Letters to the editor

Hare Krsna Maharaj,
Please accept my obeisances,
Jaya Srila Prabhuapda,

HpS - ASA -- We try to answer a few letters from some of the most sane and most crazy people in our In Box and then when we start to write we remember them and feel VERY, VERY, sad that we have not been able to keep more in contact through Blog mail... but it is also so nice, to be physically in touch with hundreds of devotees on these tours. Hmmm.
Can you kindly give your view on

https://www.stephen-knapp.com/stephen_knapp_cv.htm

Have you ever interacted with him ?

horse
P.S. Sense gratification as indulgence (not neccesity) is symptom of meaninglessness.

HpS - No higher taste and then we have to settle for a lower taste, no?   No playing ball with Krsna and we must play with the Manchester Hooligans!

We looked at Sri Nandanandana Das' website on the link you gave. We have read a few of his books but don't think we have ever met him physically.

He seems to be a very nice devotee with obviously strong literary inclinations. We were glad to read his webpage and hope that we can interact with him more.

We hope to have better Blog connection next month.

If anything Urgent happens, please write!!! We are your servant.

Dear Maharaja

PAMHO AGTSP

Transmission from down-under. You are currently down-under-and-over in Chile. We have been watching some live streams. Of course we are regularly drinking the nectar of your soundcloud lectures also. We will make a serious effort to join your startmeeting live lectures when they recommence.

HpS/ASA - 'are Krsna, Dhruva' Das et al! Is so nice to hear from you. We really feel separation from all the friends and Yatra in Oz. We were listening to Atul-Krsna Das in the MOE meeting a few days ago and it was shocking how much you and he sound alike and also your fully gentlemanly comportment.

Dhanesvari DD is doing well. Her heath is improving. But still our new child Sarasvati is not letting her sleep much in the night. We support her as best we can by taking baby for Japa walks during the day to give mother opportunity to rest.

ASA - Super. These children are potential, giant light-houses in the Kali-yuga if they are given good protection to grow up properly. All respects to the Mother.

Our eldest daughter Suryani loves gurukula preschool and is developing nicely in life. 

We gave interactive Bhagavad Gita class at ISKCON New Govardhan last week entitled “Science, The Psyche and Yoga”. The verse was BG 5.4 and after a short discussion on Karma-yoga we argued that modern science has become predominantly atheistic due to its lacking the finer elements of Sankhya-yoga within its scope i.e. mind, intelligence, false ego, atma and paramatma. If matter is all we look for, then matter is all we will see.

ASA - And in this case only gross matter, not even much subtle matter!  and even then third class gross matter, visual data, not even tactile or acoustical concern!

Why is it customary to call non-devotees “Karmis” if Prabhupada and previous archaryas translate karma-yoga as “devotional service”? Is a karmi a fruitive worker without the “yoga” required to link to the supreme or is it a made-up-devotee’s-superiority term?

HpS - I see a great analysis of people in NOI 10, "karmibhya...". Then most people are Vi-karmas. They are fruitive workers who do not follow any Vedic Acharya even like Jesus, Mohamad, Confucius... Karmas are actually nice people. Krsna likes them. They follow the rules of some scripture.

Yogis are above Karms or Jnanis. They are linking to Krsna. It maybe by connecting their Karma (Karma yoga eg. want to enjoy food, but connect that pleasure with some process of religion, yoga), Jnana yoga (this is Jnana yoga we doing right now, no?). When we are working directly on why we are doing intelligent things it is Bhakti-yoga. How to change our motive. So Karmis and Karma-yogis are different groups. The Karmis do it for themselves. The Karma-yogis do it for Krsna (maybe without much logical understanding of what is going on, Jnana-yoga).

We are scheduled to give a Sunday feast class in a few weeks at ISKCON NG. We have inspiration to present “Dance with Destiny” in which we will attempt to interactively present the relationship between free will and determinism from the perspective of the glorious Bhagavata philosophy and practice. 

We have also inspiration to design a workshop entitled “Slaying the Dragons of Doubt”. In this workshop we will invite participants to bring a list of their biggest doubts, past or present, or the biggest challenges they have come across towards the existence of God or towards the establishment of Krishna as the supreme. If they have somehow overcome these doubts already they are invited to share how they achieved it and if they have not we will be working on them together. We believe that we can shed light on each other’s dark patches. We also believe, through experience, that great power comes from honestly addressing doubts.

Some example challenges might be;

1. The problem of Evil
2. Criticisms of religion as “Other world” theories and the lack of care placed in “this world”
3. Interpretations of Vedic cosmology and Hare Krishna hell!!!
4. Fall of the Jiva
5. Why did God create us only to serve Him?

God knows what other interesting topics might come up.

HpS - Super, but some interesting publication as a result for this Blog!! Broader community.

A devotee friend of ours who owns a vegan café in Byron Bay has invited us to do some presentations at the café. Bryon Bay is a beautiful and popular beach town approximately 45min from our location. We are very enthusiastic for this service opportunity. We take great inspiration from you Maharaja, your kindness upon us. We are even developing taste for PowerPoint shows.

HpS - ASA - You are like Lord Siva. You see people's bad qualities as good qualities.

Maharaja, specifically I am writing to request some seva, some association. My good wife has given permission for me to travel. Can I possibly assist you with something this year in USA maybe or anywhere else you see fit. I see you will attend MOE in Alachua late June or maybe even the Nashville annual festival? I could wash and fold cloth, sweep floors, carry bags, anything at all.  

ASA - None of these two programs are too developed yet, but nice program for the whole family, or you as the family camera man, might be "Art and the Sacred", end of October in Peru. You could start to organize that work in Peru and then come as a representative(s) of "Art from the Land Down Under Over".

Prostrated at your feet

Dhruvananda Das

ASA - Proscribed at your feet. We could start working on getting a formal invitation for you from Peru and then getting formal links with government, universities in Australia.

Hare Krishna, dear (Dear) Grumahaja (Guru Maharaja), Pamho, AGTSP!

ASA - The same to you!!!  AgtSP. Paoho...

Well, I think there´s a little confusion regarding to Chosica program.

I've being talking to Nitya kinkary mataji about the program. Karuna Krishna prabhu is arriving soon from Brazil, so everything have to be confirm with him.

Coordinations are not very well and trying to explain that it is like a useless exercise. 

Anyway, M. Nitya and I were trying to emsemble different things waiting for P. Karuna. I presented your first suggestions but M. Yugala changed most of it. I don't now why.

ASA - Maybe see is applying what she, me, Gandhava, KKD discussed at the retreat before we left Lima.

This is the picture so far with my suggestions also.

Friday 2o you arrive and stay in Callao

Saturday SB class in Wilson. I suggest that you can stay for a little while there talking to people and go to Chosica and rest a little so you are ready for the evening program.

HpS - Yes, but probably chance to meet with people on Friday. Then, yes, Saturday SB in Wilson seems fair. Saturday in Wilson, Sunday in Chosica (A different kind of city).

According to M. Yugala...

Saturday

9.30 am (you are not there) art exposition in Chosica

11.00 am presentation of the matajis (you suggested that for sunday)

2.00 pm Workshops for matajis the whole afternoon.

6.00 pm programa cultural

6.30 gourartik

7.00 movie.

But we have at 4.30 to 6.30 our Harinam program every saturday. So you can start your participation from there if you want.

It's confusing. That's why we think we have to talk soon by skype.

ASA - Last I heard from KKD, M. Yugala Dasi was going to organize the program. That's O.K. with me only this one change of giving SB class in Wilson in the morning.

Sunday

whole morning program

After Govinda... 

9.30 am Initiations (includes a class)

10.30 kirtan yoga by temple devotees

12.30 Rajbhoga

1.30 Presentations of the Program "Your Week with RMV" (Mataji've been working with a team).

2.30 prasadam

3.30 M. Yugala presents .....prize giving ceremony of art exposition.

4.00 cultural program

Monday

Mangalartik with you and then we get ready for La Cantuta

La Cantuta 

10.am to 12.30 am

Featuring You, Professor Borja, Professor Durand, Parama Karuna d, Caitanya candrodaya d, I, etc. We can talk about details later.

meanwhile in the temple....BG class, Abhiseka, Rajbhoga artik

After la Cantuta....

1.30 after Rajbhoga You give a class about Srimati Sitadevi

2,30 prasadam

heading to Lima

Well, I'm sorry for the mess.

ASA - Whatever the Temple Authorities decide. We can be available from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon, then finishing the program in La Cantuta in time to join the program at noon time in the Temple!

Yes, let's have a call: Blue Baboon and Tom Brown!

Actually I told the Junta that this is Chosica program and you only present suggestions. Its up to them. That's what I think.

We can talk very soon to clarify it as soon as you can. If you think is necesary.

Please send me day and time to talk, if you want, by my new skype account...Luis Miranda Blanco. 

I think you are two hours ahead us, Perú.

ys LAD

We just typed a one page DTC then lost it all.

Try again. Niscayena.

But we can't write the same thing again.

Always fresh. Can't step in the same river twice. 

Brother Ass is obviously tired, buy he is getting so much energy from being able to join this Sankirtan movement in a very humble way.

We can accept that we are one of the smallest ISKCON devotees. Look what these P'pada movie devotees are doing. There has never been promotion for a non-comercial film like this in Argentina before. People are thinking that this must be a man, movement, that has tens of thousands of actual followers!

Well, to be a real follower you must be a paramahamsa, celibate!!  Rare!

+++

Many babies here in Cordoba.  They fall on the floor and crack their heads. They want to play with, chew on, the Puja paraphernalia and cry 25-times a day in frustration and rage, but they have so much potential.

+++

What is the think that only you know about Krsna. Guru, Radha, everyone wants to hear about it, but you have to find it again and again. Unless you can preach, teach, contribute that you will not be happy!

Saw was Turkish man and his family that just say they have made big advancement into translating the Voynich manuscript. We can only hope that big archaelogical secrets of the Cult of Vasudeva and Sankarshana (Krsna and Balarama) are unearthed.

Art and the Sacred...... Your Art and the Sacred!!!! !!!

Hare Krsna Beloved Gurudeva:

AGTSP, PAMHO

I can see through the videos and photos that Vrsabhanu nandini is sending to me that the programs in Cordoba are pretty well, we can perceive the peace and goodness in Madhavendra, Ambarisa , their wives and their children as well, we are so fortunate to be their friends¡¡¡

Rama Navami was so nectarean, also the avant premiere was a big success, in attachment some photos.

ASA - Thank you!!!   AGTSP...

The itinerary bellow [below] was discussed with Abhiram, Yugala and LAD we just need your approval in order to do the poster.

ASA - Not with the Temple Presidents in Chosica and Wilson??? Gotta get their approval, no?

The details of Chosica's festival were requested to be posted here by YKD

ASA - Ah! Yes, as we remember Karuna Krsna Das said that she was co-ordinating the festival for Chosica.

In that regard we have not heard anymore from LAD or Mataji, Chosica Treasurer, about (Nitya-kinkari DD??) about the Weekly Puja Sponsor program.

APRIL’s ITINERARY

FRIDAY 20th:

Arrive in the morning 8:45am. All day in Callao, rest.

ASA - ... and maybe meet with Ramon et al.

SATURDAY 21st:

FMP in Callao. Then Srimad Bhagavatam Class at ISKCON Chosica (stay in Caitanya Candrodaya’s house).

ASA - This is O.K. with Wilson???  I heard we were going to do the SB class there on the way to Chosica.

SUNDAY 22nd:

 All day in ISKCON Chosica (Festival in Honor to Sita devi)

MONDAY 23rd:

Sita devi’s appearance day, Program in la Cantuta University. (10 am to 1pm).

  In the afternoon return to Callao.

TUESDAY 24th: All day in Callao. Last coordinations.

Wednesday 25^th: Return to the USA :(

ASA - 5PM is the flight to Mexico, not USA. Give us gifts to take to Mexico.

PROGRAM IN CHOSICA MANDIR

SATURDAY, APRIL 21st

 FESTIVAL IN HONOR TO SITA DEVI:

THE ROLE OF LADIES IN ISKCON

ASA - BETTER "ROLE OF LADIES IN THE SANKIRTAN MOVEMENT OF LORD CAITANYA"?

Organized by the Education department of Chosica

(Karuna Krsna Das, Gandharva Das, Yugala Kishora Dasi) and Candramukhi dd who is in charge of communications.

Saturday, April 7th

Contest announcement (Mataji’s art) on April 21st.

Theme: Offering to Sita or tribute to women.

Categories:

Drawing, poetry, singing, music, essay, story, storytelling.

Saturday, April 21st

8:15 AM               Opening

Schedule

Welcome speech

8:30 AM               Srimad Bhagavatam class by His Holiness Hanumatpresaka Swami.

Theme: Tribute to Stri dharma due to the appearance of mother Sita.

9:30 PM               Placement of art exhibition and stand for matajis.

All collected in the stands: one half will be a donation for Our Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madham Bihari and the rest for the stand manager.

10 AM                  Breakfast at temple by Laksmimayi Devi Dasi

11 AM                  Presentations: (Maximum 20 minutes and 5 minutes for questions)

Senior matajis were invited, but this needs to be confirmed. Presentation of women based on Srimad Bhagavatam or biography of mothers who have left their mark on the movement.

YugalaKishora Dasi “A current look to the stereotype of a devotee”

Rukmini Devi Dasi “Challenges for a young woman in her formation as a devotee and teacher”

1PM                      Prasadam

2PM                      Workshops for mothers:

After registration, limited vacancies. There will be a moderator and a secretary for each workshop.

                               Workshop Sharing women’s wisdom

(Etiquette on service to the Guru, among devotees, temple etiquette, self-esteem, parents ‘workshop)

                               Workshop of Preaching programs:

(Food for life, harinama, sankirtana, namahathas, Bhaktivrksa, Rathayatras, music concerts, event organization,administration y RRPP)

Workshop about pujari and the art of home:

(Simple puja at home, recipes, healing plants,Tulasi care)

4PM                      Power yoga with Loka Pavana Das (half an hour)

5 PM                     Artistic presentations:

                               Bharatanatyam dance by Luz (Hindu dance teacher)

                               Story telling dedicated tomothers by Prabhu Narayana

6:30 PM               Gaura Aratika by mothers

7:00 PM               Movie: Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew

ASA - Our copy of this is not working!

SUNDAY 22nd

2 PM                                     Event closing: Art contest award. The winners by areas will present their art.

2:30 PM               Kathak dance and music with Caitanya.

2:45 PM               Play: Sita Devi’s pastime.

3 PM                     Prasadam by temple’s administration.

About workshops for mothers:

The previous registration will be as people are arriving, vacancies are limited.

                               Workshop coordinator: Gandharva Das

Workshop Sharing women’s wisdom: Lavanya mangala Devi Dasi – Patty Palomino

Workshop of Preaching programs: Tarangaksi Devi Dasi–Jessica Mendoza

Workshop about pujari and the art of home: Gaura Karuna Sakti - Jayada Gopi

(Simple puja at home, recipes, healing plants, Tulasi’s care)

Some mothers, previous coordination, will begin the workshops by presenting a particular topic, and then, the rest of all will comment according to order, maximum 5 minutes.

Note: This is the first outline of the program and will be detailed and improved in future meetings with coordinators,speakers and devotees who offered to speak at workshops about specific topics.

Thank U so much Gurudeva

Hope to see U pretty soon

Your useless servant

CMDD

ASA - What about the role of lady devotees in ISKCON administration: Temple President, Wife of Temple President etc??

What about Initiations???

All Glories to Sri A.C. Prabhupada Maharaja, Sri Sripada Maharaja, Sri HpS Maharaja Ki Jay!

Radha Krsna Ki Jay, Gouranga Mahaprabhu Ki Jay and Gourabhakta Vrnda Ki Jay!

Dandavat Pranam Guruji Maharaja!

Please accept my humble obeisances unto Guruji Maharaja’s padmacaran  that I  could not get any reply of three letter written after returning from Navadwip Prikrama. I am so eager to hear Gurujis amritabani like a fish without water.

HpS - AGTSP!!  Paoho.  We feel the same way, but this USA/South America Tour is so intense. We are doing even four programs in one day. In in six days we were in six different cities and six different airplanes. Very good result but no chance to do mail!!

Ambarisa das and Madhavendra puri Das and their families who came to Manipur with us a few years ago and stayed in the Nature Cure Ashrama have pictures of Manipur on there walls at home and send their best wishes to everyone. 

As Guruji is so busy all the time, it may be the reason but for the last 2 to 3 weeks I could not hear any good news. I regularly watching the blog and see other's reply. Is there any commit mistake from my side. If so, please excuse  and guide us all the time. May Radha & Krsna bless Guruji.

Yours fallen servant,

Yamunesvara Das

HpS - Of course there is no mistake on your side!   We just answer letters marked "Urgent" and then pick some here and there by random.  There two pages of letters we have not answered yet!

We think Gaurangi is in communication with the devotees in Mexico for World Dance Day and maybe it will be the start of some cultural exchanges, even of university students. You are the good news. Manipuri Sanskriti is the good news!

What is Yatra news!

I know you are giving classes!!