Sadhana and Realizations

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

Hare Krishna Maharaja, please kindly accept my most humble obeisances;


all glories to our Iskcon Founder acharya, Srila Prabhupada;


all glories to your good self, for your exemplary devotional service.


I have been thinking of you often, wondering about your health, worried that you would leave us soon: recalling the years of kindness you have shown my wife and I.


HpS - ASA --- AgtSP. Radha and Krsna have to leave in the morning!


How I wish I could do some meaningful service to you. I have noted your instruction in your reply to my last letter to "not give up on the Boise temple." It is on my mind often: more than I care to admit. I confess that it's hard to be hopeful about a community that has pushed me away more than once; a community that I have no trust in, and yet still I choose to live here because of my comfortable living situation. I would like to think that things can change, but I don't see how: given the persistence of current realities that dominate the mood here. Still, your words are good enough for me to keep an open mind.


HpS - Krsna didn't give up on Dur Yodhana! He even arranged for him to harrass Draupadi so that he could see himself as he really was!

I'm still hoping for Bhakta Riley's comments!!!


I joined Lord Chaitanaya's movement as a young man at 26 years of age; now I'm 73. I wonder about the devotees who joined in my days. A couple of godbrothers who were initiated alongside with me have passed away [gone ahead?]since.

The thought of their passing sometimes brings tears to my eyes, when I dwell on it. I recall often how when we were younger we used to try and preach about old age and the sufferings that often come with it. We tried to speak with realizations on the matter, although we were all young men and women. Now of course old age is a practical reality for us: and a pending reality for the next generation. I sometimes recall Srila Prabhpada's words in the Lilamrita as he lay on his deathbed, "Don't think this won't happen to you."


Although I have been fortunate to remain in the practice of devotional service for all these years, I am not able to comprehend how.


HpS - Guru krpa!!?


How did I apply myself to rising early, taking cold showers, participating in a full morning sadhana for hours on end, day after day after day, all these years?

I thought that living outside the temple as a householder

would certainly make my sadhana easier.

But applying a standard that resembles the temple routine

when living outside outside the commune is not any easier.

It's so easy to get lazy, make excuses, find fault,


ASA - It seems that San Andreas had a big fault!?


...and let other matters take priority over our sadhana

because no one is looking.

The list of excuses for being careless just goes on and on. And I confess I have slipped into that mess more than I care to admit.

.... asa

During my japa I sometimes reflect on how Krishna's mercy is incredible, that He allows

me to somehow or other keep up the struggle to

hold on to my sadhana. There is

great comfort at such moments. I have

no doubts

that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead;I have no doubts about

Srila Prabhupada;

I have no regrets about

coming to Krishna consciousness and

making the decision to be a devotee.


But I cannot deny the existence of material desires in my heart, the attachments that dominate my daily realities, the many offenses I am guilty of,


ASA - Maybe you and Mataji can be Chand Kazi in your next life time and we can be your Constables.

Naaaa. tooo much work.... better... you can be a Bhattacharya in Nabadvipa and Nimai and His gang can keep coming to our school!?!!



and the sinful karma that still haunts my efforts to take devotional service seriously.

What am I going to do?

Even after so many years of practice I am as wicked and as attached as ever.


ASA - Is that a citations from "Gopinatha" by Bhaktivinode Thakura!!!?


When I dwell on it deeply, it brings tears to my eyes: how Krishna still holds on to me regardless.


It is only by good fortune that my rounds are all accomplished by 8AM, before the rest of my daily affairs, at least 95% of the time. The early morning hours are quiet, the world is asleep and it is easier for me to apply myself because of the peacefulness that comes with the early morning hours. I am reminded of how Krishna states in Bhagavad gita "The time of awakening for the devotee is night for the conditioned souls." And yet, in spite of such favorable moments, my mind is ever so restless, stubborn and resistant, making it impossible for me to concentrate on the task at hand: japa. Arjuna had good cause to point it out in the 6th chapter. Practical experience of how our minds are rebellious confirms his attitude.


My morning online Bhagavatam classes are still happening, and posted on my youtube channel. You will note how I have a big imagination, thinking that someone out there will really care to hear anything I have to say. Thus far I have no audience, except for my wife, and once in a while Mother Tammy. Fortunately, I am able to take in association with the Bhagavatam classes from Hawaii most mornings. Sometimes my wife and I do some reading from the CC in the evenings. There are evening classes from Hawaii on Bhagavad gita that I attend twice a week, and I hold Bhagavad gita classes every Tuesday evenings.


There is so much more that I would like to do, and that I can do if I could be more sincere and more determined in my heart: such as posting stories from the Mahabharata online. But I still have to work for our worldly livelihood, and I don't always have the strength to do more at the end of the day. Somtimes I am so moded-out that I just don't want to: such is my reality as a so-called devotee. It's no wonder my devotional life is a mess. How in the world did I manage to remain a devotee all of these years?


I have to conclude that it is only by the mercy of guru and Gauranga, the mercy of compassionate devotees like your good self, that my wife and I have somehow or other survived all these years of struggle in Krishna consciousnes. There is no other explanation that makes sense or will suffice: Hare Krishna.


Your lowly servant,

Balabhadra dasa


HpS - ASA ---- Many devotee have fallen into walking behind Johnny Walker. I can only suggest what I do: Build your character more and more, as much as you can and always be eager for any preaching opportunity. It maybe a lifetime in preparation, no? So what... there is no other option.

A good General is not going to waste even a 75% sincere corporal.!!


Next lettter???? ?

Thank you!!!

P.K. Das

8 months, 3 weeks ago by hps in Personal Sadhana Reports

Hare krishna Gurudev

Dandavat pranam

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Is parama karuna das speeking

Excuse me if I write to you on WhatsApp, I tried to write to the blog but it won't allow me so I decided to write quickly here.

I told you that after living in India for 2 months doing my drama theater service under the guidance of His Holiness Bhakti Marga Swami, which was a great success, many blessings...now I am in Spain at the Nueva Vraja mandala farm, and I will be here for a few months. I would like to come here with my entire family and help in the project of Maharaja Yadunandana Swami by doing worship and theater and other services in which I am qualified. With my family we are looking for a better association so that our practice grows and our son develops in a community where there are also children in Krishna consciousness.

Please give me your blessings in the form of advice so that my path in this country is successful. thank you for your time.

his servant


HpS/ASA - AgtSP. Sounds great to me! 💥

We were looking for good flights from Nashville to Madrid this morning.


If you can't post on this Blog 🐸 with your old account, then try opening a new one? Niscayena [NOI 3]. 💪

We heard a lot about your performances in Mahara's theater.

From the Dhama

8 months, 3 weeks ago by hps in Personal Sadhana Reports

🌴🦜🦜

Gurudev,

Dandavat Pranam. 

Hope you are good in health and doing well. 

Staying in Mayapur with HG Jiva Goswami Prabhuji. He is doing Bhakti Shastri from MI.

Me preparing notes on BG and SB for preaching purpose. 

Gurudev, want to sing some slokas fo Srimad Bhagavatam so if you could advise few slokas....would be very helpful.

...


HpSwami - AgtSP!

Paoho/bw....

Our thanks to Jiva-goswami Das for the cane and his Sankirtan.


"...in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there are hundreds of prayers to the Lord. So a devotee should select some of these prayers for his recitation."

https://vedabase.io/en/library/nod/9/#bb1206918


🤔 Prayers of Queen Kunti, SB 1.8.18(?).

Bhismadeva 1.9.

Sukadeva G. SB 2.4(?).

Build your own Index.

🛕🦜🦜


Rukmini dd's News

8 months, 4 weeks ago by Rukmini in Personal Sadhana Reports

Hare Krishna Gurudeva

Please accept my humble obeisances.

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!


Tarangaksi dd, my sister Devahuti and I have been listening and reading news about your health, which has led us to many reflections.

Life is too short and we must make the most of it to become more Krishna conscious every day. What is our place in ISKCON? How can we best serve you and Srila Prabhupada?


Since we left Vrindavan 2 months ago, I entered an existential crisis like I had never experienced. I know that I'm a spirit soul, servant of the servant... of Krishna. But each soul is individual and has a nature. So which is my path, what should I do next?


When I was in India my sadhana was stable, 16 rounds, 4 principles, offering incense and flowers to Prahlada-Nrisimha daily. Since I went into crisis, my sadhana began to falter, too.


Suddenly one day, a devotee from Peru wrote to me and asked me to organize an English Conversation Club for devotees. I thought, "Why not? Let's make a post and see how many join." To my surprise, several teenage children of devotees showed interest. And that's how the ENGLISH & SANGA initiative emerged.


Every Sunday we meet online with devotees from 12 to 17 years old from different countries (Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru and even the USA). We share how we live Krishna Consciousness in our communities and invite older devotees to share their experiences.


All this in English!


There is a similar initiative here in Europe. Young devotees travel to an ISKCON community, do service, and participate in association and spiritual growth activities.

European temples obtain financing from the EU to cover the tickets and expenses of the participants. In our case, we are carrying out this virtually.


I'm astonished at how this initiative came to be. I was getting anxious about the future and clinging to making plans, but Krishna's plans are perfect. Once I heard 'sometimes the best way to solve your problems is to help someone else''. I know that adolescence is a challenging stage where many doubts arise.

As someone who grew up in a KC family, I can understand what the teenage children of devotees are going through.

Please, we ask for your blessings so that this service continues 🙏


HpS/ASA - 🐵 🐖 🐖 🐖 Hare Krsna! Please give pray for us to advance our service in the conditioned and even liberated state! It seems like Mother Sacci is taking personal interest in you!

. We'd love more teenagers to join, although we still don't know how to spread this properly.


Thank you very much for your effort in reading this letter and I hope it has been useful.

Trying to be your disciple,

Rukmini dd


HpS/ASA - Trying to be your servant and siksa and diksa guru! Hope these Blog posts, Twitter, Kapi Dhvaja and lectures are of some use!

Radha Govinda--candra Ki Jai!.

You are in Spain????


Sankirtan in Rishikesh and visiting Vrindavan

8 months, 4 weeks ago by Dhruvānanda DAS in Personal Sadhana Reports

Dear Maharaja,

Please accept our obeisances,

All glories to Srila Prabhupda

My friend and I took our eldest daughters to Rishikesh to perform kirtan and dance at the Parmath Niketan ashram’s International Yoga Festival. 

Our wives and the rest of our children surprised us in Rishikesh. We’ve been bathing in Ganga’s divine, cool, waters and enjoying the Holi celebrations. We saw holy places like Rama’s meditation cave and the place where the Four Kumaras first spoke the Srimad Bhagavatam. On Gaura Purnima eve, a few of us chanted Harinam in the streets and river banks of Ganga Ma.

We have more cultural programs scheduled up coming this year, Europe next, and we are hoping to get your association if you do make it to Spain or maybe somewhere else.

Since we were so close to Vrindavan, we couldn't resist and we decided to come for a few days, we did Govardhana Parikrama and visited Vrindavan and Yamuna yesterday, we’ll go to take darshan of Sri Radha Kund today and visit more Holy places. 

Looking forward to hearing from you and praying to have your association soon


Hare Krishna


Your servants


Dhruvananda Dasa

Dhanesvari Devi Dasi

Suryani

Sarasvati


HpS - How lucky! Guru-krpsa. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you for the news!

Do you have any plans when you expect to reach Europe?

Our respects to everyone.

So, wonderful!!!


Pictures wonderful!

At first we thought it was cows on Govardhana but with closer look they look like sheep and maybe goats!

Transcendental sheep herd boy!

Offering song dance to Srila Prabhupada and Gurudeva 🎤🙏🏻💖

Remembered and Adored Gurudeva:

 Hare krsna!

 Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at your lotus feet🙏🏻🌹🌷🌺🌻🌻🌼🌻🌻🌺🌺🌷🌹

 All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

 All glories to you my dear and remembered Gurudev🙏🏻💖


 I hope this finds you in good health, and improving from your recent illnesses. May His Lord Nrshimha always protect you very much💗


HpS - AgtSP. We, you, always have good health! We are eternal, sat cit ananda. This body does not get diseases, it is a disease! If this body is rotting, then it is becoming compost for other new bodies.



 Thank you Gurudev for his instructions 💗🙏🏻

 I am very happy to know that I can serve you by sending reports about Mother Jambabati, it is a pleasure for me to help her, I have a lot of appreciation for her mother since I met her in Chosica.


HpS - Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!


 Please forgive my offense in sending you my non-public message. I was actually worried about two people who have been so good to me. In the next letter I will talk a little about that.


HpS - Socrates, Canakya Pandita, Srila Prabhupada, SB all comment that it is better to have a wise man for an enemy than a fool for a friend! Hmmm?

Become EXPERT AT avoiding the Demons!


 In the Nectar of Devotion Srila Prabhupada tells us that without the initiation of the spiritual master, the true link with Krishna consciousness never occurs... I was thinking about this... and then

 I was lucky enough to dream about you recently, while I was feeling sad for having asked you non-public questions. And it was very strange... because you asked me: should I continue initiating?.. and I answered: there are so many enthusiastic devotees..!! I think if.

 I don't know what my dream meant😊


 Gurudeva I ask you to please pray for me to cleanse my heart completely in this life🙏🏻❤. And not to prosper in previous bad things🙏🏻💖


HpS/ASA - Hare Krsna. Hare Krsna! Monkey and Piggy pray that you will become very empowered, compassionate Saint and your whole family just the same!!


 I wanted to tell you that I am happy to see how you become more strict with yourself every year. This is a great example for me. Before you responded to some private messages in public and now you don't.

It makes me happy and helps me to continue being loving but also strict, especially with myself and that everything is to please our Govinda.


 This year Her Vyasa Puja was on the same day as his birthday! , I remembered so many moments lived with you and the devotees in Peru!.. so many beautiful celebrations at Ganga Sagara Mela!! The ceremonies and visits to the sea and the temple... I was very lucky to live all those moments...

 But each one must follow the path that Krishna is setting for us to Help Him... and I am happy to know that I am on the path that He sets for me and I hope to please Him💖


 It was my husband Franco Bone's birthday recently, on February 17. I ask for your blessings for him, please, so that he continues to advance in his spiritual life despite the difficulties. I remember that in a previous letter you told me that he could write a few words to his WhatsApp, but we don't have his number.


Tom Brown - We have +54 9 351 356 .... as number for the Franco, but it doesn't work for WhatsApp. If you send is a WhatsApp number we will send you our ASA number and not publish your number.


 I made a video with the song I made for Srila Prabhupada. He dedicates it to You for Your Vyasa Puja🙏🏻💖:

 I was in doubt about publish it and sending it to you... because my voice is recorded at home 😊, but I showed it to my Balarama krsna and the photo of you and Srila Prabhupada on my altar... and I felt that despite not being perfect, it is my attempt at sankirtan.


I remembered the verse where it is said that it is better to dedicate yourself to your service with defects than to do another's service perfectly.


 In any case I will try to improve my recordings with his blessings please🙏🏻 and serve better and better and please you, Srila Prabhupada and our sweet Govinda💖


 Here is the link 😊😅:


 https://youtu.be/vLY14TN9QiI?si=v8DPUg1kDF27nc8K


ASA - We loaded the link but have to go to Franklin, Tennessee now. So can't watch now! Thank you!!


 Franco sends you his humble reverences🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

 Gopal always sees you in the videos of his classes 😊 ..

 I try to download all the classes I can.


 Thank you for his prayers to my grandmother🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻


 Please forgive any offense committed in this letter unintentionally and wishing to tell you about my sankirtan pastimes in my next letter, I say goodbye wishing to please your adorable lotus heart day by day🙏🏻💖



 His attempted disciple: Radha Japa Prati Jalpa Devi Dasi.

 Please accept bows from Franco and Gopalito🙏🏻🙏🏻


P.S

Thank you very much for the photos that you sent me Gurudeva! The 1st photo of Krishna Balarama studying reminds me how much I like learning Prabhupada's books with Gopal and Franco. and the second photo of Krsna❤ I read that Srila Prabhupada said that it is the photo that looks most like Krsna😱 so thank you for sending it to me🙏🏻💖...since the first time I saw Him, in a large life-size photo, I confess that I fell in love with Him very strongly and I could never get Him out of my heart again.


HpS/ASA - Oh!! Don't worship this Krsna! He is very cunning boy. He will tease you and make you go crazy.