namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

Here is an interesting mod that Bali Fergusson (Balaram Das) from Hawaii has done to his Balarama mrdanga. There are two holes drilled in the body inline with the strap rings, towards the center of the drum.

Apparently this increases the volume and resonance of the drum. I'm interested to try it out...

What’s in a printing press?

Do we as devotees understand the importance of printing books?

More importantly do we understand our own personal responsibility in this printing and distributing of books?

I was online listening to a class from Soho Street the devotee was talking about the mood of book distribution and that although the targets set were not achieved because each and everyone were encouraged to take part there was a lovely ecstatic mood. It also appears that it brought the community much closer together and everyone was inspired and lifted.

However he talked about the printing of the books, he had been advised to go to Bethal (the printing press of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the UK) and see the printing press there. It is one of the most advanced and also the hardest working press anywhere in the world.

But why the focus on books?

What is the ultimate aim?

Can we actually learn one important lesson from other organizations?

You see the Jehovah’s Witnesses not only own there own press, but also the way the books are presented and distributed worldwide (Over 14 million magazines are printed monthly in 33 languages and shipped to more than 10,000 congregations in some 70 countries; official JW figures) The aim is two fold, the high quality of printing attracts; but more that the person reading the books is given the opportunity to take up the offer of a free home bible study.

The printing is the start; great effort is taken in training with one congregational meeting each week given to training and learning how to present and use the books. The theocratic ministry school and then discourses on how to present the books and philosophy are seen as pivotal.

New congregational members are encouraged to take up the mission and are entered into this theocratic ministry school along with training by a senior member in the house to house ministry work (to be a congregational member means you distribute books).

But although there are many books distributed this is not the focus we need to hit this book target. NO! The aim is to build a friendship with the people we meet, to be invited into the home and to start a bible study.

It was a nice program I enjoyed my time going from door to door; I was a regular pioneer dedicating over 60 hours a month to this service and after a year I attended the Pioneer Ministry School, we gained a very special book not available to other congregational members.

In or training our aim was not high book scores but remained the home bible study focusing on the individual, getting to know them and even helping them practically; I see you cant get to the shops would you like me to get you anything?

Twice a week these books and magazines were studied one day in small house groups and in another as a congregation (the third meeting in a week was for the theocratic ministry school and training in presenting the books we were studying); if you get the book we see that at the bottom is a question for each verse found and these would be used in the home bible study also.

After some time visiting the home and conduction a bible study and trust is built the next step would be an invite to one of the house group; the person understood how the books were studied and so is not alien to them. The informal nature along with a cup of tea and cake (YUM YUM) helped progression and eventually onto then coming into Kingdom Hall for the Sunday meeting.

The focus is always on follow up, follow up, follow up. For with out follow up what is the point?

And this means we give of ourselves and we spend lots and lots of time with the person; yes a very personal relationship develops this means once they come to the kingdom hall they usually stay.

We see even the Mormon Faith does the same, give the book then arrange a home visit when can we visit you? Then a home study of the book of Mormon before introducing you to the congregation.

This is personal association, giving time, learning about the person, becoming a friend and someone you can trust. The books are the Key tool for without the book there could be no follow up.

For myself when I first met the devotees it was on the street and I took a book, actually the person interested me more than the book; I still remember the glow from the face and the smile (it will forever be imprinted in my mind). After reading the book which I did straight away because of the impression the person had given me then what?

If it wasn’t for the personal nature of the exchange and the personal invite given the book would have found it’s way onto a shelf may be never seeing the light of day again. It did make an impact for sure but I would have missed out on so much if it wasn’t for the follow up.

Although there was no home gita study (something that I think could be explored) there was a lovely small group held twice a week with nice chanting of the holy names of Krishna; nice informal class were we could ask many questions and lovely Prasadam (YUM, YUM; these devotees knew how to cook). But most important was the books and association of the devotees and the care they took in making sure both were done nicely.

But still I struggle the more I read the more faults I find in myself and the harder devotee life appears; this is my mind. But I cast my mind back to that day in Manchester when I first received a book and the first time I met the devotees at the preaching center. How indebted I am to them and my Guru Maharaja who sent them for there focus was to make devotees. And through everything I remember the care they took in encouraging the reading of the books assuring me that whatever we face in life the books hold the answer.

Srila Prabhupada explains thus:

To become devotee is not so easy thing. Not so easy thing. People think that devotion is a sentiment. No. It is not sentiment. It is a great science. It is a great science to become fully satisfied. Fully satisfied. And Krsna says,

bhoktaram yajna-tapasam
sarva-loka-mahesvaram
suhrdam sarva-bhutanam
jnatva mam santim rcchati

[Bg. 5.29]

This is the process of santi. Bhoktaram. Krsna is the enjoyer. We are after worshiping Krsna. That is our business. Wherever we go, we install this Krsna Deity and we work for Krsna, we print books for Krsna, we distribute books for Krsna, we beg everyone to become Krsna’s bhakta. Therefore it is Krsna consciousness. We have no other business than Krsna. As Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. We are doing that. We have no other business. Simply Krsna. Why? Krsnas tu bhagavan svayam [SB 1.3.28]. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Krsna says in the Bhagavata, mattah parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya: [Bg. 7.7] “I am the Supreme.”

Pandal Speech and Question Session — Delhi, November 10, 1973

So lets take this printing of books very seriously, but also put as much thought into how we use the books in making devotees; print, distribute, follow up.

Help the person take to devotee life then they too can enter into this great mission of spreading this Krishna Consciousness throughout the whole world; this is the power of the books if we use them wisely and unlock the potential within them.

As the devotee at Soho Street was explaining that because everyone was involved and entering into this spirit of book distribution that the whole congregation was lifted; so this should be our business.

“When one is freed from all material contamination, his firm faith in devotional service awakens. When firm faith develops, a taste arises, and by that taste one becomes attached to devotional service. When this attachment intensifies, the seed of love of Krsna fructifies. This position is called priti or rati (affection) or bhava (emotion). When rati intensifies, it is called love of Godhead. This love of Godhead is actually life’s highest perfection and the reservoir of all pleasure.”

Chaitanya Caritamrta Madhya 23.13

“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul. For just as the wind carries thousands of winged seeds, so each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered seeds perish and are lost, because men are not prepared to receive them: for such seeds as these cannot spring up anywhere except in the good soil of freedom, spontaneity, and love.”

Merton, Thomas, New Seeds of Contemplation. New York: New Directions, 1961, p. 14.

Filed under: Thomas Merton

What’s in a dress?

Several weeks ago I was listening to a class from Soho Street and the devotee talked very briefly on the fact he has a couple of inch’s on his dhoti, were as bramacarya life doesn’t even offer you that amount of expression.

My mind had not contemplated that I had a small couple of inches to personalize my dhoti presuming it was a reference point for the weavers or something like that, but the question for me was why are we not all in Safron? Or allowed to wear the color of our choice nice multi-colored dhoti now theres a way to express your personality.

Interesting as it seems there is very little mention of this in any of Srila Prabhupada’s writings or correspondence; may be this shows more the state of my mind than anything of significances anyway heres my thoughts on what was written and said:

Householders may wear dhotis in the Temple, or as they like, but not of the saffron color. They may wear white, yellow, or whatever. Outside the Temple they may wear American gentleman’s dress, with Tilaka, flag, and beads. It is not required to wear dhotis, as this society does not understand, so outside the Temple dress suit is more socially acceptable. If they so desire, for ceremony, they can dress in dhotis for Kirtana.

Letter to: Balai — San Francisco 12 March, 1968

So I could simply quote Srila Prabhupada and wear a lovely pink dhoti sighting the term “or whatever” would I be wrong? Well I’m sure that a few words would be spoken to me, but could I claim then the moral high ground Srila Prabhupada said it’s alright and so I’m expressing myself; it would defiantly cause a disturbance which is demonstrated in his letter three years on:

I am a little concerned, however, that you are being somewhat harassed in your activities by these so-called swamis. But do not be discouraged by their foolish talkings, we have got more important business. We do not judge the man by his dress, so we are not concerned with the color of our cloth as much as we are concerned to keep our conduct on the plane of pure spiritual life. Our Krsna consciousness is practically being accepted by all kinds of persons all over the world and there is no discrimination of types of dress. Generally Grhasthas wear white for the men and colorful saris for the women. While performing sacrifices, etc. they may wear yellow cloth which is considered auspicious. But you are always engaged in such religious activity in direct service of the transcendental Lord, so yellow garments are not inappropriate. In India our householder devotee men are all wearing white cloths and they all look very, very nice. You can do also if you like.

Letter to: Upendra — Allahabad 27 January, 1971

So here we see that Srila Prabhupada was little concerned about the dress, more about the quality of the person, but for preaching and to not open up the devotees to unnecessary harassment we see the term “or whatever” no longer used; but a suggestion “Grhasthas wear white for the men and colorful saris for the women” but also points out that actually the wearing of yellow garments is not inappropriate as it is considered auspicious and as we should always be engaged in Krishna’s service quite right.

But I guess the crucial point is this as Srila Prabhupada says “We do not judge the man by his dress, so we are not concerned with the color of our cloth as much as we are concerned to keep our conduct on the plane of pure spiritual life.”

Am I more interested in a couple of inches of expression, or the color of my dhoti or getting serious in spiritual life and keeping an eye on my ever wondering mind?
But it would be fun to turn up in yellow just to see if there would be a disturbance or lack of understanding of why we could if we feel wear yellow. But in closing Srila Prabhupada explains the insignificance of cloth color and the true significance of life:

That is all right, grhastha, vanaprastha, that is a, different stages. But the real education is that you have to die. You have to accept another body. What kind of body you are going to accept? If you do not know that what is this meaning of grhastha, and vanaprastha, and sannyasa? It is all rascal. If you do not… You miss this real point, then what is the meaning of this? There’s no meaning. Simply by dressing in white cloth one becomes grhastha? And simply by dressing one, in this saffron cloth, he becomes sannyasi? By changing dress he becomes everything? He must know, that what is the aim of life. Everyone should know what is the ultimate of life.

Room Conversation with Indonesian Scholar — February 27, 1973, Jakarta

In my opinion, the last word, the final word and therefore the most important word, in the Bhagavad-Gita is “morality”.  We can abandon all varieties of religion, but morality is essential.

“Wherever there is Krsna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion.”

Bhagavad-Gita 18.78

When a new crop of future business leaders graduates from the Harvard Business School next week, many of them will be taking a new oath that says, in effect, greed is not good.

Nearly 20 percent of the graduating class have signed “The M.B.A. Oath,” a voluntary student-led pledge that the goal of a business manager is to “serve the greater good.” It promises that Harvard M.B.A.’s will act responsibly, ethically and refrain from advancing their “own narrow ambitions” at the expense of others.

What happened to making money?

That, of course, is still at the heart of the Harvard curriculum. But at Harvard and other top business schools, there has been an explosion of interest in ethics courses and in student activities — clubs, lectures, conferences — about personal and corporate responsibility and on how to view business as more than a money-making enterprise, but part of a large social community.

“We want to stand up and recite something out loud with our class,” said Teal Carlock, who is graduating from Harvard and has accepted a job at Genentech. “Fingers are now pointed at M.B.A.’s and we, as a class, have a real opportunity to come together and set a standard as business leaders.”

At Columbia Business School, all students must pledge to an honor code: “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” The code has been in place for about three years and came about after discussions between students and faculty.

In the post-Enron and post-Madoff era, the issue of ethics and corporate social responsibility has taken on greater urgency among students about to graduate. While this might easily be dismissed as a passing fancy — or simply a defensive reaction to the current business environment — business school professors say that is not the case. Rather, they say, they are seeing a generational shift away from viewing an M.B.A. as simply an on-ramp to the road to riches.

Those graduating today, they say, are far more concerned about how corporations affect the community, the lives of its workers and the environment. And business schools are responding with more courses, new centers specializing in business ethics and, in the case of Harvard, student-lead efforts to bring about a professional code of conduct for M.B.A.’s, not unlike oaths that are taken by lawyers and doctors.

“I don’t see this as something that will fade away,” said Diana C. Robertson, a professor of business ethics at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. “It’s coming from the students. I don’t know that we’ve seen such a surge in this activism since the 1960s. This activism is different, but, like that time, it is student-driven.”

A decade ago, Wharton had one or two professors who taught a required ethics class. Today there are seven teaching an array of ethics classes that Ms. Robertson said were among the most popular at the school. Since 1997, it has had the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research. In addition, over the last five years, students have formed clubs around the issues of ethics that sponsor conferences, work on microfinance projects in Philadelphia or engage in social impact consulting.

“It’s been a dramatic change,” Ms. Robertson added. “This generation was raised learning about the environment and raised with the idea of a social conscience. That does not apply to every student. But this year’s financial crisis and the downturn have brought about a greater emphasis on social ethics and responsibility.”

At Harvard, about 160 from a graduating class of about 800 have signed “The M.B.A. Oath,” which its student advocates contend is the first step in trying to develop a professional code not unlike the Hippocratic Oath for physicians or the pledge taken by lawyers to uphold the law and Constitution.

Part of this has emerged by the beating that Wall Street and financiers have taken in the current economic crisis, which can set the stage for reform, Harvard students say.

“There is the feeling that we want our lives to mean something more and to run organizations for the greater good,” said Max Anderson, one of the pledge’s organizers who is about to leave Harvard and take a job at Bridgewater Associates, a money management firm.

“No one wants to have their future criticized as a place filled with unethical behaviors,” he added. “We want to learn from those mistakes, do things differently and accept our duty to lead responsibly. Realistically, we have tremendous potential to affect society for better or worse. Let’s humbly step up. We are looking out for our own interest, but also for the interest of our employees and the broader public.”

Bruce Kogut, director of the Sanford C. Bernstein & Company Center for Leadership and Ethics at Columbia, said that this emphasis did not mean that students were necessarily going to shun jobs that paid well. Rather, they will think about how they earn their income, not just how much.

At Columbia, an ethics course is required, but students have also formed a popular “Leadership and Ethics Board,” that sponsors lectures with topics like “The Marie Antoinettes of Corporate America.”

“The courses make people aware that the financial crisis is not a technical blip,” Mr. Kogut said. “We’re seeing a generational change that understands that poverty is not just about Africa and India. They see inequities and the role of business to address them.”

Dalia Rahman, who is about to leave Harvard for a job with Goldman Sachs in London, said she signed the pledge because “it takes what we learned in class and makes it more concrete. When you have to make a public vow, it’s a way to commit to uphold principles.”

Filed under: News, Ramblings or Whatever

H.H. Bir Krishna Maharaja will be in town, and at the temple!

This is a very nice and thought provoking article by Sita-pati das several comments are worth pondering over:

“It is a mistake to identify with any -ism. When someone has personal difficulties in their relationships with other persons or with an organisation, sometimes they may take shelter of a pre-packaged philosophical position. All -isms are fossilized thought. Although they may identify with that, we do not help them by identifying with it ourselves.”

” “Why give an explanation when you can use organizational pressure and name-calling to silence people” is an extremely dangerous position to adopt. If someone blows a whistle and there really is nothing to see, then just explain the situation transparently. When the response appears to be a massive shutdown of all dialog, it creates the impression that actually there is something wrong.”

The full blog posting and reason for these statements can be read in full (Why give an explanation when you can use organizational pressure to silence people?)

I felt the need to add my own personal comment on what I personally see as nothing more than school boy bully tactics; by people who are unable to understand the mood of questions and answers that the founding Acharia Srila Prabhupada encouraged by making the following comments:

“Firstly thank you for your very insightful thoughts on this matter; it appears that within the organizational grouping there is some difficulty in explaining when challenged or questioned.

We see also how our founding Acharia if challenged or questioned over something was more than able to answer, even when the individual and especially his own god-brothers were highly critical; but as an organization this lesson appears lost.

Last year I was traveling with a group of devotees from Wales to London, England (for those not in the know this is a different country) I was astonished to hear his reason for no longer going to the local preaching center.

Unfortunately he had asked about the Ritvik situation as he felt to him it made sense but wished to know more. However rather than a simple answer he was confronted with an ultimatum; he had to sign several documents stating he would never question or mention or adhere to the ritvik philosophy or he will not be allowed back into the center as these questions causes a disturbance.

So I explained in detail my understanding as presented by several of Prabhupada’s disciples and he was actually very appreciative of the time taken to explain the different views. That was all he needed was to satisfy his mind and aid understanding, but as an organization silencing and high pressure tactics was applied; and get we wonder why so many leave ISKCON for other sampradias.

Or worse our inability to answer questions kills the fledgling devotee who’s mind is not still full of questions by our own foolishness and inability to answer the questions put forward; an inability to convince then that this devotional path is the right way. By showing an unsympathetic and bullying tactic not seen or demonstrated by our founder acharia who simply defeated the person by simply presenting the facts and removing all shadow of doubt that the mind throws up.

But then I too an under great pressure and my own personal thoughts written in my blog has been under attack, even the threat that I will never be initiated made for my questioning; but thats another story and won’t I feel add anything.

But what would help is as you state a simple answer to questions and a statement of facts as they are, presented sincerely; this was the example given by Srila Prabhupada isn’t it better as an organization that we follow his example; rather than school yard bully boy tactics?”

Ok, so non of us are Srila Prabhupada but we should try to develop this mood; allow questions and challenges and defeat them with knowledge showing full understanding of the person, there motive and there mood.

And YES I AM GOING TO SAY IT (I know the UK management hates me using these terms) but lets be personal not impersonal with our dealings with people; that means sitting down with them engaging them in conversation, tolerating attacks both personal and organizational and answering each and every question.

REMEMBER this we are in a fight to save the persons spirit soul and this means that until they are stable in there own Krishna Consciousness and in there mind we have to enter into the fight with them; many will be lost by the illusionary potency of maya; but we are after all meant to be FULL OF COMPASSION FOR THE FALLEN CONDITIONED SOUL; lets show it in our actions and dealings with others and leave the school yard bullying were it’s meant to be. Lets get up close and personal and get to know the real person you never know you may be surprised by what you find, and one day the stable devotee will emerge

Someone wrote to me a couple of times about Pandu's recent posts on Planet ISKCON, typecasting them as "ritvik stuff". Here is my reply to them:

"You know the truth of religion, and you are speaking according to the principle that the destination intended for the perpetrator of irreligious acts is also intended for one who identifies the perpetrator."

- Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.22

It is a mistake to identify with any -ism. When someone has personal difficulties in their relationships with other persons or with an organisation, sometimes they may take shelter of a pre-packaged philosophical position. All -isms are fossilized thought. Although they may identify with that, we do not help them by identifying with it ourselves.

How many times have you been on sankirtan and you start to describe something, and a Christian says: "Oh, I know what that is, it's 'idol worship'", or some other stereotypical conception.

It would be a mistake for him to identify with an -ism such as ritvikism, and it would be a mistake for others to draw up battlelines by saying: "Oh, I know what this is - this is that", and casting Pandu in that role.

Pandu is having difficulty integrating his personal experience, his expectations, and his understanding of the ideals of the organisation.

If someone wants to address this situation, then my suggestion is that the "anti-ritvikism" people, whoever they may be, need to start by explaining exactly what happened with H.H. Bhakti Tirtha Swami's disappearance, the participation of H.G. Vakresvara Pandit, and the Child Protection Office ruling against him.

Instead of giving a public, reasoned explanation of that, "the organisation" responded to Pandu by using coercive methods. Everything has followed from there.

Call me a heretic, but I think that the issues around H.H. Bhakti Tirtha's disappearance pastimes and the participation of HG Vakresvara Pandit should by explained. I have not seen an explanation. What is the difficulty? Where is the brahminical response?

What are you advocating to me now? That I should also respond to Pandu with censorship, threats, ostracism? I think that someone should step into the obvious leadership vacuum around this issue and explore the issues around what happened at Gita Nagari, and the way it was handled.

Along with Pandu, I also think that an explanation is due. However, I'm not going to take shelter of any -ism as a result, and I'm not sure if that is what he is doing. But he has to maintain his integrity somehow in the face of the reaction to his requests for explanation...

Lock step conformity with the prevailing organisational mindset leads to Nazi Germany and 80's ISKCON. Sorry, but Planet ISKCON is not a propaganda piece - it's about real people having a real experience of Krishna Consciousness.

"Why give an explanation when you can use organizational pressure and name-calling to silence people" is an extremely dangerous position to adopt. If someone blows a whistle and there really is nothing to see, then just explain the situation transparently. When the response appears to be a massive shutdown of all dialog, it creates the impression that actually there is something wrong.

And Pandu, just be careful about how you present things, because "ritvik" is the new "commie", and the issue risks transforming away from what happened at Gita Nagari to how you are becoming a public exponent of a particular organizational ideology.

CALCUTTA’s Telegraph has got hold of an answer paper of a candidate at the recent UPSC examinations. The candidate has written an essay on the Indian cow:

“The cow is a successful animal. Also he is quadrupud, and because he is female, he give milk,but will do so when he is got child.He is same like God,sacred to Hindus and useful to man.But he has got four legs together. Two are forward and two are afterwards.

“His whole body can be utilised for use. More so the milk. What can it do? Various ghee, butter,cream, curd, why and the condensed milk and so forth. Also he is useful to cobbler, watermans and mankind generally.

“His motion is slow only because he is of asitudinious species. Also his other motion is much useful to trees, plants as well as making flat cakes in hand and drying in the sun. Cow is the only animal that extricates his feeding after eating. Then afterwards she chew with his teeth whom are situated in the inside of the mouth. He is incessantly in the meadows in the grass.

“His only attacking and defending organ is the horn, specially so when he is got child. This is done by knowing his head whereby he causes the weapons to be paralleled to the ground of the earth and instantly proceed with great velocity forwards.

“He has got tails also, but not like similar animals. It has hairs on the other end of the other side. This is done to frighten away the flies which alight on his cohoa body whereupon he gives hit with it.

The palms of his feet are soft unto the touch. So the grasses head is not crushed. At night time have poses by looking down on the ground and he shouts his eyes like his relatives, the horse does not do so.

“This is the cow.”

P.S.: We are informed that the candidate passed the exam.

Filed under: Cows and Environment, Jokes

The other day I was listening to a class by HH Kadamba Kanana Swami who was talking about fall down and difficulty in Krishna Consciousness and that it is not that we give up but take time to reflect.

As my own Guru Maharaja says it is only in Krishna Consciousness that we are actually for real with ourselves, that we reflect not on others as the course of our difficulty but we look directly at the real course ourselves. In our last talk together we were talking about how to make this a life long commitment and not just a flash in a pan. My Guru Maharaja was very positive that we adjust our situation when needed and that he felt that my own desire to remain in devotee association despite difficulty was a positive thing for a life time of chanting the holy names; but also a reminder about basics.

What he also knows is that I can also be very challenging or critical by nature, I remember listening to a class and then the following class picking him up on it and asking for an explanation. He suggested I ask one of the devotees there but this for me was not good enough; NO! You made the statement so either you can or can’t explain it, if you can’t explain it then just say so, was my reply. OK, if you put it that way I’ll tell you came the forceful reply and an explanation was given in full; and yes any of the devotees there could easily have given the answer, but he understood that I would only take this Krishna Consciousness movement serious if he personally gave the answer.

But my guru maharaja also understood this; that in order to help me if he hadn’t answered this it would have become an obstacle or even the end of any spiritual progression, understanding not only my mind but personality he took the time to explain things fully; this is the mercy of Guru but also shows that he has also learnt and following the fine example of his own Guru Maharaja HDG Prabhupada, who too took the time to answer many questions just to save the soul and at times adjusting to the personal situation just to help some progression in spiritual life.

I was reflecting on this and my own anxiety at this time the most senior devotee in a position to help me simply stated “Everything that is done is done for a reason. You may not know the reason, that’s alright, but it would be better for you to assume that the reasons are good and designed to help, not hinder, an individual spiritual progress.”

But my thinking is what is the use of this statement if you cannot explain. My own guru maharaja and Srila Prabhupada could give an explanation when asked or challenged; sometime by using what to some may appear to be hard words but often very subtle words depending on the individual they were talking to, never ever did they leave things unexplained especially if one if seeking or asking.

My guru maharaja noted that this is one of the characteristics of my personality that I can appear to be challenging when actually I’m looking for the answer, once it is given and explained in an open way he also noted that I became happy and satisfied. So he allowed me to challenge in such a way and openly gave me the answer to what appeared to be a very public challenging question just to satisfy the mind; and also to demonstrate his mercy upon me.

I was wondering if when the devotee was in hospital if he had been under my care, if I didn’t take the time to explain the procedure and after care if he would have been happy by this, if I simply said you don’t understand but anything I do I do for a good reason would he have been happy with this?

My job would certainly be much easier, you lie there do as I say don’t ask ay questions for if I ask you to do something it’s only for your good. No, this would not be acceptable and I would not expect any of my patients to act in such a manor in order to aid recovery time an explanations has to be given for the mental well-being and stability of the patient especially if the treatment is very intrusive.

If we look at medical litigation often what is sighted is the patients lack of knowledge and understanding, in fact the consent forms which have to be signed means that the surgeon has to make sure that the patient fully understands the procedure, both benefits and if there is any adverse or known problems that may occur. In fact as nurses one of the first things that is covered is that of consent, what is consent both implied and deferred we do not impose or expect compliance just because the patient is there.

And this could be seen as my problem and impediment to spiritual life, I refuse to just submit and go along with it, like the patient in the hospital I need to know why, why will this benefit me, and the need to be satisfied with the answers. I am unable to just submit to an authority no matter how grounded or elevated they may appear, if they cannot explain why they are asking such things.

My own Guru Maharaja on the second time of meeting him challenged me, Ok your a nurse you save the body, so what! It’s going to die any way right? Name me one patient whom you’ve cared for that hasn’t or will not at some point die? So why concern yourself over the body that dies, what about the soul, are you able to put as much effort if not more effort into saving the soul? This will be the utmost benefit to those you meet making sure they never take birth or have to suffer and die ever again isn’t this true nursing?

These few words I have carried with me ever since, trying my best to fulfill this desire and instruction to save the spirit soul; I cannot put this desire to do the best I can into a form or into an answer to a question I am just obliged to fulfill my Guru Maharaja’s request this is all he asks of me.

Follow the regulative principles, chant the holy names a minimum of 16 rounds but at every opportunity you should chant more and save the spirit souls I come into contact with.

Thus despite my lack of knowledge what can I do but follow this instruction; he has explained each point so nicely using many examples from his own Guru Maharaja (Srila Prabhupada); but my fault remains I cannot follow instructions from senior devotees who cannot or appear unable to explain there instructions; but looking at my nature I cannot see for now how I can overcome this hurdle for I cannot follow blindly. The instruction from my Guru Maharaja and sincere friends and ever well wishers like HH Mahavishnu Swami who stopped at my home and asked many changes to be made explaining why each one was needed is all I feel I need; for with reason I can follow but without reason how can I; this is my nature.

I want to thank Tapapunja prabhu for organizing a stellar event for the visiting students (both college and high school) and some of their teachers. The day here included four break out sessions (lead by Jamuna dd, Jayasri dd, Rupanuga and Tapapunga), tours of the Palace by Bhakta Tom, a performance by Devananda and myself, and topped off with a fantastic feast.

The visitors came from all over the country as part of The Ignatian Solidarity Network’s spring Teach-In. The three day Teach-In was hosted by Wheeling Jesuit University with the focus on environmental justice and sustainability. (Hummm, maybe we could start hosting stuff like this.) Tapapunja was one of the speakers there and he inspired 55 students and teachers to make the drive up to New Vrindaban this last Sunday.

After the feast, I met with visitors in the lobby and gave them this inquiry: “Please offer a brief reflection of your visit. How were the presentations, the food, and the overall schedule of the day? Your comments will help us improve our presentations. Thanks.” Some told me they really appreciated their time here, while others gave the written responses below. Some suggested room for improvement. Overall, the devotees’ concerted effort made a lasting impression on the group. Kudos to all involved.

The preaching events and festivals are certainly the life of New Vrindaban. There will be at least two other student groups coming in April and one in May.

***

The music session was wonderful and I learned so much. The talk on food was interesting as well. I loved the tour of the Palace. It was beautiful. The food was delicious and all the people were so kind and informative. The only ‘complaint’ I have is that the group sessions weren’t organized well. Groups should have been informed when to switch.

***

The schedule of the day worked out really well. My friends and I loved the tour of the Palace (very informative). The food was excellent.

***

I thought it was very interesting to learn about the Indian culture and different religions. I had a lot of fun. Thank you.

***

I thought the tour of the Palace was very neat. For the short amount of time we had, it was cool to still be able to learn about the spiritual cooking, the music and the Palace. The food was excellent. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for your hospitality.

***

Wow! I had no idea what to expect when we signed up to come out. It was far and away an amazing experience. Everyone was so welcoming. The tours, presentations and food were all great.

***

It was educational. I learned a lot, and the atmosphere and all the music had a very tangible energy.

***

We were lost in one room for three sessions, but I loved the place and the people. Namaste.

***

Peaceful. Prayerful. Inspirational!

***

This was a wonderful experience. As a fellow resident of WV I feel empowered by knowing we share the beauty and spirituality of this wonderful land.

***

I came here unaware of the scale in which the Hare Krishna foundation was established in the area. It was truly a highly enjoyable day.

***

It is something wonderful to witness when a stranger opens his home to us - this is God welcoming us. To hear unfamiliar sounds crafted into music – this is God speaking to us. To taste unimaginable spices from the work of many hands – this is God sharing with us. Hare Krishna – many thanks.

My witch hazel has finally bloomed. Some years it blooms as early as January but before this year it has always bloomed in February. It needs several sunny days above freezing and we never had that this year in February even though that is normal. It is always exciting to look forward to its blooming because it marks the beginning of a new horticultural year, and most years it is a spirit lifter in the dead of winter. Fragrant too.

The other thing that didn’t happen in February was any tree pruning. In the past, energy permitting, I have gone out in February and done fruit tree pruning but with all the snow, that would have been difficult this year, and my macho younger self that may have bulled through it anyway is but a distant memory.

It is still time in March to prune but best to get it done before trees break dormancy and we are now having a string of well above average temperature days where you can almost see the snow melting in front of your eyes and if this continues it will be a narrow window to prune in.

This is complicated by my physical limitations where I only have a little energy and don’t really accomplish all that much in a given day. There is practically unlimited trees to prune around NV given that restriction. If anyone is interested in doing some pruning let me know and we can go out and do some.

I have also made commitments to individuals to help them, besides the trees I have myself. Once April arrives so will a lot of trees, berries, and fragrant perennials so even if the weather turns cold again, I won’t have time for pruning.

I have some odd jobs to do around the garden to make life simpler when the season hits, so I have been getting out in the good weather and getting some stuff done.

Today I am going to strip some old rotting mesh wire off a still good frame that is no longer useful in its current condition. It is like a low table we have put plants on while waiting to transplant them, something I recycled from I can’t remember where. Unfortunately it has about a zillion staples on it so it will take some time, but once the wire is removed I am going to reinforce the frame and use it as a portable cold frame, just throwing some plastic, old windows or floating row cover over it to bring some greens on early and then as a season extender in the fall.

I also have received some 2 oz. and some .55 oz floating row cover I can use for the same purpose without a frame but cold frames are nice.

One thing about having a garden is there is always something to do.

“Prabhupada: And the bulls are being killed. Why they should be killed? Engage them in tilling the field. They will have occupation. And the man also will have occupation. There is immense land. So there will be no question of unemployment. And the machine, it works hundreds of men’s labor and hundreds of men become unemployed. So unemployed means devil’s workshop.”

Room Conversation with Scientists — July 2, 1974, Melbourne

Filed under: Cows and Environment

The nice thing is developing bringing Krishna Consciousness in the schools within my local region, this has been an effort of several years but by the mercy of Guru and Krishna it has slowly evolved to the point were it is becoming difficult to balance work and preaching due to the increasing demand.

One of the biggest drivers has not come directly from the temple or preaching centers but from the council educational departments; my personal feeling is that if we showed even an ounce of enthusiasm as these individual's the movement could easily take over the world.

Anyways as we look at expanding further there is a call from school's outside of my local area also wanting the provisions but I also got an interesting e-mail asking about if there is a provision for special needs schools. This raises an interesting point are we so bold as to limit our preaching work or exclude a group of individual's.

What is of interest is that Krishna is universal even with minimal understanding Krishna can pierce the heart and everyone with a human form has the capacity to connect with Krishna and his devotees. Of note also is practical experience.

My first school presentations were to special needs; I can still remember the excitement of one of the students as he looked on the picture of Srila Prabhupada, he started jumping up and down and pointing and glorifying, I could have sworn he had seen him before; "he's a nice man you must listen to him, nice man, nice man." And when I started chanting the maha-mantra his voice could be heard above everyone else's; now theres a devotee.

Ok so the high philosophy and understanding may be missed but the appreciation is there; to appreciate and enter into the chanting of the holy names is actually of the greatest benefit to mankind.

Actually if we look at things practically, we are all overcome by some form of mental disease; if we don't believe this, then look into the mirror and ask yourself, "why do I have this body?"

Srila Prabhupada explains things nicely like this:

Psychiatrist: I just wished to meet you.

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Paramahamsa: He says he just wished to meet you. Perhaps I should read a verse. Should I read a verse?

Prabhupada: No. Our viewpoint is that in the material world, who has accepted this material body—anyone, but we specially take the human society—they require treatment, everyone. Everyone is mentally diseased, and therefore he is unhappy. Everyone. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna [SB 5.18.12].

Anyone who has no sense of God consciousness, he is diseased mentally. He requires treatment. The whole human society, especially at the present moment, they have given up God consciousness. They are not interested. That is their disease. And everyone requires treatment. So the whole Krishna consciousness movement is the mass treatment of the materialistic persons who are mentally diseased.

That is our proposition. It is... In India there was a case. A man committed murder, and he pleaded in the court that...His pleader, his lawyer, pleaded that he was mad at that time. We also accept unless one becomes mad, one cannot commit murder or suicide. So the civil surgeon was brought to give evidence whether this man is actually mad. The civil surgeon said that, "So far my experience is concerned—I have treated so many persons—in my opinion everyone is mad. So if on account of madness one should be excused from the law, then it is Your Honor's discretion, but so far I have studied, more or less, everyone is mad."

Similarly, our study is that unless one is mad, he cannot remain in this material world. So everyone is mentally diseased, and they are concocting their ideas, different ideas. And they are overlapping, my idea, your idea overlapping. Therefore there is clash, unhappiness, violence, individually, socially, familywise, nationwise. This is going on. Therefore everyone requires a treatment, psychiatrist's treatment. And the best treatment is to induce a person to become Krishna conscious. Then everything will be all right. Otherwise, a person who is not Krishna conscious, or God conscious, he is basically a mad man and requires treatment. (pause) Ghostly haunted man... You have experienced ghostly haunted man?

Room Coversation with Psychiatrist and Indian Boy—May 12, 1975, Perth

Everyone and anyone should be given a chance to overcome this madness of material life for if we discount others then we run the risk of discounting ourselves; and this is a position non of us wish to be in.

From an email:

INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW………………………
Blood Clots/Stroke – They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

I will continue to forward this every time it comes around!

STROKE:Remember the 1st Three Letters…..S.T.R.

My nurse friend sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree.

If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously.

Please read:

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall – she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening

Ingrid’s husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital – (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.. Some don’t die they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this…

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke…totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the ‘3′ steps, STR . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke ——– Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another ’sign’ of a stroke is this: Ask the person to ’stick’ out his tongue… If the tongue is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part. Will you?

Filed under: Health

...I do believe you mean "Satan's Slave". #apostrophefail

This week is spring break at University of Florida so Lacie and I are going to visit her family in Massachusetts. So I probably won't be doing much blogging this week, not that I've been doing much recently anyhow.

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

I was reading a posting via http://phanisvara.com/ the other day highlighting the problems accessing Srila Prabhupada’s books by those who are visually impared.

The systems in place at the moment do not lean themselves to help, the problem is that there is a need for a text reader of which there are several that can take text and convert into mp3 format; most os systems also have a system for text reading but there are limitations.

Both rely on a system of highlighting the text you wish to listen to, this is not too bad if we can highlight a small section or purport, but when there is a larger purport or text there is a problem. If it is say a couple of pages this is not bad, but the vadabase is set up that it will highlight everything not just the purport you are looking at.

The other option is the use of vaniquotes, but again this has problems as there is a need to know what you are looking for and this can be a strain on the eyes, especially as the font size has to be increased, so a complete overview is not available, making navigation a small problem if looking for quotes.

There is also another problem with text readers, as good as they are they do not pronounce the sanskrit words accurately. OK, the updated version of the vedabase does have pronunciation for the Gita but only that. There are tapes available but again they do not give the all important purports and are usually accompanied by some music which can be distracting at times.

I did think about "talking veda books," but my pronunciation is woeful—although it would be much appreciated and allow for a greater access to vedic knowledge not only for those who are visually impaired but for those who travel.

But for those who need to use a text reader here are the two available on the market that have a good track record, they both have limited free versions and the more sophisticated version to buy and will at the least allow some access to the purports and help increase understanding. They are as follows:

• Natural Readers (reader and mp3 text converter)
• Verbose (text reader and mp3 text converter)

But I am wondering why if we are concerned at translating into every language we are not also concerned about availability to those who have a visual, hearing or learning difficulty to access vedic knowledge. May be I should continue in my struggle in pronunciation and develop a talk vedic book resource?

I see him moving, in his legendary fleece,
Between the superhighway and an Algonquin stone axe;
Between the wild tribes, in their lost heat,
And the dark blizzard of my Grandfather’s coat;
Cold with the outdoor cold caught in the curls,
Smelling of the world before the poll tax.

And between the new macadam and the Scalp Act
They got him by the short hair; had him clipped
Who once was wild—and all five senses wild—
Printing the wild with his hoof’s inflated script
Before the times was money in the bank,
Before it was a crime to be so mild.

But history is a fact, and moves on feet
Sharper than his, toward wallows deeper than.
And the myth that covered all his moving parts,
Grandfather’s time had turned into a coat;
And what kept warm then, in the true world’s cold
Is old and cold in a world his death began.

Filed under: Poetry

Madhava in Sydney.

Friday April 2, 8:00 pm
Body Mind Life Yoga
55 Foveaux St
Surrey Hills

More details and tickets for the concert at www.bodymindlife.com.au.

More details of the tour at www.kirtanaustralia.com.

By David Derbyshire

A factory farm housing more than 8,000 ';battery cows' will be built in the English countryside.

Under the controversial plans, Britain's largest ever dairy herd will be kept in industrial-scale sheds with little access to pasture or sunshine.

The cows will be milked around the clock to produce 430,000 pints each day  -  while their slurry will be recycled to generate power for the national grid.

No room to move: An automatic milking shed

The complex is the first 'supersize' cattle factory planned for Britain and follows growing concerns about the spread of 'zero-grazing' farming.

Justin Kerswell, of animal rights group Viva, said: ';This is factory farming  -  and it blows out of the water the pastoral image the dairy industry likes to portray.'

The £40million farm will be built near Nocton, Lincolnshire, later this year. It will have eight hangars for 8,100 cattle and two 24-hour milking parlours.

The animals, fed on fodder, will spend most of their days inside where they will stand and sleep on sand rather than pasture.

And they will be milked three times a day, while a typical dairy cow is milked just twice.

Waste will be removed each day and fed into an anaerobic generator to produce enough electricity for more than 2,000 homes.

Robert Howard, a farmer behind the Nocton Dairies project, said the farm will be the largest in Western Europe and help the dairy industry compete against imports.

';Campaigners think cows should be like in the Anchor butter advert, with 50 to 100 cows dancing in a field,' he said. ';It is a lovely idea, but not the reality.'

His colleague Peter Wiles said the cows would have access to open pasture when they were not producing milk. The sheds would have open sides, he added.

';We will have a visitor centre to show the public around,' he said. ';We are aiming to have exceptional standards.'

The company's website played down the industrial scale of the farm, saying: ';The layout is designed so the cows get plenty of exercise and fresh air.

';A vet will be on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support the trained dairy staff in their daily inspections of every single cow to check they are healthy and happy.'

But animal campaigners are fighting the plans. Linda Wardale, of the group Vegan Lincs, said the conditions would be akin to '; battery farming for cows'.

';Cows should be in the fields, nibbling on grass, but here they're going to keep them in sheds,' she added.

Open air: Campaigners say cows should be free to roam in fields, not in a factory

And Patrick Holden, an organic dairy farmer and director of the Soil Association, said the farm was a wake-up call.

';Will consumers be happy to know that they are drinking the milk from one of 8,100 cows that will never get out to grass?' he asked.

';There is also a greater risk of disease  -  and the spread of new diseases, as we saw with BSE.'

In addition, the move away from family farming would make Britain more vulnerable to rises in energy prices and trade crises, he added.

The Nocton Dairies' farmers hope to have planning permission by the end of next month and milk the first cow by September.

"Gandhi's program was very nice, village organize so that they may not come to the city and help the capitalists. Remain satisfied in the village."

Room Conversation, September 12, 1976, Vrindavana]

I was really excited when I came across this quote because it reveals Srila Prabhupada's anti capitalist/communist revolutionary spirit which comes across in many places in his books although mostly indirectly.

Although we don't know exactly how much Srila Prabhupada studied communism and socialism he was definitely very much a part of Gandhi's movement, so much so that he was wearing homespun cotton and had dropped out of college because he didn't want to be a part of the British economic system. But I think from certain passages in his books and from this quote I would guess that he pretty clearly understood the basic ideas of communism.

Srila Prabhupada understood the cruelty and injustice of capitalism but he also saw the futility of revolutions to create any positive change. Even Gandhi's non-violent revolution was doomed to failure. What Srila Prabhupada did was create a vision and an organization that could actually create a total revolution in society.

Srila Prabhupada's vision for this revolution is really amazing because it includes not [only] the philosophical and metaphysical principles upon which to found a society but also the nuts and bolts economics of how to create an ideal society.

We cannot practice Krishna conscious or really understand Srila Prabhupada's vision without understanding his vision for social revolution.

Capitalism and Krishna consciousness go ill together.

The other day I was listening to several classes from Soho Street and ISKCON Melbourne and one thing struck me was that Srila Prabhupada adjusted to each person he met; this also is shown in his correspondence, morning walks and conversations. The message remained the same always but the approach and advice was always different; he understood the persons nature and thoughts and so adjusted accordingly.

Mother Urmila also talks about this on how we need to understand the persons personality in order to inspire and enthuse them; if we don’t take into account the persons nature we can crush them or in devotee terms fry them out. She recounts one of her students who although the class had understood her instructions one pupil just didn’t get it.

The student was becoming upset by this; but then she remembered this; that the persons personality was thus that the approach for standard approach did not help them, the solution was to present in a way that suits the person and success everything just clicked into place. (it can be found via this link)

This for me is adjustment to time, place and circumstances in order to inspire and help progression and should be applied to spiritual life rather than the regedit of set rules; this is different to standards namely the four regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds of Japa.

We see that even in Srila Prabhupadas day that although the devotees were correct taking a very hard line approach to the following of rules and regulations; Srila Prabhupada would over look or allow them to continue although vedic injunction was clear was he wrong? NO! But he understood the need to adjust to time place and circumstance with the one thought “HOW DO I ENCOURAGE AND HELP THEM PROGRESS IN SPIRITUAL LIFE”

As the bible says we can put a stumbling block in the way of spiritual progress, but what is the use? None; so the scriptures show that adjustments have to be constantly made.

But we also see that he expected a higher standard of his initiated devotees than say someone coming into the movement, whilst still keeping things very personal adjusting to the needs of the individual; again the mercy of the spiritual master at times bewildered the disciples.

We see that as the society has progressed that an impersonal one rule fits all with no movement to time place or circumstances has become the accepted “we have rules prabhu!”; we see that even when it comes to initiation that many disciples that Srila Prabhupada initiated would never have been under the present system.

Some may say that this is a good thing we only want serious devotees and we see so many fall away or not take it seriously; but Srila Prabhupada never made mistakes but he showed his mercy, he initiated to encourage and to give the soul a chance. Initiation is not an end product but a beginning a chance of spiritual progress, the four regulative principles and 16 rounds is not the end product it too is the beginning it is the minimum.

When it comes to initiation Srila Prabupada was clear on both first and second initiation, time frame before it can be considered and the standard that should be there before each one; do we need to add any thing more to the instructions of Srila Prabhupada? Are we considering ourselves better than him, or feel his instructions and mercy are now out of step to the modern times? Or as the age of Kali progresses should we be more mercyful?

We see that even in the early days of ISKCON as a society there was many hard-liners who put so much onto rules that they did not nor could not understand that there actions were in fact counter productive; but if we are honest and when you talk to many devotees about there initiation the truth is there many were not ready or under the present system worthy of being initiated. But as time has progressed the seriousness and understanding of what initiation means has grown; but they were given a chance; Srila Prabhupada explains this nicely in this letter:

Initiation should be given as a future hope, but we should be careful about the second initiation. As recommended by the president or GBC they should only do so when they are quite confident of a man. Otherwise, he should not be recommended. If you follow this principle it will be successful. Every day I am getting request for second initiation, but I do not know. The responsibility goes to the presidents who pick them. Unless they are thoroughly convinced second initiation should not be given. In the beginning we may be a little lenient. But if someone falls down after being initiated he should not be credited with second initiation.

Letter to: Rupanuga — Tirupati 28 April, 1974

A rigid rule for first initiation can be counter productive to new devotees, especially if we don’t take into account the personality of each person; there are amazingly a group of people who cannot handle forms of exam questions, by requesting such things we are not being personal we do not fully understand “time, place or circumstances” we have artificially discounted them of any future hope.

So in order to encourage we give a chance; this is the mercy of Guru, this was the mercy of Srila Prabhupada when it comes to first initiation and from this we see many wonderful devotees who although not qualified at the time were given a chance; are we so brash as to refuse others that chance? Have we not understood the mercy of the spiritual master to his disciple, and that example we see perfectly in Srila Prabhupadas example.

One size never fits all, we need to look at the personality, we need to ask how do I encourage this person how do I open up the opportunity of spiritual progress? This means we do not look at forms or answers to a few questions but we do something that takes more; we spend time with the person get to know them and we give them a chance in spiritual life adjusting to the personality of the person in order to encourage.

If we put up barriers that kills the spirit of that person because we are too rigid in rules then we have missed the lessons given by our founder Acharia; we encourage and help elevate the spirit soul; adjusting to time, place and circumstance of the individual just to encourage. We develop a personal rather than an impersonal approach.

It is always the highlight of any month spending time at The Manor, and it is nice that opportunities to serve the devotees is always sweet and each visit grows sweeter.

Also a big thanks to the Manor devotees who have found a small spot for me to rest my head even though major renovation works are underway, but the nicest thing is actually to be in the temple room during Arati and class.

I have whilst packing incense as agreed with Acharia been looking at how to describe each class that is now available via my file sharing network so it goes as follows:

HG Sachi Kishore Dasa; The mercy of Srila Prabhupada

HG Parasurama Dasa; The importance of Srila Prabhupadas books and ISKCON to spiritual progress

Gita Class: Are we happy chewing the chewed, the true taste of devotee life

I have noticed that although there was a slow take up of this file sharing facility that it is slowly being used, thank you for everyone who by doing this have inspired me to continue; and to those devotees also who have engaged me in service that I can do whilst away from the temple and the thrust of devotee association.

Once upon a time there was a little red hen who lived in a big farm-yard.
She had three fluffy yellow chicks.
One morning as they were busily scratching about the yard, looking for something to eat, the little red hen found a grain of wheat.

“Look!” she said.
“See what I have found. Who will help me to plant this grain of wheat?”

“Not I,” said the duck. “I must go down to the pond for a swim.”
“Not I,” said the cat. “I have some visitors coming in a few minutes.”

“Very well, I will then”, said the little red hen, and she did.

After a while some weeds appeared among the stalks of wheat.
One day the little red hen asked:
“Who will help me to weed this wheat?”

“Not I,” said the duck. “That sort of work doesn’t agree with me.”
“Not I”, said the cat. “I would not be able to tell the weeds from the wheat”.

“Very well, I will then”, said the little red hen, and she did.

After a while the wheat began to ripen:
“What fine wheat we have,” said the cat and the duck.
“Yes, indeed, it is time to reap the wheat,” said the little red hen. “Who will help me to reap this wheat?”

“Not I”, said the cat.
“Not I”, said the duck.

“Very well, then I will”, said the little red hen.

She cut the heads off the grain very carefully and put them in a bag.

Then she called to the cat and the duck and she asked, “Now, who will take this wheat to the mill to be ground into flour?”
“Not I”, said the duck.
“Not I”, said the cat.

“Very well, then”, said the little red hen, “I will take it myself”.

So the little red hen trudged off to the mill, and in a few hours she was back with a sack of fine flour.

“Now, who is going to make this flour into bread?” asked the little red hen.

“Not I”, said the duck.
“Not I”, said the cat.

“I will, then,” said the little red hen, and she did.

Soon the loaf was ready for the oven.

“Now, who is going to bake this bread?” asked the little red hen.

“Not I”, said the cat.
“Not I”, said the duck.

“Very well, then”, said the little red hen. “I will do it”.

So the loaf of bread was baked and it was baked, and it was beautiful, golden and crusty. The little red hen put it on the kitchen table, and the cat and the duck came into the house and looked at it longingly.

“Well now, who is going to eat this loaf of bread?” asked the little red hen.

“I will”, said the duck quickly.
“I will”, said the cat stepping close.

“Oh, no, you won’t”, said the little red hen. “I am going to eat it myself”.

Then she called her little chicks together, and they ate the whole loaf of bread. Not a crumb was left for the duck and the cat.

Filed under: News, Ramblings or Whatever