Archive for January, 2008
Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Pluralism Project Features New Vrindaban
Student papers at the Global Leadership Center at Ohio University profile the conversion experience of some of the residents of New Vrindavan Community. The students broke into groups and interviewed devotees on the phone a couple of times, spent a month doing research into the community, and then actually came to visit for a weekend last Oct. Now their papers are ready for viewing at Harvard University’s Pluralism Project website. The Pluralism Project is dedicated to the study of religious diversity in America.
http://pluralism.org/affiliates/emery/research.php
The article that targets me is at
http://pluralism.org/affiliates/emery/Quest_for_Dharma_Sankirtan.pdf
If you haven’t seen it already, you might also view my Nov 29th post - What The College Students Really Thought About New Vrindavan -
http://nytsanga.blogspot.com/2007/11/what-college-students-really-thought.html
- which contains reflections by the students of their visit.
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das
Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Prelude
words and music by Devananda Pandit das adapted from the 2ND chapter of Krishna book
When Krishna carried out His desires
Devaki glowed like raging fire.
He entered in her sacred womb,
Though she was shackled in a prison room.
Now Kamsa knew his end was near,
But spared his sister cos of fear;
” a […]
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Physics and Monasticism
“When advancement of knowledge is applied in the service of the Lord, the whole process becomes absolute. The Personality of Godhead and His transcendental name, fame, glory, etc., are all nondifferent from Him. Therefore, all the sages and devotees of the Lord have recommended that the subject matter of art, science, philosophy, physics, chemistry, psychology […]
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
when you eat whats available.
Last night I slept horribly. I felt like I had poison in my stomach. Those that know me know that I don’t sleep much(meaning I always sleep horribly) so when I say I slept bad it really means something. I’ve always had stomach problems my whole life. Lots of stress and thats where I hold all of it. I guess all the stress of being here, all the physical asana, all the pranayam, my over endeavor, not eating right etc culminates in a night of absolute pain and agony. Luckily my roommate left Kripalu for the night so he didn’t get disturbed by my rolling around. I woke up at 2am vomited, showered then read and chanted for a bit in one of the yoga rooms. I prefer this one yoga room over the others because its clean and it has wood floors. Around 4 am I slept on my yoga mat in that room til 5am where I returned to my room and slept for another hour before getting up for morning asana practice. Its a hard day when I don’t chant atleast half of my rounds in the morning. Ill chant at lunch in the basement if I can get my mind into it.
My solace this morning was the warm Kichiri. Thank you Lord for answering my prayers.
Oh yeah, I miss the cows too.
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by your servant-bcd
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Bhumi’s operation part 4
I am so pleased to say that Bhumi’s eye area is looking great after having her eye removed due to a cancerous growth around it. It has healed extremely well. The hair that was shaved around the eye is growing back nicely and the eye socket is nicely formed.
We have made up with each other. For a while she was not happy at all with me. We gave her antibiotic shots to prevent infection after the operation, and I was the one who tied her up so she could get her shots. Now, when I go into the barn she comes over to me on her own accord.
I took down the fence separating Bhumi from Gita, Asha, Dwadasi and Shyama. So Bhumi is really enjoying herself bossing the other girls around. She dare not try to boss Gita around. Gita gets this look that says, “Don’t even think of doing that.” He has his expression perfected. When I give the medicine in the morning to Bhumi, Gita, and Jaya, Bhumi very patiently waits till I have given Gita his grain and meds before begging for her apple and meds. Bhumi is back to liking lots of attention and rub downs.
Submitted by Lakshmi Devi
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Balabhadra das
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Why Don’t Devotees Eat Chicken?
Why don’t devotees eat chicken?
Because it has eggs in it.
This is probably the oldest devotee joke there is. Most devotees immediately crack up if they haven’t already heard it, especially in this day and age when most devotees live and eat outside the temples.
If it seems a little obscure to you, read the following […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Conversations with God
Last night I had a wonderful conversation with my friend Oren. He is taking the massage therapy course here at Kripalu. We met randomly the other day and have since kept up our conversations about God. He has been intensely studying his birth religion over the last two years, something which I have great respect for. In our conversation and sharing of quotes about Teachers he pulled out a book he has been reading over the past month called “Conversations with God’. He read the following passage:
A true master is not the one with the most students, but one who creates the most masters.
A true leader is not the one with the most followers but the one who creates the most leaders.
A true king is not the one with the most subjects but the one who leads the most to royalty.
A true teacher is not the one with the most knowledge but one who causes the most others to have knowledge.
And the true God is not the One with the most servants but the One who serves the most, thereby making Gods of all others.
For this is both the goal and the glory of God: that His subjects shall be no more, and that all shall know God not as the unattainable, but as the unavoidable.
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by your servant-bcd
Friday, January 25th, 2008
mississippi half-step uptown toodleloo blues
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors, Uncategorized by mahalakshmidevidasi
Friday, January 25th, 2008
“No Coward Soul Is Mine” by Emily Jane Brontë
No coward soul is mine
No trembler in the world’s storm-troubled sphere
I see Heaven’s glories shine
And Faith shines equal arming me from Fear
O God within my breast
Almighty ever-present Deity
Life, that in me hast rest,
As I Undying Life, have power in Thee
Vain are the thousand creeds
That move men’s hearts, unutterably vain,
Worthless as withered weeds
Or idlest froth amid […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
e-support.
Here are some recent emails sent in response to recent posts.
Thank you all for sending your love.
1.
Dear Balaram Chandra,
Haribol, I just read this letter over and it’s a bit intense. So brace yourself.
I was reading your blog from January 1st, and I feel such a bittersweet resonance with what you were going through - especially with the deities. Ever since I took the Japa Retreat seminar, I have felt a deep void and loss of faith that Krishna is really there. I feel as though I call out and call out and nothing’s there. But I haven’t spoken with very many - if ANYone - about this because I feel as though s/he will not understand. And (deep breath) I feel a loss of faith in guru that he can really help me when I’m going through such hurdles of faith - personally, eye-to-eye. I think that’s the worst part.
Sigh, I wanted to write to you because your post soothed me. It let me know that others go through what I’m going through… and that Srila Prabhupad still encourages those who are stumbling and committing so many offense like I have been.
I hope you’re doing well and that you continue to write,
2.
think what you’re doing is incredibly amazing and inspiring. I thing ISKCON is an amazing organization. I remember there was an article printed back when we were in high school about Krishna Consciousness in Spin magazine (I think) and I remember thinking what an amazing thing to be a part of. I wish that I had gotten a chance to know you better in high school, but I myself was unstable, struggling to find a place to live, and didn’t really want anyone to know what I was going through. I guess I was afraid of the possible rejection or humiliation from my peers. I basically kept to myself and tried to stay as invisible as possible. I don’t think I ever really discussed my living situation with anyone at school, but I probably should have. I don’t even know if you remember who I am, but I felt inclined to drop you a comment and let you know that what you are doing is incredibly inspiring.
3.
Balarama Chandra Prahuji, You are a true inspiration to me, as I have recently fallen down, seriously broken the principals I have no devotee association. We did meet breifly at your stay at Bhaktivedanta manor,but you probably don`t remember my fallen self. Keep posting as your everything I could wish to be, a simple and honest surrendered soul.
4.
Thank you Prabhu
Thank you for the inspiration.
You’re such a solid, wise example for this bumbling fool who is trying to follow in so many footsteps.
See ya in a few! I’m ready for the Yoga Crew!
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by your servant-bcd
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
above water still.
Beleive it or not Im still above water!
Its really amazing how sometimes I can be totally beat up and torn to pieces. Then out of no where I am being bombarded with love and affection!
The past week has been another one of those weeks where I’ve been crying out of astonishment in reflection on the Lords blessings. I’m not quite the South Indian Brahmana pouring tears into the Bhgavad Gita. You know that story of Lord Chaitanya meting him and asking about his tears. He reveals that he is filled with emotion while thinking of Krsna’s loving position as the charioteer driver of Arjuna. I’m not quite like that but some real feelings are there.
This present Kripalu trip is facilitating more emotional release than expected. I am so grateful. I am in awe of the potential of asana practice.
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by your servant-bcd
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
I just met Nola.
I just met Nola. She is a pretty French lady who has been down on her luck. She has had a bad run of things recently- suffered all kinds of abuse. So far- she and I are off to a pretty good start. My Nola ain’t no crook- she just gotta bad reputation.
They […]
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Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Urban Jungle Highlights
On Saturday we had a full crew of about 50 devotees attend the New York Regional Burning Man Festival at the Queens Museum of Art. Kuva, Caitanya Nitai, Soma and I set up a camp with stage, tent, yajna kunda, etc. Gauravani, Ananta, Bali, Kish, Vis and extendid Kirtan Crew kept our camp […]
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Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Update on Gopi Lila dd
From Haribhakta’s blog:
Gopilila got out of the hospital yesterday. She was glad to get back home and so were the kids and I. It snowed last night and she was out there playing in the snow and making a big snow ball. Today she played in the snow with Gopala and Vrinda. […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by mg
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
2008 US Transplant Games
I am jacked up.
I got a letter today, albeit a mass mailing to all organ transplant recipients, inviting me to join the 2008 US Transplant Games. It is in Pittsburgh, right next door. That means transportation cost is minimal and no lodging expense, ergo, doable. If it was somewhere else, I […]