(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
I
I am consciousness eternal
a spiritual spark of Divinity
equipped with all essentials—
no need of happiness outside
not titles, trophies, names, profiles—
instead, blissful awareness of Truth
natural identity and purpose
Spirit cooperator, giver to God—
selfishness isn’t a requirement
with no material necessities to covet—
ignoring soul satisfaction is darkness
the shackles of angry frustration
crushed dreams and dashed hopes...
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
Recently three devotees of Krishna were tragically killed in a car accident near Alachua, Florida, and this short poem was my response. I wanted to wait some time before publishing this, to at least let the grieving process begin for those directly involved. Spiritual philosophy will eventually soothe, but if presented without compassion, and prematurely, it can make healing more difficult in the short term. In spite of our...
Dallas Morning News,
Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.
To what extent should government define the common good?
Let me offer this recent essay by Ross Douthat in the New York Times as a way to frame the discussion. Here's what...
A friend of mind, a Christian minister who studied a bible school here in Dallas, sent me this question.
Hi Nityananda,
I was reading a book on ethics and was wondering what you might think
of one of its ideas ("After Virtue" by Alasdair MacIntyre).
He talks about a threefold scheme for thinking about ethics/virtue/character:
- A humanity that exists in a somewhat lower state (greed, etc.)
- A humanity that progresses to realizing the goals of humanity
(mature, humility, sacrifice...
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
After the last two blogs, while further thinking about the topic of associating with advanced devotees, I also thought about other ways we can make connection to spirituality, since even those who are blessed to hear from and serve devotees of high spiritual standing don’t usually have that opportunity perpetually. In their absence, we can also serve the instructions of our guru, or someone who inspires us spiritually (a sadhu...
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
From a spiritual perspective “luck,” or good fortune, means having association with saintly persons. Even more fortunate is to have spiritual adepts who are genuinely and specifically interested in our progress in bhakti, and can give us unique guidance suited to our natures and circumstances. The opposite is also true: to be bereft of saintly persons in our life is most unfortunate. Why? This is accurate because to...
Dallas Morning News,
Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.
President Obama made the case for the common good, as he saw it, in his State of the Union address. Jackie Calmes of the New York Times summarized his theme this way: "...
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
Taking up the path of pure devotion, is to take up the pilgrim’s journey. “Pilgrim” is defined in the dictionary as traveling to a holy place. However, the Shrimad Bhagavatam advises us not merely to make an arduous journey for the sake of taking a holy bath, but to hear from saintly persons who embody the holy place and sacred teachings. Our spiritual awakening may include an outer expedition to leave the mundane and live...
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
The title of this blog is taken from a book which consists of conversations and letters written by a humble Christian monk, Brother Lawrence, during the 17th century about his practice of remembering, praying to, and serving God in all circumstances. I find it very similar to what bhakti, or devotional service, is all about—that is, to remember and serve Krishna in love and devotion in all circumstances, at all times. As so...
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
“I offer my respectful obeisances to Shri Advaita Acharya, whose activities are all wonderful. By His mercy, even a foolish person can describe His characteristics.” [Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila 6.1] Shrila Prabhupada, my guru, and the founder/exemplary teacher of the Hare Krishna movement, referred to the bhakti scriptures as “the science of God.” This term is amply demonstrated by the appearance days of various...
2 days 1 hour ago(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed) I I am consciousness eternal a spiritual spark of Divinity equipped with all essentials— no need of happiness outside not titles, trophies, names, profiles— instead, blissful awareness of Truth natural identity and purpose Spirit cooperator, giver to God— selfishness isn’t a requirement with no material necessities to covet— ignoring soul satisfaction is darkness the shackles of angry frustration crushed dreams and dashed hopes...2 Comment(s)100 Reads
6 days 20 hours agoDallas Morning News, Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box. To what extent should government define the common good? Let me offer this recent essay by Ross Douthat in the New York Times as a way to frame the discussion. Here's what...0 Comment(s)77 Reads