by David Haslam

The other day I was reading an article about the preaching work done by Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons compared to ISKCON devotees' book distribution. They noted that from what they could see, both were more successful in making followers, and questioned how this could be.

One focus is, what is the purpose of book distribution?

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Srimad Bhagavatam 11.10.12 - The guru-disciple relationship.

"When you’re behind in your quota, you tend to rush, and this is not good. You should be sure that you get your rounds done in the course of the day at the regular pace. Try to go deeply into thoughts of the Divine Couple. Hear each syllable. Don’t let your mind get distracted to other thoughts. I was able to slow down and control my anxiety and chant nicely. I was wide awake and enjoyed the chanting of the holy names. Just don’t worry about your quota; it will be done."

When entering the temple room, the centerpiece of the room and the worship is always the elaborate altar holding the deities. On a carpet to the devotees' left, to Krishna's right, sits a group of six or seven devotees who lead the music. The sides and back of the room are lined with benches and chairs where visitors sit; the majority of the devotees and some of the visitors occupy three or four carpets set up on the marble floors of the temple room—altogether a group averaging fifty or sixty people on any given week.

OM Canada

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada became a nation as we know it in 1867. Today is the birthday and one of our able youth’s, Vrajabhumi who hails from the small town of Norwood arranged for four carloads of us Krishna enthusiasts to make the journey to Ottawa, the nations capital. There as every year devotees from Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto converge to chant to the public in the midst of baskers, break dancers, marching bands and the like.

As soon as we arrived at the war memorial near Pariliament Hill I had a chap who works for the Department of Native Affairs say, “Hey I just saw you on T.V. last night, on Vision TV. “ To my recollection I had been interviewed at a studio in Vancouver last fall and that was what this fellow was reffering to. I recall before the interview I asked what kind of questions they would be asking?

“First of all we were going to bring up the topic about the charge laid against your founder Swami Bhaktivedanta on child abuse,” said the interviewer.

“Excuse me but our leader / founder is a clean as a whistle. I think you have your information a bit confused, “ I retorted.

“oh, well, I guess we’ll skip that one, ‘ said the popular broadcaster. He brought up another topic which escapes me now, but was one of controversy with Krishna Consciousness and some distorted view so I again declared, “That’s misinformation.’

“Okay, so we’ll also leave that one out.”

I had not seen a playback of the interview but in the end the show went well and so the response from the public in Ottawa confirmed this by people telling me so. In fact I felt proud to be in the company of singing and dancing devotees to a very participatory crowd making some kind of affirmation that Krishna Consciousness is not a criminal culture but a tradition of happy and genuine spiritual expression.

By the way the national anthem here is called, “Oh Canada!”. We have our version, “OM Canada!”.

7 KM

Heaps of Garbage
Toronto, Ontario

One of our members put it very bluntly, “The unions are destroying everything.” Referring to the most recent strike for garbage collection. “They are rascals,” said another acquaintance. “In such cash strapped times as these and receiving forty dollars per hour, how dare they.”

When perishable items remain hanging around stanching and taking up space it’s no wonder that tax payers start beefing. Someone else said that unions were formed to protect the worker but the times of oppression are by-gone and the situation has gone in reverse. The public is left at a stranglehold until negotiations unfreeze the strikers demand.

That’s the simple and one sided end of the story. It is a side that I have been sold on. Mind you much can be said about the public’s lack of thriftiness, being non-frugal and so very wasteful. I’m sure that you’ll agree that a monk’s message should always include putting out a good word for Mother Nature and it’s seed-giving Father.

I will give credit to the people of this city and many places with garbage strikes that they try to shove a throw away item into a city bin even though overloaded because strikers refuse to pick up the garbage.
Somehow in this world of discontent, this world of throw- out we have managed to do that with GOD-throw Him out. As I walk Yonge st. I’m saddened to see the pile ups and that the Wind-God doesn’t hold back on the distribution of trashed items.

The whole thing wreaks of greed. It’s stronger than the smell of garbage.

Will someone please light up some incense?

6 KM

This year will see the first ever “Krishna’s Birthday” festival in Brisbane, Australia.

It will be held in the Roma Street Parklands on Sunday August 23 from midday to 6pm.

To get an idea of what it will be like, think Buddha’s Birthday meets the Brisbane Multicultural Festival.

There will be yummy Krishna food, free yoga classes, music, dance, multimedia presentations, a jumping castle for the kids, and much more…

We’ve held two festivals prior to this one, but nothing on this scale. The other two were in 2006 and 2008, and had around 1000 people attending. This year we are expecting 4000 to attend. I’ll be featuring performers and participants, and sponsors of the festival on this blog in the weeks leading up to the festiva, so that you can get an idea of what to expect.

Concentric Inspiration

Toronto, ON

Our photographer friend Haidee gave a generous offer of a choice at her top of the line photos. After perusing through the dozens of massive pictures projected on canvas and peering at portraits and people in action at both rural and urban India, I chose my pick. One piece called "Concentric" stole my heart. It depicts a turban wearing farmer watching over his oxen harnessed and anchored by a device and moving in centrifugal motion. The picture reminds me of what we, as a society of eco-friendliness should be going toward. It also reminds me of a verse from the book Bhagavatam wherein it states that our lives can evolve when we place ourselves at the post of dharma always moving around that sense of duty and obligation and never to swerve away from it.

Of course I had that picture, frame and all, in mind to adorn a wall in the temple. But I confessed to Haidee that we need a mate to "Concentric".

"Sure, which other one would you like?": she expressed with her continuous kind heart.

"Well, it's the one with the woman in a green saree seated at her stock of produce up for selling at the market. Haidee graciously reciprocated with us for the use of our space by granting the second photo.

This one also reminds me of what we all should be supporting - the growing of local food. How removed we are from living the truly natural life! Food get shipped in unripe from all parts of the world except your own place. It raises questions about the loss of the art of growing employment, good clean living, being practical and doing God's will.

I can't wait to get those photos on the wall to give our community members something serious to think about.

6 KM

1968 July 2: "By denying my application injustice has been done to me. Please try to convince him that my presence is essential. I am qualified Religious Minister. I have got sufficient money to maintain myself."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 July 2: "By denying my application injustice has been done to me. Please try to convince him that my presence is essential. I am qualified Religious Minister. I have got sufficient money to maintain myself."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 July 2: "In our Krishna Book we are showing the Western World for the first time what is God. So painting is no unimportant task. I have so many ideas for paintings. Try to help us out in this way as far as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 2: "I am pleased that this boy has become attracted. Please take nice care of him. When someone is sent by Krishna to help us it is our duty to help them understand Krishna Consciousness as far as possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 July 2: "This is the sure and certain method. If we simply chant Hare Krishna with karatalas and mrdanga and if we speak from Bhagavad-gita As It Is then automatically the people become attracted."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

This weekend is our annual Gundica Cleanup, which will be held on Sunday, July 5th. As many of you know, we will be celebrating the 37th Annual Festival of India (Ratha-Yatra) on July 18-19, 2009. Every year, we traditionally clean the temple two weeks in advance of this huge festival!

This is following the example set by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who held the first Gundica Cleanup some 500 years ago. The famous Ratha-Yatra parade in Jagannatha Puri begins at the Jagannatha Puri temple and proceeds all the way till the Gundica Temple. Preparing for the arrival of Lord Jagannatha, Caitanya Mahaprabhu with His associates personally cleaned the entire temple.

This year we will be cleaning our temple on the auspicious occasion of Snana-Yatra. The clean-up will start at 10:00am in the temple room and will continue till 4:00pm. Lunch (prasadam) will be provided for those who come out to help clean! For further information, please contact Gopal at psenatoronto@gmail.com.