Travelers battling through the Westminster traffic this month are likely to encounter a bleak message emblazoned on buses. “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy life,” is the dubious legend plastered to a number of the vehicles meandering around the nation’s capital. I’m not sure how its authors think we should respond to this call. Should we breathe a sigh of relief and immediately rush off to engage in all sorts of licentious behaviour so long denied us by God? That sounds worrying to me, I have to say. Such so-called enjoyment is inevitably indulged in at considerable cost to the world, to others and ultimately to our own selves. Intoxication, illicit sex, stealing, gambling, killing and other such sins generally vetoed by religion are not pursuits we should lightly unleash on the world at large.

What do the proponents of this message mean by ‘God’ anyway? As we know the term is variously interpreted, but if we assume they mean a supreme controller and judge of our acts, then just how probable is his non-existence? It is not very probable that there is no power moving us in ways we cannot prevent. Even scientists, and it was a prominent one who funded the bus campaign, spend their time trying to find and understand the laws of the universe. Laws. Those things that cannot be changed or contravened, which uphold our existence and which obviously must have an upholder. Laws mean a lawmaker, and no matter how proud we may become of our learning and progress, we can never claim to have made any universal laws.

As for a judge, well we have to ask why, despite our best efforts to avoid it, we suffer? All our work aims at one end, to enjoy life and be happy. In accordance with our best understanding of cause and effect we work in ways calculated to produce desirable results, but we often reap a rather a different harvest. So why is that? Honest thought should conclude that we are doing something wrong; that we have not yet properly understood the universal laws and are therefore transgressing them, to our cost.

That does not mean there must be a stern God sitting somewhere in judgment, waiting for us to sin so he can rain down pestilence and death upon us. I can quite understand people wanting to get away from that kind of fierce deity. But as in any state or country, there are laws and consequences that will ensue if we break them. We need those laws. The Vedas say that in the absence of law and order, enforced by good government, then the ‘law of the fish’ will soon prevail. The bigger fish will swallow the smaller one. Honest citizens are therefore happy to see the rule of law in place. It is only criminals who revel in a lawless state.

The message on the bus could well have said, “There is no government. Now go out and party.” But honesty must again intervene to point out that if there is no government the party will soon be over. Governments don’t only enforce law and punish offenders; they also administer and manage the state, keeping things going smoothly (we hope), so we have food, shelter, money and everything else we require if we are to live happily.

Surely then there must be a universal government maintaining the cosmos and providing our necessities. The sun draws water from the ocean, which then goes up to the sky, over the land and rains down on our fields; and we eat. A wonderful system, and one over which we have no control, along with all such perfect universal arrangements. To date no scientist has been able to manufacture even one seed, never mind a sun.

Who is the fool who will suggest that there is no intelligence behind all these intricate universal systems; and that they go on by chance? Day after day they continue working. If chance brought them into being, and if chance is truly supreme and there is no controller, then we should expect no predictability. Everything should run wild with random occurrences popping up everywhere without rhyme or reason. But as we all know that is probably not going to happen. Again, the very point of science is to fathom out the rhymes and reasons behind nature, so we can predict the outcome of our endeavors with some certainty.

But how well are we doing that? Which brings me back to my point above. There is a higher power, let’s call it God, determining the consequences of our work. We are obliged to accept those results and no slogan on any bus can change that. Our best hope is to accept the very high probability of God’s existence, try to properly understand his desires, and then carry them out to the best of our ability. Only then will we truly stop worrying and enjoy life.

We are always making new friends that influence our music in completely different and inspiring ways. One of these new friends is Daphne Tse, a talented musician who sings kirtans, as well as her own original music. She is currently working on her full length album in Bali, Indonesia and will be in Washington, DC to perform at Chant4Change. We were fortunate enough to be able to play with Daphne Tse during Jessica Lazar’s yoga class at Flow Yoga and had a great time!

Devotional service is so powerful Krishna is conquered by it. How
should we want to conquer Krsna? Not like Pundarika. Krishna can only
be conquered if He wants to be, and it is always by love.

Efforts to promote the consumption of locally produced foods are gaining ground in counties throughout North Carolina.

A community in Stokes County hopes to expand the dialogue by focusing on those topics at a sustainability festival on the grounds of a Hare Krishna temple in Sandy Ridge. The free festival on Saturday, Jan. 17, will feature speakers, local food and music. Who should attend?

"Anyone with a mouth and a stomach," said organizer Mitra Das . "Each and everyone of us depends on food everyday."

From 5th Jan 2009, HG Gaur Krsna das brahmacari, disciple of HH Radha Govinda Maharaj, is immersing everyone in the nectar of Sri Krsna’s cowherd pastimes (gocharan lila) in Vrindnavan. Apart from the nectarean katha for 2 hours in the morning and evening, various other devotional activities like Yajna, Ganga puja, Go puja, Dhamvasi seva has been organized during the day so that participants are spiritually benefited by performing devotional service in the holy setting of Sri Mayapur dhama.

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by Deva Gaura Hari Dasa on 10 Jan 2009

Following the example of the United States, federally based systems around the world have adopted a bicameral legislature, where the two chambers have differing methods of representing the constituents. These are generally along the lines of the U.S. system of having an upper house with equal representation for States, and a lower house with representation of geographical areas based purely on population. Examples of this can be seen in the political systems of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico and many other countries.

Bicameralism has also been used to fuse together an aristocratic and democratic system. The best known example of this is the British system, where historically the House of Lords was made up of hereditary positions representing the Nobles, while seats in the House of Commons were elected positions, representing the common people. ...

Underlying all of these uses is the practical fact that having a bicameral system allows for a second chance to modify important legislation, and allows for a different perspective on the legislation.

So how is all of this relevant to ISKCON and how, if at all, could ISKCON take advantage of the political apparatus of a bicameral system?

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On December 31st, New Year's Eve, devotees from Toronto's Hare Krishna Temple rang in the new year at City Hall amongst tens of thousands of revelers.

Battlefield Bhajans Vol. 33

Dedicated to Srila Prabhupada and my Guru Maharaja.

Mental Health Assessment

It was time for my post deployment mental health assessment. I really don’t like going to this appointment.  It involves me and a doctor sitting down and talking about what happened in Iraq. I walked in and the doctor greeted me. He asked me to sit down. I placed my backpack down and grabbed a seat. He asked so how ya doing, I said good, how are you? The doctor relied good thanks. I said yes, but can you be better? He replied yes, I guess I can be. At this point I decided to turn the tables on hi. He started telling me all about what going on in his life. I asked him if he has an interest in spiritual life. He said no. I explained to him, the reason why your unhappy is because of your lack in God.  As the session went on we discuss more and more about spiritual life. I reached into my bag and brought out a Bhagavad-Gita and asked him if he ever saw this book. He said no, but the cover was very interesting. I went on to explain about Arjuna being a soldier and the situation he was in. The doctor was looking on with a very intense look. He help the book and scanned through the pages as I explained the philosophy. Finally our time was up. He looked up and asked if he could have the book, I said yes no problem. I explained that most people gave a donation. He thanked me for the nice talk and gave a nice donation.
I got a call that evening, seems I have to go back to the doctor because of the “stunt” I pulled today.  I walked into the office and was greeted by a serious looking man. He said I’m your doctor, and you won’t pull what you did yesterday on me. Ok, I will take this serious. I sat down in his office and he went over my post deployment health survey. He looked surprised, and I asked what is wrong. He said, I don’t understand, usually when I have to evaluate someone that has seen so many horrific situations as you; they are a mess. But you’re smiling, happy, focused. How are you dealing with all this? Again I started to explain I was a Hare Krsna, and by reading these ancient vedic texts and by chanting the Maha Mantra, I am able to deal with all the death I have seen. For the next twenty minutes I explained the science of Bhakti Yoga.  I pulled a Bhagavad Gita and a Chant and be Happy book from my bag and gave them to him.  I gave him my email and said I would do a reevaluation of him in a week, to see what he learned and walked out. I looked in his window form the outside and there he was deeply absorbed in reading Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Finance Brief

I had to go to a mandatory finance brief. The women walked in and commanded everyone being chaptered to move to the front. She was a very heavy person and I of course follow her instructions. She said no sergeant, only chapter cases sit there. I said Ma’am I am also being chapter. She looked puzzled.  The brief was long and boring I was reading verses from the Cc on my ipod. She called us up one at a time. When I got to the desk, I looked and saw I was the very last one. She closed the door and said you’re a Sergeant First Class, what are you in this room with all these privates for? I read your file, are you the Hare Krsna they are talking about? I said, Yes Ma’am. She asked what is your deal, why would you give up that rank to be a monk. I don’t understand, my husband is trying to get promoted and here you are, young, a fast tracker and you’re walking away. I explained to her that we all have a calling. While the military gave me many skills, this life is meant for God Consciousness.  These books, are not ordinary books, they change peoples lives, they are the literary incarnation of God, and they will give you a new understanding in life. She listened and asked many nice questions. She asked about Srila Prabhupada and expressed that she heard form others about this soldier that is becoming a monk and the books he gives to people are really powerful. She had been curious about these books. I asked her if she would want a book and she smile and said oh why you have one? I took out a Perfection of Yoga and a Bhakti book and handed them to her. She was smiling ear to ear and thanked me for the books. As I was walking to my next appointment I was thinking how kind Srila Prabhupada is. We have no ability to give out his mercy, but he is merciful that these books distribute themselves, after all Krsna is all attractive. How can we resist Him?

labdhvä su-durlabham idaà bahu-sambhavänte
mänuñyam artha-dam anityam apéha dhéraù
türëaà yateta na pated anu-måtyu yävan
niùçreyasäya viñayaù khalu sarvataù syät

After many, many births and deaths one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life as long as his body, which is always subject to death, has not fallen down and died. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, whereas Kåñëa consciousness is possible only for a human being. (The Avadhuta brahmana to King Yadu; SB.11.9.29)

Sadhana:

Japa: It is a nice feeling to chant your rounds before Mangala Arati. Rest of the day we can chant because we want to, not because we need to fill our quota. I am praying that my japa will improve and I will be able to really take shelter in the Holy Name.
Seva: Their Lordships are the center of my activities. I am reading to Them daily a chapter of BG. It is very nice to sit in front of Them and read for Their pleasure. I am looking forward to performing seva for Them in India. It should be so intense, and I pray purifying.
Reading: Still reading SB, now on the 3rd Canto and Si Vraja-rati-cintomani. I am trying to memorize some slokas from this book to recite when I arrive in Vrindavan. I am trying to develop my relationship with the Holy Dham.
Sankritana: I have not been able to go out as much due to out-processing the Army. I miss it, a few days without going out and I am ready to climb the walls.  Here are the scores:
Maha Big: 4
small:20

Only seventeen more days till we are relieved from this service. The excitement is building and also a little bit of fear. It is scary in a sense to just give everything up and surrender to Krsna. With the help of many senior devotees, I am understanding that Krsna will always maintain his devotees that are trying to sincerely spread His glories. With that said I beg for everyone’s blessings to become a little sincere, and understand the word servant. My life is getting ready to change, new service, full involvement in the sankritana mission, traveling, military preaching. I really wish to do some  service for my Guru, for his Guru, for Srila Prabhupada and for ISKCON.

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Partha-sarathi Dasa

Yesterday's blog (below) stimulated a flurry of mail, all on the same subject:

Michele (from New York ?) asked: "What is Eno powder?"

Kurma replied: "In a nutshell, ENO is a "fruit salt". For those of you who do not know what a fruit salt is, it is a mix of Sodium Bicarbonate (46.4%), Citric Acid (43.6%), Sodium Carbonate (10%). GlaxoSmithKline makes this product.

Its effervescence-causing components (especially in the presence of the acidic yogurt) allows the batter of the dhokla to aerate. These air bubbles are fixed in the steaming process (in a similar way that the aeration from yeast works in baked bread) thus creating the lovely spongy texture of the Dhokla.

Eno is not as sensitive to food formations as straight Sodium Bicarbonate plus it does not have that aftertaste that Sodium Bicarbonate has. It is difficult to find in the US outside of Indian grocery stores. Available in UK and Australia in chemists and supermarkets."

Michele rejoined: "Thanks Kurma - I'll head over to E 28th St, where we have lots of Indian groceries, and see if I can find it."