29 March 2012
- Kirtan
- Speech: Self Renewal And Success
- Kirtan and dance
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Thursday, March 29, 2012
GITA COACHING PROGRAM IN LIXA
GITA COACHING PROGRAM IN LIXA, PORTUGAL
29 March 2012
- Kirtan
- Speech: Self Renewal And Success
- Kirtan and dance
29 March 2012
- Kirtan
- Speech: Self Renewal And Success
- Kirtan and dance
BENEFITS OF THE BHAKTI VRIKSA PROGRAM
By Vijay Venugopal
dasa
1.
Enables systematic training of new devotees with a set curriculum for 64 weeks.
2. Based on Devotee Care Principles - Spiritual, Emotional, Social, and Physical.
3. Trains devotees to level where they are committed to serving Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON, and understand the qualities of a guru and a disciple within a year.
4. Trains devotees to lead their own groups within 64 weeks and also keep advancing through continued guidance and support from the seniors.
5. Creates enthusiastic, committed, and energetic devotees who are trained in different devotional activities.
6. As group size is limited to 15, can be conducted in devotees' homes.
2. Based on Devotee Care Principles - Spiritual, Emotional, Social, and Physical.
3. Trains devotees to level where they are committed to serving Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON, and understand the qualities of a guru and a disciple within a year.
4. Trains devotees to lead their own groups within 64 weeks and also keep advancing through continued guidance and support from the seniors.
5. Creates enthusiastic, committed, and energetic devotees who are trained in different devotional activities.
6. As group size is limited to 15, can be conducted in devotees' homes.
7. Does
not consume much time to temple leader’s, but requires their support.
8. Provides increasing service and financial support to temples through continuous growth in quality and quantity of devotees.
9. Provides interesting and highly satisfying engagement for devotees, increasing their commitment to ISKCON.
10. Can be spread all over the city and also in towns and villages where there is no Iskcon centre.
11. No disturbance to neigbours by our programs.
12. Different ethnic, linguistic, and social groups are reached due to individual attention from leaders.
13. Builds a strong, well-knit community of devotees with wonderful Vaisnava qualities.
14. Provides each and every one with a lifetime of service.
15.In spite of constant expansion, quality of devotees maintained through personal attention from group leaders.
16. Devotees develop a service mood and so are respectful to authority, warm and loving to each other and to every one else. This attracts more and more people to join.
8. Provides increasing service and financial support to temples through continuous growth in quality and quantity of devotees.
9. Provides interesting and highly satisfying engagement for devotees, increasing their commitment to ISKCON.
10. Can be spread all over the city and also in towns and villages where there is no Iskcon centre.
11. No disturbance to neigbours by our programs.
12. Different ethnic, linguistic, and social groups are reached due to individual attention from leaders.
13. Builds a strong, well-knit community of devotees with wonderful Vaisnava qualities.
14. Provides each and every one with a lifetime of service.
15.In spite of constant expansion, quality of devotees maintained through personal attention from group leaders.
16. Devotees develop a service mood and so are respectful to authority, warm and loving to each other and to every one else. This attracts more and more people to join.
17. Good
relationships are built and any misunderstandings are easily solved as there is
good communication between leaders.
18. Regular meetings for all levels of leaders ensures the co-operation of every one as well as the progress of the groups.
18. Regular meetings for all levels of leaders ensures the co-operation of every one as well as the progress of the groups.
GITA COACHING: USE IGNORANCE FOR YOUR SUCCESS
GITA COACHING: USE IGNORANCE FOR YOUR SUCCESS: "I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge." - Rupa Gosvami Understanding t...
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
SEEK
By Mayapur dasa, London
Seek what you can do for devotees and not what devotees can do for you.
Seek what you can give to devotees and not what devotees can give you.
Seek what you can sacrifice for others and not what can be sacrificed for
your sake.
Seek what you can do for devotees and not what devotees can do for you.
Seek what you can give to devotees and not what devotees can give you.
Seek what you can sacrifice for others and not what can be sacrificed for
your sake.
NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION - A GIFT
By Govindananda dasa, Zagreb (Email: Govindananda.SNS@pamho.net)
When you know the principles of Nonviolent Communication you do not focus on what others say and do, but on the feelings and needs behind their words and action.
If there is a negative action towards us, it is a gift because it reveals an unmet need which we can recognize through emotions and then we can connect, first with ourselves, and then with that person.
Then we can help that person to meet his need and we can connect them with the need we detected in ourselves and meet it.
It is a gift because the person communicated and we discovered that something is not right.
If he would stay silent, we would think that everything is ok.
It is also a gift because nothing happens without Krsna's approval.
If Krsna allowed that something happens, it means that He wants to see what we will learn from the gift in a form of our karma that we just got.
If we do not accept the gift, the gift stays with the person which behaves or acts negatively.
We do not accept the nagative, but we accept Krsna's arrangement to learn something and change.
When you know the principles of Nonviolent Communication you do not focus on what others say and do, but on the feelings and needs behind their words and action.
If there is a negative action towards us, it is a gift because it reveals an unmet need which we can recognize through emotions and then we can connect, first with ourselves, and then with that person.
Then we can help that person to meet his need and we can connect them with the need we detected in ourselves and meet it.
It is a gift because the person communicated and we discovered that something is not right.
If he would stay silent, we would think that everything is ok.
It is also a gift because nothing happens without Krsna's approval.
If Krsna allowed that something happens, it means that He wants to see what we will learn from the gift in a form of our karma that we just got.
If we do not accept the gift, the gift stays with the person which behaves or acts negatively.
We do not accept the nagative, but we accept Krsna's arrangement to learn something and change.
Let's say that we think we did not need that negative situation where someone attacked us.
It is as if we tell Krsna that He does not understand something if He allows something to happen and that He made a mistake and that we got something we should not have experienced.
In that case the gift stays with Krsna.
Our responsibility for what happens to us is 100%. The questions is how we will react to what happens to us.
Should we give the gift back to Krsna and say we do not need it or we will ask ourselves what is it exactly that Krsna wants me to learn.
If we ask what we need to learn in relation to Krsna and that person, then it means we have accepted the gift.
We accepted Krsna's arrangement responsibly. Our relationship with Krsna has a chance to improve, and our relationship with that person has a chance to improve.
A blessing in disguise.
This is when it is a gift.
A blessing in disguise.
This is when it is a gift.
If we refuse the gift it is like telling Krsna to come again with another opportunity because we do not like this one.
We closed the door to Krsna.
It was a gift and we did not recognize it.
Krsna will knock again.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
GITA COACHING PROGRAMS IN PORTO
PROGRAMS AT THE YOGA STUDIO IN PORTO, PORTUGAL
26-27 March 2012
Guitar Kirtan
Course on Life Management - Organize And Execute Around Your Highest Priorities
1. Connect With Your Mission – revisit your personal mission statement. Access the deep burning “yes” created by the awareness of first things in your life, the “yes” that generates enthusiasm and energy and say “no” — with confidence and peace — to the less important things. Gain clarity, inspiration and direction.
2. Review Your Key Roles (relationships and responsibilities) - do first things in a balanced, synergistic way, considering your main roles and connection between them.
3. Identify Your Main Weekly Goals In Key Roles - Focus effectively on the most important thing you can do in each role each week to accomplish your mission. Set principle-based goals that will create quality-of-life results.
4. Organize Your Week - First put into your planner the “big rocks” — your important but not urgent goals — and schedule other things around them.
5. Show Integrity In The Moment Of Choice - pause in the space between stimulus and response, and act with integrity to first things in any moment of choice in your life.
6. Evaluate - turn your weeks into a progressive journey of learning, living and contributing.
1. Connect With Your Mission – revisit your personal mission statement. Access the deep burning “yes” created by the awareness of first things in your life, the “yes” that generates enthusiasm and energy and say “no” — with confidence and peace — to the less important things. Gain clarity, inspiration and direction.
2. Review Your Key Roles (relationships and responsibilities) - do first things in a balanced, synergistic way, considering your main roles and connection between them.
3. Identify Your Main Weekly Goals In Key Roles - Focus effectively on the most important thing you can do in each role each week to accomplish your mission. Set principle-based goals that will create quality-of-life results.
4. Organize Your Week - First put into your planner the “big rocks” — your important but not urgent goals — and schedule other things around them.
5. Show Integrity In The Moment Of Choice - pause in the space between stimulus and response, and act with integrity to first things in any moment of choice in your life.
6. Evaluate - turn your weeks into a progressive journey of learning, living and contributing.
Course On Spiritual Intelligence
- Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan
- Intuition and conscience
- 7 Intelligences
- SQ, EQ, IQ and PQ
- Supersoul: higher intelligence
- How to make difference between the voice of the Supersoul and the voice of the mind?
- Mantra activates spiritual intelligence
- Prayer near water experiment
- Access your spiritual intelligence by calming the mind
- Meditation and Superconsciousness
- Chariot of the body, mind and intelligence
- Exercises: Listen to your inner voice regarding an important issue, Raise your arms and try to be depressed
Kirtan Dance
GITA COACHING PROGRAM AT THE YOGA STUDIO IN LIXA
GITA COACHING PROGRAM AT THE YOGA STUDIO IN LIXA, NORTH PORTUGAL
25 March 2012, 9 pm
- Guitar Kirtan
- Inspirational talk "Spiritual Vitamins - Spiritual Intelligence For Your Success"
Many thanks to my kind hosts and organizers Paul and Purnamasi from Braga.
25 March 2012, 9 pm
- Guitar Kirtan
- Inspirational talk "Spiritual Vitamins - Spiritual Intelligence For Your Success"
Many thanks to my kind hosts and organizers Paul and Purnamasi from Braga.
ROTTEN PATATOES
A kindergarten teacher has decided to let her class play a game. The teacher
told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few
potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates, so
the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend
on the number of people he/she hates. So when the
day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she
hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3 while some up to 5 potatoes. The teacher
then told the children to carry with them the potatoes in the plastic bag
wherever they go (even to the toilet) for 1 week.
Days after
days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant
smell let out by the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having 5 potatoes also had
to carry heavier bags. After 1 week, the children were relieved because the
game had finally ended.
The teacher
asked: "How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for 1
week?"
The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble
that they had to go through having to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes
wherever they go. Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the
game.
The teacher said: "This is exactly the
situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench
of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever
you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just 1 week,
can you imagine what is it like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for
your lifetime?"
Saturday, March 24, 2012
OUR ONLY AMBITION
For a devotee there is no pain, pleasure or material perfection. One may argue that at the time of death a devotee also suffers because of giving up his material body. But in this connection the example may be given that a cat carries a mouse in its mouth and also carries a kitten in its mouth.
Both the mouse and the kitten are carried in the same mouth, but the perception of the mouse is different from that of the kitten. When a devotee gives up his body (tyaktva deham), he is ready to go back home, back to Godhead. Thus his perception is certainly different from that of a person being taken away by Yamaraja for punishment.
A person whose intelligence is always concentrated upon the service of the Lord is unafraid of accepting a material body, whereas a nondevotee, having no engagement in the service of the Lord, is very much afraid of accepting a material body or giving up his present one.
Therefore, we should follow the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu: mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. It doesn't matter whether we accept a material body or a spiritual body; our only ambition should be to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
SB 9.13.10 Purport
Both the mouse and the kitten are carried in the same mouth, but the perception of the mouse is different from that of the kitten. When a devotee gives up his body (tyaktva deham), he is ready to go back home, back to Godhead. Thus his perception is certainly different from that of a person being taken away by Yamaraja for punishment.
A person whose intelligence is always concentrated upon the service of the Lord is unafraid of accepting a material body, whereas a nondevotee, having no engagement in the service of the Lord, is very much afraid of accepting a material body or giving up his present one.
Therefore, we should follow the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu: mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. It doesn't matter whether we accept a material body or a spiritual body; our only ambition should be to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
SB 9.13.10 Purport
DO YOU REALLY WANT IT?
The living entity can be liberated from the material condition at any moment, provided that he wishes to do so.
SB 4.29.82 Purport
SB 4.29.82 Purport
Thursday, March 22, 2012
PROGRAM IN BRAGA
Poster for my "Spiritual Intelligence For Your Success" course in Braga, Potugal.
23 and 24 March 2012
Kirtan Yoga Sessions
4 Types of intelligence
Inspiration
Spiritual knowledge and spiritual intelligence
Supersoul as a source of intellgence
Sound as a vitamin
Sastra as a source of intelligence
3 Types of charity
CUSTOMIZE YOUR COACHING APPROACH
Customize your coaching to the needs of the devotees:
- Some devotees need support
- Some devotees need someone to listen
- Some devotees need hope
- Some devotees need questions
- Some devotees need answers
- Some devotees need ideas
- Some devotees need instructions
- Some devotees need a challenge
What else can you add to this list? Email me your ideas on akrura@gmail.com
- Some devotees need support
- Some devotees need someone to listen
- Some devotees need hope
- Some devotees need questions
- Some devotees need answers
- Some devotees need ideas
- Some devotees need instructions
- Some devotees need a challenge
What else can you add to this list? Email me your ideas on akrura@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
GOLDEN DEVOTEES
I am developing a list of Golden Devotees. These are the devotees who really like to take care of devotees and help devotees succeed. Here are some of them:
GOLDEN DEVOTEES
Bhava Bhakti from London, UK
Bhuta Bhavana from London, UK
Govindananda from Zagreb, Croatia
Mahishmati from Lima, Peru
Maja from Split, Croatia
Syama Sakhi from Zurich, Switzerland
GOLDEN DEVOTEES
Bhava Bhakti from London, UK
Bhuta Bhavana from London, UK
Govindananda from Zagreb, Croatia
Mahishmati from Lima, Peru
Maja from Split, Croatia
Syama Sakhi from Zurich, Switzerland
DEVELOPING LEADERS AROUND YOU
Create
opportunities for growth by:
- Exposing
the potential temple leader to devotees successful in his field.
- Providing
a secure environment where the potential temple leader is free to take risks.
- Providing
the potential temple leader with an experienced mentor or coach.
- Providing
the potential temple leader with the tools and resources he needs.
- Spending
the time and money to train the potential temple leader in his areas of need.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
BHAGAVAD GITA SUCCESS COURSE IN BARCELONA
BHAGAVAD GITA SUCCESS COURSE AT ISKCON BARCELONA
http://www.krishnabcn.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Templo-Hare-Krishna-Barcelona/129030963817644?sk=photos
20-21 March 2012
- Are you ready to learn, like Arjuna? (Bg 2.7)
- How to focus? (Bg 2.41 and 6.26)
- Turn problems into opportunities (Bg 2.32)
- Compassionate communication (Bg 17.15)
- Inquiry (Bg 4.34)
http://www.krishnabcn.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Templo-Hare-Krishna-Barcelona/129030963817644?sk=photos
20-21 March 2012
- Are you ready to learn, like Arjuna? (Bg 2.7)
- How to focus? (Bg 2.41 and 6.26)
- Turn problems into opportunities (Bg 2.32)
- Compassionate communication (Bg 17.15)
- Inquiry (Bg 4.34)
GITA COACHING COURSE IN BRAGA
GITA COACHING COURSE AT THE YOGA CENTER IN BRAGA, PORTUGAL
Friday, 16 March 2012
Friday, 16 March 2012
BG SUCCESS PRINCIPLES COURSE IN LISBON
BG SUCCESS PRINCIPLES COURSE AT THE HARE KRSNA CULTURAL CENTER IN LISBON
12-15 March 2012
12-15 March 2012
PRABHUPADA'S CARE
No letter from you is useless for me -- they are all important. And you can write as long a letter as you can. I shall read them carefully with attention in spite of my various duties always. Regarding the tape lecture which you requested, I have got the copy in L.A. most probably, so I shall have to send it to you when I get back to the mainland.
- Srila Prabhupada, Letter to: Krsna dasa -- Hawaii 15 March, 1969
Friday, March 16, 2012
ISKCON CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY
VISIT ISKCON CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY AT ISKCON MAYAPUR - CHAKRA BUILDING # 127
click to enlarge
Thursday, March 15, 2012
GITA COACHING WAY
We help devotees succeed by together finding solutions that exactly meet their needs, in a way that is favorable for their spiritual advancement.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
COACH YOURSELF TO SUCCESS
Here is a simple yet effective way to do some positive self-coaching.
It is said that God helps those who help themselves.
Ask yourself these questions:
How can I help myself succeed?
How can I support and encourage myself every day?
What will inspire me?
What do I need to learn in order to be more happy and more productive?
Am I clear about what I want?
Am I ready to take responsibility for my life?
How can I connect to Krsna (God) more strongly?
What Bhagavad-gita success principles will help me succeed?
Answers to these questions are the beginning of your success.
You may also create your own success questions, questions that will help you succeed in various areas of your life.
It is said that God helps those who help themselves.
Ask yourself these questions:
How can I help myself succeed?
How can I support and encourage myself every day?
What will inspire me?
What do I need to learn in order to be more happy and more productive?
Am I clear about what I want?
Am I ready to take responsibility for my life?
How can I connect to Krsna (God) more strongly?
What Bhagavad-gita success principles will help me succeed?
Answers to these questions are the beginning of your success.
You may also create your own success questions, questions that will help you succeed in various areas of your life.
FEEL GO(O)D
If you want to feel good
Feel God
Feel His mercy
Feel His holy name
Fell His presence within your heart
And above all
Feel gratitude for all
He has given you
Feel God
Feel His mercy
Feel His holy name
Fell His presence within your heart
And above all
Feel gratitude for all
He has given you
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
SOME AMAZING INFO
Srila Prabhupada answers how Krishna is with the spirit soul in the spiritual world and are Arjuna and Kuntidevi in Krsnaloka.
http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Are_Arjuna_and_Kunti_Devi_in_Krishna_Loka%3F
http://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Are_Arjuna_and_Kunti_Devi_in_Krishna_Loka%3F
UNDERSTANDING DEVOTEES' NEEDS
In order to serve devotees nicely, we need to understand their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Then we need to help them meet those needs in a Krsna conscious way, in a way that will not be harmful for their spiritual and material well-being.
As far as I have seen, most devotees need support.
Those who are stronger need challenges.
Then we need to help them meet those needs in a Krsna conscious way, in a way that will not be harmful for their spiritual and material well-being.
As far as I have seen, most devotees need support.
Those who are stronger need challenges.
FOCUS ON THE ESSENTIAL
An article by Sacinandana Swami:
FOCUS ON THE ESSENTIAL AND ESCAPE THE “TYRANNY” OF THE ONE THOUSAND URGENT THINGS
http://www.sacinandanaswami.com/en/s1a28/inspirational-texts/focus-on-the-essential-and-escape-the-tyranny-of-the-one-thousand-urgent-things.html
FOCUS ON THE ESSENTIAL AND ESCAPE THE “TYRANNY” OF THE ONE THOUSAND URGENT THINGS
http://www.sacinandanaswami.com/en/s1a28/inspirational-texts/focus-on-the-essential-and-escape-the-tyranny-of-the-one-thousand-urgent-things.html
Saturday, March 10, 2012
COOL DEVOTEES: BHAKTIN MAJA
A quick interview with Bhaktin Maja Muse from Split, Croatia.
She is doing a wonderful service for devotees and the Deities there.
Q: How long have you been in Krsna consciousness?
A: Since the creation of my soul. I just was not aware of it. From 2006, by the mercy of one devotee and Sacinandana Swami my dormant desire for Krsna consciousness has been awakened.
Q: What kind of job do you do?
She is doing a wonderful service for devotees and the Deities there.
Q: How long have you been in Krsna consciousness?
A: Since the creation of my soul. I just was not aware of it. From 2006, by the mercy of one devotee and Sacinandana Swami my dormant desire for Krsna consciousness has been awakened.
Q: What kind of job do you do?
A: Since 2000, I manage a private book selling business.
Q: How do you manage to work at a full-time job, take care of your family, and do so much service for the temple and devotees?
A: What one can do sincerely, with love, is not hard and is never boring.
Q: What and who inspires you the most in Krsna consciousness?
Q: How do you manage to work at a full-time job, take care of your family, and do so much service for the temple and devotees?
A: What one can do sincerely, with love, is not hard and is never boring.
Q: What and who inspires you the most in Krsna consciousness?
A: Serving the Deities, Srila Prabhupada, and the devotees. By regular temple visits, associating with devotees, making the garlands for the Deities and bathing Srila Prabhupada's murti I focus my consciousness on Krsna consciousness and this inspires me the most and makes me happy.
Q: What is your most important goal in this lifetime?
A: My only prayer is this: Krsna please do not take away my remembrance of You. My only desire is that I remember Krsna until the end of my life and do not leave bhakti yoga.
Q: What inspires you so much to love and serve devotees with such a great enthusiasm?
A: Most probably selfishness. I love the feeling of happiness and satisfaction in my heart while I serve and love devotees.
Q: What is your most important goal in this lifetime?
A: My only prayer is this: Krsna please do not take away my remembrance of You. My only desire is that I remember Krsna until the end of my life and do not leave bhakti yoga.
Q: What inspires you so much to love and serve devotees with such a great enthusiasm?
A: Most probably selfishness. I love the feeling of happiness and satisfaction in my heart while I serve and love devotees.
LEADER OF THE FUTURE
The ideal
leader of the past was the genius with thousand helpers.
The ideal leader of
the future is a helper of thousand geniuses.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
DEITIES IN ISKCON
Here you can view ISKCON Deities slide shows:
http://www.prabhupadavani.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=71&Itemid=162
http://www.prabhupadavani.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=71&Itemid=162
SPIRITUAL INSPIRATIONS
New website by Sacinandana Swami - launched today:
http://www.sacinandanaswami.com/en/s1f3/spiritual-inspirations
http://www.sacinandanaswami.com/en/s1f3/spiritual-inspirations
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
ATTENTIVE CHANTING
SRILA PRABHUPADA ON ATTENTIVE CHANTING
I am glad to hear that you are always keeping engaged in Krsna's service and chanting Hare Krsna. As you chant, try to hear each word very carefully and always complete your sixteen rounds. Regular and attentive chanting, along with following the four regulative principles will keep one pure. Simply by following these principles and chanting Hare Krsna one can make his life successful and perfect.
Just keep yourselves to the standard by regular and attentive chanting, study, preaching, working, sankirtana, and distributing of literatures and prasadam. Then everything will be all right.
So simply be persevering and go on chanting attentively and all these temporary manifestations will come to pass.
The process of Krsna consciousness is to chant Hare Krsna and to hear the sound attentively so that the mind is fixed upon the transcendental vibration of Krsna's name, which is nondifferent from Krsna the personality.
When the Hare Krsna mantra is vibrating on your tongue and you are hearing attentively, then your consciousness becomes clear or Krsna consciousness and there is no question of maya or hazy consciousness.
Please go on chanting nicely, and steadily. Chanting sixteen rounds is prescribed, but you can chant more rounds and hear them very attentively.
There is no such requirement that japa should be done silently and chanting should be done differently. Loudly or silently, everything is all right. There is no such restriction. Only thing is that we should chant very attentively, hearing the vibration very distinctly.
Do not be disappointed if sometimes your mind gives some agitation. Such agitation is only temporary and will be driven away by chanting. So chant loudly whenever there is some disturbance and hear the transcendental sound attentively.
I am glad to hear that you are always keeping engaged in Krsna's service and chanting Hare Krsna. As you chant, try to hear each word very carefully and always complete your sixteen rounds. Regular and attentive chanting, along with following the four regulative principles will keep one pure. Simply by following these principles and chanting Hare Krsna one can make his life successful and perfect.
Just keep yourselves to the standard by regular and attentive chanting, study, preaching, working, sankirtana, and distributing of literatures and prasadam. Then everything will be all right.
So simply be persevering and go on chanting attentively and all these temporary manifestations will come to pass.
The process of Krsna consciousness is to chant Hare Krsna and to hear the sound attentively so that the mind is fixed upon the transcendental vibration of Krsna's name, which is nondifferent from Krsna the personality.
When the Hare Krsna mantra is vibrating on your tongue and you are hearing attentively, then your consciousness becomes clear or Krsna consciousness and there is no question of maya or hazy consciousness.
Please go on chanting nicely, and steadily. Chanting sixteen rounds is prescribed, but you can chant more rounds and hear them very attentively.
There is no such requirement that japa should be done silently and chanting should be done differently. Loudly or silently, everything is all right. There is no such restriction. Only thing is that we should chant very attentively, hearing the vibration very distinctly.
Do not be disappointed if sometimes your mind gives some agitation. Such agitation is only temporary and will be driven away by chanting. So chant loudly whenever there is some disturbance and hear the transcendental sound attentively.
DISTRESS IS AN OPPORTUNITY
Especially when one is very much distressed by material conditions, one becomes interested in God. Therefore Kuntidevi said in her prayers to Krsna that she preferred distress to a happy mood of life. In the material world, one who is happy forgets Krsna, or God, but sometimes, if one is actually pious but in distress, he remembers Krsna. Queen Kuntidevi therefore preferred distress because it is an opportunity for remembering Krsna. When Krsna was leaving Kuntidevi for His own country, Kuntidevi regretfully said that she was better off in distress because Krsna was always present, whereas now that the Pandavas were situated in their kingdom, Krsna was going away. For a devotee, distress is an opportunity to remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly.
SB 7.2.61 Purport
http://vedabase.net/sb/7/2/61/en1
SB 7.2.61 Purport
http://vedabase.net/sb/7/2/61/en1
COACHING MANIFESTO
They were devotees who could see more in you than you saw in yourself at the time.
They saw you not only as you were, but also as you could be.
They had a vision for you that was bigger than you had for yourself.
They weren't blind for your shortcomings or flaws, but they didn't focus on them.
Instead, they helped you believe in your own ability and potential for spiritual growth.
They inspired you and helped you to see possibilities for your spiritual life that you may not have seen otherwise.
Because your spiritual guides had credibility in your eyes, you gave sanction to their visions.
Then your self-talk followed: "Yes, that is possible for me. I could do that. I can be like that."
Your beliefs about what's possible changed, and you began to act differently.
Great spiritual teachers and guides are so unshakably convinced that we have spiritual potential in us, and their vision of what is possible for us is so clear and powerful, that they end up convincing us, too.
They saw you not only as you were, but also as you could be.
They had a vision for you that was bigger than you had for yourself.
They weren't blind for your shortcomings or flaws, but they didn't focus on them.
Instead, they helped you believe in your own ability and potential for spiritual growth.
They inspired you and helped you to see possibilities for your spiritual life that you may not have seen otherwise.
Because your spiritual guides had credibility in your eyes, you gave sanction to their visions.
Then your self-talk followed: "Yes, that is possible for me. I could do that. I can be like that."
Your beliefs about what's possible changed, and you began to act differently.
Great spiritual teachers and guides are so unshakably convinced that we have spiritual potential in us, and their vision of what is possible for us is so clear and powerful, that they end up convincing us, too.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
THE CAUSE OF HAPPINESS AND DISTRESS
This is from the 11th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam.
Avanti Brahmana said:
These people are not the cause of my happiness and distress. Neither are the demigods, my own body, the planets, my past work, or time. Rather, it is the mind alone that causes happiness and distress and perpetuates the rotation of material life.
Failing to conquer this irrepressible enemy, the mind, whose urges are intolerable and who torments the heart, many people are completely bewildered and create useless quarrel with others. Thus they conclude that other people are either their friends, their enemies or parties indifferent to them.
If you say that these people are the cause of my happiness and distress, then where is the place of the soul in such a conception? This happiness and distress pertain not to the soul but to the interactions of material bodies. If someone bites his tongue with his own teeth, at whom can he become angry in his suffering?
If you say that the demigods who rule the bodily senses cause suffering, still, how can such suffering apply to the spirit soul? This acting and being acted upon are merely interactions of the changeable senses and their presiding deities. When one limb of the body attacks another, with whom can the person in that body be angry?
If the soul himself were the cause of happiness and distress, then we could not blame others, since happiness and distress would be simply the nature of the soul. According to this theory, nothing except the soul actually exists, and if we were to perceive something besides the soul, that would be illusion. Therefore, since happiness and distress do not actually exist in this concept, why become angry at oneself or others?
And if we examine the hypothesis that the planets are the immediate cause of suffering and happiness, then also where is the relationship with the soul, who is eternal? After all, the effect of the planets applies only to things that have taken birth. Expert astrologers have moreover explained how the planets are only causing pain to each other. Therefore, since the living entity is distinct from these planets and from the material body, against whom should he vent his anger?
If we assume that fruitive work is the cause of happiness and distress, we still are not dealing with the soul. The idea of material work arises when there is a spiritual actor who is conscious and a material body that undergoes the transformation of happiness and distress as a reaction to such work. Since the body has no life, it cannot be the actual recipient of happiness and distress, nor can the soul, who is ultimately completely spiritual and aloof from the material body. Since karma thus has no ultimate basis in either the body or the soul, at whom can one become angry?
If we accept time as the cause of happiness and distress, that experience still cannot apply to the spirit soul, since time is a manifestation of the Lord's spiritual potency and the living entities are also expansions of the Lord's spiritual potency manifesting through time. Certainly a fire does not burn its own flames or sparks, nor does the cold harm its own snowflakes or hail. In fact, the spirit soul is transcendental and beyond the experience of material happiness and distress. At whom, therefore, should one become angry?
The false ego gives shape to illusory material existence and thus experiences material happiness and distress. The spirit soul, however, is transcendental to material nature; he can never actually be affected by material happiness and distress in any place, under any circumstance or by the agency of any person. A person who understands this has nothing whatsoever to fear from the material creation.
No other force besides his own mental confusion makes the soul experience happiness and distress. His perception of friends, neutral parties and enemies and the whole material life he builds around this perception are simply created out of ignorance.
Study the whole Srimad Bhagavatam chapter about Avanti Brahmana here: http://vedabase.net/sb/11/23/en1
Click on the verse numbers to access the purports (commentaries).
Avanti Brahmana said:
These people are not the cause of my happiness and distress. Neither are the demigods, my own body, the planets, my past work, or time. Rather, it is the mind alone that causes happiness and distress and perpetuates the rotation of material life.
Failing to conquer this irrepressible enemy, the mind, whose urges are intolerable and who torments the heart, many people are completely bewildered and create useless quarrel with others. Thus they conclude that other people are either their friends, their enemies or parties indifferent to them.
If you say that these people are the cause of my happiness and distress, then where is the place of the soul in such a conception? This happiness and distress pertain not to the soul but to the interactions of material bodies. If someone bites his tongue with his own teeth, at whom can he become angry in his suffering?
If you say that the demigods who rule the bodily senses cause suffering, still, how can such suffering apply to the spirit soul? This acting and being acted upon are merely interactions of the changeable senses and their presiding deities. When one limb of the body attacks another, with whom can the person in that body be angry?
If the soul himself were the cause of happiness and distress, then we could not blame others, since happiness and distress would be simply the nature of the soul. According to this theory, nothing except the soul actually exists, and if we were to perceive something besides the soul, that would be illusion. Therefore, since happiness and distress do not actually exist in this concept, why become angry at oneself or others?
And if we examine the hypothesis that the planets are the immediate cause of suffering and happiness, then also where is the relationship with the soul, who is eternal? After all, the effect of the planets applies only to things that have taken birth. Expert astrologers have moreover explained how the planets are only causing pain to each other. Therefore, since the living entity is distinct from these planets and from the material body, against whom should he vent his anger?
If we assume that fruitive work is the cause of happiness and distress, we still are not dealing with the soul. The idea of material work arises when there is a spiritual actor who is conscious and a material body that undergoes the transformation of happiness and distress as a reaction to such work. Since the body has no life, it cannot be the actual recipient of happiness and distress, nor can the soul, who is ultimately completely spiritual and aloof from the material body. Since karma thus has no ultimate basis in either the body or the soul, at whom can one become angry?
If we accept time as the cause of happiness and distress, that experience still cannot apply to the spirit soul, since time is a manifestation of the Lord's spiritual potency and the living entities are also expansions of the Lord's spiritual potency manifesting through time. Certainly a fire does not burn its own flames or sparks, nor does the cold harm its own snowflakes or hail. In fact, the spirit soul is transcendental and beyond the experience of material happiness and distress. At whom, therefore, should one become angry?
The false ego gives shape to illusory material existence and thus experiences material happiness and distress. The spirit soul, however, is transcendental to material nature; he can never actually be affected by material happiness and distress in any place, under any circumstance or by the agency of any person. A person who understands this has nothing whatsoever to fear from the material creation.
No other force besides his own mental confusion makes the soul experience happiness and distress. His perception of friends, neutral parties and enemies and the whole material life he builds around this perception are simply created out of ignorance.
Study the whole Srimad Bhagavatam chapter about Avanti Brahmana here: http://vedabase.net/sb/11/23/en1
Click on the verse numbers to access the purports (commentaries).
Monday, March 5, 2012
PATIENCE IS LOVE IN ACTION
God gave your will its power, which I can only acknowledge in honor of His.
If you want to be like me, I will help you, knowing that we are alike. If you want to be different, I will wait until you change your mind.
I can teach you, but only you can choose to listen to my teaching.
How else can it be, if God's Kingdom is freedom?
Freedom cannot be learned by tyranny of any kind, and the perfect equality of all God's Sons cannot be recognized through the dominion of one mind over another.
God's Sons are equal in will, all being the Will of their Father.
This is the only lesson I came to teach.
- Jesus Christ, The Course In Miracles
If you want to be like me, I will help you, knowing that we are alike. If you want to be different, I will wait until you change your mind.
I can teach you, but only you can choose to listen to my teaching.
How else can it be, if God's Kingdom is freedom?
Freedom cannot be learned by tyranny of any kind, and the perfect equality of all God's Sons cannot be recognized through the dominion of one mind over another.
God's Sons are equal in will, all being the Will of their Father.
This is the only lesson I came to teach.
- Jesus Christ, The Course In Miracles
COOL DEVOTEES: VAISESIKA DASA
- Vaisesika dasa, ISKCON Silicon Valley Temple President, ISKCON North America Book Distribution Minister
HARSH SPEECH
Next time you are tempted to speak harshly consider these points from the scriptures:
Demons become very angry even over small things and speak harshly, not gently.
According to Srimad Bhagavatam, the predecessors of Durukti (Harsh Speech) are Greed, Cunning, Anger, and Envy.
Harsh Speech is a descendant of Irreligion or impious activities.
A wife who speaks harshly with her husband is considered to be an enemy.
If one is hurt by the arrows of an enemy, one is not as aggrieved as when cut by the unkind words of a relative, for such grief continues to pain one's heart day and night.
When one is hurt by the sharp words of a relative, one suffers the effects continually, day and night. Sometimes the hurt is so intolerable that one commits suicide.
Demons become very angry even over small things and speak harshly, not gently.
According to Srimad Bhagavatam, the predecessors of Durukti (Harsh Speech) are Greed, Cunning, Anger, and Envy.
Harsh Speech is a descendant of Irreligion or impious activities.
A wife who speaks harshly with her husband is considered to be an enemy.
If one is hurt by the arrows of an enemy, one is not as aggrieved as when cut by the unkind words of a relative, for such grief continues to pain one's heart day and night.
When one is hurt by the sharp words of a relative, one suffers the effects continually, day and night. Sometimes the hurt is so intolerable that one commits suicide.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
COOL DEVOTEES: BHAKTIN RADHIKA
Chowpatty’s Bhaktin Radhika Breaks Women’s Book Distribution Records:
http://news.iskcon.com/node/4233
http://news.iskcon.com/node/4233
Saturday, March 3, 2012
WRITING FOR LEADERSHIP
Writing
is a powerful leadership tool. Some leaders write how they want to serve
others. Other leaders write their leadership goals and review them regularly.
They plan on paper or Palm Organizer. To start with our conscious effort in working on our spiritual advancement and spiritual development, we suggest writing a Personal Mission Statement. We may
start with these questions:
1. What
do you want to be in your spiritual life?
2. What
do you want to do in your spiritual life?
3. What
role would you like to have in ISKCON?
If
writing a Personal Mission Statement is a result of a deep internal work, reviewing it weekly or daily could be a great source of clarity, strength, direction and
inspiration.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
HOLLYWOOD HERO
Most of us know the image of the Hollywood hero. Usually he is a good guy who melts when a nice lady comes by. He can beat up all the bad guys but when a beautiful woman comes, he becomes enamored.
Here Srila Prabhupada explains the difference between the material and the spiritual hero:
"Every living entity is a hero in two ways. When he is a victim of the illusory energy, he works as a great hero in the material world, as a great leader, politician, businessman, industrialist, etc., and his heroic activities contribute to the material advancement of civilization.
One can also become a hero by being master of the senses, a gosvami. Material activities are false heroic activities, whereas restraining the senses from material engagement is great heroism. However great a hero one may be in the material world, he can be immediately conquered by the lumps of flesh and blood known as the breasts of women.
In the history of material activities there are many examples, like the Roman hero Antony, who became captivated by the beauty of Cleopatra. Similarly, a great hero in India named Baji Rao became a victim of a woman during the time of Maharashtrian politics, and he was defeated.
...
Thus there are many instances in human history of heroes who have been curbed simply by women. Being part and parcel of Krsna, the living entity is certainly a great hero, but due to his own weakness he becomes attracted to the material features.
It is said in the Prema-vivarta that when a living entity wants to enjoy material nature, he is immediately victimized by the material energy. A living entity is not forced to come into the material world. He makes his own choice, being attracted by beautiful women.
Every living entity has the freedom to be attracted by material nature or to stand as a hero and resist that attraction. It is simply a question of the living entity's being attracted or not being attracted. There is no question of his being forced to come into contact with material energy.
One who can keep himself steady and resist the attraction of material nature is certainly a hero and deserves to be called a gosvami. Unless one is master of the senses, he cannot become a gosvami.
The living entity can take one of two positions in this world. He may become a servant of his senses, or he may become master of them. By becoming a servant of the senses, one becomes a great material hero, and by becoming master of the senses, he becomes a gosvami, or spiritual hero."
SB 4.25.26 Purport
Here Srila Prabhupada explains the difference between the material and the spiritual hero:
"Every living entity is a hero in two ways. When he is a victim of the illusory energy, he works as a great hero in the material world, as a great leader, politician, businessman, industrialist, etc., and his heroic activities contribute to the material advancement of civilization.
One can also become a hero by being master of the senses, a gosvami. Material activities are false heroic activities, whereas restraining the senses from material engagement is great heroism. However great a hero one may be in the material world, he can be immediately conquered by the lumps of flesh and blood known as the breasts of women.
In the history of material activities there are many examples, like the Roman hero Antony, who became captivated by the beauty of Cleopatra. Similarly, a great hero in India named Baji Rao became a victim of a woman during the time of Maharashtrian politics, and he was defeated.
...
Thus there are many instances in human history of heroes who have been curbed simply by women. Being part and parcel of Krsna, the living entity is certainly a great hero, but due to his own weakness he becomes attracted to the material features.
It is said in the Prema-vivarta that when a living entity wants to enjoy material nature, he is immediately victimized by the material energy. A living entity is not forced to come into the material world. He makes his own choice, being attracted by beautiful women.
Every living entity has the freedom to be attracted by material nature or to stand as a hero and resist that attraction. It is simply a question of the living entity's being attracted or not being attracted. There is no question of his being forced to come into contact with material energy.
One who can keep himself steady and resist the attraction of material nature is certainly a hero and deserves to be called a gosvami. Unless one is master of the senses, he cannot become a gosvami.
The living entity can take one of two positions in this world. He may become a servant of his senses, or he may become master of them. By becoming a servant of the senses, one becomes a great material hero, and by becoming master of the senses, he becomes a gosvami, or spiritual hero."
SB 4.25.26 Purport
SOMETHING BETTER FOR A CHILD
If a
child has in his hands something that he is eating but we give him something
better, he will throw away the inferior thing and take the better thing. So in
Krsna consciousness we offer better engagement, better life, better philosophy,
better consciousness -- everything better. Therefore those who engage in
devotional service can give up sinful activities and promote themselves to
Krsna consciousness.
We, we
don't say that you don't eat anything. Some fruits, some flowers. That's all.
So param drstva nivartate [Bg. 2.59]. Just like a child. He has got in his hand
something he's eating. and if you give him better thing, he will throw away the
inferior thing and will take that better thing. So here is Krsna consciousness,
this better engagement, better life, better philosophy, better consciousness,
everything better. Therefore they can give up the sinful activities of life and
that will promote to Krsna consciousness.
Param
drstva nivartate [Bg. 2.59]. Param, if you get better thing, you give up
inferior quality thing. That is our nature. Just like our students, American
students, they were all accustomed to meat-eating. But now another student, she
is preparing the sweetballs, ISKCON balls, and they are forgetting meat-eating.
They do not like any more meat-eating. They have got better engagement,
sweetballs. (laughter) Similarly, that is the way. When you get better
engagement ...
We are hankering after pleasure. Anandamayo 'bhyasat
(Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12). Every living entity is seeking after pleasure. That is
his nature. You cannot stop. Just like a child is seeking after
some enjoyment, he's breaking something, enjoyment. But he does not, that ... He
is breaking, but he's simply enjoying that breaking. Similarly, we do not know
what is enjoyment in this material concept of life.
We are breaking and
building. In your country I have seen in several places. Nice building is
dismantled, and again, in that very place, another building is raised. You see?
Breaking and building. "Oh, this building is old. Break
it." The same childish play. You see? Simply wasting engagement, valuable
time of this human form. Breaking and building, breaking and building. Just like the child. You see?
So
unless one has got better engagement, Krsna consciousness, surely they will be
engaged in this breaking and building, breaking and building. Childish
engagement. Param drstva nivartate [Bg. 2.59]. And so far our students of Krsna
consciousness, they are trying to get two hours more than twenty-four hours.
They have got so much, so many engagements.
- Srila Prabhupada
WHAT CAN REPLACE SEX?
In Gods creation there is male and female even in the spiritual world and there is purpose for such creation. This purpose is so that male and female may join together, not for sex life but to glorify the Lord.
From Srimad-Bhagavatam we learn that in Vaikuntha the women are much more beautiful in their figure, smiling, dressing etc., but the men and women there are so much attracted by the chanting of Hare Krsna that they do not get any sex impulse even by intimate mingling.
Here also sometimes we get very good example, because when our nice boys and girls are dancing together in chanting Hare Krsna at least for that time they forget all about the sex impulse. This is perfection of life, to be so much attracted to Krsna that all insignificant pleasures are utterly forgotten.
So the point is that here the sex life is the highest pleasure, and in the spiritual world there is no sex. So what is that pleasure? That pleasure is this chanting and dancing, Hare Krsna maha-mantra. That is stated in the sastra. They are so much absorbed in this chanting and dancing, they are no more interested in sex. That is the only way. If you want to stop the pleasure of sex, then you have to take this pleasure, this transcendental pleasure. You'll forget everything.
Unless we advance in Krsna consciousness, unless we become accustomed to enjoy this ecstasy of chanting and dancing, it is not possible.
In the spiritual world, people are not very attracted to sex life, due to their exalted devotional attitude. Practically speaking, there is no sex life in the spiritual world, but even if sometimes it does occur, there is no pregnancy at all.
In spiritual life also there are men and women. They are very beautiful and attractive but they are all so much absorbed in thought of Krsna that in the spiritual world there is no sex life. That means that Krsna consciousness is so sublime and happy that it surpasses the pleasure of sex life.
- Srila Prabhupada
From Srimad-Bhagavatam we learn that in Vaikuntha the women are much more beautiful in their figure, smiling, dressing etc., but the men and women there are so much attracted by the chanting of Hare Krsna that they do not get any sex impulse even by intimate mingling.
Here also sometimes we get very good example, because when our nice boys and girls are dancing together in chanting Hare Krsna at least for that time they forget all about the sex impulse. This is perfection of life, to be so much attracted to Krsna that all insignificant pleasures are utterly forgotten.
So the point is that here the sex life is the highest pleasure, and in the spiritual world there is no sex. So what is that pleasure? That pleasure is this chanting and dancing, Hare Krsna maha-mantra. That is stated in the sastra. They are so much absorbed in this chanting and dancing, they are no more interested in sex. That is the only way. If you want to stop the pleasure of sex, then you have to take this pleasure, this transcendental pleasure. You'll forget everything.
Unless we advance in Krsna consciousness, unless we become accustomed to enjoy this ecstasy of chanting and dancing, it is not possible.
In the spiritual world, people are not very attracted to sex life, due to their exalted devotional attitude. Practically speaking, there is no sex life in the spiritual world, but even if sometimes it does occur, there is no pregnancy at all.
In spiritual life also there are men and women. They are very beautiful and attractive but they are all so much absorbed in thought of Krsna that in the spiritual world there is no sex life. That means that Krsna consciousness is so sublime and happy that it surpasses the pleasure of sex life.
- Srila Prabhupada
INVESTING IN DEVOTEES
Few years ago we had a Temple Leaders Council motto at ISKCON London:
Investing in people to help them succeed.
We want to help everyone succeed on their journey back to Krsna, devotees in particular.
So how can we invest in devotees?
Here are some ideas:
Investing in people to help them succeed.
We want to help everyone succeed on their journey back to Krsna, devotees in particular.
So how can we invest in devotees?
Here are some ideas:
- Help them to increase their faith in the holy name, devotional service and Krsna
- Take time to listen to them
- Work with them to find solutions that exactly meet their needs
- Highlight their worth and potential
- Help them connect with Krsna via hearing and chanting
- Give them or help them get material resources to support their life and devotional service
- Provide plenty of support, encouragement, appreciation and sometimes challenge
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