Archive for October, 2007
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007
The Right Brain vs Left Brain test
The Right Brain vs Left Brain test … do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?
You have to click through on the link above to see it. Please do so before continuing to read.
To me at first it was clearly going clockwise. I had my wife come over and look at it and she […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007
The vision of one man lends not its wings to another man.
The astronomer may speak to you of his understanding of space, but he cannot give you his understanding.
The musician may sing to you of the rhythm which is in all space, but he cannot give you the ear which arrests the rhythm nor the voice that echoes it.
And he who is versed in the science of numbers can tell of the regions of weight and measure, but he cannot conduct you thither.
For the vision of one man lends not its wings to another man.
-Kahlil Gibran
Now that I’m here and getting settled in it is time to seriously get to work.
If we want to make progress in spiritual life we must be willing to work at it. No one can do that work for us. The responsibility must fall on our own shoulders.
Despite not having the personal association of my spiritual master I feel like he has given me everything I need to perfect my life.
Lord Chaitanya uses the beautiful analogy of cultivating a garden to describe the process of spiritual life. The heart is compared to a garden, and by proper cultivation the garden of the heart bears fruit of love of God.
By the mercy of Guru and Krishna the fortunate living entity receives the seed of the creeper of devotion.
After receiving the seed the from the guru the responsibility falls to the gardener to do the hard work required seed allow the seed to mature and bear fruit.
The disciple receives the seed of the creeper of devotion and then he must very diligently water the creeper, weed the garden, and protect the garden.
The guru inspires faith in the disciple and the disciple must then do the hard work of making spiritual advancement.
He loves his disciples but he cannot give his love to his disciples.
He inspires them to awaken the dormant love of God that is within their own heart.
This cultivation of heart is not dependent on the physical association of the spiritual master but the sincerity and effort of the gardener to attract the mercy of guru and Krishna.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Monday, October 15th, 2007
Cannin’
Let me introduce you to HG Devananda Pandit aka Brother Peaceful, a real-life Brijabasi living right now in New Vrindaban Dham. Hailing from a little paper-mill town from NW Quebec, he is also a superb musician, and you can check out his personal website at www.denismoreau.com
He first encountered devotees when he was 18 years old in Ottawa, later also seeing them in Peru and at the Miami airport. He officially joined in Ottawa, Jan 1981, proceeding to go full bore into the world of Sankirtan, selling paintings, candles, books all over Canada.
He has been coming to NV since 1981, including a period of full-time fundraising for the Dham from 1989-1994.
I had a chance to ask Devananda Pandit Prabhu about a very unique service he has recently rendered: canning tomatoes. Canning of fruits and vegetables of all kinds is very common among householders in our community
“I love doing things that are a step towards self-sufficiency” he says. “I like working with a wood stove, making my own candles, doing things I’ve never done.”
Prabhu was inspired to render this service because “there was a need to do it, to preserve some of valuable organically-grown produce, and also because ties in with our self-sufficient mood.”
“It takes about 6 hours to do 10 jars” he says, and Prabhu made about 54 jars for the community, so without further ado, he is his method. (The only disclaimer is that is the first time that he has done this, so many of you of reading this are possibly more expert in this field, so any and all suggestions are welcomed. For more info on canning, hit this link.)
-Pick em, best is Roma plum tomatoes, pick out best ones
-Wash in kitchen, one by one, straw-sized amount of water through the tap, into clean crate
-Slice each tomato in half, drop them into food processor. This removes skin and seeds, and you are left with pulp and sauce
-With 2 quarts of sauce at a time, pour into a stainless steel pot and boil, with bay leaf, salt is an option (sea salt is best)
-Have another pot with very hot water (at least 170 deg), and put your mason jars into pot (pre-washed and rinsed) The jars are put into the hot water so they don’t break. The lids and rings also go into the pot to become sterile,
-Get a third pot (also stainless steel), and put a rack a half-inch from the bottom. Fill half the pot with water, and put to boil.
-Put the boiled sauce into the jars, put the lids on ( make there sure there is no sauce between the rubber seal and the jar-it will spoil!), and then put the rings on and tighten them.
-With the water boiling in the third pot, place the full jars in the boiling water, cook for 45 minutes (with two inches of water above the top of the jars), then take em out.
-If the center of the lid doesn’t pop down ,then it may spoil soon, so use those jars within a few days.
-Last step is to let em cool, then remove the rings, and date them. They will last at least a year or more
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Club 108
Monday, October 15th, 2007
A Visit To The Temple Barn
I was at the Temple barn Saturday for a meeting with Ranaka, Jayaprabhupada, and Parampara. We were starting to build a projects list of improvements and maintenance that needs to be done /would be nice to do for the cows.
The idea would be to publicize this list and then let donors choose which ones they […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Monday, October 15th, 2007
New Vrndavana Tshirts that should exist (Random LJ #5)
The first time I showed up at New Vrndavana, they still had a few “New Vrndavana Inmate” tshirts. Loved it. Wish I would have bought one. But maybe this is the next best things…
Last year I spent a lot of time at NV and I was feeling rather snarky, so I made some tshirt ideas. […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by eric
Monday, October 15th, 2007
. . .therefore it appears beautiful. . .
neyam sobhisyate tatra
yathedanim gadadhara
tvat-padair ankita bhati
sva-lakshana-vilakshitaih
O Gadadhara (Krishna), our kingdom is now being marked by the impressions of Your feet, and therefore it appears beautiful. But when You leave, it will no longer be so.
(SB 1.8.39)
This beautiful prayer was offered by Queen Kunti just as Krishna was leaving Hastinapur to return to Dwarka. Throughout her life Krishna had protected Queen Kunti and her children through a host of practically unbearable difficulties. After suffering so many years of persecution and hardship they endured the battle of Kuruksetra and won their rightful kingdom. Then Ashvattama killed the Pandava’s children while they were sleeping and then he released the Brahmastra weapon to kill Arjuna’s grandson and the only heir to the throne. And again Krishna protected the Pandava’s.
And after all these difficulties the only thing Queen Kunti prays for is more difficulties and reversals so that she may be able see Krishna more and more, and therefore no longer have to see repeated births and deaths.
In this verse she is glorifying Krishna by saying that their Kingdom is beautiful because it is marked by His footprints, but when He leaves it will no longer be beautiful, in the previous verse she compares Krishna to the soul of the body of their kingdom. A person’s body is beautiful as long as the soul is present but once the soul leaves no one is attracted to the remaining dead corpse.
In similar I way feel that the soul of my little cyber-kingdom has departed. Now that I no longer have Radhanath Maharaj’s association my kingdom no longer appears beautiful.
Unfortunately I became proud thinking that whatever beauty was there was due to myself but now that he is gone I see that whatever beauty was there was only due to his presence.
I pray that I may never forget that any beauty or opulence I posses is only by his mercy and that whether in his physical presence or absence the kingdom of my consciousness will always be beautified by the dust of his lotus feet.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Gauranga Kishore Das
Sunday, October 14th, 2007
Strange bit of New Vrndavana History
If you’ve not caught on, I’m really into strange New Vrndavana history. And while this item doesn’t take the cake, it’s up there.
In March of 1987, ISKCON officially gave New Vrndavana and Bhaktipada the boot. The reasons were detailed in a “GBC [Governing Body Commission] resolution.” Bhaktipada received the resolution and decided to respond. […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by eric
Sunday, October 14th, 2007
The New Vrindaban Radio Programming Guide
Please accept my humble obesiances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Greetings from New Vrindaban Dham. This past Friday, our application for an FM airwave frequency was sent through to the mighty Federal Communications Commission, and within the next 1-2 months, we will find out if New Vrindaban Dham has been awarded its own FM radio station.
As we anticipate the final decision, I just wanted to unveil to you, the friends and well-wishers of Club 108, a early Programming Guide of possible programs we are planning to do for our FM station.
What we are seeking from you is your input to the Programming guide, i.e what additional programs you would like to see, and also we are seeking advice and hands-on help to get the station up-and-running, especially in terms of getting ourselves hooked up to the Internet, where devotees worldwide could share in our programming.
As always, your help and guidance is essential to our projects
Thank you very much for your time
your humble servant
Bhakta-Chris, Club 108, New Vrindaban Dham
without further ado…here is the Programming Guide
Introduction to Krishna Consciousness-A weekly educational series which explores the basics of our philosophy, based on the teachings from the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. Topics will include Dharma, Karma, Reincarnation, The Nature of the Cosmos, Our Real Position, Matter vs Spirit, Reincarnation, and Spiritual Vegetarianism. (59 min weekly program, recorded)
The Sustainable Spiritual Revolution-A discussion on fascinating topics, articles, ideas, and solutions geared towards the idea that the only successful movement of environmental sustainability must be based on spiritual values. This program will included interviews and discussion with a variety of guests from many spiritual and secular fields. (29 min weekly program, recorded and live)
New Vrindaban Today-A public affairs program discussing issues important to the residents of the New Vrindaban Community (29 min weekly program, recorded and live)
Srimad-Bhagavatam Temple Class-A daily recording of the morning’s class on the essential Vedic classic Srimad-Bhagavatam, the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic knowledge. (59 min daily program, recorded)
New Vrindaban Youth Power-A program hosted by members of the New Vrindaban Brahmacari Ashram and Youth Community, focusing on issues relating to the next generation of Krsna Conscious outreach. This program will feature interview, discussion, music, and improvised segments. (29 min weekly program, recorded and live)
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Club 108
Sunday, October 14th, 2007
Cow Manure Turned To Electricity At Organic Farm
Original article linked here from ISKCON News
PETALUMA, Sep. 25, 2007 (BCN) - Manure from 240 cows at an organic Petaluma, California dairy farm is being converted into renewable electricity.
The Petaluma City Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency were at the St. Anthony Farm today where Sonoma County’s first methane digester went on line.
The digester will use bacteria to break down manure from the cows and produce biogas which will then be converted into renewable electricity in an adjacent generator.
At the heart of the system is a 27,000-square-foot covered manure lagoon digester. Flushed manure from the organic dairy and wastewater from the farm’s creamery will be pumped to the 2.3 million gallon covered lagoon. Microbes will then convert the organic matter into 17,000 cubic feet per day of methane rich biogas.
The gas will then be channeled into a pipeline into an 80 kilowatt generator that will operate 12 hours a day. The electricity will provide a substantial portion of the dairy’s milking center’s and creamer’s needs and the heat from the generator’s engine and exhaust system will be captured to produce hot water for the farm.
Wayne Nastri, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator for the Pacific Southwest Region, said, “Using biogas decreases greenhouse gas emissions, produces renewable energy and safeguards local air and water quality. The EPA is pleased to see the St. Anthony Dairy digester come on-line -it’s good for the environment and the farmers.”
The EPA provided technical assistance under its AgStar program to Western United Resource Development. AgStar is a voluntary program that encourages the use of waste methane recovery systems on dairy and swine farms. The systems have reduced methane by about 1.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent while providing enough renewable energy to power more then 20,000 homes, the EPA said.
St. Anthony Farm has been operated by the St. Anthony Foundation since 1952. The Foundation provides a place for the homeless and impoverished to recover from alcohol and drug addiction. Participants work on the lush 315-acre farm outside Petaluma. The farm became certified organic in 1999.
Each day 1,800 gallons of organic milk produced at the farm is made available to consumers through the Clover-Stornetta organic line of dairy products. The farm also produces organic fruits and vegetables for farm residents and other local food programs.
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Club 108
Sunday, October 14th, 2007
Pray before it?s too late!
Last summer, around Radhastami, I was hanging out at New Vrndavana with a few devotees who were into personal prayer. Really into it. It’s not like I didn’t agree, of course, I was fine with it, I just didn’t do it.
We’d be talking about one of my many problems and they’d ask, “Eric have […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by eric
Saturday, October 13th, 2007
The New Vrindaban Radio Programming Guide
Please accept my humble obesiancesAll glories to Srila Prabhupada!Greetings from New Vrindaban Dham. This past Friday, our application for an FM airwave frequency was sent through to the mighty Federal Communications Commission, and within the next 1-2…
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Club 108
Saturday, October 13th, 2007
Pastime Rain
“His yellow garment is like lightning in the sky, and Krsna Himself is like the newly arrived clouds. The gopis are like footbells on His feet, and when the cloud pours rain on the grains in the field, it appears that Krsna is nourishing the hearts of the gopis by calling down His pastime rain […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Saturday, October 13th, 2007
General Betray Us?
On Sept 10 MoveOn.org ran a full page add in the NY Times. There was a picture of General Petrarus, the man who’s heading up the military operations in Iraq, with the caption: General Petraeus or General Betray Us?
It seems the ad unleashed an outburst of criticism against both the Times and MoveOn.Org. And I also say, why pick on the General? He seems to be a decent guy. Aren’t we just making him the scapegoat? Indeed, the real culprit all along is not the General, but something far more sinister. The big news, which no one dares to consider let alone print, is that we are all being betrayed by our own senses.
Back in the 50’s and 60’s one company broadcast a catchy slogan: Progress is our most important product. For a while it seemed that way to many people. People were hyped up by the “fact” that all the new technological advancements would enable everyone to work less and make more money. Remember, we were supposed to have tons of free time on our hands. But that’s not the way it worked out.
And the war is not working out the way it was suppose to. The pattern repeats itself. I can hear the General say, “Be patient. We just need a little more time. It can still work out.” And just as the military tries to seek victory in Iraq, our senses try to extract some pleasure from material nature. We cannot help but to fall victim to material allurements. And we will even convince ourselves that it all will work out. But ultimately, any selfish pursuit for pleasure turns sour and we are left only with a sense of frustration.
Our senses are imperfect, prone to err, and they fall under illusion. The senses get fooled over and over again. How can we trust our senses if they continually betray us? And on top of that, people reach all sorts of conclusions and make all sorts of authoritative statements based on their fallible sense perception. Does that make any sense?
“An intelligent person does not take part in the sources of misery, which are due to contact with the material senses. Such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise man does not delight in them.” Bhagavad Gita 5:22
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das
Friday, October 12th, 2007
Some New Vrindaban Nostalgia
Check out these links for a peak into the past:
Short New Vrndavana story - a pipe, some robes and typical weirdness
Within Vrndavan’s Woods and Groves
excerpt:
Within Vrndavan’s woods and groves
Lord Krishna and Radha unite
To taste the joy of spiritual love
All glories to this holy sight
Lord Krishna’s beauty thrills the soul
Defeating even Cupid’s dart
The boy who lifted […]
No Comments » - Posted in Contributors by mg
Friday, October 12th, 2007
Watching Soccer and Chopping Wood.
A few days ago I went and watched a John Marshall (the local high school) soccer team’s game. I could have watched the whole thing but I would have had to push myself to do so, and would have been exhausted afterwards, so I left at half time. Still, that showed I am slowly […]