The sweet sound of the Maha Mantra.

The Power of Mantra Meditation
BASED ON THE TEACHINGS OF HIS DIVINE GRACEA.C.BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADAFounder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

It is as necessary to a life of growth as regular brushing is to dental hygiene. The ability to handle stress increases with the practice of meditation. In a culture like ours in which inner, spiritual growth is totally neglected in favor of materialistic pursuits, we might have something to learn from the Hare Krishna devotees' meditational practices. http://krishnatempel.de/html/downloads/audiovideo/musik/anandamaya%20dasa/Anandamaya%20Dasa%20-%20Hare-Krishna-Mantra.mp3 .

What is Hare Krishna?

Who is Krishna? Why do people dress in robes and chant His name on the streets? What is the philosophy of these Krishna devotees? What's the meaning of their chant?
Krishna is a name of the Supreme. It means "all- attractive." Anything that might attract you has its source in the Supreme. Therefore the Supreme is also known as Rama (rhymes with "drama"). "Rama" means "the highest eternal pleasure."
All of us are pleasure-seeking creatures. So you can say that directly or indirectly we are all seeking Krishna. Chanting Hare Krishna is a way of seeking Krishna directly.
As for the word "Hare" (pronounced huh-ray), it's a call to Krishna's divine energy. Just as the sun shines forth to us through its energies like heat and light, the Supreme reveals Himself through His multitude of energies. If the Supreme is the source of everything, then whatever we see--and even what we don't see-- belongs to the energy of the Supreme.
Now we're trying to exploit that energy, but the more we try the more entangled we get and the more complex our life becomes. But when we place ourselves in harmony with Krishna and Krishna's energy, we return to our natural, pure state of consciousness. This is what we call "Krishna consciousness."
Krishna consciousness is not something imposed on the mind. On the contrary, it's already inside of each of us, waiting to come out, like fire in a match. Chanting Hare Krishna brings out that natural, pure state of mind.
The chant is called a mantra, a vibration of sound that cleanses the mind, freeing it from anxiety and illusion. And this is a mantra anyone can chant. It's for people of all religions, all nations, all colors, and both sexes. No need to pay any fees, join any group, or turn your life upside down. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can try the chanting for yourself and experience its result.
Krishna and His energy are fully present in the sound of the mantra, so even if we don't know the language or intellectually understand how it works, by coming in touch with Krishna we'll become happy, and our life will become sublime.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare !!!

http://krishnatempel.de/html/downloads/audiovideo/musik/Chanting_with_Prabhupada_22kHz.mp3

With Love.

Clip 2 of 9 - Anger Mgt Live TV Interview with Dina A Das

Anger Management - Live TV Interview with Dina A. Das on Malaysian television NTV7's The Breakfast Show, 27 Jun 2005. This Video Clip is Part TWO of 9 clips. Total interview time was 27 minutes. There are many practical tips and insights on understanding anger and how to overcome the problem. Anger is a very serious problem: in Malaysia alone, there is an average of one murder every three days just because of anger where arguments get out of control. Stage One is - understand 'I am not my mind; I must not obey it blindly but realise I am its master - I must control it just as I must control my dog when I take it for a walk.' Stage Two is - Conflict Resolution in Personal & Working Relationships - get to the root of why we are angry - learn to introspect, to cut off unnecessary relationships in our lives, and to communicate and make all our personal and working relationships healthy. Powerpoint slides and other Files to help you cope with Anger will be automatically sent to you if you join Dina's online support group - just send a BLANK Email to: angermgt-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

What is the difference between Jesus and Krishna?

http://www.omjesus.net/en/05difference.htm

An interesting acticle we must love.

With Love.
Prema.

The World Cup - as Islam sees it

The Soccer World Cup. From Another Corner...


At this critical juncture we find ourselves in a period where the talks,discussions, topics of conversation and focus of media networks, newspapersand various media centres around the Soccer World Cup. Many people wouldspend large sums of hard earned money to witness this spectacle live, whileothers would spend hours of valuable time glued to the television watchingevery move of their favourite team.
It is really amazing how players engaged in a football match or any othercode of sport find their lives guided and governed by the rules of the game.They are cognisant of the fact that if the rules are broken or the laws areflouted penalties would follow. The player is guided by the lines andboundaries and parameters of the game which he plays. We have been sent fora greater purpose, the lines and boundaries that govern us are the lines andboundaries chalked out for us by Allah subhaanahu wa ta aala Allah says inthe Glorious Quran: “These are the boundaries set by Allah, do nottransgress them.” (Surah 2 Verse 229)
How strange it is that a person is so mindful about the 2 linesman watchinghis actions from either side of the field while he is unmindful of theangels, on either side of his shoulder, writing all his actions.
How strange it is that a person would dare not touch the ball with his handin the penalty area for fear of the referee penalizing him, while he daresto venture into touching that which Allah has prohibited him from, withoutany fear of impunity or repercussions.
How strange it is that a person on the soccer field is so cautious about notbeing caught off side, while he does not care if Allah catches him in places.

With Love.

The Attitude of A Devotee

http://www.radiokrishna.com/rkc_archive_new/index.php?q=f&f=%2Fenglish



One’s attitude is very important in Krsna consciousness, as stated in the preface of the Nectar of Instruction: “Advancement in Krsna consciousness depends on the attitude of the follower.”

This attitude is described in various ways, one of which is the attitude of renunciation, by which one is given a chance to advance to the platform of devotional service (1) and also the attitude of a devotee, who does not seek shelter in the fruits of his activities but acts as a matter of duty because he has been ordered to do so by the Supreme Lord. (2)

(1) “Those who work without fruitive results are also perfect in their attitude. They are given a chance to advance to the platform of devotional service in Krsna consciousness.” –Bg. 13.25 Purport

(2) “The transcendental attitude of the devotee in the performance of activities is actually that of renunciation, and this is called sannyasa. As stated in the first verse of the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita, one who acts as a matter of duty because he has been ordered to do so by the Supreme Lord, and who does not seek shelter in the fruits of his activities
(anasritah karma-phalam), is a true renouncer. Anyone acting under the direction of the Supreme Lord is actually a sannyasi and a yogi, and not the man who has simply taken the dress of the sannyasi, or a pseudo yogi.” –Bg.10.3 Purport

The devotees’ attitude is that he believes in everything that Krsna says, not that he only accepts those things that tally to his imagination. (1)

(1) “Only the devotee, or he who is in personal touch with the Supreme Lord, enters into the Vaikuntha planets or the Goloka Vrndavana planet.

The Lord further adds that of this “there is no doubt.” This must be believed firmly. We should not reject that which does not tally with our imagination; our attitude should be that of Arjuna: “I believe everything that You have said.” Therefore when the Lord says that at the time of death whoever thinks of Him as Brahman or Paramatma or as the Personality of Godhead certainly enters into the spiritual sky, there is no doubt about it. There is no question of disbelieving it.” –Bg. Introduction

With Love.

I am bless by the ....................

I AM BLESS BY THE BEST AND WILL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS. SHORT VEDIO OF MY BELOVED GURUDEVA.( http://portal.vvz.hr/download/video/Kamp%202000%20kirtan.mpg )

WITH LOVE

The Significance of Janmastami

In late August or early September each year, hundreds of millions of Hindus in India and throughout the world celebrate Janmastami, the birth (in Sanskrit, janma) of Lord Krishna. On our calendar the exact date varies, for Krishna was born, according to the lunar calendar, on the eighth day (astami) after a certain late summer full moon.

Though interpretations vary widely, Vaishnavas, members of Hinduism’s largest sect, revere Krishna as the single, omnipotent, supreme God. According to Vaishnava theology, fifty centuries ago Krishna revealed to the warrior Arjuna the Bhagavad-gita, the "Bible of Hinduism." This famous treatise, dear to intellectuals such as Emerson, Thoreau, Gandhi and Einstein, concisely explains the phenomena of love, stress, self-development, creation and life after death.

"There is no truth superior to me," Krishna asserts in the Gita; "Everything rests upon me as pearls are strung on a thread. I am the source of all material and spiritual worlds. The wise who know this perfectly engage in my devotional service with all their hearts."

Skeptics question how God could be a blue-skinned cowherd such as Krishna, and how, in his divinity, he could be born among human beings. In the Gita Krishna explains that he appears at his own volition, unlike ordinary souls, who are shoved into new bodies due to past sins. Krishna’s benevolent purpose: the protect the good and punish the evil.

Krishna’s birth does not seem to befit a deity. Before his birth, his imprisoned parents, Vasudev and Devaki, lost six of their first seven children to Kamsa, their political oppressor. Their eighth son appeared with all the accouterments of Vishnu, the formal deity of God, but shed them at his parent’s request so they could smuggle Him out of jail and save Him.

This superficial contradiction—God almighty needing a rescue—reveals a splendid and unique quality of Krishna: He reciprocates His devotees’ love in very human ways. He is a son to Vasudev and Devaki, a friend to Arjuna, a lover to the cowherd damsels, a husband to thousands of wives, and more. Sometimes these intimate devotees, entranced with their particular love for Krishna, witness His superhuman actions and slip into a mood of awe. At that time Krishna, forever inundated by supplicating worshippers, extends a spell over these intimate servants to perpetuate their familiar roles. Krishna enjoys their diverse loving moods.

Images of Krishna as the mischievous boy, the romantic dancer or the compassionate friend often confuse the uninitiated. On Janmastami, however, devotees celebrate Krishna in all of these aspects. For just as Krishna reciprocates individually with His celebrated relatives and confidantes, he responds to the distinct feelings and desires held most deeply in the heart of every single worshipper.

How do devotees celebrate Janmastami?

Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s birth. Events include kirtan, group chanting of Krishna’s names with musical accompaniment, and japa, private, individual chanting. Some devotees cook an enormous feast while others perform drama and dance. Some devotees bathe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day.

Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored altar. A rousing kirtan ensues. Then, devotees and guests enjoy a lavish, multi-course feast in honor of Krishna’s appearance. The strictly vegetarian dishes comprise a wide variety of grains, fruits, vegetables and milk products, brilliantly combined in an array of succulent savories and sweets.

To devotees, Janmastami is Christmas and New Year's in one, a day of intense spiritual renewal and celebration that effectively finishes an old year and begins a fresh one. It is a day that recreates the activities of God's abode: a non-stop celebration of love of God through various spiritual activities in the fellowship of like-minded, submissive servants of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

With Love.

Words of Wisdom from BT Swami

"Worry is a prayer for something one does not want. To avoid an
undesirable outcome, people can learn to control their thoughts,
especially when they are under stress and have an emotional
investment in a desired outcome. At such times, stress and emotions
represent thought energy fueling the creation of the image being held
in their minds. Instead of worrying, one can replace the negative
thought with a visual image of the desired outcome, and then help
that image manifest rather than the unwanted one. As people get into
the habit of energizing only the positive, their thoughts, words, and
actions will automatically reflect this higher state of mind. They
will, in effect, stop creating new negative karma, because they will
no longer generate energy that has to be rebalanced, and their
positive energy will begin paying off some of the debits on their
scoreboard."

Leadership I, Chap 3


With Love.

The Golden Rule of Bhakti

smartavyah satatam vishnur
vismartavyo na jatucit
sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur
etayor eva kinkarah

Vishnu should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All rules and prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be servants of these two principles.(Padma Purana)

Life is full of ups and downs. An inexperienced devotee will especially remember Krishna when he's down, but a more experienced devotee also remembers to be thankful to Krsna and to take shelter of Him even when everything seems to be great.
**************************************************
Things to do

· Pray to Krishna for strength and direction. · Learn to take shelter in chanting, this will help to transform your heart. · Find your own maintainable level of devotional practice, one which will gradually enable you to reach the ideal rather than an unrealistic and unachievable end which will only frustrate you. · Associate with those who have a slightly higher level of practice than you do (those who are also struggling but maintaining higher standards). · Practice some level of self discipline, it is the genuine path to higher enjoyment.

**************************************************************************Tips Tips for the Struggle

If you find yourself struggling with chanting or the four regulative principles, don’t be alarmed, it is natural and to be expected for any individual who makes sacrifices (mental or physical) in order to progress spiritually. In fact, expect challenges as you move forward, be prepared for them and gradually work through them rather than evade them, otherwise they will only come back again and again. Find your own level of manageable practice, even though initially it may appear to be a compromise, gradually work up to the ideal, it may take weeks……., months………, or even years! But, sincerely persevere and the Lord within the heart will reciprocate.

Whenever there is a human impulse, our tendency is to respond immediately without even contemplating the outcome. In reality there exists a short moment between an impulse and a response, catch yourself during this short moment, think first, then act. If this thinking is based on principled directions (or scripture), you will succeed in holding back the force of unwarranted impulses.

Remember, whilst striving for the highest spiritual principles, we still have responsibilities to our spouses, children and friends. We must be conscious of their needs before imposing our own.

In all cases of upholding any vows, the key principle is DESIRE, half of the battle is won if we ourselves make a conscious decision to follow a practice rather than feel obliged to do so – so desire it!

Jaya Gurudeva!
Bhakti Thirta Swami Ki Jay!

With Love,
Prema Samputa Dasa.

My Lovely Gaura Nitai