simple thoughts

Each day we give out medication and rarely give it a second thought it is what we do, I have been involved in training health care assistants in residential settings on good medication administration checking MAR (Medication administration record) sheets with the medication itself. Not becoming complacent we as we give the same medication to the same person each day so why bother. Medication can change so this checking is very important.
It was with sadness that I heard that one of my nursing friends had made a medication error despite many years of service; this for anyone in the nursing or caring profession is a nightmare scenario. It is usually down to several things, the nurse being tired, poorly written out charts, unclear times or dates being written on the charts. But most importantly it is usually down to our own complacency.

However it has got me thinking, are we like this with our Japa? We do it each day, at this time for this long, it’s what we do. So we give it less attention than we should. A round dropped here a round dropped there, I’m busy in service, I’m busy in work that’s where it’s at I can make my rounds up some other day, may be tomorrow or when the book marathons over.
The biggest mistake we make in our spiritual life is our Japa, why do we hear it mentioned time and time again because it is important. Why as nurses when we attend medication training are we reminded to check the chart, what medication, what dose, what time, when does it start? Does it match that written on the medication bottle or box? Because it is important!
Mistakes are made once we become complacent, give it less importance, it becomes part of the job. Part of our spiritual life!
I am reminded of a class once given by HH Devamrita Swami he was asked about japa and how we could increase our Japa or at least maintain or reach the 16 rounds. His advice was simple, pick a time every day and stick to it, make sure people know this is your Japa time you don’t want to be disturbed so you can concentrate on your japa, each day look at increasing the amount you do. He also reminded us of this very important point, it is not just that we do our 16 rounds, that’s it finished, it’s that we do a minimum of 16 rounds if we can do more than we should a spare 5 minutes here a spare 5 minutes there, If were waiting for something why don’t we do more Japa? We should be looking at how to make our Japa better not only in quantity but in quality.

So as health care professionals we hear about one of our colleges making a drugs error we stop and look closely at our own practice, so as we are reminded about our Japa and its importance in our spiritual life should we stop reflect and look more closely at it.
Just as a medication error can spell and end to our career in the Health Care profession or at least a check in it, so poor Japa can end or cause a check in our spiritual life

Although it was highlighted in the news in Australia it made little impact on the news here in the UK, surprising.

In the Oxford Crown Court Judge Julian Hall ruled that a 10 year old girl who was raped had dressed provocatively Judge Hall said the case was exceptional because the “young woman” had been wearing a frilly bra and thong.
Handing out a concurrent 2 year and 18 month sentence for the crime and as he has been in custody awaiting trial will be out in only a matter of weeks.
What makes this case even sadder is that the young girl has been in social services care since the age of four.

The judge had earlier this year setting free another paedophile and told him to give his victim money “to buy a nice new bicycle”.

ISKCONS own Child Protection Office states “innocence has been stolen from the child and the trauma of abuse causes emotional injury as well as physical injury. Feelings of mistrust, guilt, and sheer emotional pain are scars that can last through the victim’s life.”

Brings back some nasty memories of my own rape but due to the love kindness and tolerance of the devotees I can finally live my life, without them I would still be running home locking my door and living in fear.

As promised here are the pictures from the Guildford Rathayatra.
It was the local Namahata that made all the arrangments lovingly supported on the day by the devotees at Bhaktividanta Manor.

One thing I have noticed and I feel the need to write about is how we answer the question of homosexuality and Krishna consciousness. I have seen how many devotees have opened themselves up to verbal abuse because they have given a direct answer to one particular question.
The sad thing is the answer is answers is correct, and because they are expecting the response are ready with the accusations of intolerance and homophobia stance. Which is sad as an opportunity is missed.
I am reminded of something a devotee was telling me about a live TV show in the early days of ISKCON, even then the debate about the religious view of homosexuality was discussed and so the question was put, how do you view people who are homosexual? The camera panned and focused in on the devotee and the response was simple, WE LOVE EVERYONE came the response. Again an honest, accurate response which helped defused the tension that the question had created.
So what to do?
I have been challenged many times on this question and one thing has struck me the person who is asking the question a lot of times are looking for some spiritual recognition or a need to belong to a religious group. So it is important that we don’t give the usual answer no matter how correct.
For me I have not turned around and said “it is not scriptural” or “you are condemned” NO. I have simply replied this way “you are more than welcome in fact I would recommend brahmacari life this would be good” this firstly stops them in their tracks, the usual response is no longer applicable. Ok I miss out quite a bit at first but it allows for further questioning. So I would be welcome, yes. You don’t have a problem with it? No!
It allows me to explain how we suffer in relationships as they are fraught with difficulty and the only true relationship that relives us from this is that with God (Krishna). It is bondage to sex lives that hinders this in all its forms (notice ALL not) so Brahmacari life is good.
Does it work? I guess so as some, who had never thought of reading any books now are, just because they feel that they are being listened to and understood rather than being immediately condemned or made to feel like an outcast.
How we deal with people is important, how we respond is important, Yes sometimes we must use kind words in order to help and relive their suffering brought about by material desire so they too can bask in the love of Krishna.

I have just recieved a letter conferming that I have passed my counselling skills coures which is good news.
So I am now waiting to see if my application for doing councelling studies has been accepted
It is my hope one day to use to use it in Krsna’s service

Just to encourage everyone to check out this well produced, easy to navigate web-sight from ISKCON Wales
You can find it at: http://iskconwales.org/
It also gives dates of up comming events so there’s no excuse for missing any thing

In a recent BBC Radio 4 production they had representatives from the Christian, Hindu, Muslin faiths.
They were debating meat eating from a biblical view point, the question is it scriptual to eat meat?
What surprised me most was that both the Muslim and Hindu knew more about the bible and than the Christian especially when it was stated that the bible allows meat eating. Especilly pointing out that Jesus stopped animal sacrifices and the wider implication that we should not cause distress to others in order to satisfy our own desires
The Muslim pointed out that in the Koran their is some meat eating allowed but he felt that the over consumption of meat was infact unjustified
The Hindu perspective was more complete infact he pointed out this that if we are to eat meat then we should kill it ourseves and that we should realize that the animal we kill will one day kill us as is the law of Karma.
Over all a very interesting program I hope it will be available on the BBC listen again facility.
In the conclusion all faiths agreed that there is in society an over killing of animals that is unexeptable in any scriptual context but all apart from the Hindu fell short of suggesting we should all be vegatarian, offering it also to God (Krsna).

Yes to all you book distributers out their its that time of year were the leaders press you to distribute more books, and for the men especially that time of year when you get competative trying to get the top book scores.
But for us who are not very good at distributing books or work a lot I have a sugestion it works for me, take the book you are reading into work, leave it open on the desk. Now most people like to noise, so open book whats this? I have not met anyone get who has not been captivated. Quickly follow this up with, well I’m reading this one but I have a book in my car. Now how can they refuse?
The best part is most people then want to give you money, again how can I refuse and it’s always more than I paid for the book.
A fine loving exchange.
One final point though, make sure youv’e read it for I guarantee they always come back with a question or two.

Available on the net are some lovely quotes from HH Radhanath Swami I have posted one to wet your appetie for more go to www.prabhupada.org/rama/?p=3975#more-3975

I finished reading a lovely postingby Kripamoya Das on Scriptures and his fascination with them.
Indeed I also am very fascinated with scripture but I am also fascinated by those who teach scripture. What amazes me most is that most of the time they know very little or their reading is very narrow.
One thing I would encourage any one to do is read, ask questions, make notes. But also not just look at one type of translation.
The main thing that has struck me also is this that Jesus, The prophet Mohamad, teachings were not revelutionary but they did refute the accepted teachings of that day. Why? To direct us to one thing GOD.
This is the ultimate truth, that we should turn to God, seek advice of one learned and able to direct our steps to this aim.
Those I talk to who say they know and have read scripture rearly understand this small but major point