Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world....simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

By Indradyumna Swami

Srila Prabhupada writes:"Because of the curse of Daksa, Narada is never allowed to live continuously in one place. Sridhara Swami, however, has pointed out: in Dwarka there is no influence of curses or other such evils, because Dwarka is the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and is always protected by His arms.

Just before Tamal Krishna Goswami left, he had given a series of lectures on the Nectar of Instruction.  These were given in Mayapur India with devotees visiting from Taiwan and China.  A devotee is also translating into (I believe) Mandarin.  There are a total of 7 lectures.

TRANSLATION Text 6

Being situated in his original Krishna conscious position, a pure devotee does not identify with the body. Such a devotee should not be seen from a materialistic point of view. Indeed, one should overlook a devotee's having a body born in a low family, a body with a bad complexion, a deformed body, or a diseased or infirm body. According to ordinary vision, such imperfections may seem prominent in the body of a pure devotee, but despite such seeming defects, the body of a pure devotee cannot be polluted. It is exactly like the waters of the Ganges, which sometimes during the rainy season are full of bubbles, foam and mud. The Ganges waters do not become polluted. Those who are advanced in spiritual understanding will bathe in the Ganges without considering the condition of the water.

TRANSLATION Text 7

The holy name, character, pastimes and activities of Krishna are all transcendentally sweet like sugar candy. Although the tongue of one afflicted by the jaundice of avidya [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.

Download: 2002-03-XX - Lecture - Tamal Krishna Goswami - Nectar of Instruction - Text 6 and 7.mp3

For the week of July 21st-27th, 2008

Let’s all pile into the back of the van for a crowded but ecstatic journey into the world of the Small Farm Training Center here at New Vrindaban Dham.

Tom tells us about the new extension to the tool shed in our Teaching Garden…

“We hope to be finished by November, including the bread oven, which will have walls made of limestone recycled from walls in Bahulavan. The oven itself will be wood-fired, and made out of clay plaster, like the style of the Quebec bread ovens.“

“You can see we’re trying to keep it local. Nothing from Lowe’s or Home Depot.” Tom also added…”Mr. President, tear down this Wal-Mart!”

To read the full article at the Club 108 blog, click here.

Karnamrita das: A snap shot or picture I share, where I often dwell contemplating this life and my real spiritual nature. We are all so complex if we really dig deep beyond superficial lies parts of many births color us. My heart beats, feeling just because I live, yearning amidst objects and things, temporal, a diamond cage, veils my soul.

Leonardo Ferluga: I would like to contact those devotees who had received Salagram-Silas or other kind of worshipable Silas and that were never able to worship them or are not being worshiped for some time and can't continue the worshiping.

Bhakta Wallace Dorian: For those devotees who may be in the New York Citry area in October 2008 you are cordially invited to attend the world premiere of an exciting original stage drama with Indian fusion dance and music called, "The Women of The Mahabharata" by Bhakta Wallace Dorian.

Citraketu dasa: As many know they have been having open door celebrations at least every Sunday since 1975. These celebrations are very colorful and devotional. They also distribute great quantities of their transcendental Vegetarian Love Feast they call "Prasadam" or "Mercy". All are invited!

Samir Roy Choudhury: On behalf of ISKCON Montreal, we are cordially inviting you to come to Montreal to celebrate 40th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s visit to Montreal. Please let us know when you will be arriving so that we can arrange your transportation from the airport and accommodation.

Sri Sacinandana das: Following in the footsteps of Vaisesika Prabhu in San Jose, we have established a monthly festival dedicated to this most important activity.

By Sajjanasraya dasa

An Istha ghosti is a wonderful opportunity to understand the hearts of the devotee. We express our feelings, and give suggestions to improve our divine service and to increase our sense of belonging in our devotional community.

By Jagabandhu dasa

One day I began to feel that perhaps our temple room was overcrowded with our plant jungle, which caused me consider possibly placing some of them throughout the suite of bedrooms in the back part of our house thereby also increasing the oxygen.

I began my very short whirlwind tour of America in the fabulous community of LA. And after breakfast with the equally fabulous brother-sister duo of Shakuntala and Kuva, Sha invited me to dress her Jagannath deities. How could I refuse?

So thus I began my travels, dressing Lord Jagannath in Sha's quiet, sunlit living room. As I untangled beads and folded cloth, I realized that I had not attended a single Rathayatra this entire year, and nor would I. This thought startled me - a Bus Tour veteran, for the past several summers I have lived and breathed the Rathayatra festival. And now suddenly, none.

Sha told me that how I dress Lord Jagannath will be what They will wear for the LA Gurukuli Reunion as well as the Rathayatra. I will be far, far away by then... but my heart will be with Lord Jagannath.

So. I shall attend a Rathayatra this year after all.

We just launched the new Official ISKCON Spain website. It has many features not available anywhere else like:

• Many Prabhupada books in PDF
• Deluxe lectures in Spanish
• Bhakta Manual
• Lots of new content

Please link to it if you have a spanish section on any of your sites or want to give your visitors a link to spanish content. www.harekrisna.es 

Here are some captures:

The home page:

We have many books in PDF format so that anyone can download them inmediatly:

Like we did with the english lectures, we now have spanish prabhupada lectures with cover art and proper mp3 tags. They look fantastic on the iPhone or iPods that support cover flow.

And one more interesting feature is the bhakta manual. It is a PDF where in a very simple and graphical way people can learn how to start practicing bhakti yoga at home. It includes photos to create your own altar, instructions on how to chant japa, how to offer etc.

Please link from your sites to offer your visitors content in spanish.

www.harekrisna.es

Thanks!

ISKCON Tech team.

Please make a note of change in Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir's morning program timings. Hereafter Mangla Arthi will be at 4.30 a.m. instead of 4.15 a.m. Darshan arti or greeting of the deities will be as usual at 7.00 a.m. followed by Srila Prabhupada Gurupuja.There is a change in Srimad Bhagavatham class timing from 8 a.m. to 7.45 a.m. and will end by 8.45 a.m. Our Live video streaming of Mangla Arthi will commence at 4.30 a.m. Evening program remains as it is.

Badrinarayan prabhu, amongst other Iskcon projects, presents the temple of the Vedic Planetarium, outside and inside, explaining the reasons for which the GBC made their decision about the current design, location and time of construction.

Cuil is an old Irish word for knowledge

And is also the name of one of the newest search engines for finding information on the net.

Unlike other search engines it looks at relevance of the content rather than popularity metrics so the search is not only faster but easier to identify what you are looking at.

For me the interface is much easier and pleasing to the eye, and a search of the key word ISKCON gave me not only the official sights of ISKCON but also an option of exploring by category including:

Forms of Visnu
People related to Krishna
Hindu Philosophical concepts
Krishna
Sanskrit words and Phrases

Putting in my own Guru Maharaja’s name I was directed to many wonderful web pages, but again with the option to explore by category including:
Converts To Hinduism (including links to Krishna Dharma, Sivarama Swami, Indradyumna Swami, Jayapataka Swami, Bhakti Tirtha Swami, Jayadvaita Swami)
American Hindus
Froms of Vishnu
Characters in Mahabharata
Sanskrit words and phrases

Again so nicely presented and a lovely picture of my Guru Maharaja included.

Over all it out classes both Google, Yahoo and Microsoft search engines and can be found here:

WWW.cuil.com

This will change the way you search and view the net.

We are conditioned to think that high temperatures always sterilize and that even germs cannot live when the mercury climbs above a certain number. But Srila Prabhupada taught us that living entities exist on the sun. He even went so far as to say that houses, cars and roads also exist on that fiery sphere. (Srila Prabhupada's Lecture recorded in London on August 27, 1973)

1958 July 28 : "My Spiritual Master attempted to preach this message but after His departure the movement was not carried on by His entrusted successors. I am feeling for it and I have come to Bombay for organizing this movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

1965 July 28 :
"My 'P' Form & Visa for U.S.A. obtained by Choksi. Rs 25/- remitted by m.o. to Gorachand Goswami before leaving for U.S.A. June, July, August, September, to October."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1965

1969 July 28 : "Do not be disturbed by such controversial points. Amongst the disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati there may be some controversy, but the central point is how to preach the mission of His Divine Grace so there is no harm."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 28 : "Your recording with George Harrison is very much encouraging because a record issued by the Beatles will have immediate great market, and we want only that this Hare Krishna chanting is participated in by many millions of people."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1971 July 28 : "Whatever prestige we have got is due to our magazines and books. So you are all in India for at least one year but still you cannot publish a second issue of Hindi BTG? So immediately arrangement should be made."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1973 July 28 : "I was attacked by dysentery. People in Calcutta became afraid for my life. Somehow or other I recovered and dared come to London. Now all London has become very friendly on account of our festival."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1975 July 28: "You should publish profusely literature and distribute. This mission has been established simply on the publishing and distribution of my books. So get them translated and published as soon as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 July 28: "It is not required that you send money for deity maintenance. Rather the money there should be used for printing. Not that we should use all collected money for maintenance. Better to print books and distribute."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 July 28: "Yes, this traveling preaching program is a good idea. It is very nice, and you are a good preacher. Yes, I think I remember Radha Krsna in Sadaf Agharwal from Kampoor. What was the name of his shop, is it a bottle shop?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

''We cannot say with any certainty that cellphones are either safe or not safe,'' Dr. Black said on CNN. ''My concern is that with the widespread use of cellphones, the worst scenario would be that we get the definitive study 10 years from now, and we find out there is a correlation.''

- Experts Revive Debate Over Cellphones and Cancer, New York Times

Here's a video of me chopping down an advertisement for an upcoming rodeo.



I hate this kind of thing. Torturing animals for fun. Especially the sacred bulls. I know from experience that they are very much intelligent and emotional creatures. I plan to be involved in as much activism or action against this phenomena as possible.

 

Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 15

 

Dedicated to HDG A.C. Bhativedanta Swami Prabhupada

 

 

Transcendental Karaoke 

 

 Only two and half more weeks left. So missions are slowing down, for me because of my operation I have been on no missions and taking it very easy. My focus has been on hearing and chanting and trying to absorb myself in Srila Prabhupada’s books. My soldiers came and got me because I have been in my room for so long.   So they took me to the local morale and welfare facility, and as we walk in I see its karaoke.  So we watched some guys sing and if was sad to see them pouring their hearts into this mundane songs.  The announcer said ok.. next up SFC Sonnenberg…. I didn’t know what to do. I reached in my bag and asked the man, hey can I use my ipod for my song. I looked in the catalogue and didn’t see any songs I know. Sure thing sarge, hook it up. So I got up on stage and took the microphone, and explained to the crowd what song I was doing. Ladies and gentleman, we are going to sing a song called the Maha Mantra. This song is a sound vibration from the spiritual world and will cleanse the mind and hearts of all the karma and dirt from this birth and past births. Then on cue my favorite tune form my Guru Maharaja played, the whole sound system was loud and the Holy Name was resonating through the air in Mosul, Iraq and when the tempo speed up in the bhajan, I opened my eyes to see some guys joking around and dancing, and when the tempo sent the bhajan into the spiritual world, I looked up and now more people were dancing. While only a handful were singing the Holy Name, everyone in the room was swaying side to side, or dancing wildly or sitting with their eyes closed and deeply meditating on the Holy Name. 

 

Sadhana:

 

Japa: slowly increasing my rounds past the minimum required, I was chanting over sixteen for almost this whole tour. But while slowly increasing, I am trying to make each mantra count. Instead of quantity, I am trying to increase the quality. And hopefully in time, I am chant from my heart with wonderful realizations of the Holy Name

Reading: Cc Madhya Lila, So much nectar can be found in the Cc and with each page can give us the inspiration to make something of this life. It is time for us younger devotees to push the preaching of ISKCON, and we can take the Lords example in Cc and aply it and make a huge impact in the world.

Seva: The Lord in his Salagram and Govardhan Form have stolen the hearts of numerous Soldiers in Iraq. One boy came and let em know, he will miss seeing Them everyday. 

 

Not so much longer left here, and even though my service in Iraq will end, this journal will not.  This battle might be over, but the war against maya is not. Please pray for us, that we can truly understand, apply and give myself to the instructions of my Spiritual Master.

 

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

Partha-sarathi dasa

ISKCON Iraq

 

A prominent cancer researcher's warning to limit cell phone use has rekindled anew the longstanding question over mobile-phone health risks.

The media is abuzz with news of the memo from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. He sent it to faculty and staff Wednesday, saying, among other things, that children should use cell phones only for emergencies, since their developing organs are the most likely to be sensitive to possible effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Dr. Ronald B. Herberman

Dr. Ronald B. Herberman
(Credit: UPCI)

In his 10-point advisory, Herberman also urges adults to keep phones away from their heads and use speakerphones or wireless headsets.

He suggests that people try to avoid constantly carrying their cell phones on their bodies and also try not to keep the devices nearby at night under the pillow or on a nightstand. He even warns against using cell phones in public places like buses because it exposes others to the phone's electromagnetic fields.

Herberman notes that the precautions have been reviewed by UPCI experts in neuro-oncology, epidemiology, and neurosurgery, as well as the Center for Environmental Oncology.

The tumor immunologist's words are grabbing widespread attention both because of his professional position and because they contradict numerous studies that don't find a link between cancer and cell phone use.

Herberman said his warning was based on early findings from unpublished data (see PDF for more).

"Recently, I have become aware of the growing body of literature linking long-term cell phone use to possible adverse health effects including cancer," he says. "Although the evidence is still controversial, I am convinced that there are sufficient data to warrant issuing an advisory to share some precautionary advice on cell phone use."

For anyone concerned about possible health repercussions of cell phone use, many of Herberman's suggestions are easy enough to implement and minimally disruptive at most. Still, the topic can prove daunting to consumers. My colleague, cell phone guru Kent German, says he usually tells concerned consumers the following:
cell phone logo

"First off, choose a phone with a low SAR (Specific Absorption Rate, a measure of the strength of the magnetic field absorbed by the body rating). CNET lists the SARs for almost all current phones in our radiation charts. Secondly, use a headset or a speakerphone whenever possible in order to maximize the distance between the phone and your body. And lastly, limit cell phone use for very young children."

source

Those who were fortunate to have had the association of these youth during the day and/or who attended this divine program felt themselves truly blessed. We wish all the youth and their leaders, Manu and Anuradha, safe travels and many ongoing "Cultural Conquests" such as the one here in Spanish Fork.

Dear Devotees and Friends of Lord Krishna,

Hare Krishna!

Re: JANMASTAMI SUNDAY 24TH AUGUST 2008

Planning for this year's Janmastami festivities are well underway and
the event promises to be an ecstatic and joyful occasion.

We're pleased to be able to offer you all the chance to participate in
the Maha Abhishek - the bathing of Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadari. Once
again, we invite you receive the mercy of Their Lordships by
sponsoring a Kailash, either individually or in a group.

Silver Sponsors for $108

    Names of family and loved ones read out to Their Lordships
    Invited, with family members, to personally bathe Their Lordships
    Offered a Kailash with maha (offered) sweets

Gold Sponsors for $201 (Limited to just 20)

    Names of family and loved ones read out to Their Lordships
    Invited, with family members, to personally bathe Their Lordships
    Offered a deluxe Kailash with maha sweets
    Includes a beautiful Vaisnava Calendar for 2008/2009 and many
other extra goodies

This is a unique opportunity for everyone to be
actively involved in the bathing of Their Lordships and sharing some
of our most exquisite and delectable hand-made sweets, which are
lovingly prepared especially for this occasion by devotees in our
community.

The proceeds from the Abhishek will be used in the many direct
services to Their Lordships, such as upgrading the Deity room and
kitchen, as well as improving the Deities' paraphernalia (including
jewellery, plates, pots etc.)

For those of who are unable to attend the Maha Abhishek, your name and
the names of your family members will still be read out to Their
Lordships and bathed on your behalf.  We'll arrange delivery of your
Silver or Gold Kailash locally, as well as in the Gold Coast and
Brisbane.

Because our Kailshes are prepared to order, please book early to avoid
disappointment!

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming
you and your family to this year's Janmastami festivities!

Your servants,

Sri Radha Sakhi Devi Dasi & Dhriti Gopi Devi Dasi

To order your Kailash contact:
Sri Radha Sakhi Devi Dasi            02 6672  8549  radhafitch@gmail.com
Dhriti Gopi  Devi Dasi                    02 6672 6579  dhritigopi@gmail.com

Because my husband worked in Baltimore, which is 2 and a half hours away, he would be gone for a three day stretch at a time. Always the dutiful wife, I would pack him 3 days worth of home cooked vegetarian meals so that he wouldn't have to buy crap at the hospital cafeteria. Thankfully when we move he will be working only 20 minutes from home and will be able to  take the previous day's leftovers. 

Harinam Melbourne June 25th 08` from Kanapathy Ramasamy on Vimeo.

In London, on July 26,1973, Srila Prabhupada gave a class on Bhagavad-gita. In the class, Prabhupada gives a very clear argument against animal killing:

"So we should not think like that, that animals or trees or birds and beasts, they are other than ourself. They are our brothers. Because the seed-giving father is Krsna, and the mother is material nature. So we have got the same father and same mother. So if we have got the same father and mother, they are all our brothers.

"So unless one is advanced in spiritual consciousness, how he can think of universal brotherhood? This is nonsense. There is no possibility. The so-called universal brotherhood is possible when he is Krsna conscious, when one knows that Krsna is the common father of everyone. The father will not tolerate. Suppose father has got ten sons. Out of them one or two sons are useless. So those who are very capable sons, if they say to the father, "My dear father, these two sons of yours, they are useless. So let us cut their throat and eat." So father will say, "Yes, you do that"? No. Father will never say. The father will say, "Let them be useless, but let them live at my cost. Why...? You have no right to infringe on their rights." This is common sense.

"But these rascals, they think that animals are to be killed for the satisfaction of the tongue of the human being. No sense. No sense. And still they are passing on as religious heads. Such type of cheating religion is completely kicked out from this Bhagavata religion. Dharmah projjhita-kaitavo atra paramo nirmatsaranam vastavah vastu vedyam atra [SB 1.1.2]. It is meant for, this Bhagavat-dharma. Krsna consciousness movement is meant for the paramo nirmatsaranam those who are not envious. How they can be envious? Paramahamsa, one who has understood what is this creation, who is the creator, what are these living entities, one who has got this knowledge, he is called paramahamsa."

Later that afternoon, a world renowned economist, Dr. E.F. Shumacher, visited with Srila Prabhupada. Schumacher was a respected economist who worked with J.M. Keynes and J.K. Galbraith. He was one of the intellectual fathers of the environmental and ecology movements. He wrote that single-minded concentration on technology was dehumanizing. Schumacher proposed the idea of "smallness within bigness." He had spent time in Burmese villages, and developed what he called "Buddhist economics." He wrote a book titled "Small is Beautiful" in 1973 that made him famous. A few quotes from his book:

"The less toil there is, the more time and strength is left for artistic creativity. Modern economics, on the other hand, considers consumption to be the sole end and purpose of all economic activity."

"It is clear, therefore, that Buddhist economics must be very different from the economics of modern materialism, since the Buddhist sees the essence of civilisation not in a multiplication of wants but in the purification of human character. Character, at the same time, is formed primarily by a man's work. And work, properly conducted in conditions of human dignity and freedom, blesses those who do it and equally their products."

"Ever bigger machines, entailing ever bigger concentrations of economic power and exerting ever greater violence against the environment, do not represent progress: they are a denial of wisdom. Wisdom demands a new orientation of science and technology towards the organic, the gentle, the non-violent, the elegant and beautiful."

Shumacher was one of the first economists to recognize that dependence on oil would become self-destructive, as it's a finite resource and is also highly polluting. In his way, he foretold the dangers of global warming before science had identified it.

Here are some excerpts from the conversation between Shumacher and Prabhupada.

Prabhupada: Thank you very much for your coming. I have read some of your ideas. So from your writing it appears you are nice, thoughtful man. Muni, the Sanskrit word is muni. Just like Narada Muni. They are very thoughtful....I was just reading this article, "Cars, Profits and Pollution." So this one side, we make profit, another side, we make pollution. This is the material, result of material activities. Whatever you do. Anything you do material, it is same. In one side, you see, "Oh, there is so much profit," and another side, you'll see so much pollution. Therefore the remedy is to act for spiritual realization. Then you will avoid pollution.

Just for example, that in the Ten Commandments, the first Commandment is "Thou shall not kill." So when I ask any Christian gentleman, "Then why you are killing?" they cannot give me any satisfactory answer.

Revatinandana: How does the, how does the process of animal slaughter in the slaughterhouse as we find it today, how does it fit in your philosophy for, say, changing the society? Where do you put that in your philosophy?

Schumacher: Well, I think one should try and do without it. You can't everywhere do without it. It's like all nonviolence. It's a direction of movement, to try to do your utmost to go as far as...

Revatinandana: So wherever possible, the slaughtering business should not go on.

Schumacher: That's right. But the Eskimos, for instance...

Prabhupada: That is another thing.

Schumacher: That's what I was saying, you see.

Prabhupada: When there is no food, so human life is more important than animal life. So the human life should be saved at the sacrifice of animals. That is another question. But where there is complete facilities to get very nice, nutritious food, why these poor animals should be killed?

Revatinandana: But in the last week we've had a Jesuit priest, a Black Friar's monk, several other theologically inclined Christian gentlemen have been here, and not one of them has assented to that statement. They do not agree. They think that...

Prabhupada: They do not agree that animal killing is sinful. They do not agree.

Schumacher: It's a very long question, isn't it. I mean...

Prabhupada: No, it is a simple question. Killing, do you think killing is very good business? Then why it is forbidden, "Thou shall not kill."

Schumacher: No, but sometimes protection is necessary.

Prabhupada: That is another thing. Generally, you should not kill. But when there is absolute necessity, that is another thing. But generally, this killing process you cannot support, and at the same time, you want to make the society purified. You commit sinful activities; at the same time, you want to purify. How it is possible?

Schumacher: I think a society can survive, and spirituality can survive, even among meat-eaters. It's much more difficult, I imagine, that a society can survive which has animal factories.....I mean there is the ruling assumption that you need it, which I challenge and you challenge....
The Buddhists have got a good, a good formula on this, and...

Prabhupada: It is not the question of Buddhist, Christian or Hindu. It is common sense philosophy.

Schumacher: The Buddhists have a good compromise on this. They say you can eat meat...

Prabhupada: No, no strict Buddhist will say.

Schumacher: ...but because you're not allowed to kill animals for eating meat.

Prabhupada: What is this?

Schumacher: So they let the Muslims kill the animals.

Prabhupada: Eight kinds of criminals. In killing animals, there are eight kinds of criminals. One who is killing, one who is ordering, one who is purchasing, one who is eating, one who is cooking, in this way... Just like if a man is killed. If a man is killed and there are so many persons implicated, it does not mean that only one who has killed, he becomes criminal. All others who are implicated in that killing business, they are criminals. This is pollution....

God consciousness cannot be achieved without being pure. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said, param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan [Bg. 10.12]. God is the supreme pure. You cannot approach God, you cannot understand God, in impure condition. And without God consciousness, there cannot be any purification. You try to understand this simple fact, that without God consciousness, you may prescribe so many things -- they will be all failure, all failure. And God consciousness cannot be achieved without being pure. This is the problem. Now you can think over it.

Schumacher: I agree with that.

Prabhupada: Yes. You can defend your theory but that will not help purification of the society. That will not help. Take it for granted. You can make so many theories but if you remain impure, if you are not God conscious, all these theories will be useless. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna mano-rathe... [SB 5.18.12]. This is simply mental speculation. Mano-rathena, hovering on the mental plane, you can jump from this to that, but that will not solve the problem. Mano-rathenasati dhavato bahih. So we do not act on mental speculation. It may be our credit or discredit. That is different thing. We simply follow the standard policy. That is Krsna consciousness. Now, everything is described in the Bhagavad-gita, how to become a brahmana, how to become a ksatriya, how to become a vaisya, how to become a sudra, or how to remain less important than the sudras. The societies must be divided in different divisions. They should work conjointly...

January 1st, 1970

My Dear Nolen,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your nice poetic letter and I am so glad that you have begun to appreciate the sublime nature of Krsna Consciousness as you have experienced being with our disciples for some months.

The simple method of Lord Caitanya is to chant the Hare Krsna Mahamantra sincerely, without offense of ten different kinds and one will very quickly come to the stage of ultimate happiness of life as opposed to the miserable conditions experienced by wandering back and forth in the material existence. So I am requesting you to kindly go on chanting Hare Krsna Mantra with determination to become a pure devotee of the Lord, and He will be pleased upon you to give you all facilities for advancing in His service. That will make your life both joyful and perfect.

Hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever-well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

I received a very nice lecture from a devotee that I want to share with all of you. It's from my Gurudev - Giriraj Swami who was talking about an explanation Srila Prabhupada gave on the mind and how to control it. I found it amazing. Here it is :

Krishna is where His devotees are chanting His holy names together in love and devotion.
But Krishna is also everywhere. He is in everyone's heart and in every atom.
He is always protecting us especially if we turn to Him or think of Him.
When we think of Him or make an offering we may become more aware of His presence.
However, He is always there, waiting for us to turn to Him.
Certain things may happen in our lives - disappointments, dreams fulfilled, love, laughter, sadness - there is a lesson to be learned in each situation, often a spiritual lesson.
Krishna loves us and He loves everyone and we can try to see each other as spirit and serve each other as spirit and awaken one another as spirit soul.
Hare Krishna

For the week of July 21st-27th, 2008

Let's all pile into the back of the van for a crowded but ecstatic journey into the world of the Small Farm Training Center here at New Vrindaban Dham.

What we got done
-This week the whole Farm Crew took a field trip to the Field Day of the University of West Virginia's Organic Research Farm. Bringing prasad cookies and our happy presence, we recieved in return informative workshops on weed management, plant diseases, hand tools, and even a hay-ride tour of the gardens. We saw and networked with our good friends Dr. James Kotcon, Dr. Sven Verlinden, and the one and only "Chill" Will Lewis, esteemed alumni of the 2007 Small Farm Training Center internship program. Here's some pics...







-As promised last week, we had a chance to talk with our main man Tom Bernhardt, who is in charge of the extension to our tool shed in the Teaching Gardens, which when finished, will be used for workshops, fresh bread (from our bread oven), and much more. As Tom explains it...."We have 400 tires, filled with dirt, acting as the building's foundations. To compact one tire with dirt takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes, and the tire weighs about 300 pounds once it's filled. Using the tires like this comes in a mood of reusing and recycling the local materials we have around us, and the tires act as casting for the rammed earth, and they ultimately prevent erosion around the foundation."

"Now that the tires are all in, the next step is to find sand stone for the floor, which we'll get from local fields. We already have the wood for the building cut and milled from local sources and local devotees, such as Dr. Nick and Pracetas. The wood was cut from poplar trees around Bahulavan, and was milled with a Wood Miser saw mill. We also just had a bunch of fill dirt put in for the floor, thanks to Tejomaya and John Blakemoor, who got the excess dirt from their repairs of the community water-lines. It ended up being seven truck loads for a total of 45 tons of fill dirt."

Tom ponders how all this tire-smashing and stacking has lifted his soul

"We hope to be finished by November, including the bread oven, which will have walls made of limestone recycled from walls in Bahulavan. The oven itself will be wood-fired, and made out of clay plaster, like the style of the Quebec bread ovens."

"You can see we're trying to keep it local. Nothing from Lowe's or Home Depot." Tom also added..."Mr. President, tear down this Wal-Mart!"

-Up top at the Garden of Seven Gates, we continued efforts to re-plant a few rows of beans, as the peppers fight off weeds, the tomatoes slowly begin to appear, and the chard finally makes a luscious green appearance.

-Down in the Teaching Garden, we have a few crops ready to go. Beets, carrots, kale, chard, basil, mint, and lemon balm are all in stock. If you would like to bring yourself or some guests into our happy home to recieve some of this wonderful bounty, please feel free. We graciously take donations for these herbs and vegetables so that we can continue to maintain our self-sufficient projects for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.

-Our two fresh-faced interns, Jude and Kelly from Florida, could be seen this week giving a garden tour to a very enthusiastic bench of Gujarati guests, and they could also be seen soaking up a DVD lecture given by David Blume on how alcohol can be used as fuel. This will be the last week for these two spirit souls here, as they wrap up their internship, and we wish them the best in their quest to make their thumb green for Krsna.

What we realized
As Dr. Kotcon said during the WVU Organic Field Day, "only dull people use dull tools." Keep em sharp!

We had an interesting discussion about austerity while performing the austerity of re-planting beans into the soil at Seven Gates. Tapahpunja regaled us with stories of days-gone-by here at New Vrindavan, the era of ice-cold baths and such, and of how powerful it was for spiritual advancement, if used in the right consciousness. It could also be powerful in a negative way, if used for pride and its various aftereffects.

Sometimes we feel as the younger generation of devotees that we aren't doing enough austerities in comparison to the generation of Prabhupada devotees, but we have to remember that austerity is relative to time, place, and personality. But there is ample opportunity in our garden projects for the kind of good, hard working seva that is infinitely pleasing to Prabhupada.

We can only hope and pray and inspire by our actions and words so that more motivated devotees come ready to get their hands dirty. If you're feeling a little bit on the lazy side, nothing cures those spiritual blues like tugging a few weeds out of the garden and out of your heart.

Please help us out! Your hands, heads, and hearts can help us restore Srila Prabhupada's vision of self-sufficency here at New Vrindaban Dham. We're out shining and even in the rain in the Teaching Garden across the street from the RVC Temple, or up the hill at the Garden of Seven Gates. See HG Tapahpunja Prabhu for all the details.

Click here for more info on the Small Farm Training Center.

Stay tuned for next week's update! Hari Haribol!

The Board, Staff and Students of Sri Mayapur International School (SMIS) organised a memorable farewell for their outgoing principal, Lalita Mataji on Friday 25 July 2008.Pankhajanghri Prabhu unveiled a plaque in recognition of Lalita mataji's 16 years of outstanding service in the field of education. In his talk Pankhajanghri Prabhu brought out the fact that Lalita mataji was a very determined lady who went through many trails, passed many tests and accomplished a lot during her long tenure in Sri Mayapur.

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1970 July 27 : "Politics and diplomacy has entered. Some of my beloved students on whom I counted very, very much have been involved influenced by Maya. As such there has been some activity which I consider as disrespectful."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1970 July 27 : "My Guru Maharaja liked very much publication of books rather than big temples and neophyte disciples. As soon as he saw that His neophyte disciples were increasing in number, He immediately decided to leave this world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1973 July 27 : "I was so much encouraged I was able to walk and dance the entire way from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column. A newspaper caption said "Krishna - a rival to Nelson."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 July 27 : "No compromise - Ramakrishna, avataras, yogis, everyone was enemy to Guru Maharaja - he never compromised."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 July 27 : "Some God-brothers complained. But those who criticized, they fell down. For my part, I have taken up the policy of my Guru Maharaja - no compromise."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 July 27 : "Yes, establish a local self governing village and show all the world a practical example of spiritual life as Krishna Himself exhibited in Vrindaban."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 July 27: "I am pleased to inform you that I have initiated the boys. My only request is that you see to it that all our men are strictly following the rules and regulations as I have given. I am only concerned for your spiritual life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 July 27: "Your book is very nice. It is approved. One thing, tulasi is a worshipable plant so there is no question of using any sprays. The best thing is to simply daily water tulasi devi and keep her clean. Nothing else is required."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

This past week I was busy making Bengali Chili Pickle. I was determined to get a few cases made before our move, even though the timing was absolutely terrible. But it was such a great seller last year, that I could not let the opportunity pass me by. Every nite I stayed up into the early morning to prep, pickle and can these babies. Because I had a difficult time getting a hold of mustard oil this year--they don't exactly sell it at the local corner store around here--this year's chili pickle does not have as strong a mustard oil taste as last year's. Depending on the tastes of your tongue, this may or may not be welcomed news to you.

Here are some pictures from my fun with hot Hungarian wax peppers. Unfortunately, the picture of the final product is still on my camera, which is 2 miles away at my house. But as you can see from the pictures, these are good looking peppers. I am sure you can use your imagination to envision what a good looking pickle they make.

Chop Chop!

Hare Krishna.

Today we had Rathayatra at Gita-nagari. Yes, I have pictures, but we haven't downloaded them from our camera yet. I haven't even unpacked the car. That will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm far too tired now.

My family has had a vending table at the ratha yatra festivals, and the main thing we sell is the herb tinctures and salve that I make. We also have a variety of artistic creations that my wife and kids make, and this year I sold some of Srila Prabhupada's books and a Hare Krishna cookbook too. However, it's my tinctures that I want to talk about, or rather one aspect of tinctures.

Well, a little about the tinctures in general first. I've been wildcrafting herbs since I learned how to do it in college back around 1993. I had a teacher who was an herbalist, and I took all the classes he offered: Field Ecology, Ethics of Survival, Ethnobotany, and Ecology of Unique Environments. The teacher, Sandy Geffner also co-founded an environmental education group called "Earth Spirit." I learned a lot about herbal medicine from these two men, and I continued to study and practice after graduation. For about ten years I made herb tinctures and a salve for my family, and then I got the idea that I should also make medicines to sell.

The basic process is that first of all I have to know my herbs. Each herb has different properties that depend on the species, the time of year, its location, the part of the plant, and other variables. This is all in books, but I also have an intuitive knack for it, so that sometimes if I am familiar with an herb, I can guess its medicinal properties without prior knowledge. I've studied a little ayurveda, and part of this intuition is based on that science.

So I find an herb that I want, and I harvest some of what I find. This is a sacred process for me, taking a plant's life, or some of it, for healing. After some reflecting, feeling of gratitude, and prayers to Krishna, I take whatever part is medicinal, pack it in a jar, and normally pour vodka over it, 40-50% alcohol, filling it to the top. The herb sits in the alcohol, getting shaken occasionally, for at least a month, usually a few month or more. The alcohol acts as a solvent and a preservative.

(Sometimes one can find tinctures that have glycerine instead of alcohol in them, but these are made with alcohol, which is then removed and replaced with glycerine. Also, a lot of glycerine is made as a byproduct of biofuels production, which is often made from filthy substances such as chicken wing fryer grease. Glycerine tinctures usually taste better than ones with alcohol in them, but the glycerine only preserves the tincture for a year or two, whereas most alcohol tinctures last a lifetime or more.)

After the herb has soaked long enough, the liquid is decanted, sometimes the herb gets pressed to squeeze out as much as possible. This liquid is called a tincture, and I have a cabinet with about 50 such tinctures. When I want to achieve some kind of medicinal effect, I combine two or more tinctures with common properties, or for whatever I want the combination to accomplish. For example, we have one for reliving coughs, another for treating migraines, a third for reducing fever, etc. Next I decant the combinations into 2 oz. (60mL) bottles, stick a label on them, and display them on a table with our other goods at Rathayatra.

Invariably, each time one or two devotees ask me about the alcohol. Of course, alcohol is an intoxicant, and we don't take intoxicants. We even have a vow. I have to have a response to this, and of course I've given it serious consideration.

I normally start off by explaining that intoxication is a matter not only of substance but also quantity. A drop of ocean has the properties of the ocean body, but not the effect. Similarly, the amount of alcohol in a dose of tincture (usually 2 squirts of the dropper) has the properties of alcohol, but lacks the intoxicating effect. An often cited fact among herbalists is that there is more alcohol in a ripe banana than there is in two squirts of a tincture. All ripe fruit has some alohol, but we do not object to it in there. I've had cups of "nectar" at temples that had more alcohol in one ounce than is in a dose of my tincture.

I also point out that water is an intoxicant when too much is taken, and this intoxication can be deadly. Yet nobody says water is an intoxicant that we cannot take. We simply take it in responsible quantities, not for intoxication but for health.

If the water example is not convincing enough, I point out that sugar is also an intoxicant. Practically every ISKCON devotee knows what it's like to have too much sugar on occasions, whether from direct experience or watching others. Need I remind you of Govardhana Puja or Radhastami? One may argue that's not intoxication, just he natural effect of having a lot of sugar, which is a food. Indeed, sugar is a food, four (kilo)calories per gram. Alcohol is also a food, even more so, with seven calories per gram. Just ask any guy with a beer belly. Someone may argue, "No one says sugar is intoxication." Well, actually Srila Prabhupada says that. Here are a few quotes:

The ants are very much fond of being intoxicated. Therefore, they find out sweet, sugar. Sweet is intoxication. Perhaps you know, all. The liquor is made from sugar. Sugar is fermented with acid, sulphuric acid, and then it is distilled. That is liquor. Therefore too much sweet eating is prohibited.
>>> Ref. VedaBase =>Bhagavad-gita 2.19 -- London, August 25, 1973

There Srila Prabhupada distinguished according to quantity.

The ants, perhaps you know it, they love very much intoxicants. And therefore they are after sugar. Sugar has got properties intoxication. Wine is made from sugar, from molasses. So the ants, they want to be very much intoxicated. So this intoxication is not only in the human society. In the animal society, in bird society, in beast society.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.3 -- London, August 20, 1971

The ant, the small ant, they are very fond of intoxication. You know that? As soon as there is information, "On the top of the skyscraper building, there is a grain of sugar," they will go. (laughing) Because sugar contains intoxication. The wine is made from sugar, molasses. It has got the intoxication.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- May 30, 1974, Rome

That sugar, they say that the ants they are very intoxicants; therefore they like sugar. Sugar is intoxication. Wine is made from sugar. Yes.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- November 21, 1975, Bombay

I think my point is made well enough. Yes, alcohol is an intoxicant, but not in the quantities that are associated with normal use of tinctures. Not even close. There is likely to be more alcohol in your cup of nectar prasadam than there is in a dose of one of my tinctures. You can get tinctures with glycerine in them, but they also had alcohol in there, and the glycerine may have had some connection with meat, and glycerine tinctures are not well preserved. I'm not even going to get into a comparison between herbs and pharmaceuticals, not today at least. That's a whole other story.

In any case, if you buy a tincture and don't like the minuscule amount of alcohol in a dose of it, it's easy to remove. Alcohol boils at 78 C (172 F), whereas water boils at 100 C (212 F). Simply boil some water (maybe make some herbal tea), pour it hot into a cup, then squirt in your dose of tincture. Within a few minutes, the alcohol will evaporate out, leaving your medicine in the cup.

Hare Krishna.

They're still buzzing, right? Check the prasad line at lunch. You may find one floating in your nectar!

Here's a link to an article from Wired on an update to the great bee-disappearance act of the last year that caught the world's attentions and fears.

Philosophical points unique to the philosophy of ISKCON include:

1.    There is a spiritual universe and higher material realms.
2.    The spiritual universe is larger and more populous than the material universe.
3.    God is always ultimately in charge of everything.
4.    We are not these bodies.
5.    The soul is always reborn in the material world, where he/she is one out of 8,400,000 forms of life.
6.    The soul is more powerful than the body.
7.    God and His Name are the same.

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Is it just me, or is there something very, very wrong in this picture?

All the cowherd men, including Nanda Maharaja, used to talk of the wonderful activities of Lord Krsna and Balarama, and they were always so much absorbed in those talks that they forgot the threefold miseries of this material existence. This is the effect of Krsna consciousness. What was enjoyed five thousand years ago by Nanda Maharaja can still be enjoyed by persons who are in Krsna consciousness simply by talking about the transcendental pastimes of Krsna and His associates.

From Krsna book Chapter 11

I've been quite busy for the past few weeks (and will continue to be so for a few more), so I haven't been reporting very meticulously about our Climate Change Harinams.

Here is a mashup of photos from the last three weeks, when we visited Kelvin Grove, Windsor, and Wilton. The grainy ones are all from Kelvin Grove.

Prahlad shot some video in Wilton yesterday - that explains the low perspective. :-)

This last week in Wilton we had the pastime of being bewildered and lost. Of course, such a thing is not really possible - as Krishna tells us in Bhagavad-gita:

isvarah sarva-bhutanam
hrid-dese 'rjuna tishthati
bhramayan sarva-bhutani
yantrarudhani mayaya

The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.

- Bhagavad-gita 18.61

There was someone there who needed to hear the Holy Name, and Krishna lead us right to their place. May we eternally be puppets dancing in His hands.

Param vijayate sri krishna sankirtanam!