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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
AN INTERVIEW WITH MATSYAVATARA DASA
Counselling Based On A Bhaktivedanta Approach - my interview with Matsyavatara dasa, director of The Center for Bhaktivedanta Study near Pisa in Italy.
Click on the title please and scroll down to access all three parts (3, 2, and 1).
Click on the title please and scroll down to access all three parts (3, 2, and 1).
Thursday, March 24, 2011
HOW COACHABLE ARE YOU?
Click on the title to access the online quiz. It will help you understand whether you are ready for coaching.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
WHY WE ARE NOT HAPPY?
Because:
- We compromise what we know is right
- We are afraid to confront what we need to change
- We are afraid to desire
- We are afraid to love
- We are not ready to pay the price of success
- We compromise what we know is right
- We are afraid to confront what we need to change
- We are afraid to desire
- We are afraid to love
- We are not ready to pay the price of success
Monday, March 21, 2011
GITA COACHING SERVICES
The purpose of Gita Coaching is helping devotees succeed in all areas by:
1. Re-connecting with the Bhagavad-gita and the Supersoul
2. Discovering their worth and potential
3. Becoming enlightened and inspired
4. Personal life revolution and public contribution
5. Discovering new possibilities
6. Finding solutions that exactly meet all their needs
Sunday, March 20, 2011
HOW TO CREATE ABUNDANCE IN YOUR FAMILY LIFE
An ideal husband and wife are generally called Laksmi-Narayana to compare them to the Lord and the goddess of fortune, for it is significant that Laksmi-Narayana are forever happy as husband and wife.
A wife should always remain satisfied with her husband, and a husband should always remain satisfied with his wife.
In the Canakya-sloka, the moral instructions of Canakya Pandita, it is said that if a husband and wife are always satisfied with one another, then the goddess of fortune automatically comes.
In other words, where there is no disagreement between husband and wife, all material opulence is present, and good children are born.
Generally, according to Vedic civilization, the wife is trained to be satisfied in all conditions, and the husband, according to Vedic instruction, is required to please the wife with sufficient food, ornaments and clothing.
Then, if they are satisfied with their mutual dealings, good children are born.
In this way the entire world can become peaceful ...
- Srila Prabhupada
Friday, March 18, 2011
YOU CAN CATCH KRSNA
So Krsna is everywhere, and if you are devotee, then you can catch Him. This is the secret.
Just like electricity is everywhere, electrons. One who can tackle the electrons, they can talk without any direct connection by electronic method, thousand thousand miles away.
Just like radio message, television message. So similarly, Krsna is also everywhere.
Just like the waves of sound wave is going on. As soon as you produce, I produce one sound, immediately within a second the sound goes round the earth seven times.
So if a material thing has got so much power, just think how much power God has got. So He is everywhere. Simply you have to catch Him. And He's also ready for being caught. Yes. If somebody wants to catch Him...
Suppose you are a devotee. If you want to catch Him, He comes forward ten times than your desire. He's so kind. Therefore, we have to simply receive Him.
- Srila Prabhupada, Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Deity Installation, London, August 21, 1973
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
STRAWS
In the material world a so-called family is a combination of several persons in one home to fulfill the terms of their imprisonment. As criminal prisoners scatter as soon as their terms are over and they are released, all of us who have temporarily assembled as family members will continue to our respective destinations.
As water passes down a river, many straws and grasses are carried from the shore. These straws and grasses come together in the river's current, but when the waves toss this way and that, they are separated and carried somewhere else and float alone in the water.
Similarly, the innumerable living entities within this material world are being carried by the waves of material nature. Sometimes the waves bring them together, and they form friendships and relate to one another on a bodily basis of family, community or nationality. Eventually they are thrown out of association by the waves of material nature, and they are inevitably separated by the waves.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
MUMMY'S BOY OR SPIRITUAL WARRIOR
Mummy's boy
Laments
Complains
Blames others
Spiritual warrior
Accepts responsibility
Contributes
Learns from experience
Mummy's boy
Finds excuses
Spiritual warrior
Finds ways
Mummy's boy
Sees problems
Spiritual warrior
Sees opportunities
Mummy's boy
Always sees something lacking
Spiritual warrior
Sees abundance
I always have a choice
To be either
Mummy's boy
Or a spiritual warrior
Krsna please
Help me to be
A spiritual warrior
Monday, March 7, 2011
THERE MUST BE SOME PLAN
" One who continues to serve the Lord even in reverse conditions is assured that he will go back to Godhead, back to the Vaikuntha planets."
When something is arranged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one should not be disturbed by it, even if it appears to be a reverse according to one's calculations.
For example, sometimes we see that a powerful preacher is killed, or sometimes he is put into difficulty, just as Haridasa Thakura was.
He was a great devotee who came into this material world to execute the will of the Lord by preaching the Lord's glories.
But Haridasa was punished at the hands of the Kazi by being beaten in twenty-two marketplaces.
Similarly, Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, and Prahlada Maharaja was put through so many tribulations.
The Pandavas, who were direct friends of Krsna, lost their kingdom, their wife was insulted, and they had to undergo many severe tribulations.
Seeing all these reverses affect devotees, one should not be disturbed; one should simply understand that in these matters there must be some plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The Bhagavatam's conclusion is that a devotee is never disturbed by such reverses.
He accepts even reverse conditions as the grace of the Lord.
One who continues to serve the Lord even in reverse conditions is assured that he will go back to Godhead, back to the Vaikuntha planets.
Lord Brahma assured the demigods that there was no use in talking about how the disturbing situation of darkness was taking place, since the actual fact was that it was ordered by the Supreme Lord.
Brahma knew this because he was a great devotee; it was possible for him to understand the plan of the Lord.
- Srila Prabhupada, SB 3.16.37 Purport
UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES
Click on the title to read Srila Prabhupada's words that will expand your thinking about what is possible in your life. On this painting Krsna is doing the impossible - holding the whole Govardhana Hill on his left pinky. Similarly, Krsna can make impossible possible in our lives, if we take His shelter.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
HARIDASA AND MAYADEVI
"I have been initiated into a vow to perform a great sacrifice by chanting the holy name a certain number of times every day. As long as the vow to chant is unfulfilled, I do not desire anything else. When I finish my chanting, then I have an opportunity to do anything."
STORY
One day Haridasa Thakura was sitting in his cave, reciting the holy name of the Lord very loudly.
The night was full of moonlight, which made the waves of the Ganges look dazzling. All directions were clear and bright.
Thus everyone who saw the beauty of the cave, with the tulasi plant on a clean altar, was astonished and satisfied at heart.
At that time, in that beautiful scene, a woman appeared in the courtyard. The beauty of her body was so bright that it tinged the entire place with a yellow hue.
The scent of her body perfumed all directions, and the tinkling of her ornaments startled the ear.
After coming there, the woman offered obeisances to the tulasi plant, and after circumambulating the tulasi plant she came to the door of the cave where Haridasa Thakura was sitting.
With folded hands she offered obeisances at the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura. Sitting at the door, she then spoke in a very sweet voice.
"My dear friend," she said, "you are the friend of the entire world. You are so beautiful and qualified. I have come here only for union with you.
"My dear sir, kindly accept me and be merciful toward me, for it is a characteristic of all saintly persons to be kind toward the poor and fallen."
After saying this, she began to manifest various postures, which even the greatest philosopher would lose his patience upon seeing.
Haridasa Thakura was immovable, for he was deeply determined. He began to speak to her, being very merciful toward her.
"I have been initiated into a vow to perform a great sacrifice by chanting the holy name a certain number of times every day.
"As long as the vow to chant is unfulfilled, I do not desire anything else. When I finish my chanting, then I have an opportunity to do anything.
"Sit down at the door and hear the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. As soon as the chanting is finished, I shall satisfy you as you desire."
After saying this, Haridasa Thakura continued to chant the holy name of the Lord. Thus the woman sitting before him began to hear the chanting of the holy name.
In this way, as he chanted and chanted, the morning approached, and when the woman saw that it was morning, she got up and left.
For three days she approached Haridasa Thakura in this way, exhibiting various feminine postures that would bewilder the mind of even Lord Brahma.
Haridasa Thakura was always absorbed in thoughts of Krishna and the holy name of Krishna. Therefore the feminine poses the woman exhibited were just like crying in the forest.
At the end of the night of the third day, the woman spoke to Haridasa Thakura as follows.
"My dear sir, for three days you have cheated me by giving me false assurances, for I see that throughout the entire day and night your chanting of the holy name is never finished."
Haridasa Thakura said, "My dear friend, what can I do? I have made a vow. How, then, can I give it up?"
After offering obeisances to Haridasa Thakura, the woman said, "I am the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I came here to test you.
"I have previously captivated the mind of even Brahma, what to speak of others. Your mind alone have I failed to attract.
"My dear sir, you are the foremost devotee. Simply seeing you and hearing you chant the holy name of Krishna has purified my consciousness. Now I want to chant the holy name of the Lord. Please be kind to me by instructing me about the ecstasy of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.
"There is now a flood of the eternal nectar of love of Godhead due to the incarnation of Lord Caitanya. All living entities are floating in that flood. The entire world is now thankful to the Lord.
"Anyone who does not float in this inundation is most condemned. Such a person cannot be delivered for millions of kalpas.
"Formerly I received the holy name of Lord Rama from Lord Siva, but now, due to your association, I am greatly eager to chant the holy name of Lord Krishna.
"The holy name of Lord Rama certainly gives liberation, but the holy name of Krishna transports one to the other side of the ocean of nescience and at last gives one ecstatic love of Krishna.
"Please give me the holy name of Krishna and thus make me fortunate, so that I also may float in the flood of love of Godhead inaugurated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu."
After speaking in this way, Maya worshiped the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura, who initiated her by saying, "Just perform chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra."
After thus being instructed by Haridasa Thakura, Maya left with great pleasure.
- Caitanya Caritamrita
EVEN IN THE MIND
In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, there is a story... Not story. Fact. It is described there that one brahmana -- he was a great devotee -- he wanted to offer very brilliant service, arcana, in the temple worship. But he had no money. But some day he was sitting in a Bhagavata class and he heard that Krsna can be worshiped even within the mind. So he took this opportunity because he was thinking since a long time how to worship Krsna very gorgeously, but he had no money.
So he, when he got this point, that one can worship Krsna within the mind, so after taking bath in the Godavari River, he was sitting underneath a tree and within his mind he was constructing very gorgeous simhasana, throne, bedecked with jewels and keeping the Deity on the throne, he was bathing the Deity with water of Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Kaveri. Then he was dressing the Deity very nicely, then offering worship with flower, garland.
Then he was cooking very nicely, and he was cooking paramanna, sweet rice. So he wanted to taste it, whether it was very hot. Because paramanna is taken cold. Paramanna is no taken very hot. So he put his finger on the paramanna and his finger burned down. Then his meditation broken, because there was nothing. Simply within his mind he was doing everything. So... But he saw that his finger is burned. So he was astonished.
In this way, Narayana from Vaikuntha, He was smiling. Laksmiji asked, "Why you are smiling?" "One of My devotee is worshiping like this. So send My men to bring him immediately to Vaikuntha."
So the bhakti-yoga is so nice that even if you have no means to offer the Deity gorgeous worship, you can do it within the mind. That is also possible. Therefore it is said that ahaituky apratihata. In any position of life you can engage yourself in bhakti-yoga system.
- Srila Prabhupada
So he, when he got this point, that one can worship Krsna within the mind, so after taking bath in the Godavari River, he was sitting underneath a tree and within his mind he was constructing very gorgeous simhasana, throne, bedecked with jewels and keeping the Deity on the throne, he was bathing the Deity with water of Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Kaveri. Then he was dressing the Deity very nicely, then offering worship with flower, garland.
Then he was cooking very nicely, and he was cooking paramanna, sweet rice. So he wanted to taste it, whether it was very hot. Because paramanna is taken cold. Paramanna is no taken very hot. So he put his finger on the paramanna and his finger burned down. Then his meditation broken, because there was nothing. Simply within his mind he was doing everything. So... But he saw that his finger is burned. So he was astonished.
In this way, Narayana from Vaikuntha, He was smiling. Laksmiji asked, "Why you are smiling?" "One of My devotee is worshiping like this. So send My men to bring him immediately to Vaikuntha."
So the bhakti-yoga is so nice that even if you have no means to offer the Deity gorgeous worship, you can do it within the mind. That is also possible. Therefore it is said that ahaituky apratihata. In any position of life you can engage yourself in bhakti-yoga system.
- Srila Prabhupada
Friday, March 4, 2011
THIS IS A SYSTEM OF RECREATION
Devotee: What is recreation for a Krsna conscious person?
Prabhupada: Recreation? Dancing. (laughter) Come on, dance with us. Is it not recreation? And when you get tired take prasadam. Do you want more recreation than this? What is your answer. Is it not recreation?
Devotee: Yes. I think it is difficult for someone who comes from...
Prabhupada: Why difficult? Dancing is difficult? Chant and dance?
Devotee: It's easier for a devotee who lives in the temple.
Prabhupada: Oh, but as you come, anyone can come. Everyone is welcome. We don't charge anything for this dancing. You go to ball dance and so many other dances, you pay for it. But we don't charge. We simply, our, these students simply beg something because we have to maintain. We don't charge anything. So if you simply come and chant for recreation, it is very nice. Everything is there in Krsna consciousness. We want music, there is music. We want dancing, there is dancing. You can bring nice musical instruments, you can join. We distribute nice palatable dishes. So practically this is a system of recreation only. (laughter) Yes. If you seriously think, you'll find, this system, there is no labor at all. Simply recreation. Su-sukham [Bg. 9.2]. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita in the Ninth Chapter you'll find, su-sukham . Everything is pleasing and happy. Find out anything in our system, that this is troublesome. Tell me practically, anyone. "This point is very troublesome." Just put your counterargument. Simply pleasing. It is simply recreation. That's all.
Prabhupada: Recreation? Dancing. (laughter) Come on, dance with us. Is it not recreation? And when you get tired take prasadam. Do you want more recreation than this? What is your answer. Is it not recreation?
Devotee: Yes. I think it is difficult for someone who comes from...
Prabhupada: Why difficult? Dancing is difficult? Chant and dance?
Devotee: It's easier for a devotee who lives in the temple.
Prabhupada: Oh, but as you come, anyone can come. Everyone is welcome. We don't charge anything for this dancing. You go to ball dance and so many other dances, you pay for it. But we don't charge. We simply, our, these students simply beg something because we have to maintain. We don't charge anything. So if you simply come and chant for recreation, it is very nice. Everything is there in Krsna consciousness. We want music, there is music. We want dancing, there is dancing. You can bring nice musical instruments, you can join. We distribute nice palatable dishes. So practically this is a system of recreation only. (laughter) Yes. If you seriously think, you'll find, this system, there is no labor at all. Simply recreation. Su-sukham [Bg. 9.2]. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita in the Ninth Chapter you'll find, su-sukham . Everything is pleasing and happy. Find out anything in our system, that this is troublesome. Tell me practically, anyone. "This point is very troublesome." Just put your counterargument. Simply pleasing. It is simply recreation. That's all.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
PATIENCE
One must perform devotional service with great patience.
One should not give up the execution of devotional service because one or two attempts have not been successful.
One must continue.
Sri Rupa Gosvami also confirms that one should be very enthusiastic and execute devotional service with patience and confidence.
Patience is necessary for developing the confidence that "Krsna will certainly accept me because I am engaging in devotional service."
One has only to execute service according to the rules and regulations to insure success.
SB 3.29.16 Purport
One should not give up the execution of devotional service because one or two attempts have not been successful.
One must continue.
Sri Rupa Gosvami also confirms that one should be very enthusiastic and execute devotional service with patience and confidence.
Patience is necessary for developing the confidence that "Krsna will certainly accept me because I am engaging in devotional service."
One has only to execute service according to the rules and regulations to insure success.
SB 3.29.16 Purport
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF?
Helping yourself means you put yourself under Krsna; that is helping yourself. And if you think, "Oh I can protect myself," then you are not helping yourself.
Just like this finger, so long it is healthy, working, if there is some trouble, I can spend thousands of dollars for this. But if this finger is cut off from my body, if you trample down with your feet this finger, I don't care for it.
Similarly, to help oneself means to put oneself in the proper position, as part and parcel of Krsna. That is real helping. Otherwise how you can help? The finger can help itself by putting itself in the proper position of the hand and work for the whole body. That is proper position.
If the finger thinks that, "I shall remain separated from this body and help myself," it will die. So as soon as you think, that "I shall live independently without caring for Krsna," that is my death, and as soon as I engage myself as part and parcel of Krsna, that is my life.
So helping oneself means to know one's position and work in that way. That is helping. Without knowing what is his position, how one can help oneself? It is not possible.
- Srila Prabhupada
Just like this finger, so long it is healthy, working, if there is some trouble, I can spend thousands of dollars for this. But if this finger is cut off from my body, if you trample down with your feet this finger, I don't care for it.
Similarly, to help oneself means to put oneself in the proper position, as part and parcel of Krsna. That is real helping. Otherwise how you can help? The finger can help itself by putting itself in the proper position of the hand and work for the whole body. That is proper position.
If the finger thinks that, "I shall remain separated from this body and help myself," it will die. So as soon as you think, that "I shall live independently without caring for Krsna," that is my death, and as soon as I engage myself as part and parcel of Krsna, that is my life.
So helping oneself means to know one's position and work in that way. That is helping. Without knowing what is his position, how one can help oneself? It is not possible.
- Srila Prabhupada
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
DEMIGODS AND POWERS
Different demigods have different powers.
The sun-god has the power to cure diseases; the moon-god imbues plants with taste and nutritional or medicinal potency; Goddess Durga gives strength and courage; Goddess Sarasvati bestows learning; Goddess Laksmi grants wealth; Goddess Candi offers one the opportunity to consume meat and intoxicants, and Ganesa gives success in one's endeavors.
But all these powers are invested in the demigods by the Supreme Lord, and thus only He, the complete whole, can bestow every kind of benediction.
There is an immeasurable difference between a well and the ocean.
- Srila Prabhupada, Renunciation Through Wisdom
The sun-god has the power to cure diseases; the moon-god imbues plants with taste and nutritional or medicinal potency; Goddess Durga gives strength and courage; Goddess Sarasvati bestows learning; Goddess Laksmi grants wealth; Goddess Candi offers one the opportunity to consume meat and intoxicants, and Ganesa gives success in one's endeavors.
But all these powers are invested in the demigods by the Supreme Lord, and thus only He, the complete whole, can bestow every kind of benediction.
There is an immeasurable difference between a well and the ocean.
- Srila Prabhupada, Renunciation Through Wisdom
THE FALL OF THE SOUL
Here Srila Prabhupada explains that we belong in the spiritual world with Krsna but that we have created our fearful condition in the material world just as a person creates a fearful situation in a dream. Responding to our desire, Krsna has given us a chance to forget Him. (April 1972, Tokyo)
*
sri-suka uvaca
atma-mayam rte rajan parasyanubhavatmanah
na ghatetartha-sambandhah svapna-drastur ivanjasa
"Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: 'O King, unless one is influenced by the bewildering energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no meaning to the relationship of the pure soul in pure consciousness with the material body. That relationship is just like a dreamer's seeing his own body working'" (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.1).
Many people inquire, "How did the living entity, who was with Krsna, fall into the material world?" That question is answered here. The fallen living entity's condition is due to the influence of the Lord's material energy. Actually, he has not fallen. An example is given: The moon appears to be moving when clouds pass in front of it. Actually, the moon is not moving. Similarly, the living entity, because he is a spiritual spark of the Supreme, has not fallen. But he is thinking, "I am fallen. I am material. I am this body."
The body has no connection with the soul. We can experience this. The body is changing, dying, but I am the same. The idea that we have a connection with the body is due to the influence of the illusory energy of Krsna. That illusory energy develops when we forget Krsna.
In other words, our illusory identification with the body is simply due to our forgetfulness of the Lord. We wanted to forget; we wanted to give up Krsna and enjoy the material world. Therefore Krsna is giving us the chance. For example, when you play a part in a drama, if you feel, "I am the king," then you can act very nicely. But if you feel, "I am Karandhara*," then you cannot play a king so nicely. The feelings must be there. If you are playing the part of a king, you must believe you are the king and have his courage. You have to forget that you are Karandhara. Then you can play the part very nicely, and the audience will appreciate. But if you think "I am Karandhara playing the part of the king," then you cannot play the part convincingly.
So because we wanted to play the part of Krsna, the supreme enjoyer, Krsna is giving us the chance -- "Yes, feel like Me." The feeling that "I am the master, I am the king, I am Krsna, I am God" is created by Krsna: "All right, since you want to play the part of a king, I shall train you in such a way."
The director of a play tries to create the feelings within you for the part you are playing. In my youth I played the part of Advaita Acarya in a drama about Lord Caitanya. Our director, Amritlal Bose, repeatedly said to me, "Feel like Advaita Acarya." So when I performed my part under his direction, all the people in the audience were crying. The play was artificial, but the effect on the audience was so nice.
Similarly, we have nothing to do with the material world, but we have been trained by the illusory energy to think, "I am an Indian," "I am an American," "I am an intellecutal," "I am a laborer" "I am this," "I am that," "I have to do this," "I have so many duties." These are all illusions. We have nothing to do with all this nonsense, but still we are taking it very seriously: "I have to do like that. I am this. I am that."
That is explained here: atma-mayam rte rajan parasyanubhavatmanah. "Unless one is influenced by the bewildering energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no meaning to the relationship of the pure soul in pure consciousness with the material body." While dreaming a man may cry out, "Oh, there is a tiger, a tiger! Save me!" An awake man observing may say, "Where is the tiger? Why are you shouting?" But the dreaming man is actually feeling that a tiger has attacked him.
Therefore this verse gives the example of a dream: na ghatetartha-sambandhah svapna-drastur ivanjasa. There cannot be any meaning of the relationship of the soul and the body except that it is like a dreaming man creating an imaginary situation. He is dreaming that there is a tiger, and he is creating a fearful situation. Actually there is nothing to fear -- there is no tiger. The situation is created by a dream.
Similarly, we have created the material world and material activity. People are running around -- "Oh, I am the manager. I am the factory owner. I am this, I am that. We know his politics. We have to defeat our competitors." All these things are created just as a man creates a situation in a dream -- svapna-drastur ivanjasa.
So when someone asks, "When did we come into contact with the material nature?" the answer is that we have not come into contact. By the influence of the external energy we think we are in contact. Actually we are not fallen. We cannot be fallen. We have simply created a situation in which we think we are fallen. Actually, Krsna has given us that situation. Because we wanted to imitate Him, Krsna has given us an opportunity: "All right, you want to imitate Me? You want to be an imitation king on the stage? So, feel like this. Play like this. Do like this. People will applaud -- 'Oh, what a very nice king.'"
So everyone in the material world is playing some part. "I want to be prime minister." "I want to be a very big business magnate." "I want to be a leader." "I want to be a philosopher." "I want to be a scientist." They are trying to play all these parts, and Krsna is giving the opportunity -- "All right."
But these things are all nonsense. Simply dreaming. When you dream, the next moment the dream is gone, and everything in the dream is finished. No more tiger, no more jungle. Similarly, as long as the body continues one may think, "I am a responsible leader; I am this; I am that," but as soon as the body is finished, these ideas are gone.
Krsna says, mrtyuh sarva-haras caham: [Bg. 10.34] "As death, I take everything away." Just think of your past life. Suppose you were a king or something like that. From the Bhrgu-samhita it was ascertained that I was a big physician in my last life, with a spotless character, no sins. I don't know. It may be. But I have no remembrance that I was a physician. So what do we know? I might have been a very big influential physician with a good practice, but where is it all now? All gone.
So our contact with matter is just like a dream. We are not fallen. Therefore, at any moment we can revive our Krsna consciousness. We become liberated as soon as we understand, "I have nothing to do with matter. I am simply Krsna's eternal servant." Sometimes when a fearful dream becomes intolerable, we break the dream. Similarly, we can break the material connection at any moment as soon as we wake up to Krsna consciousness. "Oh, Krsna is my eternal master. I am His servant." That's all. That is the way.
- From "The Quest Of Enlightenment" by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
*
sri-suka uvaca
atma-mayam rte rajan parasyanubhavatmanah
na ghatetartha-sambandhah svapna-drastur ivanjasa
"Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: 'O King, unless one is influenced by the bewildering energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no meaning to the relationship of the pure soul in pure consciousness with the material body. That relationship is just like a dreamer's seeing his own body working'" (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.1).
Many people inquire, "How did the living entity, who was with Krsna, fall into the material world?" That question is answered here. The fallen living entity's condition is due to the influence of the Lord's material energy. Actually, he has not fallen. An example is given: The moon appears to be moving when clouds pass in front of it. Actually, the moon is not moving. Similarly, the living entity, because he is a spiritual spark of the Supreme, has not fallen. But he is thinking, "I am fallen. I am material. I am this body."
The body has no connection with the soul. We can experience this. The body is changing, dying, but I am the same. The idea that we have a connection with the body is due to the influence of the illusory energy of Krsna. That illusory energy develops when we forget Krsna.
In other words, our illusory identification with the body is simply due to our forgetfulness of the Lord. We wanted to forget; we wanted to give up Krsna and enjoy the material world. Therefore Krsna is giving us the chance. For example, when you play a part in a drama, if you feel, "I am the king," then you can act very nicely. But if you feel, "I am Karandhara*," then you cannot play a king so nicely. The feelings must be there. If you are playing the part of a king, you must believe you are the king and have his courage. You have to forget that you are Karandhara. Then you can play the part very nicely, and the audience will appreciate. But if you think "I am Karandhara playing the part of the king," then you cannot play the part convincingly.
So because we wanted to play the part of Krsna, the supreme enjoyer, Krsna is giving us the chance -- "Yes, feel like Me." The feeling that "I am the master, I am the king, I am Krsna, I am God" is created by Krsna: "All right, since you want to play the part of a king, I shall train you in such a way."
The director of a play tries to create the feelings within you for the part you are playing. In my youth I played the part of Advaita Acarya in a drama about Lord Caitanya. Our director, Amritlal Bose, repeatedly said to me, "Feel like Advaita Acarya." So when I performed my part under his direction, all the people in the audience were crying. The play was artificial, but the effect on the audience was so nice.
Similarly, we have nothing to do with the material world, but we have been trained by the illusory energy to think, "I am an Indian," "I am an American," "I am an intellecutal," "I am a laborer" "I am this," "I am that," "I have to do this," "I have so many duties." These are all illusions. We have nothing to do with all this nonsense, but still we are taking it very seriously: "I have to do like that. I am this. I am that."
That is explained here: atma-mayam rte rajan parasyanubhavatmanah. "Unless one is influenced by the bewildering energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no meaning to the relationship of the pure soul in pure consciousness with the material body." While dreaming a man may cry out, "Oh, there is a tiger, a tiger! Save me!" An awake man observing may say, "Where is the tiger? Why are you shouting?" But the dreaming man is actually feeling that a tiger has attacked him.
Therefore this verse gives the example of a dream: na ghatetartha-sambandhah svapna-drastur ivanjasa. There cannot be any meaning of the relationship of the soul and the body except that it is like a dreaming man creating an imaginary situation. He is dreaming that there is a tiger, and he is creating a fearful situation. Actually there is nothing to fear -- there is no tiger. The situation is created by a dream.
Similarly, we have created the material world and material activity. People are running around -- "Oh, I am the manager. I am the factory owner. I am this, I am that. We know his politics. We have to defeat our competitors." All these things are created just as a man creates a situation in a dream -- svapna-drastur ivanjasa.
So when someone asks, "When did we come into contact with the material nature?" the answer is that we have not come into contact. By the influence of the external energy we think we are in contact. Actually we are not fallen. We cannot be fallen. We have simply created a situation in which we think we are fallen. Actually, Krsna has given us that situation. Because we wanted to imitate Him, Krsna has given us an opportunity: "All right, you want to imitate Me? You want to be an imitation king on the stage? So, feel like this. Play like this. Do like this. People will applaud -- 'Oh, what a very nice king.'"
So everyone in the material world is playing some part. "I want to be prime minister." "I want to be a very big business magnate." "I want to be a leader." "I want to be a philosopher." "I want to be a scientist." They are trying to play all these parts, and Krsna is giving the opportunity -- "All right."
But these things are all nonsense. Simply dreaming. When you dream, the next moment the dream is gone, and everything in the dream is finished. No more tiger, no more jungle. Similarly, as long as the body continues one may think, "I am a responsible leader; I am this; I am that," but as soon as the body is finished, these ideas are gone.
Krsna says, mrtyuh sarva-haras caham: [Bg. 10.34] "As death, I take everything away." Just think of your past life. Suppose you were a king or something like that. From the Bhrgu-samhita it was ascertained that I was a big physician in my last life, with a spotless character, no sins. I don't know. It may be. But I have no remembrance that I was a physician. So what do we know? I might have been a very big influential physician with a good practice, but where is it all now? All gone.
So our contact with matter is just like a dream. We are not fallen. Therefore, at any moment we can revive our Krsna consciousness. We become liberated as soon as we understand, "I have nothing to do with matter. I am simply Krsna's eternal servant." Sometimes when a fearful dream becomes intolerable, we break the dream. Similarly, we can break the material connection at any moment as soon as we wake up to Krsna consciousness. "Oh, Krsna is my eternal master. I am His servant." That's all. That is the way.
- From "The Quest Of Enlightenment" by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
UNFLINCHING DEVOTION
Because of previous bad habits and immaturity, even a sincere devotee may be harassed by lingering attraction to the bodily concept of life; but his unflinching devotion for Lord Krsna will act.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura gives the following two examples.
A great warrior may be struck by the weapon of his enemy, but because of his courage and strength he is not killed or defeated.
He accepts the blow and goes on to victory.
Similarly, one may contract a serious disease, but if he takes the proper medicine he is quickly cured.
SB 11.14.18 Purport
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura gives the following two examples.
A great warrior may be struck by the weapon of his enemy, but because of his courage and strength he is not killed or defeated.
He accepts the blow and goes on to victory.
Similarly, one may contract a serious disease, but if he takes the proper medicine he is quickly cured.
SB 11.14.18 Purport
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
DANDA LIVE IN ZURICH - 30 JANUARY 2011
Danda concert at ISKCON Zurich featuring Ambika and Malika.
Clik on the title to access the video.
Clik on the title to access the video.
YOGA OF COACHING
Yoga means connection. It specifically means connection to God (Krishna). The process of yoga is meant to re-connect our body, mind, spirit and action to God.
Coaching is a process of going from where you are to where you want to be with the help of a coach, more effectively and efficiently than you would do it on your own.
Yoga of coaching is a process that connects you with a divine guidance and intelligence, the Supersoul, seated in your own heart, and helps you make best decisions and best steps to your own best interest, both spiritual and material.
Coaching is a process of going from where you are to where you want to be with the help of a coach, more effectively and efficiently than you would do it on your own.
Yoga of coaching is a process that connects you with a divine guidance and intelligence, the Supersoul, seated in your own heart, and helps you make best decisions and best steps to your own best interest, both spiritual and material.
WHAT DOES A COACH DO?
Creates a safe environment in which people see themselves more clearly; the coach does this by listening, asking focused questions, reflecting back, challenging, and acknowledging the client
Asks for more intentional thought, action, and behavior changes than the client would have asked of him or herself
Clarifies goals and agreed-upon results
Identifies gaps between where the client is and where the client needs or wants to be
Helps the client develop a strong strategy and action plan to close the gap
Understands and anticipates potential obstacles
Guides the building of the structure, accountability, and support necessary to ensure sustained commitment
www.coaching.com
Asks for more intentional thought, action, and behavior changes than the client would have asked of him or herself
Clarifies goals and agreed-upon results
Identifies gaps between where the client is and where the client needs or wants to be
Helps the client develop a strong strategy and action plan to close the gap
Understands and anticipates potential obstacles
Guides the building of the structure, accountability, and support necessary to ensure sustained commitment
www.coaching.com
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