In the holy presence of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami and Her Grace Malati Devi, early pioneers of the Krishna. Consciousness Movement, I am embraced by my old and dear friend, His Grace Nrsimha Kavacha Prabhu, ISKCON’S Deity Worship Minister, at the end of Day 1 of the GBC Meetings in Mayapur.
The most important item of staying in a holy place is associating with the holy devotees. The high point was seeing many of my dear mentors and friends for the first time in 3 years! Attended the afternoon session of the GBC meetings, which included an enlivening discussion of the development of Krishna consciousness in western countries. I moved into my quarters to stay with His Holiness Bhakti Prabhava Swami Maharaja. Lunch with His Grace Bindu Madhava Prabhu, a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada, whom I had never met before, was also a unique treat as he shared his service history to Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON.
CC Madhya 9.194, Purport: “Spirit is not within the jurisdiction of material eyes, words or mind.”
Similarly, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.84.13) states: yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhīḥ yat-tīrtha-buddhiḥ salile na karhicij janeṣv abhijñeṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ
“A human being who identifies his body made of three elements with his self, who considers the by-products of his body to be his kinsmen, who considers the land of his birth worshipable, and who goes to a place of pilgrimage simply to take a bath rather than to meet men of transcendental knowledge there is to be considered like an ass or a cow.”
In the holy presence of His Holiness Jayapataka Swami and Her Grace Malati Devi, early pioneers of the Krishna. Consciousness Movement, I am embraced by my old and dear friend, His Grace Nrsimha Kavacha Prabhu, ISKCON’S Deity Worship Minister, at the end of Day 1 of the GBC Meetings in Mayapur.
Celebrating Nityananda Appearance Day in Avataridesh* on the way to India. Last night, I reached Mumbai. Today, traveling to Mayapur.
*Avataridesh is a community in a country where the government has not yet given official permission for spiritual gatherings beyond those representing the local culture. Thus, It is most appropriate not to mention that country’s name in social media posts.
Touch The Holy WaterMorning WalkWith Loving Hosts and FriendsHearing Bhagavad Gita 12.13 – 20 during Prasadam FeastBlissful Association of DevoteesA Warm Welcome!A Sacred Visit
New York City: I was the last passenger to board the flight from Portland, Oregon, USA, to Newark, New Jersey. As I approached my window seat, a passenger sitting in the middle seat of the row behind me hopefully enquired, “Would you mind trading seats? I would like to sit next to my wife.” He then showed me his copy of Bhagavad Gita As It Is. With a warm smile and a sparkle in his eye, he then offered, “Perhaps it was meant to be!!”. I calmly replied, “I can’t argue with that.” I motioned that he could have a seat next to his wife by the window. Then I smiled and shared, “I hope you have a happy and pleasant journey.”
By Lord Krishna’s grace, an alert stewardess promptly offered me an empty isle seat, so I had plenty of space to stretch out. During the flight, I met with the gentleman and his wife, Cornelius and Jamie. Cornelius is deeply absorbed in the Christian Faith, and about to become a Chaplan. He also has a background in Kundalini Yoga. We had some delightful discussions, and I shared a book with him, “Easy Journey to Other Planets”.
When we landed, he and Jamie helped me collect my luggage, included my oversized “Holy Staff – Sannyasi Trdanda.” When we found it, we thought to take a picture together to commemorate our special “Interfaith moment”. We plan to meet up again during my visit to New Jersey this weekend.
I have been staying at Radha Govinda Mandir, ISKCON New York in Brooklyn. I am happy to say that it is a vibrant atmosphere with more than twenty five devotees attending the morning programs and going out for chanting and book distribution.
I am in the Greater New York Area till Jan. 28th, when I plan to fly out of Washington DC, back towards UAE and India. Here is my tentative Schedule:
Thursday, Jan 19: 7 pm – 8 pm: Kirtan at The Bhakti Center, 25 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
Vrndavana Prabhu and Bhakta Avatar Residence cum Ashram / ISKCON Inland Empire Preaching Centre.
My six days in San Diego were blissful. I received the opportunity to give several classes at our ISKCON temple, including a Sunday Feast Lecture on Christmas, some Srimad Bhagavatam Classes, and a Krishna Lounge interactive presentation. The excellent hospitality of the devotees there melted my heart.
After six days in San Diego, I arrived in Riverside. It’s great to be with my old and dear friends Bhakta Avatar Prabhu, Vrndavana Prabhu, and their families. Today, in celebration of New Year’s Eve, we ventured out into the downtown of Riverside and the Festival of Lights. We enjoyed Harinam Sankirtan (chanting and dancing in the shopping pedestrian street). The people that were out walking around enjoyed it too.
I wish all my friends a blissful and healthy Krishna conscious New Year.
H.H Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami visits ISKCON Juhu.
Sunday, 24 July, 2022: ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai India: I had the good fortune to join a group of Youth in ISKCON Juhu for kirtan in the beautiful “Heaven on Earth” project of ISKCON Juhu. I love the Youth audience as they are full of life and enthusiastic. They make me feel young again!
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