It’s been awhile. I thought I’d give the Planet ISKCON community a heads-up about what’s going on in my life.

There is a 3,400 mile, coast-to-coast endurance event for scooters that takes place every other year. It’s called the Scooter Cannonball Run (no affiliation with Burt Reynolds). 20 or so scooterists ride from the Pacific to Atlantic Oceans over the span of about 10 days. It’s a grueling event that puts you in the saddle for sometimes over 400 miles a day.

This year’s Cannonball starts on Sept 11 in San Francisco. It ends ten days later in Ocean City Maryland.

Some ride for fun or to see if they can do it. Some ride to race. And some ride for charity (with a bit of the other two thrown in). And that’s me.

After a lot of thought, I’ve decided to do it. I’ve also decided that I will be riding to raise money for Food For Life, a world-wide prasadam distribution organization.

Currently, I’m in Portland, Oregon, having ridden my Vespa GTS from New Vrndavana, zigzagging my way across the country for a distance of 7,500 miles. You can keep up with those antics here.

After visiting Seattle and getting some work done on the scooter, I will be riding back to New Vrndavana and central Pennsylvania (where I live - for now) in the next couple of weeks. Then, in mid-August, I’ll be heading west towards San Francisco for the start of the Cannonball Run.

How you can help.
Like I said, I’m riding to raise money for Food for Life. I’ll be doing this via my blog (which will cross-post to Planet ISKCON and whomever else wants to pick it up). You can donate a flat sum or donate based upon how many miles I do (for example, if you donate a buck for every 100 miles, at the end of the Run (which totals around 3,400 miles), you will have pledged to donate $34).

Whatever money that is donated goes to Food for Life. None of it goes to me. I’m keeping not a farthing. I’m only asking you to donate to Food for Life, I’m not asking you to fund my vacation.

All of this will be set up in the next month or so.

How you can also help is hooking me up with a place to stay and some nice prasadam. Naturally, during the Run, the accommodations are taken care of, but on the ride out to San Francisco, I’ll need floors to crash on. I’ll also need a place to be for Janmastami. I might be near the Denver area by then. I’m hoping to be in Berkeley by Radhastami. I have a place to stay in Berkeley, but meeting some devotees there would be great.

I have little doubt that I can complete the Run. The scooter is in great shape and so am I (relatively speaking). I’m used to long days in the saddle and riding a ton of miles a day. The only differences will be that I’ll be “racing” a bunch of other riders and I’ll be riding with a purpose other than “seeing what there is to see.”

I’d like to get the word out about this as much as possible. Food for Life is an often over-looked ISKCON-related project. Also, Hare Krishnas riding scooters for charity isn’t something that happens everyday. Some HK media coverage would be a means of getting the word out and raising more money for FFL. I also happen to think that it would make a nice Back to Godhead article. :)

Any comments or questions, just leave them below.

Located at the east end of the Bahulaban pasture.

Contact Rati Manjari dasi 304-845-2425

New Govardhana Ratha-Yatra 2008
( The Festival of The Chariots )
Sunday, 6^th July 2008
Programme starts at 3:00pm from the bridge.

Programme:

3:00pm : The Ratha-yatra Procession begins from the bridge
5:00pm : Class
Kirtan
Maha Rathayatra Feast

All are very welcome!

If anyone would like to sponsor the Rathayatra Maha Feast ( $ 501) or Flowers ( $151),

please Contact:

Ajita Das: ad@in.com.au ; Phone: 02-66726579, 0419645305
Gaura Shakti Devi Dasi: gaurashakti@exemail.com.au; Ph: 02-66722773, M: 0415276757
Govinda Caran Das: newgovardhana@aapt.net.au ; Phone: 02-66726385, M: 0403874097

The chariots were pulled by rope through the streets of central London

Londoners are used to seeing juggernauts rumbling through their streets, but this was a very different kind of heavy traffic.

It was a riot of colour in the heart of the capital - three 40-foot-high wooden chariots pulled from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, accompanied by a colourful crowd singing, chanting and dancing their way along the route.

Britain’s Hare Krishnas were holding their 40th annual Rathayatra Carnival of Chariots, a street festival which brings together a mixture of devotees and bemused onlookers.

The ancient ceremony originates in Jagannatha Puri in India - giving British colonial forces a new word to describe a huge, lumbering vehicle.

‘Everyone’s happy’

The UK Hare Krishna movement hopes the day brings a touch of fun and celebration to London’s thoroughfares.

But organiser Varsana Devi Dasi said the worshippers who used ropes to pull the three chariots - one each for the deities of Jagannatha, Subhadra, and Balarama - did not face an easy task.

We just want everyone to have a good time Praghosa Das

“It’s quite an effort to pull them - the chariots are huge,” he added.

“The wheels are made by the same wheelsmiths who make the Queen’s carriages.

“But everyone’s happy to help out - it’s a lot of fun and you always end up having a good time.”

When the procession reached its destination at Trafalgar Square, organisers had laid on entertainment, face-painting, information about Indian culture and enough vegetarian food for 35,000.

Praghosa Das, leader of the UK’s Hare Krishnas, said he hoped passers-by would have their days brightened up by the carnival.

The 47-year-old Dubliner - born Paul Murphy - first became interested in the movement when he landed a job working in a Hare Krishna-run vegetarian restaurant in 1980.

“I’m glad the sun’s shining today. It’s meant to be a celebration and we just want everyone to have a good time,” he said.

“Our founder Srila Prabhupada said our way of life is simply ‘chanting, dancing and feasting’, and that’s what we’re giving everyone here today.”

Other converts to the faith said they enjoyed the festival’s openness and inclusiveness.

Bhuta Bhavana Das, a 32-year-old youth worker, became interested in the movement while he was studying philosophy at the London School of Economics.

“The great thing about today is that you have loads of Christians, Muslims, people of all faiths and none.

“The whole point of Hare Krishna is that there are many different paths to enlightenment - it’s not about saying ‘My God is better than your God.’”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7468185.stm

Some may wonder why Haridasa Thakura is glorified daily. In addition to chanting 300,000 Names of God daily (about 174 rounds), he was tempted at midnight by a beautiful, young, nicely dressed woman (a prostitute paid by an envious, wealthy local Hindu landholder). He passed this supreme test by not succumbing to the attractive young woman’s proposals, saying that he would agree to her requests, but only after fulfilling his vow to chant. As the story goes, after three days he did not succumb, and the prostitute became a bhaktin.

For me one of the most inspirational devotees and it is always nice to meet up with him during Rathayatra.

Here is one of his devotional songs and although beset by some technical issues is a wonderful piece of music:

Jayadev Das

I hope you will be inspired for more information you can visit the following web pages:

supersoul.com

and
Jayadev Das Blog

My bodily situation forces me to have a vegan diet (and the unhealthiness of the substance formally known as ‘milk’, as well as the extreme cruelty of the dairy farming industry would probably lead me to be vegan even if I could digest milk). So, some people may ask: “how do you get your calcium and iron?”

The answer is not: “you must eat dairy products!”, or “you must take this kind of supplement!”.

The dairy industry has long perpetuated the myth that calcium is only available from milk (much like the meat industry has perpetuated the myth that the only way to get protein is by eating lots of meat). It is a testimony to the power of advertising that we believe these seemingly “universally acknowledged truths”. Calcium is, in fact, available from a variety of vegetables, in much greater quality and quantity than it is present in milk.

Taking a supplement is also not the answer. The body and different types of foods work as an integrated system, each supporting each other. So, just popping a pill with the necessary mineral simply results in that substance passing through the body, unabsorbed.

You can eat as much calcium as you like, but without doing any exercise it won’t be absorbed into your bones. Without exercise calcium goes into your joints instead. The result: stiff joints and weak bones.

Calcium also dependents on vitamin D to aid its absorption. The best way to get vitamin D is to spend 5 - 10 minutes in sunlight every day (without sunglasses or sunscreen). So, exercise, sunlight and calcium must be taken together (as explained in greater detail in these videos). Calcium and protein, however, do not go well together. People who consume too much protein also absorb less calcium.

Interestingly, however, calcium and dark fruit juices inhibit the absorption of iron in the body. To help the absorption of iron, vitamin C is required. Great sources of vitamin C are lemon or orange juices.

On the other hand, dark fruit juices (like red grape juice) are good for removing toxins in the food. So, when eating food which is unhealthy or full of pesticides (basically anything non-organic), it is a good idea to also take some dark fruit juice with it in order to remove at least some of the toxins.

So, everything works together in a web of interrelation and support. There are no quick fixes. A holistic healthy lifestyle is required.

An uncharitable perspective from a critic.

An apologetic explanation by recently departed comedian George Carlin.

Anyway, just be yourself and make a contribution. In the fullness of time by applying yourself as you are to the process of Krishna Consciousness you will become increasingly aware of your existence apart from that temporary identity.

No point criticizing it or mentalling out too much about it - transcend it.

"Pass, therefore, not today in vain, For it will never come again" (Omar Khayyám)

"What is the value of a prolonged life which is wasted, inexperienced by years in this world? Better a moment of full consciousness, because that gives one a start in searching after his supreme interest." (Sukadeva Gosvami, Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto II, "The Cosmic Manifestation")

Today we received an email from our friends Nimai and Vijay that came all the way from London to attend the 24 Hour Kirtan. They passed along the first MP3 from the 24 Hour Kirtans with promises of more to come. This should hold you over for now…

Bada Hari das leads the first two hours of Kirtan inside the temple room.

Download (80 MB - Right Click… Save As…)

Dedicated to HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Chant and Be Happy

A devotee of the Lord is suppose to be soft hearted, but being that I am a Sergeant First Class in the US Army, well that is not always practical. The Army’s definition of leadership is, one who provided purpose, direction and motivation to soldiers to accomplish a common objective or goal. Like any independent jiva in the material world, we all think we are the boss.  I deal with mostly young adults, the youngest kid in the platoon is 18, so often times they frustrate me with the way they accomplish tasks.  The other day, I was very frustrated with a situation and sitting at a desk alone, trying to calm down. Everyone saw I was upset and let me be alone. One officer came up to me and said Sergeant, why are you so upset? I don’t want to talk about it Sir, I replied. He said, yes this world is crazy and often we get caught up in it.  He went to leave and said to me "Sergeant, I know one word that can cheer you up."  I looked up and said "sure Sir, please just let me get some alone time." He started to walk out, and turned around and yelled "KRSNA!!!" and instantly I felt a smile come to my face. He said " This Name you are chanting is nice, and sweet and gives so much happiness, I chanted it when I feel sad and instantly I have a smile and forget my worries."  The Lord is so kind that His glorious Name is cleansing the hearts of all He mets.

syät kåñëa-näma-caritädi-sitäpy avidyä-

pittopatapta-rasanasya na rocikä nu

kintv ädaräd anudinaà khalu saiva juñöä

svädvé kramäd bhavati tad-gada-müla-hantré

The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Kåñëa are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidyä [ignorance] cannot taste anything sweet, it is wonderful that simply by carefully chanting these sweet names every day, a natural relish awakens within his tongue, and his disease is gradually destroyed at the root. (Upadeçämåta, 7- Srila Rupa Goswami)

Srila Prabhupada stress while psychically present on this plant the distribution of his books. Srila Prabhupada would deeply appreciate the efforts of the devotees while reading the sankritan scores. I was informed about the monthly sankritan festival at ISV, by HG Vaisesika Prabhu. For those that don’t know, ISV has an amazing book distribution program, where householders, bramacaris and even children participate in the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s literature. Prabhu asked if I would like to be part of the marathon also.  After talking with Vaisesika Prabhu, I was blown away by the enthusiasm he has for this service and very happily agreed to also get involved.  I went out one day with two cases of books and sat in front of the base exchange, and slowly approached people. The weather was 120 degrees and the air smelled like burning trash but still I thought, why get so wrapped up in these things. I am out trying to please Srila Prabhupada by giving others his books. The day was amazing, I stood in the same spot for five hours! Many came and took literature, some just came and asked what i was doing. The general attitude of both the soldiers and civilian workers was a positive one. One man asked me, what makes these books so special? My answer; these books are windows to the spiritual world. And with that said I showed him a picture in the Bhagavad-Gita of Krsna showing Arjuna the universal form. The man was blown away, he kept saying wow, this is far out, is this God?  Then I showed him a few pictures from the Krsna book and his heart melted. He related to me that he sees so much  death and usually to escape, he smokes cigarettes or plays video games. He gave a big donation and took five books from me and explained that for the first time since arriving in Iraq over 8 months ago, he felt real happiness from seeing these pictures.   Srila Prabhupada gave us the greatest treasure, he gave us the only path for going back to Godhead.  The best part is, we just have to make some endeavor, Srila Prabhupada will take us to Krsna.  Here is a story recently emailed to me form Mother Nirakula. She heard this from HH Giriraja Maharaja at a japa retreat.

Srila prabhupada was giving a lecture and during his talk he told the devotees "if you become 90% Krishna Conscious you will go back home, back to Godhead". Looking out into his audience he saw that the devotees looked crestfallen, so then he said "If you become 80% Krishna Conscious you will go back home, back to Godhead", still the devotees expressed doubt they could attain 80%. So then Srila Prabhupada said "Ok, 70%" and then the devotees responded "jai"! But as Srila Prabhupada returned to his quarters, another devotee expressed concern that he would not be able to become 70% KC, so then Prabhupada said "Ok, you just hold on to my dhoti, I have the key to the backdoor."

Sadhana:

Japa: By the Lords mercy we are rising at 1:30 am and chanting our rounds. We are really trying to concentrate on hearing the mantra. Our goal is to chant 25 good, solid rounds. Now we are chanting warm up rounds, before chanting our normal 25. On Sunday, we are still chanting 64, this past Sunday, one boy came and chanted 16 with us. Still our Japa is a great concern of us.

Seva: The daily Seva I perform for Their Lordships are sustaining me in this difficult situation. Our worship is simple, but we are adding a few mantras for the Lords pleasure. Also we are getting others involved in Their service. These people donate fruits or some orange juice for Their morning offering. They are becoming a big hit on the base and many stop by to take some darshan of Them.

Reading: Cc Madhya Lila Vol. 4, The Lord instructs Srila Rupa Goswami

A Transcendental Diary by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu; I am reading relishing these pastimes with Srila Prabhupada. Us third generation of devotees should read as much about Srila Prabhupada as possible, to better understand his mood and to develop a relationship with him.

Sankritan:

BG HD: 75
BG Soft: 20
POY: 100
ISO: 5
Chant and be Happy: 38
TLC: 1
BTG: 63

With less than two months left in country, we are asking for everyone to keep us in their prayers. We need them to get past our material desires and become a servant of the servant of Srila Prabhupada.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

Partha-sarathi dasa

ISKCON Iraq

25 June, 1972

Los Angeles

My Dear Aksoja,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter from Amsterdam dated June 21, 1972.

I look forward with pleasure to attending some of your meetings there in Holland near end of July. Yes, the two engagements for July 28 and July 29 sound all right, and as you have kindly invited me, if you make all nice arrangements, then I shall be very glad to attend them.

One thing, you have mentioned a band for playing in the park.* If we hold public meetings, we can only hold kirtan, with our usual program of preaching being the main feature of attention. We shall stick only to the Vaisnava standard set for us by the great acaryas and saintly persons, namely, the Hare Krishna Mantra and other mantras which I have taught to you, but we shall not produce something artificial by writing and playing our own songs as we like.

Also, as you have requested, I shall be very much pleased to install Lord Jagannatha in the temple on the Sunday, 30th July, before continuing onwards.

Hoping this will meet you in good health,

Your ever well wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Wednesday, 28 June, 1972

Los Angeles

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20025

My dear Mr. President:

Several thousand years ago a great pious emperor ruled over this planet. He was a descendant of the great Kuru dynasty and the grandson of Arjuna, the hero of the Bhagavad-gita and the personal associate of the Lord, Sri Krishna. The people lived under his domain in peace. He provided protection for the people and the cows, as well as all other living entities.

He engaged many brahmanas, spiritual leaders, to educate his people and advise him in all matters. The people were just and God-conscious. They had a good understanding of the meaning and purpose of life and lived in happiness and prosperity. They respected their emperor and received kindness and benedictions from him.

You are a great president of a great nation. In this age of unrest and quarrel, your strength, as well as the strength of your nation, will be lasting if it is built upon the pillars of spiritual knowledge and Absolute Truth.

I am seventy-six years of age and am in the renounced order of life. I came to this country from India six years ago to introduce Krishna Consciousness, the scientific process of spiritual life, to the English-speaking people of the Western world. Now by the grace of Krishna I have many thousands of disciples, young American and European boys and girls.

Many of them have come to me bewildered, rebellious, and addicted to all sorts of sinful activities. Like so many of the young people today, they were lost and confused. Now they are all leading a disciplined and regulated life. They follow strict principles of spiritual life, with no desire for intoxication of any kind, or illicit sex life.

They are always engaged in meaningful work, serving God and their fellow man. They have become the flower of your country and all over the world they are being treated with the highest respect.

I would humbly like to request an interview with you to discuss the possibilities of my providing further service. My disciple, Atreya Rsi das (Mr. Marz Attar of Arthur Young and Company, 277 Park Avenue, New York, N. Y., phone 212-922-5957) will assist your aides to arrange a suitable time and place for a meeting.

I hope this meets you in best of health.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

There are about 30 Tulasi Devis at New Vrindaban. Those who have cared for Tulasi know that actually she cares for us. She calls us, she teaches us, Silently yet profoundly.

Lokadrsti devi came to the movement in 1973 and by 1974 she was asked to care for Tulasi devi. It seemed that Tulasi would call her wherever she was. When Lokadrsti moved to New Vrindaban, whenever anyone encountered problems with Tulasi, they would call her to ask her advice.

At one point, Jai Sri devi asked her where was a suitable room for all the Tulasis. Lokadrsti thought the room on the third floor of the temple was the most suitable because it had so many windows. At this point in time she felt she could not turn her back on Tulasi. This was in 1995 and so Lokadrsti funded the remodeling of the 3rd floor with proper lights, etc.

Traditionally, Tulasi is brought to her outside “home”, a screened in house in the back parking lot by the temple. This year, the roof was falling in and so again Lokadrsti funded the repairs to this house. Vyasasana das, a carpenter by trade, bought wood, nails and new screen and fixed her house in 3 days so she could move outside and enjoy real sunshine for the summer season.

Thank you Lokadrsti devi and Vyasasana P. for providing nice “shelter” for Tulasi Devi so the rest of us can receive the “shelter” of the dust of her feet. All glories to Tulasi Devi.

I had a nice conversation with my god brother Tri-yuga this morning.

I filed the following quip in my "wisdom to live by" filing cabinet:

Standards are good and should be enforced

and..

Communication works best when people feel understood and cared for

I am pleased to be able to provide highlights of the small video taken of this years London Rathayatra.

It is in 4 parts each unique and are available via the following links:
This is Bliss

This is a study of faces chanting the Holy Names.
London Rathayatra festival

Can you identify how many ISKCON Gurus are in this clip?
Sorry for the quality of the video

Not forgetting the Ladies

This includes a clip of the Deities, Lord Jagannatha, Lord Dalarama and Lady Sudhadra on the most opulent chariots.

Bodily concept of life

A play by the Scottish devotees simple but a powerful reminder well worth watching.

In one sense, Srila Prabhupada’s greatest gift was to teach the principle of yukta vairagya as enunciated by Rupa Goswami:

anasaktasya visayan yatharham upayunjatah
nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate

SB 4.29.55/purport & 7.13.32/purport

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