Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon 2012

Nearly there ... 2 days to go before the start of the Srila Prabhupada Book Marathon.

1st to 24th December 2012

Our Counsellee Group always makes a mark on the National Score sheets .... and this year will hopefully be the same.

We have a special Counsellee Meeting this Friday specially to discuss how we will be involved in the marathon this year.

So important to take part ... no matter how 'small' the effort may seem.

Srila Prabhupada took so much time and effort to give us his jewel like books and their ability to lift us out of the modes and lead a happier more content life can be felt by any sincere reader.

Thank you Srila Prabhupada for saving us.

We pray we can remain useful instruments of compassion in this glorious movement that is ISKCON.

Prayerful Reading

I heard a class last weekend on prayerful reading by HG Narayani devi dasi, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who has taught Bhakti Sastri, Bhakti Vaibhava and Bhaktivedanta courses in the VIHE in Vrindavana. Felt like I needed to hear more on the proper way to approach Srila Prabhupada's books. We have had a lot of inspiration and practice in our counsellee meetings recently in terms of going deeper into Srila Prabhupada's books. There is an unlimited ocean of nectar in these books and I need to and want to dive deeper into them for my own spiritual well-being and to be able to carry out my services and other duties more effectively. Wanted to share some simple, but effective, points mentioned in the class I listened to.

Some steps to practice prayerful reading (from HG Narayani devi dasi's class):

• The goal of prayerful reading is not so much an intellectual gathering of information but it is to allow sastra to affect us

• We should deeply associate with Srila Prabhupada. We want to listen to Krishna's message and let the potent transcendental words sink deeply to the core of our consciousness 

• Srila Prabhupada's books are our guru. If we have questions, then we will be able to find the answers in the books

• Srila Prabhupada's books are non-different from him. Srila Prabhupada said that he will live forever in his books

• We should take time to cultivate an appropriate attitude of approach to our reading. When we start reading, we will soon associate with Krishna through the transcendental words of Srila Prabhupada and other great Gaudiya acaryas. Our mood should be that of a soul in need of association, guidance and mercy

• Before starting to read, we may offer prayers to those we will associate with in our reading. For example, Srila Prabhupada, Guru and Gauranga, Radha and Krishna, Krishna and Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita, Rupa Goswami in Nectar of Devotion, Lord Caitanya in Caitanya Caritamrta, whoever is in the lila, etc

• Whilst we are reading, when there is an idea, word or phrase that strikes us or catches our attention, we should stop at that point, and repeat it over and over. Repetition can help stimulate insight and assists deep assimilation. We should think about it until it no longer catches our attention and then move on

• Another method if we don't understand a verse is to stop, chant and then resume reading, and we can get realisations from that verse that way

• We should have prayers of thankfulness for any realizations we have received

I hope I can start to put the above into practice. As Srila Prabhupada says:

“In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop… You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this life time”

Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Bahurupa, Bombay, 22 November 1974

Happy reading! :-)

(Devaki dd)

Care and Love - like you like it yourself

 

11.  Treat each person with the bhakti and care as if the success or failure of your own spiritual life depends on this. Do not take into concern how they treat you. The manner in which you treat people is the same way you treat Guru and Krishna.

22.    Anytime that there is a problem in a relationship, you should first see it as your own fault. Even if others are to blame, you will only add to the problem by considering them to be at fault.

33.   You should treat every person with whom you come in contact with the same care as the person you love the most.

44. As we associate with others in our spiritual communities, we should do so in a mood that these are the people that I am living with and they will probably also be the people that I will leave this body with. 
      
     (Words of wisdom from HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami)

 

End goal ?

Today I was fortunate enough to dress Giri Govardhan - not the most fancy dressing I know ... bear with me  - I am a newbie at dressing Him !

Later on I was thinking about this experience and what exactly I was doing.

I was dressing the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form of a sila - a tangible embodiment of His love for His devotees - who became lighter than a feather so the inhabitants of Vraja could all shelter underneath Him for 7 days and 7 nights.

Therefore what that means is that I have reached the 'end goal' so to speak .... surely?

I have surpassed the yogi sitting cross legged in lotus position meditating on the Supersoul.

I  have surpassed the yogi who seeks to contort his body in a variety of poses in order to realise the higher being.

I have even surpassed the arm chair philosopher who can quote a dozen scriptures and argue his point very well as to the nature of Brahman - the all pervading aspect of God.

********************************

I am touching the body of God - the Absolute Truth.

I am batheing Him and applying scented oils.

I am applying 'a face' on the Lord and adding jewels and new colourful clothing.

How fortunate am I?

*******************************

I have been chanting for a few years now the Hare Krsna maha mantra - asking each day to be engaged in the Lord's service.

And surely now I have arrived?

So ......

Why am I not dancing in ecstasy in kirtans?

Why am I not yearning to hear more and more from Srila Prabhupada's books about the Supreme Lord?

Why am I not focussed on the good in devotees instead of their small residue of conditionings ?

Because I might be at the 'End Goal' but have I realised it?

Do I chant with so much attention and love that I taste the names like I taste paneer, pasta, pizza (my 3 favourite P's ! ) with so much relish and desire for more ... and more !

Do I devour Srila Prabhupada's books with as much one pointed concentration as I do on the news in the papers or the TV?

Sorry to say but not really ...

And so here I am ... holding the sweet Lord in my hands and being as intimate as the gopis (so we are told) by way of dressing and anointing Him and my mind is relishing the dressing down of a devotee from last week, sometimes from last month, and sometimes from even last year ... or projecting into the future and imagining my own small glory ... yet to come and be recognised fully of course by the devotees.

But nonetheless I will carry on ... with faith in Srila Prabhupada's words - that devotional service is the purifying agent that will allow me to fully realise who I am and who the Lord is .. and that as long as I am engaged in devotional service I am safe and sheltered.

Giriraj ki jay !

(Bhava Bhakti dd)

Free Will to Act How We Like

"Every moment we have the free will to react to whatever comes upon us; and character is how we respond to every situation by feeding the goodness of our heart, the divinity within us, rather than the anger, envy and selfishness."

Quote by HH Radhanath Swami

*************************************************************

I find this so hard to remember to do - it is so easy to give into the lower nature and to lash out, criticise, judge etc.

It defintely takes a brave soul to simply STOP and pause before reacting to a situation.

But we have a choice - as Maharaj says - to choose our responses - feeding the 'good dog within' so to speak.

Hearing about this choices helps - by listening to classes and reading Srila Prabhupada's books.

And also thinking how I will feel once I give into the lower nature can be a good way to start.

Until then I will have to keep practicing !

(Bhava Bhakti dd)

Welcome to our World !

This blog has been created to share our thoughts, experiences and realisations on the blissful (yet sometimes bumpy) path of Krishna Consciousness.

We aim to inspire and support one another as well as you our dear reader.

Chant 'Hare Krsna and Be Happy' !

(by Bhava Bhakti dd)