Buddhiyogi

Contagious association

2009-10-19T18:15:00.001+01:00

Did you know?

2009-10-17T06:56:00.002+01:00

Rethink modern education

2009-10-08T20:11:00.001+01:00

Everything is OK.

2009-10-04T09:29:00.002+01:00

Albert Einstein, Do scientists pray?

2009-10-01T15:50:00.004+01:00

Dear Phyllis,

I have tried to respond to your question as simply as I could. Here is my answer

Scientific research is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of nature, and therefore this holds for the actions of people.

For this reason, a research scientist will hardly be inclined to believe that events could be influenced by a prayer, i.e., by a wish addressed to a supernatural being.

However, it must be admitted that our actual knowledge of thee laws is only imperfect and fragmentary, so that, actually, the belief in the existence of basic all-embracing laws in Nature also rests on a sort of faith.

All the same this faith has been largely justified so far by the success of scientific research.

But, on the other hand, everyone one who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe – a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble. In this way the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of a special sort, which is indeed quite different from the religiosity of someone more naïve.

I hope this answers your question.

Best wishes,
Albert Einstein

Does God exist?

2009-09-29T11:18:00.003+01:00

Degraded governments

2009-09-16T10:58:00.003+01:00

In the present day also, people all over the world may join together in the Krishna consciousness movement and protest against the present degraded governments of the world’s godless societies, which are based on all kinds of sinful activities. Srimad-Bhagavatam states that in the Age of Kali, thieves, rogues and fourth-class people who have neither education nor culture capture the seats of governments to exploit the citizens. This is a symptom of Kali-yuga that has already appeared. People cannot feel secure about their lives and property, yet the so-called governments continue, and government ministers get fat salaries, although they are unable to do anything good for society. The only remedy for such conditions is to enhance the sankirtana movement under the banner of Krishna consciousness and protest against the sinful activities of all the world’s governments.
The Krishna consciousness movement is not a sentimental religious movement; it is a movement for the reformation of all the anomalies of human society. If people take to it seriously, discharging this duty scientifically, as ordered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the world will see peace and prosperity instead of being confused and hopeless under useless governments. There are always rogues and thieves in human society, and as soon as a weak government is unable to execute its duties, these rogues and thieves come out to do their business. Thus the entire society becomes a hell unfit for gentlemen to live in. There is an immediate need for a good government—a government by the people, with Krishna consciousness. Unless the masses of people become Krishna conscious, they cannot be good men. The Krishna consciousness movement that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu started by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra still has its potency. Therefore people should understand it seriously and scientifically and spread it all over the world.

Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 17.141 (Click)

The soul's Soul

2009-09-04T20:10:00.008+01:00

Consciousness exists not as a one-dimensional point, a two-dimensional line, or a three-dimensional solid. It is four-dimensional. Each of its dimensions are successively more profound experiences of itself. From waking to dreaming to the experience of deep sleep and beyond, the experience of the self deepens.

We all have experience of the waking and dreaming dimensions of consciousness. In these realms, the soul experiences the physical and psychic reality, yet its asleep to itself. In deep dreamless sleep, when the physical and psychic dimensions close down, we continue to experience. Upon awakening, we remember that we slept well. One can only remember that which one has experience of. We may remember things we never experienced, such as a golden mountain, but not without having experienced both gold and a mountain. Remembering the peaceful experience in dreamless sleep amounts to a vague yet definite experience of the soul, an existence independent of thought and objects of thought.

Thought has a ground from which it springs. Thought and its object are experienced as distinct from one another, yet one has no meaning without the other. From this we can conjecture as to the existence of a realm from which they both arise and in which they cease to be distinct (nonduality). Thought itself is outside of the self, as is (and even more so) the objective world. Where thought meets object and the subsequent judgment causes us to “know,” we may know everything but our own selves and our source. As we see from the example of our witnessing the existence of ourselves in deep sleep, consciousness itself, uninhibited by body and mind, is the ground from which thoughts, and subsequently objects, spring up producing the world of duality. In deep sleep we go beyond the psychic and physical dimensions of consciousness, and it is peaceful, but we cannot stay in this reality, nor can we appreciate this reality in full awareness. Nonetheless it leads us to know of the dimension of pure consciousness. It is more than a moral postulate as was conjectured by Kant. This dimension of pure consciousness is an ontological reality for the Vedantin: the ground of being. It is a dimension we can reach after thorough exercise of the mind leads us to realize both the mental and physical world’s futility.

Going beyond the body, we realize the power of mind, and going beyond the power of thought, we realize the self. Reaching the limits of reasoning, we are pointed in the direction of ourselves. We can only reach that self by not only ceasing to exercise the body in terms of its demands, but ceasing to think as well. What the Vedantin suggests is not irrational, rather it picks up where reasoning leaves off. It is beckoning us to experience the realm of the soul proper, rather than merely to think about it.

Yet how shall we, and why sould we, attempt to go beyond the third dimension, having found the self? What in our experience in the waking dimension of consciousness would lead us to believe that there exists a dimension of consciousness that is beyond ourselves? We all exist and in a sense we exist unto ourselves, as units of nondual consciousness. In this we are one, yet we cannot deny that we are not entirely the same either, for although we are one in that we are consciousness and possess will, we do not all will the same thing. If there is anything we do all seek, however, it is communion with one another, and that not at the cost of ourselves.

This communion involves acknowledging each other’s common need. Furthermore, it involves understanding that this need will be realized only by acknowledging something greater than ourselves. We come together around a common cause that transcends our selfish needs. Living together requires that we give ourselves, and this giving of the self reaches its zenith in love. Mysteriously, we find that in giving up ourselves, we ourselves are nourished. This experience of the waking state should lead us to conclude that there is a dimension of experience, of consciousness, in which upon giving up ourselves, we get something geater. That greater experience is the unifying factor of existence. If this is so, we must look for it in the land of the self, beyond objects and thoughts. From the third dimension of consciousness we must go to the fourth; after finding ourselves we must enter the domain of self-forgetfulness.

The fourth dimension is the ground of our existence. For the Vedantin it is perceived variously, either as undifferentiated consciousness or a relationship with the divine. Regarding the latter, Sri Caitanya’s Gaudiya Vedantins conclude that love is greater than ourselves, and it is the greatest aspect of God, one that he himself is motivated by. For them, the nondual consciousness of Vedanta philosophy is realized when we know that we do not belong to ourselves, what to speak of anything belonging to us. If there is any time at which we can accurately say that something belongs to us, it is when, having given ouselves in love to God, we can say that “he is ours.”

If God realization is the fourth dimension of consciousness, the Gaudiya Vedantin’s idea of love of God—in which God becomes ours—is revolutionary. The Gaudiya Vedantins want to take us beyond even this fourth dimension. If we resign our souls to becoming God’s own, he takes the role of our maintainer. However, if he is ours, he is then subordinated to our love such that his Godhood is suppressed by that love. This is the Krishna conception of Godhead, one in which God appears not as God, nor finite souls as finite souls. Both interrelate intimately as lover and beloved, Krishna and his gopis, beyond any sense of each other’s ontological reality, yet beyond the material illusion as well. This dimension of love of Godhead is thus justifiably termed by the Gaudiya Vaishnavas as the fifth dimension, turya-titah, the dimension of the soul’s Soul.

By Swami B.V. Tripurari, www.harmonist.us

Mental mushrooms

2009-08-31T15:23:00.010+01:00

....but the fire of Krishna consciousness is there, and that fire is not to be quenched.
It is a spark of eternal truth. So, the fire will continue, and the day will come when the enemies that are surrounding us will have to retire once and for all. One day we will find that Krishna has gradually captured our whole heart, and the others have retired forever; they are no longer present to trouble us in our mental circle. We will find that those unwanted things were like mushrooms: they came out from our mental soil, and now they have all gone and died. They have all gone away, and Krishna alone is in the heart. At that time, the heart is only full of Krishna, full of the Krishna conception.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura once instructed a disciple at the time of initiation into the Hare Krishna mantra that Krishna should be allowed to land in our hearts, just as an army is landed by the navy. An army is carried by a ship, and when they have landed, the fight begins, and they capture the country, just as Julius Caesar said, "Veni vidi vici, I came, I saw, I conquered." So, we have to allow Krishna to land in our hearts. Then the fight will begin. What is the proposal of Krishna consciousness, and what is the proposal of so many other conceptions? They are all giving us their assurances from time immemorial, saying, "I shall give you this, I shall give you that," but the Krishna conception will enter and say, "My claim is this: the whole thing is Mine, and you are all trespassers." The fight will begin; the unwanted things are sure to
withdraw, and Krishna consciousness will capture the whole heart. This is the process. Krishna consciousness has only to land within our hearts. Somehow or other, from a pure devotee, a bit of real Krishna consciousness should enter through our ears into our hearts, and Krishna will supply whatever is required. One who has imbibed even a slight regard for Krishna consciousness is assured of success in spiritual life, today or tomorrow.

We may have erected high walls on all sides to protect ourselves so that Krsna consciousness may not enter, but Krsna is a thief, and a thief requires no invitation. No preparation is necessary for His welcome. He will enter for His own interest, and that is our consolation. Our solace is that Krsna is a thief. Maya has erected her high walls on all sides, but nothing is sufficient to stop Krsna consciousness. Krsna is a thief, and stealthily He will enter one day.

Krsna will conquer. Krsna will capture the whole thing. The unwanted lusty desires of our hearts are foreign things. They are only mushrooms. Like mushrooms, they come out; they have no permanent stability or root. They are not rooted to the soil. We may think that what we have stored in our hearts is very near and dear, and that is already mixed with us as a part of our existence, but when Krsna consciousness enters, they will all float like mushrooms. After all, they are mushrooms; they have no footing, no connection with the soil. They are only floating. All material interests are only floating on the surface. They are not deeply rooted within and without the whole of our existence. Only Krsna consciousness has its existence everywhere, within all parts of our existence. So, the mushrooms will have to vanish one day.

Srila B.R.Sridhara Swami

Distribute knowledge

2009-07-31T09:32:00.002+01:00

Knowledge is meant for distribution. Although there is already much scientific knowledge, whenever scientists or philosophers awaken to a particular type of knowledge, they try to distribute it throughout the world, for otherwise the knowledge gradually dries up and no one benefits from it. India has the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, but unfortunately, for some reason or other, this sublime knowledge of the science of God was not distributed throughout the world, although it is meant for all of human society. Therefore Krishna Himself appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and ordered all Indians to take up the cause of distributing the knowledge of
Bhagavad-gita throughout the entire world.

yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa
amara ajnaya guru hana tara’ ei desa

“Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krishna as they are given in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.” (Cc. Madhya 7.128)

Although India has the sublime knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, Indians have not done their proper duty of distributing it. Now, therefore, the Krishna consciousness movement has been set up to distribute this knowledge as it is, without distortion. Although previously there were attempts to distribute the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita, these attempts involved distortion and compromise with mundane knowledge. But now the Krishna consciousness movement, without mundane compromises, is distributing Bhagavad-gita as it is, and people are deriving the benefits of awakening to Krsna consciousness and becoming devotees of Lord Krishna. Therefore the proper distribution of knowledge has begun by which not only will the whole world benefit, but India’s glory will be magnified in human society. Kamsa tried to arrest Krsna consciousness within his house, with the result that Kamsa, with all his opulences, was later vanquished.
Similarly, the real knowledge of Bhagavad-gita was being choked by unscrupulous Indian leaders, with the result that India’s culture, and knowledge of the Supreme were being lost. Now, however, because Krishna consciousness is spreading, the proper use of Bhagavad-gita is being attempted.

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.20

Truth-seek and ye shall find

2009-07-13T14:02:00.003+01:00

The Bhagavata teaches us that God gives us truth as He gave it to Vyasa: when we earnestly seek for it. Truth is eternal and unexhausted. The soul receives a revelation when it is anxious for it. The souls of the great thinkers of the bygone ages, who now live spiritually, often approach our inquiring spirit and assist it in its development. Thus Vyasa was assisted by Narada and Brahma. Our Shastras, or in other words, books of thought, do not contain all that we could get from the infinite Father.

No book is without its errors. God's revelation is absolute truth, but it is scarcely received and preserved in its natural purity. We have been advised in the 14th Chapter of 11th Skandha of the Bhagavata to believe that truth when revealed is absolute, but it gets the tincture of the nature of the receiver in course of time and is converted into error by continual exchange of hands from age to age. New revelations, therefore, are continually necessary in order to keep truth in its original purity. We are thus warned to be careful in our studies of old authors, however wise they are reputed to be.

Here we have full liberty to reject the wrong idea, which is not sanctioned by the peace of conscience. Vyasa was not satisfied with what he collected in the Vedas, arranged in the Puranas and composed in the Mahabharata. The peace of his conscience did not sanction his labors. It told him from within, "No, Vyasa! You cannot rest contented with the erroneous picture of truth which was necessarily presented to you by the sages of bygone days. You must yourself knock at the door of the inexhaustible store of truth from which the former ages drew their wealth. Go, go up to the fountainhead of truth, where no pilgrim meets with disappointment of any kind." Vyasa did it and obtained what he wanted. We have been all advised to do so.

Liberty then is the principle which we must consider as the most valuable gift of God. We must not allow ourselves to be led by those who lived and thought before us. We must think for ourselves and try to get further truths which are still undiscovered. In the Bhagavata we have been advised to take the spirit of the Shastras and not the words. The Bhagavata is therefore a religion of liberty, unmixed truth and absolute love.

- Bhaktivinoda Thakur, The Bhagavata (click to download)

Knowledge

2009-07-09T18:01:00.002+01:00

Knowledge is like the sun, while all scriptures are only its rays. No single scripture could possibly contain all knowledge. The personal realizations (svatah siddha-jnana) of the jivas are the basis of all scripture. These realizations should be recognized as the gifts of God Himself. The perceptive Rishis obtained this self-evident knowledge directly from the Supreme Brahman and wrote it down for the benefit of other jivas. A fractional portion of this knowledge has taken form as the Veda.

A conditioned soul is advised to study the Veda with the help of all these explanations. But even with the help of these explanations, he should still examine them in the light of his own self-evident knowledge (or personal realizations), because the authors of these explanatory literatures and commentaries are not always clear in their meaning. In some cases, commentators have confessed to having doubts about their own understanding. Therefore the Katha Upanishad (2.5) says:

avidyayam antare vartmanah
svayam dhirah panditam manyamanah
dandramyamanah pariyanti mudhah
andhenaiva niyamana yathandhah

"Abiding in the midst of ignorance, thinking themselves wise and learned, fools go aimlessly hither and thither, like blind led by the blind."

Therefore, it is necessary to cultivate knowledge in the light of one's own personal realizations. This is the rule governing scriptural study. Since knowledge born of personal realization is the root of all the scriptures, how can we expect to gain benefit by ignoring it and depending exclusively on the scriptures, which are the branches growing out of it?

- Bhaktivinoda Thakur, The Bhagavata

Govindam adi purusam

2009-07-07T16:30:00.001+01:00

Prayers of Lord Brahma- Brahma samhita (click)

Progressive thought

2009-07-01T16:00:00.008+01:00

Thought is progressive. The author's thought must have progress in the reader in the shape of correction or development. He is the best critic, who can show the further development of an old thought; but a mere denouncer is the enemy of progress and consequently of Nature. "Begin anew," says the critic, "because the old masonry does not answer at present. Let the old author be buried because his time is gone." These are shallow expressions. Progress certainly is the law of nature and there must be corrections and developments with the progress of time. But progress means going further or rising higher.

Now, if we are to follow our foolish critic, we are to go back to our former terminus and make a new race, and when we have run half the race another critic of his stamp will cry out: "Begin anew, because the wrong road has been taken!" In this way our stupid critics will never allow us to go over the whole road and see what is in the other terminus. Thus the shallow critic and the fruitless reader are the two greatest enemies of progress. We must shun them.

The true critic, on the other hand, advises us to preserve what we have already obtained, and to adjust our race from that point where we have arrived in the heat of our progress. He will never advise us to go back to the point whence we started, as he fully knows that in that case there will be a fruitless loss of our valuable time and labor. He will direct the adjustment of the angle of the race at the point where we are. This is also the characteristic of the useful student. He will read an old author and will find out his exact position in the progress of thought. He will never propose to burn the book on the ground that it contains thoughts which are useless.

No thought is useless. Thoughts are means by which we attain our objects. The reader who denounces a bad thought does not know that a bad road is even capable of improvement and conversion into a good one. One thought is a road leading to another. Thus the reader will find that one thought which is the object today will be the means of a further object tomorrow. Thoughts will necessarily continue to be an endless series of means and objects in the, progress of humanity.

- Bhaktivinoda Thakur, The Bhagavata (here)

-Biography (here)

Cunning duplicity

2009-06-29T19:20:00.000+01:00

Whilst relaxing in a nearby park the other day I observed a heron bird motionlessly poised in the shallows of a lake. As he effortlessly balanced on one leg like a great yogi, he seemed completely absorbed in silent meditation, aloof to the passers by and pigeons battling for scraps of bread. Seeking to become disinterested with the temporary thrills of this world and instead focusing on deeper more substantial spiritual experiences are the goals of those sincerely practicing yoga. At first one may have been misled into believing the herons show of control and sensory withdrawl were signs of advancement or yogic powers, but studied a little closer he will understand the mind of the bird. Although appearing detached and indifferent to the world, the heron is actually deeply meditating on his next catch by which he will enjoy and satisfy his taste for fish.

Unfortunately today we find many herod-like personalities dressed as yogis, priests, monks and many more. Whilst poising as spiritual leaders, renunciants, meditators or gurus, certain people are to found who, within, are a very different person from what their masquerade hides. Once, while traveling by train, I sat across table from a female religious leader dressed in full attire. As the journey commenced she smiled at her friend and produced a bottle of French wine, Bordeaux of course. Upon opening and smelling the cork they agreed that it would be a delightful travel. I reflected on the teachings of Bhagavad Gita, proclaiming that a leader must lead by exemplary behavior (click). As a great person acts, common men will follow. Considering the problems with alcohol in society, I felt sorry for the lack of responsibility from such a "spiritual leader". Many claim to be self controlled, yet within they contemplate sexual affairs, or they proudly meditate for 30 minutes a day, but then perform all nonsense for the remainder. This is the heron syndrome (click). Of course not all are cheaters, but one should learn to recognize the characteristics of one who is truly pure in motive.

In a Sanskrit dictionary I looked up a word baka; a hypocrite , cheat , rogue , the crane/heron being regarded as a bird of great cunning and deceit.

In the great histories of ancient India there is an account of Krishna, the supreme personality of godhead, and how he deals which such cheaters. Krishna appears at certain intervals in order to bring relief to pure personalities dedicated to his loving service, as well as to remove any unwanted burden from society. As his pastimes progress he seemingly grows like an ordinary child yet never ages beyond a fresh youth of 16 year appearance. When Krishna spoke the powerful philosophy of Bhagavad Gita (click), he was 125 years old, yet was moving with the grace of a youth, without the aid of a cane of walking frame.

So, one morning as Krishna was playing in the forest with his friends and their calves, they approached the river Yamuna. There they came across a terrifying sight, a huge heron like bird pounding its way towards them. This was Bakasura, a powerful yogi friend of the tyrannical ruler Kamsa. Bakasura, who by his yogic power, had assumed the form of a gigantic heron, represents this cunning duplicity or hypocrisy. He came there with the intention to kill Krishna and all his friends, just as he had killed countless other innocent victims. He was so large that he appeared like a mountain and with his sharp beak he tried to pierce the butter soft body of Krishna. Within a flash he gobbled up Krishna and swallowed him whole, much to the despair of Krishna's friends. Yet, because Krishna is the source of all spiritual energy, he felt like a burning fire within the throat of the demoniac child killer. Both the sun and fire have potential to severely burn, and they are just reflections of the potency of Krishna. Immediately Bakasura coughed out beautiful Krishna, who took hold of his beak in both hands and effortlessly bifurcated the monster, killing him instantly. For Krishna, God, his killing is as good and beneficial as his saving someone, so Bakasura was released from his sinful reactions and liberated.

Looking inwards we may well find that we also possess some of this hypocritical tendency. How often do we perform our activities, our prayers, meditations and hope that someone is becoming impressed by our show? Purity entails giving up all selfish motivations and offering everything to Krishna, complete self-giving. We are so fortunate that we can relish such activities of Krishna so that all heron-like impurities will be purged from our hearts and pure spiritual existence will once again be our natural position.

These pastimes and many more can be downloaded here, this pastime is within Krsna book.

Dream state

2009-06-25T16:12:00.000+01:00

Whilst laying asleep at night, we may be transported to magical kingdoms or experience situations possibly completely different from our waking state. We may be chased by a tiger and fear for our life or we may be convinced that we are able to fly in the sky like an eagle. Yet, upon awakening we soon realize that our day to day life is quite different. We may not be the king and fortunately there is no tiger. Yet, dreams can be so powerful that they may completely govern the life of the dreamer.

A dream is often a reflection of what we have experienced whilst awake. For example if a man is a cloth merchant by profession, spending his days absorbed in business, then at night he may dream of such transactions, quoting prices as he talks in his sleep. The dream is a subtle reflection of the waking state, meaning it is confined to our subtle existence of mind, intelligence and false ego, themselves having no tangible physical dimensions.

The physical world around us, our bodies and our possessions are all made up from the denser, grosser aspect of material energy. Therefore, it is described that as well as the subtle body we possess a gross(bulky) body, comprised of earth, water, fire, air and ether. This is our physical frame.

Ancient teachings tell us that just as we have subtle dreams at night reflecting our day, similarly our day to day life is also a dream reflecting our pure spiritual existence. Beyond the subtle and gross bodies, we are the pure consciousness, or soul, which enlivens these bodies. As our night dream has no reality because it is temporary and illusory, our "daydream" is also temporary and based on the illusory misconception that we are these non-permanent bodies and that all connected to these bodies are ours. The "daydream" is just as fleeting as the night dream. One may last for a few hours whereas the other for several years, but they are both dream states for our actual spiritual identity. (click)

We are in this reflection of reality because we wanted to take the position of Krishna, God, as being the controller and enjoyer, forgetting our true nature as loving servants. A child may cry to his mother to give him the moon, yet will be satisfied when she gives him a mirror so that he may enjoy the reflection of the moon therein. We are like that crying child that have been given the reflection of reality to enjoy, and a dull perverted reflection at that. A reflection cannot be truly satisfying, as one cannot be satisfied with only a reflection of food. There is no real taste, nourishment or relief from hunger with the reflection, only the true substance can fulfill. If you throw a bone to a dog, he will run after it, but if you throw a bone to a lion, he will turn to see where from the bone has come. He is looking for the substance. We should not be like dogs chasing after the bone-like reflection of our real identity and spiritually substantial life.

When we are dreaming at night we may be influenced by an external sound. For example, whilst we sleep there may be a certain music playing within the room or a brass band passing outside which may force its way inside our dream and convince us the band is there in our dream world. The alarm may ring for some time, whilst within the dream we are wondering from where the noise is coming. If we focus on this new sound then it most likely will pull our consciousness out to its waking state.

So the same science is there for awakening our dormant spiritual consciousness. Dormant means sleeping. We are sleeping in the illusion of this material world, therefore the all merciful Krishna has descended in the form of his sweet holy name to reawaken us and transport us to the highest realms of pure love (click). Golokera prema dhana, hari nama sankirtan. The treasure of pure love has descended in the form of the congregational chanting of the names of Krishna. If we sincerely take to this chanting then these names will influence us now and fully awaken us, just like the brass band in the dream. And just like the band originating from outside the dreamstate, the sweet all powerful names of Krishna are not manifestations of this world but a pure gift from our real home. We can factually realize our spiritual identities now and engage in the highest service of love even whilst still within this material realm. We will awaken from our illusory slumber in ignorance. It is for this reason that merciful persons take this chanting out to the innocent who are unaware of the reality beyond their daydream. However, there will always be those who do not want to awaken, preferring to snooze for an endless span of lifetimes.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

“‘The holy name of Krishna is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krishna Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Krishna’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Krishna Himself. Since Krishna’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with maya. Krishna’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are identical.’

"O King, unless one is influenced by the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no meaning to the relationship of the pure soul in pure consciousness with the material body. That relationship is just like a dreamer's seeing his own body working."
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.9.1 (here)

Fire Sermon

2009-06-23T18:00:00.005+01:00

Lord Buddha paints a vivid picture of the situation of our material sensual existence:

”The ear is on fire; sounds are on fire; the tongue is on fire; tastes are on fire; the body is on fire; things tangible are on fire; the mind is on fire; ideas are on fire; mind-consciousness is on fire; impressions received by the mind are on fire; and whatever sensation, pleasant, unpleasant, or indifferent, originates in dependence on impressions received by the mind, that also is on fire.

And with what are these on fire?

With the fire of passion, say I, with the fire of hatred, with the fire of infatuation; with birth, old age, death, sorrow, lamentation, misery, grief and despair are they on fire.”

For further points (click)

Everything from cows is beneficial

2009-06-20T18:45:00.001+01:00

Seems like we can benefit alot more when we don't slaughter cows but instead protect them and utilize all their amazing gifts. Even the urine is known to possess antiseptic properties and in Ayurvedic medicine is a powerful ingredient. Drinking cow urine completely rejuvenated my liver after having malaria four times.

Fearless Yoga

2009-06-17T15:56:00.009+01:00

jnana-vairagya-yuktena
bhakti-yogena yoginau
ksemaya pada-mulam me
pravisanty akuto-bhayam

The yogis, equipped with transcendental knowledge and renunciation and engaged in devotional service for their eternal benefit, take shelter of My lotus feet, and since I am the Lord, they are thus eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead without fear.

One who actually wants to be liberated from the entanglement of this material world and go back home, back to Godhead, is actually a mystic yogi. The words explicitly used here are yuktena bhakti-yogena. Those yogis, or mystics, who engage in devotional service are the first-class yogis. The first-class yogis, as described in Bhagavad Gita, are those who are constantly thinking of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna (link). These yogis are not without knowledge and renunciation. To become a bhakti-yogi means to automatically attain knowledge and renunciation. That is the consequent result of bhakti-yoga. In the Bhagavatam, First Canto, Second Chapter (link), it is also confirmed that one who engages in the devotional service of Vasudeva, Krishna, has complete transcendental knowledge and renunciation, and there is no explanation for these attainments. Ahaituki—without reason, they come. Even if a person is completely illiterate, the transcendental knowledge of the scriptures is revealed unto him simply because of his engagement in devotional service. That is also stated in the Vedic literature. To anyone who has full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the spiritual master, all the import of the Vedic literatures is revealed. He does not have to seek separately; the yogis who engage in devotional service are full in knowledge and renunciation. If there is a lack of knowledge and renunciation, it is to be understood that one is not in full devotional service. The conclusion is that one cannot be sure of entrance into the spiritual realm—in either the impersonal brahmajyoti effulgence of the Lord or the Vaikuntha planets within that Brahman effulgence—unless he is surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. The surrendered souls are called akuto-bhaya. They are doubtless and fearless, and their entrance into the spiritual kingdom is guaranteed.

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.43 (link)

Love and Reason

2009-06-15T14:55:00.000+01:00

We do not mean to say that Reason is a foolish principle. On the contrary we do not find better admirers of Reason than our humble selves. We hold that man's superiority amongst all created beings consists in man's possessing the noble gift of Reason.

What we maintain is this, that independent of this noble principle there is another higher gift in man which goes by the name of Love. Reason helps Love to maintain its proper bounds in the Spiritual world. Love often tends to degrade itself by exercising its function on objects other then God and converts itself into lust for women, wine, meat and gold. Here Reason advises her to rise higher till she reaches her proper sphere above.

Thus we find that the object of Reason is to help Love and not to create it. Reason may be properly styled as the servant of Love and must always be subject to her in all her hopes, aspirations, and holy works.

The Rationalist on the contrary considers Reason as all and all! This is a degradation of humanity! The progressive Rationalist, on the other hand, believes in the principle of love, but attempts to make her the maid-servant of Reason! This is another error! He makes spiritual love sometimes a prisoner in the jails of Reason! Love wants to soar on her spiritual wings to a realm where the Jailer (Reason) cannot go and the latter is sure to tie up her wings for fear lest she goes to an unworthy place!

Love utters sounds of a spiritual character peculiar to herself, but Reason, having no pervious experience of it, mistakes it for a disease and administers medicine for her cure!! Thus it is that the natural strength of the Queen of our Soul is crippled by artificial administration of the dry principle of Reason and she rests in us as if a bird taken in a cage! Oh! What a havoc doth Reason commit by abuse of his power. Oh! Shame to the Rationalist! God help the man!!

Theist take care of those amongst you who mix with you only by assuming the name of Theist but are in fact Rationalists of a very dry character. They are divisible into two classes vis. the designing and the dupes. The designing Theist is he who is in fact a Rationalist but by assuming the name of Theist wants to degrade the sincere by his bad influence. He that calls himself a Theist in order to get rid of the name of Rationalist but still holds Love in subjection to Reason is a dupe because he is unable to find out his own position. The sincere Theist should however take care of both of them and preserve the sovereignty of Love over Reason and his comrades.

Ghengis Khan and his hawk

2009-06-12T15:36:00.002+01:00

One morning Genghis Khan, the great king and warrior, rode out into the woods to have a day's sport. Many of his friends were with him. They rode out gayly, carrying their bows and arrows. Behind them came the servants with the hounds.

It was a merry hunting party. The woods rang with their shouts and laughter. They expected to carry much game home in the evening.

On the king's wrist sat his favorite hawk, for in those days hawks were trained to hunt. At a word from their masters they would fly high up into the air, and look around for prey. If they chanced to see a deer or a rabbit, they would swoop down upon it swift as any arrow.

All day long Genghis Khan and his huntsmen rode through the woods. But they did not find as much game as they expected.

Toward evening they started for home. The king had often ridden through the woods, and he knew all the paths. So while the rest of the party took the nearest way, he went by a longer road through a valley between two mountains.

The day had been warm, and the king was very thirsty. His pet hawk left his wrist and flown away. It would be sure to find its way home.

The king rode slowly along. He had once seen a spring of clear water near this pathway. If he could only find it now! But the hot days of summer had dried up all the mountain brooks.

At last, to his joy, he saw some water trickling down over the edge of a rock. He knew that there was a spring farther up. In the wet season, a swift stream of water always poured down here; but now it came only one drop at a time.

The king leaped from his horse. He took a little silver cup from his hunting bag. He held it so as to catch the slowly falling drops.

It took a long time to fill the cup; and the king was so thirsty that he could hardly wait. At last it was nearly full. He put the cup to his lips, and was about to drink.

All at once there was a whirring sound in the air, and the cup was knocked from his hands. The water was all spilled upon the ground.

The king looked up to see who had done this thing. It was his pet hawk.

The hawk flew back and forth a few times, and then alighted among the rocks by the spring.

The king picked up the cup, and again held it to catch the trickling drops.

This time he did not wait so long. When the cup was half full, he lifted it toward his mouth. But before it had touched his lips, the hawk swooped down again, and knocked it from his hands.

And now the king began to grow angry. He tried again, and for the third time the hawk kept him from drinking.

The king was now very angry indeed.

"How do you dare to act so?" he cried. "If I had you in my hands, I would wring your neck!"

Then he filled his cup again. But before he tried to drink, he drew his sword.

"Now, Sir Hawk," he said, "that is the last time."

He had hardly spoken before the hawk swooped down and knocked the cup from his hand. But the king was looking for this. With a quick sweep of the sword he struck the bird as it passed.

The next moment the poor hawk lay bleeding and dying at its master's feet.

"That is what you get for your pains," said Genghis Khan. But when he looked for his cup, he found that it had fallen between two rocks, where he could not reach it.

"At any rate, I will have a drink from that spring," he said to himself.

With that he began to climb the steep bank to the place from which the water trickled. It was hard work, and the higher he climbed, the thirstier he became.

At last he reached the place. There indeed was a pool of water; but what was that lying in the pool, and almost filling it? It was a huge, dead snake of the most poisonous kind.

The king stopped. He forgot his thirst. He thought only of the poor dead bird lying on the ground below him.

"The hawk saved my life!" he cried, "and how did I repay him? He was my best friend, and I have killed him." He clambered down the bank. He took the bird up gently, and laid it in his hunting bag. Then he mounted his horse and rode swiftly home. He said to himself,

"I have learned a sad lesson today, and that is, never to do anything in anger."

Your Ever Well Wisher- Part 1

2009-06-10T12:52:00.000+01:00

What is real happiness? Part 2

2009-06-08T18:18:00.000+01:00

Previously we mentioned that true lasting happiness cannot be found within the limits of our temporary material activities. Although one may be convinced that an oasis exists in the desert, as he runs madly after it desperate for relief, the oasis always remains unobtainable, for it is only an hallucinatory mirage. Similarly, seeking real happiness through material means will always prove baffling and inaccessible, yet true happiness does exist just as water also does, one only has to know where to find it.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, as the eternal soul, we have a natural prerogative for eternal, ever-increasing happiness. The soul is a spiritual element characterized by being eternal, fully cognizant and full of bliss. In Sanskrit these qualities are termed sat-cit-ananda. Ananda refers to the blissful aspect of spirit, or the limitless happiness of pure love. Love is the very essence of the soul and through exchanges of love one can access deeper realms of joy. The foundation for loving exchanges is that, as individuals, we possess the ability to express our love through action. Love can be understood to be a verb, a doing word. Performing acts to please the beloved is far more substantial and fulfilling that simply giving word gestures or exploiting one another for sense gratification. There is a story of a soldier, courageously rescued by his friend during a fierce battle of WW2. For the rest of his life a day never passed without him remembering his friend, whilst at the same time he never once remembered the French prostitute he had many times slept with. Exchanges of love are far superior to exchanges of lust.

In fact, for obtaining relationships on this level some are willing to sacrifice everything else. Another story tells of a king who possessed untold wealth and facilities, yet he was the only one there to enjoy it all. One day as he was feeling morose amidst all his unsharable opulence, a tiny bird flew in and landed on his hand. Immediately the king was prepared to renounce his kingdom in exchange for friendship with the bird. Therefore, as the whole world madly rushes on in pursuit of wealth and possessions, we must check to see if we are concurrently developing our loving dealings.

But does increasing material facilities actually augment our happiness? Surveys have shown that although countries like USA are leading the world in how to enjoy materially, they also have the highest suicide and drug abuse statistics. In contrast, Bangladesh, whilst one of the poorest countries, showed that their people were deeply content and happy. Even though without the wealth of the west, still they possess a greater wealth of spiritual knowledge, a happiness born of deeper values and exchanges. One great personality, Sri Prahlada, once said that if you really want to be happy, then stop trying to be happy in this world. The intelligent therefore seek happiness through spiritual connections and spiritual engagements. Jesus also exclaimed that this life is like a bridge with which we should cross over to the spiritual side, not that we should build upon this bridge and try and enjoy.

In Sanskrit true happiness is characterized by being ever-increasingly unlimited. Ramante yogino'nante satyanande cid-atmani (click). Spiritual happiness is by nature unlimited, unrestricted and without conditions. The soul is only limited at present by this clumsy tabernacle of a body. Only in activities corresponding to our spiritual nature can we find real happiness, nityananda, eternal bliss. Therefore if we can utilize this body for our spiritual development then we will receive boundless joy. By understanding who we are and from where we have come, we will know what is our blissful heritage.

Many great teachers have explained that the soul is part and parcel of Krishna, the supreme personality of Godhead (click). Krishna is the absolute truth, the origin of all, and therefore the proprietor of all. Consequently he is the supreme enjoyer. Everything else, including us, are the enjoyed. Krishna is known as the reservoir of unlimited pleasure, and if we align ourselves with Krishna's desire then we dive deeply into that reservoir. The hand is a part of the body having it's own specific functions, but if it tries to enjoy a cake independently without supplying it to the stomach, only disappointment will be felt. However, if the hand gives the cake to the stomach, then it will be happy, nourished and strong. Similarly, if we aim to bring happiness to Krishna through our thoughts, words and deeds, then we will naturally relish unlimited joy. Love means to satisfy Krishna, whereas lust means to selfishly try to satisfy only ourselves (click). One brings eternal happiness and unlimited love, the other only frustration and suffering.

We start to please Krishna by always remembering him through chanting his names and by molding our lives so that we can realize our spiritual love with Krishna. Then we naturally want to help others to also come to that blissful love. In fact, true spiritual practitioners feel great pain and unhappiness upon seeing others bereft of pure love and consequently suffering. Therefore they sacrifice for the welfare and upliftment of others. This pleases Krishna the most and brings the highest happiness to the soul. Whether in great physical pain or whilst tolerating cancerous death, a true spiritual person will never exchange their position for anything of this material world, for they are tasting a happiness known only to those who know and love Krishna.

"Of all the living entities who have accepted material bodies in this world, one who has been awarded this human form should not work hard day and night simply for sense gratification, which is available even for dogs and hogs that eat stool. One should engage in penance and austerity to attain the divine position of devotional service. By such activity, one's heart is purified, and when one attains this position, he attains eternal, blissful life, which is transcendental to material happiness and which continues forever."
Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.1(click)

Jesus: "Let no flesh meat enter your mouths"

2009-06-06T16:51:00.005+01:00

Interesting quotes mostly from Gospel of Holy Twelve, aka. The Gospel of the Nazarenes. From what I know this was one many early writings that was rejected and destroyed when Constantine and the Romans organized the Catholic church. Just because it was rejected does not mean that it is against the teachings of Jesus, in fact some claim that they are the original and unpolluted teachings from the earliest recordings.

For more info click here

What is real happiness? Part 1

2009-06-04T11:34:00.001+01:00

Everyone wants to be happy. Whether one be a European, American, African, Jew, Christian or whatever, still happiness is sought by all. We endeavor to cultivate those activities or situations which bring us pleasure, and conversely try to avoid unpleasant things. Of course, happiness is relative and what may be happiness for one may be poison for another. Each species has a certain standard of happiness it may hanker for, and what is happiness for a human is different than that of a pig. At least it should be.

The ancient teachings of the Bhagavad Gita explain that basically there are two types of happiness, one being material and the other spiritual. The former is the general pursuit of this world, whereas the latter is a mystery to many, but a truth to a few fortunate persons.

Material happiness is pleasure derived from stimulation of the body through the senses, having the mind as their hub. Someone may stimulate the tongue with some palatable foods or the ears with their preferred music. One may derive his happiness from sporting activities, whilst another through use of intoxicants. However, the problem with such bodily pleasures is that they are limited and temporary. As the body is temporary, so any happiness derived through it's stimulation is also temporary. Whilst performing our activities we become attached to those situations which bring us pleasure, yet they must come to an end at some point, ultimately being completely lost at the time of death. Such happiness is therefore a source of unhappiness. Whether it be a romance with a loved one or a vacation from work, we wish it could last forever, yet when our partner dies or the holiday is over, it often bring us great pain or remorse. Material happiness is always accompanied by it's converse in the shape of distress within this world of duality. They are two sides of the same coin, we can not have one without the other. To bathe in cold water during the scorching summer brings great relief and refreshment, yet in the freezing wintertime it is, for most, a terrible experience.

Some believe that sex life is the highest form of happiness, but if this were the case then the prostitute would be the most joyful person. However, they are generally the most unhappy and frustrated with their sex life, and if one contracts one of the numerous diseases through sex, then suffering is the only outcome. Even unexpected pregnancy often leads one to reconsider whether it was all worth it, not to mention if abortion of the unprotected child is opted for, as this is said to be one of the most cruelest and sinful acts, bringing only future suffering.

Relief from an unpleasant or disturbing situation is often taken to be happiness. We may be hungry and find happiness from filling our bellies, or through erotic acts we may find relief from sexual frustration. We may even think "As soon as I pay off my debts or get money, then I will be happy". However, in the true sense this is not real happiness but a mitigation from some frustration. Whether it be one's own body or mind giving some difficulty such as toothache or depression; or from another living entity such as a mosquito; or from natural disturbances such as rain or drought, this world is full of unpleasant situations. To find relief from these disturbances does not necessarily mean that one has found happiness, one has simply removed a disturbance. In fact, material happiness is compared to attempting to quench one's thirst with a single drop of water when one is in the desert. Certainly more than a drop is required if one is dehydrated.

Another example is of a medieval torture practice whereby the victim is held under water just until he would die and then brought up for air. Upon drinking that desperately needed air the victim thinks, "Oh, how wonderful and sweet, now I am fine." However, immediately he is thrust again under water for repeated pain. Relief from frustration is not actual happiness.

All of the pleasures of this world have been regurgitated for countless centuries that they are like finding a piece of chewing gum under your desk and thinking that you may find some joy in eating it, chewing what so many have already chewed. So many have tried to enjoy with these temporary facilities, yet many have realized the futility and sought to deepen their existence and experience on levels of permanent and ever increasing happiness. In fact it is said that only two persons are happy in this world; the self realized soul engaged in spiritual acts, and the foolish person oblivious to the consequences of his activities.

Only when we know what is our actual identity beyond these temporary bodies will we understand what is our real happiness and where to find it.

To be continued........

An intelligent person does not take part in the sources of misery, which are due to contact with the material senses. O son of Kuntī, such pleasures have a beginning and an end, and so the wise man does not delight in them. Bhagavad Gita 5.22

2009-06-02T19:36:00.003+01:00

There is a story of identical twins.

One was a hope-filled optimist. "Everything is coming up roses!" he would say. The other twin was a sad and hopeless pessimist. He thought that Murphy, as in Murphy's Law, was an optimist. The worried parents of the boys brought them to the local psychologist.

He suggested to the parents a plan to balance the twins personalities.

"On their next birthday, put them in separate rooms to open their gifts. Give the pessimist the best toys you can afford, and give the optimist a box of manure."

The parents followed these instructions and carefully observed the results.

When they peeked in on the pessimist, they heard him audibly complaining,

"I don't like the color of this computer . . I'll bet this calculator will break . . . I don't like the game . . . I know someone who's got a bigger toy car than this . . ."

Tiptoeing across the corridor, the parents peeked in and saw their little optimist gleefully throwing the manure up in the air. He was giggling.

"You can't fool me! Where there's this much manure, there's got to be a pony!"

Something like a lizard

2009-06-02T10:51:00.001+01:00

I was thinking of how we are something like lizards. Please don't take offense, I don't mean in looks, but in the way they lay in the sun during the morning hours in order to energize themselves. This is vital for the cold blooded lizard for he is completely dependent on such solar empowerment, as are many other species. After the long cold night, especially in the desert, the warm sun offers a much needed recharge.

Similarly, for those who are serious about practicing spiritual life, they need to each day bathe in the pure spiritual vibrations of prayer, meditation, scripture or whatever is recommended to recharge them for the day ahead. Personally I find that by fixing my mind on the sacred sound of the mahamantra Hare Krishna, as well as absorbing myself in such philosophical masterpieces as Bhagavad Gita As it is and Srimad Bhagavatam, then I obtain this necessary recharge. Whilst we are living in this material world we must inoculate ourselves from the negative effects of its touch. Dealing with so many people, situations and problems, if we do not regularly bathe in the rays of spiritual energy, then we will fall victim to material contamination.

As Krishna's names and his teachings in the Gita and Bhagavatam are all on the absolute spiritual platform then by hearing them and reciting them one gets direct association with Krishna, the all-attractive origin of all opulence. Krishna means the most beautiful, and Hare means the energy of pure love. Now that is good association!! Krishna means the absolute truth, that from which everything has come, the super consciousness. Other traditions may have other names to address this supreme personality of godhead, and that is perfectly good. All we need to do is chant.

Krishna is compared to the sun, and this material illusion(maya) to darkness. Where there is sunlight, there cannot be darkness. As the first rays of the morning sun dissipate darkness and eradicate fear of thieves and rogues, similarly just a glimpse of the pure name of Krishna is sufficient to remove the darkness of our ignorance and relieve us of our negative tendencies.

Similarly the Srimad Bhagavatam, a great spiritual treasure, is also compared to the sun that has arisen giving light to persons who have lost their vision to the dense darkness of ignorance.

Why not take advantage and bathe ourselves in the invigorating warmth of Krishna, Krishna's names and his teachings. There is no need for sunblock before the Krishna-sun as it is this spiritual practice that actually protects us from the burning flames of material existence.

Please chant..

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Body in Krsna Consciousness and Iron in Fire

2009-05-31T18:20:00.001+01:00

The spiritual body is developed through the practice of Krishna consciousness. This material body is spiritualized by this bhakti‑yoga process. If you place an iron within fire, the iron becomes so hot that it also becomes fiery. When the iron is red hot, it acquires all the qualities of fire. If you touch something with that iron, that iron will act as fire. Similarly, although this body is material, it can become spiritualized through Krishna consciousness and act as spirit.

Path of Perfection (pg 4)- Srila Prabhupada

Fire and wood

2009-05-29T16:51:00.008+01:00

A nice example is given to illustrate the different characteristics of the body and soul.

Fire, which burns and illuminates, is always different from that which is burned for illumination. It may be said, however, that fire is present in an unmanifest form within wood. Similarly, in the conditioned life of ignorance, the spirit soul is present, though unmanifest, within the body. The enlightened condition of the living entity can be compared to the act of arousing fire within wood. Just as fire quickly burns wood to ashes, similarly the spirit soul, when enlightened, burns to ashes the darkness of ignorance. We are conscious of the body; therefore it may be said that the body is illuminated by consciousness, which is the energy, or symptom, of the spirit soul. Identifying the body and soul as one is just as foolish as considering fire and wood to be the same. In both cases, the intimate circumstantial connection between fire and wood or between the soul and the body does not alter the fact that fire is different from wood or that the soul is always different from the body.
Taken from Jaiva Dharma by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur

Interestingly, the spirit soul is often compared to being a spark of the original fire, Krishna. A spark naturally possesses the same qualities as it's source, the roaring fire, all be it in a much reduced proportion. It can therefore burn and give some glow. Similarly, as the soul, we possess the same qualities of eternality, full consciousness and ecstatic bliss as Krishna, as well as many more of his amazing qualities, but just in a proportionate quantity. As long as the spark remains within the fire it will retain it's full manifestation of firey potency. Yet, if the spark leaps out of the fire, becoming disconnected, then it quickly loses it's power to burn and give light. Whilst we are engaged in the fire of service to please Krishna, our original flame, through chanting his names and helping others to also benefit, then we can also fully manifest our divine qualities. However, when the soul turns away from his spiritual reality and becomes engrossed in temporary pursuits, then he becomes like the spark that has separated and fallen into water. It appears that there is no soul or that the spark has become extinguished, even though Bhagavad Gita explains that the soul is eternal and indestructible (click). If though, by great fortune, one comes in contact with the original fire of Krishna, then once again the dormant flame within starts to burn, simultaneously scorching away all negativity and dirt from the heart.

For more information please click here

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Suffering

2009-05-29T10:59:00.001+01:00

The whole world is suffering for want of knowledge. The present civilization is animal civilization. They do not know anything beyond eating, sleeping, mating and defending. That's all. This is animal civilization. Animal does not know beyond these four principles of life: eating, sleeping, mating and defending. That's all.

Human life is meant for something else: "What I am? What is God? What is my relation with God? What is this material world? Why I am here? Where I have to go next?" So many things one has to learn. Athato brahma-jijnasa. This is human life. Not that eat and sleep and have sex life and die someday like cats and dogs. Therefore, there is need of acaryas, teachers, for propagating spiritual knowledge, Krsna consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada speaking on the occasion of the appearance of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, September 23, 1969

Oh Krishna!

2009-05-27T06:14:00.001+01:00

Prayers of Queen Kunti- Srimad Bhagavatam (click)

Adventures of the spirit

2009-05-25T15:05:00.009+01:00

The unlimited adventures of spiritual life are the means by which we can actually conquer death. By nature we are the eternal soul, so as these bodies gradually age and ultimately fall, we naturally move on to our next destination. We will all meet with this inevitable adventure, the next phase of our journey through life. Yet for most people it is a great unknown and a fearful conclusion.

To be ignorant of our eternal conscious identity places us in the hands of countless fears. Fear of survival, fear of feeding oneself, fears of maintaining our families, being loved or appreciated. Then, meeting frustrations throughout our personal lives we may even fear the idea of being an eternal person, someone who is held accountable for their actions. Finally there is fear of not being supremely independent, having to submit to a higher power.

Real adventure means to face all our fears and conquer them. Hiding away or trying to convince ourselves otherwise are symptomatic of cowardly behavior. To bury our heads in the sand only covers our vision of the truth, the ostrich is not out of danger, just the danger is out of his sight. Fear arises due to our becoming absorbed in the dreamlike condition of our material life. Whilst dreaming at night we become so engrossed that we fail to remember our bodies sleeping in the bed. Completely identifying with our dreamworld we forget our worldly duties and relationships. We may even experience being attacked by a tiger in our dream, running and screaming to escape. Yet, someone awake, watching our tossing and turning will not fear the tiger, for him it does not exist. Feeling concern, he may attempt to awaken us, thus relieving our distress. Upon awakening we immediately remember our actual identity and real life, the fears for the tiger now gone. Similarly, when we awaken from our material slumber we again become aware of our true spiritual identity and of our pure loving relationships on that platform. We remember that we have an incredible comrade known as Krishna, the original adventurous person and source of all fearlessness. With our consciousness of Krishna, our eternal friend and lover, finally restored, we once again taste the real adventure of the spirit. This rush of excitement of reuniting with Krishna through chanting his names, is so incredible that all other thrills appear insignificant.

For those tasting the transcendental bliss of chanting Krishna's names, searching for ways to give others this treasure becomes an unparalleled adventure. To try and awaken others to their real existence and their true potential is certainly a risky challenge. It is so much an adventure that even Krishna himself, the original pure consciousness, takes on this pastime. Descending as Gauranga, Sri Krishna Chaitanya, he personally unleashes a great flood of love and compassion upon the world, unconcerned with our disqualification for such priceless jewels. Unable to tolerate seeing the self-inflicted frustrations and fears of the people, Sri Chaitanya brings the highest wealth of pure love and seeks that everyone takes. To become an instrument of divine love in the hands of the supreme lover, Sri Chaitanya, is an unmissable opportunity for extraordinary adventure. Without doubt there will be risks and obstacles in such an endeavor, yet these act to enhance the flavour of the love, a ever-increasing love of reciprocation between Gauranga and his devotee. To be such an instrument of love, compassion and knowledge means that we will receive more ourselves. It is in giving that we receive. A hosepipe does not create water, it simple delivers it. The more it sprays, the more passes through it. Similarly, Sri Chaitanya is the fountainhead of this pure love and compassion, which passes down through the medium of his loving devotees. By acing as their servants, we will have this very love and compassion flowing through us. That is a sensation which does not have a comparison in this world of temporary fixes.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

The Spirit of Adventure

2009-05-23T06:35:00.011+01:00

To some degree we all possess a certain craving for excitement or for experiences beyond the normal. Some of us feel enlivened taking risks of some kind whilst others simply strive to extend themselves beyond their comfort zones. Indeed, an adventurous spirit is considered by many to be a fundamental principle of life itself. Of course, we all have our own individual ventures and challenges and it is these very endeavors which can promote our growth and development.

Some people travel the world experiencing diversities in culture, sight and sound whereas for others sitting on the ocean floor forty meters under, surrounded by countless hungry sharks may be adventure. Some may penetrate deep into submerged caves with only a thin rope and limited compressed air as a life line to the surface. For others it may be the rush of free-falling from thousands of meters in the air or climbing forbidden peaks and mountains in exotic worlds. Then there are those who may hitch-hike across the unforgiving expanse of the Sahara desert or navigate the open ocean with its unpredictable elements, in only a teacup of a vessel. All of these different adventures often give one a profound sense of being alive and youthful. In fact for many, the need to challenge or even cheat death is required in order to feel truly alive.

From a deeper level of our existence though, we may not find such a continuous deep fulfillment through all our active pursuits. For most of the above adventures one may be searching for a certain sensation or rush of adrenaline to heighten the experience. From such a fix ones senses are enlivened giving the feeling of enhanced awareness. In this position one either faces or flees from his fears. However, we find that repeating the same activity several times reduces such a sensation as one becomes more accustomed to the situation. The initial rush of uncertainty is no longer felt as one becomes more familiar and even habituated or "natural" in their pursuit. Ever increasing challenges are required in order to access the fix we so eagerly yearn for. Even this exhilarating rush is itself relatively short lived due to the temporary nature of such activities. Through our temporary and limited body we can only experience temporary and limited happiness.

Bhagavad Gita explains that by nature we are the spirit soul, or pure consciousness. Being an individual living force beyond this temporary vehicle of our body, we possess an eternal nature and an eternal thirst for adventure. Also, this adventure, which alone can actually touch our real nature, is of a more refined quality. External activities may appear to be the same, but internally one's consciousness is of a different state.

The mind is the hub of our senses being the relay station for information coming in and of our subsequent interaction with the world. However, our minds are often our worst enemies if left uncontrolled. Therefore yoga aims at controlling the mind. This is the greatest challenge and adventure we could ever take. We have six formidable enemies who are enacting a fierce battle within our very hearts. Our pure consciousness is constantly assailed by these adversaries of lust, greed, anger, pride, illusion and envy. In fact our entire society today is founded on these hostile principles. A truly adventurous person is one who will stand up against these enemies and live for higher values. Through mantra meditation we can reawaken our pure identity and achieve victory in the battle. We then understand what is real adventure. However, meditation is not easy. Every session we enter the battlefield of our mind, combating against the missiles of negativity and laziness. To completely absorb our disobliging minds in the pure spiritual vibration of Krishna's names is an endeavor unmatched in this world. It is a gargantuan task as we have become so conditioned to materialism and ignorant of our real identity, becoming slaves to our enemies.

However, when we reconnect with our eternal relationship with Krishna through chanting his names, we reconnect with real adventure. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that he is that very principle of excitement or adventure which we are all seeking. Krishna is the absolute truth or the supreme original consciousness, and from him all else emanates. Therefore he is the source of all thrills and pleasures. By chanting Krishna's names we obtain the power to control our minds. By chanting we also obtain positive realization of Krishna and of the plane of pure consciousness, a spiritual dimension of never ending adventure. All activity there is of an ever-fresh nature, is if done for the first time. Each time one meets Krishna, one tastes the flavour of fresh newborn love and joy. Familiarity and boredom are unknown as one experiences ever increasing excitement and bliss. There is no limit to the unlimited. Krishna is unlimited and by knowing him we can do more than simply cheat death, we will actually conquer death, and become completely fearless.

One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode. Bhagavad Gita 4.9

The real spirit of adventure is the adventure of the spirit.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Ghostbusters- conclusion

2009-05-21T16:47:00.005+01:00

"Oh no, it's started....it's started!"
The expression on the woman's face changed rapidly as did ours. What we had been expectantly awaiting was now immediately happening. As soon as we crossed the threshold of the apartment our hearts had taken on a new gear, sensing the thick heavy atmosphere. As if to ignite fear within us, two pictures of Christian saints had sprung from the hallway wall and crashed to the floor. Was this a message from our apparently hostile poltergeist suggesting our own immanent destiny? As each devotee individually deepened their soft recital of Krishna's names, we confidently ventured forward. Within a second a dining chair in the adjoining kitchen seemingly leaped up and smashed to the ground, sending the woman into a state of hysteria, as she frantically moved from room to room. We had been in the apartment for about ten seconds and had already experienced more than we could have imagined.

Standing in the centre of the main room we all looked at one another for a moment and then spontaneously erupted into kirtan, the loud calling of the names of Krishna, themselves feared by fear personified. The leader of the chanting requested we all chant in unison with full voice instead of the usual call and response style we are familiar with. What with the accordion sounding, clay drum booming and countless hand symbols chiming, along with the resounding call of a conchshell being blown, overall the effect was quite tumultuous. Placing all of our breath into the chanting we searched to find the protection promised from these all powerful names of the Supreme. What the neighbours were thinking was far from our thoughts as we absorbed our minds in the pure transcendental vibration;

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

One of our party had brought several sacred Narasingha stones called Salagram, and proceeded to bath them with pure water. These transcendental manifestations offer powerful protection as well as removal of inauspicious obstacles on our spiritual path. Spraying the bathing water all around we gradually moved from one room to another ardently chanting the recommended mantra for this age, Hare Krishna.

Noticing that the heavy wooden dining chairs had each begun to vibrate, the woman lay them down under the table, all the while rambling through prayers in a frenzied manner. Her mother tried to console her but had little effect. Just then a wooden drawer from a cupboard in an adjacent room came flying across the ceiling and smashed against the wall just behind the woman, spraying its contents everywhere. We instinctively moved closer to the woman and desperately called out the names. Meanwhile, in the kitchen a devotee was offering the bathing water to drink for protection to the family, when a chair rose one metre from the floor and within a split second zoomed across the room colliding with the boyfriend. Seeing no other means to assist, the devotee practically threw the liquid down the boyfriends throat only then to see the coffee machine also begin its levitation.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

We had been hoping to experience something and this local spook was certainly entertaining us.
Whilst the dining chairs were continuing to vibrate we moved through to the parents bedroom all the while intensifying our chanting of the all purifying names of Krishna. Vedic scripture explains that these names, the Maha-mantra, being completely spiritual, have the unlimited power of God by which the dirt of our hearts can be cleansed. Just as the sun can cleanse urine and waste from the earth by its scorching rays yet remain unpolluted, similarly the names of Krishna can never be contaminated, yet themselves clean even the reservoir of dirt in our consciousness.
As we danced to the sweet sound, the woman along with her Mother and Father was standing in the doorway, nervously chanting to herself. She appeared distant, lost in her racing thoughts. At that moment, seemingly thrust up against the wall, she was pinned by her invisible assaulter. As if held by the throat she was dragged along the wall banging into her parents. Pandemonium arose amongst them as we chased after throwing our weapon of the Maha-mantra in an act of rescue. Again she was released, although severely shaken.

We had now been chanting intensely for forty minutes and still the atmosphere seemed thick and heavy with darkness. Although violent events had occurred to the family members, nothing had touched any of us who were taking refuge in the sound incarnation of Krishna's names. We all felt completely protected and fearless. With such faith in Krishna names as well as the mood of compassion to help both the family and their uninvited phantom, we courageously danced and span around the home. Gradually we managed to involve the family in dancing and chanting with us which brought unlimited heights of bliss as the father of the family smiled for the first time. Then the atmosphere lightened and everyone felt the overwhelming joy of freedom whilst chanting Hare Krishna. It felt like a wonderful sunrise clearing away the darkness and fog of the evening, whilst simultaneously eradicating fear of thieves and dacoits. Carrying on for another fifteen minutes we all tasted the true happiness of the soul as he reawakens his relationship with his long lost friend, Krishna. With the mood considerably transformed we sat together on the floor and recited the twelfth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita in both Sanskrit and Italian, entitled Devotional service. We were refreshing ourselves with knowledge of our pure loving relationship with Krishna, whilst also praying that our poltergeist friend be now fully purified and able again to reawaken his own love.

We cannot be know what has happened to this ghost, although we are sure that immense purification took place not just for him but also the family and ourselves who came as menial servants of the sweet, all-powerful names of Krishna. By chanting the Maha-mantra we can purify our existence and fully reawaken our dormant love for Krishna and consequently each other. That love is within us all, even ghosts, but due to absorption in material pursuits we forget our real treasure within.

Since that day there has been no further disturbances in that home. That night was there first peaceful night in nine years. All glories to the unlimited glorious names of Krishna and all glories to the pure devotee of those names who has compassionately spread them throughout the entire world, Srila Prabhupada.

Mantra meditation

2009-05-19T10:46:00.001+01:00

There is no knowledge as pure as the name; there is no vow as powerful as the name. There is no meditation more effective than the name nor is there any fruit greater than that attained by the name. There is no greater renunciation than the name; there is no greater peace than the name. In this world there is no greater pious activity than taking the name, nor is there any quicker progress than in the name. The name is the highest liberation, the highest freedom, the highest destination, the highest peace, the point of no more searching. The name is the highest devotion, the name is the purest inclination of the soul, the name is the highest love, and direct remembrance of the Lord. The name is the cause of all causes, the Supreme Lord, most worshipable, and is a form of guru to bring one to the Lord.

Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur

What is that very special and all-powerful name? Krishna

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

The learned scholar and the boatman

2009-05-16T08:26:00.006+01:00

The boatman... In Bengal there are many rivers, and so people generally transport by boat service. So a learned scholar from Calcutta, say, was going home in the village on a boat, and he was very happy. So he was asking the boatman,

"My dear boatman, do you know what are these stars, this astronomy, how they are working?" "No, sir, I do not know."
"Oh, your life is twenty-five percent lost. You do not know anything."

Then after some time,

"You know the geology, how this earth, water, they are working?"
"No, sir, I am poor man. What can I know?"
"Oh, your fifty percent of your life is lost."

Then all of a sudden there was a cloud, black cloud on the sky, and there was storm.
Then at that time the boatman asked the learned scholar,

"Sir, do you know how to swim?"
"No, I do not know."
"Then one hundred percent you have lost.(laughter) You are going to be drowned."

He jumped and he drowned. So this is the point. So you are trying to understand the whole analytical study of the material world. That is very good. But if you do not know how to remember Narayana, Krishna at the time of death, then you are going to be cats and dogs. That's all.

If an actor becomes carried away with his role and forgets his actual identity, carrying on even after the performance, then he is living an illusion. Similarly, if we are absorbed only in this short span of a few years and become bewildered by our temporary situations, families and friends, and we fail to work towards our real nature then we are unfortunate. We don't mean to say that we should abandon our friends and families, but we could live a deeper life together based on longer lasting principles of our eternal existence. Otherwise, if we live only like polished animals then we may be awarded this animal opportunity in the next life.
Whilst living a spiritual life, however, we can find a fulfillment deeper than the superficial norms and we also prepare one another for a more advantageous future with higher consiouness. Krishna is the source of all love and joy. By sharing Krishna with each other we benefit now and after as we will return to our position of pure consciousness in loving service.

Hare Krishna

Ghostbusters

2009-05-14T15:34:00.011+01:00

As soon as we entered the apartment we understood we were in for some excitement. We'd heard different stories of how this young woman had been terrorized by a ghost for the last nine years, of how just the other week she had been hospitalized due to a flying chair striking her in the head, and how she was now at the limit of her sanity. We'd been told of knives flying across the room, pictures leaping from the walls and levitating coffee machines. Chairs and other objects independently shaking and smashing into walls was a daily occurrence in this home.

"Hey, but ghosts don't exist". Well for many people and cultures they do. Ancient Indian culture explains that a ghost is someone, a soul, who upon dying is not awarded a new physical body, but painfully lingers around in their subtle body made of mind, intelligence and false ego. Such a situation may occur due to a sudden death or extreme negative acts such as suicide, and is a position of suffering as one has a mind full of desires yet no body to enact them. Ghosts often take advantage of weak minded persons or those under intoxication, entering their physical bodies and attempt to enjoy through this borrowed facility. Many people cannot believe what they have done whilst under intoxication or depression, acts they normally would refrain from.

So, such was the situation we found in a quiet village just outside Rome. The woman and her boyfriend had tried everything they knew to free themselves from this terrifying situation. On one occasion they'd lit incense and chanted prayers in order to purify the atmosphere only to find the nearby wardrobe seemingly come to life and violently vibrate, splitting into two equal pieces. Upon moving the ruptured closet they had been horrified to find a swarming mass of bleach-white worms, quite different from the indigenous species, covering the wall and floor.
The woman explained that nine years before she had been the object of attraction for one boy in her school. Repeatedly denying his requests for a relationships, she had found herself cursed by the boy's satanic mother, who was well practiced in the black arts of witchcraft. She was told that she would suffer for the rest of her life for this refusal. That had been nine years before, yet with some incident every evening it already felt like a lifetime. One may ask why they stayed in the same apartment, why not move? Well, theirs was a family home for several generations , and they still lived with her parents. Whilst her mother was very sympathetic to her daughter, the father had been always skeptical. Most of the happenings had been directed only to his daughter, until he also started to experience strange things.

Out of desperation, they had once invited the local Catholic monks to come and assist. The monks explained that they could perform an exorcism on the woman but they couldn't guarantee the ghost would leave the property. "Anyhow, at least let's do something", they decided, although they were not prepared for what they would witness.
At one point in the ceremony with the woman white like a sheet, trembling and covered with sweat, they beheld countless 3-inch nails shooting from her mouth, followed by a deep ghastly roar clearly not from such a simple lady. Whilst the couple were completely shocked, the monks explained that it was all quite normal in these situations and that the Vatican was full of such incidents.

Seeing no alternative, the boyfriend called upon his parents for help. As they were Vaisnava practitioners, Hare Krishnas, for more than twenty years, they enthusiastically seized the opportunity and organized a troop of devout spiritual followers, we were seven in total. We meditated not only on trying to help the disturbed family but also on helping the ghost who was himself imprisoned in such an agonizing situation. Our strategy would be to perform loud, intense chanting of Krishna's names which purify everything and are feared by fear personified. It is said that all negativity flies away when one chants the holy name of Krishna. This would be a chance to see how much we believed in what we had dedicated our lives to, were we really taking our spiritual life seriously or were we just pretenders.
We were not sure what to expect but we were certain that we wanted to experience something extraordinary. Were we ready for what was to come?

This is a true story from March 2009, the conclusion will come soon....

Empathy

2009-05-13T15:53:00.002+01:00

A boy went to the pet store to buy a puppy. Four of them were sitting together, priced at $50 each. Then there was one sitting alone in a corner. The boy asked if that one was from the same litter, if it was for sale, and why it was sitting alone. The store owner replied that it was from the same litter, but it was a deformed one and not for sale. The boy asked what the deformity was. The store owner replied that the puppy was born without a hip socket and had a leg missing. The boy asked, "What will you do with this one?" The reply was that it would be put to sleep. The boy asked if he could play with that puppy. The store owner said, "Sure." The boy picked up the puppy and the puppy licked him on the ear. Instantly, they boy decided that was the puppy he wanted to buy. The store owner said, "That is not for sale!" The boy insisted. The store owner agreed. The boy pulled out $2 from his pocket and ran to get $48 from his mother. As he reached the door the store owner shouted after him, "I don’t understand why you would pay full money for this one when you could buy a good one for the same price." The boy did not say a word. He just lifted his leg trouser leg—he was wearing a brace. The pet store owner said, "I understand. Go ahead, take this one." That is empathy.

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy? Sympathy is "I understand how you feel." Empathy is "I feel how you feel." Both sympathy and empathy are important, but of the two, empathy is certainly more so.
HH Sacinandana Swami

Beware of sectarianism

2009-05-12T18:06:00.006+01:00

"Subjects of philosophy and theology are like the peaks of large, towering, and inaccessible mountains standing in the midst of our planet inviting attention and investigation. Thinkers and men of deep speculation take their observations through the instruments of reason and consciousness. But they take different points when they carry on their work. These points are positions chalked out by the circumstances of their social and philosophical life, different as they are in the different parts of the world. Plato looked at the peak of the Spiritual question from the West and Vyasa made the observation form the East. So Confucius did it from further East, and Schlegel, Spinoza, Kant, and Goethe from further West. These observations were made at different times by different means but the conclusion is all the same in as much as the object of observation was one and the same. They all hunted after the Great Spirit, the unconditioned Soul of the Universe. They could not but get an insight in to it. Their words and expressions are different, their import is the same. They tried to find out the absolute religion and their labors were crowned with success, for God gives all that He has to His children if they want to have it. It requires a candid, generous, pious, and holy heart to feel the beauties of their conclusions.

Party spirit-that great enemy of truth-will always baffle the attempt of the enquirer who tries to gather truth from the religious works of his nation and will make him believe that absolute truth is nowhere except in his old religious book. What better example could be adduced than the fact that the great philosopher of Benares will find no truth in the universal brotherhood of man and common fatherhood of God? The philosopher thinking in his own ways of thought can never see the beauty of the Christian faith. The way in which Christ thought of his own Father was love absolute, and so long as the philosopher will not adopt that way of thinking, he will ever remain deprived of the absolute faith preached by the Western Savior. In a similar manner, the Christian needs adopt the way of thought which the Vedantist pursued before he can love the conclusions of the philosopher. The critic therefore, should have a comprehensive, good, generous, candid, impartial, and sympathetic soul.

Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur The Bhagavat: Its Theology and Ethics

Pranavayu-Life airs

2009-05-10T13:12:00.007+01:00

Previously we mentioned how we are unable to see the air or wind that moves around us and affects the environment. Similarly, we may not be able to see the soul with our material eyes, yet we aware of the consciousness, the symptom of the soul, that certainly pervades the body.

In ancient Indian culture there is knowledge of prana, subtle life airs. Prana works throughout the body and is the force behind it's different actions such as digestion, blinking and heartbeat. Some believe that chi or qi from the far eastern traditions refers to this prana, and therefore we see a lot of similarities with forms such as Tai Chi and Yoga. There are seven circles of condensed movement for these life airs and these are called cakras. Pranayama and yoga act to find equilibrium between these life airs so that they can be harnessed and utilized for spiritual growth.

It is described that the soul is suspended within these life airs and also leaves the body with them. Yet again we cannot see these life airs just as we cannot see the winds blowing across our planet. However, there is a vast science of Vedic medicine known as Ayurveda which works on such a subtle level and is today becoming more popular because of it's wealth of understanding. Within Ayurveda there is detailed teachings of different types of bodily constitutions as well as symptom diagnosis from simply observing the pulse. One only has to research to find that Ayurveda is an outstanding medical science with documented results, showing that there are subtleties which may not be known to modern science.

Whilst writing this I also find myself reflecting on the energy current that is working this computer. Normally we cannot see electricity, yet we are sure that it exists. Under special circumstances we may see, for instance during an electrical storm, but normally we are completely unaware of the presence of this powerful force.

Here I have given a brief glance at the science of Ayurveda, cakras and prana, solely to help understand that although we may not be able to directly perceive something or even conceive of something, still there may be much more to be known. I end on a quote from Srila Prabhupada refering to these life airs and how we can spiritualize our existence. Once Prabhupada said that we can perform pranayama, balancing of life airs, simply by dancing and chanting for Krishna, the original powerhouse of all energies, subtle and gross.

The expert yogi who has thoroughly practiced the control of the life air by the prescribed method of the yoga system is advised to quit the body as follows. He should plug up the evacuating hole with the heel of the foot and then progressively move the life air on and on to six places: the navel, abdomen, heart, chest, palate, eyebrows and cerebral pit. Controlling the life air by the prescribed yogic process is mechanical, and the practice is more or less a physical endeavor for spiritual perfection. In olden days such practice was very common for the transcendentalist, for the mode of life and character in those days were favorable. But in modern days, when the influence of Kali Age is so disturbing, practically everyone is untrained in this art of bodily exercise. Concentration of the mind is more easily attained in these days by the chanting of the holy name of the Krishna. The results are more effective than those derived from the inner exercise of the life air. Srimad Bhagavatam

Have you seen your soul?

2009-05-06T13:00:00.008+01:00

I would like to reflect on some thoughts that came this morning. After finishing my morning worship I sat on the balcony observing the sunrise over the Tuscany hills. This time of year is beautiful as a vibrant green returns to the trees and peacocks run around in excitement. Noticing that the fresh new leaves were gently swaying in the breeze I pondered a challenge recently received. "Have you seen the soul? Prove that there is such a thing." Good challenge. I Responded with the basic philosophy of Bhagavad Gita as it is and the man was satisfied, yet still I felt as though I could have explained clearer.

Now, we know that air exists and when moving is called wind, but have we actually seen this air or wind? As the leaves and branches of the tree gently sway in the breeze we certainly know that wind is present, as also when the clouds move overhead, but have we actually seen the wind? Is it the air moving that we are seeing or just the effects of that movement, or we could say the symptoms of the wind. In fact we cannot see the wind but we can see how wind affects the environment.

Similarly, we cannot see the spiritual particle called soul, but we can see it's symptoms. It is described that consciousness is the symptom of the soul, it is the soul's intrinsic quality. The soul is sat-cit-ananda; eternal, fully conscious and full of blissful love, whereas this physical body is composed of unconscious elements in constant flux. Whilst the soul is within the body it acts as a battery supply keeping the body working, yet when it leaves at death, then the body quickly decays. Although the soul is said to be situated in the heart cakra, it's symptoms are detected throughout the entire body. Even if a person looses a limb, they may still feel as though that limb were there, their consciousness still extending to produce the phenomena "phantom limb".

There are many who say that consciousness is produced from chemical synthesis, although they have a laboratory full of chemical yet fail to produce any. They say that life comes from matter, whereas ancient teachings declare that life comes only from life. Matter goes through constant change, but the conscious spirit soul is an energy beyond decay or change. In fact the soul, or in other words ourselves, are in a foreign place.

Someone living in a city may claim to see the air as it carries dust and pollution, or pollen in the country, yet again this is not the air we see but what it carries. Similarly, the soul carries layers of dirt in the form of false ego, bodily identification, lust, anger and greed, to name but a few, but these can be filtered by the process of buddhiyoga, loving service to Krishna.

But we can feel the wind as it caresses our skin, and so also we can feel the soul within a loved one when they touch our hearts. It is the soul who is the person we feel so much love for, not this temporary body. When a loved one dies we lament although their body lays before us. We understand that someone has left us, just as they have left behind their body, their temporary residence. It may have been someone who physically attracted us, maybe sexually, yet now we are repulsed by the decaying form left behind.

So, as the wind has great power and potential when harnessed, we also have incredible potential if only we can understand our actual identity and true source. When we chant Hare Krishna we can become infused with unlimited potential so long as we know how to direct it properly for the service and pleasure of Krishna.

Authority

2009-05-04T11:45:00.012+01:00

Any question that is put forward may be answered by quoting the authority, and that satisfies the saner section. That is the system even in the law court. The best lawyer gives evidence from the past judgement of the court without taking much trouble to establish his case. This is called the parampara system and learned authorities follow it without manufacturing rubbish interpretations.
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.10.51purport

Whenever we receive knowledge we are accepting an authority on that particular subject. Whether it be our professor at university or a supervisor at our workplace, we all require to learn from one who is already wise to the subject. But who is a suitable authority to enlighten us in the highest knowledge of reality and our intimate place therein? This is guru. Guru does not just mean teacher, but a direct representative of the absolute truth. Guru is a manifestation of the unlimited mercy of Krishna with the mission to redirect humanity and bestow the highest wealth of pure loving service. When one submissivly inquires and renders service to please guru then one can learn all by his grace. When guru passes on knowledge to such a disciple, he does not interpret or give his own opinion. Nor does he add or exclude anything. He acts simply as a transparent medium for transcendental knowledge to descend. A postman simply delivering the mail. Thus he is the perfect representative. A perfect teacher is one who is a perfect student, always learning from his authorities.

Yet sometimes we declare that we need no guru, guide or book to understand reality. We claim ourselves capable of understanding all by our own abilities. We do not want to accept any authority, "We are our own authority!!" To be free and rebellious is cool, is it not? Certainly we idolize those who stand on their own, but being under natures laws, how independent are they? Does freedom mean that we just follow our minds constantly changing ideas, regardless of advice?

Whilst respecting those bold enough to stand alone, we must also recognize our weaknesess.

It is described that we have 4 shortcomings that prevent us from independently understanding reality. We have imperfect senses, we commit mistakes, we are prone to illusion and we have a cheating propensity. Besides these, how can the unlimited absolute truth be conceived by our limited mind.

Therefore, understanding our tiny size in relation to the bigger picture, it would be in our best interest to approach an expert in these topics. Guru, acting like a judge, lives in harmony with his teachings. He resonates with the absolute truth as he is dedicated to the will of the supreme. His character is pure, free from duplicity and he lives a controlled life of wisdom and religiousity. He is qualified to reveal truth as he is directly perceiving truth. His life is absolute truth, he is the servant of Krishna, the supreme absolute truth.

Deep roots

2009-05-01T19:17:00.009+01:00

Once, a wealthy man requested an old scholar to wean his son away from his bad habits.

The scholar took the youth for a stroll through a garden. Stopping suddenly he asked the boy to pull out a tiny plant growing there. The youth held the plant between his thumb and forefinger and pulled it out. The old man then asked him to pull out a slightly bigger plant. The youth pulled hard and the plant came out, roots and all.

"Now pull out that one," said the old man pointing to a bush. The boy had to use all his strength to pull it out.

"Now take this one out," said the old man, indicating a guava tree. The youth grasped the trunk and tried to pull it out. But it would not budge.

"I – It's impossible," said the boy, panting with the effort.

"So it is with bad habits," said the sage. "When they are young it is easy to pull them out but when they take hold they cannot be uprooted."

The session with the old man changed the boy's life.

Often we believe that we are young and should enjoy life now to the max, "spiritual life can wait till I'm older, let me experience this world now, then later meditation.."

This sounds very nice, yet whilst trying to enjoy the facilities of this world, fulfilling our material desires, we acquire certain mindsets and conditionings contrary to our pure nature. Contact with materialism brings material attachments and conditionings. "I am just acting according to my nature!" Yes, but our conditioned nature not our pure spiritual nature. How we think determines how we will talk. As we talk, so we will act. As we act, so we form habits. From our habits, we develop our character, and from our character is born our destiny. All throughout our life we are planting seeds and strong roots are forming that will affect not just this short life but our future existence also. And who knows how long this life will last? For one who is born, death is certain. But when? Could be today, could be tomorrow.

However, if we take advantage of our human intelligence we can instead sow the seeds of purity and cultivate a forest of pure love and selfless service. We can become an expert gardener and protect our forest from the weeds of envy, lust, greed, pride and anger as well as the deep roots of material illusion. Why delay tasting the sweet fruits of spiritual life! Instead let us daily water these pure seeds with the life-giving nectar of Krishna's everfresh names and pastimes.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Desires-spiritual or material?

2009-04-29T11:36:00.009+01:00

On the streets of Manchester last week I met a lady who described to me her 'spiritual practice'. Inspired by a new book she was reading, she explained spiritual life as meaning how to practically realize our desires, understanding where we are and how to reach them. To some degree I was agreeing with her but mentioned that we must distinguish between desires that are spiritual and those that are material. There is an idea today that spirituality means learning how to get what you want by subtle means, subtle manipulations, whether or not those desires are actually in tune with our real spiritual identity. One may desire to become financially successful, powerful or to obtain a beautiful partner. The first time I stayed in India, I stayed in a Tantric school hoping to learn about spirituality. Upon hearing that they aimed at developing techniques such as how to steal another's wife, obtain secret information or kill someone using subtle means, naturally I quickly left. Often spirituality is seen as finding peace within oneself, but peace from what? Peace from the never-ending stream of material desires that fall upon us, peace from the frustrations that come from not being able to fulfill them or from not feeling satisfied once we have.

The ancient text from India, Bhagavad Gita, explains that by nature we are the conscious living entity, or soul, temporarily housed within this material body, a sort of biological machine. This machine or vehicle of the body allows us to interact in this world and fulfill our desires. Most often, these desires are actually in contradiction to our real-self benefit, as they are born from the misidentification of ourselves with these bodies and minds and that to satisfy them brings us pleasure. However, these bodies are temporary and therefore so is the pleasure derived from them. Furthermore, we seem to become attached to the temporary facilities connected to these bodies, thereby inviting dissatisfaction when they are inevitably lost.

If however, we utilize our present mindset and physical body to reawaken our dormant spiritual consciousness then we really benefit ourselves and those connected to us. Spiritual desires are those aimed at self realization, understanding our higher nature, and of consequently becoming free from our lower nature desires. Great teachers inform us that our higher nature is pure conscious spirit soul, part and parcel of Krishna, the reservoir of all consciousness. This is our dharma, our nature and essence. Spiritual desires are those that are based on this relationship of eternal love. By nature we are servants either of our spiritual nature or our lower nature. If we serve Krishna then we find a pleasure that deeply touches our soul, our very existence. On the other hand if we remain servant to our mind, our senses, our material desires then we will only find frustration with such uncaring masters. Real peace can be found when we truely understand our higher self and the love of Krishna. When we have such peace then only can we be truely happy, even in this flickering world of forgetfulness.

A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires — that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still — can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires. Bhagavad Gita As it is 2.70

Even a dog can chant

2009-04-26T09:57:00.002+01:00

This chanting of Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, surpassing all lower states of consciousness-namely sensual, mental and intellectual. There is no need of understanding the language of the mantra, nor is there any need of mental speculation nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It springs automatically from the spiritual platform, and as such, anyone can take part in this transcendental sound vibration, without any previous qualification, and dance in ecstasy. We have seen it practically. Even a child can take part in the chanting, or even a dog can take part in it.

Srila Prabhupada's purport to Hare Krsna Mantra

Woof woof

Behind the masks

2009-04-24T19:55:00.010+01:00

Passing through life we may start to question our actual identity beneath the coverings of social interactions and familial relationships. Who are we really? Are we who we think we are? This is a very important point in life.

When I was growing up, especially through adolescence and early adulthood, I found myself playing various roles according to the different people I was interacting with. Sometimes I was a punk, sometimes a traveller, other times a professional diver or a new age person. It seemed as though I took on a different mask or image in relation to the time and circumstance. Now, knowing I didn't suffer from schizophrenia, still it was quite evident that I was really not being 'me'. But who was 'me"? I never felt I had truly found my real self. What was my actual identity, my real personality? Were my personal character and opinions actually mine or were they adopted from someone whom maybe I desired to be like?
The word personality is derived from the Latin 'persona', which means mask or character. More exactly it means 'to speak through', per sonare. Typically the actor would wear a mask or assume a character through which he would perform, hiding his own identity. Similarly we assume different identities according to how we live, how we like to be seen by others, what music scene we like. Music influences us so much that we imitate our idols dress and behaviour. Considering ourselves freely self-expressing, we just follow a general trend with millions of others.
Carl Jung on persona ;
'the individual's system of adaption to, or the manner he assumes in dealing with the rest of the world ... One could say that which in reality one is not, but which oneself as well as others think one is.'

Many people hide themselves behind masks or create many egos through multi blog pages.

Yet this image or mask covering our real self actually goes much deeper. Designations like English, Chinese, Hindu, Christian, man, woman, animal, all are subtle coverings or masks for the soul. By nature we are pure spirit soul, jivatma. Consciousness is the symptom of the soul. Wherever there is life, there is consciousness. Bhagavad Gita explains that we are the conscious driver of this biological machine or body, just as a man drives a car. The driver and the car are different, but due to attachment the driver may strongly identify with his car. We often see young men driving flash cars seemingly saying “look at me, how beautiful”, and when the car gets scratched they feel the pain as though their own limb was damaged. Yet if all focus goes to the car and one neglects the driver, one’s very self, then what? Polishing the car and using the best oils, yet starving himself is foolishness, madness.
We must take care of the body, but must not forget that we are the conscious element that lives on after the body gets scrapped. Gita explains the soul as being part and parcel of the supreme consciousness, Krishna. When we understand our actual identity, our real self as eternally connected to Krishna, then we can know what we should be doing. We will know how to act for our real benefit and for that of our conscious brothers and sisters. By trying to love and please Krishna we begin to truly love and please all life, as all is eternally connected to him. We are eternal by nature but have become illusioned to think we are these temporary bodies. Naturally fear arises from such misidentification as do all conflicts based on bodily consciousness. But by inquiring into spiritual teachings like Bhagavad Gita we can know our real identity and our real potential. We are fortunate to have this human life with powerful intelligence by which we can inquire into who are we and who is Krishna. We can learn that love is the basis of our eternal relationship to Krishna and that service is the way of expression. Pleasing Krishna pleases us as we are part of him. Chanting Hare Krishna will reawaken our pure love and pure consciousness, our real self.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Saintly person

2009-04-22T16:44:00.013+01:00

"A saintly person is just like water because he is free from all contamination, gentle by nature, and by speaking creates a beautiful vibration like that of flowing water. Just by seeing, touching or hearing such a saintly person, the living entity is purified, just as one is cleansed by contact with pure water. Thus a saintly person, just like a holy place, purifies all those who contact him because he always chants the glories of the Lord."

The words, "just like water," can also mean that a saintly person purifies all living entities by accepting them as his personal friends, and saves them from their sinful reactions. The conditioned living entity falsely identifies with his gross material body and subtle mind and thus falls from the platform of spiritual knowledge. A conditioned living being is always lusty for material sense gratification, and if he does not acquire it, he becomes angry. Sometimes he is so obsessed with fear of losing his material gratification that he enters a stage approaching madness.

A saintly person, however, is like pure water, free from all contamination and capable of purifying all things. Just as pure water is transparent, a saintly person transparently manifests the Personality of Godhead within his heart. Such love of Godhead is the reservoir of all happiness. Water makes a most pleasing vibration as it flows and cascades, and similarly the sound vibration of the pure devotee, who is saturated with the glories of the Lord, is most charming and beautiful. Thus, by studying the nature of water one can understand the symptoms of a pure devotee.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.7.45

We are very fortunate if we have such association, we just have to be greedy for it. One most wonderful saintly person of our age was Srila Prabhupada who brought this great treasure of knowledge to the whole world. Srila Prabhupada said that he is non-different from his beautiful books, therefore we find shelter in their profound teachings and relish the privilege to distribute them to others. In this way so many can benefit from such priceless association.

Hare Krishna

Freedom

2009-04-21T16:53:00.000+01:00

One windy spring day, I observed young people having fun using the wind to fly their kites. Multicolored creations of varying shapes and sizes filled the skies like beautiful birds darting and dancing in the heady atmosphere above the earth. As the strong winds gusted against the kites, a string kept them in check.
Instead of blowing away with the wind, they arose against it to achieve great heights. They shook and pulled, but the restraining string and the cumbersome tail kept them in tow, facing upward and against the wind. As the kites struggled and trembled against the string, they seemed to say, "Let me go! Let me go! I want to be free!" They soared beautifully even as they fought the imposed restriction of the string. Finally, one of the kites succeeded in breaking loose. "Free at last" it seemed to say. "Free to fly with the wind."
Yet freedom from restraint simply put it at the mercy of an unsympathetic breeze. It fluttered ungracefully to the ground and landed in a tangled mass of weeds and string against a dead bush. "Free at last" free to lie powerless in the dirt, to be blown helplessly along the ground, and to lodge lifeless against the first obstruction.

How much like kites we sometimes are. We all have potential to climb to great heights, but if we act unrestricted then we may find that we lose control of ourselves and our situation. Different spiritual traditions recommend following certain rules and regulations from which we can grow and gain strength. Restraint is a necessary counterpart to the winds of opposition. Without some restriction we may become victim to the material winds in forms like lust, anger and greed, which further deepen our conditioning and prevent spiritual growth. Personally I choose to observe 4 regulative principles avoiding; intoxication, animal slaughter, illicit sex and gambling. These four are said to destroy the four foundational pillars of spirituality; austerity, compassion, cleanliness and truthfulness, which may be seen as the qualities of the humane. To restrict our lower conditionings and urges facilitates our cultivation of higher qualities which are true to our real nature as pure spiritual loving persons, who love all forms of life and simply desire peace for all.

But a person free from all attachment and aversion and able to control his senses through regulative principles of freedom can obtain the complete mercy of the Lord. Bhagavad Gita 2.64

One who restrains his senses, keeping them under full control, and fixes his consciousness upon Me(Krishna), is known as a man of steady intelligence. Bhagavad Gita 2.61

St Francis of Assisi

2009-04-21T16:47:00.001+01:00

Living in Italy for over two years, I have had numerous opportunities to visit the pilgrimage place of Assisi. It's a beautiful place not because of the medieval architecture, nor the wonderful view from upon the hill, but because of the great saint that resided there and example that he gave.

San Francesco, St Francis, is probably most famous as the patron saint of animals, as he showed love and compassion to all creatures, befriending them all and showing equality. He was known for seeing all life as his brothers and sisters to whom we share a common father. He is famous for taming an angry wolf and arranging that he not terrorize the local villagers any more, who in return would provide food for the wolf.

There is a beautiful film showing his life called Brother Sun Sister Moon. This film touches the heart and helps one to see that a simple life based on higher spiritual values is full of auspiciousness, and that by becoming a selfless servant one can attain real peace and joy.

Learn more about St Francis here.
In Assisi, one can still find the order of monks that descend from St Francis. They are in charge of the Basilica and very nice to speak to, although I was surprised that they eat meat, considering the mood of their saintly founder. They wear a rope around their waist that contains 3 knots representing; chastity, poverty and obedience.

Here is a special prayer that is worth deep meditation

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving

that we receive;

it is in pardoning

that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying

that we are born to eternal life.

Srila Prabhupada's analogies

2009-04-20T12:00:00.001+01:00

Materialist and Camel
The camel sucks its own blood while chewing thorny twigs. The thorns the camel eats cut the tongue of the camel, and so blood begins to flow within the camel's mouth. The thorns, mixed with fresh blood, create a taste for the foolish camel, and so he enjoys the thorn‑eating business with false pleasure. Similarly, the great business magnates, industrialists who work very hard to earn money by different ways and questionable means, eat the thorny results of their actions mixed with their own blood, therefore the Bhagavatam has situated these diseased fellows along with the camels.

Srimad Bhagavatam 1:2:3

When one can learn to have higher principles in life, then the same daily activities can be opportunities for freedom and growth, whatever the path one may follow.

Meditation

2009-04-20T11:50:00.000+01:00

There are many varieties of meditations offered on the market today, but do they really fulfill the spiritual needs of the practitioner? We find that alot of techniques work at silencing the mind and attaining consequent peace, but is that the spiritual perfection of meditation or just a preliminary stage?

Actually in astanga yoga there are steps to balance the life airs(prana) through breathing exercises called pranayama. As the subtle life airs have an intimate connection with the mind, when they become balanced then the mind quietens and can become focused, just as sunlight may be focused through a lens to intensify its properties to burn. Focusing on the flame of a candle is another technique often used to still the mind.

However all this practice is still within the realms of the material energy and as of yet not spiritual.

Once the mind is one-pointed, or having only one object, say the breath, then it has to be applied to spiritual focus. Traditionally Mantra was used to transport the mind beyond the material. Mantra means to deliver the mind. Being a repetition of sacred sounds, mantra gives great power in meditation. Mantra is not some chanting that is man-made but is actually sacred vibrations from the realm of pure consciousness. As all things around us are atomically vibrating, then also our consciousness has a specific frequency to which it naturally resonates. This is the level of pure consciousness or enlightenment, and is directly achieved through the chanting of mantra. Chanting of mantra may be performed in deep concentration during the quiet hours of the morning, or even on the bus at rush hour after work. Mantra may be chanted individually or musically as a group. Mantra is always accessible. Mantra gives one access to the true spiritual focus.

In sacred literature from India they recommend chanting the Maha-mantra (Maha-great) for quickly obtaining perfection in meditation, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Hare means the energy of spiritual love, Krishna, the most beautiful, and Rama means the reservoir of unlimited joy. That is wonderful as it is these priceless things that everyone is looking for. All we have to do is chant and hear the sweet spiritual vibration.

When compared to other types of meditation, mantra seems much easier and more practical. Where in other practices one would have to empty the mind and ignore the senses, in mantra we fill the mind and engage the senses all in spiritual activities of chanting. Let the mantra fill the mind, the ears hear, the eyes may read, the hands may count on beads, all the senses can be engaged in meditation, which is much easier in today's busy world. All the same benefits of peace and freedom from stress can be obtained as well as much more due to contact with pure spiritual energy. Please chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and observe the unlimited treasure available.

For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy. Bhagavad Gita 6.6

Hare Krishna

Srila Prabhupada's analogies

2009-04-20T09:23:00.001+01:00

Karmic Reactions and Airplane Flight
The argument may be given that if a living entity were subject to the results of his previous activities there would be no scope for free will; once having committed a sinful action, the living entity would be bound in an endless chain of suffering, being perpetually subject to previous reactions. According to this speculation there cannot be a just and omniscient God, since the living entity is forced to commit sinful activities by the reactions of his previous activities, which were reactions to still previous activities. Since even an ordinary gentleman will not unfairly punish an innocent person, how could there be a God witnessing the helpless suffering of the conditioned souls within the world?
This foolish argument can easily be refuted by a practical example. If I purchase a ticket for an airline flight, board the plane and commence the flight, once the plane has taken off my decision to board the plane forces me to continue flying until the plane lands. But although I am forced to accept the reaction of this decision, on board the plane I have many new decisions I can make. Similarly, although the living entity is forced to accept a particular body by the laws of karma, within the human form of life there is always scope for free will and decision‑making.

Srimad Bhagavatam 11:3:6

Eagle in a storm

2009-04-19T17:00:00.000+01:00

A nice story I received and often quote in lectures,
Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?
The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.
The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.
When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds on Krishna. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow the power of Krishna's names to lift us above them.
Krishna enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.
Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Meaning of peace

2009-04-19T14:28:00.000+01:00

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest ........... perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize?
The King chose the second picture. Do you know why?
"Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

As Krishna speaks in Bhagavad Gita 2.56

"One who is not disturbed in mind even amidst the threefold miseries or elated when there is happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger, is called a sage of steady mind."

Hare Krishna