So things have been a little turbulent in my life as of recent. Every time I think I have had things figured out, what to do, where to go, when to do it, etc, something else would factor into the decision making process and make me reconsider everything all over again. So many tests have [...]

It is sometimes rather embarrasing to realize that if there is some extra association of material sense objects, namely faces of the opposite sex, the mind is certainly attached and focused to the name and form of a mortal person...since I have cultivated this taste for countless lifetimes.

If we want to meditate spiritual things, we need to have taste for them.
Simultaneously begging for mercy to have taste for Krsna´s name and being careful with material sense objects.

Ys Mrd

In July 2007 I visited Denmark and gave a seminar at ISKCON Copenhagen about coaching. Editor of the devotee newspaper ”News from Hare Krishna” Lalitanatha dasa spoke with me on 31 July.

Lalitanatha dasa: Akrura Dasa joined ISKCON in 1983 where he moved into the temple in Zagreb, Croatia. Through the years he did service as dishwasher and book distributor as well as bhakta leader and temple president. For 6 years he worked for the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in doing translations of Srila Prabhupada’s books to Serbo-croatian. Since 1999 he has lived in England with his wife and daughter. He serves at ISKCON London, where he serves devotees as a coach. I asked him to tell us what coaching is and why he started doing it.

Akrura Dasa: My interest in personal development started in 1992, when Sridhara Swami gave us the book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. That made me aware that the world outside might have knowledge and tools that can help us to become better leaders and in our service in general. I started to read about leadership and published the newsletter Leadership Excellence (It is now available in the Bhaktivedanta Vedabase 2003)
which many leaders and other devotees in ISKCON read.

Ld: Me included.

Akrura: That made me start to study principles of leadership and what I learned I tried to transfer to ISKCON. I helped our leaders and temple presidents in their service in different ways. I saw that education and training was not enough. You can have a fantastic seminar, but people are quick to forget what they have learned. I made some research about what people outside ISKCON do and found out that they don’t just educate people, but also follow up with coaching. In coaching, a coach works with his clients to help them clarify and reach their goals. Coaching helps people through obstacles, increases their options, makes them think outside inflexible thought patterns and increases motivation. It makes you responsible for the things that are important to you and helps clarify what is important to you. Coaching especially helps you to take action in ways which bring the results you desire.

Coaching enables a person to think for himself, take responsibility for his life and act responsibly. Few years ago I got myself a coach. It was a young man from Australia. A very intelligent and thoughtful person who had a coaching business by the name Lifestyle Revolution. I immediately liked the name, because we are also in favor of relvolution, especially personal revolution. We became friends via telephone and email and after some time he offered: ”I would like to coach you for free” which I accepted with gratitude.

I also met another famous and experienced coach from the USA. His speciality is helping leaders to change their patterns of behavior. I met him in London where he coached me in different ways. First he asked me why I was always in anxiety, or at least sounded like that. He made me see that this is the impression I give.

He also made me stop saying ”but” and ”no” He says that he gives a fine on $25 every time a client says ”but”. He says it’s very bad when someone is talking and you say ”but”. By that you deny or show disrespect towards what the person says. Sometimes people say ”no” all the time. It’s so deeply imbedded in them that they say ”no” even when they mean ”yes”. He has found out that many leaders are like that. Even though I don’t have a leaderhip position I tend to have the same patterns of being self-righteous, thinking I’m right, saying ”no”, arguing with people, etc.

After being coached by him I decided to take an education in coaching. It would make me credible if I had a certificate. Besides personal study I studied one and a half year with the Newcastle College and attended the intoductory course by The Coaching Aacademy. All this made me start coaching devotees in a more structured way. I started having regular sessions with several devotees including some of our leaders. That seemed to help them and they liked it.

Ld: How? What was the practical result?

Akrura: They learned to use their time better. Especially those who had a lot to do. One of the things I teach leaders is to say ”no”. That’s very difficult for them. They think their duty is to say ”yes” to everything they’re asked to do. Because we’re limited we have to say ”no”. When I succeed to convince them to say ”no” they normally become happy. It’s a great relief. Coaching also helps in your personal relationships. It can also make one better understand oneself. Many, including our most senior leaders, often want to be like their Godbrothers, so I say: ”Why do you have to compete with others? Why don’t you compete with yourself? You’re already satisfying Prabhupada. Do as much as you can. Why give yourself more stress by comparing yourself with others?”

Coaching also helps with improving sadhana. It helps one get up in the morning and chant attentively. One of my personal goals is to chant 16 rounds in one go every day without interuption. When I succeed my day and my consciousness is fantastic. Last week I succeeded 6 times out of 7. So I also coach myself. It’s an ongoing process.

Ld: Some critizise the use of worldly knowledge in Krishna consciousness. Prabhupada said he had already given us everything. We don’t have to add anything.

Akrura: Srila Prabhupada also said that if something works we should use it. Yukta-vairagya. It is false renunciation not to use something that can help you in devotional service. Prabhupada said in a conversation with Dr. Stillson Judah that we are not sectarian. We can take knowledge from anywhere. Devotees ask me if sadhana and the fundamental Krishna consciouss process isn’t enough. What’s the use of this coaching? I answer by asking ”Is your sadhana good enough?” Normally they answer ”no”. Are you satisfied with your self-discipline? They answer that it is not perfect. Then I say: ”Is everything alright in your life?” ”Is everything as it’s supposed to be?” If they’re honest the answer is normally ”no”. Then I say: ”Try this and see if it works.”

Basically coaching I do helps one to do improve sravanam and kirtanam, to have better sadhana and reading and better relationships with devotees. Coaching helps one to be a better leader and be a better example. It’s a help in practicing Krishna consciousness.

Ld: But the point is that coaching is already in our culture and in Prabhupada’s books.

Akrura: Yes, in a sense. some aspects of it are there. Lord Caitanya listened to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya for seven days. In coaching you talk less and listen at least 70 percent of the time. Coaching is not giving advice or teaching. Coaching is something else. As a coach you listen to the devotee and help him to think responsibly and independently. When you come for a coaching session I basically help you to have a really good conversation with yourself. A conversation you often tend to avoid. I ask questions, I dig deeply into what you actually think, I help you to make it clear what you want and to be more clear about your understanding and your ideas.

I have especially noted that I have to help devotees to stop sabotaging themselves. Devotees are specialists in self-sabotage. Recently I wrote about 15 ”Krishna consciouss” self-limiting beliefs. Yesterday I got two more from the devotees here in Copenhagen during the seminar. We are good at using our philosophy to sabotage ourselves.

Ld: What are those beliefs?

Akrura: One of them is related to the story of the sage who wasn’t able to teach a boy to stop eating sugar before he himself stopped eating sugar. Yesterday a devotee told me that unless he’s a perfect example he can’t preach to others. I answered that that’s a self-imposed limitation. It’s just an excuse. You can preach even if you are not perfect. It will also help you to rise to a higher platform. You will be forced to improve because while preaching you’re making public statements.

I’ve got an example of a devotee who couldn’t follow all the four regulative principles and therefore he thought he couldn’t work on a specific project he wishes to develop. It’s a fantastic project that can give big results. He had already begun to get results but because he didn’t follow all the four principles he was hesitating in involving other devotees even though some were already interested in helping him.

I asked him to read Bhagavad-gita verse (12.10) where Krishna says that if you can’t follow the regulative principles you can work for him. By working for Krishna you’ll gradually attain the perfect state. ”Fantastic,” he said ”That’s just for me.” I answered: ”Yes, print it out, put it in a frame and hang it over your desk.” He did so. He started to work from a different paradigm. And what’s happening now? He’s starting to get results. What this project is I cannot say right now, but it can turn out to be a great preaching project.

Another devotee limited himself in other ways. He dressed shabby way. And in the name of being humble he appeared as being insecure. I told him: ”Dress as a gentleman and practice being self-confident. Do it as if you are already a success. Do a little acting. The others are not better than you. Maybe they know more than you or have more success than you but they are not better than you. If you are too humble they’ll tramble you over. They’ll think you’re a wimp. Be a little puffed up. That shouldn’t be so difficult. Haha! And then work and engage people in this fantastic project.”

He did so and the more sessions we have the more we realize how he’s limiting himself. The fantastic thing about this devotee is, however, that he has a burning desire to realize his project. He would rather die than not working on it.

Ld: When you see devotees you must have an idea that they have much more potential than they realize.

Akrura: Yes, Bhagavad-gita says that the soul is amazing. I try to see this. Not only with devotees but with everyone. Coaching helps to release devotee’s potential. Most likely most devotees are using maximum 20-30 percent of their potential.

Nowadays science can measure 7 kinds of intelligence. Some fo them are interpersonal, intrapersonal, aestetic, logical-mathematical and emotional intelligence. If someone tells me that a person is stupid I don’t believe it. Maybe he’s stupid in one area, but then he’s intelligent in another area. To be a coach is like exploring pyramids. You walk around with your flashlight and try to shed light on all the different treasures within people. When I work with devotees I try to see where their strong sides are and which creative skills they have and help them to bring these out and engage them in Krishna’s service. This also makes their weaknesses less important because they now have a fundamental strength to build upon. It’s very exciting to see what happens. Everything is built on desire.

When devotees try to achieve what they really want, their potential comes out. Sometimes it is as if a vulcano eruption happens. In the beginning this creates a certain fear. The fear of success.

Ld: I thought the biggest problem was the fear of failure. What is a fear of success?

Akrura: It’s the fear of the responsibility that success brings. If I succeed my responsibility becomes greater and I have to be a good example for orthers because others will notice me. To have succes means that people will look up to you. But the fear of not succeding is also a real thing. You know that on book distribution we all get turned down. I was never good at doing books. I couldn’t stand to be turned down. But later I learned that after failure you have to get going again fast and go ahead. The more you fail the stronger you get and you learn from it. You learn about yourself and about the world. Prabhupada said that failure is the pillar of succes. All such principles of succes are to be found in Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Ld: ISKCON has changed through the years. What do you think about ISKCON today? Could we have avoided the problems of the past through what you are working with?

Akrura: If we had had coaching from the beginning most probably ISKCON could have prevented a lot of problems. It’s just common sense. By being intelligent you avoid problems, and coaching helps you be more intelligent. But sometimes you can’t avoid problems even if you are very intelligent. You have to experience them and learn from them. Everything that has happened until now was an experience we had to learn from. Important is that intelligent people do not repeat their mistakes. They learn from them and then they don’t repeat them. We should learn from the past and move on. One of the important things about coaching is that you don’t look so much into the past. You look at the present and into the future.

Ld: But you can learn from the past ...

Akrura: You can learn from the past but don’t get stuck in it. Don’t cling to it, don’t dwell on it and don’t grieve over it. For example, the old way of leadership of command and control doesn’t work anymore. Both in spiritual and material organizations you experience the same. You can’t lead people as you used to. There has to be a new style, a new type of leadership. I think that right now our leaders are staggering between the old and the new style.

I had a good experience of what I call the new style of leadership in ISKCON. I had a conversation with our GBC secretary about an important question. During the conversation he took notes. When I finished he said: ”Let me see if I understood everything correctly.” He read his notes for me. He asked a couple of questions to be sure that he had understood everything correctly. You can imagine how I felt. I felt completely understood and very inspired over the fact that this leader was interested in what I had to say. I spoke 95 percent of the time.

In conclusion, although there are problems, there’s a lot of positive things in ISKCON and a number of effective leaders. And coaching helps to understand and develop effective leadership.

SP: I like this idea of distributing books and preaching. That is Lord Chaitanya’s plan, and because you are doing it so nicely you are already making the greatest contribution.

Good leader has a sense for what's right and what's wrong, without being self righteous.

Its the beginning of February. If youre like most people, you probably made a few New Years resolutions to improve your health, your relationships, your career, or your service.

We're now a month into the New Year. Did you keep your resolutions? If you didnt, its probably for a simple reason: you didnt make a plan.

A Recipe for Achievement

To achieve anything you want in life, you absolutely must to do three things:

Identify what you really want (vs. what you think you want) and create a positive, immediate, concrete, and specific goal that captures that desire accurately.

Focus your energy by deciding whats most important right now and what can be done later.

Create a simple plan to ensure your daily actions will ultimately lead to the accomplishment of your most important goals.

Each and every one of us has a few things we'd like to improve about our health, our relationships, our career, our service, and our opportunities for recreation.

Creating a Personal Master Plan is the best way to stop dreaming and start doing.

Introduction to Personal Master Planning

A Personal Master Plan is a short document that captures what you want to achieve most within the next three years, then systematically breaks down those goals into the most important actions you need to take this week in order to achieve them.

Once youve created your Master Plan, planning your day is a simple matter of choosing 2-3 things to accomplish today from your weekly list, then doing them before you do anything else that day. If you follow this method, you'll achieve your goals more quickly and more easily.

Creating a Personal Master Plan is one of the very best gifts you can give yourself this year: a clear vision of what you want and a plan to make your dreams a reality, with God's mercy.

A Srila Prabhupadától kapott tanítások egy intézmény által őrízhetők meg és terjeszthetők.

My friend Kalindi posted these on MySpace and I thought I should give everyone a chance to see them by posting them here. CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS Last night we had kirtan for Lila in front of Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda. Many devotees came, whether they knew her or not. This is so special and I feel [...]

I received this today from Yaso Prabhu here in Australia. He's the uncle of Lila Salter recently left this world in Vrindavana.

"Jamalarjuna maintained a bedside vigil with Lila for the entire time she was in a coma. Just before Lila left the room was full of devotees having a "blazing kirtan". Jamal said that he felt something lightly touch his arm from behind and when he turned around he saw Srila Prabhupada standing there fully manifest as we would see each other. Jamal told her that Srila Prabhupada looked deep into his eyes to his very soul and simply nodded at him gravely. What happened next is still a source of amazement for Jamal as Srila Prabhupada walked past him to where Lila was lying and he picked her up. At that very second Lila left her body and Jamal personally saw Srila Prabhupada take her back to Godhead in His arms.
 
We have heard in the past where Srila Prabhupada has come to deliver his disciples and where he has said that "Bhaktivinode will personally come to take you back to Godhead". Let there be no doubt that this is entirely possible and that this exact thing has happened to a child who was one of Srila Prabhupada's grandchildren. It is quite clear now that if anyone has any love and devotion for Srila Prabhupada and this Krishna Consciousness movement they will be personally delivered back to Krishna by His Divine Grace. For Srila Prabhupada this is no big thing.
 
As far as a recap of events is concerned, this has already been discussed in the wider press. However, the exact relationship between Lila and the boy who murdered her is not clear and so I am unable to comment on that. Somehow he had access to a gun and formed the intention to kill Lila and himself. We can never understand how these things happen and what part the Lord plays in these events in the holy Dhama. We have the aphorism "rake krsna mare ke, mare krsna rake ke" (If Krishna wants to take someone no-one can save them, and if Krishna wants to save someone no-one can take them). How can we possibly understand the plan of the Lord in these circumstances, which are made all the more poingant because He has delivered a young woman who appeared to have a promising Krishna conscious life ahead of her. One thing I know is that there were no deaths for the cowherd men and women and children at the hands of the demons who came into Vrindaban to threaten the devotees when Krishna was present on earth. From this we can understand that someone reasons ill who thinks that Lila has "died". She is now living in the same Vrindaban in Goloka where there are no demons to harass her.
  
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!"

 

By Bhakti - vedanta Manor

Digitaries travelled from all over the country to take part in Bhaktivedanta Manor's 'Bhumi Puja' ceremony on Sunday 3rd February.

By Sastra Dana

This excerpt from the interview with Vaisesika Prabhu should give you a valuable information about an essintal thing: how to build up and maintain enthusiasm in spiritual life in general and missionary endeavors in particular. Buckle up, we are taking off.

By Radha Mohan Dasa

Over the past few years Bhaktivedanta Manorin the UK has been working closely with architects as well as members of the Manor's Estate Development Committee to expand the current facilities occupied by our herd of 40 cows and oxen.

Well, what can I say? Everyone had such an amazing time. The beaming, smiley people at the end of the weekend were the indicators. Some highlights of the weekend were the walk to the beautiful big waterfall, the soccer match & Shaun’s funny games, the rocking kirtan night, and Prema Yogi’s pizza & pumpkin pie feast, (which included vegan, gluten free and vegan-gluten-sugar free variations…) And, a personal highlight was Param’s killer Vinyasa class on the first morning!
When we were cleaning up at the end of the weekend when most people had left, the owner was very impressed that we were actually mopping the kitchen floor (???) Anyway, he became very enlivened and offered us another weekend in April, the Anzac Day long weekend. So… we’re already putting down names for that one.
Here are some pictures taken by Rob and Suvilasa…

By Bhakta Rod

Lila writes on the 29th Jan 2008 from Vrndavan just a week before her passing. The above last comments by Lila is on her Gurukula.com site: Love to all.. Bolo radhee!!!!!!!

By Padmapani das

All glories to you, Mother Lila. Thank you for blessing this world and our lives with your holy presence. You'll always be remembered and honored with the deepest respect and love from all the devotees of Krishna worldwide.

By Dylan Welch and Matt Wade

She died of heart failure resulting from her injuries about 2.15am (7.45am AEDT) in the Indian holy city of Vrindavan, where she had been brought after doctors said they could not remove the bullet that had lodged in her brain.

1969 February 6 : "Six boys and girls, married couples, and they are neither elderly nor very much conversant with Vedic philosophy, but still, by their character, behavior, and devotion, they are attracting many people in London."
Letters :: 1969

1966 February 6
"Cohen with Salak and other two ladies attended today's meeting. I took meals at Dr. Mishra's apartment. President Case replied to his letter. There was no expenditure."
Journal :: 1966

1971 February 6 : "If we can get some Chinese followers it will be a great success. I know amongst them there are many scholars and learned cultured gentlemen. I shall be glad to go there whenever you will call me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1973 February 6 : "Sannyasis have a great responsibility to become fearless preachers. It should not be an excuse for no responsibility of grhastha. So continue your engagements and we can discuss further."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1975 February 6: "Every volume of Srimad-Bhagavatam as well as Caitanya Caritamrta must be fully complete with an index, list of references, glossary, Sanskrit pronunciation guide, and index of Sanskrit verses. This will be best."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 February 6: "Thank you for distributing my books everyday. This is a nice program for the press workers to increase enthusiasm. I will be glad to see all 15 of you in Mayapur for our festival."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Unpacking my 22 cubic metres of accumulated possessions and research materials, and squeezing the contents into my new Sydney residence is a tough job. I've spent 48 hours so far, and by this afternoon I was getting a bit 'stir-crazy' (or the unpacking equivalent).

It was really time for a break, so I took to cyber relaxation. I keyed in the words 'Kurma dasa" on Google search, and started browsing the 150,400 items.

After a few hundred links (yawn) I struck gold, falling upon a book review of 'Cooking with Kurma' on a fascinating website on Ancient Indian (Vedic) Mathematics.

Here's a sample page. If you're a mathematics type, you'll be 'stoked' as they say [in Australia].

If you want to taste the sweetest nectar, rise early in the morning and chant sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra on japa beads before the sunrise. You will directly communing with God Himself in His most holy name incarnation. And if you will carefully lay aside all over thoughts simply putting your full concentration on pronouncing and hearing...

Continuing yesterday’s talk on why Suddha-bhakti-cintamani was written:

On the last day of our recent Bhakti Retreat, H.H. Devamrita Swami gave a talk about the detrimental effects of "shop talk" and undue criticism and focus on the negative aspects of others.

I have a video of the class, and I'm trying to upload it, but Google Video seems to fail all my videos over 30 minutes or so when it processes them. Hopefully I can split it up and upload it.

I often think about this subject, because when you have a lot of intelligence (discriminating ability) it's easy to be critical.

However, there is nothing great about being a critic. In the Bhagavad-gita Krishna explains that the person with a demonic mentality is expert at criticising others.

There is no lack of problems in the world, and it's not such a contribution to identify more. We have no lack of problems, we have a lack and need of solutions. To bring solutions to the table is to make a contribution.

As John Maxwell puts it: any idiot can find problems, but it takes a leader to find solutions.

And that is our family heritage. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is not famous for criticising others, he is famous for having started the Gaudiya Math and done such preaching through it. Of course someone can point to the pastime of the diorama showing the brahmana cracking nuts with a sila and many other times when Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati was critical of things that needed to be addressed, but if he hadn't actually addressed them with a practical solution that actually worked, then he would have been just another complainer.

Our Srila Prabhupada, the same. He is not famous for criticising the shortcomings of the latter-day Gaudiya Math. He is famous for translating so many books with his Bhaktivedanta purports, and for his world-wide preaching mission.

So simply criticising and finding fault with others is not such an achievement.

Yes faults are there, but people are sincerely trying. I read a post by Nava Jauvana Prabhu the other day. Someone wrote to me about it and said: "How does he think that he can write off someone's lifetime of devotional service in a few sentences? Where has he been for the last thirty years, and what has he been doing?"

I started Planet ISKCON because I wanted to provide a forum where devotees can share both what they do and what they think, rather than an old-school, semi-impersonal dynamic where you make out that you are an objective pure devotee "voice from the sky" commenting on things.

When I read Nava Jauvana Prabhu's article, however, I had a different reaction. I thought: "Thank God! Harikesa Swami wasn't a perfected liberated being with no tinge of material contamination, and Srila Prabhupada still accepted his service. He took the good. That means there is hope for me."

Because you know what - I'm not perfect either. I'm materially contaminated. I have faults. I make mistakes. I do things wrong. I have bad habits. I'm struggling. My offering is faulty and imperfect.

And it gives me hope to know that Srila Prabhupada accepted the service of people who were similar to me in that they were not perfect. It means that my offering, although imperfect, can be accepted, and there is hope for me to become purified.

There is not much value in pointing out the faults of others. Everyone has them, and we are all struggling with them. I know everything that is written on the Internet about devotees, and for those that I have met I know many things that are not on the Internet. I personally have more weaknesses and skeletons in my closet than are public on the Internet, and so do you! It's not about being naive or blind, it's about being realistic. We're all limited and struggling. It's not about letting someone pose as something they are not. What does it mean to be a pure devotee? For us, it means repeating the teachings that we were given by Srila Prabhupada, and following the process he gave us. The messenger may be imperfect, but the message can be verified through guru, sadhu, and sastra.

At the same time it's not about dragging people down. Don't put people up on artificial pedestals, projecting all your hopes for a saviour who will do your devotional service for you and take you back to Godhead through their own purity and personal spiritual power. And don't take people simply in terms of some mundane aspect of their character, which is diminishing under the influence of devotional service. Even someone like Harikesa Swami is simply working on his issues for some time. If he and others like him hadn't done what they did, even imperfectly, we wouldn't have what we have today.

So let us take that heritage that they have created for us and do our small part, sincerely trying in spite of our imperfections, while carrying out devotional service to purify ourselves.

So be the change you want to see in the world. That is our family heritage. That's the example of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, and Srila Prabhupada. Make a difference. Be a contributor, not a complainer.

February 5th, 2008 – Ananda-Lila “Lila” Salter passed away in the holy village of Vrindavan at 2:15 this morning. Her family, friends and well-wishers sat at her bedside, while heartfelt chanting of Krishna’s names filled the air. The Australian Hare Krishna devotee, at only 17, had been fighting for her life after 28 year-old Saurav Singh shot her with a pistol early on Saturday morning.

read more

We never can tell what effect Krishna's name or His books will have on people.
One lady who I work with ended up in the hosptial - in a room that happened to have a view of the LA Krishna temple. She had learned some mantras in our meditation class at work, and had visited the temple once when we took a field trip there. She called from the hospital and asked me to bring her books, music, and Krishna food while she was in the hopsital to cheer her up.

Part of me hesitated for fear of work authorities accusing me of "proseletyzing" in a work related situation, but deeply I knew this was too important to pass up!

I dropped off some books, music, and of course Krishna cookies.
A week later when returning she told me of her situation - she reads daily Light of the Bhagavata which she loves, and each morning at 5 am, and each night before bed, she closes her hosptial room door, looks out the window at the temple, turns on her "Temple Bhajan Band" music, and chants and dances to lift her spirit.

Hopsitals seem to be a very wide open door for sharing Krishna Consciousness with others, and working a job is most definately NOT maya as some say but a way to connect with other souls who just may be looking for Krishna, and a way to earn money to support our devotional service!

Hare Krishna.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.80.43-45 - Serving the Spiritual Master is more important than serving Krsna directly.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.80.42 - We stay enthusiastic in our service when we follow the process.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.80.41 - To please Krsna we must please the Guru.

I have repeatedly seen that those who make genuine complaints about the misbehaviour of senior authorities become victimised and targetted. A culture has been encouraged whereby it is a cardinal sin to dare to speak out against seniors, an offense punishable by eternity in hell. I have seen people suffer so much because they knew they would not be listened to. This attitude still prevails today - it is not yet, unfortunately, something of the past.

read more

It's been almost a month now since I came back from Puerto Rico. The weather here in the Dhama has been a little extreme. Last week it snowed every day. We didn't have so much accumulation but still it was pretty snowee and below freezing cold. The lakes were frozen and I was very tempted to walk on them... but I didn't - Paramatma is keeping away from trouble : )

Last week I went to Columbus with H.G. Malati Prabhu. She flew out of Columbus to Boston to visit Gopi lila dd, a very dear and close devotee friend who has being diagnosed to be in the terminal stage of cancer. She is very dear to the devotees here in New Vrindaban since she spent a number of years here in the community before she was diagnosed and had to go to Boston to seek treatment. May Lord Nrisrimhadev protect her.

Last week also, I got a chance to take a walk around the Dhama, and I took the opportunity to take some pictures of the swans and frozen Radha Kunda in Govardhana Hill .

The Vedas inform us that in the spiritual world there is competition for pleasing God or Krishna. Of course, this kind of competitive spirit is in a good transcendental nature, unlike the most common type of competititve consciousness we would witness in the material world. In this transcendental mood, we celebrated the 'First Annual Jagannath Cooking Contest' in glorification to the Lord of the Universe. It happened on Friday, and it was really a sweet gathering. And wow!...how much bhakti (love) was placed in those preparations!!

Dhara devi dasi won the first prize with her homemade Burfi (a delicious milk sweet), on second place was this most tasteful lasagna with peas, eggplant and riccotta cheese and on third place Gopa's unforgettable sweet balls made out of grinded dried fruit, nuts and coconut. They are my special favorite. I let my soul be absorbed in the taste of extatic Jagannath prasadam!

Because of the things we've all been working on in The Japa Room lately, I've been very focused on all the details of improving my chanting. Not doing other things, hearing attentively, pronouncing properly, not listening to the chatter of my mind, etc.
So I was chanting and I was paying attention to all these things, carefully, being attentive and pronouncing properly etc. but I wasn't "feeling the connection" (some devotees refer to this as "being in the zone").
I could not understand what was wrong - I slowed down, I pronounced the mantra more carefully, I tuned out of my mind as much as I could and I tried even harder to hear more attentively. I focused this way yet still I was not feeling the connection. My chanting was a chore, I had no interest, no taste, no appreciation.
I kept chanting of course but something was "off" and I could not figure out what it was.
Then I remembered "Oh yes, this is about Krishna. It's Devotional (service)... not Service." I realized that I had not been thinking about Krishna at all...there was no devotion involved in my chanting and it was mechanical. It was only about the details of how to chant properly. All these details are very important of course because (among other reasons) in order to demonstrate devotion to Krishna then we will be attentive, focused, hearing, pronouncing properly and not doing other things etc.
However I was doing only that and forgetting entirely the Devotion aspect of chanting...forgetting Krishna while chanting His name...imagine, but that's what I was doing.
As soon as I realized this was the problem and again focused on the fact that I was addressing Krishna and this was supposed to be a prayer of Devotion to Krishna, then I could again "feel the connection".
I heard another devotee talking about this recently and I liked the way he put it, he said "say it like you mean it". Chanting is Devotional (service).

Hare Krishna

Navasi

ISKCON's flagship center in Mayapur, India will soon be home to the "A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Reading Room," a unique library that will house all of Srila Prabhupada's books in 80 languages.

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By 8 pm the "Flower Bathing" commenced - two pujaris behind the altar rapidly and repeatedly delving up to their elbows in three foot high three foot wide wicker baskets, emerging with huge armfuls of petals and spilling them over the heads to the fronts of Radha Gopinath. One basket would yield showers of red petals, the next yellow, the next white, then blue etc. etc.

Luxury Travels or Adventure Tour.??

Sometimes I hear concerns that Sannyasis are traveling luxuriously at the expense of poor temple residents.

I invite anyone who suspects that to join me in West Africa. The last few days will give some hint as to what it is. I was in Benin to go to Port Harcourt. we we supposed to leave at 1 PM. I thought it would be in a relatively comfortable public transport, which is a toyota HiAce. As we finally pulled out of the temple, in an old car, at 2PM, I called or destination to inform him we were leaving. When he asked what time we would arrive I said I did not know because “anything could happen”. I added that the car might break down. One devotee said, in a typical Nigerian manner, “the care will not break down”.
After a while we stopped to pick the car the we would be using. It was under repair. After some delay we took off, soon to stop again since it needed further repair. That took at least one hour. Then we hit the highway. The roads must be experienced to believe. Beside that very manner big holes that the drivers swerve and break to go around, there are police and army check points at least every thirty minutes. The drivers insist on speeding and heavy braking at the last minutes.
The car had a lot of exhaust fumes coming in so was especially tiring. When we finally reached the city the traffic and pollution was choking, as usual. We got to the temple at 8:30 PM.
The next morning was nice. we had a decent car and went early for TV show. The moderator was very nice and it went well. I wanted to stay in the city for the evening house program but the devotees, as usual, said “no problem”. We were supposed to leave at 4 PM. No car came and taxis did not want to go. FInally we left a bit after 5. The “GO-SLOW” (traffic jam) was one of the worst anyone had experienced. The car was old, full of exhaust fumes, and stalling regularly. The pollution from the traffic was blinding. We arrived at 9. To give an idea of traffic, it took 20 minutes to get back on Sunday morning.
The Indian men were waiting patiently. Due to kidnappings the women and children have all moved to India. the men do not leave their guarded compound except to go to the office, often with army excorts. Sunday we were to travel to Enugu, since we had University program on Monday morning. We had what looked like a very good, a HONDA SUV with a devotee driver. After 15 minutes he stopped for fuel. After filing the car would not start. They drained the contaminated gas and tried a few other batches. After 4 hours we gave up and went back to the temple. The engine was too high tech for the local mechanics. The more simple engines will rin on the low grade fuel. So we had to hire a taxi early on Monday morning.. Again it was an old car with plenty of fumes. The driver kept the radio blasting and sped and swerved through all the holes in the road.
The University in Enugu is one of the best programs I have experienced. reverend Father Professor Stan Ani has created the “AFRICAN THINKERS UNIVERSITY”. The students are seeking o improve their character as much as to gain material advancement. He loves Hare KRSNA. The questions are always intelligent. Over two hundred students stayed for almost 3 hours. At the end “FADA STAN” lead a rousing kirtan. He chanted the maha mantra, Hallelujah and another prayer which was basically a translation of the maha mantra, in Christian language.

Now I am at the Lagos airport. It is one o’clock. We have no clue of when the flight that was scheduled for noon will leave. The plane is here and everyone is waiting in a very small place with no air conditioning.

So much for the luxurious life of a the traveling swami. Of course we do get treated nicely by the devotees and whomever listens to our preaching.

YOUNG people who embrace trendy, self-focused spiritualism are more anxious and depressed than those who believe in God or reject religion altogether, a survey shows. A major Queensland [Australia] study of 21-year olds suggests that the shift away from traditional religious beliefs to new-age religions is not making young adults happier.

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I recently had a chance to watch the film The Corporation, a documentary examining the nature of the corporation as a physical, individual entity living and acting in our post-modern world, with all the various and disturbing side-effects.

Good ol' Monsanto and its prize product Posilac, or recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), used to increase milk production in dairy cows for "maximum profit potential", was prominently featured. I shuddered at the images of the cows suffering from mastitis and other various side effects from this wonder drug, and I wonder what special hellish planet awaits those who think the use of rGBH is worth the pain brought about.

In related news, the Indiana State Legislature is about to pass a bill which "would prevent dairy labels that contain a 'compositional or production-related claim that is supported solely by sworn statements, affidavits, or testimonials." In other words, anything related to the moral or ethical dimensions of the product would be off-limits."

In other other words, if you want to know whether your milk contains this hybrid chemical holocaust, too bad. It's not worth your time or health, according to the politicians and their attached lobbyists in Indiana. Check out the full article here for more info.

Solutions as always: Go vegan, buy local (non-corporate, and that includes corporate "organic"), and support cow protection programs.

Anandalila "Lila" Salter, the Australian teenager who was raped and shot by a stalker in India three days ago, has died surrounded by her family and friends in India.

Like so many devotees around the world I have been following what has happened in Vrindavana to Lila. I don't her very well, but she has become a familiar face from all my trips to India and Vrindavana more specifically. A smile and haribol when we passed each other - nothing more, but enough to leave an impression in my mind.
Initally when I heard what had happened I found it hard to digest that something like this could happen to someone I know, however vaguely, and that it could happen in Vrindavana of all places.

Now that I've learnt that Lila has infact left her body, amidst a wonderful kirtan, surrounded by devotees, so many important things come to mind.

Lila loved Vrindavana. That on its own is an amazing thing. The Vedas urge us to take shelter of Vrindavana and develop love for this place, which is so dear to Krsna. In his Vrindavana Mahimamrta, Prabhodananda Saraswati Thakur says, "May I love Vrindavan, where at the base of a kadamba tree on the cool shore of the Yamuna a dark complexioned, amorous, divine youth dressed in yellow garments plays a flute as He glances at Radha's lotus face."

Just to be allowed to enter into Vrindavana means that one has the blessings of Srimati Vrinda-devi and Srimati Vrindavanesvari, the Queen of Vrindavana. What to speak of living there, for years and years? Some of us hope and pray to be able to go to Vrindavana for Kartik every few years, but Lila was fortunate enough to have lived there most of her life there.

"Vrindavan is like the incomparable essence of the ocean of pure love of Krishna, or it is like the sweetest island-bracelet decorating that ocean of love, I pray this land of Vrindavan, which the great sages experience sweet as nectar, give me shelter until the moment I leave this body."

It is so, so unfortunate that this had happened in the first place, but how amazing is it, at the same time, that Lila has left this world in Sri Vraja Dhama? The sastras state that one who leaves his body in Vrajabhumi Vrindavana returns immediately to Vrindavana in the spiritual world. So Lila has left earthly Vrindavana and returned to Radha Shyamasundar. Devotees hanker to be in Vraja at the time of their deaths, and Lila achieved that.

Actually, on her Gurukuli profile, one of the last things Lila said was:

....just read this and it makes me think 'yes prabhupad is still here and i know it i always have ..'

May 17 : Note this was at a situation when Srila Prabhupada was critically ill and actually he passed away five months from then.

If death takes place, let it take here. There is nothing to be said now. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor. Whether I am present or not present, it doesn’t matter. As Krishna is living eternally, similarly, living being also lives eternally. But ”One who has done service to the Lord lives forever.” So you have been taught to serve Krishna, and with Krishna we’ll live eternally. Our life is eternal. A temporary disappearance of this body doesn’t matter. Body is meant for disappearance. So live forever by serving Krishna .
srila prabhupada Vrindavan, May 17, 1977.

I don't understand why a 17 year old girl's life was ended so suddenly, but I understand that she had a most auspicious life and death, in the land of Vrindavana, surrounded by devotees and Krsna's sweet holy name.

I pray that Krsna gives her family strength during this time.

All glories to Lila!!

Saturday, February 2nd, the ladies of New Vrindaban gathered together at Mother Gopa’s house for kirtan, prasadam, catching up with each’s other news, and a little game.

Based on an idea from a book called, “Eat, Pray, and Love”, we played a word game to communicate our thoughts, hopes and dreams. I wrote up a sheet asking each lady to do the following:

1. In one word, please describe your life in 2007

2. In one word, please express your personal goal for 2008

3. As a devotee, and and as a woman, try and think of a word to help inspire and make our community a better place in which to live.

Here’s some of the answers we received last night.

Life in 2007: Miraculous, hectic, blessed, nourishing, a gift, transformation, great, busy, disappointing, painful, unpredictable, hopeful, wonderful, interesting, improving, and past…..

Goals for the future, 2008: To be alive, perseverence, service, sadhana, better rounds, to improve realtionships with other devotees, develop faith, devotion, self-establishing, Bhakti yoga, spiritual advancement, connectedness, focus, more loving….

Last, but not least, here’s what the women of New Vrindaban think about improving and inspiring our community: To be THANKFUL, FORGIVING, INSPIRE BY EXAMPLE, CARING, LOVING, COMMITMENT, MORE COMMUNICATION(This one was noted four different times), MORE GET-TOGETHERS, COOPERATION in personal dealings with other devotees, MORE DANCING, HONESTY!!!, HELPING EACH OTHER, BEING GRATEFUL, ATTENTIVENESS and the three most interesting were: MORE DEVOTION TO LORD JAGANNATH, SERVING SRILA PRABHUPADA, and the funniest one was RELOCATE!!!!!

So men of New Vrindaban what do you think?? We think that behind every good idea, and good community - there are GOOD WOMEN dedicated to serving the Lord. I hope that everyone will be inspired and take all these good ideas to heart. Hare Krishna.

The following poem transported me to peace and to thoughts of how our souls are constantly reaching out to anchor onto something. I pray for Lila - a young girl who has recently passed away - and how her soul may anchor to God.

A Noiseless Patient Spider
Walt Whitman

A noiseless patient spider,
I marked where on a little promontory it stood isolated,
Marked how to explore the vacant vast surrounding,
It launched forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself,
Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.

And you O my soul where you stand,
Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,
Till the bridge you will need be formed, till the ductile anchor hold,
Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.

Back in Kartik, in garba-season, I wrote in my journal an experience, and would like to share it with you all. You can also read a previous blog entry titled "The Vrindavan Virus" to know more of who Mother Tulasi is.

I had one of the sweetest experiences, since living in Alachua, last night for Sayana Arati. At this point I have literally attended hundreds of Sayana Aratis here in Alachua, but last night took the cream.

I arrived at the temple in my garba gear, wanting to chant and bid goodnight to my Lords before I headed out to dance the night away. As I made my way through the trees to the softly glowing templeroom, the thought crossed my mind that tonight was Tulasi's last night of dressing Radhe Shyam before she would fly off to India.

I must bid her goodbye, I thought to myself.

I chanted in the templeroom, the grounds hushed in sweet silence. When the curtains swished open, I sang to the Deities a lullaby with only two other people present, plus the pujari - Tulasi. When the curtains closed, it occurred to me that I needed to leave earlier than I thought to make it to an appointment on time.

So I started to hear the clock tick - I needed to leave... but I wanted to hug Tulasi goodbye.

I paced back and forth on the verandah, checking the clock every time I switched directions. Come ON Tulasi... what's taking so long? In my experience, the pujari is completely finished with putting Krishna to sleep and closing the entire temple by 9:15pm, latest.

It was 9:20pm. Tulasi was still on the altar.

I considered just leaving. I considered popping my head in the templeroom and letting her know through the curtains I was waiting. I considered writing a short note. I needed to GO.

And then I smiled. I realized why she was taking so long: her love for Radhe Shyam. She was putting in such sweet care and devotion in her puja to put Them asleep and bid goodbye that she was losing track of time.

Finally, I did peep my head in the templeroom and murmur, "Goodbye, Tulasi," I readied to leave, then saw she had come off the altar. I went around to greet her.

Tears were in her eyes as she smiled and gave me a hug. "I've been waiting for you to say goodbye, I know it's your last night here," I said.

"I was giving Shyam a hug," she laughed softly, wiping a tear from her eye. She breathed deep, "But I'll be going to His hometown soon, right?"

"Yes, you will, and you shall see Him everywhere there," I reassured her.

"You're right, I will," she paused. "But I won't be able to give Him a hug," and then she laughed. We spoke of Vrindavan for a few moments, one last embrace, and then I headed back into the trees and the cool night, under the stars.

As I drove away, I reflected that I want to serve and love Krishna as Mother Tulasi loves Krishna. She is my example, my lighthouse. In this dark ocean where I can barely tell left from light, her devotion shines.

This has been such a tragedy for the devotees in Murwillumbah who know Lila and her family. Her father and mother have been staunch supporters of Radha-govardhanadhari for the last three decades. It's interesting to note the reporter filed this report from Vrndavana. The response from the public to this event has been incredible...

Anandalila "Lila'' Salter died surrounded by the sound of sacred songs, the smell of incense and with her wounded head ringed with garlands.

The Australian teenager's three-day fight for life after being shot at close range by a stalker in the north Indian town of Vrindavan ended early today.

Our prayers and condolences go out to Jamal Arjuna, Subhangi and family in what must be extremely trying times for them. On a positive note the public response to this story has been incredible. People from all walks of life have been offering prayers and messages of support on all the major Aussie papers' websites...

"We've been touched by the hundreds of well-wishers who have flocked here to offer their support, prayers and good wishes," Ms Manning said in a statement issued by the Hare Krishna movement.

"Many of these people have known my daughter since she was a child."

Ms Manning regularly attends the International Society for Krishna Consciousness Hare Krishna Temple near Murwillumbah.

December 30-án a Bhaktivedanta Hittudományi Főiskola Gólyabálján Guru Maharaja a Környezetvédelmet definiálta

Indian brokers at the Bombay Stock Exchange are calling on the authorities to bring in religious experts to change the direction of a bronze bull statue. They say the posterior of the bull, placed at the footsteps of the exchange building, points towards the traders which makes it inauspicious.

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Since the persecution of Hare Krishna devotees, members of ISKCON have been watching the Kazakhstan situation very carefully. There have been no recent direct moves against our community there, yet reports like this one demonstrate that the Kazakhstan government is still willing to attack the freedoms of its country's minority religions.

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Today I received this enquiry from TD of Christchurch, New Zealand.

"Hi Kurma. A few years ago I attended The Age Masterclass in Melbourne where you demonstrated a recipe for dahl donuts which you served with a coconut chutney. They were fantastic but I have lost the recipe. Can you help?"

My reply:

Hello T. Yes that Masterclass was loads of fun. Here's the recipe.

Savoury Urad Dal Doughnuts (Vadai)

Dal soaking time: 2 hours Preparation and cooking time: 45 minutes Makes 15 – 20 vadais

1 cup split urad dal 1 teaspoon yellow asafetida powder 4 medium-sized green chilies 1 teaspoon salt a scant ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ cup finely chopped cabbage Finely-chopped leaves from one small bunch coriander Oil for deep-frying

Wash the dal well in repeated changes of water until the water is clear. Soak the dal in 3 cups cold water for 3 hours.

Drain the dal completely, and place it in a food processor with a metal blade. Add the asafetida, chilies and salt, and process into a thick batter. Transfer the batter to a bowl, add the cabbage and coriander leaves, and mix well.

Whisk the mixture for 1 or 2 minutes to put air into the batter.

Heat 2 or 3 inches of oil to 170 degrees C/340 degrees F in a deep pan or wok. When you are ready to fry, mix the baking soda into the batter. Divide the thick batter into 15 or 20 lumps on a large plate.

Take a lump of batter and place it on the palm of your hand. Moisten your other hand with water, and press to flatten the batter into a round patty. Make a hole in the centre of the patty. It should resemble a small doughnut.

Slip the vadai into the hot oil. Repeat quickly, and fry the vadai in 2 or 3 batches, without crowding the pan. When they float to the surface, fry them, turning them to ensure even cooking, for about 4 or 5 minutes, or until they are reddish-brown and crisp.

Remove and drain them on paper towels, and serve hot with chutney of your choice, like the one that follows.

For the accompanying Coconut Chutney recipe, and to read more information on Urad Dal...