"Planet ISKCON" - 34 new articles
H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Monday 12 September 2011--Even More Bliss in Burgas--and--Why Our Wishes Are Not Granted?A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Monday 12 September 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. For Transcendental Association Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Today's Thought: Even More Bliss in Burgas Uploaded from Saint Vlas, Bulgaria It's amazing how unlimited bliss can become even more unlimited. Well, that's what happened on 10 September in Burgas, Bulgaria where we held another Ratha Yatra festival. At one point in the middle of the parade the devotees asked me to lead kirtan and give a speech. I poured my heart and soul and into that kirtan trying to chant with so much enthusiasm that the whole world be attracted to join the kirtan. I was yelling out to the people surrounding our kirtan, Whole world, chant Hare Krishna. By the unlimited mercy of Lord Sri Krishna many of the local people were in fact quite attracted by the kirtan. It was pretty ecstatic. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Bliss Explosion Burgas, Bulgaria--10 September 2011 http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_kirtan_nectar.JPG The Devotees Asked Me the Lead Kirtan http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_Kirtan.JPG Krishna's Name is Krishna Himself. What Bliss! http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_Kirtan2.JPG God Himself Dances on our Tongues http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_Kirtan3.JPG Even a Baby Was Inspired to Join the Kirtan http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_Clapping_Baby.JPG There is Nothing Sweeter than the Mahamantra http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_kirtan4.JPG May the Whole World Join Our Kirtan Party http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_Kirtan5.JPG After the Kirtan I Spoke a Few Words http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_Lecture.JPG And Then I Did Jagannatha Cart Pulling Duty http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Burgas_Pulling_Cart2.JPG Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Why Our Wishes Are Not Granted? Gurudeva, Namaste. I am a reader of your Thought for the Day emails daily. My questions are: 1. While we are in this material body why don't we get our wishes granted by Krishna? 2. Can't we simply use our free will to get back our original spiritual body without having to undergo any kind of training? Thank you Ramiah Answer: Get What You Deserve, Not What is Desired Our prayers are granted in accordance with what we deserve, not what we desire. Spiritual body means only spiritual desires with no material desires. Therefore to qualify for being reinstated in your original spiritual body you must be restored to your original pure identity in which you are completely free from all material desires. This requires a lifetime of training. 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. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed:http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. 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 Malaysia: Nagar Sankirtan At Heart Of Kuala LumpurBY JAI SITA RANI DEVI DASI
History was made today as the transcendental sounds of the Holy Name descended in the Malaysian capital's city centre, at the heart of the tourist spot in the Golden Triangle of Bukit Bintang.
The main organisers JSSS KL led by Rupa Raghunath dasa worked hand in hand with the National Sankirtan team, SJMKL, and Klang devotees to make this glorious event an tremendous success. Within an hour, 1000 packets of prasadam were distributed. Tourists were busy taking photographs, recording videos using their Ipad or handphones. The endless clicking and shooting from their cameras only ceased when the Sankirtan team ended their program. It was indeed an amazing experience!
Lord Indra was merciful too, as the rain came pouring down only after the devotees have completed their program and walked to the parking lot to have prasadam prepared by the expert cook Sumohan dasa..
May the prediction of Lord Caitanya that this culture of sankirtan be broadcast all over the world, from town to town and village to village be fulfilled by our humble endeavour.
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Japa Group: Meaning Of The Sixteen Names PT.14
Rama rodanair gokule davanalam asayati hyasau visosayati tenokto ramo bhakta-sukhavahah When the residents of Gokula were crying due to fear of the forest fire, Krsna immediately swallowed it and gave His devotees great joy. In this way, He is known as Rama. Jiva Goswami  • Email to a friend • •H.H. Jayadvaita Swami: 9/11: Items from a small chapter of historyDo I obsess about 9/11? At least I try not to. In short: The official story of the “terrorist attacks” appears to me a fraud. The fraud has apparently succeeded in accomplishing its objectives. And so goes yet another small chapter in the endless history of the material world. But though I have better things to think about than 9/11, I do sometimes think about it, especially on the anniversary of the event, or when I’m subjected to extra searches by airport security, or when something about 9/11 I didn’t know before comes to my attention as particularly striking. Today, two such special items. • Email to a friend • •Kurma dasa, AU: Cooking Retreat with Kurma at Krishna Valley 16-18 September 2011Spring is here in Australia! The favourable weather adds lightness to our step. What better way to celebrate this new season than with a cookery adventure 'far from the madding crowd'. A few places still remain for this great retreat to be held this coming weekend in rural Victoria.
Here's a group photo taken at our 2010 Spring Bhakti Yoga Cooking Retreat. Veda Priya (kneeling, far left) and husband Keshava (standing second from right) are full-time residents on the farm. Assisted by Manigriva (at the back, in yellow) and Gandiva (in white hat, back, fifth from right), they co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the farm.
For those of you that haven't heard of this event, Krishna Valley is in country Victoria, surrounded by State Forest. And if you don't know your geography, the 200 acres of beautiful rolling countryside is a couple hours outside of Melbourne, Australia near Bambra and Winchelsea, not far from Geelong.
The yoga of cooking is the theme of the retreat. There's lots to learn, lots to eat, and great company. Here's Jacqui, sister-in-law of Keshava, Lauren and her mother Lynn.
Many retreats are held here, such as Vedic Astrology. Great accomodation facilities make it a real haven. And did I mention the spiritual food?
As I said, here are still some vacancies, so don't delay if you want to come. Here's the details: Bhakti Yoga Cookery Retreat, Hare Krishna Valley, Bambra, Victoria, Friday Evening, Saturday, Sunday 16, 17, 18 September 2011 A weekend of cooking, learning and eating! Bookings/enquiries call Veda 0405 577 453.
Groaning banquet tables, fresh air, peace and quiet, uplifting yoga and great kitchen fun awaits. Don't miss this last retreat for 2011! • Email to a friend • •Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: More skyscrapers headed for destructionOn a morning walk in Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Srila Prabhupada waved his cane to indicate the skyscrapers in the skyline, and said: "Don't be surprised that one day all of this will be gone." Told by Gokularanjana Prabhu from Atlanta. • Email to a friend • •Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Kirtan - Baladev das and Hari das - Gaura Purnima Baladev das and Hari das leading an ecstatic kirtan for Gaura Purnima. Dallas, TX Download: 2011-03-19 - Kirtan - Baladev das and Hari das - Gaura Purnima Kirtan.mp3 • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: LEARNING ORGANIZATIONSSpirit of inquiry is the basis for learning. We ask questions to: · Elicit information · Gain new perspectives · Clarify information and ideas · Challenge the status quo Our learning is generated by internal questions, such as: · What does this mean? · Do I agree or disagree? · How does this fit what I already believe to be true? · What new thinking does this open up? · How could this be helpful? Learning, as the basis for new perspectives, skills, possibilities, and outcomes, lies at the heart fo coaching. Learning organizations encourage every individual to learn. Coaching is the most explicit and personal vehicle for encouraging and training individuals in transforming themselves into intentional, innovative and productive learners. The Inquiry Mindset can serve as a powerful training tool for coaches to use with their clients in learning organizations. Without the intentional discipline of questioning the assumptions and beliefs of its culture and operations, an organization is reactive rather than proactive, surviving rather than thriving. Coaching provides an essential key to individual and organizational transformation. Coaching can be optimized if coaches seriously take on the task of utilizing the practical and transformative power of questions. Inquiry Institute  • Email to a friend • •Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: Bhagavad Gita to Krishna bookI a few months ago, early spring, I met a young man in Kensington and he was very keen to hear about spiritual knowledge. I showed him the picture about the 5 horses, each representing a sense and how the mind is dragged around with these senses. He really liked that picture and he took the Bhagavad gita at that time. When invited to Bhakti Lounge he said he was too busy with work as he had really bad working hours. So a few months passed and then again I saw him yesterday at Kensington market and luckily I recognized him and we started to talk. I asked him if he had read the Bhagavad-Gita and he said he had read about 40 percent of it and it was a little hard to understand but he was getting it slowly. I inquired if he had a question and surprisingly he did have a question – he inquired as to why the Gita says that the intelligence can control the mind. So I tried my best to explain it him and asked him if he could visit us. He had a tough job for past 12 years where he works in the mental health department of the hospital and his shift is from 6 to 12 pm. So I gave him the Krishna book, showed all the beautiful pictures that he admired and requested him for a donation. He left with a Krishna book and send me this text message: Hello there its Joseph, it was nice to see you again! I wish I could come to one of the sessions because the few minutes I spent with you today was very educational. Thank you for the Krsna book. I have started to read it at work!! Have a wonderful day!!  • Email to a friend • •Toronto Sankirtan Team, CA: From Tennessee to Toronto
 • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: HOW TO READ "NECTAR OF DEVOTION" BOOKSo these things, one after another, everything is very clearly explained in this Nectar of Devotion. So each chapter you should read very carefully. And if you cannot understand, read it repeatedly. Don't all of a sudden, reading one or two page, immediately question, "Prabhupada, what is this? What is this? What is this?" Go on reading, and the answers will automatically come. So this book is, this valuable book is now published. You should take full advantage. - Srila Prabhupada Lecture, The Nectar of Devotion, Los Angeles, June 23, 1970  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1965 September 11:  • Email to a friend • •Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Srila Prabhupada, our Saviour took Sannyasa today “One night, Abhay had an unusual dream. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta appeared before him, beckoning. He was asking Abhay to leave home and take sannyasa. Abhay awoke in an intensely emotional state, “How horrible!” He thought. He knew it was not an ordinary dream, yet the request seemed so difficult and unlikely. Take sannyasa! At least it was not something he could do immediately. Now he had to improve the business, and with the profits he would print books. He went on with his duties, but remained shaken by the dream.” (Prabhupada Lilamrta. Page 118.) In 1948, Abhay closed his Lucknow factory. He had fallen behind in employees’ salaries, and since 1946 he had been paying past rent in installments. But when sales dropped off, continuing the factory became impossible. He lost everything. Srila Prabhupada: I started a big factory in Lucknow. Those were golden days. My business flourished like anything. Everything in the chemical business knew. But then, gradually, everything dwindled. With the help of some acquaintances in Allahabad, he opened a small factory there, in the same city where his PrayagPharmacy had failed fifteen years before. He moved to Allahabad with his son Brindaban and continued manufacturing medicines. While the rest of the family remained at Banerjee Lane in Calcutta, Abhay continued his travelling; but now he was often away for months at a time. And then he had the dream a second time. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati appeared before him; again he was beckoning, indicating that Abhay should take sannyasa. And again Abhay had to put the dream aside. He was a householder with many responsibilities. To take sannyasa would mean to give up everything. He had to earn money. He now had five children. “Why is Guru Maharaj asking me to take sannyasa?” he thought. It is not possible now. The Allahabad business was unsuccessful. “At present, the condition of our business is not good,” he wrote his servant Gouranga, who had asked to rejoin him. “When the condition gets better and if you are free at that time I will call for you.” He worked earnestly, but results were meagre. As with everything else, Abhay saw his present circumstances through the eyes of scripture. And he could not help but think of the verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam, which translates to “When I feel especially merciful towards someone, I gradually take away all his material possessions. His friends and relatives then reject this poverty-stricken and most wretched fellow”. He had heard Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati quote this verse, and now he thought of it often. He took it that his present circumstances were controlled by Lord Sri Krishna, who was forcing him into a helpless position, freeing him for preaching Krishna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada: Somehow or other, my intention for preaching the message of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu increased, and the other side decreased. I was not disinclined, but Krishna forced me: “You must give it up.” The history is known – how it decreased, decreased, decreased. Srila Prabhupada: So in 1950 I retired, practically. Not retired, but a little in touch with business – whatever is going on. Then almost it became nil. Whatever was there, all right. You do whatever you like. (Prabhupada Lilamrta. Pages 140-141.) One night Abhay had a striking dream, the same dream he had had several times before, during his days as a householder. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati appeared, just as Abhay had known him, the tall, scholarly sannyasi, coming directly from the spiritual world, from Krishna’s personal entourage. He called to Abhay and indicated that he should follow. Repeatedly he called and motioned. He was asking Abhay to take sannyasa. Come, he urged, become a sannyasi. Abhay awoke in a state of wonder. He thought of this instruction as another feature of the original instruction Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati had given him at their first meeting in Calcutta, the same instruction that his spiritual master had later solidified in a letter; become an English preacher and spread Krishna consciousness throughout the Western world. Sannyasa was for that end; otherwise, why would his spiritual master have asked him to accept it? Abhay reasoned that his spiritual master was saying, “Now take sannyasa and you will actually be able to accomplish this mission. Formerly the time was not right.” It was time... After careful consideration that this was the best way to carry out his guru maharaj's instructions and to preach, Srila Prabhupada took sannyasa and received his sannyasa dhanda 52 years ago on September 17, 1959 (today on the vaishnva calendar) Srila Prabhupada went on to become the biggest proponent of Gaudiya Vaishnavism by spreading Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's glorious sankirtan movement around the globe through millions of publications distributed, thousands of disciples and hundreds of temples and centres. All glories....all glories...all glories to Srila Prabhupada!  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1965 September 11:  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 September 11: "Simply by understanding Krishna, one understands everything. Therefore, Krishna being the Supreme Spirit, one who tries to understand Krishna, he can understand everything else."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 September 11: "It is my duty to open your eyes so I am trying my best to do my duty, and if you cooperate with me, fully, certainly both yourself and myself will be successful in our missionary work."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1974 September 11: "Why there should be any misunderstanding between a Krishna conscious husband and wife? So whether you are alone or with husband you must continue to follow the regulative principles. And wherever you get place, you should always remember Krishna and never forget Him for a moment."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1975 September 11: "The system for calculating is as follows: the first day of birth is the first birthday. The next year that day is the second birthday; i.e. the second birthday means that one year has been completed. So it is my 80th birthday, and I have completed 79 years."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1975 September 11: "Siddhasvarupananda and his group, whenever they see me they give me money. So they are not against me. So it is a natural thing for the brothers to fight, as long as they all stay obedient to the father."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1975 September 11: "Patron Life Members can live in a Guest room for three days free of charge. If they want to stay longer they may move to the Devotee Rooms, where they must live as we do. Those who live in the Devotee rooms must attend mangal arati or starve."  • Email to a friend • •Dandavats.com: New Mayapur Housing Project: Gupta Vrindavana Nivas at Sri Dham MayapurGupta Vrindavana Nivas: Gupta Vrindavan Nivas is the first of several Developments planned by the Mayapur Core Planning Team with a view to providing quality, affordable, pleasant, andsecure housing in Mayapur |
