Krishna
What was your first impression of the writings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada?
with Devamrita Swami
Author, teacher, and lecturer Devamrita Swami talks about how his involvement with Krishna consciousness began once he discovered the spiritual writings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
TRANSCRIPTION:
I had never encountered an author who spoke so comprehensively, authoritatively, and sincerely. I was swept off my feet by the scope of his literary endeavors – the purity of motivation and the dazzling information of the spiritual world.
At the age of fifteen I had already decided that love of God was the ultimate goal of life. I was looking for the "love supreme," but I could never find the full spiritual information that my head and heart longed for. So, when I began reading Srila Prabhupada's books, I realized I had hit the spiritual jackpot. I was a multi-million dollar lottery winner, with the greatest treasure.
Then, the question is, "how do you apply what you're reading?" the association of devotees allowed me to see the application. I didn't just want to be an armchair reader. I wanted to be an activist. But again, I wondered, "do these people actually care about the world's problems, or are they just living in a bubble?"
So when I became convinced that they were actually doing something to solve the world's problems, I decided to become one of them.
So, in other words, it wasn't enough for me simply to find a solution for my individual situation. I was looking for solutions to global problems. Once I crossed that barrier — once I could see that bhakti did encompass material and spiritual solutions, then the rest was easy for me.
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How did you first become interested in Krishna consciousness?
with Devamrita Swami
Author, teacher, and lecturer Devamrita Swami talks about what made him interested in the teachings of Krishna consciousness in the first place.
Why do you continue to practice Krishna consciousness?
with Devamrita Swami
Author and teacher Devamrita Swami explains what motivates him to stick with Krishna consciousness as a lifetime spiritual practice.
What makes Krishna consciousness distinct from other spiritual traditions?
Author and teacher Devamrita Swami reveals more about his background and his reasons for choosing to practice Krishna consciousness.
Who is Krishna? #3
with Ekavira dasa
Ekavira dasa has been practicing Krishna consciousness (bhakti-yoga) since 1991. He is a disciple of the late Bhakti-tirtha Swami, a prolific author and founder of the Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology.
Why did you decide to start practicing Krishna consciousness?
Ekavira dasa has been practicing Krishna consciousness (bhakti-yoga) since 1991. He is a disciple of the late Bhakti-tirtha Swami, a prolific author and founder of the Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology.
Observing Karttika
A special month for increasing devotional service to Krishna.
with Chaturatma dasa
We interviewed Lives of the Vaishnava Acharyas host Chaturatma Dasa to hear his experience of yearly taking vows to observe the month of Karttika, which in the Vaishnava tradition carries with it great spiritual benefits. He discusses the origin of this tradition, its roots in scripture, and discusses the many benefits anyone can achieve from observing certain practices each year during October and November, the month of Damodara or Karttika.
Benefits of following Karttika
with Chaturatma dasa
Lives of the Vaishnava Acharyas host Chaturatma Dasa tells us some of the benefits he's experienced from his yearly practice of taking vows during the month of Karttika (October-November).
Karttika and the family
with Chaturatma dasa
Lives of the Vaishnava Acharyas host Chaturatma Dasa tells a little about how his family reacts to his practice of following the month of Damodar or Karttika.
Yamuna Memorial Tributes: Yogesvara Dasa
Yamuna Devi Dasi was one of the first Western disciples of Srila Prabhupada. In the earliest days of ISKCON, she helped establish Hare Krishna temples in San Francisco, London, Delhi, and Vrindavan, India. She was also lead vocalist on on the popular Hare Krishna Mantra record and Radha-Krishna Temple album, helping popularize the chanting of Hare Krishna all over the world. She was the award-winning author of Lord Krishna's Cuisine, as well as other ground-breaking gourmet vegetarian cookbooks. She passed away in Florida, USA, in December 2011.
Yogesvara dasa (Joshua Greene) is an author, lecturer, and bhakti yoga teacher, as well as one of the earliest members of ISKCON. He was instrumental in the publishing of Yamuna's first cookbook, Lord Krishna's Cuisine. In this segment, he speaks of his memories of the early days of ISKCON in London with Yamuna Devi.