ISKCON Manchester children and Akrura:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cvcRFwuCM_0&feature=channel_page
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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
HOW TO CATCH A FISH
How to catch a fish without getting wet?
How to help someone change without hurting them or offending them?
I asked Bhakta Nrsimhadeva from Ireland these questions today.
He gave me a brilliant answer: have a right motive.
How to help someone change without hurting them or offending them?
I asked Bhakta Nrsimhadeva from Ireland these questions today.
He gave me a brilliant answer: have a right motive.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
ALL DESIRES
The Lord will satisfy the senses of the living entities as much as they deserve, but not to the extent that they may covet. But when one takes the opposite way -- namely, when one tries to satisfy the senses of Govinda without desiring to satisfy one's own senses -- then by the grace of Govinda all desires of the living entity are satisfied.
Bg 1.32-35 Purport
Bg 1.32-35 Purport
Saturday, January 17, 2009
HAPPINESS
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that a devotee does not care about his own happiness and distress; he is simply interested in seeing that Krsna is happy, and for that purpose he engages in various activities.
A pure devotee has no way of sensing happiness except by seeing that Krsna is happy in every respect.
If Krsna becomes happy by giving him distress, such a devotee accepts that unhappiness as the greatest of all happiness.
Those who are materialistic, however, who are very proud of material wealth and have no spiritual knowledge, like the prakrta-sahajiyas, regard their own happiness as the aim of life.
Some of them aspire to enjoy themselves by sharing the happiness of Krsna.
This is the mentality of fruitive workers who want to enjoy sense gratification by making a show of service to Krsna.
- Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Antya 20.52 Purport
Friday, January 16, 2009
TRUST
One thing is common to every individual, relationship, team, family, organization,nation, economy and civilization throughout the world. Removing this one thing will destroy the most powerful government, the most successful business, the most thriving economy, the most influential leadership, the greatest friendship, the strongest character, the deepest love. On the other hand, if this one thing is developed and leveraged, it has the potential to create unparalleled success and prosperity in every dimension of life. This one thing is trust.
- SC
- SC
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS
I believe that we will be happy to the extent that we can give - without expecting anything in return.
Why would we give unconditionally like that?
Because Krsna will be pleased.
Such giving is also one of the the secrets of leadership.
Why would we give unconditionally like that?
Because Krsna will be pleased.
Such giving is also one of the the secrets of leadership.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
EMPOWERMENT
In the Bhagavad-gita (10.41) the Lord says, "Anyone specifically powerful and opulent in wealth, strength, beauty, knowledge and all that is materially desirable is to be considered but a product of an insignificant portion of the complete whole of My energy."
No one, therefore, can be independently powerful in any measure without being endowed by the Lord.
When the Lord descends on the earth along with His eternal ever-liberated associates, He not only displays the divine energy possessed by Himself, but also empowers His associate devotees with the required energy to execute His mission of incarnation.
It is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita (4.5) that the Lord and His eternal associates descend on the earth many times, but the Lord remembers all the different roles of incarnations, whereas the associates, by His supreme will, forget them.
Similarly, the Lord takes away with Him all His associates when He disappears from the earth.
The power and energy which were bestowed upon Arjuna were required for fulfillment of the mission of the Lord, but when His mission was fulfilled, the emergency powers were withdrawn from Arjuna because the astounding powers of Arjuna, which were astonishing even to the denizens of heaven, were no longer required, and they were not meant for going back home, back to Godhead.
If endowment of powers and withdrawal of powers by the Lord are possible even for a great devotee like Arjuna, or even the demigods in heaven, then what to speak of the ordinary living beings who are but figs compared to such great souls.
The lesson is, therefore, that no one should be puffed up for his powers borrowed from the Lord.
The sane man should rather feel obliged to the Lord for such benefactions and must utilize such power for the service of the Lord.
Such power can be withdrawn at any time by the Lord, so the best use of such power and opulence is to engage them in the service of the Lord.
SB 1.15.5 Purport
No one, therefore, can be independently powerful in any measure without being endowed by the Lord.
When the Lord descends on the earth along with His eternal ever-liberated associates, He not only displays the divine energy possessed by Himself, but also empowers His associate devotees with the required energy to execute His mission of incarnation.
It is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita (4.5) that the Lord and His eternal associates descend on the earth many times, but the Lord remembers all the different roles of incarnations, whereas the associates, by His supreme will, forget them.
Similarly, the Lord takes away with Him all His associates when He disappears from the earth.
The power and energy which were bestowed upon Arjuna were required for fulfillment of the mission of the Lord, but when His mission was fulfilled, the emergency powers were withdrawn from Arjuna because the astounding powers of Arjuna, which were astonishing even to the denizens of heaven, were no longer required, and they were not meant for going back home, back to Godhead.
If endowment of powers and withdrawal of powers by the Lord are possible even for a great devotee like Arjuna, or even the demigods in heaven, then what to speak of the ordinary living beings who are but figs compared to such great souls.
The lesson is, therefore, that no one should be puffed up for his powers borrowed from the Lord.
The sane man should rather feel obliged to the Lord for such benefactions and must utilize such power for the service of the Lord.
Such power can be withdrawn at any time by the Lord, so the best use of such power and opulence is to engage them in the service of the Lord.
SB 1.15.5 Purport
Monday, January 12, 2009
THE LIGHTHOUSE
It was a dark and stormy night.
“Captain, captain, wake up!”
“Ohh … What is it?”
“Sorry to awaken you sir, but we have a serious problem.”
“Well what is it?”
“There’s a ship in our sea-lane about 20 miles away, and they refuse to move.”
“Tell them to move.”
“Sir, we have. They won’t move.”
“I’ll tell them!” The signal goes out: “Move starboard 20 degrees. At once!”
The signal returns: “Move starboard yourself 20 degrees. At once.”
“I can’t believe this. I mean, I’m a captain. Let them know who I am. I am important.” The signal goes out: “This is Captain Horatio Hornblower the 26th commanding you to move starboard 20 degrees at once.”
The signal returns: “This is seaman Carl Jones the third commanding you to move starboard 20 degrees at once.”
“What arrogance! Who is this joker? I mean, we’re a battleship! We could just blow them — let them know who we are!” The signal goes out: “This is the Mighty Missouri, Flagship of the Seventh Fleet!”
The signal returns: “This is the Lighthouse.”
That’s a true story by the way. It’s found in the Naval Proceedings Manual where they literally interpreted a lighthouse to be a ship, but I like the story because it helps me introduce this subject: That there are Laws of Nature, or Lighthouse Principles that govern life.
We think we govern it. We may let our values govern our behavior, but the consequences of that behavior is governed by those Lighthouse Principles. One of which is that there are four parts to our nature: our body, our mind, our heart, and our spirit. And that all four parts represent four capabilities, four needs, four intelligences, four dimensions that need to be honored and respected and integrated and put into a synergistic whole. In doing so, it can help a person find his or her voice and also inspire others to find his or her voice.
- From Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Sunday, January 11, 2009
DOES GOD EXIST?
If God truly did not exist, there would be no need to prove that He does not exist.
Therefore, even atheists depend on the existence of God.
- Mayapur dasa, London
Therefore, even atheists depend on the existence of God.
- Mayapur dasa, London
JUNE 2008 INTERVIEW
Here you can read my short interview for the ISKCON London Newsletter, June 2008 issue:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/4792490/2008-06JuneNewsletter
It's on the page 10 and also here:
This month we interview Akrura dasa who is the Counsellor System Coordinator at ISKCON London as well as a member of the Temple Leaders Council.
Bhava Bhakti devi dasi: Please tell us about a typical day at ISKCON London.
Akrura dasa: I help devotees succeed in 4 areas: health, sadhana, service and relationships. I do that via one-to-one meetings, face-to-face and phone or Skype coaching sessions, counsellee meetings, seminars, classes and email. I also do some cleaning and sometimes some administrative work like writing reports, etc.
BB: What top three things do you love about your service?
A: 1. Helping devotees grow and reach their full potential
2. Helping devotees be more happy and more productive
3. Learning from devotees new great ideas and realizations
BB: Where did you serve before you came to ISKCON London?
A: At the Bhaktivedanta Manor, as a Bhakta Program assistant, weddings guest assistant and a gardener.
BB: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Everywhere! Travelling, preaching, teaching, training, coaching, writing and very important: constantly learning from others how to improve my personal discipline, my service and relationships.
BB: Please tell us three unusual facts about yourself.
A: Maybe not unusual but here are 3 facts:
1. I am still around
2. I feel blessed
3. I feel grateful
BB: Thank you Prabhu!
http://www.scribd.com/doc/4792490/2008-06JuneNewsletter
It's on the page 10 and also here:
This month we interview Akrura dasa who is the Counsellor System Coordinator at ISKCON London as well as a member of the Temple Leaders Council.
Bhava Bhakti devi dasi: Please tell us about a typical day at ISKCON London.
Akrura dasa: I help devotees succeed in 4 areas: health, sadhana, service and relationships. I do that via one-to-one meetings, face-to-face and phone or Skype coaching sessions, counsellee meetings, seminars, classes and email. I also do some cleaning and sometimes some administrative work like writing reports, etc.
BB: What top three things do you love about your service?
A: 1. Helping devotees grow and reach their full potential
2. Helping devotees be more happy and more productive
3. Learning from devotees new great ideas and realizations
BB: Where did you serve before you came to ISKCON London?
A: At the Bhaktivedanta Manor, as a Bhakta Program assistant, weddings guest assistant and a gardener.
BB: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Everywhere! Travelling, preaching, teaching, training, coaching, writing and very important: constantly learning from others how to improve my personal discipline, my service and relationships.
BB: Please tell us three unusual facts about yourself.
A: Maybe not unusual but here are 3 facts:
1. I am still around
2. I feel blessed
3. I feel grateful
BB: Thank you Prabhu!
Friday, January 9, 2009
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER
When animals are killed in a slaughterhouse, six people connected with the killing are responsible for the murder. The person who gives permission for the killing, the person who kills, the person who helps, the person who purchases the meat, the person who cooks the flesh and the person who eats it, all become entangled in the killing.
SB 4.25.8 Purport
SB 4.25.8 Purport
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
DO YOU WANT CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE?
If you really, really want change in your life, first you need to change.
You need to change the way you think, the way you see yourself and others, and the way you act.
If you want to achieve results you've never achieved before, you have to start doing things you've never done before.
You need to change the way you think, the way you see yourself and others, and the way you act.
If you want to achieve results you've never achieved before, you have to start doing things you've never done before.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
NEW MAHA MANTRA
You may download my new music release here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/28titl
Thanks to Bhakta Milos Radosavljevic from Slovenia for the music.
PICK UP THE BEST
It is a qualification of the great thinkers to pick up the best even from the worst. It is said that the intelligent man should pick up nectar from a stock of poison, should accept gold even from a filthy place, should accept a good and qualified wife even from an obscure family and should accept a good lesson even from a man or from a teacher who comes from the untouchables.
- Prabhupada
- Prabhupada
Monday, January 5, 2009
GITA COACHING
Gita Coaching will help you succeed by:
1. Discovering together your worth and potential
2. Discovering together new options, opportunities, possibilities and advantages
3. Finding together solutions that exactly meet your needs
Coaching is weekly or fortnightly, focused conversation (face-to-face or on the phone), that helps you clarify what you want, make an inspiring plan and take dynamic, intelligent action.
It is focused on you and your needs, your goals, your dreams and your success.
You do most of the talking.
1. Discovering together your worth and potential
2. Discovering together new options, opportunities, possibilities and advantages
3. Finding together solutions that exactly meet your needs
Coaching is weekly or fortnightly, focused conversation (face-to-face or on the phone), that helps you clarify what you want, make an inspiring plan and take dynamic, intelligent action.
It is focused on you and your needs, your goals, your dreams and your success.
You do most of the talking.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT COACHING
Question: Is Gita Coach someone who will tell me what to do?
Answer: No. He will ask you what you want to do and assist you in doing it (presuming it's Krsna conscious).
Q: Does having a coach means I'm incompetent?
A: No. A sports champion whose coach helps him achieve results is not incompetent. He is highly competent. Still, he uses a coach to achieve even better results.
Q: Should I accept coaching from a junior or someone less advanced?
A: Coaching is a service. It doesn't mean the coach is superior or better. Srila Prabhupada said: "If you find that in a filthy place there is some gold, take it out."
Q: Is a coach really necessary, since I can think for myself?
A: A coach encourages you to think for yourself, even more deeply than you usually do. He will not think for you.
Q: Can a coach be useful to me if he has less knowledge than I have?
A: A coach is expert in the process of coaching. He doesn't have to be expert in any other field (though he may be).
Q: Isn't training enough (courses, classes, instructions, advice, etc.)?
A: My experience, at least, shows that it's not. Coaching complements all kinds of training by helping apply what has been learned.
Q: Are there ISKCON leaders or other devotees who have benefited from coaching so far?
A: Yes. You may check testimonials on the Gita Coaching website if you like (www.vedicilluminations.com/gitacoaching).
Q: Is a coach like a siksa guru?
A: No, but he does facilitate understanding the benefits of spiritual instructions (siksa) and following them with determination and enthusiasm.
Q: In what ways is coaching connected to Krsna consciousness?
A: It helps devotees learn and practice Krsna consciousness more successfully. It also helps improve leadership, management and preaching skills.
Answer: No. He will ask you what you want to do and assist you in doing it (presuming it's Krsna conscious).
Q: Does having a coach means I'm incompetent?
A: No. A sports champion whose coach helps him achieve results is not incompetent. He is highly competent. Still, he uses a coach to achieve even better results.
Q: Should I accept coaching from a junior or someone less advanced?
A: Coaching is a service. It doesn't mean the coach is superior or better. Srila Prabhupada said: "If you find that in a filthy place there is some gold, take it out."
Q: Is a coach really necessary, since I can think for myself?
A: A coach encourages you to think for yourself, even more deeply than you usually do. He will not think for you.
Q: Can a coach be useful to me if he has less knowledge than I have?
A: A coach is expert in the process of coaching. He doesn't have to be expert in any other field (though he may be).
Q: Isn't training enough (courses, classes, instructions, advice, etc.)?
A: My experience, at least, shows that it's not. Coaching complements all kinds of training by helping apply what has been learned.
Q: Are there ISKCON leaders or other devotees who have benefited from coaching so far?
A: Yes. You may check testimonials on the Gita Coaching website if you like (www.vedicilluminations.com/gitacoaching).
Q: Is a coach like a siksa guru?
A: No, but he does facilitate understanding the benefits of spiritual instructions (siksa) and following them with determination and enthusiasm.
Q: In what ways is coaching connected to Krsna consciousness?
A: It helps devotees learn and practice Krsna consciousness more successfully. It also helps improve leadership, management and preaching skills.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A TIME WILL COME
In the beginning there may be some failures. That is quite natural. Just a child is trying to stand, he may fall down. But that does not mean he should give up the idea. Go on. A time will come come when he will be perfect. So we should not give up this business, to try to serve the Supreme. May be imperfect in the beginning, but stick to it, and a time will come when you'll be perfect, Krishna conscious.
- Prabhupada
- Prabhupada
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