Archive for July, 2008
Friday, July 11th, 2008
New Vrindaban Ratha Yatra Bike Race
A bike race has been organized by some Krishna youths for the Ratha Yatra.
The assembly point will be at Rupanuga’s and Nityo’s, the same place the Ratha Yatra will be starting. Riders should be at the assembly point by 10 AM for a 10:30 start.
The race will be from the starting point along the […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by mg
Friday, July 11th, 2008
Rathayatra Ki Jaya!
Dear Devotees, Friends and Contributors to the Radharani Club,
Hare Krishna! This coming Saturday is New Vrindaban’s annual Rathayatra Celebration. It is Lord Jagannath, Lady Subadra, and Lord Balaram’s way of showering Their Divine Mercy on both the residents and visitors of the Holy Dhama of New Vrindaban. This […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by mg
Thursday, July 10th, 2008
Gosh’s 1000th Post
Yup, this is the 1000th time I have hit the publish button on my blog. As such, I thought it would be interesting to see what posts have been most read by my readers.
The tops by far in number of viewers and ongoing popularity is one from my Illusions category. I collect illusions, […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Thursday, July 10th, 2008
Lord Jagannath’s Rathyatra Festival
NEW VRINDABAN JULY 12TH,2008
7:00 am The Glories of Rathyatra in Temple(Speaker: H H Danavir Goswami from Chaitanya Caranmitra)
8:00 am Greeting of Deities Festival Schedule
8:10 am Guru Puja
8:45 am Breakfast served
9:15 am Lord Jagannath moves to the Rath Cart
10:50 am Inaguration of Festival: Dhoop Arati & Breaking Coconuts & Confetti
11:00 […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by mg
Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
2008 Annual Fall Retreat For Vaisnavis
FOR WOMEN, BY WOMEN
A SATSANG HIGHLIGHTING THE HEART
Especially for followers and well-wishers of Srila Prabhupada
Dates: Fri. Oct. 10th, Sat. Oct. 11th, Sun. Oct. 12th
Place: New Vrindaban Community , West Virginia (Located in the Appalachian foothills - nearest airport: Pittsburgh)
$151 advance registration covers all […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by mg
Wednesday, July 9th, 2008
“Transition” by By Kaumadaki dd
Transition comes
And life moves on –
A sunset here,
And there, the dawn.
(Kaumadaki dd left her body July 3,2008)
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Coming soon…
50 days away…Black Rock City, Nevada
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Krishna Camp
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
“What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” Bhagavad Gita 2:69
Now that the hullabaloo about the national gas tax holiday has subsided, don’t lose heart. There’s still a few things that you can do to test your metal, have an healthy and entertaining summer, and make a real difference. You don’t need politicians to come up with cheap solutions that are really no solutions at all. Will this November’s election really solve anything? Why wait for someone to do something for us? If enough of us are on the same page it could turn into one big ‘We” with the clout of a high priced lobbyist, pushy senator, out-of-control Supreme Court judge, or an insider presidential advisor. Fact: The bottom line for corporations is where and how We, the People spend our money. That means you can vote with your wallet every day of the week. Here’s four simple things that you can do to help yourself, the planet and the economy. From now until Labor Day try this -
1) Stop buying gas from Exxon – Mobil. This is one company. Out of all the gas companies Exxon - Mobil has the biggest profits. If their gas stations are idle, you’ll see their prices come down quickly. This will set off a price war between gas companies vying for your patronage. Another thing, just because oil companies want to renew off shore drilling doesn’t mean that our gas prices will come down. They will sell to the highest bidder no matter who or where they are. If off shore drilling is increased, will legislators insist that the oil be used for USA consumption?
NOTE: Most people mistake the dark night of material wealth created by greed as the day time of prosperity.
2) This next one is not for the faint hearted. This may almost be impossible – (Forgetabout boycotting the Olympics this August). Stop buying things made in China altogether (a side note - our government doesn’t let us buy stuff made in Cuba. Maybe it should. It would be cheaper than shipping it all the way from China. What’s the difference?). We, ourselves, are to blame for the gas increases. Why? Because we buy foreign made goods. We’re getting items from all over the world (wherever there is cheap labor) of which China is the largest importer to the USA. Because of the tremendous economic growth of China, and also India, their use of cars and demand for oil has increased multifold over the past decade. On top of that, the fact that so much of what we consume has to be shipped from half way around the world is just plain bad for the planet.
NOTE: The self controlled can use natural resources wisely and in moderation without creating an imbalance to the environment.
3) Don’t buy any produce that’s grown outside the country. The regulations for food production in other countries are lax or nonexistent. In general, buy mostly that which is grown or made in your country, or better yet in your state or area. It will be better for you, for your community and for the world So don’t be a lemming. If we don’t voluntarily learn to modify the ways and habits of our consumption, the unfolding waves of circumstances will force drastic change upon us and our children sooner or later.
NOTE: It’s already happening and one must remain undisturbed like an introspective sage.
4) Stop eating meat. Really no big deal, especially when we realize our own health and happiness is what’s at stake. And there are all sorts of unseen costs for growing and transporting beef. The decisive factor is that this simple, revolutionary act of refrain will nourish and expand our compassionate nature and help us to understand our connectedness to all life forms and to the world around us. To act compassionately, free from greed, is one of the basic principles of spirituality, as it is vital in opening the portal to our higher, eternal nature. We must practice living in the awareness that all things are connected.
NOTE: Many people remain in the darkness of night, unaware of the suffering of others.
RECAP: From now until Labor Day 1) stop buying from Exxon-Mobil (at least until their prices come down), 2) stop buying imports from China, 3) stop buying produce grown outside the country, and 4) stop buying meat. Try going for all four. If you can’t do all four totally, at least do any one or two. You’re on your way. Good luck.
And for additional bonus points try these two harrowing experiments until Labor Day:
1) Don’t use your credit card. Stick with debit card or use cash for everything.
2) For at least one day a week, stay off your computer and TV. Get out and talk to the folks in your community.
So stay well, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Be grateful. Pray. Have a healthy sense of humor. Laugh. Find your creative self. Speak up. Be flexible. Get involved! Interact!
FYI - The saying “Wake up and smell the coffee” is said to someone to suggest that they begin to pay attention and try to see the true facts of a situation or event which is relevant to their lives. Recently, a study revealed that the attention of sleep deprived rats was boosted when they were exposed to the aroma of roasted coffee beans. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/science/17objava.html?_r=1&n&oref=slogin
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Transplant Games This Coming Weekend!
Saturday I leave for Pittsburgh for the 2008 Transplant Games. I am not ready. The months have slipped by and all the conditioning I had wanted to do has mostly remained undone and I am weak with little stamina. Between bad weather and fatigue, my efforts have been way off the ideal.
I have recently […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
Additions To Our Upcoming Weekly Schedule & Rathyatra Up-date
Dear Devotees:
HH Holiness Danavir Goswami arrives from Kansas City, MO Wed afternoon. We expect that he will offer SB class Thursday morning and certainly Saturday, specifically discussing the glories of Rathyatra. Please make him feel welcomed back to New Vrindaban.
Possibly Friday morning during SB class, there will be an excellent slide show presentation depicting the […]
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by mdd
Monday, July 7th, 2008
One Bright Spot Amidst The Gloom
First the gloom, from the New York Times, April 7, 2008:
Grains Gone Wild
By PAUL KRUGMAN
“These days you hear a lot about the world financial crisis. But there’s another world crisis under way - and it’s hurting a lot more people.
“I’m talking about the food crisis. Over the past […]
Comments Off - Posted in Cows and Environment, Contributors by Madhava Gosh
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Prabhupada Letter October 21, 1969
Tridandi Goswami
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Founder-Acharya:
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
October 21, 1969
My Dear Hayagriva,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 13, 1969 and have noted the contents carefully. The most enlightening paragraph of your letter is when you say to print 50,000 copies of […]
Comments Off - Posted in The Old Days, Contributors by mg
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
ISKCON Youth Ministry Visits ISCOWP
Balabhadra giving a class to the youth in the barn
The new ISCOWP barn restaurant
Madhava is very charismatic
Kalki enjoys the affection
The ISKCON Youth Bus Tour came for June 30th for a visit. There were torrents of rain the whole day which changed our plans of service in the garden and and a bonfire. Instead we utilized the ISCOWP barns for classes and partaking of lunch. The youth asked many questions which led to in depth discussions not only about cow protection but growing and preserving food, how current events are affecting all of us, alternative oxpower. Some comments:
Radhanatha and Anapayini Jakupo: “Very inspiring and educating tour. Thank you so much for keeping this project alive and for your time to share with all of us. We feel very honored to have been able to visit your home and barn! Thanks!”
Jahnavi Harrison: “I was really so inspired by my visit to your farm. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to see that projects like this are sustainable and can really work! I hope to visit again and learn much more about taking care of cows and organic gardening – maybe that I can put into practice at home temple (Bhaktivedanta Manor). Haribol!
Sarah Silberman: “ I really enjoyed visiting your farm and learning about living off the land the way Prabhupada wanted. Thank you so much for everything. “
Kamala Kumar Mayshark:
“I was so inspired to see your barn and home and to see the amount of self efficiency in your family. Your cows are beautiful!”
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by Balabhadra das
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
Snan Yatra
Comments Off - Posted in Contributors by mg
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
Baby Shower For Radha Sundari
There will be a baby shower in honor of Radha Sundari dasi, at Mother Gopa’s house on Tuesday evening around six. Please feel free to bring a prasadam preparation if you can. Looking forward to seeing all the ladies.
Hare Krishna,
Sachimata, M. Gopa, and M. Harinam.