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Bhakti Yoga - The Topmost Yogic Practice!
So coming to Vrindavan!? - Good one to have.. Kind of checklist for you!!!
The Govinda Valley retreat in words Posted: 06 Oct 2011 09:50 PM PDT The following is a nice article, written by Smita Krsna Mataji, describing Kadamba Kanana Maharaja's seminar regarding faith, held on the first and second of October in Govinda Valley, Australia. Kadamba Kanana Swami flew in to the harbour city of Sydney just in time for the scheduled retreat at beautiful Govinda Valley situated one hour south of Sydney in the bushland of Otford. Maharaja opened the retreat with a kirtana on Friday night. He charged the whole atmosphere with the spiritual sound vibration. After an hour of kirtan, Maharaja gave a welcome talk and an overview of the whole retreat. He emphasised that the taste for spiritual life can be developed by the service to vaisanvas. After the short talk, devotees were served delicious prasadam and then everybody went to bed early, in anticipation to spend the weekend with other vaisnavas to gain deep insight of the confidential knowledge of Bhakti yoga as revealed by the Lord Himself. On Saturday, Maharaja led mangala arti as well as guru puja for Srila Prabhupada. The kirtan went long and devotees danced and sang with full energy. The topic of the first class was establishing the authority of Srimad Bhagavatam. Maharaja began with the explanation of 'om namo bhagavate vasudevaya' whereby 'om' includes every aspect of the Lord and 'bhagavate', referring to 'Bhagavan', indicates that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the focus of Srimad Bhagavatam. Maharaja explained that the Vedic literature includes many aspects of our life and that this is the purpose of Srimad Bhagavatam, to give transcendental spiritual knowledge. He told the audience that Bhagavatam is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and therefore is highly essential. Maharaja also explained that the first verse of Srimad Bhagavatam establishes the teachings of our movement. In the second class, Maharaja basically spoke about our faith in Srila Prabhupada. The first day ended with the Vrindavan meditation with Maharaja singing sweet bhajans for Their Lordships in Their beautifully decorated altar. On Sunday, after the mangala arti, devotees chanted their japa together in the association of Maharaja. In the first class on Sunday, Maharaja explained faith in context with community that is in relation to people and not entity. He said that vaisnava culture has to be centered around Krishna and culture should be favourable for cultivation. The main points of discussion were Kanistha Adhikari, Madayama Adhikari and Uttama Adhikari explained with reference to the different stages of bhakti from sraddha to prema. The second class on Sunday was focused on developing our relationship in spiritual life and about the 26 qualities of devotees. Maharaja explained that the depth of the faith directly reflects our relationship with each other. He said that if we make a relationship with the dhama, the vaisnava, the scriptures and the deities, then our roots will grow and through that our service will go deeper. The final session of the retreat was focused on faith in dialogue, presenting, defending and explaining it. Kadamba Kanana Swami asked for volunteers from the audience and made a panel of speakers to ask them questions about philosophy, culture and real life situations. It was emphasised that when our knowledge is realised and when we experience conclusions of the scriptures then our faith becomes very strong and the eventually, at the stage of bhava, Krsna appears in the meditation. At this stage there is no question of believing or not, The last part of the retreat was dedicated to discussing of Maharaja's book "Words of a Public Hermit" and Maharaja distributed this very book as gifts to all the devotees who took part in this retreat.
Please also view the pictures and listen to the lectures of this wonderful retreat. |
Posted: 06 Oct 2011 09:40 PM PDT After Kadamba Kanana Maharaja's stay in Capetown he went to Johannesburg, preparing to catch his flight to Austalia. He then eventually flew off to Sydney, Australia. Reaching there the next day he went straight on to Govinda Valley, a beautiful retreat center, situated directly on the coast in a town called Otford. There he gave an inspiring two-days seminar on the topic of faith. On monday (03 Oct) he went to the Sydney temple, giving the evening Bhagavatam class. On the next two days he was busy giving the morning and evening classes and he also did a nice evening program at the Govinda's restaurant in Darling hurst, performing bhajanas and giving insights on the glories of Vrindavna Dhama. On thursday morning Kadamba Kanana Swami held an initiation ceremony at the temple. He gave second initiation to one Mataji as well as first initiation to two Prabhus, calling them Nayanabhirama Dasa and Tusta Krsna Dasa. Enjoy the pictures! If you would like to know more about the seminar regarding faith, please read this article and listen to the lectures. Enjoy! If you cannot view the slideshow below, please visit flickr. |
Faith – A seminar in Govinda Valley Posted: 06 Oct 2011 09:36 PM PDT Here are the recordings of Kadamba Kanana Maharaja's seminar entitled Please also view the article and the pictures of this seminar. If you cannot listen to these lectures, you can click on each of the titles to download them.
Day one Kadamba Kanana Swami: Faith II Kadamba Kanana Swami: Faith III
Day two |
Unwillingly chanting the holy name Part 2 Posted: 06 Oct 2011 01:00 PM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Helsinki, 2011) "So then how can we deliver these?" Caitanya Mahaprabhu was in anxiety about it. So then Haridasa Thakura first gave the example of a muslim who just called out: "Hare Rama, Hare Rama." And then he was speaking about Ajamila who at the end of his life was chanting the name of 'Narayana'. But not with any intention to chant the name of the Lord but just calling his son, who was named 'Narayana'. In this way Haridasa said: "All these sinful men will be delivered. All these living beings are being delivered by some arrangement of the holy name!" So we can understand that Krishna has manifested the holy name in these languages – that is Krishna's arrangement, that the holy name is somehow or other part of our languages. Like for example the Dutch word for window is 'ram'. We will always say 'ram'. Close that 'ram'……………..who will come to clean the 'ram'. Like this it comes again and again in our language and in every language such words are hidden! That is not a coincidence, since that is the arrangement of Krishna! |
Unwillingly chanting the holy name Part 1 Posted: 06 Oct 2011 11:42 AM PDT (Kadamba Kanana Swami, Helsinki, 2011) "Hare Rama, Hare Rama". It means, ' what misfortune, what a great misfortune'. So each time they are calling out: "What misfortune, Hare Rama". Meanwhile they are getting the greatest benefit. There is an old puranic story about such a yadahana who had been pierced from the tusk of a wild boar. The result was that he was thinking: "How could this happen?" Then he was calling out: "Hare Rama, Hare Rama! What misfortune." As a result because he was calling out 'Hare Rama Hare Rama' at the time of death, he went back to Godhead! There are so many amazing stories like that. I know one particular case where one boy was taking initiation, and his mother went for the ceremony. His father didn't go because he didn't want to miss the football on TV. So he was sitting in front of the TV, and when his wife came back, the father called out: "So what's his new name?" It was a name with Krishna, I think it was Atul Krishna, and he repeated the name…..just then he dropped dead, on the spot, after he had said the holy name! So unwillingly the holy name is being chanted, and unknowingly the holy name is being chanted – with no intention to serve the Lord………..with no spiritual intention whatsoever, and yet the benefit is there. That is the nature! |
KKSblog.com - The Govinda Valley retreat in words
Some complain about getting along with others who cause them many problems— ah, if they could only be alonethey could experience
some peace and quite—but really we are all relational creatures as is all existence, conscious or inert if we really study
the universe:
Everything has its component parts from solar systems and planets
to the elements composing them
earth, water, fire, air, space
living things, celestial bodies
cells, DNA, atoms, molecules
mountains, streams, valleys
plains, deserts, oceans
all having meaning
by comparison
and relationship to.
Whatever we see
or experience is
in relationship
to something else
as nothing stands alone
though all is one in Krishna
he manifests form and variety
and we cannot, not be
in correspondence to
another part,
even a speck.
To master oneself
or our life
we must master
relationships
seeing them as life's
building blocks
the key to happiness
and fulfillment
as mirrors
to help us
look at ourself.
We are interdependent,
independence is illusion
from any angle of vision
whether atomic or universal
the ultimate truth being
we are part of Krishna
who is the center
of our center
life of our life
soul of our souls
the glue which
causes things to
relate to things,
parts to parts
people to people.
True lasting happiness
is playing the part
we were designed
to play
in loving service
to our Source
and more intimately,
the Lord of our hearts.
Our principle forms
of God, Radha-Krishna
Gaura-Nitai
who are never alone
always surrounded
by loving servants
friends, parents, lovers—
every type of relationship
finds its rest in them.
Now we have to practice
relating to other
people and devotees
whether a spouse, child
friend, boss, guru,
teacher, student,
antagonist, all for
relationship practice
to be loving, kind
compassionate
choosing to find
the good, not seeing
the blemishes as who
they—or we— really are.
Can't escape others
by false renunciation
since we must learn
how to get along
with all types of
"others"
from the lowest
mean selfish conditioning
to the great souls—
all can be our teachers
with the potential
to help uncover
our sleeping soul
or show us
what we need
to be purified from
learning that without
relationships we
can't exist
whether in this
world or the next.
Relationships are Everything!!!
Physically, psychologically and spiritually we will go through many changes in the natural course of our lives and our marital relationship may need to adapt accordingly. Yet some basic, vital qualities are present throughout all healthy marriages. Let's look at seven of them in relation to our potential spouse and ourselves.
Balanced
If you have been to a circus you may have seen a tightrope walker constantly adjusting his long pole to keep it horizontal. Without these readjustments, the performer may lose his balance and fall. Similarly, by avoiding extreme views or behaviors that will throw us off our chosen life path, we can remain mentally, physically and spiritually balanced. And we can choose to marry a similarly balanced person.
Respectful
Respect is crucial to any relationship. A person who respects others will not neglect to respect you, while one who is harsh and critical will, sooner or later, most likely exhibit that same behavior toward you.
A good listener
Most relationship problems stem from poor listening habits. There is a saying: "Seek first to understand before trying to be understood." Our tendency in conversation is to be thinking about what to say next rather than attentively hearing what is being said. If your potential partner and you are either good listeners or committed to practicing the skills necessary to become good listeners, your marriage is more likely to succeed. Good listeners are usually also respectful and balanced individuals.
Humble
Look for a person who can admit his or her mistakes, apologize, and make amends for hurtful actions. If we marry Mr. or Ms. Right (they always think they are right), it is difficult to have a satisfying relationship. Humility is good for a relationship and is also a key factor in spiritual progress.
Faithful to the Supreme Lord
Faith, the foundation of all spiritual practices, increases individual self-fulfillment and happiness and brings peace and harmony to a marriage, family and community. Research shows that marriages are stronger and more rewarding when both spouses are committed to their personal spiritual development.
Free from Addictions
Avoid persons who have excessive attachment to drugs, alcohol, food, sex, computer games or television. Such addictions often overshadow relationships with family members, friends and the Lord. Although counseling and spiritual practice can help addicts, it is risky to start a relationship with the hope of changing another person's behavior.
Compatible
Although no two people are 100% compatible, the more compatible you and your future spouse are the easier it will be to understand each other's thoughts and feelings and the greater the chances that your marriage will be lasting, fulfilling and harmonious. Compatible people have similar natures and share many of the same interests, values and intellectual and philosophical aptitudes.
By spending time together you can get an idea of how well the two of you get along, but before attachment sets in, consult people who know the other person well and consult a qualified astrologer.
Prior to marriage, a GVT representative can administer a premarital inventory to help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship. We of the Grhastha Vision Team are committed to the future happiness of your marriage.
A Potential Spouse, by Arcana-siddhi dasi is also available as a GVT pamphlet
A Potential Spouse: 7 Important Qualities to Look For
VALUABLE DEVOTEE ARTICLES
BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED
WHY FORGIVENESS?
A SAFE PLACE
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2004)
How can you figure out what's realistic while you're in maya?
A brahmacari called Giriraj Das once said to Prabhupada:
"Prabhupada, sometimes I'm in maya".
Prabhupada said:
"What do you mean, you're always in maya!"
Are we any different from that? Aren't we always in maya?
So how can you figure out what's realistic when you're in a illusion?
There is a fundamental difficulty there. So we can only figure out what's realistic, if we're free from maya in a sense. Therefore it's better to take the superior instruction from our Spiritual Master, who will tell us when to walk on our toes and when to relax- that's safer!
So what is realistic?
(Kadamba Kanana Swami,2004)
We become attached to the deity. To just see the deity, and diety's darshan. It's a whole experience and we wouldn't want to miss it; to do the service for the deity, kirtan, prasadam……all these things we develop attachments – hearing Srimad Bhagavatam and so on.
We are hankering for the association of the devotees. Just go away from the devotees for a while and then we are getting eager to be with the devotees again. So like this, we are noticing that our attachments to these items is growing, and gradually the denseness of many aspects of Krishna Consciousness that we get attached to, are just growing and growing. And we go from one attachment onto the next!
In this way our whole day is filled with different types of attachments to Krishna! So we can see what is really developing is very condensed, ecstatic Krishna Consciousness or:
'sāndrānanda-viśeṣātmā,(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.1.17).
So we are seeing how the gradual quality of, 'sāndrānanda-viśeṣātmā',
or a very condensed Krishna Consciousness is developing. Not only is the quantity developing but also the quality is developing. Our relationship with the various items of devotional services is growing, as we are putting more and energy in serving Krishna in these various ways (through the sixty four aspects of devotional service, especially through the five principle ones) we begin to experience more and more attachment there and also more intensity.
So again we can see how, 'sāndrānanda-viśeṣātmā', is very condensed – bliss that it cannot be penetrated by anyone else anymore! From one attachment to Krishna to another, and there is no more room for anything else to enter!
Developing a very condensed Krishna Consciousness
Spiritualize Your Subtle Body
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.8 |
Srila Prabhupada speaks on: Spiritualize Your Subtle Body
[srilaprabhupadanectar] Remembering Srila Prabhupada - Reactions due to initiation
Bhagavad-gita As It Is | Part [BG.11.29]
TEXT 44:
tasmat pranamya pranidhaya kayam
prasadaye tvam aham isam idyam
piteva putrasya sakheva sakhyuh
priyah priyayarhasi deva sodhum
TRANSLATION:
You are the Supreme Lord, to be worshiped by every living being. Thus I fall down to offer You my respectful obeisances and ask Your mercy. As a father tolerates the impudence of his son, a friend the impertinence of a friend, or a husband the familiarity of his wife, please tolerate the wrongs I may have done You.
PURPORT:
Krishna's devotees relate to Krishna in various relationships; one might treat Krishna as a son, or one might treat Krishna as a husband, as a friend, or as a master. Krishna and Arjuna are related in friendship. As the father tolerates, or the husband or a master tolerates, so Krishna tolerates.
TEXT 45:
adrishta-purvam hrishito 'smi drishtva
bhayena ca pravyathitam mano me
tad eva me darsaya deva rupam
prasida devesa jagan-nivasa
TRANSLATION:
After seeing this universal form, which I have never seen before, I am gladdened, but at the same time my mind is disturbed with fear. Therefore please bestow Your grace upon me and reveal again Your form as the Personality of Godhead, O Lord of lords, O abode of the universe.
PURPORT:
Arjuna is always in confidence with Krishna because he is a very dear friend, and as a dear friend is gladdened by his friend's opulence, Arjuna is very joyful to see that his friend Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and can show such a wonderful universal form. But at the same time, after seeing that universal form, he is afraid that he has committed so many offenses to Krishna out of his unalloyed friendship. Thus his mind is disturbed out of fear, although he had no reason to fear. Arjuna therefore is asking Krishna to show His Narayana form, because He can assume any form. This universal form is material and temporary, as the material world is temporary. But in the Vaikuntha planets He has His transcendental form with four hands as Narayana. There are innumerable planets in the spiritual sky, and in each of them Krishna is present by His plenary manifestations of different names. Thus Arjuna desired to see one of the forms manifest in the Vaikuntha planets. Of course in each Vaikuntha planet the form of Narayana is four-handed, but the four hands hold different arrangements of symbols—the conchshell, mace, lotus and disc. According to the different hands these four things are held in, the Narayanas are variously named. All of these forms are one with Krishna; therefore Arjuna requests to see His four-handed feature.
Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com
Please tolerate the wrongs I may have done You
Govardhan photos