Srila Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami Site sdgonline.org:
| | 4:42 A.M.    Poem for January 7 Introduction The translator of Navadvipa Bhava Taranga, Dasarath Suta, writes that Thakura Bhaktivinoda wrote three important books regarding the parikrama of Sri Navadvipa dhama. The third book, Navadvipa Bhava Taranga is an astonishing and enchanting description of Sri Navadvipa dhama as it appears to the eyes perfected in divine ecstatic emotion when seen in the state of absolute trance in devotional service.… Continue reading â |
Srila Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami Site sdgonline.org:
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“Smooth border crossing, immigration guys wore no uniforms, were unshaven and spoke in Italian to Madhu. Agents in the other lines wore uniforms and pistols and holsters. I sat chanting, enjoying the 6:00 A.M. atmosphere in high hills and harbor, trees, I saw high corn growing.… Continue reading â |
THE FOLLOWING LECTURE GIVEN BY HIS HOLINESS BHAKTI CHARU SWAMI IS THE FIRST OUT OF NINE IN A WONDERFUL SERIES ON THE HISTORY OF THE VAISHNAVA HERITAGE. Audio version only available on audio-tapes A Vaishnava is a person who has given himself in serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So in reality everyone is a [...]
To the members of the GBC and devotees of ISKCON, Dear Maharajas and prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad! It is with deep regret that I wish to inform you that I have resigned from all positions of leadership within ISKCON, including GBC member, sannyas, and initiating guru. This is because in recent times I have not been able to maintain the required spiritual standards for those who hold such positions. I have become physically and mentally exhausted due to constant travel and managerial pressures. It has been especially draining for me to try to solve disputes amongst devotees, as I am by nature a non-conflictive type of person. I have travelled almost constantly throughout my life since childhood and now I feel the need to settle in one place where I find the climate and culture to be agreeable my physical and mental nature. I am considering staying in Thailand as I find it to be such a place, and as I have also developed some affection for a person there who is decent, kind-hearted, diligent and humble. If that works out for me then I certainly hope to render some service to ISKCON there. If not, then I would hope to try and live in an ISKCON temple or community, perhaps in South India. I am very sorry to have let you all down. I have never asked to be put in any of these positions of leadership, but by Krsna's arrangement they have been conferred upon me. I have tried my best, but somehow I no longer feel able to continue in such capacity. Nevertheless, I have always been very happy in ISKCON from the moment I joined till the present. It has been a great honour for me to have had the opportunity to render some service to Srila Prabhupad's movement, and to have had all of your association. I hope to be able to continue to maintain contact with devotees, visit ISKCON temples from time to time and render service to ISKCON in the future. Once again my deepest apologies to you all. Kindly forgive any mistakes that I have made or any offences that I may have committed to any of you. I hope this finds you in good health and Krsna conscious mood, Your unqualified servant, Prabhavisnu das.
The Bhagavad-gita (13.16) states that Krishna is situated far away from us – and is simultaneously very close to us. Paradoxical scriptural statements like these refer not only to the inconceivable attributes of Krishna, but also to our changing, conflicting feelings while trying to approach him. During our spiritual practices like praying, chanting or meditating, we may sometimes feel Krishna’s presence distinctly, almost tangibly and so infer that he is very close to us. More often, we may go through our spiritual practices feeling Krishna’s presence only remotely or not at all, thereby thinking that he is very far away from us. This may dishearten us and may even trigger second thoughts about continuing our spiritual practices. At such times, we need to consciously cultivate third thoughts that reverse the discouraging train of thoughts set in motion by the dubious second thoughts. Such soul-saving third thoughts can be catalyzed by faithful contemplation on the Gita’s declaration of Krishna’s proximity. These third thoughts will give us the strength to persevere in our spiritual practices, which will soon restore our devotional disposition. This disposition will enable us to re-experience Krishna’s presence in the form of divine solace and sublime warmth. Then we will recognize that Krishna had never gone far away… it was we who had temporarily strayed away.
 By Dravida dasaThis year, as always, we request you to submit your homages to Srila Prabhupada for his Vyasa-puja book by April 15. In addition, if you're a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada, please check out www.sptributes.com to learn about a Vyasa-puja book open to all his disciples. The deadline for submission to this book is also April 15
 By Gopijana vallabha dasWe invite devotees worldwide to take part in Gaura Purnima festival either physically being present in Sri dham Mayapur or virtually through our websites www.mayapur.com & www.mayapur.tv and by serving the vaisnavas in Mayapur dhama by sponsoring for various events, festivities and prasada seva
 By Madhava SmullenVisakha Dasi, a lifelong student of India’s foremost wisdom text the Bhagavad-gita, is sharing her philosophical realizations from the book—as well as her experiences of how it changed her life—in her second annual North American tour this year
 By Raxit JariwallaISV’s annual books marathon ‘The MSF of 32,000 Books, which began in the last week of September 2011 was concluded on January 4th and the Final Results were offered to Srila Prabhupada and the Deities at the Wednesday night Gita class at the ISV temple in San Jose
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2nd Jan 2012, Simhachalan, Germany) Caitanya-caritāmṛta talk
We find in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta a cultural expression, which is very important. Because without cultural expression, how are you going to live? In mankind we need a certain range of activities to engage in. These activities in this world, they come back again and again with regular intervals, because life is repetitious – everyday the sun rises and it sets…every night you go to sleep and everyday you get up. So there is repetition in life! It goes on and on. So this is what we are experiencing in culture, meaning that there is an arrangement of regular activities, which are favourable for spiritual life. That’s real culture! There is so called culture which also means regulated activities of the degraded life, but that is not culture. True culture means that, which elevates, so we have that – we have all these activities that elevates us! What Srila Prabhupada did was a transplant. He took the culture from Bengal, India, and put Krishna Consciousness in the west, and gave pure teachings of Srila Rupa Goswami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and so on…the entire sampradaya, and with it some culture!
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2nd Jan 2012, Simhachalan, Germany) Caitanya-caritāmṛta talk
We see that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu offers not only amazing transcendental pastimes. Transcendental past times that someone sometimes goes completely beyond material consideration! We remember that in Srivasa Thakura’s house the kirtan was going on, and his son died during the kirtan, and Srivasa didn’t care at all! When some of the ladies were crying in the house, he was just saying: “Be quiet! You are disturbing the kirtan!” He didn’t want the kirtan to be disturbed in anyway! So that is very transcendental. Really looking at the eternal and not at all touched by the temporary reality!
We’re back on deck for 2012 with our first program of the year on Saturday, January 14 at 5pm. See you there!
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.39 - Anything which is separate from the name, form, qualities and pastimes of the Lord will simply act to agitate the mind.
Back to the shelter of the Melbourne temple this morning. So satisfied to see the bhagavatam class by HG Viraj Krishna Prabhu, whom I had a chance to see last evening. He was covering SB 1.5.39. The main points he covered : 
1. When we have no peace within ourselves, how can we carry out our devotional service? We should learn to connect everything we do and have to Krishna. Sri Narada is an expert in this. 2. Our occupational duties have to be done in the mode of detachment. We are attached to the duty only for the sake of doing it but we are attached to Krishna. 3. We should be enthusiastic, determined and patient in our desire to achieve the highest of perfection. We cannot demand our perfection from Krishna. 4. It’s amazing that through sound we can see God. This is our path. Seeing through the channel of ears, the form of the lord is then manifested. Simply by the process of hearing, we increase our desire to see Krishna. Rukmini Devi was like this. Sukadev Goswami was also like this. 5. Krishna is always smiling. When we come in front of the lord, we should approach Him with a big smile and not a frown. We should be happy. 6. Of all the offences that we try to remember not to commit, one that is most dangerous that we do commit is inattentive chanting. We must pay attention. There has to be endeavour from our end. 7. The Lord does not have to endeavour. It is His nature to be all powerful and full of incredible energies. He can do what He wants. But we have to work and for a devotee, Krishna expands his time. We must realise that Krishna is doing everything. He tells Arjuna that He has already killed all the soldiers even before the onslaught of war. Yet He allowed Arjuna to do his duty of shooting arrows. This is Krishna’s transcendental sarcasm. 8. Srila Prabhupad was completely attentive to Krishna. And that’s how he did such wonderful activities. He slept so little and gave us these incredible purports. Materially, one gets so tired at work when we have less sleep. But a devotee is beyond the material bodily needs. He is on a different level. Such devotees are glorified. Our temples operate in 12 time zones and hence “Jai Prabhupad”, is said across the world all the time. The conclusion is that one must take great steps to be attentive in our devotional service. Only then, shall we start making progress. In this one precious lifetime, there are so many things that we pay careful attention too for our personal fulfilment of our desires but at least for 2 hours, we must give our ears to hearing the name of Krishna. We must respect the labour of Prabhupad. Studying his books, the verses speak to our heart. And then our attention to chanting happens. This is when we get that peace we are seeking…because by chanting of the Holy Name, we get truth, auspiciousness and piety – Satyam, Mangalam and Punyam. In this peace when we chant, there is perpetual and constant festivals in our minds.
(Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, 5 January 2012, Japa Talks) We come to Krsna with conviction and doubt also, but we had enough of the material world and are determined, we shall chant! We think, I will do it, what is this pride, are we the doer. When chanting is not based on pure love, then it is austerity, over time the weight of austerity increases. So after time we stand before Krsna praying, that’s all there will be left. Then humility means admitting that we are bringing nothing of value, and that even to chant we depend on Krsna’s mercy “My dear Lord, please me merciful un to me, I have no taste for this chanting, how can I go on? I am praying, please grant me a drop of love for serving your lotus feet.” 
1974 January 7: "You write that things are in crisis. Therefore, we have to take shelter of Krsna. If Krsna wants to kill us that is not wrong, if it is His desire. Our business is to follow the regulative schedule and never mind the material danger."
1974 January 7: "We have so much work to do, we cannot lose our solidarity. Do not cause a crack with fighting spirit or competition. Please spare me such disturbance."
1974 January 7: "I was very pleased by your report of our cow protection program. Engage the bulls in tilling the ground. People may call this the primitive way but it is very practical for engaging the bulls in loading carts, transporting, etc."
1975 January 7: "See what is the actual situation there. Study it very carefully and let me know how things are going. This incident has caused havoc all over the world. It is hampering our reputation everywhere. It must be stopped immediately."
1975 January 7: "Has anyone ever become convinced in Krishna Consciousness by listening to this record? No. But, if he reads one book, he will be convinced about spiritual life. That is our success. I do not want this record distribution to continue."
1975 January 7: "You should remain with us for some time, otherwise how will we know what work you are fit to do? You should understand of course, that we do not pay anyone in our society."
"So the first medicine which you should be concerned with is to chant Hare Krishna and to become increasingly steady in Krishna Consciousness."
Letter to Upendra January 6, 1969
Growing up Christmas still had at least the semblance of being a religious holiday. It begin Christmas Eve when we would set up the Christmas tree as a family and get the opening of gifts out of the way. Then Christmas Day was for church and family gatherings. I suspect even then my father knew that Santa Claus was killing Christmas and tried to keep the consumerism separate from the religious aspects of the season. For the profiteers of consumerism who have hijacked Christmas, the season begins after Thanksgiving and ends Christmas Day. In reality, the 12 Days of Christmas, which practically only exist anymore as an echo in a song or two, begins Christmas Day and ends with Epiphany, January 6th. From the Wikipedia on Epiphany: “…is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human beingin Jesus Christ. Western Christians commemorate principally (but not solely) the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles.” Most people by this time are like “Hey, we and ours got our gifts a couple of weeks ago, got drunk New Year’s Eve and are mostly concerned with the National Football League playoffs by this point in time, Christmas is still going on? Acknowledge Jesus as representative of God and give gifts to someone else? Forgetaboutit.” If Santa hadn’t killed Christmas, Epiphany might at least be noted, but did you hear it even mentioned in the mass media yesterday? Anyway, at our house growing up it was acknowledged and that was when we used to take down the Christmas decorations, long after many Christmas trees were brown and shedding needles in back alleys waiting for garbage pickup. Epiphany was also my father’s birthday. He would have been 90 this year had he not succumbed to polysystic kidneys many years ago. So that is why the seasonal wreath I had my wife put on our 1990 Toyota corolla is still there. 
I used to chop 180 acres of corn for silage for New Vrindaban’s cows. After getting the crop in the silos, I would chisel plow the stubble and plant a rye cover crop for the winter. That would be done before Thanksgiving. For Thanksgiving weekend I would go to Washington, DC, and stay there until Christmas Day. I was involved in logistics with a company that was selling flowers every day on the streets of DC, DC being a city where people buy flowers. Some cities have a culture of buying flowers, and some don’t, but DC is one that does. While in DC I noted that many cars would have wreaths on their grills during the holiday season and I liked the idea. While it is anomalous behavior here in the Upper Ohio River Valley, I still do it. We can’t fit a whole wreath on our small grill but a swag works. Put a wreath on your door and a few dozen people might see it. Put one on your grill and every trip to town hundreds or maybe even thousands will see it. So that is how I try to spread some holiday cheer, and why it is still on my grill, though today, being the day after Epiphany and an unseasonably warm sunny day (by noon I have saved 1.7 kwhs of electricity with my solar thermal unit) I will probably take it off.
Dear Devotees and Friends, Please come to this special Sunday evening event at Radha Govinda Mandir, in honour and celebration of Yamuna devi dasi, (1942-2011). She is known worldwide as the famous voice on the Govindam prayers, played in ISKCON temples every morning to greet the deities. She was one of Srila Prabhupada’s first disciples, and a pioneer in spreading Krishna Consciousness, having spread the movement to London, and in India. She is was expert in so many fields like singing, cooking, deity worship, writing, decorative arts, personally trained by Srila Prabhupada himself. Starting at 6pm with Sandhya Arati, there will be a slideshow with tributes from Joshua Greene (Yogesvara prabhu) and several others, followed by kirtans and bhajans, and a fantastic vegetarian feast, all cooked from her legendary cookbooks. Please come with your family and friends. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please call the temple @ (718) 875 6127 Your servants, NY ISKCON
Thursday 22 December 2011Community Vision and Planning Team Report to joint Board of Directors meeting * 7 groups work report: each group was requested to have open meetings to discuss how to expand their specific category, and develop the following: o Vision statement that’s harmonious with the overall NVC vision statement; o 10 year vision § 3 and 1 year plans on how to achieve the 10 year vision o Here are the various vision statements: New Vrindavan Community Vision Statement “New Vrindavan” is an intentional spiritual community centered on the practice of Bhakti yoga expressed as the Brijabasi Spirit, emphasizing simple living and high thinking, vegetarianism, agriculture and cow protection, places of pilgrimage, and the propagation of the teachings of the founder-acharya of the International Society of Krsna Consciousness, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Addendum ‘Bhakti yoga’ is the reciprocation of loving service in different rasas (moods) between the eternal individual living entity (jiva, or soul) and the Supreme Lord, Krsna. The ‘Brijabasi spirit’ manifests abundance through the synergy of loving relationships with Krsna in the center. It is a mood of simply loving Krsna and giving ones’ very life in humble service to the Supreme Lord Krsna, His intimate followers, and associates in any of the rasas, or mellows. ‘Founder’ means he established the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON). ‘Acharya’ means “one who teaches by example”. Srila Prabhupada taught us how to become Krsna conscious by his own personal example. Srila Prabhupada is in the disciplic succession of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya, one of four authorized Vaishnava sampradayas. A ‘sampradaya’ is a tradition of strict philosophical and cultural doctrine, wherein the conclusion is known and not deviated from, and the teachings are passed from teacher to disciple. There is no English equivalent word. By ‘vegetarianism’ we mean foodstuffs that are offered to Lord Krsna for His pleasure. No meat, fish, or eggs are consumed. The principle is we eat what Krsna wants us to offer to Him. His teachings are based on revealed scriptures, including Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Nectar of Devotion, Sri Isopanisad, and others. He is the author of more than 70 books that explain the science of devotional service, or loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. The ‘International Society of Krsna Consciousness” (ISKCON) is a world-wide organization founded by Srila Prabhupada for the following purposes: 1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to Society at large and to educate people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world. 2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. 3. To bring members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the Prime Entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna). 4. To teach and encourage the Sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 5. To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna. 6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life. 7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of God Who appeared about 500 years ago, predicted “prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama/ sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama”. “In every town and village, the chanting of My name will be heard”. (Caitanya-bhagavata, Antya 4.126) Education, Arts & Culture Vision Statement: The Education, Arts & Culture group empowers the individual to develop and express their natural talents in the devotional service of the Lord, and His devotees. “Culture” we define as the expression of the eternal individual souls’ relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotional service. (note: this is a work-in-progress). Revealing the Dhama: Vision Statement: “To award a voice to the Dham to facilitate Her in revealing and identifying various tirthas, and to participate in the development and maintenance of the holy places and temples. To facilitate devotees’ developing relationships with the Dham, by visiting and serving the holy places, as well as discussing, writing and contemplating Their lilas, glories and benefits.” Devotee Care and Relations: The mission of Devotee Care and Relations is to strive for the spiritual, mental/emotional and physical well-being of ISKCON devotees so that they are encouraged, inspired, and empowered to be happy and make progress in Krsna consciousness, and thus be enthused to expand Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Agriculture, Cows and Self-reliance: The New Vrindaban Community § produces locally the necessities of life § demonstrates a practical example of self-reliance and § engages and protects the natural resources, cows and the oxen. Economic Development: New Vrindaban’s community members are * either employed directly by the Community or devotee businesses or * are self-employed in the greater New Vrindaban area to maintain themselves. Community Design and Facilities: New Vrindavan Community Design and Facilities Group develops and maintains New Vrindavan in a environmentally responsible, sustainable manner, using locally sourced quality materials and personnel. (note: this is a work-in-progress). Outreach, Preaching and Pilgrim Care: Through outreach, preaching and pilgrim care, we provide the knowledge, education, concern, and training to enable all who desire to develop their spiritual awareness. We empower and assist every member to awaken their relationship with Krsna, to join Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual family, to teach his message and engage all our guests and pilgrims in the loving devotional service of Krsna. (note: this is a work-in-progress). o 4 groups work is fine o 3 groups work needs some refining o New areas are needed to develop into the master plan: Deity, Governance, and Varnashram implementation * WVU CDT meeting report o 4 members of WVU’s Community Design Team (CDT) visited and met with 5 devotees. Two professors came for their 1stvisit to see if/how they can work with NVC. Present from NVC were Varsana Swami, Jaya Krsna das, Gopisa prabhu, Madhava Ghosh prabhu, and Gaura Sakti das. o The two teams decided upon the following projects: § Madhuvan project § Landscaping § Food storage *Beans, grains, grinding mill; de-hydration, canning, and different forms of storage. § Tourism: * Hindu * Palace visitors * ISKCON devotees * Eco-groups * How to market to each group * How to ‘brand’ ourselves for each group * On-site readiness; workshops, etc; “what do they want to do here?” * Kudzayi expressed a strong interest in any guest database we may have. o She has done consulting work for Marshall County and Moundsville. § Hospice project o How to move forward: § Memorandum of understanding will be prepared and agreed upon § Each professor needs to decide individually how/if they can fit our needs into their current class. § Steve is particularly interested in conservation and community out-reach § Charlie is (exceptionally) eager for landscape management, mapping, and “How do we realize the Vrindavan vision?” On a previous visit he expressed enthusiasm for the building of the 7 temples of Vrindavan. § Steve wants to bring his group of students in late January for a community discussion on the master planning. We will schedule a meeting for the 3rd week of January, accordingly. * Timeline o Where are we now § See “8 steps…” below. We’re in steps 2 and 3. I’m intending to have this first iteration completed for Gaura Purnima 2012 (March 6 2012). By ‘first iteration’ I mean ‘first draft’, that we will see things that are not included that should be, perhaps the corollary as well, and there will be a process of review, additions, corrections, etc. * Timeline for completion of 1st iteration § 15 December Group works finished § 31 December: 1/3/10 year goals consolidated § 14 January 2012: Community Assessment finished (existing land use map, with all necessary data) § 4 February: 2 “future land use” scenarios developed: a) assuming no income from gas wells; b) assuming _________ $/year from gas wells. (note: $ amount to come from Gopisa prabhu). § 6 March, Gaura Purnima: 1st iteration of the Master Plan completed. * Finance report o (waiting on precise figures from Rupanuga prabhu; approx. $7900+/-) 8 Steps of the Master Planning Process 1. Community Visioning: engaging the public and developing vision statements, goals and objectives. 2. Data collection and inventory: preparing the community assessment and existing land use map. 3. Data analysis: formulating future development scenarios based on vision statements, the community assessment, and land use maps. 4. Evaluating future development scenarios. 5. Selecting a preferred development scheme (the future land use map) and preparing and adopting a plan. 6. Implementing the plan. 7. Monitoring the plan. 8. Amending and updating the plan.
If you have been on Facebook for any length of time, then you know full well how scam and spam laden the site can be. Scammers love crowds, and there isn’t one bigger than Facebook. Some of these scams are phishing schemes trying to obtain your username and password, while others end in surveys or other bogus offers. Several have been known to spread viruses and other malware, so it’s important to keep anti-virus software installed and updated. Here is a list of 10 common active Facebook scams to look out for: 1. Profile Viewers and Profile Blockers – These scams promise to show you who has been looking at your profile or who has blocked you from theirs. NONE of these apps work. Facebook doesn’t give the developers access to the data required to create them. 2. Free iPads & iPhones – Don’t be fooled by messages stating you can test and keep an iPad, iPhone etc. These are all marketing gimmicks. 3. Free Facebook Credits – This scam is targeted for the gamers on Facebook. Credits are used to purchase items in Farmville, Cityville, etc. Credits cost real money and you aren’t going to receive a large sum of them for free. 4. Free Items, Gift Cards & Tickets – If it sounds too good to be true, then you can be sure that it is on Facebook! You aren’t going to get free airline tickets, Subway or Starbucks gift cards or a Facebook hoodie just by completing a survey. 5. Breaking News Stories – Anytime a major news story breaks, keep your guard up. Scammers love to trick unsuspecting users with promises of “exclusive coverage.” 6. Phishing Attempts to Steal Your Login Info – If a scammer can get your login credentials, then they can wreck all sorts of havoc before you reclaim your account. Messages pretending to be from Facebook Security is a popular way they trick users. 7. Bogus Chat Messages – A compromised Facebook account uses rogue applications to send scam links to users via Facebook Chat. Be wary of messages that say something like: “hey is this you,” “look at you in this video,” “wanna laugh.” Don’t click any links received in chat until you verify they are legitimate. 8. Shocking & Sexy Headlines – Anything that starts out with “OMG” or “Shocking” is best left alone on Facebook. They lure in victims with outlandish, steamy or perverted messages. These usually end in a survey scam and a video that doesn’t play. 9. Fake Celebrity Stories – Facebook is not the place to receive your celebrity news and gossip! Scammers use fake deaths and other sensational stories to entice users. These often spread very fast, because users share the posts before verifying the story. 10. “Help I’m Stranded and Need Money” – If you get a message from a friend stating that they are stranded in London or some other exotic locale, don’t rush down to Western Union to send them cash. They have likely had their Facebook account hi-jacked by scammers. There is also a new Facebook hoax doing the rounds which claims to stop your posts appearing in the ticker bar on the right that displays everyones latest status posts. If you do what it says you will just not see any posts by your friends in your news feed. It looks like this and it is completely untrue: “With the new ‘FB timeline’ on its way this week for EVERYONE…please do both of us a favor: Hover over my name above. In a few seconds you’ll see a box that says “Subscribed.” Hover over that, then go to “Comments and Likes” and “Games” and un-click it. That will stop my posts and yours to me from showing up on the side bar(ticker) for everyone to see, but MOST IMPORTANTLY it LIMITS HACKERS from invading our profiles. If you re-post this I will do the same for you. You’ll know I’ve acknowledged you because if you tell me that you’ve done it I’ll ‘like’ it. Thanks” You can find out more about what to avoid on facebook here: http://facecrooks.com/ And here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoax-Slayer/69502133435 Hare Krishna
By His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami: A commitment to reading Srila Prabhupada’s books will not only impart strength to the individual members of ISKCON but will also give the whole movement the knowledge and potency to withstand maya and to take on the demonic atheistic civilization. (And if you didn’t know that this civilization is demonic and atheistic and that we are supposed to be taking it on, then you should read Srila Prabhupada’s books.) 
Regular spiritual practice, which includes living a life in goodness (sattva), studying the Vedic scriptures, serving Deity forms of Krishna, chanting the maha-mantra and other prayers, associating with persons of similar interest and inviting saints to our home, help us be in a receptive mood to learn from every circumstance and person we encounter. Then, while living and working, we will be spiritually philosophical, and open to the lessons all around us, which bring the scriptures to life. This means that we become gradually awake and sensitive to the spiritual dimension. Although souls are covered by their material bodies and minds, they non-the-less still have certain tendencies that point to their eternal nature. Of late I have noted with interest the tendency of living beings to play. read more
It’s 9pm and just finished listening to a very powerful lecture by HG Viraj Krishna Prabhu, a disciple of HH Maha Vishnu Swami Gosvami Maharaj. Through one verse from the bhagavatam, he was able to beautifully describe the importance of Prabhupad books, the importance of discipline, the dangers of the material world and the shelter of Krishna’s lotus feet. He quoted a Chanakya Pandit’s verse which stuck to me : “Austerity in one, Study in two, Music in three, Agriculture in four and War by many”. He explained the importance of daily study of Sastras and learning it with one another devotee. This type of study ensures commitment, sincerity and opportunity for discussions. I like it. And what a top class program. Memorable.
This is a beautiful drawing by the kids at Melbourne temple for the occasion of Pani Hati in Dec 2011. 
Nitaicharan dasa: When: As soon as possible Where: ISKCON Birmingham, UK How long: Full time for 2 years contract (after 2 years contract reviewed) Duties: Deity services including worshiping, dressing, cooking, cleaning, offering, special religious services including congregational support, pastoral care and kirtan. Expenses paid: Flights to UK and home after 2 years paid All living expenses covered while in the UK and serving at the temple
 | Lord Rama and Ravanas great battle |
8 fotos | 2 vistas Los elementos son del 08 de ene 2012.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Sent by Debojyoti Dey: “This is only possible in Iskcon Ujjain”
Kirtan By His Holiness Radhanath Swami Maharaj On the Midnight Of 31st Eve (ISKCON CHOWPATTY)
 His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami will like to invite you for your association at ISKCON Brampton this Sunday January 8th, 2012 @ 11amISKCON
His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami is not only the Head of GBC Canada but a Trustee here at ISKCON Brampton.
His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami joined the HARE KRSNA movement in 1973 and was initiated by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON. He took sanyasa in 1984 and has been accepting aspiring disciples on behalf of Srila Prabhupada around the world ever since.
As an offering to his guru, Srila Prabhupada, His Holiness Bhaktimarga swami has walked across Canada, a distance of 8,500 kms one way on many occasions to promote spirituality across the nation; He has also completed walks across such countries as Ireland, Israel, Mauritius, Guyana and more.
With a background in fine arts, His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami also developed a passion for the performing arts. Even in the course of his duties as a monk, he expands his portfolio and manages to take an active role in theatrical productions from epics of ancient Vedic origin. Casting, scripting, and directing morality theatre takes him annually to venues from North America to Asia to South America to Europe and Africa.
We look forward to your association and would like to remind you that we have a Sunday School for children and will be serving prasadam (lunch) to conclude the program. Aarti and Kirtan will continue to take place this Sunday and we look forward to your presence.
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Saturday 7 January 2012 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 Help Popularize Our Message By Liking Today's Thought on Facebook: Today's Thought: The Meaning of No Illicit Sex uploaded from Santiago, Chile To fully connect with Krishna or God requires that one give up in overindulgence of the senses. One is allotted as his quota whatever sense gratification is required for good health and vitality and not beyond that. Overindulgence of the senses forces the consciousness of the spiritual aspirant to remain locked on the bodily platform, which keeps him bound up tightly in the cycle of birth and death. This is why those who take initiation from the bona fide spiritual master vow to abstain from illicit sex life. This means that if they are married they will have sex no more than once in a month when they are trying to produce a child and when they are not trying to have a child they will completely abstain from sexual intercourse. Those devotees who are not married totally abstain from sex. In this way one can focus his energy on Krishna instead of on material sense gratification and can enter eternally into the sublime, sweet happiness of Krishna consciousness, which is far superior to the pleasure derived from sense gratification. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Faith Shattered. How to Build It? I have tried to build my faith in your philosophy of Krishna consciousness. However, instead of building, it has been shattered, not just broken, many, many times. What do you recommend as the process to build faith for a completely broken and shattered person? Diksha R. Answer: Fully Apply These Teachings Krishna consciousness is the recipe for spiritual perfection. There is only one way to develop faith in a recipe. You must strictly follow it. When you do so, you will get the promised results and naturally have full faith in the recipe. Therefore you must chant 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna japa mala daily, strictly avoid illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling, and take complete shelter of the bona fide spiritual master. If you will do so, you will naturally experience the sweet nectar of Krishna consciousness and develop firm faith in this sublime process. 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 2011-2012 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: {contact_address  More Recent Articles | 
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