hare krsna maharaj,
pamho, AGTSP,
hope your sankirtan is going well.
we found this link, http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/09/how-philosophy-makes-you-a-better-leader/
basically this is based on socrates.
i hope this can help strenghten NIOS.
reegards,
horse
ASA - AGTSP! Paoho, Bombay!
Thank you very much. We downloaded it an will look at it soon!
pig
All Glories to Sri Sri Radha Syamasundara
All Glories to Sri Sri Gaura Nitay
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Please Dear Gurudev, accept my humble obeisances
First of all, this report with questions about the congress ends huge. I know that is no the idea, but, i'm sure that with your always essential answers we can do a service much better and we don't bother you too much after this.
·After your last reply we have had two god brothers meetings and the followers news came from it.
· The devotees here are very enthusiastic with the idea to manage this symposia. So, according with our talking with Param Padam and you, the final date for the “I Latin American Congress on Education in ISKCON” is Friday 30th January to Sunday 1st ,ie, your last weekend in Chile.
The updates now:
1) Name and Generals Points
Just for the time I thought quickly in a slogan to accompany the title, and even put the slogan larger than the original title, namely, I Latin American Congress on Education in ISKCON, and is:
“Experiencias y Propuestas en el arte de cultivar el espíritu.”
We thought that this slogan may help to give a general guideline due is the first congress, so in that way we can at least, guide this international meeting, first of all, to the details about what`s really happening right now on the education in ISKCON in this far region of the world, sharing experiences and according these experiences; what is the general proposal for improve, and everything and always in a unity spirit.
But, now I think that it could be a little ambiguous, not too much tangible. So, what do you think about the slogan idea?, Maybe you can propose other one.
HpS - ASA --- AGTSP! O.K. Date is on our Calendar. What about ISKCON and Education: The Oldest Educational System in the World, Meets the Newest Educational Challenges in America.
2) Financial Issues:
Due the enthusiasm of devotees like Priyasakhi, Sri Pati, Raga Sindhu and others, arise different good ideas to get money for bring here the suitable exhibitors and lecturers. For examples, music concert, festival, prasadam, and even, caps and t-shirts. Actually, Raga Sindhu did a budget already with the tickets of the speakers, is more or less USD 3000.
On the other hand, i'm curious with one sentence of your last reply to me: “We can even get outside participation and sponsors because Education in ISKCON is a Premier Program for Global Perspectives in Education..” With outside participation you are referring to other devotees communities or to non-devotees institutions, like enterprises and foundations???? Premier Program for Global perspectives in Education... “in the world”, you say? Excuse me gurudev, I did'n understand that part. But, I agree with the idea to get sponsors.
HpS - ASA - I am not sure exactly what I meant, but as we develop we could ask people like the GBC to suggest sponsors for some of the expenses. In Texas we charged $50 for each participant and gave Becas, Scholarships for poor people.
Finally, in relation with this point. We could see the fees in the North American Symoposio (NAS) were $51, so, our question is: We should reply this system; to ask fees and give a CD with all conferences?. May be $40 here. My other question: Is the same price to the tele-conference participants, international visitors and local devotees? The prasada were included?
HpS - ASA - Aaaah! We are thinking the same way. Prasadam and accomodations were separate, so teleconference and gross presence were the same fees.
3) Speakers:
[Suggestions withheld until they are contacted]
In relation to speakers we have some proposals and questions:
The titles and topics of their conferences should be suggest by us or is their decision?
Is possible to have for this Congress some of the speakers from the last NAS in Houston? With Ambarish we talked that there is a special interest in Urmila, and his [her] experience with school children. Is possible that she can visit Chile in that time?. Or Sesa Prabhu or Prana das?
Also, i'm starting a contact with IES (Iskcon Educational Services ies.iskcon.org) from London to other teleconference if is possible. They have a experience in formal education but, maybe the devotees from Canada also can.
What is your opinion, considering that the topics will cover all educational level, pre-school, et al, to Invite some leader in Education from the Adventist church, famous here for their vegetarianism and to win the chorus contests and other arts. In just one presentation we can know more deeply their success experience (www.educacionadventista.cl) and some of the legal issues to install a school here.
Other Points
In relation with your question: Also, so many people can attend if it is done well by tele-conferencing. Are you familiar with that in Santiago? Honestly, we are not familiar with tele-conference system here. Just webex thank Param Padam and you, Starmeeting thank you, and the new and improved hangouts from Google, and a little ustream. Is just that.
I designed two ads. One of them is for webs, lika a banner to put in iskcondesiretree webpage, and other local ISKCON websides. The other one is bigger and include the faces of some speakers. (I'm sending the last one poster to your mail now because like I told you, we don't want post publicly the names and either pictures of the speakers yet. Also, I will send in that mail a tentative general program).
Mainly the publicity of this event will be on internet but we are thinking other methods like to send physical invitations to the congregations from other temples in the region.
Excuse us guru maharaj for our over dependence of you, clearly we are a third class of disciple :'( .
Finally, and on complete other hand: in relation with the external programs (between 26-29 january). It will be two, and our dear and kind Rodrigo is responsible. We had a good interchange of ideas and information in the last meeting, the last sunday. But we will notify you about that after this Congress issues.
Thank you very much for your patience, time and attention.
My eternal reverences to you dear gurudev,
Jagad Guru Das
HpS - AGTSP paoho. How is the Brother/Godbrother. San Carlos????
From our Experience in doing this with BSDamodara Swami, BI et al.
1. Make a formal Organizing Committee. I nominate you as the Working Chairman and local GBC as Honorary Chairman.
2. Get a responsible Communications Secretary that you can work with.
3. Get a Treasurer.
4. Get and Advisory Board. I recommend us, Param-padam and anyone else who agrees to help.
5. I would focus on the theme of a) Identifying who "we" are and "what are our personal passions in education", b) How we can communicate effectively eg. letters, blogs, web-page, periodicals, meetings and c) make a calendar for planning a better meeting next year.
We only have a little time for this first event, so we should only try to do a little: Meet each other, make ways to effectively communicate. Plan the next meeting with more details.
Friday evening - Reception. Get to know each other.
Saturday morning - lectures
Saturday Afternoon- Workshops
Saturday Evening - Entertainment
Sunday morning - Closure. This is one model.
We can present "Philosophy of Education: Basic Goals and Methods".
Have summary of local, regional and international education realities in ISKCON.
If outside people want to come or are needed then O.K. Other wise, next time.
Next time Thurday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
Is O.K?
In Peru Laksmana agraja Das is President of NIMSAR and Candramukhi Devi Dasi is very active. Patraka Das can get you in touch with both of them.
You need three major presenters and three workshop leaders and many people who can make short, 5-minute presentations and ask questions. Record it well. Edit it a little bit, get it out and start planning next year.
Dear Gurudeva:
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I hope your health is good.
HpS - ASA - Jaya! So nice to hear from you all. Hope your health is good also. But bad health with Krsna consciousness is preferable to good health without Krsna consciousness, no? '0'
Summer holidays are finished and Nimai is back to school. I am working on the "gurukula", which is starting back again after the summer break. We are going to use the Hare Krsna Sunday School material that mexican devotees are passing to me and More staf. I am also translating more children spiritual texts such as Introduction to Bhagavad Gita, for Mexico. It is a humble service that Gopi Radha devi dasi, from Mexico, offered to me. I am very thankfuk to her. Back here, in Madrid, we have a preaching program: bhajan, children and prasadam. It will be happening on September 27th.
About my saddhana, working on chanting better rounds and Gayatri mantra. I can not control my mind. Same thing with the Gayatri mantra. I get distracted so easily! (What I have to do after chanting, my kids, Gurukula...). Amazing! What can I do?
I miss Japa Joe. Hearing you and chanting was beatiful. Thank you for everything.
Wishing to be your humble servant,
Purnamasi devi dasi
HpS - AGTSP. Paoho. We are trying to get a practical Sadhana for us. Japa Joe was too much. But now we are doing Mangala arati and NOD and some Japa daily from 4.30-5.30AM at Start Meeting. That is nice.
How is Jayanta Das??? From a simple, friendly perspective how are the relations between Madrid and Madre Tierra Yatras going? The Rathayatra Cart?
Can you get in touch with devotees in Peru, NIMSAR? They are doing a lot of translating work also. We can co-ordinate it.
Also, end of January or start of February there will be a South America, Spanish language Yatra, symposium on education in Chile and on line. I hope devoteess from Spain can really flood it with their efforts also!
Thank you. Your efforts will build up forever!
Dear gurudeva,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to you
Please accept my humble obeisances.
Than you so much for your answer. I was reading SB and thinking a bit about it. I want to share you...
So, from what I understand, the real spiritual master is just one: Krsna. But because we are conditional souls with lusty desires in our heart, we can not understand, love neither surrender to him. As he is so kind that help us sending pure devotees that represent him, for we can surrender to them. And in this way, surrendering to those souls is like surrender to Krsna himself, regardless the kind of guru (siksa, diksa, etc).
HpS - ASA - AGTSP!!! Yes, this is how we under stand the situtation. Very well expressed. You must have been a great Sannyasi last lifetime who was too much attached to a certain girl! This time you have to resolve the situation! Only thought is that we surrender to different kinds of Gurus differently.
So, disciple following Krishna's instructions through these souls. And technically the only difference between this devotees is that diksa-guru is who take our hand and bring us into the parampara. But as much diksa as and siksa gurus should be very important because by their mercy, they help us to return home, back to Godhead through their instructions. "The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth."
ASA - Diksa guru is like a Monk who marries the boy and girl, Krsna and Jiva. Siksa gurus are like those who give advice. Of course, the Diksa guru is active the the relation after the ceremony. He is not just a Ritvik. He is the active link to the Parampara. Principle Siksa guru (Vartmana pradarshika guru) usually becomes the Diksa guru, but not always. Maybe he is too old, can't take the Karma. Maybe is a lady (http://vedabase.com/en/sb/4/12/32). So, usually Diksa guru is one of the Siksa gurus also. One of our disciples is a book distributor. She naturally tooks so much association from Bhakti Bhusan Swami but we were responsible for seeing that she didn't neglect her rounds.
Maybe you will decide that you actually should be a Mormon. Maybe you will take this person aor that person as Diksa guru. Basis is to advance in our service to Radha Krsna and the it will all be satisying to everyone!
Then, as you say, while in spiritual world someone follow Candravali or Radha and some are mixing both, something like this happens in this material world too. While I am accepting gurus who follow the path of instruction given by Lord Krsna to Arjuna, everything will be right. Is it? I mean "gurus" because I don't have only one. I already can see my Gurus clearly: SP, Mhtma and you. Then, I am not following just one... also I am mixing both relationships in the same direction: that of Srila Prabhupada =D Is it right?
HpS - If you are ready to accept Srila Prabhupada as your Sampradaya Acharya and not Lord Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed. I know very nice Sufi guy in Mar de Plata. He left Argentina looking for a Guru. Eventually in the Middle East he met a very nice person, Guru, and asked, "What are you?". Guru said, "I am Sufi". He said, "That's what I want to be."
If he had joined ISKCON he would have been a GBC Secretary by now. Very nice person.
On the other hand, another topic... A devotee that is living in the temple now, wants to give me her deities to take care. They are Gaura Nitai. Do you think that I am able to do it ? ... That it will be good for me to have them?
Hp S - ASA - I think so. Ask local Brahmanas what they think. She will be traveling and you will just care for them like an Aunt?
Thank you for teach me always lovingly,
Mangala aratik with you by SM is such nice. Thank you for that.
Ys,
Bhktn Belén
HpS - ASA - AGTSP!! Paoho. Oink! Oink!!!
Querido Guru Maharaja. PAOHO
Las noticias de su venida son las mejores y las más esperadas.
Hace poco en una clase de literatura, la profesora contó la historia de Ramayana, la conto mal pero me sorprendió que la conociera, otro profesor que hablaba de la creación del mundo y criticaba el dogma católico, luego de conversar con Él me dijo que los Tahoistas y en los vedas hay respuestas, los profesores inocentes inquisitivos son las mejores personas para predicar.
Por bendición de Krsna pese a todo problemas transitorios, las nuevas juntas, la subida del alquiler, que pongan en ansiedad a devotos, medidas arbitrarias como que las deidades no vayan Chosica en las fiestas principales, etc. vivimos en un templo así que siempre estoy en asociación con devotos, despierto con ellos y me duermo viéndolos, este años si continuaba con mil servicios como antes, nunca podría cumplir la meta de la pirámide de Maslov, y según creo salvo los estudiantes de las escrituras que son pocos, no tengo mucha asociación de intelectuales y es necesario si uno desea enseñar asociarse con educadores, es por eso que después de pensar detenidamente en nuestra conversación a principios de año sobre estudios, vi una oportunidad de continuar mi formación estudiando educación, es mi deseo, me fascina la literatura y la historia, entonces voy ´por ese camino, ahora ayudo a mantener a mi padre junto con mis hermanos y no dispongo de muchos ingresos, por segunda carrera algunas estales te cobran, algunos tontos piensas que los que distribuimos libros somos ricos no es cierto no es lo único que hacemos, entonces estoy empezando desde cero voy a tratar de ingresar a una universidad, una que queda cerca del templo y tiene prestigio, así podré estudiar sin pagar, es el plan, si Krsna quiere lo lograré pues las matemáticas no son mi fuerte, el que quiere celeste que le cueste, debo fijar mi mente en este objetivo. Es una etapa muy bonita, soy la estudiante más entusiasta, amo el conocimiento y si por el momento no voy mucho a Chosica es natural vivo Wilson, un templo muy activo, observo mi vida y veo algo muy bueno, pero falta equilibrio, mi madre siempre fue un ejemplo de profesora y así me inspiro, no es como la religión católica que mantiene a sus devotos monjes, en ISKCON cada uno debe buscar la forma para sobrevivir, no es exageración. Y la manera más bella de vivir para mi es estudiar y enseñar, Ud. también nos inspira con su empuje constante a la educación, entonces debo prepararme, estar a la altura de las exigencias del mundo moderno.
Bueno soñar no cuesta nada, una vez más pido sus bendiciones sin ellas no hay sentido para seguir.
Estamos refelices por su venida, ojala podamos darle buenas noticias muy pronto!
Hari bolo!
Su hija que lo adora:
Yugala Kishora Dasi
===================================================================
Dear Guru Maharaja. PAOHO
The news of his coming are the best and the most anticipated.
Recently in a literature class, the teacher told the story of Ramayana, the counted wrong but I was surprised that knew her, another teacher who spoke of the creation of the world and criticized the Catholic dogma, after talking with him he told me that Tahoistas and the Vedas are no answers, inquisitive innocent teachers are the best people to preach.
By blessing of Krsna nevertheless transient problems, new gaskets, rising rent, put anxious devotees, arbitrary measures such as the deities not go Chosica in major festivals, etc. live in a temple so I'm always in association with devotees awake with them and fall asleep watching this year if he continued thousand services as before, I could never meet the target pyramid Maslov, as I believe except students from scriptures that few, I have little association of intellectuals and is necessary if one wants to teach partnering with educators, is why after carefully thinking about our conversation earlier this year about studies, I saw an opportunity to continue my education studying education, it is my desire, I love literature and history, then I'll'por that way, now I help keep my father along with my brothers and I do not have much income for the second race some STATE, charge you, some fools think the we distribute books we are rich is not true is not all we do, so I'm starting from scratch will try to enter a university, which is near the temple and has prestige, so I can study without pay, is the plan, if Krsna wants'll make it because math is not my forte, he wants the sky to cost you, should I set my mind on this goal. It is a very nice stage, I am the most enthusiastic student, master the knowledge and if We do not often go to Chosica is natural living Wilson, an active temple, I see my life and see something very good, but lacks balance, my mother it was always an example of a teacher and inspired me so, it's not like the Catholic religion that keeps its monks devotees in ISKCON each must find a way to survive, is not exaggeration. And the most beautiful way of life for me is to study and teach you. Also inspires us with his constant push to education, then I must prepare myself to live up to the demands of the modern world.
Well dreaming is once again ask for your blessings without it there is no sense to continue.
We are refelices by his coming, hopefully we can give you good news soon!
Hari bolo!
Your daughter loves it:
Yugala Kishora Dasi
====
HpS - AGTSP Entendemos español como los niños, así que tenemos que utilizar translate.google.com para las cartas más largas. Cuando nos escribe nos idioma que el robot será capaz de traducir fácilmente. Por lo que entiendo, debe tratar de ir a la escuela. Busque buenos maestros más que un plan de estudios specfic. Discuta con otros devotos y ver cómo le está ayudando en su Sankirtan. Usted es una buena persona, por lo que tomar buenas decisiones.
Dear Gurudeva,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada Patita Pavana
All glories to ALL devotees!
Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet.
Well, this letter is very very important for me, but if you consider that is not urgent, please answer me when you think necessary.
I had special mercy to take association with a great soul last week: your God-brother, HG Mahatma Das and many strong and deep feelings that never had felt, happened in my heart and still there until now. I don't want that sounds sentimentalism but it's what I feel and my mind can't leave to think about it from I started to know him through his classes, interviews, kirtan until before he left. And I felt so confused and guilty because of that things.. because I had started to think about our relationship of guru/disciple and because I doubted about my diksa guru - you - because that feelings was really strong. I can't describe it. So I told him and he calm me saying, among other things, that It's not unnatural to feel affection for many devotees as I can have many siksha gurus, and it is not unnatural to have deep affection for one or more of those gurus. And.. if I really feel a very closed connection with him now or later as a diksa guru, I should present to you honestly. So here I am. I feel that deep connection with him but also guilty because this could have been avoided, perhaps waiting more time.. Anyway, I really need to be honest with you although hurts, because you are my gurudeva for whom I feel so much deep affection and this won't change. But all these days, I am getting up with a very big weighted backpack because of this feelings that I could. Because Also You are in my heart.
I have been followguiding 4 principles, 16 rounds, doing fixed services in the temple (pujari an altar decoration), studying bhakti sastri and still in all of that. I will continue following your instructions trying to serve to Srila Prabupada's mission and getting association with your amazing disciples. I really need to open up to you and to my god brothers and If you please, I would really like to still serve you. I going to still being your disciple until I leave my body because of your mercy I can be someone in this life. Please forgive my offenses. I don't know how should I proceed now... I need your blessings.
Sincerily,
trying to serve you with love and affection,
Bhaktin Belen.
Pictures of Radhastami
HpS - AGTSP. Paoho. Such a nice letter, thank you. This is why we have "Nectar of Devotion" from Rupa Goswami. If we are going to study chemistry it can be very dangerous combining chemicals without proper guidance. We can blow up our house and our parents with it.
On the other hand Krsna understands that we are fools so He doesn't give us scissors with points, but gives us the kids scissors with rounded points etc.
I think you might like Prabhupada's persprective in SB 8.24-50-53.
Unless we understand that Diksa, Siksa, Pati, Astra, Rasa Gurus are all just representatives of Krsna and that Krsna is our Master, Friend, Father, Beloved then we will find it hard to organize these different relations.
Mahatma Das and I are friends. We have served in different parts of ISKCON so we have not had a lot of detailed asociation, but as far as I know he is a very nice devotee. How are our "Gurus" connecting us to Srila Prabhupada? How are they, Prabhupada, connecting us to Lord Gaurasundara...
O.K? It seems to mee that you should just keep Srila Prabhupada in the center and then you can see all of this disciples as Diksa, Siksa or others types of Gurus clearly. Of course, even in Goloka people are growing their relationships. Some follow Radha, some follow Candravali, some follow Pallika and some are mixing both. Rohini, Balarama's mother, participates in both Vrndavana and Mathura lila.
Hare Krsna!
