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I know it’s some way off but each year I make the same promise that I will remember to write for my Guru Maharaja HH Devamrita Swami’s Vyasa Puja

And one of two things happen:

1. I forget
2. I’m late

So this year I’m hoping to finally get my humble offering in on time.

The thing is I have so much on my mind as to what to say, or indeed how to say it; but also lack one thing a senior devotee to read through, make comments and suggestions. I want it, no desire it to be just right.

So here’s were I’m up to:

it’s still a work in progress but any notes, suggestions or thoughts would be helpful

Continuing to look at the focus of book distribution, I want to talk a bit about organization structure.

Firstl there needs to be a desire to start or expand a center's support, qualified individuals.

We notice when we listen to Srila Prahupada that on several occasions, when the desire to set up a temple or center was there, he would ask a senior devotee, who had been under his instruction, with simple words to go help this person. This has to be firstly our mood; if not, then our efforts will be of waste.

Now again I am going to approach things as done when I was a regular pioneer within the Jehovah's Witnesses; not that I am suggesting we adopt this system, but to highlight that we need to focus on the end results, the making of devotees, not the start, which is the book (we cannot deny the power of these books which carry the eternal knowledge of Krishna).

Firstly House-to-House Ministry Organization

This is usually done in groups of two (preferably two women together for safety), but also for training, as an individual new to the preaching work can work along side a senior person to learn. Where this was not possible due to numbers, senior individuals would usually work on their own, and was usually a male; only under exceptional circumstances, i.e., no one to work along side would a female work on her own.

When a house bible study is established or taken up, where possible a senior person of the same sex is chosen along with a new individual to learn the skills needed. This would usually already be established during the initial follow up, where a person of the same sex would be introduced.

Tuesday House Bible Study

It will be of a similar format to the bible study groups that meet in individual homes, usually on Tuesday nights; this would however be flexible in order to answer persons' individual questions and concerns. There is no fixed time for this, but the aim is to one day invite them to the bible study group to meet more people and see how the discussion can be more widely enhanced; as they are already familiar with the way things are done this transition is easier to do.

Sunday Meeting

This is the next step, again it has a simple format, a take on a subject chosen by the society given by one of the Elders, followed by a study which is found within the Watchtower magazine, which has a question & answer format. Again, this eases persons into becoming part of the congregation, as it follows the pattern of the previous two undertakings; At this point the individual will be encouraged to join us in house-to-house ministry work.

Theocratic Ministry School

This is usually covered on Thursday or Friday nights, but is made into two parts; those who are enrolled in the school are given a Bible based subject or one of the societie's books being studied at the time. We would also have a skill to learn (repetition for emphasis); we would be given advice on both if a crucial point was missed or if the skill was needing more work.

The second part would continue with the theme of instructing how best to present the societie's books, start a home Bible study, and develop relationships with those we meet.

Baptism

The final stage and recognition as a full member of the society, this is a study of one book (name I can't remember, it's been so long). Again simple question and answer to show understanding of biblical truths.

It is of note that the books studied in the house groups and meeting halls are set by the society; so no matter where you travel in the world, the same books will be being studied, at the same places in the books.

When new countries are being evangelized (I use this term loosely), a team is sent out by the Watchtower Bible and Track Society to establish a Kingdom Hall, fully supported.

In ISKCON

Within ISKCON were the emphasis is less on book scores and more on making a vibrant devotee community, we see that simple tactics work well.

Book distribution with an invite to the center, this includes not a personal to general contact for the center itself (it is always best not to give out personal details). If we work in the same location for a while, we can start to develop personal relationships needed to make devotees.

The center will have a set regular night when a small program will be incorporated, using our ace in the pack, namely Krishna prasadam along with either a music night with small discussion or Krishna prasadam with yoga. Relationships are further established along with trust.

Over time an invite to see our visiting spiritual masters, who will give inspirational talks on bhakti yoga and devotional life, and the need to read and understand Srila Prabhupada's books, followed by an invite to a nice light discussion of Bhagavad-gita and vedic philosophy, along with more Krishna prasadam. Then we also introduce the four regulative principles, slowly, as this usually freaks people out—especially, I've noticed, the no-sex part.

Using the skills an individual has, engage them in devotional service: "You know, I noticed you love cooking; I see how nicely you play the guitar. So you're good at it; you know, it would be nice if you could help us, we would be so happy if you could do this." No demand, not "we require," but that the person feels that they are valued, there skills are needed, and that they are doing what comes naturally helping a friend.

Work towards initiation, and yes, sankirtan!

We value the individual, that they not only need the book, but that they need to read the book; they need association and lots of lovely prasadam. And most important, a nice, happy smiling face, someone who they feel cares for them, listens to them, understands them, who is their friend.

Far better we make devotees, and then we can see the true amazing value of the books as over time each person returns home, back to Godhead.

This is a new on-line facility that should be made available to all children, although based in the UK it can be accessed by children outside of the UK.

It is for those children who are experiencing bullying, or are in distress but unable to share there problems or just to scared to talk to an adult for fear of what may happen

It is monitored and also has an on-line councillor service if required.

I feel it is essential as many children now find it easier in the on-line world and you can hyper-link from here

From my own personal experience any way you can find to communicate your feelings as a child is a good thing, so make the children you know aware that it is available

This post will be a continuation of the comments from yesterday's post, "Humans evolved in Asia?" Evolution is such a big topic that I thought for today's post I would just focus on Colin Groves review of Forbidden Archeology.

I read the interesting review of Forbidden Archeology by Colin Groves but was a little dissapointed. I think the author missed the whole point of the book.

He does give the book some credit, calling it "not outright trash like all the Christian creationist works" but he doesn't have an overall high impression of the book. Why not? Because it is written by fundamentalists. People who have a certain view of reality and then distort the evidence to fit their perspective.

He writes, "But this time we get nearly a thousand pages! Gish, Bowden and Lubenow, the Christian creationists, can't raise even half of this between them. The difference is that Cremo and Thompson have read much, much more of the original literature than the other creationists, and their survey is correspondingly more complete. Yet I can't really say that their understanding is much greater, for all that; their tone of argument is as perverse, they are just as biased. "

He accuses Cremo and Thompson of being biased without even considering the possibility of his own biases and the biases that might be acting as blinders on the entire scientific community. The blinders that limit what kinds of questions can even be asked.

That is really the whole point of the book. It is not advocating that there is some secret group of people control what archeological evidence is permitted to see the light of day, it is about what the authors call a knowledge filter. This knowledge filter determines what evidence we are allowed to accept and what must be rejected. It is an attempt to point out that scientists may be biased without having realizing it and in their bias they may have missed some important evidence.

This not something that most scientists are aware of, especially in recent time since the rise of the prevailing scientism worldview. Scientism is as much a metaphysical belief as any other religion. And it is often times just as dogmatic. It accepts certain premises without evidence, like the non-existence of God just for example.

Religious fundamentalists may see the world a certain way according to their belief systems and they may distort reality to fit their beliefs but is there anyone who doesn't do this. I'm not sure if it is just a lack of liberal arts education amongst scientists or if they are just in denial or what but they just don't see that they are just as apt to do this as anyone else.

A classic example is Stephen Jay Gould's theory of Punctuated Equalibrium. Darwin himself wrote, Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

“The number of intermediate varieties, which have formerly existed on the earth, must be truly enormous. Why then is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely graduated organic chain; and this, perhaps, is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory.”

And since Darwin's time this problem was has not been solved. But instead of abandoning the theory, Gould assumes it must be true and comes up with a way to explain away the problem

That looks to me to be a classic example of scientific fundamentalism. A bias based on preconcieved assumptions.

At the very least one would have to admit that Gould's belief in evolution as fact influenced the way he looked at the evidence. If not one would have to show what evidence he found to prove his theory or better yet what experiment he performed to come to his conclusion.

Someone from a different cultural background might look at the fossil record and see something totally different. The fossil record shows different species existing at different times and they might see this as evidence of the different cycles of creation described in the Vedas.

Scientism or Scientific Atheism is just as much a religion as any other . It is based unproven and unprovable metaphysical claims and it has its fundamentalists just as much as any other religion. And they are just as blind to their own biases as anyone else.

Forbidden Archeology is extremely well researched as Groves admits. The authors have compiled almost a thousand pages documeting various cases that seem to casts a shadow of doubt over the prevailing scientific dogma. They are able to do this because they do have very different worldviews from most scientists doing research in this field, and maybe just maybe because of that they have been able to see things that others have not.

If for no other reason the book is interesting from a philosophical perspective, it shows clearly how often times evidence can be arranged to fit whatever we want to see.

At the very least this book is a valuable contribution to the debate.

by David Haslam

The other day I was reading an article about the preaching work done by Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons compared to ISKCON devotees' book distribution. They noted that from what they could see, both were more successful in making followers, and questioned how this could be.

One focus is, what is the purpose of book distribution?

• Is it the book score?
• Is it the money raised?
• Or is it something more deep?

I can only talk about Jehovah’s Witnesses, as I used to be a regular pioneer (yes, the ones who knock on your door); the focus was not the amount of books distributed—yes, big numbers was nice—but this was not the focus.

The focus was on bible study through the study of the bible; they will see the need for God in their lives, and too become followers of Jehovah and His son, Jesus. Each Friday night service was focused on helping us all develop the skills needed and to inspire us.

As we went from street to street, house to house, we logged each encounter and returned not only to those homes that had taken a book, but those who had shown any interest and asked questions. Time would be taken to note facts: names, addresses, family details, what was talked about, any interesting details—so that on the follow-up call we could use these. If a family member or pet was ill we would know to ask how they were. This is a personal touch, a personal interest, and people respond well to this as it demonstrates concern.

The aim is simply that one day they will come to the house group, held once a week in a person's home. This is a page-by-page discussion of one of the society's books; it gives the person association of others and helps develop more personal relationships. Eventually they will come to the Kingdom Hall and will enter into the House to House Ministry School.

Yes, this was the simple program in order to make disciples.

Srila Prabhupada wrote:

When Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami went to Vrndavana, there was not a single temple, but by their preaching they were gradually able to construct various temples. Sanatana Gosvami constructed the Madana-mohana temple, and Rupa Gosvami constructed the Govindaji temple. Similarly, their nephew Jiva Gosvami constructed the Radha-Damodara temple, Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami constructed the Radha-ramana temple, Sri Lokanatha Gosvami constructed the Gokulananda temple, and Syamananda Gosvami constructed the Syamasundara temple. In this way, many temples were gradually constructed.

For preaching, construction of temples is also necessary. The Gosvamis not only engaged in writing books but also constructed temples because both are needed for preaching work. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted the cult of His sankirtana movement to spread all over the world. Now that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness has taken up this task of preaching the cult of Lord Caitanya, its members should not only construct temples in every town and village of the globe but also distribute the books that have already been written and further increase the number of books. Both distribution of books and construction of temples must continue side by side in parallel lines.

CC Adi 7.164

We see that the Gosvamis by their preaching work also gave facility for those who they had convinced to become God conscious, a focal point to share, to praise, to sing and dance, to worship Sri Krishna.

The value of preaching is not only the number of books, but that we develop the congregation; that we concentrate our book distribution in areas were we have or are wanting to set up a center; that our focus in not the good book score or amount of money we raise, but that of follow-up cultivation.

I look at the book scores and wonder, why, if so many books are distributed (and by Krishna’s mercy our numbers are higher than that of the Witnesses, how come so few people end up coming to our centers?

As we give a book, do we also give contact details? Do we afford the times for outreach classes? The question is, does it appear that we are interested in them taking the book, or are we interested in them? As we go out on book distribution, are we looking to make devotees?

This should always be our focus, not the high book scores or the money; then our centers will be full.

Sarvabhauma Dasa is one of the many characters you find at the Manor, he always says Hi and asks how you are keeping, I didn’t know that he had such a wonderful voice or sung such sweet songs, so for those who love a musical treat here is two links:

I feel that were he was sat and the words to this song very profound, and makes us think more deeply about our own reasons for going to the temple

I love this song but cannot put into words the feelings that I have when I hear it.

I hope you are as moved as I am.

The other day I wrote about the need to follow by example. This is always easier said than done, to turn the magnifying glass on ourselves rather than pointing it to others is never easy. I have also been pondering these words:

The word khala means “jealous.” This material world is a world of jealousy and envy. I am envious of you, and you are envious of me. The Krishna consciousness movement, however, is meant for one who is no longer jealous or envious. By becoming free from jealousy and envy, one becomes a perfect person. Dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsaranam satam (Bhag. 1.1.2). Those who are jealous and envious are within this material world, and those who are not are in the spiritual world.

Therefore, we can test ourselves. If we are jealous or envious of our friends or other associates, we are in the material world, and if we are not jealous we are in the spiritual world. There need be no doubt of whether we are spiritually advanced or not. We can test ourselves. Bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra ca (Bhag. 11.2.42). When we eat, we can understand for ourselves whether our hunger is satisfied; we don’t have to take a certificate from others. Similarly, we can test for ourselves whether we are in the material world or the spiritual world. If we are jealous or envious, we are in the material world, and if we are not we are in the spiritual world.

TQK 6: The Master of the Senses

I am reminded of the need to test myself, my own motives, my own mood but I also asked myself this question: is fault finding an outward sign of being jealous and envy?

In as much as my mind tells me this should be my position, I should have this notoriety, I should have this big big position, I should be seen in such light, noted written about and listened, me me me.

And thus we find fault, well there not so good, look they do this, you never see them do that; how can I follow there no pure devotee.

I am reminded time of one conversation I had with my Guru Maharaja he pointed out how easy I found fault in others, point the finger so to say, but how I never point the finger back at the fault YOUR SELF! Simple put my Guru Maharaja demonstrated that over time we will simple surround yourself with like minded people; who simple find faults in others; this is fine it will make you feel great, justified in your actions. Meantime the fault grows not in them but you, meantime your spiritual advancement is checked.

My Guru Maharaja simple was pointing out the need to test oneself, to be for real with my own feelings and thoughts, looking at there true motivation; were do they come from; but that we also analyze all aspects of our life how focused is it on Krishna. Is it focused else were? Finding faults with others? The internet or TV? Pursuing material rather than spiritual happiness?

But then putting the magnifying glass over ourselves is hard, do I want to see who I really am, or do I want to see the person I wish to portray to others? Can I actually be for real with myself?

This is the challenge, personal development of the spiritual self, or to find fault with others and use it as an excuse not too?

Fossil Suggests Human, Ape Ancestor Hails From Asia

June 30, 2009 -- A new Myanmar fossil primate, Ganlea megacanina, suggests the common ancestor of humans, monkeys and apes evolved from large-toothed primates in Asia and not Africa, according to new research published in the latest Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

If Myanmar, formerly called Burma, is confirmed as being the ancestral homeland of higher primates, or close to it, the discovery points to a circuitous migration route for some early primates, which must have gone to Africa and then come back to Asia. . . . Beard still believes modern humans descended from an African population that lived around 200,000 years ago. "But," he said, "some extinct species of humans, such as the 'hobbit' Homo floresiensis, almost certainly evolved in Asia." (Read the article thing here.)

This is interesting on a couple of levels, the first is that it shows the idea of evolution as a scientific theory is almost a joke. The whole thing can be turned on its head. At the very least it still evolving. The admittance that Homo floresiensis "almost certainly evolved in Asia" has huge implications. One of the big holes in the Vedic narative was India being the center of everything, when genetic evidence seemed to indicate that people migrated out of Africa. But it looks like the same evidence could also be used to show that people migrated to Africa from Asia. This is important for anyone who accepts the Vedic paradigm, whether we except the Vedas literally or whether we accept some type of guided theistic evolution.

This is the findings of a joint study by research universities in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Although the link in looking at how diet influences virus activity is in many ways the initial outcomes strongly points to the fact that a simple vegetarian diet does reduce risk.

You can read it here (source BBC News/Health).

Wow! I just recently finished reading the most amazing book, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

I am always a little vexed by the question, "What is your favorite book." I want to say Bhagavatam but that is not what people are looking for and it never satisfies people, and it is not really a book anyway, but now I have an answer, "The Brothers Karamazov is my favorite book."

The back of the jacket say, "The last greatest of Dostoevsky's novels, The Brothers Karamazov is a towering masterpiece of literature, philosophy, psychology, and religion." This is not an exaggeration, it really is a towering masterpiece.

It is hard for me to say anything about it because there is so much to say, the book is 700 pages. But I'll just say that it address all the most important questions.

Again from the jacket, "Into the framework of the story Dostoevsky poured all of his deepest concerns-the origin of evil, the nature of freedom, the craving for meaning, and most importantly whether or not God exists."

Many people consider Dostoevsky's work a precursor to existentialism, for in his books he lays bare the human condition. He looks into the inner recesses of the human soul and reveals all that evil but ultimately all that is good.

"Ultimately Dostoevsky believes that Christ-like love prevails. But does he prove it?"

It was really interesting for me reading this after my recent readings/writings/discussions/thoughts on atheism.

I see atheism as more of a existential issue than an intellectual issue. This is the only book I've come across that really address the issues on that level.

In the Brothers Karamazov Dostoevsky address the core issues without getting distracted in philosophical red herrings. How can the existence of God be justified in light of the suffering we see? Is there any such thing as morality without a conception of God? Is there a possibility for the redemption of humanity or are we doomed to kill each ot

I highly recommend everyone, atheists and theists, to read this book. It is well worth it. I was worried it would be boring and hard to finish, but it was actually hard to put down. The plot is very exciting, full of intrigue and sordid love affairs, and the issues address are even more fascinating.

Just one excerpt, this is from father Zossima, the revered guru and saint speaking about the importance of the monastic order, or more broadly devotion to God, in regards to creating peace and happiness in society (what Srila Prabhupada called "spiritual communism"):

"They have science; but in science there is nothing but what is the object of sense. The spiritual world, the higher part of man's being is rejected altogether, dismissed with a sort of triumph, even with hatred. The world has proclaimed the reign of freedom, especially of late, but what do we see in this freedom of theirs? Nothing but slavery and self destruction! For the world says:

"You have desires and so satisfy them, for you have the same rights as the most rich and powerful. Don't be afraid of satisfying them and even multiply your desires." That is the doctrine of the modern world. In that they see freedom. And what follows from this right of multiplication of desires? Int eh rich, isolation and spiritual suicide; in the poor, envy and murder; for they have been given rights but have not been shown the means of satisfying their wants. They maintain that the world is getting more and more united, more and more bound together in brotherly community, as it overcomes distance and sets thoughts flying through the air.

Alas, put no faith in such a bond of union. Interpreting freedom as the multiplication and rapid satisfaction of desires, men distort their own nature, for many senseless and foolish desires and habits and ridiculous fancies are fostered in them. They live on for mutual envy, for luxury and ostentation. to have dinners, visits, carriages, rank and slaves to wait on one is looked upon as a necessity, for which life, honour and human feeling are sacrificed, and men even commit suicide if they are unable to satisfy it. We see the same thing among those who are not rich, while the poor drown their unsatisfied need and their envy in drunkenness. But soon they will drink blood instead of wine, they are being led on to it. I ask you is such a man free? I knew one "champion of freedom" who told me himself that, when he was deprived of tobacco in prison, he was so wretched at eh privation that he almost went and betrayed his cause for the sake of getting tobacco again! And such a man says, "I am fighting for the cause of humanity."

How can such a one fight, what is he fit for? He is capable perhaps of some action quickly over, but he cannot hold out long. And it;s no wonder that instead of gaining freedom they have sunk into slavery, and instead of serving the cause of brotherly love and the union of humanity have fallen, on the contrary into dissension and isolation, a my mysterious visitor and teacher said to me in my youth. And therefore the idea of the service of humanity, of brotherly love and the solidarity of mankind, is more an more dying out in the world, and indeed this ideas is sometimes treated with derision. For how can a man shake off his habits, what can become of him if he is in such bondage to the habit of satisfying the innumerable desires he has created for himself? He is isolated, and what concern has he with the rest of humanity? they have succeeded
in accumulating a greater mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown less.

The monastic way is very different. Obedience, fasting, and prayer are laughed at, yet only through the lies the way to real, true freedom. I cut off my superfluous and unnecessary desires, I subdue my proud and wanton will an chastise it with obedience, and with God's help I attain freedom of spirit and with it spiritual joy. Which is most capable of conceiving a great idea and serving it-the rich man in his isolation or the man who has feed himself from the tyranny of material things and habits? The monk is reproached for his solitude, "You have secluded yourself within the walls of the monastery for your own salvation,k, and have forgotten the brotherly service of humanity!" but we shall see which will be most zealous in the cause of brotherly love. For it s not we, but they, who are in isolation, though they don't see that."

Here are a few more random quotes off the inter net (although these isolated quotes do not at all do the book justice):

"I think the devil doesn't exist, but man has created him, he has created him in his own image and likeness."

"People talk sometimes of a bestial cruelty, but that's a great injustice and insult to the beasts; a beast can never be so cruel as a man, so artistically cruel. The tiger only tears and gnaws, that's all he can do. He would never think of nailing people by the ears, even if he were able to do it."

"If you were to destroy in mankind the belief in immortality, not only love but every living force maintaining the life of the world would at once be dried up. Moreover, nothing then would be immoral; everything would be lawful, even cannibalism."

"What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love."

"There is only one salvation for you: take yourself up, and make yourself responsible for all the sins of men. For indeed it is so, my friend, and the moment you make yourself sincerely responsible for everything and everyone, you will see at once that it is really so, that it is you who are guilty on behalf of all and for all. Whereas by shifting your own laziness and powerlessness onto others, you will end by sharing in Satan's pride and murmuring against God."

"Listen: if everyone must suffer, in order to buy eternal harmony with their suffering, pray tell me what have children got to do with it? It’s quite incomprehensible why they should have to suffer, and why they should buy harmony with their suffering."

"Is there in the whole world a being who would have the right to forgive and could forgive? I don't want harmony. From love for humanity I don't want it. I would rather be left with the unavenged suffering. I would rather remain with my unavenged suffering and unsatisfied indignation, even if I were wrong. Besides, too high a price is asked for harmony; it's beyond our means to pay so much to enter on it. And so I hasten to give back my entrance ticket, and if I am an honest man I am bound to give it back as soon as possible. And that I am doing. It's not God that I don't accept, Alyosha, only I most respectfully return him the ticket."

"I'm a Karamazov... when I fall into the abyss, I go straight into it, head down and heels up, and I'm even pleased that I'm falling in such a humiliating position, and for me I find it beautiful. And so in that very shame I suddenly begin a hymn. Let me be cursed, let me be base and vile, but let me also kiss the hem of that garment in which my God is clothed; let me be following the devil at the same time, but still I am also your son, Lord, and I love you, and I feel a joy without which the world cannot stand and be."

"Imagine that you are creating a fabric of human destiny with the object of making men happy in the end... but that it was essential and inevitable to torture to death only one tiny creature ... And to found that edifice on its unavenged tears: would you consent to be the architect on those conditions? Tell me, and tell me the truth!"

"The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself."

"By the experience of active love. Strive to love your neighbour actively and indefatigably. In as far as you advance in love you will grow surer of the reality of God and of the immortality of your soul. If you attain to perfect self-forgetfulness in the love of your neighbour, then you will believe without doubt, and no doubt can possibly enter your soul. This has been tried. This is certain."

"His whole theory is a fraud! Humanity will find in itself the power to live for virtue even without believing in immortality. It will find it in love for freedom, for equality, for fraternity. "

"Beauty! I can't endure the thought that a man of lofty mind and heart begins with the ideal of the Madonna and ends with the ideal of Sodom. What's still more awful is that a man with the ideal of Sodom in his soul does not renounce the ideal of the Madonna, and his heart may be on fire with that ideal, genuinely on fire, just as in his days of youth and innocence. Yes, man is broad, too broad, indeed. I'd have him narrower. The devil only knows what to make of it! What to the mind is shameful is beauty and nothing else to the heart. Is there beauty in Sodom? Believe me, that for the immense mass of mankind beauty is found in Sodom. Did you know that secret? The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there and the battlefield is the heart of man."

Feature 1: Modes of Combat

Feature 2: Passion to Misery to Goodness—A Drama

yad yad acarati sresthas
tat tad evetaro janah
sa yat pramanam kurute
lokas tad anuvartate

TRANSLATION: Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

Bg 3.21

Over the past few weeks I have been thinking about the need for good examples, that we need to develop ourselves in order to show not by words but by example so others can become inspired and follow.

It reminded me of an old friend of mine who is a lay preacher and runs a small but humble church in a run down district in England, on occasions I would go around and help him out, he was a humble individual and lived very simply.

Now he also enjoyed his football this was well known by his congregation and it was always a struggle for him when his team were playing on a day that a church service was due; so great interest was noted when the team reached the finals of a big cup, would he change the service times or cancel them, the speculation in upcoming weeks increased.

But so did the tone of his services he started to talk about how the bible talks about idols, and questioned what are actual idols especially in the context of an idol being not only figures that people claim to be god, but also material, fashion, TV, cars, sport. When we put these things above our time of pray, reading and attendance in church.

The week before the speculation was at fever pitch, there was much speculation they were sure he would not miss the football final, so as they sat waiting he started to explain how we need to lead by example and how he had realized last week one thing; the service he had prepared over the last few week’s were not actually for the congregation, but for him it was as he described a bitter pill. Bitter as you are convinced Yes this is for so and so but god is actually speaking to you, but you are not listening.

Now he came to the conclusion, my false idol is football, I would normally change the service to watch my football team but then what use would it be if I say one thing and do another?

There was a silence, stunned as most followed the same team, what was he about to say!

He started for those who are willing to give up this false idol of football I hope you will join me the same time, same place next week and in order to soften the blow of this bitter pill there will be a meal (I remember he had as usual roped me into cooking duties), still more stunned silence.

The following week we arrived early and sat pondering and wondering who would turn up, half a dozen who support another team may be? The faithful who turn up no matter what? No one? He had however got enough food to feed all in the congregation.

As the start came he was stunned, there was only three people missing, he was moved to tears, and thanked them so the service including the meal continued for over 5 hours, with hymns, bible reading, sharing of thoughts and the feast.

He realized that the only way people will follow is if he made the first move and gave the example for others to follow.

The bitter pill.

Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport thus:

People in general always require a leader who can teach the public by practical behavior. A leader cannot teach the public to stop smoking if he himself smokes. Lord Caitanya said that a teacher should behave properly before he begins teaching. One who teaches in that way is called acarya, or the ideal teacher. Therefore, a teacher must follow the principles of sastra (scripture) to teach the common man. The teacher cannot manufacture rules against the principles of revealed scriptures. The revealed scriptures, like Manu-samhita and similar others, are considered the standard books to be followed by human society. Thus the leader’s teaching should be based on the principles of such standard sastras. One who desires to improve himself must follow the standard rules as they are practiced by the great teachers. The Srimad-Bhagavatam also affirms that one should follow in the footsteps of great devotees, and that is the way of progress on the path of spiritual realization. The king or the executive head of a state, the father and the school teacher are all considered to be natural leaders of the innocent people in general. All such natural leaders have a great responsibility to their dependents; therefore they must be conversant with standard books of moral and spiritual codes.

Bg 3.21

It remains easy to find fault in others, to point at weaknesses and faults, the question is like my friend are we willing to point the finger the other way and look deep into ourselves, our motives and lives.

To make the changes needed to make spiritual progress, but more important are our lives an example to others? Can people see that we live a life were Krishna is central? Were we are trying to develop one thing, the qualities of a devotee.

Yes we will never do it perfectly, yes people will still find fault with us; this is normal.

My realization is this what we are truly like on the inside will eventually manifest itself in our actions and deeds, I need to develop the humbleness not to look at others to change but to look more closer to home, namely me, I need to make the changes in my life.

Trafalgar Square – right in the heart of London – is one place where pretty much any group can be given permission to assemble and speak freely. It has been used to stage assemblies of celebration, or demonstrations of protest, for many years. Britain upholds the right of its citizens to express themselves publicly, whether individually or collectively – even though those views may be at variance with the prevailing culture or political colour.

So that is how, 41 years ago, a group of people wearing coloured bed sheets and sporting shaved heads and pigtails, were given permission to pull a fifty-foot wooden chariot through the streets to Trafalgar Square. Once there, they sang and danced and gave out plates of hot halava, much to the satisfaction of the large crowd of young people that had gathered.

Almost immediately they attracted the unfavourable glances of irate fundamentalist Christians who were shocked that bowing down to heathen idols with ’staring eyes’ and distribution of food offered to them could take place right in the heart of London. In a 1973 book entitled The Trumpet sounds for England a lengthy description is given by the author of how, in 1971, he began a letter writing campaign to get the festival stopped. No highly placed or influential person was spared. Thus members of the House of Lords, the television host and columnist Malcolm Muggeridge, and even Her Majesty the Queen, all were implored to ‘help keep Britain a Christian country.’

How times change. Over the years there have been many organised attempts by both Christians and Muslims to protest the festival on the day itself. Often not more than one or two angry zealots handing out leaflets from a table erected defiantly in the middle of the square (usually right in the middle of the festival tents) or shouting through a megaphone, their protests have been increasingly silenced by police, most recently using anti-incitement legislation.

How curious it is then, that the last few years have witnessed not Christian or Muslim protest, but Vaishnavas of different persuasions. This year, the square, in places, resembled that scene from Life of Brian where the numerous prophets of old Jerusalem are all trying to gather an audience for their particular philosophical point of view – some not very successfully.

Fundamentalism occurs in every spiritual or religious grouping and now it seems even the Vaishnavas are not immune. On one side of Trafalgar Square stood the earnest, bearded followers of Narayan Maharaja; on the other side the ‘Back to Prabhupada’ people. Neither spoke to each other – that would have kept them both busy, for their viewpoints are mutually opposed – but they seemed only concerned with approaching relatively new people.

Theologically speaking, they are somewhat similar. Both introduce vaguely impersonalist elements into Vaishnava theology, albeit so subtle you might miss it. On the one hand, the ritvik protagonists seek to identify Srila Prabhupada with the indwelling Paramatma; on the other, the followers of Narayana Maharaja seek to closely identify their leader with Srila Prabhupada. Each follows a line of logic that tends towards the depersonification of the ISKCON founder-acarya and the substitution of their own concept. No megaphones though, these days. Just nice colour printing and smiles.

And so, in its own way, ISKCON helps to preserve one of the stated aims of Trafalgar Square. The expression of free speech. Its not easy, though. It’s an exercise in tolerance. We spend thousands on the festival itself, and exert hundreds of devotional hours in organising and staging it. Devotees give up sleep and family time to volunteer their services for weeks beforehand. And on the day, others who have no organisations come along to help themselves to the fruits of others labour. But tolerance is a virtue – isn’t it?

David Jorm and I caught up on the deck and shot a few video podcasts. Here's the first one - on the Global Economic Crisis.

The next one is about Evolution.

For all those who love RathaYatra and love sitting at home watching videos of the greatest festival ever here it is my humble offering from this years London 2009 festival of chariots.

Hope this gives you a taster and the desire to see more if so heres the next link:

And my dear friend Jayadeva Das with a remix of the classic “stand by me” the Krishna re-mix:

And just a few pictures of the Welsh Valley Crew as we return home:

Hope this meets with approval; I am inspired that my youtube video collection has to date been viewed by 19,768 souls watching devotees and hearing the names of Krishna