Archive for July, 2007
Thursday, July 12th, 2007
Recording ?Here and Now?
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
test
hare krishna
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by mg
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Anti Inflamatory Steroid Injection
Our friendly local devotee doctor injected me with some steroids, so I’m going to try to avoid using the computer much over the next few days so as to let the steroids do their job of reducing the inflammation, and hopefully from there my body can take over and heal itself.
I was a little worried that I might have some difficulty at the clinic because the last time I was there the lady gave me a hard time, I told them I didn’t have any income they wanted me to prove that, and also don’t have any proof that I live in Columbus, anyhow this time when I went in the lady asked me if I had insurance, I said “no.” Then she asked if I had proof of income I said “no.” Then she was going to ask me to fill out some form, I thought it might get a little difficult at this point but then she couldn’t find the right form so she just skipped it. I took that as a good sign hopefully this treatment will allow me to better serve guru and Gauranga.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Maggie’s Veggie Deli in Donegal, PA!
I just wanted to give a promised shout-out to Maggie’s Vegetarian Deli, featuring all organic, locally grown foodstuffs, located just off the PA Turnpike, exit 91 into Donegal, 5 miles or so up a very scenic drive on Route 711 North.
The New V. Brahmacari Ashram contingent representing at BT Swami’s Samadhi installation stopped at Maggie’s on the way back from Gita Nagari and feasted….with the cherry on the sundae being the first customers ever to receive a free bowl of tofu ice cream for dessert. Devotees are once again opening doors.
Highly recommended for a bonafide stop-off on your way to or back from Gita Nagari and beyond.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Bhakta-Chris
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
The Poetry of Science
by Jo Marchant
“What do poets and scientists have in common? I admit “not much” was my first thought, so when I heard about a poetry and science event hosted by the London charity Poet in the City, I was intrigued enough to go and see what all the fuss was about.
“Four poets who use science […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Meditation on Death
by Haridhama dasa
(from Sept. 1981 Issue of the Brijabasi Spirit)
Today, while walking, chanting,
a leaf, recently fallen,
wafted by a gentle breeze,
drifted across my path.
Red, golden, sepia hues
nearly glowing…
I thought, ‘Ah, there’s beauty
even in death.’
Walking on, sometimes chanting,
sometimes thinking,
death on my mind…
sunlight twinkling through the trees,
splashing me with warm rays of light,
brilliant yellow flowers
beckoning my vision […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by jm
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Ratha Yatra Sat. July 14th
Pastimes of Lord Jagannatha- Morning class in the Temple 8:00 AM
RATHA YATRA PARADE 11:00 AM
(start from Nityo’s/Rupanuga’s house)
JAGANNATHA FEAST
EVENING BHAJANS
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by mg
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
Srila Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaj Tirobhava Mahotsava Ki Jaya!
In honor of Srila Bhakti Tirth Swami’s disappearance here is a little sample of his amazing preaching, this video is taken in Africa in 1986
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
Any Questions or Comments?
On the plane ride from Kansas City to Chicago I met a very intelligent and curious high school student who was on his way to a three week debate camp somewhere in Michigan I believe. We had a very interesting conversation on quantum physics, multi-dimensions, the purpose of life, and lots of other interesting things. It was pleasant relief from the normally boring flights where you don’t exchange a single word with the person sitting next to you.
He was intrigued by the dress I was wearing and about my lifestyle and asked me what I was doing with a laptop. I told him about my blog, and he asked if it was just a one way flow of information or if it was discussion oriented.
I’ve been thinking for sometime to try and make the blog more interactive and dialectical so I took it as a sign from Krishna.
With that introduction I am opening the floor for discussion, any questions or comments or anything that anyone would like share.
Hopefully this won’t be like that awkward silence after Bhagavatam Class. Generally in Hare Krishna temples that is the only time when everyone is silent attentive, and focused, in eager anticipation of the next part of the morning program, breakfast.
The advantage here is that you don’t have to worry about the people in the front of line getting all the mahaprasadam, because you don’t live at a temple and you probably have an entire refrigerator of food to dine upon at your own convenience, so hopefully this will go better than the questions and answer session at the end of most Bhagavatam classes.
And if not I’ll scrap the idea and blame that kid on the airplane for suggesting such a stupid idea.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
Brief Update on Travels Since Rainbow Gathering
Just to finally get completely caught up, after the gathering I spent a few days hanging out with Tusta Krishna Prabhua in Bhaktivana, the little community of devotees just outside Lawrence, Kansas. Ankotta Prabhu and Gopi were very kind to tolerate me. Saturday night they have a program at their home, about twenty people come on a regular basis. We showed some pictures from the Rainbow Gathering and shared our experiences and we also read from Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj last book, “Die Before Dying.”
Then Sunday morning I flew to back to Columbus, I was here in Columbus for the Sunday program. I showed some pictures from the gathering and read from Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi Lila chapter 9 The desire Tree of Devotional Service.
Last night I attended the Monday evening Bhagavad Gita Study group in a nearby local park. We gathered on the bank of a beautiful pond filled with blooming lotuses. It was a very conducive atmosphere for discussing spiritual topics. I’ll probably be here for a couple more days.
Tomorrow I am going get some medical treatment from Piyush Prabhu for the chronic tendinitis that I had for the past six years. Wow. Time flies. I can’t believe it has been that long. I’ve been resisting any “medical” treatment for a long time but I guess I’ll give it a try.
And by Thursday or Friday I should be back in New Vrindaban. It will be nice to be back home once again.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
Gosh Gets a Sports Injury
I was hanging out at the temple and noticed that, over on the grassy island in the middle of the parking lot, a ball was being kicked back and forth. I was drawn like a moth to a fire.
A couple of little kids were kicking it to each other, with the apparent goal of trying […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
“Blessed by the best…”
dad?ti pratigrhn?ti
guhyam ?khy?ti prcchati
bhu?kte bhojayate caiva
sad-vidham pr?ti-laksanam
Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one’s mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting pras?da and offering pras?da are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.
The whole experience of being in person and in service for HH Bhakti-Tirtha Swami’s Samadhi installation last weekend at Gita Nagari can be summed up in one word…ecstatic!
The association of Vaisnavas relentlessly pursuing the theme of sharing loving exchanges was ecstatic!
Seeing and chillin with the boys from the Manhattan ashram was ecstatic!
Personally seeing the quiet splendor of Gita Nagari for the first time was ecstatic! Radha Damodara ki jai!
Stepping inside Maharaja’s humble, majestic samadhi and praying harder than I ever had before was ecstatic!
Hearing HH Jayapataka Maharaja tell the about various mystical and esoteric pastimes of Lord Jagannatha was ecstatic!
Making sure (almost) everybody shared the love of veggie-soy shish-kebobs was ecstatic!
Sleeping in by “accident” on Sunday morning was ecstatic!
HH Radhanath Maharaja’s Sunday Bhagavatam class, about taking on a mood of service in responsibility in our spiritual lives as a way to make the best advancement, was super-ecstatic!
Being crammed in little ol’ Honda Civic Dasa with four New V. brahmacaris and one “garden boy” was also quite ecstatic!
The Transcendental Hustler racks’ em the night before in Pittsburgh
The Fews rock in the free world
Loving exchange
HH Jayapataka Maharaja spreads the love
HH Bhakti-Tirtha Swami Maharaja ki jay! May we always remember you are always with us, quite literally. May we strive to follow in your exalted footsteps and become ideal Vaisnavas so we can turn right around and save this planet!
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Bhakta-Chris
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
A Guest Should Be Treated With Proper Respect and Honour
A class given in New Vrindaban by HH Bhakti Charu Swami.
TRANSLATION: Homes from which guests go away without having been received even with an offering of a little water are like those holes in the field which are the homes of jackals.
PURPORT: In a field there may be holes made by snakes and mice, but […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by mg
Monday, July 9th, 2007
Rainbow Gathering Krishna Camp Report Days 3 and 4
Day 3 Monday July 2nd
I woke up around five or so, and was very happy to find that the tent was dry. Tusta and Parama had already gotten up to go on a japa walk so I took advantage of the empty tent and extra bedding and pilled all the bedding up to make one big kashipu (soft bed) because it had been a little tough to sleep on the rocks with just a yoga mat, Tusta and Parama had air filled mattresses that did a little better job. After about an hour and half of good rest on my kashipu I was ready for another day of action.
Today the weather was even nicer than the previous day, we left early so we could get an early start on the day, and so that we could all have a nice bath in the river. By now we were starting to get accustomed to the austerities and the taste of sharing Krishna Consciousness made the austerities seem insignificant. We packed up the instruments, today we decided to bring down the harmonium, and we also packed some lunch material, unfortunately we didn’t have any more cookies but we did have the holy names and books, so with our backpacks full of books we headed out with harmonium and mrdanga, once again the sankirtan party brought joy to everyones heart, as we passed by joyfully dancing and singing.
After a long day of blissfully chanting and preaching we were heading out, we had to leave tomorrow because Parama and Jackie had a flight out of Kansas city on the 4th, our original plan was to stay for the day and then drive to Hanna’s mothers house which was only three hours away near Joplin, Missouri (Masoura as the locals say), and then the next day drive back to Kansas and drop off Parama and Jackie at the airport.
Some of the devotees were feeling a little worn out and wanted to leave in the morning but Garuda (aka Soaring Turkey), our favorite rainbow devotee convinced us that we had to stay until the end, his mantra was “One more day, one more devotee.” Eventually we saw the light, by this time another day seemed routine, We got back to the camp, luckily by this time our carnivourous neighbors had departed, and we were able to get a good nights sleep.
Day 4 July 3rd
It was our last day, Parama and Jackie decided to sit this one out, so Tusta, Stephanie, Hannah, and myself, headed down once again. It was another wonderful day sharing Krishna consciousness with many eager souls.
Eventually we made it back to the van by shortly after 4:00 pm, we were supposed to be back at the van by 2:30 at the latest but we kept meeting so many wonderful people, Parama and Jackie had already packed up our tents and tarps so after quick watermelon feast to conclude the yajna we were ready to be on our way.
Just before we left all the people camped nearby thanked us and very gratefully received Srila Prabhupada’s books.
From the gathering it was about a three hour drive to Hannah’s mothers place near Joplin, we spent the night there hanging out with her family, who were all very nice, and then the next morning we were off to Kansas city to drop off Parama and Jackie at the airport and by evening we were back in Lawrence.
Closing Reflections
Overall it was an incredibly inspiring experience, to feel one’s self being used as an instrument by Krishna is the most deeply meaningful experience in the world. That is how I felt all weekend, I really feel so grateful to have had this special experience. Although it was a little difficult at times I pray that I can continue to accept austerities in service of Guru and Gauranga.
Although I missed out on a lot of wonderful association, especially with the Samadhi inauguration for Srila Bhakti Tirtha Swami Maharaj I am very happy that I got the opportunity to go to the Rainbow Gathering.
Next year Krishna Camp will definitely be at the Rainbow Gathering in full force, cooking for thousands of people everyday.
I sincerely thank my spiritual master and Srila Prabhupada for the opportunity to engage in this service, and I also would like to thank all the sponsors that made this event possible.
Shri Shri Guru Gauranga jayate!
Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam!
Here are a few more pictures from the last two days of the gathering.
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No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Monday, July 9th, 2007
Breaking News
First Tomatoes Ripen!
If you live dependent on the industrial food chain and eat tomatoes year round, the joy of a first ripe tomato in the Northern Temperate zone is beyond your comprehension. It is a joy attainable only through realization and is inaccessible through written or oral communication.
Vidya Returns From The Mountain State Arts […]