Letters to the editor

Dear Guru Maharaja,

According our last personal meeting at Houston, we are waiting confirm your tickets to Brazil but I'm realizing plus the VISA is more difficult for you.

In my last chat with Nrishananda last week, he agreed that we can charge 5% money extra to the devotees whose will attend the program to help speakers like you with some expenses like VISA an like that. Is part of the plan, help even with the fl tickets if is possible, however the problem is we don't know how much will be everything.

For example, Param Padam told me that their ticker will be 400 USD each. But we need to calculate the general cost of everyone to know how much exactatly we should cover.

Now, the whole capacity is 170 SPOTS onsite, divided in 157 devotees + 12 guests speakers in Chales and staff in somewhere else. I think Nrisimhananda is considering brazilian staff outside this numbers.

So, the point is if 157 devotees attend the whole program (not only weekend festival but two nights more also, with more profound workshops and talks) we could have US 1.442 for help our speakers to come. In that case we could help you also with this amazing prices that you should pay. Other thing that I can looking for some sponsor from Brazil. 

With this 5% extra, the final cost to every night to the all devotees will be:

Chale: 1 Night  > 70.77 USD   - 5 nights >  353.85 USD > 9 spots available

Suite: 1 Night > 52.29 USD > - 5 nights >  261.45 USD > 27 spots available

Ashrams: 1 Night > 30.76 USD - 5 nights >  153.85 USD > 41 spots available

Camping: 1 Night  > 30.76 USD - 5 nights >  153.85 USD > 80 spots available

If we make a good marketing campaing, we could do it, in Brazil there are a lot of devotees. So, for this reason your confirmation is so important for us.

On the other hand, Param Padam is contacting Aravinda and Dhanvantari Swami, asking their topics to presente and Rama Keli prabhu told me the last week that Hanuman Prabhu is considering make the BBT Latin America meeting the same dates to attend this program.

This the news guru maharaj, 

Always available to recieve the comments.

Hare Krishna.

HpS - Hare Krsna!   AGTSP  paoho.    As we mentioned in the previous post, after our very stimulating meeting in Houston, we went home and tried to adjust the entire calendar and then find an exact ticket. Everyway we looked at it the trip to Brazil would mean reducing our eliminating our trip to the West Coast USA. Then the cost was enormous. It is not just the Visa. That would be $320 if we go to Argentina also, but the ticket itself is going to be $1500!   Ooof, and Nandananda Das has disappeared as an Organizer, no?  It seems too much for you to do alone. Also, no one else has been in contact with us about the program.

I very much want to hear the opinion of others, but for the reasons above we can't think now that we can come physically during these dates or that the program could be organized in a sane fashion. We have our tickets to Peru, Bolivia (Ecuador), Chile in June and July. We would like very much to join this kind of work in those places at those times.

Again, our opinion is based upon the above information and experiences. If there is more to learn then we are very much eager to listen, adjust our plans.

In any case lets go ahead!!!

Hare Krsna, Anantarupa Das,

Thank you for YOUR letter. I hope we hear from The Upendra, Srinivasa, Sundara-radhika Dasa, Dasi, and now also the Srivasa Pt. Das. 

Respected Maharaja:

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you for your email and thoughts.

Srimad Bhagavatam, thanks to your wishes, is again being read and discussed in the temple Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 9 AM (which is within the timeframe done in all the temples). . . .We are on Ch.2 sloka 11 of Canto 1 - one sloka every day.

A. HpS - It is for Temples with big local community, no?  But Hawaii E-sanga for example is 6.30AM. Physical participation may be just like two people or so in the Temple, but on-line they have as many as 40-devotees and good participation in discussion, many of whom attend the Sunday programs etc.

Can we do that?  Basically I would require regular participation by any of my 'disciples' in the local classes, Sanga. That is the way we have designed the Bhakti-vaibhava program from San Jose also. Correct Srivasa pt. Das?    First Sanga, then Systems, last Content.

So, we are jumping right in, taking the program Radha-banki-bihari are arranging and reading SB 1.2.11 etc. with our little comments below.

If regular class is at 8.15AM, after Srngara Arati, not before. Then devotees like Upendra, Sinivasa might be able to participate by listening on the way to work. Record the classes for later listening. Have a summary Sanga on the weekend, Saturday morning. This last idea sounds the most practical and immediate. What time would it be possible for you to lead, join, a community class on Saturday morning???   Is it possible??    Then we could join physically.  Make it a priority before going to Home Depot. During the week we could read the same verses and then have review and discussion on Saturday.

This is my life and soul.

Disussing Srimad Bhagavatam in the association of devotees.

B. A second topic, maybe even more delightful, is our possible visit to Boise. We were trying to balance all of these engagements in India, South America etc. and finally we just could not fit in the 3rd Annual Symposium on Education with ISKCON in Brazil in February, and have sufficient time for West Coast. So, we are passing on Brazil and then we can be sitting on our Asana in Nashville from 15 Feb to 15 May. Then ...  Boise, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver.. ? .   15th-18th June is supposed to be the 4th Annual Education Symposium, in Seattle.  Of course, we want to focus all this traveling on these educational programs and Sanga..

Anybody have any suggestions for dates. Gotta fix the Calendar soon.  We were thinking Maybe taking the Amtrac up the coast together for part or all of that stretch. It is very refreshing.

C. Finally, Bhaktivedanta Study. Sriman Vaisesika Das is ready and waiting to start that program. I agree. ISKCON already has many devotees who know Prabhupada's books to the standard he suggested fort Bhakti-vedanta. So, we should get an organized standard and show the opulence of Srila Prabhupada's disciples, men and women, to the world.

Of course, this is a discussion in progress, about the standard, Boise students et al. Yet specifically Vaisesika Das, our Sankirtan leader agreed to give four master's classes as part of his diploma requirements. We already have three. They have been wonderful. Preaching Strategies in Cantos 1-4. We need to hear Canto 5-6! One more lecture from Vaisesika Das!

Also, all the candidates need to clean up their 100-pages of essays, and Vais Prabhu was probably going to get his four lectures transcribed and edit them. They would be wonderful for publication.

When, if, all this is done we can look at starting the Bh.Vedanta study, no, Sr. Pt Das?

It is 10-weeks until Gaura-purnima, 12 March. You think it could start before then SPD? I think Vais. wants to, but I don't think his essays will be ready AND you, many of us, want to work on the structure of this next session, the standard, the evaluations and record keeping.

SPD, did you print the Tests for all the students?

We are attaching our notes for Vais's last lecture.

We are attaching our personal investigation on Verses Cited in the NOI up to Text Six.

T h a n k   you  all for your association. . .   This project is central for us. ISKCON.

=============================

SB 1.2.11-15 NOTES

SB 1.2.11
Is very important verse. For BhVai it should be memorized.

This whole Second Chapter is so basic, quoted again and again, maybe because it is the first time (and complete) the SB is presented.

Why are they called Hiranyagarbhas?
“Therefore, there is a duality of inferior and superior energy, whereas in the absolute realm both the knower and the known are of the same superior energy”, but this is Mayavada philosophy?
 

SB 1.2.12

“And the third-class transcendentalists are those who have barely realized the spiritual focus of the Absolute Person.” . . . So even Brahman realization requires some personal realization?

“…which is fixed by the aural reception of the Vedānta-śruti”… Hear SB = Hearing Vedanta sutra?

“one has to make definite progress from the position of material devotional service to the second-class devotional position. In the second-class position, the devotee can see four principles in the devotional line,” . . . the same is presented in NOI almost word for word the same..

Usually we think of third class devotee as smoking marijuana etc, but here and other placed it is emphasized that Kanistha adhikari can be in the external mode of goodness also.

1.2.13
“saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam” … Important Sanskrit, no?

1.2.14
“Without these principles of life, no one can exist. . . . Especially in modern society, all activities are more or less dependent on hearing and glorifying.”

1.2.15
“granthi – knot” … Must untie the knot.

“Karma overcoated with devotional service is called karma-yoga. Similarly, empirical knowledge overcoated with devotional service is called jñāna-yoga.“ … In all cases it is Yoga, so we must learn to distinguish differnent types of Yoga.

“They have chalked out ways for all classes of men in terms of the different castes and orders of life in pursuance of the teachings of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and similar other authoritative scriptures.” … So, SB class is for practical application.

Todas las Glorias  Srila Prabhupada

Todas las glorias  a Su Santidad Hanumatpresak Swami

Maharaja porfavor acepte mis más humildes y respetuosas reverencias

Continumanete le oro al Señor Nrsimha para que lo protega. En Julio de este año tome Su refugio formal en su escala en México con recomendación de las autoridades.

Mi padre, Alfredo es taxista y mi madre, Marivel es profesora de niños en una Primaria, tengo tres hermanos menores, Alfredo, Cristian y Antonio todos son estudiantes, uno estudia Derecho y los demás el nivel medio superior. Ellos, mis hermanos han venido por lo menos una vez al templo, mis padres me visitan seguido. A mis hermanos les gusta la música, practican al menos un instrumento,  yo a veces mrdanga y cartalos, pero me gusta más pintar. Mis abuelos son comerciantes y campesinos, mis tías maestras de educación y enfermería. Mi familia grande es grande. 

Cambiando el tema y a  unos días de su visita me siento emocionada, feliz y nerviosa de poder acompañarlo en su vyasa puja y servirlo en su misión ¿cómo puedo hacerlo de una manera más específica?

A veces me siento decaída y digo: sería mejor estar a fuera y no hacer más servicio pero esta idea no da placer a mi alma y por lo contrario entre más lejos de Krshna menos sabor encuentro. 

Distribuyendo libros todo es mejor, di setenta libros hace unos días no podía creerlo pero no es nada quisiera dar todo mi tiempo a esa sola instrucción. Ahora nosé que vaya a pasar pero le pido sus bendiciones para poder seguir adelante. 

Su más insignificante sirviente: Bhaktin Diana

HpS - Los Iniciaciones - Diana, Vd, no?  Esta Blog no tiene forma, solamamente name.  Pero now esta Diana es Dadhi-sara Devi Dasi. Serviente de la hermana mayor de M. Yasoda. Claro Ella tiene tan mucho afecto, amor, para su "nephew" como su propio vida, y mas.

Sea un ejemplo para su familia. Va a ver gran reacciones.

Weekly Report
HpSwami – NIOS

Esteemed Doctor Samaresh Bandyopadhyay, Rama-giri-dhari Das et al,
Please accept our Pranams and best wishes for the New Year!  Jaya Sri Radhe-Shayam!

After intense week of finishing everything on off in Tennessee and then an intense day in transit in Houston, we have arrived to an intense, but rather manageable week in Mexico.

Prof. Dolores Chavez [Lalita-gopis Devi Dasi] is here and even during the Christmas vacations we are promoting our academic perspectives. She was very pleased with the English edition of ‘Solaris’ and I have given her the PDF to print more here.

On the 30^th , Friday, we will be in transit with Radhika and arrive in Delhi Saturday, 11.15PM. On Sunday we will present to 40-select members of their Youth Forum (get a chip for our cell phone…), Monday we will have the honor of lunch at Prof. Kalyan-kumar’s home. Then we will present him the English edition of ‘Solaris’ with his article and seek his perspective on how to proceed. We also want to do another interview with him, as with Professor, and subtitle it in Spanish as we did last visit.

[  ] What questions should we put in the interviews?

In the evening there will be a well-organized public program in the Temple.  The theme is the same as Madras, PASCATYA DESA TARINE: Srimad Bhagavatam and the Scientific Mind-set, with Professor Gupta and H.P. Swami. Some rest and Radhika goes to visit his ailing Grandmother.

Then, the Bhagavata Symposium in Madras. We hope to carry Bharata Sanskriti and Pracya-prajna for promotion at all these events!

[  ] Do we have the NIOS promotional card ready for publication.

- ∞ -

Monday, 9^th January, 13.45-hours we arrive in The City of Joy [Please only one elephant], and I guess you’ve seen some of the letters with the Mukunda and Purusottam. Shall we accommodate in the Albert Road Guest House. I love Calcutta.

[  ] Can we establish a permanent NIOS Secretariat in Kokata?

North East: Probably killed and eaten by a tiger who chants Harinam.

27^th – [Delhi] Vrndavana:

“15 May the land of Srila Vrndavana where Subala and the other wonderful cowherd boys, who are all dear friends of Sri Krsna, play, where Lalita and the other splendidly beautiful young gopis, who are all filled with love for Srimati Radharani, enjoy transcendental bliss, and where Sri Sri Radha-Krsna thirst to enjoy wonderful transcendental amorous pastimes day and night, become manifest in my heart.

16 To drink: the freely flowing st…”, Vrndavana Dhama Mahimanrta 1

Feb. 1^st – Pune????   The two Temple Vice-Presidents, Sriman Radhe-shyama Das put on the trail of Giri-vara-dari-gopal Das have not reported after five days! What has happened? !?

[  ] Let us fix the Calendar for Bombay. If we cannot contact Giri-vara-dhari [!], then I can ask Radha-Shyama Prabhu to host us and have very productive meetings with him about the ISKCON Ministry of Education and all we are doing with NIOS.

Feb. 1^st – 3^rd, Pune and 3^rd – 8^th Navi-mumbai, 8^th – 10^th Kolkata, 10^th – 13^th Mayapura, 14^th at 3AM, Delhi to Houston.

Professor, please excuse us for burdening you with these details but we hope you can fill in many days described here!  You are our Principal Advisor!!!

For the rest of the year.

Arrive in Houston, stay three days. Go to our base in Nashville. Return 1^st of March to join RGD on the Goloka Foundation and Gokula Kids development.

April we have basically suspended our participation in the Latin American ISKCON Regional Symposium on Education. They have not been able to make sufficient plans for a really effective program, after hours of research we can find no tickets really cheaper than $1,500 round trip.

May we are ready to buy tickets for a West Coast tour. We already have some academic contacts and Professor has his at the University of Washington. This would culminate in June 15^th -18^th with Fourth Annual, North American, Symposium on Education with ISKCON in Seattle.

Then, we bought tickets Houston – Lima – Houston, 21^st June – 26^th July. Five universities, Ambassador of India are  P U S H I N G  for a second symposium on psychology and the sacred in Lima. Of course, this is aiming to develop into a Global Event in 2018 with probable theme of Art and the Sacred. Even more of course, this would have to include the perspective of Sanskrit Culture.

[  ] Who can be on the Organizing Committee  for this 2018 event?

Ooof!   This letter is like our life.  We are under considerable pressure, but it seems to be balanced so we won’t get a heart attack or brain stroke.

Thank you. Will call tomorrow.
HpS

Hare Krsna Beloved Gurudeva

AGTSP

PAMHO

My respects unto your lotus [lettuce] feet

Our experience in Houston was amazing. The temple is  incredible. The organization, the community is very well organize. Another culture.

The association with Radhika Raman was so great He remembered us and as I kid as for our help to serve him some prasadam.. Mama may U serve me please He Said. He is so wise and a gentleman. He is a very good example.

I also have realized that I need a very nice grhastas to protect me, like Subhra and CC. Govinda p is very well protected by them

So it may help me to work and study with Nitaigaurasundara d in the USA. It is a thought. I need to grow up more and more.

I also made gem theraphies there. I felt so good. The 3 matajis said that they feel better after the theraphy

In the plane I left 2 books

Then in Peru my report is

1 full collection of Caitanya Caritamrta

1 Bg

1 Teaching of Lord Caitanya

3 LOB

And some books in English

Hope this please SP and U in some degree

Your useless servant

Cmdd

HpS - Suuuper.    Keep chanting!  That is the basis.  Deity worship, Communities, in Kali-yuga they tend to fluctuate, but the Holy Names, Sankirtan is a steady base for all the other things!

Can you be a teacher in Houston?

Hare Krishna Maharaj,

Please Accept My Humble Obeisance, All Glories To Srila Prabhupada and Gavranga.

I want to share few experiences during the recent book distributions. For the past three weeks leading/participating the December Month “book Marathon” and so many wonderful experiences. Realized many things, which I was never understood before, no matter how much I read. Earlier, I was always in some sort of anxiety about how many books I can distribute and how much I collect etc. Recently mind is very calm, even if the books are not going and people are just brushing me off. This kind calmness never felt before. Before I start, I will tell myself, this is for Krishna and Prabhupada and all I have to do is go there and stand with a book in hand. (Earlier I thought of that with my Intelligence I am distributing these books).

Just wants to share one experience (out of many wonderful), Earlier nobody showed interest in NOI, we weren’t taking these books out side for distribution – it’s my ignorance), but this time (after your class during Richmond Trip) I took few of the books and displayed on the table. Last week I was sincerely thinking, is there a single one at least take interest in this book. To my surprise, one person came (as soon as I thought) and introduced himself that, he is from Bengal. And I asked about “Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu” and he mentioned, he is familiar and asking for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s books. Then I showed NOI and told about “Rupa Goswami” written this after Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings. He immediately took the book and gave $20.00 and he refused to take any other book even I offered for free.

And also realized “Without scarifies or leaving the comfort zone” devotional service means not much. Slowly understanding the “purpose of getting up early, sincere chanting, going out for Krishna” makes so much difference in consciousness, so much mental peace – never felt before.

And also saw your calendar, so much travel, please be healthy.

-YHS

-Subala Sakha Das (Richmond, VA)

HpS - Jaya!   Very important comments for all the Sankirtan movement!  Hari-lila Das from Houston will join the Wednsday night Bhakti Sastri workshop while we are gone. He is retired structual engineer. His company did about 55% of the high-rises in Houston.

Very nice person.

Chapter Two.

We will see you soon.