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.
Friday, March 23, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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