Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Daily Darshan of Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish
Today's Darshan of Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish 12-20-2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Today's Darshan Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish
Today's Darshan of Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish
21-19-2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday Program
Had another great day here in New Dwarakadish. I attended the regular morning program both Mangal Aarti and Guru Puja. The kirtans are very nice here. The Deities well They leave me stunned so far after the programs.
This morning Prabhupada gave class. We went over Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Ch. 2 Text 33. Prabhupada spoke a lot about Krishna's energies and how it is controlled by Him and also about how we should not stay on one platform. One must try to rise above their current platform in order to spiritually advance. I took about two and a half pages worth of notes from the lecture as intructed by my guru Maharaj. He wanted me to take notes from Prabhupada's lecture which I did obediantly. So going furthur on about the lecture Prabhupada said that the only way we can rise above our current platform is by becoming more sincere and serious to perform our devotional service. he said that attending the programs and worshiping the Deity in the temple is a good start but one must rise above that too. One must know what a Bhakta really is. A Bhakta is someone who helps others and spreads the Holy Names. So I really liked what Prabhupada had spoken about and I can try to work on rising above the platform i am currently on. I have felt myself advance a little more but Im terrified of finding myself in a pithole if I let anything slide or don't try to do something new.
After breakfast I headed over to the kitchen again. no one had asked me to come and help. I just went there on my own, trying to keep in mind what Prabhupada said and also my guru Maharaj's instructions. The Prabus who were in the kitchen were grateful for me helping them and they seemed very pleased. One of them even wants the temple president to keep me in the kitchen. It made me think of what Maharaj had told me before I left Toronto. He said to do service that I do well with and like, and also keep the devotees pleased by helping them then I'd be pleasing him. So I felt it in my heart that Maharaj is pleased. It's still hard for me to serve Maharaj in separation, hopefully it will get better in time. Im always concerned if I am serving Maharaj properly while I'm away and I try to follow his instructions the best I can. Im so used of him telling me that I am doing well with service and all but like I said now that Im away it's harder to tell.
I am thinking of getting my own set of Deities. In this temple I can do a small Aarti for Them in my room here. I am going to start off with Gaura Nitai first and of course my Lord Nrsimahadeva Deity too that was given to me by my friend Dayal Nitai. With small Deities you don't have to be second initiated. Gaura Nitai accepts all offenses so since I am still a bit new with Aartis and serving Deities I really should start with Them. I pretty much know the basics about how to serve Deities but i know it goes a lot more deeper than what I already know. I hope they have some Gaura Nitai Deities here that are small that I can start of with and something I can afford. I probably won't get Them until after Christmas. Then when I come back to Toronto I can ask if Maharaj can name my Deities if I do get them if he doesn't mind.
Today is the Sunday Feast. The program I believe starts here at 4pm with the Aarti and then class. The Feast here is at 6pm. Im probably going to have prasadam then because we don't have lunch here on Sundays. Im already hungry for prasadam. i have a banana i can eat to hold me off until later.
The buffet here is separate so if devotees want it they have to pay for it too which is $8.00
I had some potato salad from the buffet last night it was sooooo good. I love their potato salad here.:)
Tomorrow I will find out what my service shedule is and post it here.
This morning Prabhupada gave class. We went over Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Ch. 2 Text 33. Prabhupada spoke a lot about Krishna's energies and how it is controlled by Him and also about how we should not stay on one platform. One must try to rise above their current platform in order to spiritually advance. I took about two and a half pages worth of notes from the lecture as intructed by my guru Maharaj. He wanted me to take notes from Prabhupada's lecture which I did obediantly. So going furthur on about the lecture Prabhupada said that the only way we can rise above our current platform is by becoming more sincere and serious to perform our devotional service. he said that attending the programs and worshiping the Deity in the temple is a good start but one must rise above that too. One must know what a Bhakta really is. A Bhakta is someone who helps others and spreads the Holy Names. So I really liked what Prabhupada had spoken about and I can try to work on rising above the platform i am currently on. I have felt myself advance a little more but Im terrified of finding myself in a pithole if I let anything slide or don't try to do something new.
After breakfast I headed over to the kitchen again. no one had asked me to come and help. I just went there on my own, trying to keep in mind what Prabhupada said and also my guru Maharaj's instructions. The Prabus who were in the kitchen were grateful for me helping them and they seemed very pleased. One of them even wants the temple president to keep me in the kitchen. It made me think of what Maharaj had told me before I left Toronto. He said to do service that I do well with and like, and also keep the devotees pleased by helping them then I'd be pleasing him. So I felt it in my heart that Maharaj is pleased. It's still hard for me to serve Maharaj in separation, hopefully it will get better in time. Im always concerned if I am serving Maharaj properly while I'm away and I try to follow his instructions the best I can. Im so used of him telling me that I am doing well with service and all but like I said now that Im away it's harder to tell.
I am thinking of getting my own set of Deities. In this temple I can do a small Aarti for Them in my room here. I am going to start off with Gaura Nitai first and of course my Lord Nrsimahadeva Deity too that was given to me by my friend Dayal Nitai. With small Deities you don't have to be second initiated. Gaura Nitai accepts all offenses so since I am still a bit new with Aartis and serving Deities I really should start with Them. I pretty much know the basics about how to serve Deities but i know it goes a lot more deeper than what I already know. I hope they have some Gaura Nitai Deities here that are small that I can start of with and something I can afford. I probably won't get Them until after Christmas. Then when I come back to Toronto I can ask if Maharaj can name my Deities if I do get them if he doesn't mind.
Today is the Sunday Feast. The program I believe starts here at 4pm with the Aarti and then class. The Feast here is at 6pm. Im probably going to have prasadam then because we don't have lunch here on Sundays. Im already hungry for prasadam. i have a banana i can eat to hold me off until later.
The buffet here is separate so if devotees want it they have to pay for it too which is $8.00
I had some potato salad from the buffet last night it was sooooo good. I love their potato salad here.:)
Tomorrow I will find out what my service shedule is and post it here.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
New Home in New Dwaraka Temple Los Angeles
Well here I am in Los Angeles. Never did I think I'd be living in California. It feels too weird. Im an Eastsider of the United States originially from Cleveland Ohio. Going to have to get used to the year round warm weather that's for sure I keep thinking that I may need a winter coat out here which I don't. I am outside now with my computer not wearing a coat and sitting under an umbrella at a table outside the temple. it's where I can only get internet access. Too bad I can't get it in my room :(
Anyways I arrived here last night at 8pm. My dad got a bit lost on the way here due to missing a turn on the highway. It took us nearly an hour to get back to where we were going. When I got here I had to go in the gift shop and ask about the women's ashram. The Mataji in charge new about me coming apparently she had gone to bed super early 6pm. But another nice Indian Mataji had let me in the ashram because they all knew about me comign there so it was approved.
I attended Mangal Aarti this morning. The Deities here are Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish. Im going to try to get a picture of Them at the 6pm Aarti if I can. They are wearing purple and orange today. I still miss my favorite Deities in Toronto Sri Sri Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha They will always be my favorite Deities. but I think Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish may become my second favorite Deities.
I met some nice devotees here. I didn't meet any matajis here that are my age but that is okay. The other matajis here who are older are very nice and open.They all asked me who my guru Maharaj was.:) In a way when they asked me that question I felt a moment of sadness and separation flow over me because I miss my guru Maharaj a lot. He's been so kind and merciful to me. I sent him a little package in the mail. I knew he needed a new bead bag so I got him that for Christmas. I hope I will be able to serve my guru Maharaj properly in separation while Im here for six months.
I met the temple President today and his wife. They are both very nice and the temple president well he's got a great sense of humor on him. Today he asked me if I could help in the kitchen for bit which I did for 2 and a half hours today. I helped to cut up zuchini, carrots, and red bell peppers. He said he'll go over my seva schedule with me on Monday since they are doing a sankiratan book distribution festival this weekend.
I spent the rest of the afternoon walking a bit down on Venice BLVD to mail out Maharaj's package. im going to try to do a little more exploring of the area tomorrow just to get out some. Im curious as to how far the beach is from here. Maybe I can take the bus there and do a light japa walk or something if i can find the beach. I think it's quite a bit of a long way down Venice but it'd be worth it.
So far I do like it here. The prasadam is awesome too not spicey thank goodness. Devotees eat separatly from the restaurant but the prasadam for devotees is still good. The juice we had today was kiwi juice. I gotta try to make that when I come back to Toronto. :D Maybe if I learn what kind of juices they make here I can do it back in Toronto too. AND the best news of all which was nectar to my ears was I MIGHT get to help take care of Tulasi! I was totally ecstatic over that! That is the service I want most and I will beg for it on Monday. I want to see her. They say she is HUGE here too. So now I am curious. They keep her in the garden out back but I have yet to see her.
Anyways, the women's ashram here is very nice. There is a kitchen in the hallway, and in my room I can go directly to the shower and bathroom. I think other matajis have a shower and bathroom too in their rooms to get to, not sure. one other mataji has to share the bathroom with me but that is okay. the showers are very nice. My room is pretty big with an extra bed in it for guests who may come to stay. And I found out that I can even do aarti for my Lord Nrsimahadeva deity they allow you to burn incense here in the ashram rooms which i nice so I will save up for an aarti tray for Him and try to do aartis for my Lord Nrsimahadeva deity. I do have a key to my room to keep it locked up which is good. The ashram is across the street from the temple but that is okay becasue the mornings here are not that cold. it was actually warm outside at 4:15am when i headed over to the temple which is less than a minute walk.
So this is all I have for now. I will have more later this week on what goes on here.
I will try to get pictures up later as well.
Anyways I arrived here last night at 8pm. My dad got a bit lost on the way here due to missing a turn on the highway. It took us nearly an hour to get back to where we were going. When I got here I had to go in the gift shop and ask about the women's ashram. The Mataji in charge new about me coming apparently she had gone to bed super early 6pm. But another nice Indian Mataji had let me in the ashram because they all knew about me comign there so it was approved.
I attended Mangal Aarti this morning. The Deities here are Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish. Im going to try to get a picture of Them at the 6pm Aarti if I can. They are wearing purple and orange today. I still miss my favorite Deities in Toronto Sri Sri Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha They will always be my favorite Deities. but I think Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadish may become my second favorite Deities.
I met some nice devotees here. I didn't meet any matajis here that are my age but that is okay. The other matajis here who are older are very nice and open.They all asked me who my guru Maharaj was.:) In a way when they asked me that question I felt a moment of sadness and separation flow over me because I miss my guru Maharaj a lot. He's been so kind and merciful to me. I sent him a little package in the mail. I knew he needed a new bead bag so I got him that for Christmas. I hope I will be able to serve my guru Maharaj properly in separation while Im here for six months.
I met the temple President today and his wife. They are both very nice and the temple president well he's got a great sense of humor on him. Today he asked me if I could help in the kitchen for bit which I did for 2 and a half hours today. I helped to cut up zuchini, carrots, and red bell peppers. He said he'll go over my seva schedule with me on Monday since they are doing a sankiratan book distribution festival this weekend.
I spent the rest of the afternoon walking a bit down on Venice BLVD to mail out Maharaj's package. im going to try to do a little more exploring of the area tomorrow just to get out some. Im curious as to how far the beach is from here. Maybe I can take the bus there and do a light japa walk or something if i can find the beach. I think it's quite a bit of a long way down Venice but it'd be worth it.
So far I do like it here. The prasadam is awesome too not spicey thank goodness. Devotees eat separatly from the restaurant but the prasadam for devotees is still good. The juice we had today was kiwi juice. I gotta try to make that when I come back to Toronto. :D Maybe if I learn what kind of juices they make here I can do it back in Toronto too. AND the best news of all which was nectar to my ears was I MIGHT get to help take care of Tulasi! I was totally ecstatic over that! That is the service I want most and I will beg for it on Monday. I want to see her. They say she is HUGE here too. So now I am curious. They keep her in the garden out back but I have yet to see her.
Anyways, the women's ashram here is very nice. There is a kitchen in the hallway, and in my room I can go directly to the shower and bathroom. I think other matajis have a shower and bathroom too in their rooms to get to, not sure. one other mataji has to share the bathroom with me but that is okay. the showers are very nice. My room is pretty big with an extra bed in it for guests who may come to stay. And I found out that I can even do aarti for my Lord Nrsimahadeva deity they allow you to burn incense here in the ashram rooms which i nice so I will save up for an aarti tray for Him and try to do aartis for my Lord Nrsimahadeva deity. I do have a key to my room to keep it locked up which is good. The ashram is across the street from the temple but that is okay becasue the mornings here are not that cold. it was actually warm outside at 4:15am when i headed over to the temple which is less than a minute walk.
So this is all I have for now. I will have more later this week on what goes on here.
I will try to get pictures up later as well.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Someone Who Is Interested In Krishna Conciousness
This week I am helping my dad do some painting for a musical play called "Annie." I have to paint the wooden props. Yesterday I painted two wooden bunk beds and three regular small wooden beds. It took me all day to do those. Today I have a few more to do plus some other wooden props need to be painted. My dad had to buy some rollers because the other props are too big for brushes.
Anyways I met some of my dad's co workers including his boss Beverly yesterday. Dad's co worker whose name is Daniel knows a bit about the Hare Krishna Movement. My dad told him that I am in KC and when Daniel first saw me he said "Haribol." to me. Even yesterday he said "Hare Krishna" to me and he is even willing to read a couple of Srila Prabhupada's books to know more about the movement so when I go to the temple on Friday I will get him a couple small books for him to start off with. My dad can take the books to him.
Daniel is a nice guy. What I learned about him was that he had a tough time. He told me that he used to be homeless and had to take care of his sick mother and his bank had closed down his house which as a result he became homeless. He's doing better now that he has a job with the drama musical play building the props and even helping in on the drama musical play. I hope that Krishna will eventually help Him once I give him the books to read. In my mind and heart I pray that Daniel will become a devotee. He said he's interested in all religions. I wish everyone was like that being interested in all religions. You don't have to join a religion just at least give them all a chance and learn about them. You can't be closed up about one thing. I myself have done a little studying on religion and the one that I feel comfy being in is the Krishna Conciousness Movement. My grandmother on my mom's side says one should try to learn about everything as much as possible. She said it's good to learn something new. I completely agree with her.
Anyways I met some of my dad's co workers including his boss Beverly yesterday. Dad's co worker whose name is Daniel knows a bit about the Hare Krishna Movement. My dad told him that I am in KC and when Daniel first saw me he said "Haribol." to me. Even yesterday he said "Hare Krishna" to me and he is even willing to read a couple of Srila Prabhupada's books to know more about the movement so when I go to the temple on Friday I will get him a couple small books for him to start off with. My dad can take the books to him.
Daniel is a nice guy. What I learned about him was that he had a tough time. He told me that he used to be homeless and had to take care of his sick mother and his bank had closed down his house which as a result he became homeless. He's doing better now that he has a job with the drama musical play building the props and even helping in on the drama musical play. I hope that Krishna will eventually help Him once I give him the books to read. In my mind and heart I pray that Daniel will become a devotee. He said he's interested in all religions. I wish everyone was like that being interested in all religions. You don't have to join a religion just at least give them all a chance and learn about them. You can't be closed up about one thing. I myself have done a little studying on religion and the one that I feel comfy being in is the Krishna Conciousness Movement. My grandmother on my mom's side says one should try to learn about everything as much as possible. She said it's good to learn something new. I completely agree with her.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Condemned
Today was obviously not a good day for me. I had this fear from day one when I came here the other day in California that family would bombard me about being in the Krishna Conciousness movement. I know they would all love for me to leave this movement. But I REFUSE! I had given my guru Maharaj my promise to him that I'd NEVER leave this movement.
So what happened was today my grandmother was actually questioning me about her own religion testing me on what I believe in her faith. She asked me who Jesus was...I simply told her that Jesus is the Son of God a spiritual master who went around to preach, then she asked me who God was. I simply said God is a person with many names and gave her a short list but there are unlimited names and then she claimed her bible is the ONLY bible out there and apparently that's where she started to get into a heated conversation with me about religion. It only got worse by the minute. I tried staying calm and not say much, but my grandmother totally blew it out of proportion about my beliefs and yelled at me by saying "The devil has got a hold of you and you will be going to hell!" So another words she condemned me to hell. She claimed I didn't answer her questions which I did and apparently they were not good enough answers for her. I finally had to walk away before any more damage fell through. One thing she doesn't know she doesn't have the right to say that Im going to hell only God Himself can say that and judge that she is in no power to say so.
But little does she know that in the Bhagavad Gita it says that the devotee does care where God sends him because the devotee pleads with God to always remember His Lotus Feet and to preach about Him EVEN when he's in hell. So if Krishna wishes me to go to hell then I will do my best to beg Him to let me remember Him in Hell and and to let me try to preach about Him and let me do some service for Him there. My family believes in that they only have one life and that they will all go to heaven and not come back here. But again little do they know that the soul keeps on going and changes bodies. But they do not believe in reincarnation either. I am the only one who does.
And here is another realization that hit me with my grandmother's statement. Even though she condemned me, we are ALL condemned because we live in this material world and we are only thinking of ourselves and serving our sense gratificiation and that alone will send us to hell as well. So thinking of this brings me comfort so I am not afraid of what my grandmother told me. Maybe being in hell will teach me to be more humble and tolerant so that I can return to God one day. There are some of God's devotees in Hell right now preaching to the people there to help them realize about Him. So why fear that? I would simply only ask Krishna to stay in His service even in Hell and beg Him for protection while I am there.
So what happened was today my grandmother was actually questioning me about her own religion testing me on what I believe in her faith. She asked me who Jesus was...I simply told her that Jesus is the Son of God a spiritual master who went around to preach, then she asked me who God was. I simply said God is a person with many names and gave her a short list but there are unlimited names and then she claimed her bible is the ONLY bible out there and apparently that's where she started to get into a heated conversation with me about religion. It only got worse by the minute. I tried staying calm and not say much, but my grandmother totally blew it out of proportion about my beliefs and yelled at me by saying "The devil has got a hold of you and you will be going to hell!" So another words she condemned me to hell. She claimed I didn't answer her questions which I did and apparently they were not good enough answers for her. I finally had to walk away before any more damage fell through. One thing she doesn't know she doesn't have the right to say that Im going to hell only God Himself can say that and judge that she is in no power to say so.
But little does she know that in the Bhagavad Gita it says that the devotee does care where God sends him because the devotee pleads with God to always remember His Lotus Feet and to preach about Him EVEN when he's in hell. So if Krishna wishes me to go to hell then I will do my best to beg Him to let me remember Him in Hell and and to let me try to preach about Him and let me do some service for Him there. My family believes in that they only have one life and that they will all go to heaven and not come back here. But again little do they know that the soul keeps on going and changes bodies. But they do not believe in reincarnation either. I am the only one who does.
And here is another realization that hit me with my grandmother's statement. Even though she condemned me, we are ALL condemned because we live in this material world and we are only thinking of ourselves and serving our sense gratificiation and that alone will send us to hell as well. So thinking of this brings me comfort so I am not afraid of what my grandmother told me. Maybe being in hell will teach me to be more humble and tolerant so that I can return to God one day. There are some of God's devotees in Hell right now preaching to the people there to help them realize about Him. So why fear that? I would simply only ask Krishna to stay in His service even in Hell and beg Him for protection while I am there.
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