Gaura Lila

Jaya Jaya Sri Caitanya Jaya Nityananda Jai Advaita Candra Jaya Gaura Bhakta Vrnda!

Over Monday and Tuesday Srila Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja lead us in the most inspiring and instructive seminar on Lessons from the Pastimes of Lord Caitanya.

Who is Lord Caitanya? He is Krishna who has come in the form of His own devotee. Interestingly all the incarnations of Krishna are in the mood of servant. If you ask Krishna, “What or who is the absolute?” Krishna will very simply say “Me” but if you ask the incarnations starting from Baladev, they will answer, “Krishna!”

What did I learn?

1)
Things happen to you all the time but how if affects you depends on your consciousness. For example, Madavendra Puri chastised Ramachandra Puri. Because Ramachandra Puri was envious he could not accept this chastisement and thought, “how can he speak to ME like that” this kind of attitude is not good and led to Ramachandra Puri continuing his offensive course. The chastisement of the spiritual master is his mercy and if we take it in a submissive, humble way it will be of great benefit to us.

Once Srila Prabhupada also got chastised by Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur when Srila Prabhupada was listening to a lecture of Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakur, he was sitting next to a gentleman who could not hear very well and who would keep asking Srila Prabhupada what Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Maharaja was saying. Finally Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Maharaja asked Srila Prabhupada if he would like to give the class! Whoa! But Srila Prabhupada never felt resentful for this rather, he told his disciples, he cherished that moment for the rest of his life.

2)
Searching for recognition and fame is like taking bath in the Urine of a donkey! Oh yeah, I think this lesson was especially for me as I heard just read the same thing on the same day that Maharaja spoke about it. Twice in one day – definitely a sign from Krishna. This is like Gopala Chakravati who had great envy for Haridas Thakur just because Haridas Thakur was born a Muslim and he, Gopala Chakravati, was a “great” brahmana. Like this he lost he nose from leprosy.

3)
The devotee is never offended by the blasphemy on ignorant persons and Krishna never forgets the blasphemy done to His devotee.

I hear so much of this but am still prone to so much blasphemy! Don’t be like the fly be like the bee. When you blasphemy you don’t feel good.

What about constructive criticism?

Maharaja said practically there hardly anything like constructive criticism. One can give advice but not to criticise and get on someone’s case. Actually only the spiritual master and the father are justified in getting on someone’s case.

4)
Gopala Chapala left the paraphernalia of Durga worship on the doorstep of Srivas Thakur. When Srivas Thakur saw this he said, “Now you know my actual position” he did not defend himself. Maharaja explained we have 4 propensities: eating sleeping, matiung and defending. Defending is the most subtle. We mustn’t be in this defensive spirit.

Nice hey!!

Jaya Jaya Sri Caitanya Jaya Nityananda Jai Advaita Candra Jaya Gaura Bhakta Vrnda!

What’s happening?

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted not because nothing has been happening but because too much has been happening! :o)

Last Tuesday was the Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Rama. We are fortunate to have Deities of Gaura Nitai at our temple and Lord Nityananda is especially sweet and merciful.

The theme for the festival (like that of my blog) was “more cooling than a million moons”. We had cut out “millions” of silver moons and hung them all over the temple. The effect with just the blue lights was brilliant! In addition Veemal had arranged these 2 HUGE banners of the lotus foot of Nitai on each. We made the symbols glitter by painting on tinsel.

Govardhan Prabhu gave an amazing class of the meeting of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda described in the CC. It is mention at one point that Lord Caitanya felt that day to be the best day. It is so amazing that Lord Caitanya has a “best” day :o) Prabhu than went on to describe the misfortune that falls upon one who has attachment for Lord Caitanya but no attachment or affection for Nitai. Several personalities fell from there position due to this offence and several received unlimited mercy due to being loyal to Nityananda. One those personalities were Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj the writer of the CC who received the mercy to write about Lord Caitanya from Lord Nityananda.

I am a fool whose heart is as solid as rock, I have no affection for any of These amazing Lords yet I am here in ISKCON. I pray Nitai will be merciful to me and will melt my heart so that I may awaken love to His Lotus feet and compassion to myself and all those around me.

Jai Nitai!!

Make 2008 a year of spiritual adjustment

(this is the article i wrote for the temple newsletter)

Make 2008 a year of spiritual adjustment

For the first Sunday Love Feast program of 2008 we were fortunate to be in the midst of HH Bhakti Caitanya Maharaja. Maharaja gave an awe-inspiring class and the theme was “Make 2008 a year of spiritual adjustment.”
Maharaja gave us the key to quick spiritual advancement: devotional service in the association of loving devotees. If we do this consistently through out 2008 we will find our lives transformed!

Even before hearing this transcendental class devotees brought in the New Year doing the best devotional service: Kirtan. Singing to the sweet melodies of HH Maha Vishnu Maharaja’s accordion devotees gathered at the ISKCON Lenasia temple on New Year’s Eve night.

On New Year’s Day Maharaja again graced us with his association at a picnic at Emmerentia Dam. Devotees came bearing prasadam, cricket sets, games, etc. Maharaja in his natural mood of a preacher spoke to people passing by and encouraged devotees to do the same. The evening ended in sweet kirtan which included throwing grapes into each others mouths!

Last month the glories of the Deities were brought more in to focus as HH Bhakti Visrambar Madhava Maharaja gave a seminar on “Appreciating the Deities.” Despite the heavy rain showers many attended and Maharaja gave us tips on how to better appreciate and worship the Lord. Maharaja explained every service we do is so that we can chant better. Deity service is the same and as we worship the Deity it is important we sing Their glories as well. Maharaja gave us a short cut to perfection and that is the worship of Tulasi Devi. Tulasi Devi is amazing, if any offering is offered to Krishna with a Tulasi leaf, due to the great love Krishna has for Tulasi, He can not refuse it. Maharaja then went on to describe how we can include Tulasi in everything we offer.

Many of you may have noticed a beautiful little garden taking shape in the temple parking area. Mother Radha Kunda has been steadily working on it for the past month and half. If you would like to assist in cash or labour please feel free to contact Matajee at 083 283 7660.

Thank you to all who participated in the December Book Marathon.

To prepare for the year ahead a special Planning Meeting will be taking place on the 16th of February. Please come forward and be a part of it all.

Happy New Year!

Ho, ho, ho!

December Christmas aka silly season!

Getting in the mood of the general party fever, our youth group decided to have a Christmas party! The theme was Churning of the milk ocean.

Each member had to come dressed as either a demon or a demigod. I was Soma the Moon God.

After a scrumplicious feast we had a diorama of the churning of the milk ocean pastime – lots of paper and sticky flour fun!

Try harder?

I read an article by a devotee who spoke on the importance of not criticising other devotees or even non-devotees. I really liked it and so I wrote to the prabhu that I am inspired to try harder in keeping against the mad elephant offence.

I got an interesting and instructive response, which separates the serious from the regular approach to this offence.

“Yes, because we are conditioned it is sometimes difficult to act the way we know we should or the way we really want to. As in everything we do, our degree of our commitment is what makes the difference between just getting by and excelling. Trying harder is good, but being committed to not offend as far as possible is a step above. I suggest you go for that. How to do that? Just ask yourself what you must do, what you must think, how you must act if you are going to avoid offending. I am sure you know what to do.

And just think how much more Krsna conscious you'll be, and how much happier you'll be if you commit to not offending devotees. “

Do I have the determination and courage to be the serious devotee? I sure hope so.

DSTV

Remember the smart hotel I’m staying in?

Well, no matter where you stay if there are no devotees around, no access to temples, nobody who understands your way of life, no Krishna prasadam than that is not living.

How do I feel after staying for 4 days in Uganda? Cluster phobic, like I’m being held back, like I can’t be what I wanna be. For the first time I can appreciate how devotees who live far away from temples and devotees are able to maintain their enthusiasm.

Anyway, just 2 more days left.

Interesting point I read, practically every difficulty we face is due to the lack of chanting Krishna’s names with attention and love. If our chanting is perfect our lives will be perfect. In that respect I shouldn’t be feeling the way I feel. If I chanted nicely and read Srila Prabhupada’s books nicely I could bring Krishna consciousness into every aspect of my life, including this smart hotel.

I thank my mum for the small container she sent me containing Soma Papri (especially bought from the foot of Govardhan Hill), my Gurudev for giving me the Holy Name, my self for buying an ipod and Sri Krishna who organised this all so that I may better appreciate the value of friends and family especially those who are devotees of the Lord.

Another realisation, the movies on DSTV suck! :o) I think that is Krishna mercy in keeping me protected from maya devi.

Pearl of Africa

Last Sunday I left comfortable “safe” home to travel to the centre of Africa – Uganda. How did that happen? I was sent from the company I work for on a business trip. Not sure what to expect I packed everything I thought I would possibly need, especially lots of food.

Travelling 3 hours on a business class flight and booking into the best hotel around, I am protected from what Uganda really is. Protected or confined? hmm…

The people of Uganda are extremely polite, respectful, cultured and humble. What stands out most for me is their simplicity. Simple in actions, dress and this indicates the simplicity of their mind. But don’t celebrate too soon. Like the rest of us, Uganda is following the leading nation of world and so this simplicity will turn to arrogance and simple living will turn into a complex rat race.

The first day here we visited a client of ours to do installations and training of the new product we are launching into this country. This product is web based and will eventually be replacing the current CATS system being used. My role is to observe the problems picked up and how the BAs resolve them. Why come all the way here to observe that? I’m still trying to figure that one out.

Anyway the visit to the client was an opportunity to go into Kampala town. Driving in Uganda is similar to that of India: you drive wherever you want. I think India is worse though. The shops vary from being tiny to double story (simple) buildings. The main trade seems to be clothing and material and there are lots of bureau exchange places. The streets are tarred and quite spacious if no motorbikes and cars keep rushing past you. The sidewalks are not paved but just cemented. Even though it is town it is quite hilly even entering the shops you sometimes have to walk up a steep section or climb lots of stairs. The shops aren’t dirty but not exactly speaky clean either. Let’s just say you feel quite comfortable sitting around but you’d think a hundred times before accepting anything edible from the people no matter how friendly.

Yesterday we saw, from the 10th floor of the bank building, a storm brewing. Below the dust lifted of the ground and covered the area with a sandy haze. But it only rained a little and than the sky cleared. One of the other girls showed me pics from her previous trip when it was raining so hard that you could only see the tops of the cars on the road.

The current hot topic in the Uganda newspaper is the disease Ebola that has just broken out in some parts of Uganda. The disease is apparently airborne which means that if we pass an infected area we could get it. The other way it spreads is that if an infected person touches you or coughs or sneezes on you. Yikes! This is what it means to live in the Pearl of Africa. This also rules out any touring we might have had in mind. By the way there is no cure for this disease. Haribol, you all, it’s been great knowing you.

Besides for all that’s been going on in the bank that’s as far I’ve been into Uganda thus far. BUT let me tell you about the “larnie” hotel I’ve been staying in. Better still why not look at the pics.





You like? All I can say is the bank is paying.