It is helpful--essential--to understand the K.C. philosophy or to be familiar with our Gaudiya Vaishnava conceptual orientation, yet there is both theory and realization. Realization means acting on the basis of the theory, and in the higher stages, there is no difference between the theory and our application--bhakti becomes who we are, not just what we do for perfection. In a sense we become love--but not impersonally, we become love in action. "Love is as love does." Or "love is not a noun...
I read today about the spiritual lamentation of Krishna’s dear devotees, the cowherd girls or gopis who felt their misfortune at being apart from Krishna. This brought to mind the lives of other great devotees who act as teachers or gurus who lament their "fallen condition" and forgetfulness of Krishna, while also aspiring for spiritual perfection. Lord Chaitanya's own prayers also express this. We can follow their example by also lamenting our fallen condition—which means knowing what we don’...
Dates seem irrelevant
words can be cliché
are old days good
or memory just selective?
The past is useful if it helps
to avoid mistakes,
by recognizing opportunities--
a good teacher the past
but a lousy residence!
Many have said
the present is all we have--
Is there meaning in words
yes, when we apply them.
Even "wasting time" can be
valuable with insightful vision
of inspiration today
being thoughtful to learn
that there can always be
lessons to gather from life.
Is the future important?
It is...
Spiritual life is about change--and change for the better. Bhakti yoga in its nine main varieties headed by hearing and chanting about Krishna is meant to awaken our serving or dependent nature on the Lords of our hearts, Shri Radha Krishna. However, it takes time, effort and a whole lot of mercy. We have to keep on keeping on despite what appears to be a long time.
____________________________________________________
When we have guests for prasad (vegetarian food offered to Krishna) or some...
So many opinions
so little time:
Are we or is life
very complex
or very simple?
Both! Depending on
our nature and perspective.
A person or life is simple or complex
according to one's conditioned nature
which could be a blessing or curse
in different circumstances.
Simple people think complex people
speak way too many words
using too many colors or possessions
which hide life with endless distractions.
Complicated or complex thinking people
will never accept simple explanations
thinking them...
The songs of our great teachers (acharyas) instruct us about the character of those absorbed in transcendence. Thus we get a glimpse of their spiritual, compassionate vision--we can thus imagine what it must be like, and try to enter into it according to our capacity. They desire that everyone be overcome with the bliss of chanting the holy name of Krishna. This is true enlightened welfare work. Seeing the Universe's inhabitants as illusioned by the false promise of material enjoyment, Shrila...
Understanding even in theory that our true identity is spiritual--eternal, blissful, consciousness--or said negatively, that we are "not the body", is the beginning of spirituality. Though considered basic or "elementary" in our progressive spiritual life, the fact that we are not the physical body or mind but consciousness, is a matter of deep realization to understand.
Experience has strongly demonstrated through the example of many devotees, that it is not easy for souls conditioned by the...
Walk the path of Bhakti with Bhaktimarga Swami or travel on an adventure with the famous chef Kurma Prabhu.
Learn how to make beautiful deity jewelry for your Gaura Nitai deities at home or find out what is the best recorder for recording beautiful bhajans from KrishnaGeeks.
Learn about anti material-particles from ISKCON scientist Aja Govinda Prabhu or immerse yourself in the life of traveling preacher monks such as Jaya Keshava Prabhu and Omkara Prabhu.
Relish the beautiful kirtans of...
What can I contribute to the family of the Earth, divided by gender,mentality, nationality, religion, or ethnic tradition?
By spiritual constitution we are all one--individuals of the same nature and family of God. We come into the material world and accept a false ego that tells us we are the material body, mind, intelligence and emotions, and that we should act for this selfish self interest. We believe we must compete with others for what we perceive as scare resources and facilities for...
A funny thing about Andra Pradesh and other states in South India, they have this saying. "We do not know what Krishna looks like. If someone thinks of Krishna the face that they see is that of NTR, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao."
NT Rama Rao is my favorite actor. He is the star of South India Vaishnava films of the 50's and 60's. His main roles in the films were that of Krishna and Rama but he has also played many other roles as Ravana, Karna, Duryodhan, Bhima, and many others. He also...
4 years 7 weeks agoIt is helpful--essential--to understand the K.C. philosophy or to be familiar with our Gaudiya Vaishnava conceptual orientation, yet there is both theory and realization. Realization means acting on the basis of the theory, and in the higher stages, there is no difference between the theory and our application--bhakti becomes who we are, not just what we do for perfection. In a sense we become love--but not impersonally, we become love in action. "Love is as love does." Or "love is not a noun...1 Comment(s)235 Reads
4 years 9 weeks agoWalk the path of Bhakti with Bhaktimarga Swami or travel on an adventure with the famous chef Kurma Prabhu. Learn how to make beautiful deity jewelry for your Gaura Nitai deities at home or find out what is the best recorder for recording beautiful bhajans from KrishnaGeeks. Learn about anti material-particles from ISKCON scientist Aja Govinda Prabhu or immerse yourself in the life of traveling preacher monks such as Jaya Keshava Prabhu and Omkara Prabhu. Relish the beautiful kirtans of...0 Comment(s)242 Reads