We Belong In The Holy Dham Posted: 30 Jul 2011 12:33 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2004) I always tell devotees that we should understand that Vrindavan or Mayapur is our home! This is where we live, and now at one point when we go from here to some foreign country, then we are like tourists – we are only visitors there! Whether it's New Zealand or Spain…. I don't know where you are all from…Denmark…UK and so on. Wherever we maybe, in all of these places, we should know that we are tourists. We live in Vrindavan or Mayapur…we live in the dham. It doesn't matter if you are only one day in a year in the dham – still that's home…that's where we belong, and this is the right consciousness! It says that: "One should live in the dham or at least desire to live in the dham and mentally live in the dham". So a devotee at least should mentally live in the dham………………………So here the mercy is very accessible and very available. Therefore when we come here to these holy dhams – we very quickly get the mercy! Srila Prabhupada also made that point that devotees should go every year to the holy dham. That's why he started the Mayapur and Vrindavan dham festival, because he wanted all of the devotees to go to the dham. He said: "To become purified of the possible contamination that one might get from the Western world". There you see that although it is non different, but here the spiritual energy of the spiritual world is very manifest…very much manifest. One can very very quickly relate to it, and we are all experiencing that!

"An atom at Your Lotus Feet" Posted: 30 Jul 2011 12:25 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Stockholm, June 2011) A devotee is never desiring liberation.  A devotee is simply desiring devotional service and he is just praying, (Sanskrit) "Life after life, please engage me in your devotional service." Still, Krsna takes him back to Godhead.  Because in his heart of hearts, he has a natural desire to be with Krsna, and therefore to be placed as an atom at the Lotus Feet of Krsna.  He has a natural desire to be in the association of Krsna.  He is so attracted to Krsna, how could he not desire to be in the association of Krsna? And then Lord Caitanya is saying that, as that desire emerges out of his heart, he says, "But I am not qualified to be in the association of Krsna!  I am so fallen!  So what to do?  But I still desire it so much!  Then let me just pray to be an atom, to take the most insignificant position.  I must pray to be in his association … I cannot avoid it … I am desiring it so much in my heart, but I can only ask for the lowest position – an atom at His Lotus Feet." So it's very deep and very nice.  We see on the one hand that there is a desire to just serve Krsna, but then because of the attraction to Krsna, the devotee still desires to go back to Godhead, and be in the association of Krsna. But he is not going to desire that, 'I want to be a gopi or I want to be this or that …no, an atom!' "I'm so fallen, I'm so insignificant. I just pray to be an atom at Your Lotus Feet."

KKSblog.com - We Belong In The Holy Dham

Viṣnujāna Swāmi ISKCON'S first Kirtan legend

About Padyavali

Starting chanting the Maha-mantra Hare Krsna on my own, (with no beads) and following the regulative principles because of a book I was given in a park at a very young age "The Teachings of Queen Kunti" what a marvelous way to surrender to complete dependence on the almighty! The perfection of poetic expression! I thought, and just the right book for me to be able to digest...
At this time I still didn't know that devotees had a center around there, actually very close to Chapultepec park and close to the zoo also where I was given the book. this great soul mataji, after learning I didn't have any money, she still let me have it.
(One section of Chapultepec park is now a holy dhama since Srila Prabhupada was there and devotees chant japa regularly there too)

Until one glorious day, when I finally met the devotees in Harinam... Me and my friends where hanging around in the streets, like most days, no particular place to go and not a productive thing to do really, just barely living and at the same time thinking what a great life this is!

It was mumbled at first, due to the everyday roar of downtown in the biggest city in the world (in that time) Mexico City... I kept on following this sound, thinking: 'I know I've heard this before somewhere' but still barely making out the words in the crowded streets... soon it began to make sense, little by little, yes, those were the words I have been chanting all along! only this time they were accompanied with a very particular and catchy tune... lala lala, lala lala etc... And then they were, flying sikhas in all their splendor! saffron robes, colorful saris, and mrdangas! Wow! what a sound!... I've always liked percussions, drums was my thing! (my sister is a concertist)

I immediately joined the party, before the bewildered eyes of my young friends that were hanging out with me... they surely thought I've had gone mad for sure this time, just by the look on their faces, and I'm thinking: "this is highly embarrassing for them" but since they've always thought I was a weirdo anyways, I knew I had nothing else to loose anymore...

Poor kids! They've been putting up with my eccentric personality for way to long: always reading 'weird' books instead of the usual: pop and magazines I supposed... countless hours secluded in a library while I see them playing outside and taping on my window so I can come out and play... and even tolerated my recently acquired habits: new diet, new philosophy, and the most unusual habit of all, the habit of always repeating this strange combination of foreign words: hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare. hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare... and now THIS!... it was to much to bare for their young minds... they were truly; mortified...

Seeing me jumping up and down in front of the "Palace of the Fine Arts" El Palacio de las Bellas Artes in Spanish (frequented mostly by intellectuals) in downtown Mexico City and surrounded by all these saffron sheet-wearing-weirdos putting on the most unique dance show and surrounded by all these people that by now they were already pointing at me, laughing at me (perhaps thinking I was high on something)... I had to admit; it was quite socking... and it was indeed to much, to much for them to bare!

So they inconspicuously tried their best to withdraw themselves from me as not to be identified or been alienated with me... to late... devotees stop them faster than they could run and started dancing around them too... it was quite a sight to see how their faces turned very rapidly from pale to red in a split second... they had their share of mercy too, only they didn't know it yet

After kirtan, I was invited to go visit the temple and since I didn't want to lose anymore time I handed out my bike to my friend and jumped in the Harinam van with my backpack, before the now bewildered devotees... they were just looking at each other not knowing what to do with me, and then I've noticed that at one point they all looked at a very tall figure holding a saffron stick... (I was hoping he won't beat me with it) but this very tall devotee (Guru Prasad Svami) simply smiled at me, and I knew then I got away with it... (GPS, I later found out, had just came back from Brazil where he had just taken sannyasi) something about him made me feel extremely comfortable and peaceful and I knew right away he was a very special person and that I was safe. (Later on, he became my well-wisher and the only father I've ever known, took me under his wing and played a big role in me staying in the ashram at such a young age)

So, at this point, I told my friends I was coming back soon (a white lie) but they knew me better than that, so they went and told I had 'run away with a bunch of shaved heads, (pelones in Spanish) wearing sheets.'

When I arrived at the temple, for the first time in my life! and I was able to see the magnificent beauty of Sri Sri Radha-Madana-Gopal; I knew right there and then, that I had found my real home... I stayed for the evening programs, ate prasadam, and remain in the temple room even after all other visitors were gone.
Brahmacaris didn't know what to do with me and directed me to the head Sankirtana mataji that was living for the ashram and she let me stay in the ashram that night - probably thinking I was a homeless child (there are plenty in such a big city as Mexico city.)

And I was indeed; literally homeless, I didn't have a home, I choose not to... I wasn't living with my family anymore, my situation at home was unbearable and recently run away, I stayed with different people that I found in different schools of thought, (I went to plenty) anywhere from spiritualism, mediums, healers, mysticism etc., that kind of thing...

That is why it was so easy for me to understand Srila Prabhupada's book of "The Teachings of Queen Kunti' because she describes so many pains and tribulations, indeed, my own language...

I stayed in the ashram that night... and the night after... and the next... and never left for the streets again or back home... I was fourteen at the time... young body, old soul...

I take the dust of the feet of all those Sankirtan and Harinam devotees that no matter what, always go out there and deliver these souls day after day with determination and full compassionate heart... I humble myself to these great souls.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Biography of HG.Padyavali Devi Dasi - Inspiring!!!

Lord Krsna told Arjuna,those who are My direct devotees are actually
not My devotees,but those who are the devotees of My servant(devotees)
are factually My devotees-CC.Madhya 11.28

--
Yours
Dinesh

Devotees of My Devotees are My Real Devotees-Lord Sri Krishna

A Continuous Dedication in Devotional Service Posted: 28 Jul 2011 12:43 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2011) In the earlier days of this movement it was very mission based. One's level of advancement in Krishna Consciousness was being measured to how much one was willing to take responsibility in service within the movement. Later, the focus of our movement shifted somewhere in the mid eighties to a more individual based movement. I sometimes compare it to the renaissance, because in the renaissance people came out of the middle ages, where you were told to think in a certain way. In the renaissance people broke out and began to think along individual lines. Well some thing like that happened in Iskcon in the mid eighties. Everyone started to think: "Well in my spiritual life how am I experiencing it….how am I feeling it and what is my propensity? How should I express my bhakti?" Things like this became very relevant and that has kind of survived into the present day, which is still there. Whereas in the earlier era of Iskcon the spirit was, simply to get involved and take up service, which was a sign of advancement. Anyone who was dragging his feet was in maya and he was also told that! So one's Krishna Consciousness was directly linked to how much service one was doing. Nowadays, it may not always be seen like that. There was an element of truth in that earlier approach, because that leads to spiritual advancement. It is not automatically that one who takes on a lot of responsibility is spiritually advanced because some take responsibility (and we found out about that) out of material motives…for name fame and glory, and ambitious people… people with material ambition can sometimes do service for quite a while, and then they run out of steam. So it is not necessarily that it is fuelled by spiritual advancement, but it is a fact that if one keeps on dedicating himself to devotional service in this movement, then one will become spiritually advanced, and I do want to make this point that there is a need for devotees in this day and age to come forward to take some service!

KKSblog.com - A Continuous Dedication in Devotional Service

Krishna knows us better than our knowledge of our own self.Becoz we
cant remember what we were doing the same time a week ago.How can v
remember the pain v underwent in our mother's womb.Simply Becoz we
forgot the experience does nt mean we didnot undergo pain in
birth.Forgetfulness is a nature's gift.Otherwise,the present also
becomes miserable with the thoughts of the past. Thats why it is
said,Time is the best healer.Becoz over a period of time we'll forget
things.Krishna also gives the remembrance2do actions that v desired
however abominable it be!
Also in our previous births, we might have been in the body of a hog
and if we remember that now, it becomes difficult to go on with our
normal day to day activities.

--
Yours
Dinesh

Forgetfulness is a nature's gift!

To diminsh the difficulties in Krishna Consciousness? Posted: 27 Jul 2011 12:44 PM PDT (Kadamaba Kanana Swami, February 2011) Sometimes we join a spiritual movement with the idea of: 'Now I will be relieved from all this struggle!" But that is not a fact since the struggle continues just as hard. Some people really come with that motive: "It's too heavy….the struggle for existence. I want relief…..let me take shelter in the spiritual movement". They will be confronted with the hard reality that in devotional service we are also dealing with the material energy. In fact, sometimes even to a greater extent, because in devotional service we have a principle known as 'just surrender!' I experienced this on several occasions: One year I came to New York, and had just arrived, and Romapada Swami from the GBC came out of the office. He looked around and asked: "Is there anyone who can drive?" Then he looks at me and asks: "Can you Drive?" Well what do you say? Those are the moments where you want to say 'No!' I said: "Well yes". "Great…great! We've got a driver….phew!" They had a driver. They took me and there was no such thing as saying: "But I had hardly slept last night because I was flying throughout the night". I was now the driver. We were walking they gave me the key to the car, and when we we were coming around the two blocks, I then saw that the vehicle which was a big yellow truck with a flat back…I didn't even have a licence for that, but everyone was so eager: "You're the driver!" Somehow or other I just became overpowered. In the next moment I was driving a big yellow truck with the kirtan party in the back, through New York and my guide was a non driver! Non drivers they tell you: "Turn right here!" Instead of saying: "Pull up towards the right, and then we turn right". I cut the traffic in New York. It was intense and suddenly police cars came from all sides and I saw myself in jail! They didn't come after me but they went after a shoplifter, who did put his hands against the wall, and several police cars were there. The craziest situation and I thought: "If I would have just listened to my father, and just stayed nicely in the material life, then this would never have happened to me!" I would have just got a job according to my education and my whole life would be lived nicely – a decent life. Instead the madman that I was, I joined the Hare Krishna movement, and see what came of it! I went through a moment like this. So it is certainly not the case that in spiritual life automatically our life will become easier! No, not at all! 'But shouldn't we experience some relief from the pains of the material existence?' Yes but this comes exactly by maybe even more difficulties. We are taking on so many difficulties in the service of Krishna. By taking on all these difficulties in the service of Krishna is our saving grace, because that will not leave us and it will create absorption. If everything was just only very sweet, then the mind would still think: "Maybe the grass is greener on the other side?" When there is overwhelming problems in Krishna Consciousness to deal with – then that is our saving grace because it totally absorbs the mind and then after serving Krishna…. and doing that for Krishna, then one day we will find that our material desires are diminished! They have just automatically diminished simply by engaging in this devotional service and that is how it works!

KKSblog.com - To diminsh the difficulties in Krishna Consciousness?

• A trip through Germany
• Captured!
• Krishna is everywhere
• The prayer of a pure devotee
• For The Pleasure of Krsna

A trip through Germany Posted: 26 Jul 2011 01:07 PM PDT After an ecstatic Summer Camp in Serbia, Maharaja traveled by plain to Germany. He arrived at the Munich temple just in time to give the Sunday feast lecture where he spoke on the five different kinds of worship. The topic is complex but due to his depth of realization and understanding, Maharaja was able to explain such subject matters at a level that resonated perfectly with the audience. He spent a further two days at the temple to rejuvenate in preparation for the upcoming Ratha Yatra in Berlin. On the way to Berlin, Maharaja stopped-over in Leipzig where he had pleasant stay at the highly enthusiastic temple dominated by saffron-clad, stalwart book distributors. He has been a great source of inspiration to the resident devotees and continued doing so by giving daily morning and evening classes. But during this visit, his teachings extended beyond the Vyasasana when he entered the kitchen and demonstrated how to make the perfect chapati! Maharaja arrived in Berlin on Friday, the eve of Ratha Yatra. Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subadra, the presiding Deities of the Berlin temple, were gifted by the King of Orissa. Take note of Their outstanding beauty! On Saturday morning, Jaganatha mounted His chariot adorned by colourful floral arrangements and massive speakers to carry the Holy Name through the inner city of Berlin. The kirtana star cast featured HH Janananda Maharaja, HH Sacinandana Maharaja and HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja. After the procession, followed a stage program that included dance, theatre, choir and a grand finale lead by HH Sacinandana Maharaja and HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja. It was the perfect end to a joyful day. Enjoy the photos! If you cannot view the slide show below, please visit flickr.

Captured! Posted: 26 Jul 2011 12:28 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Stockholm, June 2011) Krsna reciprocates with His devotees. It's not only that Krsna is the Supreme Controller and, pleased with the service of His devotee, is then bestowing some benediction.  Like the worshippers of the demigods are worshipping for some benediction.  But Krsna is not like that. Krsna becomes captured! (Sanskrit) Krsna is saying that He is always in the heart of the devotee, and the devotee is always in His heart.  So Krsna becomes emotionally involved with His devotee.  He becomes captured by His devotee, and therefore Krsna reciprocates with His devotee. That is something extraordinary.  That is an understanding of the nature of the Supreme Lord which is not found so clearly in other concepts of the Lord.  Here Krsna Consciousness stands out.  There are many God concepts and religious understandings, and in this religious understanding, yes, the omnipotent and the omniscient features of the Lord are understood. That is understood, but it is not understood that the Lord becomes very personally emotionally involved with His devotee and becomes captured by that devotee as a well-wisher, and gives Himself completely, and therefore becomes very intimately involved with His devotee.

Krishna is everywhere Posted: 26 Jul 2011 10:54 AM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, February 2011) A pure devotee is in the material world but only externally so. His focus is not on the material energy, and even upon looking at the material energy he always see it as a connection with Krishna. He sees everything simply as an expansion of Krishna! The conditioned soul may look up at the sky and the luminaries in the sky and wonder what is out there? He may consider: 'What is out there in the universe?' But the pure devotee is not having any such questions. He is seeing Krishna and how everything originates from Krishna as well as everything is simply emanating from Krishna. He sees everywhere Krishna's energy and in this way he is not for a moment bewildered by this material energy. He rather see Krishna. The material energy may show different features. Features of extraordinary beauty and ghastly features! And whenever a conditioned soul sees a form of beauty he melts (or she melts). He melts immediately and develops a desire to enjoy this particular object. That is the nature of material contemplation! But such contemplation doesn't arise in the pure devotee. It is not that he is living in a constant battle by seeing the temptation of the all attractive material energy and saying: "No I choose Krishna!" That is the position of the sādhaka who his engaging in the process of pure devotional service, but who within his heart may still be confronted with remnants of material attachments. But one who is truly absorbed in appreciating Krishna…..absorbed in appreciating that service to Krishna is the only activity, and who is always from moment to moment thinking about devotional service to Krishna – such a devotee has no interest in the material energy!

The prayer of a pure devotee Posted: 26 Jul 2011 04:08 AM PDT It is the mercy of the devotees that we are looking for because they have pleased Krsna.  So they have credit with Krsna. Well in this world it also works like that; if someone has very good relationships with a big person, well that's very helpful to have such a connection because that will open many doors! It's who you know in this world they say. Well you know, Prabhupada knows Krsna very well! Quite close! And he also knows Lord Caitanya who is extremely merciful and very connected! So when Prabhupada prays, it helps a lot. When Prabhupada says, 'please accept these devotees who chant 16 rounds and follow 4 regulative principles,' that helps a lot! And that is the whole principle of Lord Caitanya's movement, it is based on that mercy; it is based on the pure devotees who are praying. (Kadmaba Kanana Swami, Preoria, South Africa, 2011)

For The Pleasure of Krsna Posted: 26 Jul 2011 03:17 AM PDT Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu explains to Sanatana Gosvami that we must follow in the footsteps of the eternal residents of Vrndavana and we must in the same way always act for the pleasure of Krsna. Therefore in our sadhana, in our devotional practice, we learn to act for the pleasure of Krsna: we cook for Krsna, we keep the temple clean for Krsna- everything with Krsna in the centre. My first big festival in the temple was Gaura Purnima and I was celebrating that in the Bhaktivedanta Manor and I had just returned from India. They had a very big room, much bigger than this one, and we- brand new devotees- our service was to roll sweet balls the whole day and we were fasting and it was just too much for my mind! Sitting with an ocean of sweet balls and the whole room was filling up and we were sitting in an ocean of prasadam while fasting! And I was thinking, 'what kind of movement is this? They are fasting and then the whole day they are in the kitchen cooking and busy with prasadam and all kinds of preparations. What is this process?' I thought it was strange because I was self-centered and I was thinking it's all austerity that we are performing for our own purification. I didn't understand for one day, for one day it is the day of Krsna and on this day instead of worrying of our own senses, as we usually do, 'oh yes, let's put some extra cheese on the pizza! And would you like a chilli on your pizza? And what would you like with the pizza? What kind of ice cream shall we take out of the deep freezer so that it becomes a little soft- the mango one, the strawberry one or the chocolate crunch?' Like that we are busy with all kinds of arrangements and the 'butter paneer masala! Our favorite! It must be there together with the kachori!' Like this these ways in which we think how we are going to have a good weekend. And then it's that one day, a special festival and we put all our own sense enjoyment aside. There will be no arrangements made for our sense enjoyment. All the arrangements are made only for Krsna's pleasure- everything! The residents of Vrndavana do that everyday! (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Pretoria, South Africa, 2011)

KKSblog.com - A trip through Germany

Fact a day!

"The Pupil of the eye expands as much as 45% when a person looks at something pleasing"

It is because of this reason that Lord Jagannath has His eyes expanded and so big. We can also see this normally among people when they are excited at looking something very important, pleasant. But the Lord is so potent that the extent of His Love is also so big, unlimited and hence the symptoms of ecstasy that He experiences are also unlimited. Not only the pupils get enlarged when in ecstasy but also the limbs of the body and the hands that go inside and the whole body becomes like a boneless skin as in the case of Lord Chaitanya when He was caught by the fisherman. The fisherman thought Lord Chaithanya to be some Ghost by seeing Him.

These extreme symptoms are not common among ordinary living beings but only for exalted beings who have surpassed the sense enjoyment and who experience the spiritual bliss that is beyond the touch of material nature.

Symptoms of Ecstasy?

There's no disease so destructive as lust, no enemy like infatuation,
no fire like wrath, no happiness like Spiritual knowledge-Chanakya
Pandit

--
Yours
Dinesh

Words of Wisdom

Women have hunger two fold, shyness four fold, daring six fold, lust
eight fold as compared to men-Chanakya Pandit

--
Yours
Dinesh

Women Vs Men

As is the desire of providence,so functions one's intellect.One's
activities are also controlled by providence and by the will of
providence,one is surrounded by helpers-Chanakya Pandit.
But one has to understand that becoming a devotee of Krishna is open
to all regardless of the current karmic influence. Not that if Krishna
desires i'll become a devotee. Krishna wants everyone to be relieved
of this world.
Situation will change according to our karma but How we react to the
situation matters.

--
Yours
Dinesh

Our intellect is also Ctrld by providence.

Hare Krishna,

Dear friends,

Devotees of Krishna, seeking suitable spouse can register in the following site. I was an online helper earlier in this site requesting the devotees to fill the profile info properly. I was asked to spread the word as well. Somehow today I got a mail from the site and remembered this. The link follows

http://www.marryadevotee.com/

--
Yours
Dinesh

Matrimonial site for devotees http://www.marryadevotee.com/

Neither the demigods nor the demons, O Lord, can understand Your personality.

These 5,
1.one's life span
2.type of work
3.wealth
4.learning
5.time of death
are determined when one is in the womb-Chanakya Pandit

--
Yours
Dinesh

Words of Wisdom!

I see everyone going somewhere all the time when I am out. I am also
going somewhere. But dont want to go where others go. Arjuna already
sees everyone entering into the mouth of the virata rupa of the Lord.
He sees many of the heads being crushed by His teeth. And everyone is
helplessly going to the gate of death. It's the timeframe which the
soul forgets to see.Time devours everything&everyone. What is Time?
Time is Krishna!
So we'll get killed anyway but the destination of a devotee is
different that that of one who is nt a devotee of Krishna.

--
Yours
Dinesh

Where are we heading?

We have this sheep mentality. Sheeps go one after the other in groups
without any reason.We just follow this material world blindly without
any reason. We think,Everyone is doing that way, if i dont do it,i'll
be the odd one out. Prabhupada said,We have to be thoughtfully
independent, even though we follow the scriptures and other devotees.
We should not do something just Becoz a senior devotee does that way.

--
Yours
Dinesh

Sheep mentality

Krishna: Yoga or Bhoga?

Krishna: Yoga or Bhoga?

FREEDOM TO CHOOSE WHOM YOU LOVE

via GITA COACHING by akrura@gmail.com on 7/9/11

You certainly have limited freedom to choose, but if you choose improperly, you have to suffer. Responsibility and freedom go hand in hand. At the same time, there must be discrimination. Without it, our freedom is blind. We cannot understand right from wrong.

People are very fond of claiming to be free, and in the name of freedom they are prepared to have sex in the street. Such illusioned living entities do not know that there is no freedom at all as long as we are under the grip of material nature. One may claim to have freedom, but nature will soon contradict this claim. We are all conditioned, and we are simply thinking that we have freedom, yet this is all illusion.

No one wants to die, and yet no one is free from death. No one wants to become old, yet no one is free from old age unless he dies young. No one wants to be in bondage to sexual desires, but the desires keep up, even in old age, for old men and old women try to remain young by cosmetic help. One would like to be free and to remain good-looking, but where is that freedom? Nature forces one to become old and wrinkled. So actually there is no freedom; freedom in this material world is simply false.

No one wants to die, but death is certain. No one wants to become old, but old age is certain. No one wants to get sick, but disease is certain. At a higher stage, the living entity does not even want to take birth, but according to Bhagavad-gita birth is also certain. One cannot be free to stop death or birth unless he comes to Krsna consciousness.

Unless one comes to the position of love of Krsna, there is no question of freedom. That is nature's law. In our present state of illusion we have forgotten Krsna, and instead of loving Him we have developed a love for the things of material nature.

This is symptomized in love of dog instead of love of God. In America there is a popular saying to the effect that a dog is man's best friend. In Bhagavad-gita Krsna says that He, God, is the friend and well-wisher of all living entities, but those in forgetfulness of Krsna have replaced God's position with the dog's position.

The living entity thinks that he will be free from love of God by embracing material nature, but actually he is trapped into loving a dog. That is nature. Indeed, it is our nature to love something. There is no freedom, therefore. If we do not love Krsna, we will then be forced to love dog. We do have freedom, however, to make the choice, to choose the object of our love.

- Srila Prabhupada

FREEDOM TO CHOOSE WHOM YOU LOVE

IF YOU JUST COULD

via GITA COACHING by akrura@gmail.com on 7/11/11

If You Just Could Live the Second Half of Your Life Differently From The First, What Would You Do With It?

Take Up the Process of Gita Coaching to Create the Meaningful, Fulfilling and Exciting Life You Deserve.

Dear Prospective Devotee Client,

If you've been wondering what should you to to be more happy and more productive in Krsna consciousness ... if you've been downsized from a corporate job where you've spent the last 20 years of your life … if you've recently taken early retirement to pursue your dream lifestyle… if you've been thinking of making a drastic career change because it just doesn't deliver the passion and satisfaction it used to … or if you're just not satisfied with your life at the moment — I have an invitation that could help you create a completely different life for yourself … the life you've been secretly dreaming about.

It's no surprise that, late in life, most people's greatest lament is that they failed to live a life with meaning. They didn't take that "Chance", they didn't make a contribution, leave a legacy, do anything important, or even pursue the one thing that was truly significant to them.

They worry that they'll leave this Earth without having seen very much of it — because they were too busy getting ahead, being cautious, and planning for the future. I have seen this regret time and time again in the faces of my students. When they first arrive at their seminars, they're timid, cautious — perhaps not believing they can create the rich and rewarding lifestyle or passionate pursuits they've been thinking about for years.

Yet over just a few hours of a Gita Coaching Course, their faces begin to brighten as they discover they can begin creating the life they want — regardless of the confines they find themselves in and despite the setbacks they've encountered before.

But aside from the courses in 20 countries, for more than 20 years I have also worked privately with devotees to take them from where they are now to where they want to be. In fact, my greatest enjoyment comes from working directly with people who truly want to make the internal changes and life-changing decisions that will allow them to achieve the goals they want to reach!

The goal of Gita Coaching courses and personal coaching is to feed your mind, body, heart and soul.

IF YOU JUST COULD

YOU NEED TO PAY - EVERY SINGLE DAY

via GITA COACHING by akrura@gmail.com on 7/18/11

In working with hundreds of devotees from many parts of the world, I have seen that the real effective change and a positive progress starts when a devotee stops blaming anyone, including Krsna, for his distress or lack of success, and takes full responsibility for his life: past, present and future.

Success starts with clarity about what we want in life and what are our main roles (responsibilities and relationships) and with taking 108 percent responsibility for our behavior, our spiritual practice, our service and work, and especially our relationships. Taking responsibility is another great pillar for devotee's success and I always look for an opportunity to encourage it.

As Bhagavad-gita is holistic, so is the Gita Coaching. It helps devotees become more effective in the areas of health, sadhana, service, relationships, etc. As all these areas influence each other, it is important to work on enhancing all of them, as far as possible.

We help devotees to look at their life as an indivisible whole and to see how various parts relate to and influence each other. For a peaceful and happy life, balance is an important factor, which is mentioned in the Sixth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita.

In helping devotees succeed, Gita Coaching approach does not create dependency, rather it strives to help devotees to help themselves by becoming spiritually and mentally strong and physically healthy. Success happens on the field, when you are not with your coach.

Your coach will provide powerful questions, principles, strategies and tools, but if you want to make progress you need to practice every day, you need to pay the price of success every single day. Accumulation of these sincere, regular efforts attracts Krsna's attention and brings strength and momentum.

YOU NEED TO PAY - EVERY SINGLE DAY

BABIES

via GITA COACHING by akrura@gmail.com on 7/20/11

There is a group of people who have never experienced a health challenge, a financial setback, a troubled relationship, or a personal problem.

They're called babies.

BABIES

DEAR FRIENDS,

via GITA COACHING by akrura@gmail.com on 7/23/11

Things are heating up across the globe, but here in Buenos Aires it's rather cool! I hope you're staying cool while chanting Hare Krsna mantra.

Even though it's summertime, this doesn't mean you should slow down the pursuit of your worthy goals.

We're halfway through 2011, and if you haven't made significant progress toward your goals, it might be time for you to focus on strengthening your determination.

High achievers are incredibly persistent, and what fuels them is a relentless determination to achieve their goals, no matter what it takes.

To reach our goals, we must have the inner fire to overcome obstacles, believe in our Krsna conscious dreams (even when it seems that no one supports us), and be willing to sacrifice some short-term pleasures for long-term success.

This quote from Gandhi pretty much sums it up ...

"Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph: a beginning, a struggle and a victory"

Ready to succeed no matter what? Enjoy the articles on this Gita Coaching blog and over 10 hours of Gita Coaching Courses Worldwide to help YOU cultivate an attitude of relentless determination!

Just like hundreds of others who've been through this Gita Coaching process, I believe you'll discover the focus, enthusiasm, resolve and desire to pursue the spiritual life you want.

ys
Akrura dasa

We must have the inner fire to overcome obstacles

(Purport to BG 10.12-13 continued)

In the Kena Upanishad it is stated that the Supreme Brahman is the rest for everything, and Krishna has already explained that everything is resting on Him. The Mundaka Upanishad confirms that the Supreme Lord, in whom everything is resting, can be realized only by those who engage constantly in thinking of Him. This constant thinking of Krishna is smaranam, one of the methods of devotional service. It is only by devotional service to Krishna that one can understand his position and get rid of this material body.

In the Vedas the Supreme Lord is accepted as the purest of the pure. One who understands that Krishna is the purest of the pure can become purified from all sinful activities. One cannot be disinfected from sinful activities unless he surrenders unto the Supreme Lord. Arjuna's acceptance of Krishna as the supreme pure complies with the injunctions of Vedic literature. This is also confirmed by great personalities, of whom Narada is the chief.

Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and one should always meditate upon Him and enjoy one's transcendental relationship with Him. He is the supreme existence. He is free from bodily needs, birth and death. Not only does Arjuna confirm this, but all the Vedic literatures, the Puranas and histories. In all Vedic literatures Krishna is thus described, and the Supreme Lord Himself also says in the Fourth Chapter, "Although I am unborn, I appear on this earth to establish religious principles." He is the supreme origin; He has no cause, for He is the cause of all causes, and everything is emanating from Him. This perfect knowledge can be had by the grace of the Supreme Lord.

Here Arjuna expresses himself through the grace of Krishna. If we want to understand Bhagavad-gita, we should accept the statements in these two verses. This is called the parampara system, acceptance of the disciplic succession. Unless one is in the disciplic succession, he cannot understand Bhagavad-gita. It is not possible by so-called academic education. Unfortunately those proud of their academic education, despite so much evidence in Vedic literatures, stick to their obstinate conviction that Krishna is an ordinary person.

The Supreme Lord is accepted as the purest of the pure

Look at the Other Side..

Only two kinds of people are happy in this world.
1.The transcendentalist/Paramahamsa who is beyond the touch of
material world even though living in this world. Their sole purpose of
being here is to lift the conditioned souls back to Godhead
2.Foolish sensual person who has no knowledge of Spiritual life.
Actually even the happiness that he gets is only a Sense of happiness
which is due to the contact of senses with Sense objects and is
miserable in the beginning, middle&end.

But the aspirant devotee is lying between the pull of lower animal
nature and the transcendental realm. Even the happiness experienced by
such an aspirant devotee is far more greater than that of jnanis,yogis
or mental speculators.

--
Yours
Dinesh

Happy people!

If we dont expect anything from others we dont get frustrated when it is not fulfilled. But when we had some expectation and it is not fulfilled we feel bad and we dont like that situation-SB Mayapur

We want others to act in a way that we like. That is the problem. So from others we should expect very less and from our own self we should expect everything and things are in control for ourself.

To carry out devotional service to the Supreme Lord,we should not keep these expectations from others.

Expectation in the marriage:
Q:there
s Expectation in the married life for the partners. How should it be dealt with?
A: Arranged marriage is the best way to set up things properly. Because when the man and woman are put together directly to discuss upon, the emotional state of their minds is too high and they think they love each other so much and then they imagine everything will be alright and nice after the marriage and nothing needs to be bothered for now.

But later on, after marriage when the partner finds that the behaviour is not as expected, there will be divorce! Because the attachments and the accustomed things are not so easy to be given up.So in the Vedic way of arranged marriage the boy and the girl are not allowed to directly discuss rather they would not have seen each other. The match is made by third person and thereby even if the match is not proper the boy and the girl would never know who is who.
Th horoscope chart gives an idea of the nature of the man and the woman and hence there can be more chances that the marriage would become a successful one.No two charts can match 100%. Even Lord Shiva and Parvathi are not 100% matching. It's only an adjustment to the expectations but the better one than the monkey marriage where people see each other on a date or something and then decide upon getting together. It's not recommmended for a successful marriage.

Also Marriage is not a part of the devotional service. Marriage itself is a result of one's attachment. But it's a best use of the bad bargain. For one who cannot immediately take up the devotional service directly, these are additional steps to make oneself understand and act religiously to gradually progress towards the path of perfection.

--- SB Mayapur + prior heard points on this topic.

Yours
Dinesh

Monkey Marriage?

Pictures of the week!