Archive for January, 2008
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
“I’m alright jack keep your hands off of my stack”
I’ve been glancing at some of the headlines over the past few days as the world’s various stock markets have taken quite a tumble. The science of all this I do not know, but you can smell the fear. It’s quite a fragile house of cards that has been built on some pretty flimsy paper, and the dead presidents (and Gandhi) on the front of the bills can’t do much to help.
I was listening to a lecture from the 16th Chapter of the Gita given by Prabhupada way back in the day in 1976 in New Vrindaban. Here’s a few excerpts of some good-old fashioned smashing related to the subject of the futility of economic development in this Kali-Yuga.
“Formerly in the currency, when you go to take some exchange, it was the etiquette of the teller to ask you, “What you want, silver money, gold money or paper money?” It was their duty. If you say “I want gold money,” they will pay in gold money. Not only it is written in the paper, “I promise to pay,” but the promise was kept. If he wants, “Give me payment in gold,” they will pay. And now, to keep gold, hoarding gold, is illegal. So you cannot ask. This is going on, legalized cheating. You have to accept this paper money. That’s all. Don’t ask for gold. And there is no honesty at all. I can take paper money for my convenience sake, but how you can force me to take paper money? That is not honesty. So dishonesty begins from the government. You cannot keep gold. If you have kept gold, there will be searching, and if it is found that you have gold, you’ll be punished. In India it is now being done. There is no freedom even at your home, in your private life. Formerly, any common man could keep gold according to his desire. There was no such thing. Sometimes he would hide it even within the ground, because there was no bank. At least in India this was the practice. If you have got some gold, you keep it somewhere confidential within the ground so that it may not be stolen. So everyone should have right to keep his money as he likes. Why government should interfere? Therefore you see the Bhagavatam, rajanya-dasyu-dharmah.(?) The government men will be like rogues and thieves. By law they will take away. It is now going on in India. I think here it is also? You cannot keep gold. Why I cannot keep gold? If I have secured gold, I can keep it. I want gold. You write, “I promise to pay,” so there must be gold coins. I must have. So many difficulties will come in the kingdom of maya gradually. It is already come.”
“Dhana means money. So if you have got money, then everyone will respect you. Personally you may be less than a dog, but because you have got money, people will respect you. Is it not? (laughs)….Especially in the Western countries this is very prominent. If you have got money, then you have got everything. Therefore they are after money only, that “If some way or other, if I get money, then I get everything. I get respect, I get honor. I get everything. Bring money somehow or other.” This is the attempt. Therefore there is so much hard struggle. From early in the morning, four o’clock, they are going to the office to get money. To get more money, more money, that is the Western civilization. Now in India they have also learned. And our philosophy is “Don’t try to get money.” Tasyaiva hetoh prayeteta. “You should simply engage your life for advancing your Krsna consciousness.” So who will hear us? We say, “There is no need of working so hard for money.” Nayam deho deha-bhajam nrloke kastan kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye [SB 5.5.1]. This kind of working hard is done by the hogs and dogs, so why a human being should work so hard simply to get the necessities of life? [break] …and dogs, they are getting necessities of life in that way. [break] This association, this meeting, this talking, is meant for the human body; it is not for the cats and dogs. This is human civilization. Naimisaranya meeting going on, all the big, big learned brahmanas, sages, they are talking how to do welfare activities to the human society. What is this civilization? Simply money, money, money, money, money. And as soon as you get money, then you begin all nonsense, illicit sex, meat-eating, drinking, gambling. What you will do with the money? You do not know how to spend it. “
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
Vidya Gets Into Shaker Woods
My wife, Vidya, crafts gourds and sells them at shows in order to make a living. I used to grow them for her but as my physical strength tanked I had to abandon that. My lack of vigor coupled with increased pressure from expanding populations of gourd predators like deer and groundhogs made it […]
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008
Killing Cows To Eat Them Is Bad
People who eat a lot of red meat and processed meats have a higher risk of
several types of cancer, including lung cancer and colorectal cancer, US
researchers say.
The work is the first big study to show a link between meat and lung cancer.
It also shows that people who eat a lot of meat have a higher […]
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008
The Raw Deal
(or Shell Game Passes For Tough Love)
New York Times - Huckabee proposes his idea of a “fair tax” as Chuck Norris looks on admiringly. See http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/15/us/politics/15campaign.html
Big Politician Guy: Listen, I’m going to give it to you straight. This federal income tax system is dumb. It’s your hard earned money. You have a right to spend it the way you see fit. You know how to spend it better then the government. Forget about federal income tax and use your money to be happy..…… Actually, the government will need some money… Of course we’re not going to tax the people… Oh wait, I know… We’ll just impose a spending tax. That sounds fair. We’ll have a national sales tax on gas and clothing and food and stuff like that. . But why should you worry? You can afford a few extra cents with all those 1000’s of dollars you’re saving from not having to pay income tax.
Local Politician Guy: Since the taxes were cut the Federal government doesn’t have any money to give to supplement state programs so we’re going to have to increase your property taxes and also add a few more cents to the tax on goods. But why should you worry? You can afford a few extra cents with all those 1000’s of dollars you’re saving from not having to pay income tax.
Local Doctor or Pharmacist : The government is cutting back on Medicare and drug programs, so you’re going have to pay for your own drugs and treatment. But why should you worry? You can afford it with all those 1000’s of dollars you’re saving from not having to pay income tax.
Big Politician Guy: What! You need some help? Why turn to the government? The government is not a charity. . Don’t expect the government to bail you out… What?… Well, sure… the government created the New Deal to help people in the depression….. And that’s right, after WW II there was the GI Bill where the government helped millions of GI’s go to college and get an education. And sure the government bailed out a lot of corporations. And what if the government gave amnesty to a bunch of illegal immigrants back in the 80’s. What does all that got to do with you? Listen, times have changed. Your better than that. We believe in you. Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. Keep your eye on the ball. Put your nose to the grind stone. Study hard. Then move to China and get a good job there.
Srila Prabhupada (from Light Of The Bhagavat text 2): The welfare state imposes upon its citizens scorching taxes… in due course of time when the taxes accumulate into a large sum of money, they are utilized for the welfare of the citizens in various ways. Nevertheless, sometimes it happens that the benefits of the taxes fall like rains on the stone-hearted men in the state who are unable to utilize the money properly and who squander it for sense gratification….Thus, to have equal distribution of state raised taxes, the citizens need to be scrupulously honest and virtuous… if the people are not good they cannot have good government, regardless of which party governs the administration. Therefore good character is the first principle necessary for a good government and equal distribution of wealth.
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Monday, January 21st, 2008
My India Diary-Part 14
We’ve got to reach up and grab the olive branch of self-realization or we’re just a polished animal holding plastic flowers. HG Gauranga Kishore Prabhu said in Bhagavatam class this morning that only the fortunate, the intelligent, the wise know that this human form of life is meant to discover the true identity of our self, of our soul. We must not be like Kailash, ignoring the warnings of Narada Muni, absorbed in our business, family, and attachments, until we become a snake in our backyard about to be smashed to death by very own family members.
We enjoyed some Mumbai hospitality in the humble home of the esteemed and wise Radha Rao, the mother of one of Caitanya’s biomedical colleagues back in Michigan. We told her about our reasons for our committment to Krsna Consciousness, our longings of the soul that we can only find in the cultures of the East. We also tried to encourage her doctor son from afar to do puja on other days of the year besides Janmastami. We rested and feasted nicely and sincerely promised to come back soon.
Now sitting in seat 36D on American Airlines Flight 293, the long journey into the subcontinent now over, at least externally. As we return to the security-state confines of America, the West, Normal-Ville, where drivers are fast but following the lanes, walls and floors are clean, and the people are a motley mix of pious and something that goes even below non-pious, Justin and I are currently meditating on our welcome-back burrito party, featuring sides of chocolate chip cookies and ginger ale. To say we miss being back in America is not exactly true, but we don’t mind going back.
To Mother India and all the devotees, I pray only to return to serve, to be absorbed deeper, and to bring more dust back for those, like myself, who really need it.
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Monday, January 21st, 2008
Love Me, Love My Cows
Listen to this lecture given Jan 19 , 2008 in Chowpatty by former (and eternal) New Vrindaban cowherd boy, Radhanath Swami. A long lecture but well worth the time as it is germane to the future of New Vrindaban in particular, and to the world in general in its present state.
Click to […]
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Monday, January 21st, 2008
Cold weather
We have been having some really cold days and nights. Although we humans find this weather difficult, the cows do not. They are enjoying the new cemented area of the barn where new construction took place last year. The barn is setup so the winter sun comes into the barn by about 10 feet. After a cold night, or during a cold day, the cows like to sit there and soak up the sun. You will usually find the barn kitty also soaking up the sun by sleeping next to one of the cows. The silo area which is not under roof is also a favorite of the cows especially after a feed out when we have put one of the big hay bales out. The cows like to tear up the hay bales and play with them and then sit on them and sleep outside. It is a favorite hang out for Yamuna, Ganga, Kalki, and Big Shyam.
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Monday, January 21st, 2008
Coldest Nights of the Year
The week of January 16-22 is historically the coldest week of the winter in West Virginia, based on average high and low temperatures. This year is keeping to that schedule, as we have just had the two coldest nights of the year.
After this, the average temperature starts inching up a degree every few days […]
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Sunday, January 20th, 2008
Sri Sri Radha-VrindabanChandra
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Sunday, January 20th, 2008
Elaborate Setup Wasted On Planet ISKCON Readers
I recently completed a 5 day water fast. I had been feeling like I wasn’t making any progress in my recovery and was getting dismayed that perhaps where I am is all I will ever get. Through everything else, I could endure because there was that hope that eventually it would clear up and […]
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Sunday, January 20th, 2008
Cooking Contest in New Vrindaban
New Vrindaban’s First Annual Lord Jagannatha Food Fest and Cooking Competition
February 1st Friday
7: 45 PM!!!!
ALL WELCOME
Judged by a panel of experienced Prasadam Lovers, winner will take home:
First Prize of $100 and title of NV’s Best Cook of 2008
To qualify for participation […]
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Sunday, January 20th, 2008
eat pray love (i like the book too)
A friend told me the other day that the path of bhakti is not hard and fast but is soft and slow.
Im off to Kripalu again. Two weeks of another Yoga Intensive. This time I will return with my official certification.
After a most wonderful Starving Artist Lunch Program I threw my bags into the civic and sped up to Columbus to meet a close friend for catching up. I was overwhelmed with emotions hearing from and seeing such a beloved friend being pushed around in life. All I wanted to do was embrace her and tell her that I could take care of everything for her. A similar thing happened with my blood brother the other day also with a close friend who’s mother just got cancer. I wish it was so easy. That I could possess the ability to instantly care for and maintain others lives. This I know is impossible.
One day I met my Gurumaharaja in his room at New Vrindaban. He had just arrived from India and I was busy and did not get to greet him upon his arrival. He was sitting behind his little desk with his glasses on and just his desk lamp lighting his space. He was reading a old beat up edition of Krsna Book. After knocking, He invited me into his room. I bowed down and he called me over to him. He embraced me in his most comforting way. With his arm loving wrapped around my head he looked into my eyes and asked how I was. I didn’t answer. He could see that I was not in the best of spirits. He said to me, “ Balaramacandra, everyone is suffering in this world. It is our duty to inspire others to be enthusiastic in their suffering.”
After that emotion meeting with my friend I headed to the Columbus center to find a place to do laundry, sleep, park my car, and get a ride to the airport. I could have stayed with that student but that could only lead to trouble.
Immediately upon entering the temple I met Venkat Prabhu who was visiting from New York. We picked up Carl Prabhu at his house and went over to Naveen, Vrajbhakti, and Narahari’s house for ekadasi dinner. I ended up staying at their home that night. We were up to midnight catching up after so many months of not seeing each other. The next day I was over fed idly, sambar and chutney and dropped off at the airport.
A Kripalu class mate, Scott, picked me up in Albany and took me back to his house. The ride was wonderful. We shared so many stories about the past six week break between our yoga teaching intensives. I can’t believe six weeks have passed already! We did a little shopping at the grocery store and cooked up a wonderful dinner for the kids and wife. Playing with the kids reminded me of the past summer with my Gurumaharaja. I was the default child care person or beat up doll whenever disciples had to meet with Maharaja.
I am at Scott and Bridgette’s house now and will head to Kripalu after my weekly conference call. We’ll make it there by 4 for yoga, check in, and dinner. Our first session starts at 7. Who knows what is going to happen in the next two weeks. I have my laptop with me this time so Ill stay on the blog.
Thanks to everyone who have been writing and calling letting me know that i should keep writing. I truly appreciate your love.
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Sunday, January 20th, 2008
two weeks away…
I was a bit saddened about having to miss the next two weeks of our college quarter. Our first two weeks were met with so much enthusiasm from the students. Each program had so much participation, much more than I expected. I love being with the students and sharing with each other our experiences of life.
My Gurumaharaj told me to just stay committed and steady. To do that would now be my challenge and that dedication would allow me to learn and progress in my service. That is a difficult thing to do. I often want to quit and roam the world allowing the winds(of my mind) to guide me. Somehow or another I “keep on keeping on”.
I have a problem, well I have many problems but one is I have a problem of dedication and appreciation. I never learned to see how others appreciate who I am or how others are so willing to care for me. We identified this problem many years ago and decided that staying at New Vrindaban and sticking to college outreach despite all hardships would be good for me. Maybe I might learn something.
While growing up, nothing was regular, nothing was steady, and no one was committed to caring for me. I never felt that any thing was worth my time because it was going to change. I never felt anyone actually cared for me because in due course they would leave. I meet problems in my relationships again and again due to this.
I was homeless for awhile in high school and just roamed around from school, to work, and to friends homes on my bicycle. I stayed wherever I could. Usually most friend’s parents were equally or more out of it than we were so I could just slide in and out unnoticed.
A few weeks into my senior year I was at our local park with friends and my residential situation became a topic of discussion. Various friends felt that they should figure this out for me. Many stepped up and invited me to stay at there home if their parents approved. One friend named Tara Zandler(who was actually not that close at the time) said she was going to ask her parents. The next day she enthusiastically approached me at school and said her parents were willing to meet me and if they liked me they would let me stay with them under certain rules etc.
I went to their home that same afternoon to meet and we spoke for some time. After our meeting they agreed to let me stay with them. I was amazed that someone would be so willing to reach out to do something like that, especially without even knowing me! I became one of the family, well kind of. There were many stories that went with that experience over the next year before I graduated and went off to college. If you want I can tell you later. The family themselves were unbelievable. They really acted as God’s caretakers of His lost child.
Now that I reflect, I see that from that time until now so many individuals who were not “related” to me in any way have been caring for and guiding me. Over the past years of my life in ISKCON I can honestly say that I am always cared for. I am maintained physically, emotionally, and spiritually by those within this family of Srila Prabhupada. Others are always willing to love, it is up to me to accept and appreciate their love.
One day I was selling books in St Louis Missouri and we met with HG Maha Muni Prabhu. He told us a realization he had. He quoted the move “Breakfast Club”. I appreciated his ability to connect a life lesson with a movie I watched so many times growing up. He asked if I remembered the scene where the “prom queen” and the “goth girl” were stoned and in the restroom brushing each others hair. The “goth girl” looked up at the “prom queen” and stated, “ I didn’t know you could be so nice!” The prom queen responded, “You never gave me an opportunity to be nice to you.”
With our college outreach we are just trying to share what we are receiving. We are attempting to facilitate the growth of an environment where students can allow us the to share our family’s love with them. We experience college outreach to be “creating a favorable environment where students can associate with that love of Srila Prabhupada.” I pray that we can be used to do that in the smallest way.
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Saturday, January 19th, 2008
Donkey in the goshalla
Remincient of the story of the slaying of the Dhenukasura Demon by Balarama-
The cowherd boys were complaining that the presence of the donkey in the Goshalla was a little unorthodox. Jaya Prabhupada das- a resident of New Vrindaban said “In my country we just don’t do this.” Jaya Prabhupada, who has been working with the […]
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Friday, January 18th, 2008
We are the Body of Christ
” Akamah is one who has no material desire. A living being, naturally being the part and parcel of the supreme whole purusam purnam, has as his natural function to serve the Supreme Being, just as the parts and parcels of the body, or the limbs of the body, are naturally meant to serve the […]