Sadhana Update

5 months, 3 weeks ago by balabhadra dasa in Personal Sadhana Reports

Hare Krishna Maharaja, please kindly accept my most humble obeisances; all glories to Srila Prabhupada;


all glories to your good self for your exemplary service to Prabhupada and Krishna.


I trust that you are doing nicely in your devotional service as always, in spite of your own health challenges.


I'm assuming that you are aware of a serious injury I had recently incurred from a fall, resulting in a broken right shoulder. Be it suffice to say that my right arm is in a sling, therefore I am writing this letter using my left hand.


Otherwise it would be a couple of months before I write anything at all. The fall took a toll on my daily sadhana routine. I was 2 days behind with my rounds, but I'm all caught up now, and thus far I am able to finish my rounds early as before. I myself am not holding any morning or evening classes, but I'm slowly getting back into the routine of listening to live classes from Hawaii every morning and some evenings.


My wife is doing very modest arotiks each morning and evening, and at times we are still reading at night from the CC: that is, if I'm not too exhausted from the pain and injury.


Seeing myself so helpless and dependent on my wife for assistance with some of the most daily functions of life makes me think of how the conditioned souls have to face the realities of old age, as death comes closer and closer. It is a very humbling and scary situation, to be boldly confronted with such sheer pain and helplessness.


When I was in the emergency room writhing in agonizing pain, I found myself reflecting on how we are eternal spirit souls; on how we all have karma to go thru as part of our purification; and on the need to have some pessimistic view of material existence, if we want to be free from all miseries of material life.


Such reflections really do help me to maintain some peace of mind in the mist of much pain. Of course, realizing such truths would be more inspiring and beneficial than mere recollections of verses. But still, there is some genuine relief in just knowing that there is transcendental knowledge that I have devoted my life to.

I know that you understand these things much more than me, so I will not disturb you by further dallying with such shallow rhetoric.


I pray that Krishna finds favor with my devotional efforts. If you continue to bestow your kindness and mercy upon us, then I can feel confident that Krishna's mercy is a given.


Yls, Bbd🙏



hps//asa👵 🐒 🐖 -- yes, agtSP, we got notified from couple of devotees about your scrimmage with the floor, and checked in about follow up.

yes, we were flopping around with pain-kirtan after a double molar extraction and found we could chant and dance ourselves out of the pain!!

agtSP

hak//hr!!!


hero 🏅 - still getting 16 rounds done.

if we go on like this,

step by step.

we are guaranteed to become preachers

on the level of narada muni.


we many monkeys admire you. we follow your example!

more news!!

hk//hr = radha krsna rama engage us in your sankirtan!! !

Adi-rasa

6 months ago by hps in Personal Sadhana Reports

Rama-narayana Das writes,

"It, sex desire, is so strong, all my spiritual crises in which I have wanted to stop being a devotee have been caused by my sexual desire, in fact these last few days I have gone through another similar crisis, but again I have regained spiritual sanity."


ASA - It is adi-rasa, fundamental mellow.

Have you tried reading the Rasa lila descriptions from the KRSNA book when the material reflection attracts?

Closure of the year

6 months, 1 week ago by candra108_mukhi in Personal Sadhana Reports

Hare Krsna Beloved Gurudeva:


AGTSP, PAMHO


For people who do not have a firm faith, like me, we face stages of distancing ourselves from the spiritual life. Thinking that with that we are going to find peace which leads to the complete opposite. I remember you once said. If you turn your back on Krishna then you turn your back on everything.


I could take as an excuse what is happening in the Peruvian yatra. However, I am the type of person who likes to take charge of things. I always felt very attracted to God. Since I was little, when I came to school early I used to go to chapel and talk with my friend Jesus.


Looking through photos from when I was a pujari at Wilson I can see in my photos a genuine smile and a grateful heart. However, now I don't like going to temples, and I don't really know why that is. I feel like my life has no meaning or direction. What can I do?


I remember that you once commented in your classes that you had an encounter with Jesus and that He told you that you were not yet ready to follow Him and that you could go with the Hare Krishnas. Was the message like that? I don't remember exactly if it was like that, please correct me if I'm wrong. Can you go a little deeper into that please?


hps - i was wondering if i should join the hare krsna's. therin told me they were a deception by the devil. i prayed to jesus and he appeared for moment behind me and told me that i could not approach him until i was a lot more pure, so stop wasting his time (smile) and join any movement that would purify my heart.

iskcon had all those qualifications.

jesus went the temple and beat the $%$& out of people with his whip for their condemned activities. keep on looking. srila prabhupada is the best christian i ever met. jesus would love to visit him, no?

make you home the best iskcon temple in lima.



I thank you infinitely for all your association for so many years. That keeps the little enthusiasm I have left.


Today when I entered to the FMS I was shocked when I saw the heart monitor on YOu. Then I saw a picture of Lord Jaghannatha's face and the fact that You are always pleased and calm. I really admire your determination, strength and genuine love for Krsna.


Sorry for not being the disciple I used to be. However, in my heart there is only gratitude, respect and great affection towards You and the devotees who have offered me their association and friendship for so many years.


Trying to be your disciple

CMDD


HpS - My friend David Donnenfield or some one told me that there is no problem so big that a big steaming mug of tea and a good dinner, and it will all look a whole lot better in the morning! 😆 Do things your way!

Annual Report - SSD

6 months, 1 week ago by msrinu in Personal Sadhana Reports

HK Gurudeva, PAMHO, AGTSP

 

Due your mercy, the year 2024 was completed (almost) without much trouble and a bit of activities that I participated or undertaken.

 

1.     Every day minimum 16 rounds of Japa (trying to do enthusiastic) and following 4 regulative principles. Attending 'Mangala Arati' in the morning.

2.     Book Distribution (various Vegetarian festivals and a special drive for December Marathon) it is quite encouraging and we got few devotees from those meetings

3.     Celebrated Janmashtami in the midst of Nashville devotees, TN.

4.     Taking "Bhakti Vaibhava" (almost completed, we are in 6th cantos)

5.     Every day reading, listening to Prabhupada, Senior devotees

6.     Facilitating online con-calls (Monday and Thursday) for new comers (or beginners)


This year is very inspirational and wonderful as I get a chance to be with you for "Janmashtami" and other occasions. And planning to celebrate "Vyasa Puja" on 12/31 in Richmond in the midst of devotees.

Please Gurudeva, take care of your health and you are the "inspiration" for many souls like me.

And I pray to "RK" that you need to celebrate many more Vyasa pujas in future.

 

HK

Your Humble servant

Subala Sakha Das (Richmond, VA)


HpS - ASA -- Arjuna could not even save the queens of Krsna with the attack of a bunch of infidel cow cowherds after Krsna left.

Amazing.

The same Arjuna. The same Gandiva. Even praised by Drona and Bhisma. but no power.

In the exact opposite, even though we are ordinary people, if Krsna sees we have made ourselves good tools he can use us to change universes, no?

LAD & RR

6 months, 1 week ago by laksmana-108 in Personal Sadhana Reports

Hare Krishna, dear Gurudeva, pamho, AGTSP!

Just to confirm, yes, Raman reti devi dasi came to my life to improve my service and vice-versa. I use to live like a regular bachelor, I mean, eating any time, lazi, couching a lot, doing minimum effort, messy room, sloppy, etc.

Since we got married, we have a nice schedule for our service, we rise early to chant our rounds, be in your FMS, we have beautiful altar, nice prasadam for our Deities: Laxmi/Nrsimha, Jagganatha, Baladeva and Subhadra and Nitay Caitany candra. Srila Prabhupada murti and, of course, your picture. We distribute prasadam. Do some service in the temple, etc.

Krishna was very kind to me and send me a nice devotee to be a better devotee and a better person.

Thanks to you as well to approved and blessed our asociation.

Your servant,

LAD


HpS//ASA - You mother and sister???

Hare Krishna Maharaj

6 months, 1 week ago by lakshmi108 in Personal Sadhana Reports

Hare Krsna Dear Maharaj,


All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my humble obeisances!


Oh dear Guruji,

I thank you so much for your previous reply to my letter. Your letters are always the most heartwarming and energy-giving. And, on top of that, to be able to read your tweets is a privilege, a privilege I hope to keep for as long as possible. Your Love for Krishna is inspiring.


HpS - We are a bulbous baboon but, braxilated by a powerful Yogi. AgtSP!!!


I am stuck. But I will keep endeavouring to fix myself up. With your instructions, it is only up to me to make the changes. Thank you for your encouragement and support always.


Just a quick summary about me - I have graduated earlier this year in August, with a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication), so basically graphic design. So far, I haven't looked for jobs as I was going to be travelling and wanted a bit of a break as well. Last month, I went to Baku solo to visit my grandmother, who is also a great devotee of Krsna! I painted her deities, Sri Radha on her wall, it was such a nice trip. Now - back in Australia, working casually at my same job and will be applying for design jobs asap!


We recently had Schoolies Harinam here in Gold Coast, for which Harinam Ruci attends every year. I went for a few times. But still, need to do more. And more! Hopefully can always engage my skills (or lack of) in Krsna's service.


Bheemsen is, what can I say, a young boy only liking video games at this stage in life 🙄

I hope he finds something to do. He finished high school last year, still hasn't chosen a path yet. And Nandini has also just graduated with a Bachelor in Business. She has secured a job in a big company here for next year. My mother is well, always looking after us. My uncle is in India, Mayapur for a few months now actually. And my auntie is well too, working to survive. and Devki, is also similar to Bheema, I think they need some guidance.. I mean, we all do 😅


HpS - In many cases they freak out and look for reality when they realize that there parents aren't going to take care of them any more. 😆



Thank you so much for Everything dear Guruji. I hope that I am able to meet you soon! I hope you are also able to visit Australia next year. That will make this life successful.


I am always indebted to you.


Please keep sharing your wisdom on Twitter.


Thank you very much. Hare Krsna


Insignificantly,

Lakshmi


HpS - Why not meet on the streets of Nabadvipa, 1486+++, where the highest reality is within in easy reach.


*P.S.

I am attaching the deities I Painted, the Sri Radha, and the ISKCON BAKU deities as well. Jai.


ASA - Let's look!!! ... Hey we can't open them!!! Pleaze send again in one of the Blog formats.

Haw Haw Haw.... you have a diploma in visual communication and we can't open your pictures.

That is insane!! 😆

It makes us feel very primitive! 👴