simple thoughts

Ask yourself, do you read Srila Prabhupada’s books?
Do you use the vadabase when reading or searching Srila Prabhupada’s books?
Do you have access to the internet and some basic computer skills?
Can you spare some time each day, week or month; an hour or two?
Would you like to serve the devotee community is a special and unique way?

If you can answer YES to these questions then Vaniseva is for you, you can do it anywhere and everywhere, in your lunch break, or even sat in bed at home.

There is a unique internet facility for accessing Srila Prabhupada’s books, quotes, lectures called vanipedia and you too can become a part of it, all you need is the thirst to read the nectar of the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, now if that wasn’t wonderful enough you can then add to vaniquotes growing online database and serve the devotee community.

And if that isn’t enough you will join a growing online community of devotees serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission in this unique way, and it doesn’t stop there, how’s about a vani-retreat to the dharm that is known as radhadesh.

Come on now you know you want to!

After all the only requirement is that you give up some of your time to read Srila Prabhupada’s books; it’s that easy Radanath who is only five year old takes part along with us slightly older souls.

If you want to know more simple send an e-mail to vaniseva@pamho.net

Or you can skype me under the name caitanyadev and I will be more than happy to tell you more (I’m located in Wales).

Be inspired, read and share become a part of those doing vaniseva

This is a picture sent me from Yaduvendu Das, I just thought it’s such an amazing picture it needs to be shared

I would like to direct devotees attention to a proposal to the GBC by HH Mahavishnu Swami written and openly available on his web sight dynamics of ISKCON and it\'s Gurus

We have talked a lot about this and I know that a number of his aspiring devotees became so fried out and upset by the current system her in the UK that they became attracted by the personal nature of other groups most notably HH Narajana Maharaja; who’s disciples have a more pro-active friendly and personal manor which attracts.

Don’t get me wrong I sort of understand were the UK management are coming from but they appear unable to take on board that knowingly or unknowingly they are hindering and hurting so many.

HH Mahavishnu Swami has been so kind to me giving me much needed association, and we have discussed to length this topic, I know that he is hurt to see so many who desire to be initiated suffer so and wants so much to reach out and touch and encourage so many. I know he has helped me so much advance the preaching work were I live which is growing to the point were I am thinking I really need help.

I know that the UK senior management are very sensitive with regard to this and any one who speaks out is seen as subversive or anti ISKCON, but I plead and ask please please please listen even if you don’t agree and try to understand a different point of view.

I love my Guru Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada’s movement but sadly understand why people leave

One thing I’ve noticed whilst recently watching the morning class at Soho Street is that there are more devotees online than actually physically in the temple room.

One thing I have been thinking of is as more comfortable people get with information technology the greater the numbers will be of a devotee online community; for me this is a life line and at times my one and only connection with devotees.

However there is one thing missing, the interaction between temple devotees, those giving class and those watching through the internet. I am sure that may be like me whilst watching and listening questions arise or a point strikes how, wow this is just amazing please explain and tell me more.

At times Krishna will be merciful and one of the assembled devotees will ask a question that covers your thoughts and this thread or thought is expanded, this is one thing that really impressed me the willingness and encouragement given to ask questions (an amazing openness that makes things a lot more personal)

Yes I know I have a been in my bonnet in this regard, but I loved the personal nature of the devotees that I first met many years ago, they did not hide or refuse to answer any questions but actively encouraged and this included when I found out about the child abuse and went on the attack. There openness, honesty and love shone through and won my heart.

What I have noticed is that for classes posted there is no facility to ask a question and if you do generally no answer is given. OK devotees are busy people.

But also on some of these live feeds there is a facility to chat, so what do we see, Hare Krishna Morning so and so how are you doing. But again if you ask a question even though many are online there is little or no answer; there was one exception the devotee had a laptop next to him and on occasions gave it a quick check. Although I did not get his e-mail address it was said too quickly and so I didn’t get the MP3 music that was so inspiring (a remake of some 60/70’s chart hits in a totally KC way)

It got me thinking how best can we serve this growing online community, without making a big ask from devotees?

I have seen at times that a senior devotee has sat next to a laptop watching the live feed, this makes sense but more importantly filtering through the HareBol and Hi how are you look at if there is any questions or thoughts. When the opportunity is there to ask a question they have asked it on the devotee behalf, “I have a question from ? dasa/dasi who asks”

Ok it is a big ask but I’m sure once people online realize that they can ask questions and they can get an answer this will really inspire and encourage.

But what about those who post classes later on after the class what to do?

Again it means a big ask, may be a facility for the person to send in there questions, may be an e-mail any questions please send them to ****@****.co.au or something like that; it could be a lovely service for someone and again it will make a big difference so many once people get used to it.

I feel in some ways this will engage the communities that listen to or watch these classes online, but I still wonder would such a thing be practical?

I have also uploaded a nice class from my visit at the Manor it was on about the use of stories I hope as usual it brings much pleasure for those who access and listen to it HG Bhagadatta Dasa

Ok let it be know that I do take requests on what is written about on my blog, but beware it’s my own personal perspective so just don’t expect any great enlightenment.

The other day I was asked to write about how I came to own some budgies, Yes they googled and found that there was a number of references to the budgies in my blog but non pacifically on how I came to own them.

Firstly may I point out that I do not like seeing any animal caged in any way shape or form, it makes me feel quite sad so owning budgies is in many ways contradictory and for some animal activists this is a demonstration of cruelty; which normally I would agree with. But I did rescue them in a way, and it’s a story I love telling because it has so many elements that show the conditioned form of the human soul and how we can rational almost anything whilst committing great cruelty on others.

Now as many people know I did go to university, yes quiet shocking and not being of the academic persuasion truly hated the whole ordeal, but then I loved children’s nursing and studied it. Although we were a small class only 15 of us we would join a larger group who were studying the other nursing disciplines and naturally made friends with a few outside of the children’s nursing group.

One was a lad who was a bit of a loner and odd-bod and was generally shunned by the wider group, anyway he liked to keep birds, finch’s, budges and the like and would talk about them endlessly. So I was a little surprised when some time after we had finished in university he rang asking me to take care of them, why I asked you going away? No he said I’ll explain when we meet.

Several days later we met up and I was very curious as to why he wanted me to look after the budgies and for how long, a day or two I was thinking which was OK by me. Well I’m not sure I’m still traumatized and upset by the whole thing I can’t say. What’s happened?

The whole story came out.

You see he had three budgies, and when I arrived he only had two what had happened to the other one?

Well it’s escaped you see, it flow out the window and because they can’t fly very well got hit by a car in the car park. I was sad to hear this so the budgie died I know how much they meant to you. NO, not quiet I killed it came the reply.

What how?

Well it was still alive but very badly injured I knew the budgie wouldn’t survive so I got a kitchen knife and started to cut off it’s head, but the knife wasn’t sharp enough, so I got the other knife out but it too didn’t work I used up all the kitchen knifes till I had put it out it’s misery. The budgie was screaming at me, and the other budgies in the cage were screaming too; now they look scared of me and I can’t look at them.

I had to ask, why not take the budgie to the vets? Surely they could have helped.

No it costs too much and the budgie was so badly injured it would not have survived anyway, and now I feel like may be I’ll have to kill the other budgies because I can’t handle the way they look at me.

Ok so I agreed to take them little knowing that they would be with me for many years to come, and as they had no names I called them after my new found friends VishnuMaya and DinaDayala and to date I’ve never told the devotees the budgies are named after them.

The most extraordinary thing for me was this after relating the story and begging me to look after the budgies he then told me about the local places that do the best chicken, I know you don’t eat meat but if your friends do take them to.

I seized the opportunity to show him how becoming vegetarian was the right thing to do, look you’ve just told me how traumatized you are after killing the budgies but the chickens suffer in the same way, they are hung upside down, see there friends heads sliced off before having there own sliced off, it’s the same thing.

But no blinded by the lust of meat eating he simply replied that the budgies are pets and that the chicken are not, that the chicken is meant to be ate and does not suffer in the same way as budgies do when killed. Hum?

So we go through university and can still make dumb statements, blinded by lust for meat he could not see what had been reviled to him the suffering of animals and of birds for food.

So now I have two budgies that have moved and stayed with me for many years, and to my shame I still do not know much about budgies or there care, it is truly Krishna’s mercy they have survived so far.

But it also reminds me of the bird in the cage story which is always a good thing.

There is many things we can standardize, many things we can measure and in many ways we benefit and gain from this; but some things cannot be either measured or standardized or a one size fits all unifying nature.

Many years ago one of the NHS trusts I worked for was in discussions with surrounding trusts the aim was simple to standardize the forms and paperwork and to implement what is seen as best practice when it comes to patient care which was not only honorable but most welcome.

However when the forms came something struck us that those charged with the task had little understanding of the different needs especially in children’s nursing with a single universal form which omitted many essentials needed for the safe care of the child.

So it was universally objected by the nursing staff much to the disperse of the management, it was only after several month did one of those in charge actually visit us and after listening carefully and seeing the problems agreed that the universality of the forms did not work. Some revision later there was a new set of forms taking into account the needs of children. Which helped in patient transfers within the several trusts and indeed made things simpler and safer, but our forms were unique not fitting that used in other ward areas.

But it was also the fact that we can measure so much we see this through blood sample testing, urine and fetus testing along with general observations, which have a universal standardized form and set parameters; these forms and tests and no matter were in the world you are any nurse can see and read them without any difficulty and know what they mean.

Another change was the introduction of core care plans as many disease and also many theater procedures can be covered by forms that state what is to be checked, monitored and implemented in order to get the patient well again, but as most nurses know there was an area in each care plan were as nurses we can individualize aspects of the care taking into account individual needs and recognizing that a one size fits all simply does not work.

We see how we describe ISKCON as a hospital, indeed it is a hospital of the soul, and Srila Prabhupada wrote and showed us many things even how we can see that the there is a reconnection with the spirit soul moving from the material animalistic self to the true spirit soul.

The medicine is simple we are reminded that in this age of Kali there is no other way but the chanting of the holy name combined with the reading of transcendental knowledge these two things are repeatedly time and time again requested, read my books and chant Hare Krishna.

And how do we know that the medicine is working?

We are also told of the symptoms of unwellness in this way we can see the person improve and that the inner beauty that of the spirit soul shines out:

from meat eater to non-meat eating
from gambler to a good steward of Krishna’s money
from taking intoxicants to a clarity of mind devoid of intoxicants
from pursuit of sex to sex regulated by knowledge and scripture

But we see as in many diseases the medicine has to be taken for the rest of life not just for a time, for miss the medicine then eventually the spirit soul sinks back again into the darkness of animal life.

This however was were Srila Prabhupada also shows by example, he applied the medicine, checked against the measures that it was truly taking affect and were need been made some adjustments and even individual advice:

We see that he wanted us to chant more than just 16 rounds, but adjusted
That some of us will remain bound by one or more attachments and may even find the four regulative principles hard to follow so gave them practical advice and steps so that some gains can be made; better some than non.
That some will start taking the medicine but will stop because they enjoy the feeling that material life brings them.

Within nursing it is not the knowledge that what makes the difference is the understanding of the individual, and at times adjustments have to be made in order to achieve a more positive outcome, we have to accept that at times the advice will not be followed or even the advice given will be rejected.

But if we understand the person, listen carefully many times we can either give them some crucial knowledge that makes the difference or at best come to some middle ground as some change is better than non; if they feel the benefit of the small change they may feel more inclined to make the bigger lifestyle change needed.

But this is for me the essence, this is a crucial lesson from Srila Prabhupada that we have the cure, we have the measure to see if it works; this is our only standardization; the rest can only be achieved by forming relationships, getting to know the person warts and all and helping and guiding them on a single individual basis; encouraging and ever adjusting till the ultimate goal of self realization is achieved.

Like the core care plans we need to individualize and personalize the way we administer and give the medicine, we will never be able to make a one size fits all devotee society but we can make a society that recognizes individual traits, individual weakness, individual strengths.

Then we can see how each one can help others in one way or another and that we will see externally that which is changing internally. The rough diamond becoming the glittering all attractive gem it is.

We have the standardization already set, there is no need for any more; lets keep it simple; we can only see a change in a person if we use the tools Srila Prabhupada gave us there is no need to change of add to this formula we need personal relationships as shown by Prabhupada himself, not forms and exams or committees but true personal relationship.

We see that the nurse or doctor people talk about most is not the one who is good with forms, or has the greatest knowledge, but the one they feel spends time with them talks to them, knows them, listens to them.

In this Srila Prabhupada excelled and was the ultimate physician; this personal relationship saved the spirit soul from repeated birth and death, an example we need to understand and simply follow not change.

Following several questions on a similar theme I have decided although it will probably not be well received that I am going to explain why to date I’m not initiated.

You see one thing I’ve noticed when talking to a number of Srila Prabhupada disciples, and senior devotees is that there is no single unifying answer to there thoughts and realization on Krishna and Guru. Each person has a different take and understanding, with the unifying fact that they have taken to heart love of Guru and Krishna and are surrendered.

But for me that’s the key this personal aspect, they have made Krishna personal, they have a very personal relationship with there guru Maharaja and more importantly they have very personal relationships with other devotees; have an honesty and openness to seek advice and help when needed, knowing that a full explanation and advice will be given to help them continue to advance.

If we want to understand why devotees remain dedicated, surrendered and focused on spiritual life; for me it is simply because as we know Krishna consciousness is personal consciousness and this comes out when you talk to disciples of Srila Prabhupada they talk in a very personal way, how he made a personal impact that they felt a very personal connection; how Prabhupada took a personal interest in them with personal advice and help; because of this love they have served so nicely. This is the same for all disciples of our various spiritual masters that it is a personal relationships and more importantly the personal relationship’s with there god brothers and sisters

So what has this to do with why I’m not initiated, well I’m old a stubborn and that I personally see that the system in place in the UK is impersonal and that the committee will decide my fate without ever talking to me, sitting down taking prasadam that there is a denial of any personal relationship or personal understanding of me as a person. And to be frank this really upsets me.

That the exam (questions) could be simply learnt and for me this means that they have little or no meaning, a senior devotee or even google can give you the answers; but this does not show there’s been a change a change in the heart. It just says I have a good memory and can answer some questions. Again I see the whole thing as being simply pointless and of no benefit; if you spent time with people and talked you could see not only if they have a concept of these questions but also if there is a heartfelt meaning and change.

Forms; is Krishna Consciousness work? Is it a Job? Is it a career? If so then bring on the forms I can be a career devotee, may be even ask for some pay. No NO NO!This is not what love and devotion means to me; it is fun I want to do as much as possible in fact I feel sad that I cannot do more. But again it adds to my feeling that what should be personal is being reduced to something impersonal, that the form is used in a way to absolve committee members of the one thing they should do get to know the person. Yes have a personal relationship; in fact my boss and owner of the company I work knows more about me than the committee members who will decide if I can ever actually start my spiritual life; she knows that if there is a choice between work and ISKCON that I will leave work first and so great efforts are taken to make sure that this is provided.

But no form will reflect this acknowledgment and understanding of how important Krishna Consciousness means to me, the people I work for know how essential it is to my life; this is for me the heart breaking thing, Krishna, ISKCON and my Guru Maharaja means everything to me, but I cannot submit myself to the requirement set because I see it as impersonal, that this personal relationship all the senior disciples talk about has been denied me. That some faceless committee will decide my fate. That some how forms and exams will prove that I have what it takes, that this will keep me in the heart of ISKCON for all my life; this for me personally is so so wrong.

So why do I remain?; there are other guru’s outside ISKCON many would and have offered to initiate me.

Because of my personal connection, my personal relationship with my Guru Maharaja who knows me so well and has taken so much personal time to get to know me; and those senior devotees who because of a personal relationship I have with them know that no matter what I face that they will listen help and direct.

I cannot see anything other than the devotees, my Guru Maharaja and Krishna for without them my life has no meaning, but as it stands my stubbiness to surrender to what I see as an impersonal system will mean that I will never be able to even start my spiritual life, and this is it initiation is only the start to a long road back home; it is not the end result but the beginning.

And in a sad way I’m happy with this because there is one thing a faceless committee can never ever take away from me or deny me, the personal connection I feel, the personal connection with the devotees, the personal connection I feel for my Guru Maharaja, the personal connection I feel for all that Srila Prabhupada has done in saving lost souls like me and my desire to serve as best I can.

But then no faceless committee will never ever get or understand how I feel because they have never spent time with me to know this. And so I’ll end 2010 as upset and down as I’ve finished the previous three years.

Unable to be initiated although this is my greatest desire because although I cannot surrounded to the UK requirement’s for initiation I have already made a life long commitment; because I cannot see my life any other way and this my guru maharaja, god brothers and sister (I am sure they won’t mind me calling them this) already understand simply because they have a personal understanding of who I am.

And it is these personal relationships that will keep me focused and inspired, encouraged and engaged in service; and it is these individual’s who will help save me from the fate of repeated birth and death.

This has reached the high of the charts in East Africa and is a lovely video, including clips of HH Mahavishnu Swami who spends several month a year touring and sharing love of Krishna there; a humble servant to his Guru Maharaga.

Go check it out: Rap Gita, The Price of Bhakti

As we have just celebrated the appearance day of Jesus Christ do we understand that his life gives us an insight into the transmigration of the soul?

This lesson is often overlooked and in a majority of cases missed.

The bible clearly states that God gave his only begotten son to counteract the sins of man, an atonement for our sins; to give us a way out of material suffering that the soul now finds itself in.

Now Jesus has to be pure, a spirit soul; the bible explains how he was born unto Mary a virgin this is important that the spirit soul that is god’s son is transmigrated from spirit soul and given a material body. The fact that it was to a virgin it shows that Jesus was indeed not contaminated by the material body but we see that Jesus always remained connected with and understood he was a spirit soul, even as a child he wanted to be in or near god’s house listening learning and more importantly teaching.

Now we move to the end of his material life, had anything changed? No.

He remained in full understanding, that this material body is only temporary along with it’s suffering for he said “let not my will but your will be done” the greater understanding that this suffering is indeed short lived.

But as he was put into place to die a cruel unjustified death we see something else that very few could see that Jesus suffering was different not like that suffering of an ordinary man. Indeed one of those who was too being crucified understood this greater truth and asked that he could be with Jesus and what was the reply? “you will today be with me in paradise” note the immediacy, but how could this be so unless the soul is separate from the body and can transmigrate from one plain to another.

We see that both in human terms died the material body no longer had life, so realistically this is the end of the story, there is no need to celebrate the birth or life of Jesus may be just recognizing him as a man of principle; no there is a higher realization.

The disciples had little understanding of transmigration of the soul, even though the bible also clearly states “fear not those who kill the body, but cannot destroy the soul” indicating that the soul in in fact eternal; we see that they were over come with grief and that some provisions had been made to give the remains of Jesus a humble but dignified send off.

We see how later when they came and could see that the tomb stone had in fact been moved that it was presumed that it had unfortunately been robbed; we see that the early reports that Jesus was in fact alive were dismissed after all Jesus showed this miracle first to a woman (I am sure many thought her to be overly emotional and thinking that people she could see was Jesus because of some similarity); it was only when Jesus revealed himself even allowing one of his disciples to touch the wound inflicted by the soldier that they believed he had risen again.

This proves that without the soul the body remains nothing but a few gross eliminates.

But was this the end, no we see that Jesus then allowed the disciples and close followers to see his assent-ion into heaven, but how could he go in a human form? Indeed NASA spends billions of pounds to put man into space, and we have to have so much facility to fly. Simply put he couldn’t the body is simply a covering for the soul that is not effected by the covering it finds itself in; we see a transmigration of the soul form material to spiritual.

And what of the other soul that realized this the one who understood this higher truth, who although Jesus was in the same situation as he found himself in could see that there was a difference? Heres a thought may be he was the first follower of Christ to return back home too taking a spiritual form, the eternity of the soul further being demonstrated.

Now lets look at Jesus and his miracles do they too give an indication as to the eternity of the soul?

Indeed so

We see how even though Jesus delayed going even though urgency was given by the messengers that one of his believers was gravely ill so much so that on his arrival the material body was indeed quiet dead (due to the heat it is quiet possible that decomposition had already started to taken place) all appeared lost; Jesus was told to go away for what use was he the great healer now.

Again a misunderstanding of the eternity of the soul, Jesus simple commanded that he get up; the soul was instantly returned to the material body and thus he promptly got up a miracle beyond miracles.

But despite all these no one asks the deeper question how and why, what can I truly learn, but question the whole idea of transmigration of the soul or dismiss it a preposterous a complete nonsense a fallacy; we see the we only live once so lets enjoy, enjoy, enjoy mentality. Little understanding this basic biblical pearl that the soul never ever dies.

The Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB) 10.1.40 explains:

Just as a person traveling on the road rests one foot on the ground and then lifts the other, or as a worm on a vegetable transfers itself to one leaf and then gives up the previous one, the conditioned soul takes shelter of another body and then gives up the one he had before.

In a conversation with Dr Singh, Srila Prabhupada explains the true meaning of transmigration of the soul:

Dr. Singh. Srila Prabhupada, what is the difference between the transmigration of souls in animal bodies and the transmigration of human souls?

Srila Prabhupada. Animals transmigrate in only one direction — upward — but human beings can transmigrate to either a higher or a lower form of life. The body is awarded according to the living entity’s desire. The lower animals have one kind of desire, but the human being has thousands and millions of desires — animal desires as well as human desires. By nature’s law, the lower species are coming up from animal forms to the higher, human forms. But once you come to the human form, if you don’t cultivate Krsna consciousness you may return to the body of a cat or dog.

(The Ninth Morning Walk: May 13, 1973)

And in his purport for the scripture found in the SB he explains:

This is the process of the soul’s transmigration from one body to another. At the time of death, according to his mental condition, the living being is carried by the subtle body, consisting of mind, intelligence and ego, to another gross body.

The person next to Jesus showed great understanding at the point of death, about the higher truth in Jesus life and message, the question is are we willing to listen, follow and understand. We see that sadly in society this message of hope and eternity of the soul is lost, for the simple act of pleasing the senses with food, drink and gifts.

May we never forget this higher truth, the soul remains eternal, can transmigrate from one plain to another and may this influence our actions in our own personal life.

I’m sure there is some etiquate that probably say’s I can’t send a message to my dear friend HH Mahavishnu Swami, but he remains a very dear friend, confidant and guide and Yes I know it’s a little early but just incase I forget (and indeed I will) I have put some words together for his appearance day.

Dear Maharaja,
Dearest friend and ever well wisher

I recall the first time we met, how instead of letting me pay my obeisances as I desired but instead you gave me the biggest hug possible and how you expressed such humble admiration that I was going to take you from Wales to London Town a small service.

I remember how I did not know the way so relied on the sat-nav, our journey proved a remarkable one as we passed many places from the early days of ISKCON in the UK and you freely shared many thoughts highlights and realizations, a journey beyond compare.

Each year you’ve taken time from a very busy schedule to visit us here in Wales, encouraging everyone taking the Welsh people to your heart as they too took you to heart especially the young ones. You remain the only Maharaja who out of compassion visits each and every devotee in the remote area’s of Wales, bringing the greatest gift your association that you give so freely.

But it’s that compassion that makes you so dear to us that draws us ever closer and focused on devotee life, you describe yourself as the default Guru for many souls as your the only Guru that visits these war torn countries, but this just shows that your not the default Guru but by far the most compassionate and caring your only concern is to save the fallen souls.

Srila Prabhupada shared with each and every one who was willing to listen showing great mercy and understanding of the condition each soul finds ourselves in; and that you remain the most humble of servants just following the orders of your spiritual master, remaining true to his words propagating Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu Sankirtana movement throughout the whole world this remains always your focus and desire.

In many ways I remain unable to find my way out of the quad-mire of material suffering but just like our first journey you point out and highlight all the spiritual delights that can be seen whilst giving simple but practical advice; understanding the suffering and attachment we have either knowing or unknowing.

You remain a dear friend and ever well-wisher to us all, and pray that each and every day you become stronger and ever more focused in your efforts, setting the finest example in how to serve the mission and relive the suffering of this material life so that we too can return home.

Your Humble Servant
Dave