Krishna Consciousness's topics - tribe.net

Somehow im in really deep...

2008-03-29T15:28:01Z

trouble, i fear. everywhere i turn im starting to see Yamadutas... i know this is because of my degraded
consciousness... the question i guess i have is if not a blade of grass moves without the will of Krsna and if
a vaishnava doesnt fear going to hell, if somehow or other i AM in hell now, because of past transgressions, i.e.
sins, some abominable in all but the most fallens eyes, then shouldnt i just surrender, cut my losses, accept my
karmic reward and accept that i deserve punishment, i.e. degraded, demoniac living conditions...??? im very
confused just now and getting scared... please help...
Hare Krsna,
a very fallen jiva

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

wondering...

2008-03-22T16:44:01Z

if anybody had any news about what's happening in New Vrindavan... I'm planning on a relocation and as
i have never visited there before i was wondering if anyone could give me some logistics... Im hankering for
some serious devotee association, it's been faaar too long... i figured with all the acreage there i could maybe
pitch a tent, perform some seva while attending temple programs and get my sadhan back in order... anyway...
any information would be greatly appreciated...
many blessings,
matthew

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Festival for the Eyes 2008

2008-03-11T06:21:13Z

Would you like to participate in creating a beautiful experience? This Gaura Purnima ISKCON News is putting together a 'Festival for the Eyes' that you're invited to help us put together.

On Gaura Purnima Day 2008 we're going to unveil a multimedia presentation featuring Gaura-Nitai deities worshiped in devotees' homes around the world.

We've set a goal to compile 108 photos so if you'd like to give our current readership of more than 3,500 weekly visitors a glimpse of the Gaura-Nitai deities who live in your home then dress them gorgeously, get the lighting just right and snap us a digital photo. (Try to avoid using a flash please.)

When you submit your entry you'll need to include the following details:

- What's your name? (Please make sure you spell this exactly how you'd like it to be presented.)

- Where do you live? (Include the name of the city and country.)

Send just one photo as an attachment to: editor AT iskconnews.com

Please try to keep the size of the file under 1 Megabyte. The best image resolution for our purposes is 800px by 600px.

Alternatively you could upload to a photo hosting site such as www.flickr.com and send us a link.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday the 18th of March 2008.

Only the first 108 photos will be presented so send them in today!

For more details please visit here: http://news.iskcon.com/node/931

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Shivaram swami ki jaya!

2008-01-27T20:35:16Z

He wants to be a gopi and that is good enough for me! Shviarama swami ki kjaoya!

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

What is a Mayavadi?

2008-01-23T16:41:55Z

Many times we see this word. Sometimes I've seen it used correctly sometimes incorrectly, in the association of devotees. So I thought I would put in my 2 cents about this and then add some quotes by Srila Prabhupada about it. Mayavadi essentially means one who thinks that Krsna's transcendental form, name, pastimes, birth etc are material. This is an offense. It doesn't mean only that one is an impersonalist. For example the 4 Kumaras were impersonalists originally until they came in to contact with Krnsa and then they became devotees. They were never mayavadis. But when one hears about the transcendental nature of Krsna's pastimes and then continues to think they are material that is mayavadi. And the worst are those who take a very active stance in opposition to the transcendental nature of Krsna's pastimes, body etc. They cannot tolerate the concept that Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead can appear in His transcendental form in the material world. They actively offend Krsna with every word they say about Him, and they also offend His pure devotee. Such people's association is to be avoided like one would avoid drinking poison.

Here are some quotes:

TRANSLATION

I have studied the path of understanding self-knowledge from my spiritual master, the Personality of Godhead, and thus after circumambulating Him I have come to this place, very much aggrieved due to separation.

PURPORT

Sri Uddhava's actual life is the direct symbol of the catuh-sloki Bhagavatam enunciated first to Brahmaji by the Personality of Godhead. These four very great and important verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam are particularly taken out by the Mayavadi speculators, who construe a different purport to suit their impersonal view of monism. Here is the proper answer to such unauthorized speculators. The verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam are purely theistic science understandable by the postgraduate students of Bhagavad-gita, The unauthorized dry speculators are offenders at the lotus feet of the Lord Sri Krsna because they distort the purports of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam to mislead the public and prepare a direct path to the hell known as Andha-tamisra. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (16.20) such envious speculators are without knowledge and are surely condemned life after life. They unnecessarily take shelter of Sripada Sankaracarya, but he was not so drastic as to commit an offense at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. According to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sripada Sankaracarya preached the Mayavada philosophy for a particular purpose. Such a philosophy was necessary to defeat the Buddhist philosophy of the nonexistence of the spirit soul, but it was never meant for perpetual acceptance. It was an emergency. Thus Lord Krsna was accepted by Sankaracarya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead in his commentation on Bhagavad-gita. Since he was a great devotee of Lord Krsna, he did not dare write any commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam because that would have been a direct offense at the lotus feet of the Lord. But later speculators, in the name of Mayavada philosophy, unnecessarily make their commentary on the catuh-sloki Bhagavatam without any bona fide intent.
The monistic dry speculators have no business in the Srimad-Bhagavatam because this particular Vedic literature is forbidden for them by the great author himself. Srila Vyasadeva has definitely forbidden persons engaged in religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and, finally, salvation, from trying to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is not meant for them (Bhag. 1.1.2). Sripada Sridhara Svami, the great commentator on Srimad-Bhagavatam, has definitely forbidden the salvationists or monists to deal in Srimad-Bhagavatam. It is not for them. Yet such unauthorized persons perversely try to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam, and thus they commit offenses at the feet of the Lord, which even Sripada Sankaracarya dared not do. Thus they prepare for their continuation of miserable life. It should be particularly noted herein that Uddhava studied the catuh-sloki Bhagavatam directly from the Lord, who spoke them first to Brahmaji, and this time the Lord explained more confidentially the self-knowledge mentioned as the paramam sthitim. Upon learning such self-knowledge of love, Uddhava felt very much aggrieved by feelings of separation from the Lord. Unless one is awakened to the stage of Uddhava--everlastingly feeling the separation of the Lord in transcendental love, as exhibited by Lord Caitanya also--one cannot understand the real import of the four essential verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam. One should not indulge in the unauthorized act of twisting the meaning and thereby putting himself on the dangerous path of offense.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 3.4.20)

The dangerous Mayavada theory set forth by Sankaracarya--that God is impersonal--does not tally with the injunctions of the Vedas. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore described the Mayavadi philosophers as the greatest offenders against the Personality of Godhead. According to the Vedic system, one who does not abide by the orders of the Vedas is called a nastika, or atheist. When Lord Buddha preached his theory of nonviolence, he was obliged to deny the authority of the Vedas, and for this reason he was considered by the followers of the Vedas to be a nastika. But although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu very clearly enunciated that the followers of Lord Buddha's philosophy are nastikas, or atheists, because of their denial of the authority of the Vedas, He considered the Sankarites, who wanted to establish Vedic authority by trickery and who actually followed the Mayavada philosophy of Buddha's school, to be more dangerous than the Buddhists themselves. The Sankarite philosophers' theory that we have to imagine a shape of God is more dangerous than denial of the existence of God. Notwithstanding all the philosophical theorizing by atheists or Mayavadis, the followers of Krsna consciousness rigidly live according to the injunctions given in Bhagavad-gita, which is accepted as the essence of all Vedic scripture. In Bhagavad-gita (18.46) it is said:

yatah pravrttir bhutanam
yena sarvam idam tatam
sva-karmana tam abhyarcya
siddhim vindati manavah

"By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, man can, in the performance of his own duty, attain perfection." This indicates that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of everything, as described in the Vedanta-sutra (janmady asya yatah). The Lord Himself also confirms in Bhagavad-gita, aham sarvasya prabhavah: "I am the origin of everything." The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of all emanations, and at the same time, as Paramatma, He is spread all over existence. The Absolute Truth is therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and every living being is meant to satisfy the Supreme Godhead by performing his respective duty (sva-karmana tam abhyarcya). Maharaja Prthu wanted to introduce this formula amongst his citizens.
The most important point in human civilization is that while one engages in different occupational duties, he must try to satisfy the Supreme Lord by the execution of such duties. That is the highest perfection of life. Svanusthitasya dharmasya samsiddhir hari-tosanam: by discharging one's prescribed duty, one can become very successful in life if he simply satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The vivid example is Arjuna. He was a ksatriya, his duty was to fight, and by executing his prescribed duty he satisfied the Supreme Lord and therefore became perfect. Everyone should follow this principle. The atheists, who do not, are condemned in Bhagavad-gita (16.19) by the following statement: tan aham dvisatah kruran samsaresu naradhaman. In this verse it is clearly said that persons who are envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are the lowest of mankind and are very mischievous. Under the regulative principles of the Supreme, such mischievous persons are thrown into the darkest region of material existence and are born of asuras, or atheists. Birth after birth, such asuras go still further down, finally to animal forms like those of tigers or similar ferocious beasts. Thus for millions of years they have to remain in darkness without knowledge of Krsna.
The Supreme personality of Godhead is known as Purusottama, or the best of all living entities. He is a person like all other living entities, but He is the leader or the best of all living beings. That is stated in the Vedas also. Nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam. He is the chief of all eternals, the chief of all living entities, and He is complete and full. He has no need to derive benefit by interfering with the affairs of other living entities, but because He is the maintainer of all, He has the right to bring them to the proper standard so that all living entities may become happy. A father wants all of his children to become happy under his direction. Similarly, God, or Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has the right to see that all living entities are happy. There is no possibility of becoming happy within this material world. The father and the sons are eternal, but if a living entity does not come to the platform of his eternal life of bliss and knowledge, there is no question of happiness. Although Purusottama, the best of all living entities, has no benefit to derive from the common living entities, He does have the right to discriminate between their right and wrong ways. The right way is the path of activities meant to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as we have already discussed (svanusthitasya dharmasya samsiddhir hari-tosanam). A living entity may engage in any occupational duty, but if he wants to have perfection in his duties, he must satisfy the Supreme Lord. As such, one who pleases Him gets better facilities for living, but one who displeases Him gets involved in undesirable situations.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 4.21.27)

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Experience An India Yoga Odyssey

2008-01-11T02:11:48Z

Experience a Transforming India YOGA Odyssey
(February 21 to March 6, 2008)

Just imagine your airplane touching down at the India airport of your choice – Mumbai or Ahmadabad – on Thursday, February 21, 2008. Awaiting you at the airport is your guide, who will escort you by rail or taxi to your hotel accommodations in Surat City, Gujarat State. You will have arrived just in time to take in the World Yoga Championships, either as a participant or as a spectator. If anyone wishes to participate in the Championships the necessary registration forms can be downloaded at www.lifemission.org. The Championships run from February 22 though February 24. (The Championships were primarily founded as a means for encouraging youth worldwide to engage themselves in the ageless science of yoga for the betterment of body, mind and spiritual development in similar fashion that society worldwide encourages youth to participate in common sporting events.)

Following the Championships, you will be escorted to Malav Ashram for a five night stay, which includes three days of “hands on” yogic training under the expert guidance of Acharya Yogendradev, who has taught in North America, Taiwan, and India

And now – the Tours – you will tour the historic spiritual pilgrimage site of Kayavarohan and visit the Brahmeshwar Temple of Lord Lakulish (the 28th incarnation of Lord Shiva). You will spend 5 nights at a beautiful oceanside resort near the city of Div, overlooking the Indian Ocean with its miles of sandy beaches, and visit surrounding points of interest including the renowned Somnath Temple; a lion wildlife reserve, an ayurvedic clinic of a renowned ayurvedic physician where you will be able to observe the natural preparation of ayurvedic medicines and receive a free medical check-up. You will also have the opportunity to visit the temple complex at Rajrajeshwardham, where Lord Lakulish materialized in his divine body on January 29, 2007. Then – another great grace awaits you – you will have the rare opportunity of having darshan with the highly advanced yogi, Swami Rajarshi Muni.*

Now your yoga trip is reaching its end – on March 6, you will be escorted by your guide to your departure airport for your trip home – to reflect on and absorb your many yoga experiences of the past 2 weeks; the multitudes of wondrous Indian sites you've seen; the unmatched hospitality of its people and the many lasting new friendships you've made.

The cost per participant is $ 695.00 USD. This price does not include your transportation costs to and from India, which is entirely your responsibility, as are any required passports, visas etc. This price does include designated tour accommodations and meals in India, and all ground transportation to the Championships and touring sites in India, as well as ground transportation to and from airports at Mumbai or Ahmedabad. Any profits after all costs have been met will be directed to projects for the poor, including schools and hospitals. For further information, go to www.lifemission.org, or email: Acharya Yogendradev, ggvaghela@yahoo.com; or Dennis Konchak, lifema@telus.net; or Hans Splinter, Hsplinter@cogeco.ca.

* Swami Rajarshi Muni is the author of a vast library of nearly 100 titles in four different languages, including ten books in English. Some of the English titles are: Classical Hatha Yoga, Divine Body Through Yoga; Tenets for the Spiritual Life; Infinite Grace (The Story of My Spiritual Lineage), Awakening the Life Force, and Light from Guru to Disciple. For more information, check the Life Mission website www.lifemission.org and www.amazon.com under Rajarshi Muni

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Lakulish Yogasan Championships 2008: Feb. 22; 23; & 24th, - City of Surat, Gujarat State, India

2007-12-10T11:50:41Z

For details and application forms, please refer to: http://www.lifemission.org/ and under "New" go to item #4 and click on "World Open Yogasan Championships".

Please note, to optimize your India trip and your experience of Lakulish Yoga you could attend or participate in the Yogasan Championships and also take in the 3 week Certificate Yoga Training Course being offered at Swami Rajarshi Muni's Malav Ashram from January 30 -February 20th. For details on the training go to http://www.lifemission.org/ and under "New" click on item # 5 " "Overseas Students Annual Yoga Certificate Training Program"

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

If You Could Only Have One Yoga Book

2007-11-22T05:38:39Z

If one could only have one book on yoga, the new book, Classical Hatha Yoga by Swami Rajarshi Muni would likely be it. This is the only book on yoga the practitioner or teacher would ever need. It is probably the most comprehensive book ever written on the subject of yoga and, most important, it is written by a highly advanced Yogi, based on his personal Kundalini sadhana. Check it out on Amazon's Inside the Book Program, where you can actually see its contents as well as its summary. It can also be purchased at the Kripalu Book Store.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

on shallower note...

2007-09-29T18:39:22Z

i would really like to find a lovely Krishna tapestry or silk screen, etc....

anyone like to share a source?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

The New Krishna.com

2007-09-07T20:58:53Z

The New Krishna.com

After almost two years in the making, we bring to you the new Krishna.com upgrade.

We listened to many of your suggestions about how to make Krishna.com better, and we want to show you the result.

The website all about Krishna will be reborn on Janmastami, the auspicious day of Sri Krishna’s appearance, on September 4th, bringing you your favorite devotional service in action.

And you can get a sneak preview right here. http://208.122.24.198

You’ll be seeing the BETA version, which means that it’s still under construction and subject to change, but it’ll be a glimpse of what’s to come. Here’s what to expect:

* Do you prefer reading, listening, or watching? Our new action-oriented menus let you decide what Krishna conscious activity you’d like to absorb yourself in next.
* Take the Krishna.com experience to the next level with Connect and Experience. Create profiles. Associate with like-minded people from a worldwide spiritual community. Find out where to further your Krishna conscious education and what holy places to visit. Your Krishna conscious life is waiting.
* Where’s my beloved old Krishna.com? Don’t worry! We’ve maintained all our original content, and everything will still look familiar. You’ll feel right at home. We have even begun a series of “How-to" videos” to help you make the most of the new Krishna.com
* The new Krishna.com is easier to navigate and find what you’re interested in. Want more videos, more music, more Krishna conscious association, and more fresh spiritual content? Drop by and visit us!

Please let us know what you think about the new Krishna.com, and if you find anything that’s not working as it should be, so that we can give you the very best Krishna experience possible. Email us at krishna.combeta@gmail.com

ps check out the new connect section

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

searching for devottees from years past

2007-08-11T15:39:53Z

does anyone out there know mother Padayavali from the Vancouver, CANADA temple? Or Jagadisa Das, who is about 40 now, and might be living in Hawaii? He plays excellent mrdunga, and cooks the most transcendental food stuff. I am looking for thosedevottees. They both played a role in bringing me to Krishna.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 6 replies

Abhinavagupta

2007-08-06T16:44:33Z

Folks--

--A friend highly recommended to me a translation of the Bhgavad Gita that included Abhinavagupta's commentary. I've never read the 'Gita', and am curious how the commentaries and translations differ. Can anyone offer insight? As I know it is an important text, and that there are different interpretations. I'd like to put it into context.

Thanks
chaz

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Why Vaishnavs Worship Cows?

2007-07-02T10:37:59Z

Why worship the cows?

To answer this question we have to state a principle. We worship someone due their nature and actions. Even God is worshiped because of nature and actions. Across all religions, God is described as very merciful, benevolent, kind etc. This is his nature. He is always acting for the benefit of all, he guides us through difficult times and misery, He provides protection and provides for everyone’s welfare. These are his actions.

Cows are pure by nature. They are completely satvik. How is this? We know that cow’s urine and dung are disinfectants. This is scientifically proven. If the excreta are so purifying, what to speak of the other products – milk, butter, ghee? Secondly, cows are very simple and never harm any body. They provide milk for entire mankind. These are some simple examples.

Then there is a deeper meaning. In Sanskrit, cows are called “GO”. In Vedic culture all knowledge begins with the word “Ga”. Guru and Gayatri are the beginnings of all knowledge. All auspiciousness activities also start with the cows. No sacrifice can be done without Ghee; sacrifices are considered auspicious and ghee is required. The “Ga” signifies cows, this is a secret meaning.

For Vaishnavs (people worshiping Lord Krishna in his personal form) there is a still deeper meaning. The meaning is within the words – Govinda, Gopi, Govardhana, Goloka Vrindavan. It is clear these are the greatest. Govinda is Lord Krishna, the protector of cows, Gopis are the highest devotees, Govardhana is the best servant, and Goloka Vrindavan (“go loka - the abode of the cows ”) is the highest destination . The meaning is obvious. There is nothing without the cows. They all serve cows. Cows are the dearest to Lord Krishna, they are His deities. This is the highest form of worship of Lord Krishna and available to only a very select few devotees. Even this knowledge is very rare – most people don’t understand the exalted position of cows, they see cows as animals. People who serve Krishna ’s cows are the most fortunate and achieve all results. This is the ultimate and simplest. Its how 'goloka vrindavan' is achieved while in the material world, in the material body.

Hare Krsna.
bbdasa@yahoo.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

South Carolina

2007-06-28T21:23:00Z

Hare Krishna,

I wanted to know if there were any devotees in South Carolina. Mainly around the Augusta and Aiken area.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Yasoda Nandana

2007-06-06T17:12:59Z

Devaki, the mother of Krsna and sister of King Kamsa, was put into
prison along with her husband, Vasudeva, because the envious King was
afraid of being killed by Devaki's eighth son (Krsna). He killed all the
sons of Devaki who were born before Krsna, but Krsna escaped the danger
of child-slaughter because He was transferred to the house of Nanda
Maharaja, Lord Krsna's foster father.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

...Swami Prabhupada dragged me......

2007-03-07T19:49:45Z

I offer millions and millions of heartfelt dandavat pranati, obeisances, unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master, nitya-lila-pravista om visnupada Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, and unto my siksa-guru, nitya-lila-pravista om visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja.

My siksa-guru, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, forcibly dragged me to the Western countries. It is only by his mercy that I am going everywhere in the world. So many are hearing from me, only due to him. He especially ordered me, in his last days, to help his disciples and devotees, because he knew they would become very weak. He knew they would give up the mission and object of life that was preached by him.
-Srila Narayana

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Qualifications of Indra - King of demigods?

2007-02-14T03:43:23Z

First of all I would like to say that I know that I have very little knowledge and I am not trying to judge any one. I do not want to commit any kind of apradh. I am very new to Krishna con, only for about one and half year.

Recently I have listened to a lot of Bhagavad Kathas. During all these kathas and from childhood stories I have always heard lot of instances where Indra commits mistakes. He displays qualities of anger, jealousy, ego, greed, stealing, competing with Krishna, Bhog, guru-apradh, etc. etc. To keep the post small I am not listing stories here because they are all well known.

So my point is, not that he is not suitable for being king of demigods, but what was/is his qualifications in first place that he has been given such an important position.

Once again, my only intention is to clear my doubts here and not of judging anyone.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

hari-katha of Bhaktivinode Thakura:

2007-02-07T20:12:53Z

Like Krsna, the nitya-priyä gopis in Vraja are the abodes
of all qualities, such as beauty and cleverness. Rädhä and
Candrävali are most prominent among them. They have been referred
to in the Brahma-samhitä (5.37):

änanda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhävitäbhis
täbhir ya eva nija-rüpatayä kaläbhih
goloka eva nivasaty akhilätma-bhüto
govindam ädi-purusam tam aham bhajämi

When the änanda-amsa of the sac-cid-änanda-para-tattva
agitates the cid-amsa, and is then enthused by the separately
manifest hlädini pratibhä (splendor), then Srimati
Rädhikä, along with Her sakhis who are all extensions of
Her spiritual form, become manifest. I perform bhajana of
that Govinda, who is the supreme, original Soul of all souls.
He eternally resides in Goloka-dhäma with those damsels,
who are all endowed with the sixty-four arts.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Sita, Rama and Hanuman!

2007-02-01T03:44:42Z

New tribe called Sita, Rama and Hanuman!
http://tribes.tribe.net/sitarama

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Beware of the repercussions for leaving Krishna Consciousness.

2007-01-28T02:16:38Z

There is a group online for former devotees and friends. That is what they claim. In the rules it states that so long as you aren't offensive or something you can express your own viewpoint. But in reality what is their view? Not to support the viewpoint of Srila Prabhupada! If ever you try to say anything supported by the disciplic succession, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Bhaktivinode Thakur and so on, you may be given a warning. The next stage is you have to go through the moderators before your post can go through.
However if someone blasphemes Srila Prabhupada to their hearts content that is allowed, it is not against the rules. So there are two sets of rules, one that allows blasphemy of the Lord and His pure devotees and the other that does not allow members of the forum who blaspheme the Lord to be criticised.
And what is the result? Devotees who have weak faith and have left the movement, already having problems spiritually, now have even more problems when they are confronted with devotees who have left the movement some thirty years ago sometimes who sometimes claim they are gurus, self-realised and so on. There are prakrta-sahajiyas. There are those who prefer to follow "babas", and not the sheep kind, the ones who pretend to be on a higher level.
Why such criticism, you ask? To spread the word to avoid such offenders. One personality involved claims to be a witch. Witches generally are considered to be in the mode of ignorance and she worships the Goddess Laxmi Devi as well. In general there is quite a hodge podge assortment of devotees. Some are attached to Christianity. But it is wrong to hear blasphemy of the bona-fide guru and be removed while at the same time they allow all kinds of nonsense to go on in the name of being friends with the devotees.
To be a kind friend of someone means to tell them about Krishna. I have been restricted from doing that time and time again. I don't see how they can claim to be friends of the devotees. It seems more like a place to go on our way back into the material world.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 79 replies

Birthday of a living saint

2007-01-24T17:19:07Z

Srila Narayana Maharaja then spoke about the meaning and significance of Vyasa-puja. He began his lecture by saying, “Today is my Vyasa-puja. MY Vyasa puja. This means it is MY duty to worship Srila Vyasadeva. It is MY duty to worship my Gurudeva, the entire guru-parampara, Krsna-tattva, Srimati Radha-tattva, Mahaprabhu-tattva, Gaura-Gadhadhara-tattva, Nityananda prabhu, Baladeva prabhu and other transcendental personalities.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

New tribe for Lord Caitanya!

2007-01-09T16:40:20Z

A place to discuss Caitanya lila and the current uprising of the sankirtana movement:
http://tribes.tribe.net/gauranga

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Self and Satisfaction

2006-12-24T21:02:18Z

There is much concern in contemporary alternative and spiritual societies with the cleansing, clearing and healing of the physical body as well as the mental and energetic systems.

Many rightly propose fasting, vegetarian and vegan diets of clean, fresh, locally grown organic produce and grains. When such foodstuffs are prepared with the beneficial enhancement of a devotional mood in dedication to the conscious sacred source of their spiritual origin, they acquire a subtle yet profound spiritual energetic to heal the physical body at a deeper level by cleansing the subtle psychic body of negative karmic impressions or samskaras.

This process of clean eating can be undertaken by anyone, anywhere, at anytime, with relative ease providing one is sincere in intention and action.
In chapter nine of the Bhagavad-gita, we find this passage:

patram puspam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktya prayachati
tad aham bhakty upahrtam
asnami prayatatmanah

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.”

No great sacrifice of time, materials or energy is required if the substantial inner mood of sincere aspiration to satisfy and unite with Divinity through loving devotion is present.

True healing and deep cleansing must always begin at the spiritual conscious level, for the gross physical body of five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether) is the shadow or product of the subtle psychic self, who’s focus, quality and nature are reflected and manifested in the physical characteristics.

This psychic self is also a thinner shadow and a more subtle reflection of the true spiritual conscious identity that gives rise to the subtle psychic nature of thinking, feeling and willing as well as the gross physical body of biological constitution.

Just as when a cloud, though eclipsing the full moon at night, is actually seen by the presence of the moon behind it, in a similar way the physical body and subtle mind appear energized, active and alive due to the presence of the energizing, subjective non-material self or jivatma that illuminates them with life symptoms from within.

The Gita also gives evidence of the non-materially quantifiable conscious self in this way:

avinasi tu tad viddhi
yena sarvam idam tatam
vinasam avyayas yasya
na kascit kartum arhati

“That which pervades the entire body is indestructible, no one is able to destroy that imperishable self.”

Cleansing diet, yoga, spiritually conscious lifestyles, all contribute towards a healthier individual on all levels, however, the single most determining factor of our level of satisfaction in life stems from the profound yet simple understanding that what we actually focus upon from moment to moment determines the quality and nature of our experiences in life. A material focus covers our true conscious nature. A spiritually conscious focus uncovers our clear and natural qualities of existence, consciousness and joy.

If we accept the spiritual paradigm that the true self is spiritual, non-material and indestructible due to its extremely subtle nature… our lives begin to flow toward an incredibly auspicious state of Divine Grace. This imperishable nature has three constituents, namely unassailable existence or sat, conscious awareness, sentience or chit, and a natural joy or spiritual happiness independent of material circumstance called ananada.

Our moment to moment focus determines the quality of our experiences in life, and this is demonstrated by the way most people unconsciously drift between the illusory mental representations of the regretful past or the fearful future. When one consciously attempts to hold the consciousness in the present moment by mantra meditation, one will become aware of this drifting mental propensity. The nature of the mind is sankalpa and vikalpa. Accepting and rejecting. One thought replaces another, however, sometimes the mind becomes fixed or obsessed upon a particular emotionally charged thought or mental representation of a past event or future hopeful or fearful event. Rare indeed is the length of time actually spent in the present moment of the here and now. Mantra meditation can be very effective in this regard by holding the awareness and focusing it constructively.

The Vedas declare vishvam purnam sukayate, The universe is a perfect abode of happiness! Yet very few people experience the world in this way. Is it actually possible?
Not only is it possible, it is the actual goal of the human platform of life to experience the self-realization that we are producing our experience of life by the focus of our minds.

The subjective pure awareness of self, clear of mental clutter, is the deepest spiritual identity of the individual. And as previously stated is of the simple clear nature of eternal, unassailable existence, pure unclouded perception and a natural independent spiritual joy.

When consciousness is drawn back and detached from the gross physical body and the subtle mind it is possible to gain a new and higher perspective of ourselves free from the encumbrances of the entangling and ignorant identification with matter (the body) and mind (psychic envelope). We are not bound or imprisoned by any external force but rather bound up in the mistaken identification with the saguna or material modes (goodness, passion & ignorance) and elements of nature, by our attraction, identification and desire to sensually enjoy them. This has a binding effect upon our natural clear awareness.

Finding joy in the self we become freed from the imprisoning compulsions of the material mind and senses. Param dristva nivattate-a higher taste is awakened within us. Positive engagement of a higher order is indispensable in this regard and for this we need higher association with, and service engagement to, saintly and realized agents of the nirguna, or materially unconditioned Absolute Reality. False teachers, bogus gurus and cheaters abound in the environment of commercial spirituality, however, if we are sincere in our intention to give of ourselves selflessly, then a correspondingly sincere agent will manifest and we shall avoid falling into the gutter of the cheaters and the cheated.

When an individual soul reaches a sufficient level of faith that is characterized by a deep longing for union with the Truth or Divinity, revelation takes place. Our negative charge of seeking (laulyam) draws the positive charge or attention of Divinity (parusha), for union (yoga) in devotional love (bhakti).

The Absolute Reality is inconceivably all pervading yet personal. Recognizing our sincere necessity, our need is proportionally reciprocated by the appearance of an agent suitable for our current level of understanding. Ye yatha mam prapadynte… It may come in the form of book, sadhu or similar spiritual seeker, or if our faith is sufficiently developed, a Guru of high type. From this position an active engagement in higher activities as directed by the guide will successively lead us through higher and finer states of theistic awareness until a profound unfolding of the heart reveals our natural spiritually dynamic and wholesome reciprocal loving relation to the dynamic Absolute Conscious Whole, or Divine Personality of Godhead.

Love is the fulfillment of all things. If we have learned how to spiritually love (prema-dharma), we have learned all of wisdoms secrets and entered the dynamic stream of conscious dedication. Achintya-beda-beda-tattva, Our fulfillment will not be a static position of unified monism but a “Unity of Divine Variagated Diversity, wherein our unity (yoga) with Divinity is ever fresh in new experience, revelation, playfulness and beauty (lila).

These are the realizations of the yogic Rishis, the ancient spiritual research scientists of the Vedic civilization which flourished thousands of years ago in India. This wisdom was widely distributed in modern times by the great apostle of Divine Love, Shri Chaitanya Dev who taught the chanting of the Holy Names of God as the most effective path of self-realization in the current modern age which is predominated by overwhelming materialism.
Shi Chaitanya Deva’s teachings can be extensively explored at http://www.scsmath.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Float Matrix - For All Seeking Awareness - Now Open in the Heart of San Francisco

2006-12-13T23:57:14Z

Healing
DeStressing
Deep States of Meditation
Self Hypnosis
Sleep Recovery
Super Learning
Self Realization
and so much more

Come and Experience the True Form Who You Are.
www.floatmatrix.com or
(415) 292-4490

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

New ashram in Eugene

2006-12-02T20:29:27Z

There's a beautiful new ashram in Eugene located downtown next to the WOW Hall at 268 1/2 W.7th. Ave between 7th and 8th St.s

It's named the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Ashram and is dedicated to the aspiration of loving community and selfless devotion.
Our Gurudeva Srila Govinda Maharaj of the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage has engaged us in this project to share the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who spread the chanting of the Holy Names of God all over the world as the yuga-dharma- or most effecient way to realize Divinity in this age. His teachings have been summerized as "humility, tolerance and respect for others, in this mood one can continuously sing the Holy Names of God."

Every Sunday there is are kirtans (devotional chanting) followed by a beautiful aroti ceremony and prashadam distribution ( a delicsious vegetarian feast). All are welcome and it's always free.

http://www.scsashram.org
http://www.scsmath.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

A new tribe called simply "Prabhupada" . All devotees are welcome. And I am the moderator!@ Ki jai!

2006-12-02T03:01:21Z

come and glorify his divine grace and say what you want at the new tribe!

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Why Does everybody HATE Jesus?

2006-12-02T02:54:52Z

All He did was lose Himself In Love. For You and Me...
When was the last time anyone died for you?
People just either LOVE or Hate Him...
Not so with Buddha Krishan Mohammad et al.
Why?
What did Jesus do to deserve this?
Oh yea I forgot He loved The lost and repentant Humble childlike that had ears to hear, and cursed all the "pious" self rightious vipers that stunk up the temples.

Which group are you in?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 22 replies

Prabhupada's International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

2006-12-02T02:32:58Z

It was Prabhupada who came singlehandedly to spread Krishna Consciousness to the Western world. He couldn't get so much as a sheet of paper from his godbrothers. Even though his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said to print whatever Srila Prabhupada wrote, they thought it better not to print the words of His Divine Grace.
When Prabhupada was successful in starting a few temples in America, a couple of his disciples left and one started acting like he was a guru, but Prabhupada rejected him and said noone should listen to him and if the devotee wanted to come back he would have to follow him, Srila Prabhupada.
When Prabhupada's visa ran out and he went back to India he told his disciples not to go to his godbrothers without his permission so that the godbrothers would not try to reinitiate them, or take the credit for making Westerners into devotees, or contaminate them by saying something differently.
So why should we act any differently today? Should I listen to a follower of a fallen ISKCON guru, just because they are enthusiastic for me to accept their guru? Should I go seek out a Gaudiya Math guru and read their books and associate with them not that Srila Prabhupada isn't here to tell us not to? Or to give us permission if we want to?
When did things become politically incorrect for us to stand for what Srila Prabhupada taught us to do, which is to take shelter of him and his movement? And why can't he be called the jagat guru, when he really is the person who spread Krishna Consciousness around the world? Instead we leave that title for the cheaters to usurp.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Can't figure out how to get back to my last entry...

2006-11-23T23:37:31Z

I criticised Narayana Maharaja for taking devotees away from ISKCON. I know it is not my place to do that. I should only have repeated the words of Srila Prabhupada not to listen to his godbrothers. Take it as you may. I should not have named names, although Srila Prabhupada himself named at least one of his godbrothers who was going to re-initiate his disciples and told them to stay away from him.but I don't know how to go back and erase that last entry so here is a new one.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Esoteric Teaching Podcast live on iTunes

2006-11-19T20:23:18Z

Dear Friends,

Hare Krsna! The Esoteric teaching podcast, Your Perfect Body, is back online at Apple iTunes. You can also subscribe to the feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/yourperfectbody

These days we are doing a series on Sri Isopanisad. See some recent posts mirrored on my blog, at http://theperfectionofyoga.org

love,
Baba

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Quan Yin

2006-11-13T11:32:40Z

Quan Yin, the head of the gods, is a conceited coward who is extremely terrified to see mankind evolve into a warrior so powerful that the earth would tremble with fear by his mere presence.
Mankind is being deceived because his essence is turned into hookers and pussies by this conceited goddess.

Maharishi Chin Chau An.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

have yer Guru

2006-11-10T17:35:19Z

It is very important that we don’t focus on anyone’s faults. Look at their good qualities. We have to absorb these qualities in ourselves. We must take the association of Vaisnavas who are superior to us and who have the mood we want. Then we can attain bhakti.

Someone who has no nistha (strong faith) in his Guru and in the Vaisnavas, no attachment for them, no attachment for their service, and who doesn’t take any responsibility to do seva – such a person is like an animal with two legs. Taking responsibility can even make an animal into a human. Stay in the Mathas (temples) under the guidance of Guru and Vaisnava. Respect them and serve them with strong faith and attachment.

Devotees must take responsibility for service. Wherever Gurudeva sends a disciple, he should do that service with a sense of responsibility.

Gurudeva sent me to Mathura, and I accepted all the responsibilities of the Matha – including fighting in the court, preaching, doing kirtana, cooking, going house to house and preaching, writing books, publishing Bhagavat Patrika (monthly magazine). I took all this upon my head. This was my area of responsibility for Gurudeva.

You have all come here from different countries, for Guru-seva. What responsibility have you taken? You should consider whether or not you have accepted any responsibility, and whether or not you have got attachment for your service. All of you must think about this.

Taking your own life in your hand, perform Guru-seva. Bhakti is not easily attained. Valmiki performed severe austerities for 60,000 years and received the fruit of devotion to Lord Rama. How he served his Guru, Sri Narada, and followed his instructions! Narada told him to sit in one place and engage in harinama (chanting the name of Lord Rama). He sat down for 60,000 years and did not get up. He did not eat or drink, or even go to latrine. He did nothing but chant. Ants gradually built an anthill around him and covered his entire body, and his life airs stayed in his bones. This is Guru-seva.

Ekalabhya was only an ordinary person, but he gave his thumb to his Guru. His fault was that he didn’t follow his Gurudeva properly, but he did give his thumb when it was requested.

Even Lord Krsna carried a bundle of wood on His head for His Guru. He stood in the rain the entire night and got completely wet in the service of His Guru, and He is God Himself. This is how to do Guru-seva.

In the Upanisads we find the history of Upamanyu. His Guru told him to take the cows out grazing. After some time his Guru asked him, “Why are you so fat and healthy?” He replied, “After the calves take their milk, I drink the remaining milk.” His Guru said, “Don’t drink the milk,” but he did not tell Upamanyu what he could take. Some days passed, and when he saw Upamanyu, again he said, “How is it that you are still so fat and healthy? What are you eating?” Upamanyu answered, “I take the foam of the milk left in the calves’ mouths.” Again his Guru said, “Don’t do that.” Now all roads were closed. So what did he do? He saw some leaves with a white liquid coming out of them, and started taking that 'milk.' He became blind from that poisonous white liquid, and he fell in a well.

Gurudeva came looking for him, calling out, “Where are you?” He called back, “I am in this well.” “What happened?” Gurudeva asked. Upamanyu replied, “I was taking this milk from the leaves, not realizing it to be poison. I became blind and fell down in this well.” Gurudeva said, “You will get your eyesight back, and all Vedic knowledge will be at once be revealed in your heart.”

In the Upanisads and other Vedas, such examples of Guru-seva are given.

yasya deva para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante mahatmanah

[Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed. (Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.23)]

We should be like such disciples. Bhakti is not easy. Bhakti will not come simply by saying the word 'bhakti.' Moreover, in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, vraja-bhakti, gopi-bhakti, is very, very difficult to attain.

You are very fortunate to have come here. Keep your good fortune by developing strong faith in Guru, by performing devotional services under his guidance with commitment, and by following his instructions nicely – even if you have to go to hell. Go to hell with a contract. In other words, wherever you are sent – it may even be to hell – you will have your commitment to Gurudeva always with you, and you will execute it. Take Guru’s instructions to heart, and then you will get bhakti; otherwise it is not possible.

For more, visit purebhakti.com/
or see tribes.tribe.net/gurudeva/

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Samadhi photos of: Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Swami Maharaj

2006-10-28T09:22:02Z

Samadhi photos of Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Swami Maharaj at:

http://bharathch. tripod.com/ BSDS/

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Seva-kunj Ashram

2006-10-10T16:12:51Z

Dear Friend of the Esoteric Teaching,

I am extremely pleased to announce the dedication of Seva-kunj Ashram, a spiritual retreat center of the Sadgosai Society in the southeastern Arizona desert. Located in the rural Gila River Valley near beautiful Mount Graham, it offers serious spiritual seekers a place to retire from the complexities of daily life and go deep into chanting and sadhana. Please see http://sadgosai.org.

Seva-kunj is the place in Vrndavana in the spiritual world, where Krsna meets Srimati Radharana and the gopis for Their nightly ecstatic love-play, such as the Rasa Dance. Similarly, Seva-kunj Ashram is a place for meeting Krsna and service to Him and His devotees.

Life here is austere, simple and pure. We rise early in the morning and go for a long japa meditation walk as the sun rises. Two miles from the ashram is a peaceful wildlife reserve with trails and a lovely swimming lake. You can see the Mt. Graham wildlife area in the background of the picture below.

All arrangements are negotiable for sincere devotees from any sanga who want to go deep into chanting and perfect their spiritual life in an austere environment. Guests are invited for retreats on a space-available basis. Accommodations are very simple, Rainbow-style camping and desert trailers. To arrange a visit or retreat email me or call 928 485-9300 and leave a message.

I am getting a lot of writing done in the peace of the desert. You can follow my daily blog posts at http://theperfectionofyoga.org, or check out the lively community discussion on the Esoteric Teaching forum at http://esotericteaching.org/forum.

Also, please don't forget our interesting CDs and DVDs that offer perspectives on spiritual life from the ancient Esoteric Teaching: http://esotericteaching.org/store. Thank you very much for your valuable time and attention.

Love,
Baba

Sri Gaurahari Dasanudas Babaji Bhaktisiddhartha (David Bruce Hughes)

"Developing a transcendental ontology is the most powerful enabler of spiritual growth." http://transontology.org

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

gokul ayurvedic chai recipe?

2006-10-06T15:21:25Z

Does anyone have a recipe for the ayurvedic chai they serve in Vrindavan sometimes called gokul tea- the one with milk....?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Disappearance of bhakti-svarupa damodara swami

2006-10-04T16:36:00Z

I don't have the email on me with the announcement, but yesterday (or the day before), hh bhakti-svarupa damodara maharaja left his body in kolkata, india, from a heart attack. My condolences to his disciples and well-wishers. We have lost a great soul on this earth, but he has gone somewhere else, and who is to know where?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

sacred India

2006-09-29T08:36:13Z

I had the honour of spending time with some beautiful Hare Krishna devotees when I was in Australia ,they shared their time & wisdom with me & it is an experience very precious to me.One thing they told me was the fact that there are 4 particular sacred places in India that are the most auspicious locations in the Universe ! Wow !
Does anyone have more info on this ,I havn't made it to India yet (in this lifetime) but I know my journey will be to go in the not too distant future .
Hare Krishna
Love & light
********

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Tulasi Neckbeads

2006-08-31T21:01:23Z

Hari Bol!

I wanted to know if anyone could send me some large round neckbeads for my husband. He just came back from Iraq where his broke and I am having a hard time finding them. I will pay postage and for beads. Email me at ashokadd@yahoo.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Morning Artik?

2006-08-26T17:38:41Z

Good morning. PAMHO. A long time ago I lived in the ISKCON Atlanta temple and my favorite part of the day was the morning artik (4:30 AM). I loved the song sung to greet the Deities, and would love to get the name, and perhaps even an electronic copy of it.

Any help on this? Thanks!

Haribol.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 6 replies

Brahma Kumaris...

2006-08-23T21:55:22Z

Does anyone have any experience with them? A very good friend of mine and mentor when I was a teenager (and reiki teacher) is now a Brahma Kumaris. They teach their own version of Raja Yoga (meditation) and run a worldwide spiritual education school. On the outside they seem to be a great group doing wonderful things (and they do) however, my instincts have picked up on some things about them, that have irked me, such as their sense of celibate superiority (they beleive sex is bad, and impure/not innocent) and altho primarily matriarchal in power structure, are patriarchal in their main beleif in deity (altho they claim otherwise...but God is always referred to in the masculine, as God, or Father etc...never Goddess...rarely mother ...tho they may say *mother aspect* or something like that)
When I asked them questions on their sex-beliefs they ignored me....same thing when I asked them about their separated mens and womens circles in reference to their belief that the soul is genderless.....I had asked if they would allow a transgender/gender variant person to attend either of the bi-gendered groups...the local SF group said then ones born male should attend the male group...the MAIN organization said they could go to whatever group they felt most inclined towards...)
Interesting....
Anyone have an experience with them?
Shekinah Love

p.s.-Here are some links of Critique I found....

www.brahmakumaris.info/page6/page6.html
posted by:

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Ratha Yatra San Francisco

2006-08-10T15:13:59Z

Does anyone have more information on this. I stumbled upon it on the ISKCON site and am very interested. Any information would be helpful.

When ?
where ?
Price ?
Etc....

Love & Light,
B.E.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 6 replies

Petition

2006-06-17T15:07:59Z

http://www.petitiononline.com/bhakti/petition.html

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

What is a simple, direct and immediate technique for overcoming fear?

2006-06-05T17:21:38Z

What is a simple, direct and immediate technique for overcoming fear?
Not a theory, or a philosophy, not something that has to be built up or worked on over time, but something highly effective that one can do right in the moment to confront and penetrate fear.
What is the best way to work with fear right in the moment that fear is present, and especially at that time that it is gripping one to the point of being disabled?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Rainbow Gathering Seva

2006-05-24T18:23:13Z

Greetings All,
This years Rainbow Gathering will be held in Colorado and offers a unique opportunity to widely distribute prasadam to the thousands that gather. My friend Nitya Hari prabhu has for the last 5 years organized a huge pandal with many giant woks to cook up massive quantines of kitri & other preps for distribution at main circle. Its a great time and hundreds of friends (new and old) come forward to contribute thier time and energies serving our "Simply Wonderful Kitchen". There's heaps of seva to be done and its really a blast as well! Everyone comes together in a family spirit of love and sharing. No drama. Just good vibes, good people and an attempt to serve Lord Krsna's devotees by sharing prasadam and the Holy Names.
Please come and join us in this wonderful devotional service of sharing prasadam (vegetarian foodstuffs offered to Krsna). The main portion of the gathering comes together over the period from the last week of June though July 7th. The 4th of July is the main day when thousands gather for prayer circle.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Saints and psychopaths

2006-05-23T19:30:20Z

Saints and Psychopaths
by Chotahari Dasa

Psychopaths pretending to be saints present a very
serious problem for all spiritual traditions. There
are many more psychopaths pretending to be saints than
there are real saints. If you have a true saint for a
teacher, then you have a real possibility for
spiritual attainments, including enlightenment. If
your teacher is a psychopath, then you may become a
programmed puppet, and you risk being sexually or
financially abused. You
also may lose your job, family and possibly even your
sanity. Eventually you risk disillusionment from
pursuing any spiritual quests.

In his book, Saints and Psychopaths, William Hazlitt
gives a checklist of saintly and psychopathic
qualities. With some word changes so they fit better
within the frame of more common Krishna conscious
usage I include both lists below. In as much as
Prabhupada has cautioned in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita
that there are mundane men in the dress of Vaishnavas
in the Krishna consciousness movement and that we
should practice upeksha and
“neglect” these persons, I thought it would be helpful
to post this checklist with the possibility that it
may help saragrahis to gain perspective on this aspect
of things.

Saints:
Are consistent in what they say, mean, and do.
Follow the moral standards they teach.
Keep promises.
Pay debts.
Hold truth as the highest standard.
Insists that their close associates tell the truth.
Present rational, unaggressive philosophy.
Are attractive but don't exploit others and ingrain
dependency.
Wait for you to seek their help.
Good reputation endures and improves.
Things turn out well in the long run.
People get long-term benefit from their association.
Are concerned about their actions on themselves and on
others.
Immediately apologize for errors.
Look for their own mistakes and will voluntarily make
amends.
If trapped do not renounce their principles.
Can sit very still.
Encourage associates to be self-reliant.
Refrain from using mind-dulling substances.
Are comfortable being in the background.

Psychopaths:
Are inconsistent in what they say, mean, and do.
Have different rules for themselves and for their
followers.
Break their promises.
Have bad debts, scheme to avoid paying, even write bad
checks.
Have no regard for the truth.
Will order close associates to lie.
Are aggressive with philosophy and may not try to
appeal to reason.
Are attractive and use it to exploit others and
ingrain dependency.
Come on with unsolicited advice.
Good reputation fades in time.
Things turn out badly in the long run.
People are damaged by long term association.
Are unconcerned about their actions on themselves and
on others.
Apologize as a last resort.
Ignore their own mistakes and rectify them only if
cornered.
If trapped will do or say whatever it takes to escape.
Typically have variable and exotic health problems.
Can sit still only when the center of attention.
Enslave those around them.
Often indulge in using mind-dulling substances.
Are obsessed with being in the limelight.

Hazlitt stresses that the person with only one or two
of these symptoms is not necessarily a psychopath, nor
is the occasional occurrence of these symptoms a
definite indicator of psychopathology. On the other
hand, if someone has several of them to a marked
degree we should not twist our
perceptions but should be decisive in avoiding them.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

simply wonderful

2006-05-22T03:31:30Z

i'm looking for the recipe of the simply wonderful sweets 'cause i've lost it,
i know there is milk powder, vanilla, butter and sugar but how much???
it taste like white chocolate...
thanx

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 7 replies

Homosexuality

2006-05-21T02:24:56Z

Okay, so I went to my first temple festival yesterday and had a blast. I will defintly be going again next weekend. I spent most of today reading up on the Hare Krishna principles and practice. I was just wondering what devotees of Krishna thought about homosexuality ? Being a Homosexual I don't want to take part in any sort of faith that excludes my people and my personal beliefs to that extent. Any information on this would be helpful.

Hare Krishna
S

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 14 replies

Please help me learn how to serve Krsna!

2006-05-18T16:12:04Z

Hi. I joined this group because I would like to learn about Krishna Consciousness and how to serve Krishna. I live in Oshkosh Wisconsin. There are not any devotees or temples in my area. I need to use the internet to talk with other devotees. I am totaly new to Krishna Consciousness so please be forgiving with my lack knowledge. Please teach me how to surrender my soul to Krishna. How is the Hare mantra chanted daily? I am sad because I don't even know how to offer prayers to Krishna. Please help me. My only desire is too give me soul to serving Krishna. Help me to earn the honor of being accepted by Krishna as his devotee. Thank you.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 10 replies

Hare Krsna mantra

2006-05-14T12:25:49Z

Here is a link to the Hare Krsna mantra for mobile phone that i've made by myself, enjoy it, it's free http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/33266920/
this link is to upload the file from your pc to the web and then to your mobile phone it is free too....http://www.mobstorage.com/?p=upload-file

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

govindam prayers at the olympics

2006-03-03T16:46:58Z

i don't have a tv, so i wouldn't have known this, but my friend sent me this link of the armenian couple skaters, and they're skating to yamuna's govindam prayers. funky!

http://www.grebenkina-azroyan.com/video/Torino_2006_hi.mov

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 8 replies

Transcendental music & podcasts

2006-02-27T01:38:05Z

Hare Krsna y'all,

I'm new on Tribe and want to introduce myself and my music. I am a transcendental musician trained in both Western & Vedic music. For some samples of my work please see http://cdbaby.com/group/dasanudas

I also run a couple of spiritual podcasts:

Prabhupada-vani http://newtalavana.org/blog

Kirtans, bhajanas, prayers and classes by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Your Perfect Body http://esotericteaching.org/blog

Intelligent, insightful and inspiring analysis of consciousness issues in yoga, philosophy, meditation and self-realization by a teacher of bhakti-yoga trained in an esoteric school in India.

My music downloads and the RSS feeds for these podcasts are also available through iTunes.

Dasanudas

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

LORD NITYANANDA"S APPEARANCE DATE!!

2006-02-13T18:28:14Z

Today February 10th marks the Appearance date of the Most Merciful Lord Nityananda Prahbu!What are you doing tonight to Celebrate?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 6 replies

"What does love mean?"

2006-01-26T09:13:02Z

Slow down for three minutes to read this. ....... A group of
professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8
year-olds, "What does love mean?"

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have
imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint
her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time,
even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca- age 8

---

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

Billy - age 4

---

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French
fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy - age 6

---

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

Terri - age 4

---

"Love is when my mommy makes tea for my daddy and she takes a sip
before giving it to him, to 'make sure' the taste is OK."

Danny - age 7

---

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of
kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"

Emily - age 8

---

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening
presents and listen."

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

---

"Love is when you tell a somone you like their shirt, then they wear
it everyday."

Noelle - age 7

---

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well."

Tommy - age 6

---

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked
at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."

Cindy - age 8

---

"My mommy loves me more than anybody .
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

Clare - age 6

---

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of cake."

Elaine-age 5

---

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is
handsomer than Brad Pitt."

Chris - age 7

---

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old
clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."

Lauren - age 4

:-)

---

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little
stars come out of you." (what an image)

Karen - age 7

---

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you
mean it, you should say it a lot because people forget."

Jessica - age 8

---

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked
about a contest he was asked to judge.

The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an
elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's
yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy
said,

"Nothing, I just helped him cry"

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God
is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is
simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.

Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they
may be needing this day! And may their life be full of your peace,
which transcends all understanding. Amen.

Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other
people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 3 replies

intro

2006-01-20T17:39:56Z

greetings

am kinda new here I am 37yrs old from Tracy California married have been intrested in Krishna Consciousness Movement for a while well what got me interested years ago
was when i was about 20 i was basicly a bad soul a skinhead drinking fighting all
the time i picked on Peaceful people/hippies vegans well motiv was i just did not like them
that was my excusse but really now i look back it was i was very jealus how they could
be happy and peaceful while i could not at the time because the rage and anger was
so controling me . how i discoverd Krishna and the teaching was i had a friend the
only peaceful person i did not pick on nor did i let the people i was assciated with at
the time pick on him. well one day we where hanging out just him and i he asked me
well basicly told me that this image i portrayed was not me he said deep down there
is a careing person in there under all that rage and that chanting this mantra he begain to sing it Kirtan at first i was like ok Horse PUCKY!! hippy love peace Crap.But something
struck me i begain to cry and weep all the anger was going in its place was love it was
so over wellming i feel to my knee's and cryed and chanted with him the next night i tore
my patches of my flight jacket buried my Doc Martins told my asscociates i was out!!
and i never turned back. thanks to that night from my friend who showed me the light
and to Krishna i forever Greatful that i now live a loving peaceful life with them i would
not know where i would be today

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Hare Krishna!!! Hare Krishna!!!! Defeat Cow Butcher Invested Alito!

2006-01-13T18:10:43Z

Hare Krishna!!!! Defeat Cow Butcher Invested Alito!
Jai Radharani!!!

Sam Alito Supreme Court Nominee Heavily Invested in Slaughterhouses -
harekrsna.com

Sam Alito twice broke while on a regional bench his promise to recuse himself from
Vanguard lawsuits in which he is heavily invested. Vanguard is perhaps of publicly investigated mutual funds the one most heavily invested in several kinds of slaughterhouse operations.

Slaughterhouse, safari hunt and other money has in some cases gone underground with private equity funds. The British are less forthcoming
about stockholders than Americans.

www.senate.gov
202 224 3121
God defeat this nomination.

VANGUARD: INVESTED IN ANIMAL SLAUGHTERHOUSES

Vanguard manages more than US $700 billion and has
more than 5000 institutional investors. It is invested
in many slaughterhouse and war operations.
1 It is the major investor in the world's most corrupt bank,
Citibank whose chairman helped jailed Bernie Ebbers buy Canada's
biggest cattle ranch with stolen MCI customer money.
2 It is a major investor in McDonald's (and since NPR has 200 million
in McDonald's stock,
... the 'public radio' network promoted Vanguard)
28,385,755 2.24 $883,932,410 31-Mar-05
3. It is a major investor in Yums, owner of the boycotted KFC
www.kfccruelty.com and of Taco Bell which finally settled with
unions.
4. It is a major investor in Lonestar Steak House which causes
cancer, heart disease, slaughterhouse agony, and deforestation.
(THE) 409,292 1.99 $11,832,631 31-Mar-05
5. It is a major investor in Triarc (Arby's beef)
6. Wendy's Vanguard is a major investor in the world's
3rd largest cowslaughter fast food chain
7. Vanguard is invested in SBC, a pricegouging conglomerate illegal
in Teddy Roosevelt's days
8. It is invested in Dominion, a gas company which has
been pricegouging the poor with doubling of charges.
9. It is a major investor in ConAgra.. 'butterball' turkeys
and other slaughterhouse items.
10. It is invested in Goldman Sachs, neocon warmonger.

John Bogle its CEO has been touted on NPR
because both are heavily invested in McDonald's. NPR was
allegedly left 200 million in McDonald's stock by Joan Kroc.
It is indeed humorous that Bogle would write a book on
business ethics.

Some of the other funds heavily invested in animal agony: Barclay's, J P Morgan Chase,
Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, Charles Schwab

------
Those who are not vegetarian or vegan might consider that
the incubation period of Mad Cow, Mad Deer, Mad Pig, Mad Chicken,
Mad Fish etc is 50 years according to Dr David Heymann of the CDC
speaking on the CBC... Heymann is one of the few truthtellers
at the pharmaceutically dominated CDC. Any investment in animal
flesh is unwise.

The British are less forthcoming
about stockholders than Americans.
Quote:

Republicans always find it hard
to get out the numbers... in some
cities they hand out tickets to Democrats
when their high paid speakers paid for
with public money come
to town.. in order to swell the audience

Yesterday, as unelected Bush nominee
Sam Alito was questioned by senators,
there were Rent A Republican mobs
outside. It was a hastily done affair..
virtually
everyone with the same sign.

Neocon CNN owned illegally by Neocon
Time Warner... gave frequent flash coverage
to this small group of people.

Poster saw this standing in line
at a grocery store.

www.senate.gov

God end now all violence to any being and listen to
St Francis and Leonardo, two animal rights activists, want
this nomination defeated.

_________________
www.worldanimalnet.org
indymedia.org
ivu.org
pcrm.org
www.alitosamerica.org
www.internationalanswer.org
www.network54.com/forum/460325
news108.forumup.org
www.greenpeace.org/usa

With the string of state murders in the US ratified by the 'Supreme' Court,
one can only describe the 5 judges who have executed with their
pens... 'serial killers'. They have ratified torture, installed an unelected
pawn of war profiteers, ravaged our earth.
The Supreme Court is the only 18th Century institution unchanged.
Since 1776, the Senate has become popularly elected (in theory..
although Diebold ESS Sequoia Pacific Triad etc. have changed that
www.whatreallyhappened.com/vote...html)
The US is one of the few socalled democracies not electing its high court.
Reformers have suggested an 18 year term, with 1 justice elected
every 1 or 2 years.

One way to find in what investments a corporation, mutual fund
etc. holds... go to finance.yahoo.com type in the symbol
for that entity, and then scroll down on left to 'major holders'.

MSN has such a service too with more listings.

-------
Sen Feinstein is a war profiteer, married to URS' Richard Blum,
who has received a several hundred million dollar contract
for a company which manages the checks for US mercenary contractors
such as CACI, Titan, Blackwater Security and other
torturers, in some cases paying mercenaries $2000 a day, stolen
from America's poor.
www.publicintegrity.org/pns

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Poem for Krishna

2006-01-04T18:36:39Z

It's not much, but this is a poem I wrote last summer.... please accept it, Krishna, & bless it with your infinite sweetness!

The sky, O Krishna
is the color
of Your luminous skin
The clouds
are like delicate pearls
draped across your graceful neck
A million tiny, wet kisses
are the raindrops
which bless my face & hands
Like rosewater
sprinkled in the air
I Love to dance
among the spirits of the forest
chanting your Holy Name
throughout
As I drift off
into Time imperceptible
surely it is Thy glorious Face
which comforts me.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

HH Bhaktisiddhanta Swami

2005-12-31T21:45:55Z

Hari Bol!

I wanted to know if anyone had HH Bhaktisiddhanta Swami address either here or in India. Please email me as soon as possible at ashokadd@yahoo.com

you servant,
Kamalasundri d d

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

The Streets of a Holy Hindu City

2005-12-17T19:00:57Z

Check out this web site:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4980453

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Hridayananda Goswami!

2005-11-24T23:04:39Z

Hridayananda Goswami is here in San Luis Obispo this weekend,~we are going to Nagapatni's nice Home for Kirtan&Bhagavad Gita Class!Yay!or should I say Jaya! I wonder whar Mystery guest He will have with Him?:)~You never know! HDG is Amazing!

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Krishna Followers Go on Hunger Strike against Expulsion

2005-11-15T00:15:34Z

The conflict related to construction of Krishna Followers Temple gained momentum Saturday. Moscow authorities voiced intention to take out the allotment allocated for building the Vedic Culture Temple, Krishna followers responded by a hunger strike.
More than 500 people went on a long-term hunger strike Saturday, November 12, 2005, said Sergey Andreev, leader of the Moscow community of Krishna followers, in a move to preserve the allotment allocated in Moscow for the temple construction.

As a religious organization, Hare Krishna was officially acknowledged in Russia in 1988. Now the country has 106 registered communities of Krishna followers and over 300 parishes.

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov sealed the ruling on constructing cultural premises for Krishna followers in Moscow in January 2004. The document sanctioned construction of the Vedic Center on the area of 1.05 hectares at 39 Leningrad Ave. to replace the two-store building demolished in Khoroshevkoe Avenue. To oppose construction, the orthodox followers staged a protest rally and vowed “to lie under bulldozers at the constriction site, “as this premise will desecrate Moscow,” they said.

As a result, Luzhkov called off his ruling on October 7. “We think the authorities may proceed with decisive actions to expel Indian and Moscow Vaishnavs from habitable land, in which they have invested a lot,” Andreev said. “We are truly concerned. We may be on the street deprived of even a temporarily temple.”

by www.kommersant.com

Russian Article as of Nov. 14, 2005

www.kommersant.com/page.asp

www.moscowtemple.org/

www.veda.ru/

proposed temple

www.veda.ru/

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Word Translations

2005-11-12T15:54:07Z

Hey all,

so i have some questions regarding some titles I've heard in Hindu culture. I was hoping some of you might help to clarify them for me.

Sri or Shri = ?

Acaraya = (I think this means one who leads by example, Like ghandi or S. Prabhupada ?)

Swami = ?

Guru = (I think the best translation for this is 'teacher', although I've heard others. And a Satguru is the 'highest' teacher, please confirm)

Namoh = (I think this means 'to bow down' or 'worship'

Jai = (I think this means 'Victory' ?), I think this is also what people say at various times during some temple practices, am I right ?

Devi = ?(As in Tulasi Devi)

Thanks everyone for your help, I am a student of languages and it would be greatly appreciated. I hope to someday learn sanskrit but that won't be anytime soon. Sounds like a pretty complex language.

Haribol
BE

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 4 replies

Aesthetic Vedanta (Rasa Lila)

2005-11-12T03:20:14Z

I am finally reading a book that a devotee sent me years ago entitled "Aesthetic Vedanta" written by Swami B. V. Tripurari. I am very much enjoying the book so far although I think some of the ideas expressed might be a little over my head. The main topic of discussion is the Rasa Lila, which from my understanding is a portion of the Srimad Bhagavatam where Krishna meets Radha and other Gopis.

Could someone please confirm and or expand on this ?

Also, if you've read the book please let me know what you thought of it or what you think of the author ?

Love & Light
BE

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 4 replies

I just posted some amazingly sweet KARNAMRITA downloads

2005-11-08T02:16:56Z

on the mp3 section of our site. There are from the Janmastami Stage show in 2004 here in Kalachandji Dhama.
Your humble servant,
Nityananda Ram Das

http://www.radhakalachandji.com/listaudio.asp?text_id=115

There are super sweet so don't miss out.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Srimad Bhagavatam

2005-11-07T04:55:59Z

Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knew the best place to get a copy of this most divine piece of writing. I have read the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita and am very interested in reading the bhagavatam. I did have barnes and noble look it up, they told me they could order it, but the one in it's entirety from Swami Prabhupada has a listing price of almost $600.00, or you can buy each Canto seperatly. It is not necessary for me to have one interpereted by Prabhupada so if anyone knows of where I might be able to find this I would greatly appreciate it.

Love & Light

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 18 replies

Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day!

2005-11-07T04:52:39Z

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj! I am taking this day to reflect on Swami Prabhupada's glorious achievements, what compassion he had for us! What dedication to Krishna! What love he shared, helping us all tend to that seed of love for Krishna, helping us all to nourish it and water it with the words of the great devotees and Krishna himself! We can only pray to feel some of that compassion for others, to act with a tiny portion of his humility and selfless love. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Namaste

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies