The devotee should make it a regular practice to spend a little time alone in a quiet place and concentrate deeply on the holy name. He should utter and hear the name distinctly. It is impossible for the jiva to singlehandedly avoid and overcome the illusion of distraction. By the mercy of the Lord, however, this is accomplished with ease. Therefore it is essential to prayerfully beg for the Lord's grace with great humility, for this is the only means to salvation from this offense. Harinama Cintamani your servant, Aruna devi   • Email to a friend • •   Akrura das, Gita Coaching: SPIRITUAL HERO QUESTIONS 1. Will this choice propel me toward an inspiring Krishna conscious future or will it keep me stuck in the past? 2. Will this choice bring me long-term spiritual advancement or will it bring me short-term gratification? 3. Am I trying to please Krishna, or am I trying to please my false ego? 4. Am I looking for what’s right or for what’s wrong? 5. Will this choice add to my life force or will it rob me of energy? 6. Will I use this situation as a catalyst to grow and evolve, or will I use it to beat myself up or blame others? 7. Does this choice empower me or does it disempower me? 8. Is this an act of self-care or is it an act of self-sabotage? 9. Is this an act of faith in Krishna or is it an act of fear? 10. Am I choosing from my divine nature or am I choosing from my conditioned nature?   • Email to a friend • •   ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Bhakta Prabhu Srimad Bhagavatam 12.13.15-18 : It is most important to distribute the knowledge of Srimad Bhagavatam-the life breath of devotees.   • Email to a friend • •   Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Krishna Culture Festival Tour 2011 KRISHNA CULTURE FESTIVAL TOUR 2011 Friday, Aug 5th 2011 7—9 pm Admission $10 Seaside Center for Spiritual Living 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024 Experience an evening of cultural entertainment based on on the Krishna culture of India, featuring: Kirtan Music The call-and-response devotional music of India. With traditional drums, cymbals, harmonium and mantras, the musicians weave a meditative blanket of sound to transport you into a sacred space beyond time. Classical Temple Dance Wrapped in ornately flowing costumes, an ensemble of dancers perform Bharata Natyam, the classical south Indian temple dance. Hand gestures, movements and facial expressions help to portray stories of divine love, complemented by traditional rhythms and melodies. Drama: The Three Lives of Bharata Maharaja Bharata was the first emperor of India. In his final years, he retired from public life to focus on spiritual pursuits. Using an international cast, elaborate costumes and life-size puppets, this classical drama explores the many adventures along Bharata’s colorful sojourn that led him to take his next birth as a deer, and then as a mendicant, before completing his quest. Based on an epic story from the Bhagavata Purana. The Krishna Culture Festival Tour is comprised of young students of Bhakti yoga who practice the joyful process of connecting with the Divine through acts of loving service, the main focus of the sacred text called the Bhagavad-gita. They are volunteering to travel and share their passion for an ancient culture with audiences in 15 cities across the USA and Canada this summer. Even though their visit to San Diego will be short and on a weekday evening, be sure to stop by and visit their performance if you’re interested in yoga, mantras, and eastern mysticism. 7:00 pm Welcome and Kirtan 7:30 pm Bharata-natyam dance by Vani and Ksamesvari, two very talented students of Anapayini’s Bhakti Dance academy in Alachua. 7:45 pm Drama: The Three Lives of Bharata. Presented by Bhaktimarga Swami and his theater troupe.   • Email to a friend • •   David Haslam, UK: Classes By HG Jananivas Das During my recent visit to Bhaktivaadanta Manor I was able to listen to two amazing classes bg HG Jananivas Das; this is the first time in 40 years he has left India were he has been serving relentlessly as head pujari. I’ve uploaded the two classes which I hope will inspire you as much as [...]   • Email to a friend • •   Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: sweet relation between the Lord and His devotees The devotees of the Lord are always in the heart of the Lord, and the Lord is always in the hearts of the devotees. That is the sweet relation between the Lord and His devotees. Due to unalloyed love and devotion for the Lord, the devotees always see Him within themselves, and the Lord also, although He has nothing to do and nothing to aspire to, is always busy in attending to the welfare of His devotees. For the ordinary living beings the law of nature is there for all actions and reactions, but He is always anxious to put His devotees on the right path. The devotees, therefore, are under the direct care of the Lord. And the Lord also voluntarily puts Himself under the care of His devotees only. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 1.9.47   • Email to a friend • •   Kurma dasa, AU: Succulent Eggplant Pickles Rebecca Kravitz from New York City wrote: "Hiya Kurma, do you have a recipe for something nice to do with eggplants? I have a whole box full and I am running out of ideas". My reply: Here's one of my favourite eggplant recipes: Hot & Sweet Eggplant Pickles This tender and delicious pickle from Maharastra is simultaneously hot, salty, sweet and sour. Select firm, fresh eggplants for best results. You may wish to replace the cayenne with ground chilies of any variety, or with a chili paste such as sambal oelek, in which case the chili should be added towards the end alongside the sugar. Makes 3 cups. 450g eggplants, about 3 medium, ½ cup peanut oil, plus a drizzle more if needed, 2 or 3 teaspoons coarsely minced or chopped ginger, 1 teaspoon yellow asafetida powder, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice, 1 cup raw sugar, 2 teaspoons dry-roasted and ground cumin seeds. Wash and dry the eggplants. Cut them into wedges, ensuring each wedge has some skin on it. Heat the oil over moderate heat in a wok until fairly hot. Drop in the ginger and saute for 1 minute, or until aromatic. Sprinkle in the yellow asafetida powder, saute momentarily then add the eggplant, salt and cayenne. Stir-fry the eggplants constantly for about 10 minutes, or until the eggplants are soft enough to pierce with a knife. Add the vinegar or lemon juice, and the sugar. Reduce the heat and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the eggplants are very tender. Sprinkle in the ground cumin seeds, and remove the pickle from the heat. Allow to cool then serve.   • Email to a friend • •   Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Get a job! Paramesvara Prabhu is a young Slovakian devotee who, despite his intense work schedule centered around his business, still occasionally finds time to go on sankirtan. Once a lady on the street rebuked him with a typical argument: "Why are you begging here? Get a job instead." He smiled at her and handed her his business card, saying, "My dear lady, in my factory I have 130 employees. I can hire you too if you want." Shocked, the women couldn't say a word.   • Email to a friend • •   Book Distribution News: Get a job! Paramesvara Prabhu is a young Slovakian devotee who, despite his intense work schedule centered around his business, still occasionally finds time to go on sankirtan. Once a lady on the street rebuked him with a typical argument: "Why are you begging here? Get a job instead." He smiled at her and handed her his business card, saying, "My dear lady, in my factory I have 130 employees. I can hire you too if you want." Shocked, the women couldn't say a word.   • Email to a friend • •   Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PERSONAL COACHING Personal coaching is focused one-on-one coaching tailored specifically on the clients most important goals, interests, challenges and needs. Coaching follows a standard process but is customized to each individual client. Because the coach is working one-on-one with the client, personal coaching sessions are much more focused and tailored for each client when compared to group coaching sessions with multiple clients. Personal Coaching Process The process begins by clarifying what the client is looking for from coaching. This may involve using assessments, asking questions and helping the client get in touch with what they really want and identify specific goals, objectives and priorities. An important principle in coaching is that clients are ultimately responsible for their actions and doing the work to achieve the results they want. The coach serves as a facilitator, supporter, or guide, but doesn’t “do the work” for the client. After helping the client get clear about what they want and what is most important to them, the coach helps the client develop strategies and action plans to achieve those goals. Once a solid plan is in place, the coach supports, encourages and guides the client in taking the actions necessary to implement their plans and achieve their goals. Personal coaching can be particularly valuable in helping clients take action and overcome challenges. Personal coaching provides the motivation, accountability, and support structures, to help clients execute and perform their best. This may include monitoring progress and having regular “check in” sessions to deal with obstacles and challenges that come up along the way. Coaching can also help clients develop new skills, see from new perspectives and gain the knowledge and insights needed to empower and help them achieve their goals. Overcoming Inner Obstacles Through Personal Coaching Personal coaching can also help clients become aware of and overcome inner obstacles that may be holding them back. The coach serves as a “mirror” that allows clients to see their own behavior from a new perspective. A coach may help clients see counterproductive patterns, language and actions that need to change in order to achieve goals. Once these counterproductive patterns are identified, coaching can help clients with the strategies and skills needed to overcome these challenges and develop more positive behaviors, attitudes and mindsets. Personal Coaching Focus Areas Depending on the client’s interests, goals and needs, personal coaching can focus on one or more of these areas: Career coaching – Focused on helping clients advance in their career and/or transition to a new/better career Professional & executive coaching – Focused on helping clients perform and execute better at work Health and wellness coaching – Focused on developing healthy lifestyle habits and taking better care of themselves Relationships coaching – Focused on improving communication, conflict and other important relationship skills Work/life balance – Focused on establishing healthy boundaries between work and personal life and making time for all important life areas Business coaching – Focused on helping small business owners grow their business by attracting customers, making more sales and increasing profits Success coaching – Focused on helping clients develop the skills, mindsets and strategies they need to succeed and achieve their goals Working one-on-one with a personal coach can be a very rewarding and valuable experience. www.lifecoachinghq.com   • Email to a friend • •   Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1967 July 22: "It is the Grace of Lord Krishna that He has put me in contact with so many rare souls who are taking Krishna Consciousness in all seriousness. Now I am going to India; and even if I cannot come back, I will work so all you transcendental children can be strong enough to preach this cult for the benefit of all human society." Prabhupada Letters :: 1967   • Email to a friend • •   Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1967 July 22: "After finishing your M.A. exams I wish that you become fixed up and come for some time to Vrindaban in my personal touch. When I come back, I shall install Radha-Krishna Murti in the temple, and I hope it will be a great center for the society." Prabhupada Letters :: 1967   • Email to a friend • •   Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1972 July 22: "Regarding Lalita Prasad Thakura, unless he keeps his promise than we are not interested to publish any of Bhaktivinode Thakura's books. That animosity against Guru Maharaja is going on, so we shall have nothing to do with it." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972   • Email to a friend • •   Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1972 July 22: "The reading of Krsna Book and chanting at his bedside must go on. I am offering prayers to Krsna that He may protect Jaya Gopala, who is such sincere devotee. Now you godbrothers and godsisters also continue to offer prayers and chant always the Hare Krsna Mantra for him." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972   • Email to a friend • •   Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1973 July 22: "You have done a nice job with the French edition of Back to Godhead, and I am especially looking forward to the next issue which will be color 32 pages. You should more and more improve this magazine until it becomes superior to all other magazines in the French language." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973   • Email to a friend • •   Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1972 July 22: "The books are coming at no cost to you, you simply sell them and utilize the entire money for building. That will be the real task ahead, to sell many, many books all over India and use all the money for building. Why do you see any difficulty?" Prabhupada Letters :: 1972   • Email to a friend • •   Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1972 July 22: "Avoid publishing my writings in hodge-podge journals. These so-called Hindus are generally impersonalists, and we do not want to have anything to do with them. Better we stick to our own standard, and eventually they will all come to us for learning what is God." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972   • Email to a friend • •   Srila Prabhupada's Letters 1973 July 22: "The translating of my books is of the utmost importance and I am very thankful that you are seriously taking on this practical work for spreading Krsna Consciousness in your zone." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973   • Email to a friend • •   Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: The Battle of Blackberry Row The blackberries have been coming in heavy. We have been eating our fill, trading some and freezing a lot.  Today we are expecting guests and Vidya has made some blackberry pie. Of course, nothing in the material world comes easily.  There is a price for everything. My first clue everything wasn’t going to go smoothly came as I was thinning the primocanes from the sides of the bed and cutting back the remaining ones to a.)  increase production next year, and b.) make picking the berries easier this year. Learn about primocanes, floricanes and apical dominance here. As I was pruning the local mockingbird was watching me with great focus, landing nearby and some minor scolding from which I deduced there must be a nest in the blackberries. The real drama unfolded once we started doing serious picking, getting a gallon or more of blackberries in a day. This involved actually putting hands into the interior of the berries. Vidya came in and said the mockingbird had attacked her several times. It didn’t really register but the next day when I went out to pick, I also got dive bombed the rush of air and the striking of my back by its wing gave me realization of what Vidya was telling me. The bird was serious. Naturally my first instinct was wouldn’t it be great to get a picture of him attacking.  So we sent Tulasi out to pick while I sat nearby in the shade in a chair. I tried to be inconspicuous and not move, but although he would come and land nearby, and even made some half-hearted sorties he never went closer then several feet (1 m). I left the garden and went and sat on the kitchen steps. I could see as Tulasi went down the row, the female mocking bird hopped out of the other side  and flew away so I was sure the male was defending his family. Sure enough, now he attacked. I kept taking pictures and tried to time it as he would take off, the camera on action setting, but I was unable to catch him in the frame. I was able to get him sitting on a post from the unfinished kiwi trellis  getting ready to attack but futility reigned in getting an action shot. Tulasi soon tired of being a human target so I had to pack it in. What we did learn from this is that if two people were picking at the same time on the same side of the row, he wouldn’t attack.  Though he did seem to learn who his perceived enemies were and Vidya reported that he even attacked her outside the garden while hanging clothes on the clothesline! We eventually saw the nest, saw that the chicks were there, though they must be gone now because yesterday while picking the male didn’t even sit nearby and scold us as he usually continued to do. Today we might even be so brave and bold as to go pick berries without backup. :-) Filed under: Cows and Environment   • Email to a friend • •   ISKCON News.com: Use Your Diet To Turn Off Cancer By Paul Fassa for Natural News on 22 Jul 2011 Orthodox medicine wants you to believe that 95% of cancer is in the genes you inherit. But how your genes react to environmental and dietary influences is far more important. That area of research is called epigenetics. Certain genes that help prevent cancer are turned off with certain foods while other foods turn on genes to fight cancer.   • Email to a friend • •   ISKCON News.com: Sannyasa Initiation in Moscow By Olessia Podtserob for ISKCON News on 22 Jul 2011 A well-known ISKCON preacher from Moscow Carudesna Das has been initiated to highest spiritual rank in hinduism, the renounced sannyasa order. The new Russian sannyasi Bhaktivedanta Sadhu Swami (nee Enver Izmailov) was born in Grozny (Chechnya), July 1, 1967 into the family of Soviet intelligentsia. He is the third sannyasi among the Russian Hare Krishna followers.   • Email to a friend • •   New Vrndavan, USA: New Vrindavan 24 Hour Kirtan 2011 Audio Files Released! The summer 24 Hour Kirtan in June was a great success. Visit Mantralogy for free download of all the MP3 files! In his closing speech, first-time attendee HH Bhakti Charu Swami declared that the festival was “a new dimension of kirtan” and promised to attend next year. Download the kirtans and judge for yourself!   • Email to a friend • •   H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, July 20th, 2011 To Even Warmer Breezes South USA It’s nice to be remembered. The travelling road show, The Festival of India, is manned and operated by 15 young men under supervisor, an American devotee, Madhua, by name. On route and westbound towards the Prairies, the festival operation made a major stop at Serpent River, where they met an Ojibwa chief, who recalled seeing me walking on that same highway (Trans Canada) years ago. Serpent River happens to be a First Nations reserve and the park where the festival boys stopped for a relaxer, was the site of a Native powwow. The boys were ready to jump into the cooling waters of this meandering river when they were halted by the chief and elders. “Wait until we’re finished our ritual” the chief commanded. When all was done, introductions began. The chief put two and two together and the friendly man revealed that he recalled talking to a peach robed monk, who was living off of the natural vegetation along the road. That was me. I recall him as well. I just can’t recollect the jovial person’s name. There were too many syllables to his name. You know, upon hearing the exchange, it does tell me that people who saw that ghost, or phantom of a fellow (me) and that it was a decent exchange, confirms for me the validity of the mad monk marathon. I was so glad to hear from my friend on the road and I offered my respects from afar to my eagle feathered friend. I considered him a warm friend during that pilgrimage. And speaking of warm currents, three flights from Thunder Bay, and four airports brought me to the South, the Gainesville area and the Alachua community. The sun was shying away behind horizons when I was driven down to the Bhaktivedanta Institute house. Moving along the bumps of sand dirt, that felt like wheels over someone’s rib cage. “I will walk this trail in the morning”, I anticipated. It will be early. It will be a trail that I’ve tread before. And as for this day, a bashful swami admits – no kilometres on my radar today.   • Email to a friend • •   Japa Group: The 10 Offenses Pt. 2 To consider the names of Lord Siva or Lord Brahma to be on an equal level with the holy name of Lord Visnu. The demigods are subordinate to and dependent on Krishna. Whatever powers the demigods have and whatever benedictions they can offer are only possible because Krishna empowers them and gives them His sanction. A devotee must know that the name of Krishna is absolute and non-different from Krishna Himself, whereas the names of the demigods are relative and different from them. How to counter-act the offence: Study the scriptural statements regarding the nature of the holy name and Krishna; take shelter of the holy name and beg forgiveness   • Email to a friend • •   H.H. Sivarama Swami: If you see the picture in Articles, then you know what I mean by saying this podcast is about the sanctity of life in the womb   • Email to a friend • •   Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Communication Communication…sounds simple right? As I am getting older, I am starting to realize it’s not that easy after all? When I was young, I used to think…well…if I have a problem or something…good to say…I simply speak my mind. Be straightforward without duplicity and people will get it. No strings attached…right? Boy…was I wrong. Growing up…as a result of this mentality, I ended up making more people angry and frustrated with me than the other way round. I couldn’t really put my finger to it and isolate the problem. In fact, I lost a career because of such open and straightforward approach. People (mostly the grownups) do not like to be told anything…that is something I have learnt the hard way and in reality still learning. I am the opposite, I like people to tell me what to do but of course I expect the person telling me to be more qualified than I…anyways that can open its own can of worms. Communication is so very essential that merely articulate word sentences do not convey the message. For me to communicate well, one thing I found is essential - people listening to you should either be attracted to you as an individual or be attracted to the message being delivered. If you are going to say something that will ruffle up some feathers, then, you are not a very popular person followed by which my communication will start to fail to the point where it stops completely. Therefore, I have learnt over the years that I have to be careful in speaking the “truth” and say it in such a way that it does not hurt the ego of the person. This is the crux in good communication. How to speak without hurting the ego of a person? I am not suggesting flattery…no…actually it is quite the opposite. I am speaking of truth delivered in a compassionate tone of “I am hearing your voice but I think this is much more beneficial for you”. If through my words we communicate that what I am saying will be actually more beneficial to you (materially or spiritually), if the counterpart gets this, then I think they will open their ears to listen to what we have to say. Therefore it is our prime duty to convince them that we are not here to threaten their boundaries or disparage them in anyway, but we are here to enhance and help them live a better life be it material or spiritual. To do all this (that is efficient communication) requires compassion, tolerance, respect for the other and a high sense of integrity for the self. Articulation of speech is not a very significant criterion for communication. Of course…even after all the communication…there are hard headed individuals who will have their way as the “way”…as far as we are concerned we move on. Hare Krishna   • Email to a friend • •   ISKCON News.com: Dubai Is the Future By Kumari Sherreitt for ISKCON News on 22 Jul 2011 There is something distinctly different about Dubai. The mixture of Middle Eastern, American, and immigrant cultures in a swirl of infrastructure on a once-deserted desert gives Dubai an otherworldly feel.   • Email to a friend • •   H.H. Sivarama Swami: The baby grabs the surgeons fingers An article sent me by Kesava Bharati Maharaja Read before looking! Please read before viewing the picture – it’s worth it. A picture began circulating in November. It should be ‘The Picture of the Year,’ or perhaps, ‘Picture of the Decade.’ . The picture is that of a 21-week-old Unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being operated on by surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagnosed with spina bifida and would Not survive if removed from his mother’s womb. Little Samuel’s mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta … She knew of Dr Bruner’s remarkable surgical procedure. Practicing at Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr in Nashville , he performs these special operations while the baby is still in the womb. During the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a small incision to operate on the baby. As Dr Bruner completed the surgery on Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon’s finger. Dr Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile. The photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity The editors titled the picture, ‘Hand of Hope.’ The text explaining the picture begins, ‘The tiny hand of 21-week-old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas emerges from the mother’s uterus to grasp the finger of Dr Joseph Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life.’ Little Samuel’s mother said they ‘wept for days’ when they saw the picture. She said, ‘The photo reminds us pregnancy isn’t about disability or an illness, it’s about a little person.’Samuel was born in perfect health, the operation 100 percent successful. Now see the actual picture.   • Email to a friend • •   ISKCON News.com: Experts To Catalog South Indian Temple Treasures By Katy Daigle for Associated Press on 22 Jul 2011 A trove of gold and silver treasures found in a 16th century Hindu temple will be unearthed and cataloged by antiquities experts under tight security, with the media and public barred from the site in southern India, the Supreme Court said Thursday.   • Email to a friend • •   Mukunda Charan das, SA: The Purusa-avataras Here are some points about the Purusa-avataras.  To understand these different forms of God helps us to gain a better understanding of Vishnu tattva and our Vaishnava Siddhanta as presented by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 1. Karanadakasayi Visnu (Maha Visnu). He rests on the Causal Ocean (karana means ‘causal’).  All the universes emanate from Him when He throws His glance on the material sky. He is the Supersoul of the collective universes. The universes manifest through the pores on His skin. 2. Garbhodakasayi Visnu (Hiranyagarbha Visnu).  He is the Supersoul of the aggregate of living entities (the “Universal Supersoul”). 3.  Ksirodakasayi Visnu.  He is the Supersoul of each individual living being. Filed under: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Realizations, Spiritual Life, Srimad Bhagavatam, Yoga Tagged: catur vyuha, different forms of God, postaweek2011, purusa-avataras, purusha avataras, vaishnava siddhanta, vishnu tattva   • Email to a friend • •   H.H. Sivarama Swami The distribution of our literatures is such an important task, for as more people read these books, more and more the whole world will become auspicious and the degrading influence of this age of Kali will become minimized. - Srila Prabhupada   • Email to a friend • •   Dandavats.com: The holy disapperance day of Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami Payonidhi das: Vrindavan is the place of Radha Krsnas pastimes and in Vrindavan ,Gopala Bhatta Goswami revealed to Srinivasa Acaryas ekadasa to him as Mani Manjari