Friday, March 23, 2012

Lord Jagannatha's Mercy

Lord Jagannatha had been extremely kind and merciful to me. He is allowing me to make more flower garlands for Him. Today I had to make three sets of garlands for Him. They took me about 2 hours to do. I make the small Lord Jagannatha garlands that They wear during Mangal Aarti and today I made the big Lord Jagannatha Deities' garlands for tomorrow.

I am such a fallen soul, and yet He is still being so merciful. It is a great priveledge and honor to do this service for Lord Jagannatha. Any service to the Lord should be gladly accepted. When I told my guru Maharaj that i was making Lord Jagannatha flower garlands he was very much pleased. So I am very happy to be able to render some service to Lord Jagannatha.

When they dress Lord Jagannatha here in New Dwaraka sometimes they have Lord Balaram have His plow and club with Him. I always like seeing Him with His transcendental weapons. Lady Subadra also looks very beautiful when the pujaris put flowers around Her head or sparkly jewels. And Lord Jagannatha Himself of course is always beautiful because of His blackish complexion. These Lord Jagannatha Deities here are very big and whenever I look at Lord Jagannatha I can actually feel Him looking right through my very heart and soul. Tonight as I looked at Lord Balaram, I felt Him smiling at me. He knows that I have somewhat of an attachement to Him. I love Lord Balaram. He's awesome. :)

I've been wanting my own set of Lord Jagannatha Deities. They sell them here in the local gift shop for $30.00 but I have to save up a bit and get them outfits too.  I hope They will be merciful and allow me to have Them. I currently have a Lord Nrsimahadeva deity and Gaura Nitai Deities. I may have my own Deities but I do not neglect the big Deities in the temple. They are so beautiful to look at and I often go to as many Aartis as possible.

So I am feeling myself becoming attached to Lord Jagannatha because of His loving mercy. After all He is the Lord of the Universe.

Lord Krsna Pacified Me This Morning

Here is another realization in Krsna Conciousness. Last night I came across a nasty post on one of Iskcon's websites that have a list of gurus. However I was FURIOUS at the one post. I will not discuss it in detail because I will just go ranting on and on. If you really want to know the details of this post please email me simplyshadygirl@yahoo.com and I will discuss it with you in an email. It was extremely offensive and I want this particular website I found shut down forever. There is always one person who  has to ruin things for everybody.  The internet is just bad news now a days. No one  posts anything positive anymore. They only want negativity just to get attention. Doesn't anyone want to believe in saying something nice or positive about someone anymore? Why must everyone have something negative to say about someone ESPECIALLY if they do not even know the person and just speculate about them.

But this morning I was still FUMING over the post. I felt like Lord Nrsimahadeva wanting to rip something apart total anger. This post I had found on that website was a MAJOR offense agains a dear most exalted devotee that I know very well, and that I am very close with. And I just blew up early this morning and left my angry comment on that particular post. I had lost my temper big time. I was still fuming over this post during the second part of the morning program and before breakfast. I almost didn't go to breakfast and I almost had decided not to go to harinam because I was so upset about that post on that website that made me so angry. Im still sort of not in any mood to do anything because of that post.

However something told me to go to breakfast this morning. It was Krsna Himself. He had sent this very nice mataji named Bhaktin Peggy. She gave me a small white envelope and said there were photos of my dearest guru Maharaj in them. I had then felt my heart soften immediately and I felt pacified by Lord Krsna. I gave Bhaktin Peggy a hug and thanked her for the photos and that it really meant a lot to me. I feel it was Lord Krsna reciprocating with me because He knew how angry I was over the internet post about His exalted devotee.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Tulasi Devi Seminar Class Soon

Today I had several devotees asking me to teach them how to care for Tulasi. Im happy to hear that these devotees here in LA are anxious to learn how to care for Tulasi Devi properly. I am willing to give the class. If I do give the class it would be my first time ever giving a class. I never gave a class before in my life. And now Tulasi Maharani by her mercy is allowing me to do this opportunity to teach others about her.

I have to talk to the temple president Svavas and see if he would let me do the class. I also emailed my guru Maharaj for his blessings on teaching others about Tulasi.

There is a lot of information one must know before taking care of their own Tulasi plant. The first and foremost rule for caring for Tulasi is that you CANNOT think of Tulasi as an ordinary plant, she is a PERSON, a pure devotee of the Lord.

I've had several experiences with Tulasi to where she let me know she's a person. I often feel her "Talking" to me. I've even had dreams of seeing her and communicating with Tulasi. My guru Maharaj says that dreams of Tulasi are very real and should be cherished. He also told me that since I had dreams of Tulasi, he said that I had her blessings and that she is very pleased. I do the best I can to serve Tulasi Maharani. She's given me so many realizations. Maharaj also told me awhile back in an old email that Tulasi will help me stay anchored in Krsna Conciousness and to continue serving her. So I took those instructions to heart and now I am extremely attached to Tulasi, Lord Krsna's pure devotee. I am still aspiring to be her maidservant. I love serving her so much. Being attached to Tulasi is my guru Maharaj's mercy. The credit goes to him.

So we will see about the Tulasi Seminar class. Many devotees told me that they would attend the seminar and I was quite surprised by the number of devotees who said they'd come if I gave the class. Let's see what Krsna arranges. And if it goes well I'd love to get the same seminar about Tulasi to others in Toronto that might be interested there.

Bicycles Approved/Motor Cars Disapproved

Wow I just read my guru Maharaj's blog. He's really against motorists. He prefers to walk everywhere that he possibly can. I admire him for that. I wish I had a tiny drop of nectar of his passion for walking.  He's at least saving our environment's resources. People are wasting our oil to keep the cars running. People now a days use cars way too much for unnecessary things. They just use it to sight see or use it to satisfy their senses.

What made me happy about his blog post was that Maharaj approves of people using bicycles. Which is a good thing in my case because bike riding is easier for me than walking. So I am happy that he approves of that. So if I am not up to walking I can at least ride my bike around town. Bike riding is easier for my back as well and helps the sciatic nerve pain to go away. The sciatic nerve is located right by the lower back into the hip and goes all the way down to the toes. So using the bike to exercise the nerve helps the muscles get stronger to ease off the pain. I've always liked bike riding since I was very young. Maybe that is where my passion lies for exercise, bike riding. Maybe when I return to Toronto I can save up and buy a bike from Walmart or something so that I can get exercise in. Don't get me wrong I like to walk but for some reason I get tired out from walking quicker than I do bike riding and I have no idea why. Maybe because I am sitting on the bike and just using my legs and not my whole entire body like walking requires.

Maharaj approves of bicycles because he agrees that it's good exercise for our legs and also we can see the person. In cars you cannot see the people  much. He's got a very good point on that one. Cars pollute the air anyway from the exhaust pipes. Buses do the same. I only use the bus once in awhile because bus rides can get expensive after awhile.

So maybe this week I will ride my bike to the beach and back agian. I did it before and I didn't feel that tired from doing that. It was actually refreshing.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Respecting Vaisnavas

Today was a lesson well learned. In the material world, we are conditioned soul and are bound to make mistakes and commit many offenses. We must also learn to be tolerant in difficult sitauations.

Krishna warns us that offending a Vaisnava is a greater offense than committing  an offense against Him. If we commit an offense against a Vaisnava we must go up to that Vaisnava and beg forgiveness. We cannot ask Krsna for forgiveness it has to be through His devotee first, and if that Vaisnava forgives then Krsna forgives.

In the past I have committed many offenses. My biggest downfall is not thinking before I speak but now a days I have gotten a bit better with that over the past year. I am also learning to be a bit more tolerant myself which is another downfall I have. But I feel Krishna is helping me get stronger in these two problems I have. I know He will test me in the near future with tolerance, and thinking before I speak.

Facebook is another bad example because people post things that offend others. This is why I am hesitatant about bringing back my facebook page. I certainly do not want to commit an offense against a Vaisnava. However several devotees want me to bring it back but I won't bring it back unless I have my guru Maharaj's permission. I don't  like doing things without having his consent or permission.

This post is to help others to avoid committing offenses against Vaisnavas. If we committ offenses against Vaisnavas without apologizing to them, then our spiritual life becomes spoiled and we cannot advance. We will fall down from the spiritual platform.

So my helpful advice to others is watch what you say to others who are engaged in the Lord's service, if you bump into them physically touch their shoulder with your right hand, and touch your forhead and apologize to them, try not to interuppt them during japa time or Bhagavatam class, do not do another Vaisnava's service unless they ask for your help or you ask them permission to help them with their service. Be humble and meek even if someone offends you or if the offense is too strong simply walk away from them.

We must avoid blashemy against Vaisnavas as well and also avoid fault finding. The one I have gone through the most was "fault finding."

We must respect Vaisnavas, because they are purely serving the Lotus Feet of the Lord and they want to help others serve Him as well. They can fullfill the desires of everyone if treated with honor and respect.

Today's Darshan Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadish 3-19-2012









Friday, March 16, 2012

My Two New Baby Tulasis 3-16-2012

Well it happened again. I found two more baby Tulasis underneath the soil. Im so happy she is starting to grow now. I guess mid march and April are the best times to plant her as the weather does get warmer. My room alone is pretty warm over 70 degrees I think and plus I have a grow light for her that seems to be workign well enough.

My first born baby tulasi has survived two days so far and she is getting ready to grow her first set of leaves. The other two have a couple more days to go yet, and their leaves are not yet open. I am anxious to see how beautiful she will grow.

Archarya prabhu says he wants a Tulasi that has already grown so maybe if these new ones survive I can give him one but he must promise to take special care of her. i am very picky on who I trust people with Tulasi. I am very protective of Tulasi and I do not tolerate any type of offenses that one makes to her. She is very dear to me too like she is very dear to Krsna.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

My New Baby Tulasi's Appearace 3-14-2012

Yesterday afternoon, something told me to check my small red clay pot. Sure enough underneath the soil, I found her. She had just sprouted. She is so tiny now. I found her around 1:45pm yesterday afternoon. I was almost in tears of happiness because she had finally and mercifully appeared. She must have heard me reading the Krsna Book to her and chanting to her as well. Even though she is only a seed when one plants her, if you read and chant to her she can still hear you. Tulasi's seed is none different from her. She has prooven this to me yesterday that she does hear one's service to her.

So after she appeared I immediately offered my obeisances to her and wrote her a little note welcoming her and encouraging her to grow. Yesterday there was Venice Beach harinam. I almost did not go to it as I was too scared to leave my baby Tulasi alone because she's so fragil. So I prayed to her asking her if it's okay for me to go to harinam for a few hours and asked her if she'd be okay while Im away for a few hours. I felt her say "yes" to me. Tulasi "talks" to me in her own way, not physically of course but in my heart I can feel her what she is trying to say to me. She is NOT an ordinary plant. She is a pure devotee of Krsna, a person. If one has enough love and devotion for Tulasi, she to will reveal herself to you. I am unqualified to be taking care of her but apparently she is accepting the services I am giving to her.

I have to start getting some Aarti pharaphenila for her when she gets a little bigger. Right now she is very tiny and not ready for Aarti yet. So in the mean time I will just chant to her and read her the Krsna book like I normally do. But when she gets bigger I will be doing Aarti for her twice a day which should be done if you have your own Tulasi.

I hope and pray that my baby tulasi will continue to grow this week. I have a special light for her in my room since I don't get much sunlight in my room and my room does get pretty warm in here so she seems to be doing well so far with that.

All glories to Tulasi Maharani!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Japa Walk LA Style From Watseka Ave To Overland Ave/Maharaj's Mercy For Walking

Let's see if I have everything: Sunglasses:check Suntan Lotion:check Sunhat:check Bottled water:Check Backpack:check 70 degree weather and sunny:check 

LOL just kidding I really didn't have all of what I listed above except for sunglasses at least and sunny weather.

For the past two days or so I've been trying to do brief japa walks. My back has actually been better. It hasn't been hurting much only if it gets really cold here or if it rains. The warm weather here is actually good for my back.

So I made a limit for myself for a little walking as I know it would please my guru Maharaj. Maharaj says if we don't get out some and do a little walking we're in maya. I was unable to go with Maharaj on japa walks due to severe back pain but now that my back has been better even without seeing  a doctor, I think I can handle it again as long as I don't strain myself or lift anything heavy. Hopefully if I return to Toronto I'll be able to go with him again on japa walks.  The brief trail I've made for myself is to walk from Watseka Avenue all the way to Overland Avenue. That takes me almost a half hour. I don't walk fast however because i don't want to tire myself out too quickly.

The first day I did this walk it did take me a little over a half an hour. By the time I got back I did feel very sore and exhausted. The second day though was better and I didn't feel as tired. Today I want to walk a little farther but today there is harinam at 4:15pm and I may not have enough time to squeeze it in and also Nirantara Prabhu is giving class tonight. I often wonder how Maharaj fits walking into his very busy schedule. I know he sometimes goes out walking very early in the morning around 2am or sometimes even earlier than that midnight. I can't do that however because I am a woman and I am unable to protect myself from strangers that might be lurking. However Maharaj can protect himself and he is a man so he can handle walks like that at those hours but i still worry about his safety when he walks at those early hours because he is by himself and if there is an emergency nobody would be around to help him which means he relies on Krishna to help him. He's braver than me.

However I cannot imitate my guru Maharaj with his walking adventures but I can at least follow in his footsteps by doing a little walking. I relish Maharaj's walking adventures that he posts on his blog and I admire him for his achievements with it. I hope I can be like him one day with getting better at doing longer walks not around the world like him of course but here near by the temple I wish to at least try going on longer walks if I can for a change without being in pain with my back. I think I need his blessings for walking again Im going to email  him about it. Maybe he has some good trails I can take around here if he remembers them.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Lord Sri Krsna's Beauty and Mercy

This morning I felt kind of groggy getting up. I managed to chant half of my rounds before Mangal Aarti and finished the rest after it. I really hate feeling so tired and groggy when I get up. I do get proper sleep. Im in bed by 9pm most of the time and I get up at 3am. It's an up and down feeling with me sometimes when I feel tired in the mornings and other mornings I feel more energized. But I want to feel energized every morning not just sometimes.

I went to Mangal Aarti this morning like I do every morning. The Deities were wearing a pretty red night outfit. Krsna Himself looked beautiful as usual. He becomes more and more beautiful every time I look at Him. At times when I see Him I feel like I can't move because I am stunned by His beauty. At the Deity Greeting from a distance I could see His beautiful smile as I know He is happy to see His devotees greeting Him first thing in the morning. I had to wait ten minutes to get pictures of the Deities. I need to have a clear view to do that. I have the pictures up already they are in my previous post here on my blog wearing the green and gold outfit.

Today's class was about Mahavendra Puri who was a great devotee of the Lord. There was a funny story about his Deity Gopal that Gopal had stolen the sweet rice. I thought that was pretty funny. That remind me of my favorite Deities of Sri Sri Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha in Toronto. Ksiracora also means to steal sweet rice. When I was listening to the class in the pujari room I was  making flower garlands for the small Lord Jagannatha Deities and also washing the Deity plates. As I was washing the last of the Deities' plates i noticed there was a piece of maha pear stuck to the plate. What mercy I thought. I don't deserve it. But I guess the Deities wanted me to have it so They saved it for me by having it left stuck to Their plate. I am not sure which Deities' plate it was from but I felt it was Krsna Himself feeding me a little piece of His remnants. That was pure nectar.

After class was over I wanted to see Krsna again. I stood there looking at Him for about five minutes. I was up close to the altar. I was just relishing His beauty and smile. I hope I can make it for the 12 noon Aarti today to see Krsna again otherwise I'll have to wait until later this afternoon to see Him again.

Somehow or other as much as I want to return to Toronto to my favorite Deities, it seems as if Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadish want me to stay in their temple. But I cannot speculate on that. I just have to wait and see where I will go this summer. Krsna knows my desires but Prabhupada instructed us to fullfill Krsna's desire by serving Him with love and dovotion.

Today's Darshan Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadish 2-5-2012