Isn't it strange how £10 seems like such a large amount when you donate it to temple, but such a small amountwhen you go shopping?
Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at temple, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?
Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?
Isn't it strange how difficultand boring it is to read one chapter of the Gita, but how easy it is to read 100 pages ofa popular novel?
Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in temple?
Isn't it strange how we need toknow about an event for temple 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?
Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?
Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Ramayana?
Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?
Think about it.....
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Transformational reading
Acquiring philosophical knowledge is a burden unless it brings about a tranformation of the heart i.e. transformational reading.
In this connection Srila Prabhupada said, "We should be as 'soft as a rose' and 'hard as a thunderbolt' and this will only be evident if we have deep internal spiritual strength, irrespective of how convincing our shallow external act is.
There is an intrinsic link between knowledge and purification, or the point when we have realised the knowledge through practical application.
Philosophical understanding comes about to the degree we have purified our heart (or consciousness) and not only by our material intelligence (or our ability to analyse the limited information available to us).
Our goal for 2006: Spiritual life is not just about how much more information we acquire, but rather how we as individuals can change and grow to be better servants of Krsna.
In this connection Srila Prabhupada said, "We should be as 'soft as a rose' and 'hard as a thunderbolt' and this will only be evident if we have deep internal spiritual strength, irrespective of how convincing our shallow external act is.
There is an intrinsic link between knowledge and purification, or the point when we have realised the knowledge through practical application.
Philosophical understanding comes about to the degree we have purified our heart (or consciousness) and not only by our material intelligence (or our ability to analyse the limited information available to us).
Our goal for 2006: Spiritual life is not just about how much more information we acquire, but rather how we as individuals can change and grow to be better servants of Krsna.
(Bhuta Bhavana prabhu - 21st Dec 2005 - House Program @ Dravit's in East London)
Dealing with Boredom in Study/Work
In performing our duties (studies/work) we are often feel bored, this is because:
a) we are seeing the material world for what it is i.e. it is just boring, once we see around the hype.
b) it is the nature of performing activities in the the mode of goodness i.e. bitter at first, sweet later.
In addition, we should also consider that:
1) if we enjoy things without Krsna now, then know that we will be equally miserable tomorrow.
2) only when we do things in regulated fashion can we see things as they are i.e. reality check, else we continue to buy into the illusion and it seems very exciting.
a) we are seeing the material world for what it is i.e. it is just boring, once we see around the hype.
b) it is the nature of performing activities in the the mode of goodness i.e. bitter at first, sweet later.
In addition, we should also consider that:
1) if we enjoy things without Krsna now, then know that we will be equally miserable tomorrow.
2) only when we do things in regulated fashion can we see things as they are i.e. reality check, else we continue to buy into the illusion and it seems very exciting.
(H.H. Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami - PS Retreat to Sweden - Summer 2002)
With love and trust, push ahead
Our Society is like one big family and our relationships should be based on
love and trust. We must give up the fighting spirit and use our intelligence
to push ahead.
love and trust. We must give up the fighting spirit and use our intelligence
to push ahead.
(Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Upendra - Aug. 6, 1970)
How to see Krsna quickly
"While located in the mayic world man must live peacefully with the object of cultivating the spirit. In his society he must lead a pure life, avoid sins and do as much good as he can to his brother man. He must be himself humble bearing difficulties of life with heroism, must not brag of any goodness or grandeur he has and must treat everyone with the respect due to him. Marriage with a view to peaceful and virtuous life and with a view to procreate servants of the lord is a good institution for a vaisnava.
Spiritual cultivation is the main object of life. Do everything that helps it and abstain from doing anything which thwarts the cultivation of the spirit. Have a strong faith that Krishna alone protects you and none else. Admit him as your only guardian. Do everything which you know Krishna wishes you to do and never think that you do a thing independent of the holy wish of Krishna. Do all that you do with humility.
Always remember that you are a sojourner in this world and you must be prepared for your own home. Do your duties and cultivate bhakti as a means to obtain the great end of life, krishna-priti. Employ your body, mind and spirit in the service of the deity. In all your actions, worship the great lord. Do these with your heart, mind and strength in the company of spiritual people alone, and you will see Krishna in no time."
Spiritual cultivation is the main object of life. Do everything that helps it and abstain from doing anything which thwarts the cultivation of the spirit. Have a strong faith that Krishna alone protects you and none else. Admit him as your only guardian. Do everything which you know Krishna wishes you to do and never think that you do a thing independent of the holy wish of Krishna. Do all that you do with humility.
Always remember that you are a sojourner in this world and you must be prepared for your own home. Do your duties and cultivate bhakti as a means to obtain the great end of life, krishna-priti. Employ your body, mind and spirit in the service of the deity. In all your actions, worship the great lord. Do these with your heart, mind and strength in the company of spiritual people alone, and you will see Krishna in no time."
(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, 1896)
Enthusiasm
Every great and commanding movement in the annals of the world is the triumph of enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it.
(Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th Century American author and poet)
Truth
All truth passes through three stages.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
(Arthur Schopenhauer)
Distractions in relationships
Study of the Srimad-Bhagavatam allows us to understand how to relate to each other as servants of Krishna. Else, we simply get distracted by envy, jealousy, pride, anger, etc.
It provides positive examples from all the varnas and all the asramas so that we learn to develop those qualities e.g. how to be a good son or daughter, mother or father, friend or partner and ultimately how to relate these relationships to Krishna.
(Source: H.H. Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami
Srimad Bhagavatam Overview, Bhaktivedanta Manor, July 2005)
Leadership
1. Unknown - Direction is more important than speed. We are so busy looking at our speedometers that we forget the milestone.
2. Albert Schweitzer - Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.
3. Jim Rohn - Leadership is the challenge to be more than average.
4. Nelson Mandela - Theres nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
5. John C Maxwell - A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way.
6. Samuel Smiles - Man cannot aspire if he looked down, if he rise, he must look up.
7. Henry Kissinger - Leaders must invoke an alchemy of great vision.
8. Jim Stovall - You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their success, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.
2. Albert Schweitzer - Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing.
3. Jim Rohn - Leadership is the challenge to be more than average.
4. Nelson Mandela - Theres nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
5. John C Maxwell - A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way.
6. Samuel Smiles - Man cannot aspire if he looked down, if he rise, he must look up.
7. Henry Kissinger - Leaders must invoke an alchemy of great vision.
8. Jim Stovall - You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their success, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.
A lack of Vaisnava care and community
In the history of the Hare Krishna Movement it is very, very rare that someone leaves the society because he finds a higher philosophy: there is no higher philosophy. Srila Prabhupada gave us the topmost, most complete philosophy and the most perfect and pure process to follow. Why then people leave this movement? Mostly because they feel not cared for by the Vaisnava society. They feel treated impersonally. They feel that their material and emotional needs are not being fulfilled and they discontinue the spiritual practices.
When devotees become dissatisfied, some of them leave the society to go into the world just to try to get a lot of money. Others go for some New Age so-called religious ideas, where people said: “You are very nice. You are very nice.” And the devotee thinks, “At least they say that I am nice.” Others go to some other branch of Vaisnavism because they feel: “At least these people will care about me.”
But if the devotees were properly cared for in the Hare Krishna Movement, practically no one would ever want to leave. And that is why Srila Prabhupada said that the second half of his mission was to establish the varnasrama-dharma society, to care for devotees throughout their entire lives, so that they can be happy in Krishna consciousness, serving according to their propensity.
When devotees become dissatisfied, some of them leave the society to go into the world just to try to get a lot of money. Others go for some New Age so-called religious ideas, where people said: “You are very nice. You are very nice.” And the devotee thinks, “At least they say that I am nice.” Others go to some other branch of Vaisnavism because they feel: “At least these people will care about me.”
But if the devotees were properly cared for in the Hare Krishna Movement, practically no one would ever want to leave. And that is why Srila Prabhupada said that the second half of his mission was to establish the varnasrama-dharma society, to care for devotees throughout their entire lives, so that they can be happy in Krishna consciousness, serving according to their propensity.
(Extract of Lecture on Spiritual Counsellor System by H.H. Radhanath Maharaj)
A mango tree in Vrindavana
nrtyan vayu-vighurnitaih sva-vitapair gayann alinam rutair
muncann asru maranda-bindubhir alam romanca-vanankuraih
makando 'pi mukunda murcchati tava smrtya nu vrndavane
bruhi prana-samana cetasi katham namapi nayati te
muncann asru maranda-bindubhir alam romanca-vanankuraih
makando 'pi mukunda murcchati tava smrtya nu vrndavane
bruhi prana-samana cetasi katham namapi nayati te
This mango tree in Vrindavana is now overwhelmed by remembering You. It dances, moving it's branches in the breeze. It sings in the form of these humming bees. It sheds tears in the form of these many drops of honey. It's hairs stand erect in ecstasy in the form of these new sprouts. O Mukunda, as dear to me as my own life, why is this tree so filled with love for You? Who am I, so hard-hearted that even Your name will not enter my heart?
(Sri Isvara Puri, quoted by Srila Rupa Goswami, Padyavali, Text 62)
Rememberance comes from chanting
If the sense of speech, which sets all the external and internal senses in motion, is brought under constant control, then the mind becomes stable and can properly engage in transcendental rememberance of the Lord. Rememberance thus develops as the fruit of chanting.
(Sri Brhad-bhagavatamrta 2.3.150 - Associates of Lord Vishnu)
Duty according to Sri Krsna
A person in the:
- Mode of ignorance gives up duty due to laziness.
- Mode of passion gives up duty when it becomes troublesome.
- Mode of goodness carries out his duty regardless, in order to become free from material bondage.
- Mode of transcendence has no duty, but spontaneously serves Krishna and all living entities as part and parcel of Krishna.
(Based on the Condensed Bhagavad-gita from Back to Godhead Magazine)
Waves of providence...
One day you are on top, one day you are down. It is not on the basis of your free choice, it is just simply on a question of your karma, question of your providence, question of the transient conditional of the three modes of material nature. So why we think that is a great accomplishment to achieve anything in a world where anything can be taken away any moment, anything can be rehearsed at any second. Therefore Srimad Bhagvatam says that unless we are progressing in the path of Krishna developing a taste for hearing and chanting His glories then we are wasting our time.
(H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj)
True surrender means enthusiasm and patience
But if we are simply patient and we are not enthusiastic then we are simply lazy. Spiritual life is not for lazy persons. In India, people, the laziest people; think that this is the best occupation, to become a sadhu. All you have to do is lay around in the temples all day, beg for some chapattis, let people touch your feet and say "God's blessings are on you' and that's all you do. We have seen many such persons.
But actually spiritual life is defined in the Gita, Krishna is impelling Arjuna, not to be lazy, but give all of his energy to fight for the sake of Krishna. And this is a real saintly person. He is willing to give all of his life's energies, exhaust everything he has, for the betterment of mankind in the service of God. That is a saint. Not someone who lays, and sleeps and eats some chapattis.
So we have to be patient, but at the same time we have to work very hard with great enthusiasm in the service of the Lord. And if we are very enthusiastic and patience, which is based on faith in the word of God, faith in the mercy of God then the combination of those two is surrender.
But actually spiritual life is defined in the Gita, Krishna is impelling Arjuna, not to be lazy, but give all of his energy to fight for the sake of Krishna. And this is a real saintly person. He is willing to give all of his life's energies, exhaust everything he has, for the betterment of mankind in the service of God. That is a saint. Not someone who lays, and sleeps and eats some chapattis.
So we have to be patient, but at the same time we have to work very hard with great enthusiasm in the service of the Lord. And if we are very enthusiastic and patience, which is based on faith in the word of God, faith in the mercy of God then the combination of those two is surrender.
(H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj)
Krsna wants the sweetnes of humility...
Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Sanatana Goswami it is humility alone that pleases Krsna. Krsna does not care how much money you give Him, Krsna does not care how many beautiful offerings you give Him, Krsna does not care how artistically you dress Him, He does not care how profoundly you can speak His philosophy, He does not care how many delicious preparation you can make for Him in your kitchen, He cares for the humility with which it is being offered because it is this humility that gives flavor and pleasure to the service we are rendering.
(H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj)
Perseverance
* The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the promptings of a brave, determined spirit.
(Mark Twain)
* Sure I am of this, that you have only to endure to conquer. You have only to persevere to save yourselves.
(Winston Churchill)
* Great changes may not happen right away, but with effort even the difficult may become easy.
(Bill Blackman)
Its raining, its pouring...
The living entities suffer, being burnt by the scorching effect of material desires.
Krsna, however, is like a beautiful, dark cloud that showers down cool, refreshing rains of mercy on the spiritual aspirant.
Krsna, however, is like a beautiful, dark cloud that showers down cool, refreshing rains of mercy on the spiritual aspirant.
Source and inspiration: H.H. Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami & H.H. Romapada Swami
Monday, February 06, 2006
Householders should maintain and make spiritual inquiries from renunciants
Even the poorest of the householders keep at least ten cows, each delivering twelve to twenty quarts of milk, and therefore no one hesitates to spare a few pounds of milk for the mendicants. It is the duty of householders to maintain the saints and sages, like the children.
The householders also should be intelligent enough to get some transcendental information from visiting sages. The householder should not foolishly ask a saint to deliver what is available in the market. That should be the reciprocal relation between the saints and the householders.
The householders also should be intelligent enough to get some transcendental information from visiting sages. The householder should not foolishly ask a saint to deliver what is available in the market. That should be the reciprocal relation between the saints and the householders.
(SB 1.19.39 - Purport)
Milk, the miracle food of life
Saints and sages in the renounced order of life go to the houses of the householders at the time they milk the cows, early in the morning, and ask some quantity of milk for subsistence. A pound of milk fresh from the milk bag of a cow is sufficient to feed an adult with all vitamin values, and therefore saints and sages live only on milk.
(SB 1.19.39 - Purport)
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