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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Wednesday 2 March 2011--Hare Krishna World Mission--and--Rama and Hare in the MahamantraA daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(tm) Wednesday 2 March 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. 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: Hare Krishna World Mission Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA The Hare Krishna movement was started to save the world from degradation and devastation. We are requesting therefore that all thoughtful and sensitive persons throughout the world should now seriously investigate this movement to see how it can save the world and then join forces with this movement for bringing in a new age of peace and prosperity for all. Since, at least for now, this world is the home that we all share, we should make it the best place possible by flooding it with Krishna consciousness. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Devotees Singing and Dancing in Boston http://www.backtohome.com/images/Sankirtan.jpg Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Rama and Hare in the Mahamantra My questions are this: In the mahamantra does the name 'Rama' refer to Lord Balarama, to Sri Ramachandra, the son of King Dasarath, or to Parsurama, who killed many ksatriya kings? Does the name 'Hare' in the same mahamantra refer to Radharani, the personified energy of pleasure of Lord Sri Krishna? Dev Answer: Any and All and Radharani Rama in the Hare Krishna mantra can refer to all three of them. It also refers to Krishna Himself, because as the Supreme Enjoyer He is also called Rama. Hare the vocative form of calling out to Mother Hara, who is Srimati Radharani. 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 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 •  •Australian News: Get ready Here Comes Madhava
Based in Switzerland, Madhava travels extensively throughout every continent with his wife Radhika and his band Gaura Prema, enlivening audiences with the power of devotional kirtan. He fuses his Mauritian roots with the influences of India to produce a unique style of kirtan, but one in which the main ingredient is the heartfelt bhakti. Madhava and his wife Radhika are back this year to spread “Heart and Soul” to these shores through their kirtans that are as deep as they are ecstatic. The dates of their extensive tour are listed below: Melbourne, 8pm Saturday March 5th: Yoga in Daily Life
Perth, March 7th-9th: Venue to be confirmed Melbourne, 6pm Thursday March 10th : Urban Yoga
Melbourne, Friday March 11th : Shiva Ashram
Melbourne, Saturday March 12th : Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir
Melbourne, 6pm Saturday March 12th : Gertrude St Yoga and Healing Centre
Gold Coast, Sunday March 13th : Venue: to be confirmed Byron Bay, 7pm Monday March 14th Tickets $20 at the door or $15 pre-purchase here: Temple Byron
Gold Coast, Wednesday March 16th : Bhakti Centre
Brisbane, 7pm Friday March 18th : Atma Yoga
Brisbane, Saturday March 19th, : Kirtan Workshop More soon….. Murwillumbah, Sunday March 20th : New Govardhana
Murwillumbah, Monday March 21th : New Govardhana
Canberra, Friday March 25th : Level 1
Sydney, Saturday March 26th : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Sydney, Sunday March 27th : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Sydney, Wednesday March 30th : 5:45 – 7:00pm – Vegetarian dinner at Govindas Restaurant 7:00 – 8:30pm – concert Cost is $29:00 inclusive of the dinner ($15 for concert only) Lotus Room
Sydney, 7pm Thursday March 31st : Tickets $20 at the door Shyam Yoga
Sydney, Friday April 1st :
Sydney, 6-30pm, Saturday April 2nd : Cost: Pre paid $25 by 28th March Full fee: $30
Manly Village Public School
Sydney, Sunday April 3rd : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Click here to visit www.kirtanaustralia.com to keep up to date with tour details More details to come regarding special events and kirtan workshop Share this story your way:          
• Email to a friend • •Australian News: Get ready Here Comes Madhava
Based in Switzerland, Madhava travels extensively throughout every continent with his wife Radhika and his band Gaura Prema, enlivening audiences with the power of devotional kirtan. He fuses his Mauritian roots with the influences of India to produce a unique style of kirtan, but one in which the main ingredient is the heartfelt bhakti. Madhava and his wife Radhika are back this year to spread “Heart and Soul” to these shores through their kirtans that are as deep as they are ecstatic. The dates of their extensive tour are listed below: Melbourne, 8pm Saturday March 5th: Yoga in Daily Life
Perth, March 7th-9th: Venue to be confirmed Melbourne, 6pm Thursday March 10th : Urban Yoga
Melbourne, Friday March 11th : Shiva Ashram
Melbourne, Saturday March 12th : Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir
Melbourne, 6pm Saturday March 12th : Gertrude St Yoga and Healing Centre
Gold Coast, Sunday March 13th : Venue: to be confirmed Byron Bay, 7pm Monday March 14th Tickets $20 at the door or $15 pre-purchase here: Temple Byron
Gold Coast, Wednesday March 16th : Bhakti Centre
Brisbane, 7pm Friday March 18th : Atma Yoga
Brisbane, Saturday March 19th, : Kirtan Workshop More soon….. Murwillumbah, Sunday March 20th : New Govardhana
Murwillumbah, Monday March 21th : New Govardhana
Canberra, Friday March 25th : Level 1
Sydney, Saturday March 26th : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Sydney, Sunday March 27th : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Sydney, Wednesday March 30th : 5:45 – 7:00pm – Vegetarian dinner at Govindas Restaurant 7:00 – 8:30pm – concert Cost is $29:00 inclusive of the dinner ($15 for concert only) Lotus Room
Sydney, 7pm Thursday March 31st : Tickets $20 at the door Shyam Yoga
Sydney, Friday April 1st :
Sydney, 6-30pm, Saturday April 2nd : Cost: Pre paid $25 by 28th March Full fee: $30
Manly Village Public School
Sydney, Sunday April 3rd : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Click here to visit www.kirtanaustralia.com to keep up to date with tour details More details to come regarding special events and kirtan workshop Share this story your way:
• Email to a friend • •Australian News: MADHAVA is coming – get yourself ready
Based in Switzerland, Madhava travels extensively throughout every continent with his wife Radhika and his band Gaura Prema, enlivening audiences with the power of devotional kirtan. He fuses his Mauritian roots with the influences of India to produce a unique style of kirtan, but one in which the main ingredient is the heartfelt bhakti. Madhava and his wife Radhika are back this year to spread “Heart and Soul” to these shores through their kirtans that are as deep as they are ecstatic. The dates of their extensive tour are listed below: Melbourne, 8pm Saturday March 5th: Yoga in Daily Life
Perth, March 7th-9th: Venue to be confirmed Melbourne, 6pm Thursday March 10th : Urban Yoga
Melbourne, Friday March 11th : Shiva Ashram
Melbourne, Saturday March 12th : Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir
Melbourne, 6pm Saturday March 12th : Gertrude St Yoga and Healing Centre
Gold Coast, Sunday March 13th : Venue: to be confirmed Byron Bay, 7pm Monday March 14th Tickets $20 at the door or $15 pre-purchase here: Temple Byron
Gold Coast, Wednesday March 16th : Bhakti Centre
Brisbane, 7pm Friday March 18th : Atma Yoga
Brisbane, Saturday March 19th, : Kirtan Workshop More soon….. Murwillumbah, Sunday March 20th : New Govardhana
Murwillumbah, Monday March 21th : New Govardhana
Canberra, Friday March 25th : Level 1
Sydney, Saturday March 26th : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Sydney, Sunday March 27th : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Sydney, Wednesday March 30th : 5:45 – 7:00pm – Vegetarian dinner at Govindas Restaurant 7:00 – 8:30pm – concert Cost is $29:00 inclusive of the dinner ($15 for concert only) Lotus Room
Sydney, 7pm Thursday March 31st : Tickets $20 at the door Shyam Yoga
Sydney, Friday April 1st :
Sydney, 6-30pm, Saturday April 2nd : Cost: Pre paid $25 by 28th March Full fee: $30
Manly Village Public School
Sydney, Sunday April 3rd : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Click here to visit www.kirtanaustralia.com to keep up to date with tour details More details to come regarding special events and kirtan workshop Share this story your way:
• Email to a friend • •Australian News: Madhava: Heart and Soul Kirtan tour Australia 2011
Based in Switzerland, Madhava travels extensively throughout every continent with his wife Radhika and his band Gaura Prema, enlivening audiences with the power of devotional kirtan. He fuses his Mauritian roots with the influences of India to produce a unique style of kirtan, but one in which the main ingredient is the heartfelt bhakti. Madhava and his wife Radhika are back this year to spread “Heart and Soul” to these shores through their kirtans that are as deep as they are ecstatic. The dates of their extensive tour are listed below: Melbourne, 8pm Saturday March 5th: Yoga in Daily Life
Perth, March 7th-9th: Venue to be confirmed Melbourne, 6pm Thursday March 10th : Urban Yoga
Melbourne, Friday March 11th : Shiva Ashram
Melbourne, Saturday March 12th : Melbourne Mahaprabhu Mandir
Melbourne, 6pm Saturday March 12th : Gertrude St Yoga and Healing Centre
Gold Coast, Sunday March 13th : Venue: to be confirmed Byron Bay, 7pm Monday March 14th Tickets $20 at the door or $15 pre-purchase here: Temple Byron
Gold Coast, Wednesday March 16th : Bhakti Centre
Brisbane, 7pm Friday March 18th : Atma Yoga
Brisbane, Saturday March 19th, : Kirtan Workshop More soon….. Murwillumbah, Sunday March 20th : New Govardhana
Murwillumbah, Monday March 21th : New Govardhana
Canberra, Friday March 25th : Level 1
Sydney, Saturday March 26th : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Sydney, Sunday March 27th : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Sydney, Wednesday March 30th : 5:45 – 7:00pm – Vegetarian dinner at Govindas Restaurant 7:00 – 8:30pm – concert Cost is $29:00 inclusive of the dinner ($15 for concert only) Lotus Room
Sydney, 7pm Thursday March 31st : Tickets $20 at the door Shyam Yoga
Sydney, Friday April 1st :
Sydney, 6-30pm, Saturday April 2nd : Cost: Pre paid $25 by 28th March Full fee: $30
Manly Village Public School
Sydney, Sunday April 3rd : Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha Mandir
Click here to visit www.kirtanaustralia.com to keep up to date with tour details More details to come regarding special events and kirtan workshop Share this story your way:
• Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: UNFLINCHING DEVOTIONBecause of previous bad habits and immaturity, even a sincere devotee may be harassed by lingering attraction to the bodily concept of life; but his unflinching devotion for Lord Krsna will act.  • Email to a friend • •Vraja Kishor, JP: Being Spiritually DIRECT (Gita 9.18) Image via Wikipedia Nothing except Krsna exists – so it is impossible not to take shelter of Krsna. Krsna is every box of cookies, every syringe of heroine, every glass of wine, every orgasm, every hug, every bank account, every husband, every wife, every father, mother and child, every king, every invention, every website, every game, every email, every pillow, every pill, every doctor, every leader, every ideal, every dream, every wish, every art, every science, every philosophy, every realization, every religion, every ritual, every demigod, every god. Everything is Krsna – so it is not possible not to take shelter of Krsna. But today I need to focus on taking shelter of Krsna DIRECTLY as the person that he truly is, rather than indirectly through the things he becomes. Everything Krsna has mentioned in the past three texts (Bhagavad Gita 9.18 and previous) – from grains in the fire, to ancestors, to philosophical components of jnana (in todays text) all these are various sophisticated ways places the soul seeks shelter – seeks “Gati” – a good place to go. These are all aspects of Karma (religion) and Jnana (Science). But Krsna is speaking Gita because he wants to propagate the sanatana dharma – which is: anyabhilashita shunyam jnana karma anavrittam Devoid of ulterior motive, and never eclipsed by religion or science. So he is teaching me in these past 3 or 4 texts not to take shelter in religion or science, but only and always take shelter in DIRECTLY loving him. I can hear myself having said, “Well I wear tilok and attend mangal aroti… I am taking direct shelter in Krsna.” I would answer myself, “Great, now if you want to get even better, ask yourself why? Am I decorating myself with tilok with a motive similar to the gopi putting on a necklace whos sparkle might catch Krsna’s eye? Or am I putting it on because then the indians who come to the temple think I are ‘bona-fide,’ or something similar?” All these question are things I need to rigorously ask myself continuously so I don’t get lazy and complacent. Love is never lazy. Constant and rigorous purification of motive is the key to making the huge evolution from dharma to sanatana dharma, from being in the gray zone to being a person Krsna really thinks of as a “mahatma,” from being good to being transcendent.         • Email to a friend • •Japa Group: Chanting Workshop Sambhanda Pt.1This is a very short and interesting section of the Level 3 Japa Workshop by Sacinandana Swami.  • Email to a friend • •ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
• Email to a friend • •Kurma dasa, AU: Grain-free FlourWhat is grain-free flour? Well this is a specific question regarding those substances that act like grains but are botanically not made from grains.Those who don't eat wheat will benefit from this posting. Specifically, these flours are useful for those who follow the special grain-fast called Ekadasi, which falls every two weeks as the moon enters it's eleventh phase after the full moon and new moon. Ekadasi means 'eleventh'.
Deven Pillay from Johannesburg wrote me: "A few years ago I attended your class held in Johannesburg. It was very informative and I now I feel have a better understanding of cooking methodology. Thank you. I would like to know what types of wheat substitutes can be used for cooking on the Ekadasi day?" My reply: "Yes. Here's my list of non-grain flours, some you may not have encountered."
Amaranth flour: Milled from the seeds of the amaranth plant, this flour boasts a higher percentage of protein than most other grains, and has more fibre than wheat and rice. It is also higher in the amino acid lysine, which some food scientists believe makes it a more complete protein than flour made from other grains. Amaranth flour can be used in cookies, crackers, baking mixes, and cereals. Arrowroot flour: The rootstalks of a tropical plant are the source of this flour, often used as a thickener for sauces and desserts; the finely powdered arrowroot turns completely clear when dissolved (giving gloss to sauces), and adds no starchy flavor. Because of its easy digestibility, it is also an used as an ingredient in cookies intended for infants and young children. I use it as a grain-free substitute to corn flour (cornstarch for all US readers). Buckwheat flour: A common ingredient in pancake mixes, buckwheat flour is also used to make Japanese soba noodles. It is available in light, medium, and dark varieties (the dark flour boasts the strongest flavor), depending on the kind of buckwheat it is milled from. You can make your own buckwheat flour by processing whole white buckwheat groats in a blender or food processor. Chestnut flour: This tan flour is made from chestnuts, the meaty, lowfat nuts that are often served as a vegetable. The flour is a little sweet and is traditionally used in Italian holiday desserts. Italian shops sell it.
Potato flour (potato starch): Steamed potatoes are dried and then ground to a powder to make this gluten-free flour, which is commonly used in baked goods for Jewish Passover (when wheat flour may not be used). Quinoa flour: Higher in fat than wheat flour, quinoa flour makes baked goods more moist. You can make your own quinoa flour by processing whole quinoa in a blender; stop before the flour is too fine - it should be slightly coarse, like cornmeal.
Tapioca flour: Milled from the dried starch of the cassava root, this flour thickens when heated with water and is often used to give body to puddings, fruit pie fillings, and soups. It can also be used in baking. Water-chestnut flour (water-chestnut powder): This Asian ingredient is a fine, powdery starch that is used to thicken sauces (it can be substituted for cornstarch) and to coat foods before frying to give them a delicate, crisp coating. Below is pictured a complete feast of ekadasi-friendly dishes cooked at a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia a few years ago. Succulent Gujarati Pumpkin Curry Eggplant, Potato and Panir Cheese (“A Meat-Eater’s Delight”) Crisp Ekadasi Cauliflower Fritters (Pakoras) Buckwheat Poories (best ever) Saffron Mashed Potatoes Hot & Spicy Apple Chutney Savoury Fresh Cheese Balls in Creamy Tomato Sauce (Malai Kofta) Creamy Cardamom-infused Yogurt Dessert with Pistachios (Shrikhand) North Indian Carrot Halava Hot Spiced Tea (Masala Chai)
I also encountered flatbreads made from banana flour whilst in India. Last time I posted this information I received this letter from a reader: "I also have some more flours used by Gujarati Krishna Devotees. 1) Ragigara (or Ragigaro or rajgira) flour - Very small - is a very small tiny seeds like yellow mustard seeds but much smaller. The seeds can be used to make popcorn and these popped seeds are used to make khir with milk and sugar. The flour is used to make halavah which turns out to be a brown and sticker than regular halavah. The flour is used to make vada, parathas, puris, rotis and small pakoras with mashed potatoes using herbs, ground black pepper and salt added. (note from Kurma: this is amaranth, as described in my list above.) 2) Singado flour. Pakoras are made using ground peanuts and mashed potatoes, little baking powder, salt and coriander leaves and ground black pepper. (note from Kurma: this is another name for Water Chestnut flour, as described above.) 3) Cassava grits and flour. (very starchy but sweet tasting roots). Boil the grits with 2 to 3 times the water. It turns into mashed potato consistency and any chopped vegetables can be added. These can also be used to make halavah and base for the Ekadasi Pizza. Boiled Cassava makes excellent subji with lots of fresh tomatoes. Boiled - sliced (one inch thick sticks) - Fried sticks sprinkled with black pepper and salt and a little lemon, make amazing chips that far surpass potato chips. Hope this helps. Gandhari Dasi"
• Email to a friend • •ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Surya Gopal PrabhuSrimad Bhagavatam 12.1.9 - Manufacturer's Note: This material world is a temporary place and is full of misery (duhkhalayam asasvatam). Do you still want to buy the sub-standard product? • Email to a friend • •Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: already appreciated by the professorsAs for your idea that your preaching will be more appreciated in the west if you are a professional or professor, we are already being appreciated by the professors. We don't want more. That is not our achievement. Real achievement is how we are advanced in Krsna Consciousness. That does not depend on degrees. As stated in the Bhagavatam, ahaituki apratihata, devotional service has to be executed without any condition, and there is no impediment. One doesn't become a great devotee on account of university degrees. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Pusta Krsna, 19 February, 1977 • Email to a friend • •H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Monday, February 28th, 2011Allegiance
 • Email to a friend • •David Haslam, UK: Launch of Celebrating Religious EducationTomorrow we see the launch of Celebrating Religious Education here in Wales, at one of the events being held in conjunction with four local authorities I have been asked to represent the Hindu faith and give a short two minute talk on the importance of religious education in schools. Here is my humble if not [...] • Email to a friend • •H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Sunday, February 27th, 2011Thinking Ahead
 • Email to a friend • •H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Saturday, February 26th, 2011Drink
 • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.17.32 Even Lord Shiva Says He Doesn’t Understand KrsnaSB 06.17.32 Even Shiva Says He Doesn’t Understand Krsna 2009-21-09 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.17.32 Even Lord Shiva Says He Doesn’t Understand Krsna 2009-21-09 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 06.17.15 The Duty Of ChastisingSB 06.17.15 The Duty Of Chastising 1993-01-28 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.17.15 The Duty Of Chastising 1993-01-28 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.17.11-14 HumilitySB 06.17.11-14 Humility 1993-01-27 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.17.11-14 Humility 1993-01-27 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.17.06-10 Criticizing OthersSB 06.17.06-10 Criticizing Others 1993-01-26 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.17.06-10 Criticizing Others 1993-01-26 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.16.58-17.03 The Only Method Of Becoming UndisturbedSB 06.16.58-17.03 The Only Method Of Becoming Undisturbed 1993-01-23 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.58-17.03 The Only Method Of Becoming Undisturbed 1993-01-23 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.16.57 Forgetfulness & Misunderstanding Of GodSB 06.16.57 Forgetfulness & Misunderstanding Of God 1993-01-22 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.57 Forgetfulness & Misunderstanding Of God 1993-01-22 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.16.55 Sincerity Is The Key To Become Free From False EgoSB 06.16.55 Sincerity Is The Key To Become Free From False Ego 1993-01-20 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.55 Sincerity Is The Key To Become Free From False Ego 1993-01-20 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.16.53-54 Our Problem Is Attachment To Material DesiresSB 06.16.53-54 Our Problem Is Attachment To Material Desires 1993-01-19 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.53-54 Our Problem Is Attachment To Material Desires 1993-01-19 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.16.46-47 So Called Scientific KnowledgeSB 06.16.46-47 So Called Scientific Knowledge 1993-01-14 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.46-47 So Called Scientific Knowledge 1993-01-14 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.16.39 The Process Of Sadhana BhaktiSB 06.16.39 The Process Of Sadhana Bhakti 1993-01-05 Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.39 The Process Of Sadhana Bhakti 1993-01-05 Radhadesh • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1966 March 1:  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 March 1: "I have induced my younger son, Brindaban De, to supply anything Indian that is sellable here and he has agreed. I think he may get 10% commission for his labor, and he can supply everything you may require from India."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 March 1: "When I came to your country I wasn't very much in comfortable situation. Still I had the strength of mind, and I stayed. Similarly, you can stay always in India even in the most inconvenient condition. For a preacher there is no difficulty anywhere, irrespective of climate and conditions."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 March 1: "This Maya will attack the body always, because the body itself is the source of all troubles. We try to make a solution of our misfortunes, but at the same time we want to keep this body. If anyone wants real happiness, he has to get out of the entanglements of this material body."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 March 1: "Take that house and live there, all three together, chanting Hare Krsna, and try to remain in transcendental peace. You cannot live together so you are living scattered. If you would have lived together with mutual cooperation, there would have been no trouble."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1968 March 1: "Jayananda is purchasing a nice house in San Francisco. He has asked my approval. I think I shall send my approval with pleasure and we shall install Sri Sri Radha Krishna Vigraha there in a permanent place."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1972 March 1: "It is our most important branch because it is located near a large university. If we can convince the intelligent class of men our success for saving your country and the rest of the world from a very dangerous condition is assured."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1972 March 1: "Instruct them in the principles of brahminical life, namely, to be always pure or suci. One's actions are not pure until the body is pure. Through all kinds of cleanliness habits, eventually one can be purified completely, and thus qualify oneself to meet God face to face."  • Email to a friend • •Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Black & White Kitchen On A Budget
I absolutely adore this Cottage Couture Kitchen by Civility Design. To get a similar look on a DIY budget, check out these ideas for a black and white modern cottage kitchen with a bold splash of color. Tagged: black and white kitchen, budget kitchen remodel, civility design, design, ikea kitchen, kitchen design, remodel         • Email to a friend • •H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 236EXPLANATION OF THE TEXT:
Every Day, Just Write, Volume I: Welcome Home to the One Big Book of Your LifeNovember 27, 1996 What Kind of A PoetWhat kind of Vaisnava poet
What kind of blasphemer is this?
Get it straight but keep writing
If I give you two and a half hours and ask you to stay awake very early in the morning, what will you do? I will not fill a pitcher with beer or milk. I will patiently wait for breakfast at the end of the two-and-a-half hours. In the meantime, I will not try to read serious philosophy in Srila Prabhupada because I will fall asleep. I will chant four rounds or even five although I will get very sleepy somewhere in that time and one round may last fifteen minutes. You are caustic and cynical in your humor, the disciple said. But he read it anyway. He said it is a wonder that such a wise guy as you could also have complete faith in the parampara. He implied that I didn’t have faith? I will use that time well, order some Handel Water music and Fireworks music and hinting and smirking that it can be used medically when you get a headache and need distraction. I could read in a self-help health book. I could write here but no more than the end of this page. I could finagle, I could assert or just give up and lie on my back. But I do like to draw with crayons something in a few minutes. In this way going from one thing to another, recording your voice reading Manah-siksa, racing the board during physical exercise, writing a letter, you could spend the time somehow or other, and I think that would be permissible. Then breakfast and only a half-hour rest and head out for the shed for more. Oh, Hare Krishna, the urge to
Don’t believe a word of it. He makes up a story about a person joining the Hare Krishna temple, and it’s just fiction for sophisticated fools. He delivered an interreligious address and was applauded and wrote it up in his diary where he also stated that he will refrain from another day of sin, but he thinks of himself as one in the universe. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna comes straight from Krishnaloka, but with chanting I have no connection. Day and night I am burning in the dark world without seeking to make the correction. Srila Prabhupada in Paris, 1974, where they drink on the street, where the churches are empty but the “Follies” attracts thousands, and other cities are like that too… 9:40 A.M. All morning I’ve been working to come up with a new writing project. I even wrote a farewell to Every Day, Just Write. And I attempted a Prologue to a new work. But now I’m thinking to come back to you, dear Diary. When you do a writing session you’re saying I don’t have to write, I can just put down my thoughts as they come. But when you step back and say I will choose a structure, a topic, then you have to face your poverty. It’s anguish. It may disturb your attempt to be peaceful which is very important to me. Peace is major theme in my self-help diary. I write to get peace not literary excellence. I accept only the discipline of writing what comes. All things considered, maybe I should stay with my free-write diary. It allows you to increase the reading in Srila Prabhupada’s books whereas right now I just suspended my out loud Bhagavad-gita reading in favor of reading Saroyan’s Obituaries and now sitting here chewing on an imaginary pencil in anguish, “What shall I write?” You were thinking,
12:30 noon My headache is developing a little bit and growing pain behind the right eye. I get afraid when it comes. I’d like to not be afraid of it. I attribute the rise of it today partly due to the “passion” of thinking up a new writing project. It really got me in high gear mentally. So that’s another reason not to do it and to stay with the more relaxing Every Day, Just Write. 2:30 P.M. Process is better than product, especially for chronically ill. You write. Two swans nearby, bent graceful necks dunking under cold, calm water, same as swans in photo of cassette for Bach harpsichord and orchestra. Dip under. I recovered, my head recovered, and so I’ve come to celebrate in the shed. M. made it to America and gets his hernia operation at 9 P.M. our time tonight. I should be sleeping then, and he’ll be sleeping in anesthesia. Cut open by our friend Dr. Gupta in Baltimore. May all be well. Now sir, I don’t have anything to say. Just glad to be alive, satisfied with lunch and mango pie, who wouldn’t be? Satisfied, calm, grateful. Don’t go further right now to lament your lack of krishna-prema, Just say thanks for life. One chronically ill man said he coped by his love for life and for appreciation of little things, the two hours in a day when the sun shone in a shaft onto his hospital bed and the sight of birds at the window. Ringing in ears. Heat in the shed. Body, body, love the body, body betrayed, you can’t be happy in the body—it’s either pleasure, mixed pleasure and pain or pain—but all pain because it ends in death. Hare Krishna. Please preach to us, sir. • Email to a friend • •H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem, March 1Saci’s family arrived in the middle of the night,
I am waiting for the muse.
He is the charming cowherd boy
The girls speak a mixture
The loving affairs are
• Email to a friend • •New Vrndavan, USA: Farm Opening, That is Good Idea“Yes, farm-opening, that is good idea. Apart from my Krishna Consciousness spiritual movement I want this–that people may not move from the villages to the town. Krishna Himself was a villager-He did not move to the town. He went to Dvaraka, but Vasudeva is everywhere; Krishna and Balaram like Vrindaban, so Vrindaban means village. Vasudeva is everywhere, but Krishna personally is in Vrindaban.” Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Bahulasva das, 29 September, 1976 • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: YOGA OF COACHINGYoga means connection. It specifically means connection to God (Krishna). The process of yoga is meant to re-connect our body, mind, spirit and action to God.  • Email to a friend • •New Vrndavan, USA: Bhajan at the Palace. This Wed. 5-7 pm.Dear Devotees, You are welcome to join us for a bhajan evening tomorrow evening, Wed. 2nd of March. Simple prasad will be served on the end. Ys Madri • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: DANDA LIVE IN ZURICH - 30 JANUARY 2011Danda concert at ISKCON Zurich featuring Ambika and Malika.  • Email to a friend • •Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Prahladananda Swami - SB 10.1.22 - Unclean and Lying Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 1, Text 22 titled "Unclean and Lying" by Prahladananda Swami. Dallas, TX
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.22 puraiva pumsavadhrito dhara-jvaro
TRANSLATION Lord Brahma informed the demigods: Before we submitted our petition to the Lord, He was already aware of the distress on earth. Consequently, for as long as the Lord moves on earth to diminish its burden by His own potency in the form of time, all of you demigods should appear through plenary portions as sons and grandsons in the family of the Yadus. PURPORT As stated in the Brahma-samhita (5.39): ramadi-murtishu kala-niyamena tishthan
"I worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, who is always situated in various incarnations such as Rama, Nrisimha and many sub-incarnations as well, but who is the original personality of Godhead, known as Krishna, and who incarnates personally also." In this verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam we find the words puraiva pumsavadhrito dhara jvarah. The word pumsa refers to Krishna, who was already aware of how the whole world was suffering because of the increase of demons. Without reference to the supreme power of the Personality of Godhead, demons assert themselves to be independent kings and presidents, and thus they create a disturbance by increasing their military power. When such disturbances are very prominent, Krishna appears. At present also, various demoniac states all over the world are increasing their military power in many ways, and the whole situation has become distressful. Therefore Krishna has appeared by His name, in the Hare Krishna movement, which will certainly diminish the burden of the world. Philosophers, religionists, and people in general must take to this movement very seriously, for man-made plans and devices will not help bring peace on earth. The transcendental sound Hare Krishna is not different from the person Krishna. nama cintamanih krishnas
There is no difference between the sound Hare Krishna and Krishna the person.
Download: 2010-12-15a - Prahladananda Swami - SB 10.1.22 - Unclean and Lying.mp3 • Email to a friend • •Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Belief In Reincarnation
Filed under: Jokes         • Email to a friend • •Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: Frost On The CrocusHere the first crocus shoots peek out from the frosted mulch.
Stop looking at the fairies! Subtle but there, more crocus.
Filed under: Cows and Environment         • Email to a friend • •Jahnavi, UK: On DistractionWaking up this morning, I felt the unbearable urge to open my computer immediately and check my email. No reason. Just because. The intensity of the urge quite frightened me, as well as the way I can’t be on the internet with fewer than five windows open. This is not multi-tasking, this is the disease of our age. I loved this post by Alain de Bottin:
        • Email to a friend • •Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: "If anyone sees any fault in this then he is simply a SINFUL WRETCH" in preparing today's blog to honour Sri Isvara Puri (please see last post), the following quote really stood out. So had to prep another small post to share it. Good food for thought...
One evening when Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had come to offer His obeisances to Isvara Puri, Sri Isvara Puri spoke to him, "You are a great pandita. I have composed a manuscript about Sri Krsna's pastimes (Sri Krsna Lilamrta). If you would please hear it, then I can recite it before You, and You can correct any mistakes that there might be. I will be very pleased if You do this." Mahaprabhu replied smilingly, "Whatever a devotee speaks is dictated by Sri Krsna Himself. If anyone sees any fault in this then he is simply a sinful wretch. Whatever poems he composes, certainly Krsna is very pleased by that. Krsna accepts the mood in which things are offered as the most substantial part of the offering." To Isvara Puri these words were like drops of nectar and he could understand that Sri Nimai Pandita was an extraordinary person. • Email to a friend • •Jahnavi, UK: Rebirth.I’m home from almost three years of continuous travel. It’s been an incredible journey that has challenged me in so many ways and demanded things from me I didn’t know I was capable of. You know, all of the transformational stuff that fills many a youthful diary. Ah yes. And now I’m home. Staring out at the grey road and the grey sky. Strangely though, my heart doesn’t feel grey. There’s more wonderful things to come I know. Each new beginning is a rebirth that carries such promise. One thing I’d like to return to is writing! My keyboard has been patiently scribing emails for the past few years without much creative food. So…here we go.         • Email to a friend • •Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: The departure of Mahaprabhu's Spirtual Master from the material world. Today marks the departue of Sri Isvara Puri from this material world. Sri Isvara Puri was the spirtual master of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and just like Mahaprabhu provided the example for our liberation and saving the conditioned souls in Kali yuga, He also set the example of the importannce and dealing with a spirtual master. Through this example we can understand the importance of a spirtual master and hope that we can offer some drops of the same devotion to our spirtual master, HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
A few examples of Mahaprabhu's dealings with Sri Isvara Puri... - Mahaprabhu addressed Isvara Puri, "My journey to Gaya is successful just by My seeing your lotus feet. If one offers Pinda at this holy place, then his forefathers become delivered. But simply by seeing you, tens of millions of forefathers get liberation. Therefore your presence is even more auspicious than that of this holy tirtha. All of the holy tirthas pray for the dust of your lotus feet. Therefore, O Puripada, I am praying at your lotus feet to ferry me across the ocean of material existence and to cause me to drink the nectar from Krsna's lotus feet." - On another day Mahaprabhu approached Sri Isvar Puri and requested that he initiate Him with the divine mantra. "My mind is becoming very restless in anticipation of this initiation. "Srila Puripada very blissfully replied, "What to speak of mantras, I am prepared to offer You my very life." - One morning Srila Isvara Puri came to where Mahaprabhu was staying. Mahaprabhu was extremely pleased to see him and after offering His obeisances He invited him to stay for lunch. Isvara Puri replied that, "Being able to accept foodstuffs from Your hand is a matter of great fortune for me." Mahaprabhu Himself cooked and then very carefully served His guru the prasadam. Afterwards he smeared sandalwood paste on his body and put a garland of flowers around his neck. Thus the Supreme Lord Himself taught how one should serve his guru. Without serving the great devotees, it is not possible to receive love of Godhead. Service to the guru is the door to devotion. Thus as was exemplified by the Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, on this great day let's repeat the glories of Isvara Puri as they have been handed down to us by our disciplic succession through our spirtual master, Srila Prabhupada. In the Adi-lila of Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, chapter 9 verse 11 it states: sri-isvarapuri-rupe ankura pusta haila apane caitanya-mali skandha upajila TRANSLATION The seed of devotional service next fructified in the form of Sri Isvara Puri, and then the gardener Himself, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, became the main trunk of the tree of devotional service. Isvara Puri appeared in a brahmana family and was the most beloved disciple of Srila Madhavendra Puri.In the last portion or Antya lila of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 8 chapter verse 28 to 31, it is stated: isvara-puri gosai kare sri-pada sevana sva-haste karena mala-mutradi marjana nirantara krsna-nama karaya smarana krsna-nama krsna-lila sunaya anuksana tusta hana puri tanre kaila alingana vara dila krsne tomara ha-uka prema-dhana sei haite isvara-puri premera sagara “At the last stage of his life Sri Madhavendra Puri became an invalid and was completely unable to move, and Isvara Puri so completely engaged himself in his service that he personally cleaned up his stool and urine. Always chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and reminding Sri Madhavendra Puri about the pastimes of Lord Krsna in the last stage of his life, Isvara Puri gave the best service among his disciples. Thus Madhavendra Puri, being very pleased with him, blessed him, saying, ‘My dear boy, I can only pray to Krsna that He will be pleased with you.’ Thus Isvara Puri, by the grace of his spiritual master, Sri Madhavendra Puri, became a great devotee in the ocean of love of Godhead.” Quite simply, the fact that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted Sri Isvara Puri as His spirtual master speaks volumes and goes beyond any descriptions that can be blogged. We are so fortunate that Srila Prabhupada has connected us with this illustrious parampara that forms a link to not only Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu but beyond to Sri Madhavendra Puri and Sri Isvara Puri. Sri Isvara Puri ki Jaya! • Email to a friend • •H.H. Sivarama Swami: Remembering the saintly gentlemen and ladies that I have met while on parikrama in the dhama’s
• Email to a friend • •Dandavats.com: Live From Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir! HG Harivilas Prabhu
So when I was living in Berkley, California I would take prasadam out every day to a park named People's Park where the strangest people of the world were living [Laughter] and on the way to the park I would pass vendors on the street. There was one Muslim vendor. H had his Muslim hat on and he had the calama written on his table... • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: WHAT DOES A COACH DO?Creates a safe environment in which people see themselves more clearly; the coach does this by listening, asking focused questions, reflecting back, challenging, and acknowledging the client  • Email to a friend • •Japa Group: Let Other Things Wait
Doing other things while chanting is not good. Still, sometimes out of expediency you do it. But you should try to put off so-called expedient actions until after chanting. Chant at a designated time and chant loudly. Let other things wait. From the Japa Reform Notebook by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami  • Email to a friend • •Gouranga TV: Lecture – Bir Krishna Goswami – First Initation Lecture – Kirtan Rasa das (Keith)Lecture – Bir Krishna Goswami – First Initation Lecture – Kirtan Rasa das (Keith) • Email to a friend • •Sita-pati dasa, AU: Concentration of ForcesOK, I'm posting in my "Sunday Feast" category again. It's called "Sunday Feast" for want of a better name. I will probably rename it soon, when I can think of a better term. Concentrate your forces for maximum effect
- Force Concentration, Wikipedia Counter example Consider this program attendance profile:  This is typical of many ISKCON Sunday programs. The official kick-off time is 5pm, but there is practically no-one there. People dribble in for a while, then critical mass is achieved for the final kirtan and prasadam (dinner), then there is a long tail where either a minimal staff is cleaning up, or else extremely late-comers continue to arrive for food. The weakness of this program is that it is unfocused and taxing for staff. Your neighbours will not appreciate it either if they are close by. My observation is that programs that fall into this slump are self-perpetuating. Although you advertise the program as 5pm, the few new people who come each week soon learn through observation and experience that they should just come later for the food, and then they do, perpetuating the profile. Concentrated Force Consider, on the other hand, the following attendance profile:  This maps more closely to a traditional church service. It has a defined start time, and people are there at the start time. Late comers are as exceptional as late comers to a movie. The program is high energy, high intensity, and then ends quickly and decisively. The benefits of this program are the ability to concentrate focused energy on the attendees, a lower load on staff, and increased momentum from week to week. Concentrating Force To go from the spaced-out program to the highly focused one, consider this: if we were to draw a line tracking staff attendance (where staff includes committed members of your congregation - ie: initiated devotees, etc - as opposed to first time visitors and infrequent guests), we'd find that the "staff" attendance tracks the general attendance, slightly leading it. In other words - the staff and committed congregation lead the way, and create this profile. If they are there on time, ready to rock, then everyone else will follow. If devotees are coming in late, then expect everyone else to get the idea as they become more comfortable in the space. So to change things, change. Show up early, and leverage more energy into the start of the program. Open Strong Put all your energy and effort into starting the program with a huge amount of energy. Movies open strong, concerts open strong - everything that wants to grab the audience's attention opens strong; and on time. Reward the Right Behaviour Opening strong rewards people who show up for the opening. If you weren't there, you missed out. We initially tried penalising the behaviour we didn't want - at a Sunday Feast program where the door charge was $5, we made it $5 before 5:30pm, $7 afterwards. This didn't appreciably improve the attendance profile, although it did bring in more money. However, when we started to lead by example and leverage more energy into the start of the program, people started to reciprocate and show up to catch it. Remember: you lead by your example. Build Momentum Across Weeks Having a light-weight, focused program will allow you to build momentum across weeks, which is your goal. Don't let the night drag on, sucking energy. Maximize everything. Pour the maximum amount of energy into the maximum amount of people, with the minimum amount of effort. That doesn't mean that you cut corners, but it does mean that you search for the sweet spot - anywhere past that spot and returns start diminishing. You're still pumping energy into the program, but it's not having the same effect. Sraddha vs Sadhu-sanga Wide and shallow prasadam distribution creates sraddha. However, to take it to the next level you need to have sadhu-sanga. That means that people can associate with devotees. If all the devotees are tied up serving, or some devotees are dying under the load of service while others are eating and ignoring guests, then things will get bigger, but won't go anywhere. We are experimenting with the following format for a new program: * 1 hour focused program
* 1 hour of unstructured association
With this program we're unlikely to have people coming just to eat, because we aren't offering enough for that. The 1 hour program is focused enough that you won't get bored. It's short enough that we can leverage enough energy into it to keep it high quality and engaging throughout. It's also short enough to make it important to get there on time, if you're going to bother coming at all. We'll be focusing on closing the program up after an hour of unstructured association, in order to make it sustainable week-to-week for the staff, and also to limit the ability of late-comers to change the attendance profile to the "long tail of death". Light-weight, focused, concentrated force. We have a specific outcome that we want to achieve with the program, and we're tuning it with that in mind. • Email to a friend • •More Recent Articles
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amaranth
By Harivilas das
