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ISKCON Connection Newsletter, Issue 28, September 22, 2019
 
Prabhupada Nectar
We should always remember that Maya or darkness and Krsna or the Light are existing side by side. So if we keep ourself always in Krsna Consciousness or in the Light of Krsna Sun, hardly there is any chance of being covered by darkness or Maya

Correspondence

1970 Correspondence

 

700329 - Letter to Mahananda written from Los Angeles:

March 29, 1970

My Dear Mahananda (Michael),

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter requesting initiation, dated 26th March, 1970, along with your beads for chanting, and I am very happy to accept you as my initiated disciple. Your initiated name is Mahananda Das. I have chanted your beads duly, and they are herewith returned to you.

I am very pleased to know that you have been strictly living according to our Krsna conscious way of life in the matters of daily chanting sixteen rounds, following the four basic restrictive principles, and working hard in Krsna's service. Please continue to live in this way and the success of your life in Krsna consciousness is assured. Always chanting the Holy Name, Krsna, observing the regulative principles, and working in the service of the Lord are the essential program for advancement in spiritual strength.

You have written one interesting line, that Maya seems to have a special interest in you. So it appears that you are intelligent enough to detect the tricks of Maya; that is very nice. We should always remember that Maya or darkness and Krsna or the Light are existing side by side. So if we keep ourself always in Krsna Consciousness or in the Light of Krsna Sun, hardly there is any chance of being covered by darkness or Maya.

But a little inattention may cause our falling down into the clutches of Maya. The path of Krsna Consciousness is compared in the Vedas with a sharpened razor blade. If you carefully manipulate it, the blade helps by clean shaving; but a little inattention causes a bloody cheek. So this example we should always remember and carefully manipulate the blade of Krsna Consciousness.

I am pleased that you are so enthusiastic in spreading Krsna Consciousness, so as soon as you find opportunity you try to expand our activities by opening a branch.

Hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

 

 

 

 

ISKCON News

Courtesy of iskconnews.org

New Talavana Building a Spiritual Haven in Rural Mississippi
New Talavana Building a Spiritual Haven in Rural Mississippi

Nestled in the serene heart of Mississippi, the New Talavana community has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to construct a grand new temple, marking a significant milestone in their spiritual journey. This dynamic community, part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is well-known for its vibrant culture, devotion to cow protection, and emphasis on sustainable living.

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VIHE Offers Systematic Bhakti-sadacara Course for 2024
VIHE Offers Systematic Bhakti-sadacara Course for 2024

The Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE) is going to start its fresh batch of the Bhakti-sadacara course from 27 December 2023 to mid-April 2024. The Bhakti-sadacara course is especially designed to give systematic knowledge to new devotees and to train devotees who did not have a chance for such systematic training before.  

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Belgrade Serbia Hosts First Kirtan Mela
Belgrade Serbia Hosts First Kirtan Mela

On October 29th, devotees held their first Kirtan Mela in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. “It was very ecstatic and many devotees came,” said Shilpa-Karina Devi Dasi, “The event was arranged by the ISKCON Serbian yatra team and held at the Lotos Yoga Studio, as there is no temple yet in the capital.” The event featured multiple Kirtan leaders and instrumentalists.  

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Shastra Sheets: A Treasure Trove of Knowledge for Devotee Kids
Shastra Sheets: A Treasure Trove of Knowledge for Devotee Kids

Brajasundari Dasi, a venerable retired educator, has meticulously crafted educational resources called Shastra Sheets designed to engage and enlighten kids. Drawing inspiration from the profound literary works of His Divine Grace, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, these worksheets brim with spiritual wisdom.

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GBC EC Member Guru Prasad Swami Shares Highlights from Mid-Term Mtg in Pune, India
GBC EC Member Guru Prasad Swami Shares Highlights from Mid-Term Mtg in Pune, India

Guru Prasad Swami, a member of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) Executive Committee highlights some of the topics and issues discussed at the recent GBC’s Mid-Term Meeting held October 25-29th in Pune, India.  You can watch his short summary here.

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New Service Opportunities with North American RGB Available
New Service Opportunities with North American RGB Available

The North American Regional Governing Body (NARGB) eagerly anticipates the opportunity to provide support and service to all temples and centers in North America. As previously discussed during our in-person meeting in Houston, we are in the process of establishing an administrative office to enhance our services. We are delighted to announce several available positions within this new office.

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COMING OF AGE #9 – Shadows that Go Bump in the Night!
COMING OF AGE #9 – Shadows that Go Bump in the Night!

Everywhere in the material creation, there is duality. Light and dark. Hot and cold. Wet and dry. Happiness and suffering. And much, much more. The external person we present to others through our behavior also contains duality. Our positive side is how we want to behave and be viewed. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung used the term “shadow” to describe the behaviors we are embarrassed about due to fear of rejection as the shadows are exposed.

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2023 Diwali in London Hosted by Bhaktivedanta Manor
2023 Diwali in London Hosted by Bhaktivedanta Manor

The 22nd Annual Diwali in London (DiL) celebrations brought thousands of people to Trafalgar Square for the annual “Festival of Lights” on Sunday, October 29th. ISKCON’s Bhaktivedanta Manor was this year’s hosting organization for the joyful event,  a partnership between the DiL Committee and the Greater London Authority (GLA) representing diverse organizations and religious traditions across the city. 

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Israel Devotees Seeking Help to Extend Their Food for Life Efforts to War-Affected Families
Israel Devotees Seeking Help to Extend Their Food for Life Efforts to War-Affected Families

Despite the ongoing warfare and shelling, programs for devotees in Tel Aviv are still being held every weekend. According to ISKCON Israel, “Devotees continue to gather almost every day, offer wicks to Lord Damodara and to have kirtan.” In the midst of their travails, they are redoubling their efforts to extend their “Food for Life” programs in the face of overwhelming need.

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Day Four of the GBC Mid-Term Meeting in Pune, India
Day Four of the GBC Mid-Term Meeting in Pune, India

The day four of the GBC Mid Term Meeting, hosted at ISKCON Pune, commenced with Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja prayers followed by a presentation on the new ‘Transcend‘ app from the BBT.  The meeting was presided over by the GBC Executive Committee, consisting of Revati Raman Das (Chair), Guru Prasad Swami, and Tapana Misra Das.

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Dandavats

Courtesy of dandavats.com

Krishna The God of Varieties
Krishna The God of Varieties

By Vamsi Vihari Dasa

According to the Bhagavad-gita (15.1), this material world is a perverted reflection of the spiritual world, the kingdom of God. All varieties of this world exist in the spiritual world in its original pure form. If this material world, despite the inherent miseries of repeated birth and death, can appear so attractive to us, we can only imagine how attractive the spiritual world must be, which is eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss. Therefore, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, regularly appears in this world to att...

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The Flowering of Consciousness
The Flowering of Consciousness

By Bhakti Charu Swami

Man has the chance to bloom spiritually by raising himself to the highest level of love of God.The Vedic scriptures divide consciousness into five categories, namely covered, shrunken, budding, blooming, and fully bloomed. Trees and plants, for example, are almost inert. They fall into the “covered consciousness” category. They seem to show no sign of consciousness, but when we observe them carefully, we see they have a limited consciousness. Other living entities, such as worms, insects, and other animals, are in “shrunken consciousness.” They are not as cov...

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True Happiness Must be Eternal
True Happiness Must be Eternal

By Upendra Dasa

Krsna consciousness is not a tower of Babel to Krsna. There are two processes in spiritual life, the ascending and the descending. Through the ascending process one tries to construct a ladder up to Krsna by processes of yoga, meditation, word jugglery, logic, dry philosophy, etc. However sincere, Krsna is acyuta, unapproachable, that process will never be successful But if the unapproachable Krsna wants to come to us, then nothing can stop Him. That is called the descending process, Krsna consciousness. Krsna is presenting Himself to you and I through the authorized discipl...

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How the Essence of Religions Came From Vedic Culture
How the Essence of Religions Came From Vedic Culture

By Sri Nandanandana dasa

As we look over the various cultures and religions of the world, we may ask if all religious systems are divine. Though they seem to conflict with each other on various points, still there are many areas of truth in which they all agree. Or you could say that some of the same essential truths can be found within each of them. And by a careful comparison, we can trace the essence of that truth back to what was originally explained in the Vedas, the oldest of all...

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The Best Benediction
The Best Benediction

By Mohini Radha Devi Dasi

Some people fantasize about accumulating immense wealth and dream of what they would buy if they only had enough. To them, happiness hovers elusively on the other side of that new car, that big house, that diamond necklace. While many of us will say, "Money can't buy happiness," do we really believe it? If not money, what is the solution to our hankerings? What is the greatest treasure that will bring true happiness? And how do we acquire that treasure? Srila Prabhupada answers these ...

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The Secret Behind “The Secret”
The Secret Behind “The Secret”

By Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi

Sanatana Goswami, a prominent disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, lived under a tree as a renunciant. Once, a poor brahmana heard that Sanatana possessed a stone that could turn anything it touched into gold. The brahmana eagerly went to ask Sanatana for the stone. Without the least hesitancy Sanatana told the brahmana he could have the stone; it was in a rubbish heap nearby. The elated brahmana found the stone but, being intelligent, began to consider the situ...

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Vraja Vilas Stava
Vraja Vilas Stava

By Govinda Swami

According to many pure devotees, nama-sankirtan is not only the best means of devotional service but the final perfection itself. Of course, prema is the final goal of bhakti, but nama-sankirtan so quickly and infallibly leads to prema that the two are considered virtually identical. Wherever prema is seen to have developed, one can presume that nama-sankirtan must have been performed. Nama-sankirtan is the necessary and sufficient cause of prema.

...

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Meeting Srila Prabhupada
Meeting Srila Prabhupada

By Bhuvana Pavani Devi Dasi

Lord Caitanya then inquired: What is the most profitable thing in the world, the essence of all auspicious events? Ramananda Raya replied that there is nothing as profitable as the association of pure devotees.” (Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Page 341) When did I meet Srila Prabhupada? The year Srila Prabhupada arrived in Butler, Pa. (Sept. 1965). Is it possible I was visiting my Grandparents in Butler? Did I happen to catch a glimpse of Srila Prabhupada? Or the following summer, at the age of 13, did I happen to walk downtown Butler where His Divine Grace had pr...

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Everyone has to fly their own plane
Everyone has to fly their own plane


SB 1.15.50 -- HG Brahmatirtha Prabhu

Krishna House Gainesville

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TOVP News

Courtesy of tovp.org

Give To Nrsimha Brick Campaign Winding Up
Give To Nrsimha Brick Campaign Winding Up

The TOVP Fundraising Department would like to let all devotees know that we will soon be winding up the Nrsimha Brick Campaign. During the historic Grand Opening of the Nrsimhadeva Wing at the 2024 Gaura Purnima Festival, from February 29 – March 2, all the Nrsimha Bricks with engraved donor names will be placed under the Lord’s altar to remain for hundreds of years.

 Read More

TOVP Presents – Arrival of Nrsimhadeva in Mayapur: The Journey from Fear to Shelter
TOVP Presents – Arrival of Nrsimhadeva in Mayapur: The Journey from Fear to Shelter

The drama, Arrival of Nrsimhadeva in Mayapur: The Journey from Fear to Shelter, is a play performed by ISKCON Pune devotees, based on the amazing and miraculous story of the making and arrival of the Prahlad-Nrsimhadeva deities in ISKCON Mayapur. The video of the drama is a production of Radha Kunjabihari Media Services.

 Read More

A TOVP Flyover – Get a Bird’s-eye View
A TOVP Flyover – Get a Bird’s-eye View

From the drone camera of Ajita Caitanya prabhu of the TOVP Construction Department we present a recent TOVP flyover of the entire temple structure, giving us a birds-eye view of this magnificent structure from the outside.

 Read More

TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present - Mind and Brain Q & A - San Diego State University (4/5/90)
TOVP & Vedic Science Channel Present - Mind and Brain Q & A - San Diego State University (4/5/90)

In this provocative seminar given at San Diego State University, Sadaputa Dasa (Richard L. Thompson) begins by showing his “Mind and Brain” video, then tackles the controversial questions that follow. Since a mechanical description of how the 100 billion neurons in the human brain interact to produce the mind would be inconceivably complex, Thompson invokes Occam’s Razor to suggest a dualistic approach to the mind/brain problem. OBE’s lend their support to the idea of a separately constituted living entity which interacts with the brain in a non-mechanistic manner.

 Listen Now

 

 

 

Srila Prabhupada: 
founderacharya.com, vanipedia.org

The official ISKCON website: iskcon.org,

Find your nearest temple: centres.iskcon.org

ISKCON leadership: gbc.iskcon.org

Education such ar Bhakti-shastri, Bhaktivaibhava etc: Mayapur Institute, Bhaktivedanta Theological Seminary, Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education, Bhaktivedanta College Europe

Events: events.iskcon.org,

News: iskconnews.org, dandavats.com,

BBT books: bbt.org, krishna.com, vanisource.org, vedabase.com, bbtmedia.com

World Sankirtan Newsletter: wsnl.net/wsnhome.htm

Temple of Vedic Planetarium: tovp.org

Deity Worship and courses: deityworship.com, Mayapur Academy 

Inspiration & Sadhana: mayapur.tv, iskcondesiretree.com

Vaishnava Calendars: 
ISKCON GBC Vaishnava Calendar Comitee, GCAL (Gaurabda Calendar, a program for calculation of the calendar for vaisnavas, according Gaudiya-Vaisnava tradition.)
krishnadays.com, 

These dates and timings are for Sri Mayapur Dhama. Find timings for your location at the Vaishnava Calendar links.

November 5, 2023 (Sunday)
Bahulastami

November 6, 2023 (Monday)
Sri Virabhadra — Appearance

November 9, 2023 (Thursday)
Fasting for Rama Ekadasi

November 10, 2023 (Friday)
Break fast 05:46 – 09:29 (Mayapur Local Time)

November 13, 2023 (Monday)
Dipa dana, Dipavali, (Kali Puja)

Address: ISKCON GBC Office
P.O. Sri Mayapur, Nadia, WB 741313, India

Email: office@iskconconnection.org

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