Fireside Check-in - Say hi to everyone by the warm fire!

I need to feel a bit more community with everyone here - I feel like I have offended people here and do not feel the warmth that is here with everyone. Hereby I invite, and hope, everyone will come here every few days and say hi to each other and tell us a little of what is going on in you life. Thank you.

Hi Everyone! It is a cold day in Missouri, but life goes on. Best wishes to everyone. Radhey-Shyam!

Addicted to sadhu-sanga, Internet style, are you? I am still working on the final draft of Madhurya Kadambini. It is cold outside, snowing right now. We had ice the other day, so it's real slippery outside. I actually went out for the first time in days at noon. Snow was late in coming this year...

No offenses taken, but I know how it feels. Just losing contact slightly makes you wonder what you've done.

Jagat - great to hear from you. Yeah it does at times - i know alot of us are busy right now as well. I am slowly working on some things that wil hopefully bring in what we all need for Sadhu-sanga and other seva - Grantha-seva, etc. It will take months, but............whats new...right?

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Things here are as hectic as it get's. At work this is the busiest and most hectic season. I am attempting to get everything wrapped up as much as possible because on Monday I leave for Vraja! The entir family is extremely excited to leave but there is also so much to do in the next 3 days...

My anticipation for this trip has been building for the last year. It has been 4 years since my last trip to Vraja and I took so much from my last visit that this one is monumental in my life. I look forward to finally meeting Sri Ananta dasa Babaji and hearing from him. Through the last 8 months so much has developed in terms of faith and my desire to seek his shelter.

For my family this has been something of a trial. My wife and I married to serve SDG together and this obviously effects that aspect. I have assured both my wife and SDG that my desire isn;t to leave that relationship behind... rather let it play it's course through service and sanga while allowing me to seek the shelter I feel I need. They both seem to accept it, albeit in a sad state, but i believe as things progress we can shake that all off. So I hope to take diksa from Baba in the near future but we will see what Srimati Radharani has in store.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday and please pray for my family and I that we have access to the Vaisnavas and Sri Radhikas mercy in the dhama!

Aspiring to serve the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

JD33:
Thanks for the great topic! Wonderful idea...

Well, for the last week, my wife has been doing business travel in England, so I've actually had some time to increase my japa... a nice bonus.

Outside of GV, I've been working on learning more about my topic du jour, shared virtual experiences. Using a modded XBox, I've been playing around with the shared worlds created by such games as Halo2, using the XLink Kai software. While running around shooting virtual people is probably not something that appeals to many here, the game is just the wrapper around the experience. Games themselves are just one potential option (tho the most profitable). As most people here don't know, my oldest daughter (the one in my profile pic) has a condition called apraxia, which is a lack of muscle control over the speech producing parts of the mouth.. its the same thing stroke victims have. Outside of the intense speech therapy I do with her to help her gain control (and she is making incredible progress), communication is a key area for her. I've been playing/researching ideas like The Sims for providing interaction/communication experiences. Anyways, its a topic I could probably go on forever about, and I'm sure its of little interest to those here... but its what I've been looking into

Dave, Yugal is working on some 3D-schemes of the various lila-sthalis depicted in the maps of the Gutika of Siddha Baba. I believe he'll also be extending that to 3D-Radha-Krishna. So he's onto something there.

As for myself, I am now following in the footsteps of Gaura Kishora Das Babaji, spending a lot of quality time in the latrine, thanks to the feast the day before yesterday that I sincerely tried to avoid. 38 degrees fever thanks to that, and feeling real fresh here. It's 3.51 AM, peacocks are singing, dogs are barking and the loudspeakers from Barha Baba's mandir blast out, "Bhaja Nitai Gaura Radhe Shyam, Japa Hare Krishna Hare Ram." A strange sound is coming from the yard, as if someone was dragging a bucket around in five second intervals. I leave that as the mystery of the night. All things considered, I'm doing pretty good here.

Great to hear from all of you! Monday is Shiva's Day and so all auspisousness (best wishes fullfilled) to you Rasaraj and family!

Interesting investigations DharmaChakra - I was unaware of your daughter's condition - sounds like she is in good hands! My nephew is online hours everyday 'communicating' - he is addicted to Simms (I think). This is a different time than we had - interesting to see what will become of it all when the kids grow up and do their work in the world.

Madhava, sorry to hear of your condition. at least the intensity is at Radha's feet! I didn't know Boro Baba had an ashram there! good news and to hear the Kirtan all day & night I guess? over loud speakers - I wonder whose idea was that? (lol).

I wish I can but get a few minutes to be in Vraja again - Madhava - kindly send my Satstanga Dandivat to Radha-kund Mahonta Sri Sri Ananta Das Pandit Baba and ask his compassion that I may one day soon come back to Vraja, especially Sri Radha Kund!

I remember late at night there was a Babaji (Madan Gopal Baba - I think). He use to softly cry out Radha's name - aching for her for hours - Sri Ananta Das Baba will remember. Jai Sri Radhey!

Nice to tune in to everyone's universe, even a latrine at Radha Kunda! Whew, I wish I could say I was at Radha Kunda. I'll try to go there in my mind...

I just finished the most intense semester at school. Had too many classes, too many kids, too much work and thought I was going to lose my mind for a while. Finally it has ended for one month. Taking it easy, reading some, relaxing some. Thanks for sharing your lives.

QUOTE(Madhava @ Dec 10 2004, 06:21 PM)

As for myself, I am now following in the footsteps of Gaura Kishora Das Babaji, spending a lot of quality time in the latrine, thanks to the feast the day before yesterday that I sincerely tried to avoid. 38 degrees fever thanks to that, and feeling real fresh here.

Just in case anyone didn't get the reference

QUOTE(An Era not to be Forgotten)

Several days later, the landowner of the dharmashalla in Navadwip by the name Giris Babu, once came to Gaurkisora dasa Babaji with his wife. The wife of Giris Babu very seriously asked Srial Gaurakisora, "Please instruct us as to how we can construct a small kuthir so you can worship. YOu are remaining throughout the rainy season and hot season with very litle shelter, thus, you are suffering very greatily. We have felt this within our hearts."

Gaurakisora das Babaji Maharaja then replied, "I am feeling no anxiety whatsoever residing in my small hut. I have one trouble, if the both of you could just tolerate hearing it. Many persons come to me and very deceptively ask again and again 'krpa koro. krpa koro.' (bestow your mercy upon me) and thus my worship is interrupted. They are not interested in their own real benefit, but as a resuslt of coming, my wordhip is disturbed.. If both of you could just give me some of your stool herein this place where I perform my wordhip unto the Lord, that would be very favorable. I would be abel to chant Hare Krsna day and night. By depositing this stool, people would not like to come here. If you con't do this, then many pople will come and waste my time and thus, this human form of life."

Hearing this, the wife of Giris Babu said, "Oh Babaji Maharaja, that instruction which you gave to us is certainly to be taken to heart, but if we pass stool and offer it to you in the place where you perform wordhip, won't that result in unlimited sinful reactions."

Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja then said, "I am not a devotee. Those persons who are the owners of large temples, and who wear long matted hair, are actually devotees. I haven't received any result in the performance of my devotion. so, therefore, the place where I reside is fit to receive your stool. If just the both fo you could just offer me your stool, then please speak up because otherwise I have nothing to say to either of you."

Giris Babu and his wife agreed to his proposal and said, "Even though you won't stay in the hut. Still, if there sre two huts then your servants can stay in one of them." Following this, Giris Babu and his wife cleaned out the small room of Gaurakisora dasa Babaji and constructed another small room with the help of carpenter. Srila Gaurakisora, after he realized what they had done never would enter into the room which Giris Babu had built. Therefore, Gaurakisora das Babaji, knowing the smell of stool in the form of false prestige and the desire for women and wealth was stronger and longer lasting than the smell of the stool where persons would go to use the bathroom at this residence in this dharmshalla. He resided six months in the area where persons that lived in the dharmshalla passed stool.

Madhava.. look on the bright side.. the most time you could occupy it is 4 months...

Hola! Radhe!

I'm in Delhi, a place that I feel a strange affinity for. Perhaps it's the near constant noise and lung shrivelling pollution that does it for me. Honestly, I don't know why I like it so much. This morning, while stuck in traffic--they're building a metro but short term the construction chokes the roads--I was drawn to a guy's bike as it looked like it had barnacles growing on one of the shafts. It took me a while to figure out that the bike had originally come in plastic bubble wrap and now there was only a small, dust covered section remaining. That's why I like India: the dusty bubble wrap, a token of pride and newness, clinging on while daily existence covers it, wears it away.

I read Prema Bhakti Chandrika this morning, for some reason reading from the end to the beginning. I love that book. Narottama Das Thakur is one of the few people I can hear strong words from--when he speaks of poison, of shafts in the heart, of giving up sin, it all makes sense. He loves Radha. Hearing him speak of lila-katha, of manjari seva, of being able to understand the hints of the gopis, that gives me faith in the raganugiya saints like nothing else.

radhika-caranasraya kare jei mahasaya
tanre muni jana balihari

Jaya Sri Radhe! Jaya Sri Bhakta Samaj!

I once insulted someone in India by saying, "India is a place where everything starts falling apart before it's finished."

Here, we are in the midst of our first real snowstorm of the year. So when it gets light, or rather, when my son wakes up, we'll go out and indulge in our favorite winter pastime--shoveling snow. But since there hasn't been much wind, all trees seem to have an inch or two of snow on every branch and twig, giving that Christmas wonderland feel that makes the first snowfall a rather agreeable event. By March, we'll be cursing.

And I have my first flu of the season--all the disagreeable symptoms, especially a rather raw saw throat. I spent a lot of yesterday sleeping.

Not as interesting as Delhi "dusty bubble wrap" but letting you all know that Canada is doing its thing. Northerners like Madhava can chuckle (in their latrines) that at least they're not shoveling snow!

QUOTE(Jagat @ Dec 11 2004, 11:22 AM)

Not as interesting as Delhi "dusty bubble wrap" but letting you all know that Canada is doing its thing. Northerners like Madhava can chuckle (in their latrines) that at least they're not shoveling snow!

I would much rather be shoveling snow than the thing that piles up in the latrine!

Anyhow I seem to be getting better here. We are now working on making proper puja-manuals etc. for Baba's disciples, thus far they have been fairly destandardized and the spelling of Sanskrit has been awfully Bengali-ish.

JD - yes, they've had an ashram for a while already. It's not exactly at Radha-kunda though, it's a bit after Gaura Dham colony in Kusuma Sarovara direction, I'm not sure they count that area as Radha-kunda any more. Anyhow they sure were playing it out loud. I am not myself that big on the loudspeakers, I prefer silence for bhajana, and kirtana I can hear whenever I'm in the mood, and I can find my way to the kirtan then. Most of the time, my focus isn't strong enough to black out all external sensations.

I will certainly convey your dandavat next time I meet Baba.

QUOTE(Madhava @ Dec 10 2004, 10:21 PM)

Dave, Yugal is working on some 3D-schemes of the various lila-sthalis depicted in the maps of the Gutika of Siddha Baba. I believe he'll also be extending that to 3D-Radha-Krishna. So he's onto something there.

As for myself, I am now following in the footsteps of Gaura Kishora Das Babaji, spending a lot of quality time in the latrine, thanks to the feast the day before yesterday that I sincerely tried to avoid. 38 degrees fever thanks to that, and feeling real fresh here. It's 3.51 AM, peacocks are singing, dogs are barking and the loudspeakers from Barha Baba's mandir blast out, "Bhaja Nitai Gaura Radhe Shyam, Japa Hare Krishna Hare Ram." A strange sound is coming from the yard, as if someone was dragging a bucket around in five second intervals. I leave that as the mystery of the night. All things considered, I'm doing pretty good here.

Virtual sadhu-sanga is the next best thing, I suppose, but I worry a bit that future generations might conform too much with less than the real thing, which can never, in my opinion, be replaced. Not even by glittery production of the magnitude of Hollywood. That is why I am taking my daughters to India in a few weeks despite warnings from their teachers that they will have lots of catching up to do in the Spring. We (I, and more frequently now, my daughter) can read at GD indefinitely, and we indeed do, but I am absolutely antecipative of meeting Ananta Das Baba and his followers at Radhakunda, if I will be so fortunate, and then, what eletronic exchange can match the accomplishment of talking with Madhavananda personally!

By the way, Madhava, tomorrow I will be attending Malatilata's friend's wedding at the local temple, so I plan on taking a couple of pictures so to bring and show (digital camera is in Hawaii at the moment). It is unusual warm and breeze here, so it feels like early spring instead of winter, which makes the bride extra happy because she will not need to wear a coat.

But enough...

Thank you everyone paricipating - It is warm & wonderful!

QUOTE

Braja: I read Prema Bhakti Chandrika this morning, for some reason reading from the end to the beginning. I love that book. Narottama Das Thakur is one of the few people I can hear strong words from--when he speaks of poison, of shafts in the heart, of giving up sin, it all makes sense. He loves Radha. Hearing him speak of lila-katha, of manjari seva, of being able to understand the hints of the gopis, that gives me faith in the raganugiya saints like nothing else.

Thanks Braja - it makes so much sense - to be getting hit the depth and real-ness of what we are doing and being inspired so much, so deeply. Thank you for posting that! Hope all is going well for you in India!

I hear you Anand - I am a bit cautious about electronic Lila, but whatever works (that don't harm anyone, anything) is good! Best wishes to you and your family on your trip to the Holy Land! As to everyone here (including me!

)

Jagat - hope to get well again - It is cold here - we may get snow again this comming week. otherwise all is well! Love and best wishes to everyone! Sincerely!

Hi everyone! Sunny w/clouds today. Sunday - A particular Holy day here in the USA - due to the Christians. I feel so happy - so many of you will be in Vraja - in Sri Radha-Kund! ay!

Hi everyone!
Madan Gopla - do you live in NC? what is it like there? does it snow? Does it get humid in summer?

With my hard drive in bits and pieces, I'm a bit restricted on chatting anywhere for the next two days...

Driving to Delhi and back tomorrow.

Bul Bul has some relatives in for a visit from Bangladesh, six of them or so. They are going for various parikramas, and Bul Bul asked us to join. Let's see if we can get our schedules to match theirs.

Weather is still good, sun shines and kirtan plays.

QUOTE(JD33 @ Dec 13 2004, 03:43 PM)

Hi everyone!
Madan Gopla - do you live in NC? what is it like there? does it snow? Does it get humid in summer?

Yes, NC. Great weather - at least for my modes of nature. Last week it was 70 degrees! Now its getting a little bit cold. 40's-50's during the day. Clear skies. Snows very rarely. Two or three times a year and its usually wet/rainy snow. Summers are humid. Can rain a lot in spring or fall.

I have a paper route that I deliver at 3 a.m. Clear skies and bright stars all across the sky. Lots of deer, racoons, foxes, possum (ugly ugly creature). Very green place with many trees. Ocean not too far away.

Thank you for the info Madon Gopla! - I am very interested in the area - the climate, the people, the wildlife and land prices!

Radhe Radhe

Nandagram

Software : Maya Unlimited 6

P.S. Just an idea. Not exactly as in the map of Sidha Krishna Das Baba.

Attachment:

QUOTE

Thank you for the info Madon Gopla! - I am very interested in the area - the climate, the people, the wildlife and land prices!

I just picked up on this. Are you interested in this area for relocation? Right next to us there is a property for sale at the moment, owned by devotees who went back live in NY. And down the road from us there is land for sale, also owned by devotees. Prices are average, land is about 6,000/acre. Let me know if you like further information on those two places.

Hi Anand. Thank you for responding. I am looking for a large piece of land - that would have to be less than 6k an acre. I thought I would put feelers out. In the next year I will be scouting out large parcels of land that have climate simular to Vraja.

...it was "horizontal snow" (ie wind and snow) here today...

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I humbly beg to take leave of the presence of all you great Vaishnavas.

Later today (Thurs) I am flying out to Sri Lanka to attend a cousin's wedding and the trip will last 2 weeks upto a month. I will be deprived of your company for all of that time.

I will try to login from there whenever I can, but it is highly unlikely given the hustle and bustle of your typical wedding.

For reading material, I have decided to take the 'Siksastaka' commentary of Sri Ananta dasji.

I will leave your company with a very nice pada..

A safe and successful trip for you!

Hi Everyone! Jai Sri Radhey! Sri Madon-Mohan!

Wanted to check in and hear how everyone is doing........

Things are ok here. Traveling quite a bit seeing clients, etc. Will be in process for a change in residence sometime in near future - or if things don't go that way then will settle down here for another year or so.

kindly respond

I would love to hear from you all.

Jaya Radhe, nice to see you again!

Nothing new going on here. I have decided to start reading Caitanya Bhagavata.

Hi Gaurasundar - Thank you - I really appreciate it when we extend ourselves to each other in a simple personal way. How else to we begin to become friends........ right? Thats nice to hear; What edition are you reading? in what language?

Hey JD. It was good to have a conversation by phone with you the other day. How is that translation of Baba's biography going? I was really looking forward to reading that.

Mina - you are asking pubilicy - yikes! There is another one that is better and so it will take quite some time to get it all together - I will be comming to Chicago sometime in September..... plus I brought a Mridanga to Missouri....... do you have Kartals?

QUOTE(JD33 @ Aug 6 2005, 03:31 PM)

What edition are you reading? in what language?

I haven't got anything other than the one published by Vrajraj Press. It has Bengali text with English translation. I look through it and quote from it often enough so I figured that I had better read the whole thing from the beginning!

What are you reading these days? And for that matter, what is everyone else reading?

Hi Gaursundar. I hardly read. My teacher wanted me to mostly do practice. I am not reading anything at this time. I wish I had the desire to read........... The last thing I was reading was the newer translation of Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu - and re-reading several old editions of Baro Baba's Life.

Publicly? Well, as far as this is public venue with the small number of people that visit this site.

I have a couple sets of karatals - the small ones and the big ones, as well as a khol made in Vrindavan (not as good as the drums made in Calcutta, but not bad), and a cheap gong.

Oh that's nice JD. Out of interest, what is this "new" translation and who is it by?

The one by Haberman. printed in India somewhere. It seems quite good - not knowing the Sanskrit language though - I cannot say it is accurate or not, but I like it.

Mina - I don't know why you (and any others here) don't move down here and start a real focused community for Bhajan, etc. I have a 3 bedroom house here almost completely ready to live in.

We also have a 3 bedroom house, which has been our saving grace as it has appreciated in recent years while our job situations have been bleak.

If you guys were located in a more ideal climate, such as Hawaii, then you may attract more people to move to your locale. As for me, I'm trying to save up enough money to move away from these brutal winters.

ok - gotch-ya. The winters here are not so brutal. Where esle (besides hawaii) would be good? This question is for everyone!

QUOTE(JD33 @ Aug 18 2005, 01:11 AM)

ok - gotch-ya. The winters here are not so brutal. Where esle (besides hawaii) would be good? This question is for everyone!

Since you are comparing Hawaii, I guess the nearest paradise would be California, though many other nice places are out there, but association is fundamental.

Hi Hari Saran - yes Calif is nice, but mostly prohibitive as to cost - unless someone donates land, etc. I will check into it over the next few years. You are in Hawaii though - where? what do you think about it?

QUOTE(JD33 @ Aug 21 2005, 12:05 AM)

Hi Hari Saran - yes Calif is nice, but mostly prohibitive as to cost - unless someone donates land, etc. I will check into it over the next few years. You are in Hawaii though - where? what do you think about it?

Hi JD33, about Hawaii, what can I say more then to confirm that it is a truly paradise; we are in a little Town in BI, named Honokaa, which means (in Hawaiian language) the breath of God. Near by there is the famous Waipio Valley, which is a real breathtaking.

At the moment we are in an ex-retreat center named Earth Aware Hawaii Farm, but for some legal issues, only the temple ( The Golden Volcano ) and the organic garden, integrated with a yoga center in Town, can actually operate. In other words, all the activities of E.A.H.F. had to be adjusted to a fresh start and just happened that we landed right in the middle of this transitional moment; so far everything is fine.

I have to add that my experience of Hawaii ( Maui, Oahu, Big Island) is very limited, I have been here for less then an year, but there are other devotes like Babhru and Kesava, who can really give you a broader picture of this piece of Satya-Yuga.

Swimming in the water falls of Waipio

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Nimai playing with his friends.

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There are a number of suitable locales. For example, Cancun, Mexico, Bora Bora (a little remote except maybe for the Aussies and Kiwis), Rio, St. Augustine Florida (the only real downside is the hurricanes, which is true for any of the Gulf states). Anyone been to Cabo?

On another subject - I have been giving some more thought on how to deal with both IGM people and those completely new to Caitanyaism. Jagat and I had some discussions on the issue back in 1980. At the time I was of the opinion that we should just focus on our bhajan and forget about preaching. He felt that it was our obligation to teach Rupanuga bhakti to others. Nitai and I started the Time After Time newsletter in the late 1980s, but its circulation was primarly among academics, and only a handful of them were sAdhakas. It only lasted a short time, since he was busy completing his PhD and his wife had a baby.

I think we are currently at a crossroads. We need to decide how much involvement and guidance we need from senior Boishnabs in India. At the very least, I personally think we should make arrangements as far as possible to have them travel outside India to lecture and give diksha.

Any ideas on this?

The easiest approach as far as a community is using the internet. That is a lot less expensive than making land purchases and developing that land. If we use our hard won capital for that purpose when it could be used for book publication, that could be counter-productive. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I think we need a good business plan in addition to our propagation strategy. In the absence of that, we are just flying by the seat of our pants and flirting with disaster. It will also make it easier to get the larger donations, since those high net worth individuals will want to see how sound we are in that arena. They will not want to see the money they donate mismanaged or squandered.

Just a thought, though I have less idea about socio-economic situation in the west. Book publishing etc. is very much required, but don't you think that you need some place to retire to completely absorbed in bhajan in association with others, and eventually make that place some kind of center for spiritual advice for new comer in the path and those are housholder. Kind of Vaishnava akhdra ? In this way this culture will persist in future here also. Imagine like in India, in future you can probably built some kind of temple,trust or society in remembrance of any advanced sidhdha western devotee, as we generally see in India. We need to make some kind of self sustaining process in west for Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Just a thought.

Jay Nitai

Radhe!

I have been hearing that to buy land in the Big Island, HI, is possible because the prices are still good. However, I confess that I really wish if there is any possibility to develop a community in India. I say that out of two reasons, first the money from west can have a better impact over there and second because we all could be much closer to the holy dhamas and sadhus, which could culminate into a tangible spiritual progress.

In India we already have established communities in Braj, West Bengal and Orissa. Perhaps somewhere in the South, which puts one a reasonable flight or train ride from the dhams. I think the problem with residing in or near the dhams is the overcrowding, pollution, crime, poverty etc.

There is certainly a necessity for viable retirement enclaves both in the West and in India, as well as in Australia or thereabouts. My point is that book publication is a more realistic goal for now, given the time and resources needed for both those types of projects and establishing real world communities that are geographically contiguous.

QUOTE(Mina @ Aug 21 2005, 04:46 PM)

At the very least, I personally think we should make arrangements as far as possible to have them travel outside India to lecture and give diksha.

Any ideas on this?

I think its a good idea. With the recent trip to Vienna (or was it Germany?) by Prabhupada Premgopal Gosvami, it could set off a new trend.

QUOTE(Mina)

My point is that book publication is a more realistic goal for now, given the time and resources needed for both those types of projects and establishing real world communities that are geographically contiguous.

Yes, Books are viable ways to commune.

QUOTE(Hari Saran @ Aug 22 2005, 07:41 PM)

QUOTE(Mina)

My point is that book publication is a more realistic goal for now, given the time and resources needed for both those types of projects and establishing real world communities that are geographically contiguous.

Yes, Books are viable ways to commune.

Just to complement the thought; you are right.

It is really actually around the books (such as Bhagavat Purana, Bhagavat-Gita and many others) that the Vaishnava community has been growing as giant self-sustainable Mandalas. In other words, as the enumerable heads of Ananta-Sesa keep the planets in orbit, in the same way, books uphold the variety of Vaishnava Mandalas floating together.

Books=Communities.

Yes, and we need high quality publications with minimal mistakes, typographical errors and mistranslations. I like the approach of having the devanagari, Harvard-Kyoto transliteration, and word for word translation along with the English text. Of course, that is obviously much more work to produce than just an English translation. I also would very much like to see new illustrations from contemporary artists, whether they be Indian or Western artists. For all of their shortcomings, ISKCON at least produced some remarkable paintings. Their best artist, Baradraj Das, is apparently available right now to work on a commission/royalty basis - in fact I believe he would very much appreciate getting some work at this time. The biggest obstacle in landing his talent is going to be an aversion on his part to working with the non-ISKCON GV community. Then again, money talks!

Looks like everybody is pretty busy these days. Not many posts here recently. I know JD33 is traveling. It's been pretty hectic for me. I'm am not looking forward to the bitter cold weather just around the corner. We have had some nice dry weather for a change, but the downside is not enough rain for crops. They had to declare one county near here a disaster area on account of the damage to the corn. The drought does not look like its going to end any time soon either. Nostradamus apparently predicted the storms, drought and famine around this time. Maybe he really could see the future, considering the pounding of the Gulf coast by a string of violent hurricanes and the tsunami last winter.

Well, we are just trying to age gracefully here. The 'wife' has some disc problems in her lower back and is unable to work full time. I'm still struggling to get my trading & futures brokerage business off the ground. Looks like we finally have a day trading method on stock index mini contracts that shows some great promise. We are going to find out for sure over the next few weeks. I hired another trader to help with the trades, so that I don't have to sit in a chair from 8:30 AM til 3:15 PM five days a week. At my age, that is very grueling duty. Nitai (aka The Nutty Professor

) is urging me to get back to the translations in progress including the gutika and Sundarananda's book on the guru (Vaisnava-siddhante Sri-guru-svarupa). I have been too busy publishing magazine articles for business (just had one come out in September issue of Futures Magazine - they actually paid me for that one, which was a good thing for us, considering our financial predicament - we had to tap the equity in the house via refinancing just to make ends meet).

At any rate... Hope everyone is well and in good health and advancing on the path of raganuga bhakti.

Where is everyone? No posts here still (other than mine). This Katrina hurricane disaster is really horrendous, along with the appalling level of incompetence of the various governmental agencies whose responsibility it is to respond to such events.

Aside from all of that, some people are starting to question the existence of a Deity. "How can a compassionate God let such tragedies happen to people?" is their question. Well, I think the appropriate response to them should be that they are only considering this world of cause and effect and temporary states and not even thinking about what lies beyond their sense perception and the afterlife. What is also absurd about their current state of doubt is that these types of natural disasters have always been happening as far back as written history has recorded them. Why have they not questioned the existence of God before? Why should these recent calamities be so much more significant than those that have happened in the past?

Still it does pose an interesting problem for theologians. Why all of the suffering in general, let alone this type of misery on a mass scale? Does karma entirely account for all of it? Well, we know what our Caitanyaite tradition teaches in this connection. It is not so problematic for us, but for those of the Judeo-Christian faith that may not be so. It behooves us to instruct such persons to the best of our ability, not so much to convert them to Caitanyaism, but to to provide solace and hope.

I'm here. Coding late at night, deadlines pressing on, hoping to get most of it out of the way so as to have some peaceful time tomorrow for Radhastami celebrations. I don't complain, as work translates into income, and income is the one thing we need now to further our plans for migrating to Vraja in due course.

I once conveyed a question to my Baba, following the tragic tsunami-incident, on whether such mass devastations occur due to karma, and then, how would it be possible for all those people with the same karma to have come there at the same exact time. Baba related how it wasn't anyone's karma, but rather pralaya. An integral mechanism of the world occuring from time to time, as we read of the periodical devastations occuring at the end of Brahma's days and occasionally in between the eras of the Manus, and finally at the end of Brahma's life as the entire show unwinds.

Such cataclysmic events aren't caused by any particular individual's karma beyond it being their karma to die. Well whose isn't it? It's a part of the deal in being in this world. Nobody said it's a carefree environment if you play your cards right. Such an assumption spans from theological models that seek heaven on earth, the coming of the kingdom of god to among us. We can all skim over Watchtower and the likes to get a glimpse of the promised vision, the utopian world. Indeed the story goes that such realms do exist within this world, but they certainly aren't within our grasp at the moment.

The fifth book of the Bhagavata, describing the tracts of Jambudvipa, tells of the regions beyond the land of Bharata-varsha that spans from the salt-water ocean in the south to the snow-mountains of the north. Regions beyond the snow-mountains, the rest of the provinces of Jambudvipa, are said to be heavenly realms on earth. Provinces like the former Soviet Union fall in the area.

At least one can make intelligent decisions about where to live in relatively less danger, despite the fact that there is always danger at every step in this world. Heck - I am always cutting or burning my hands in the kitchen, but of course I have Surya eclipsed by Mangal in my Jyotish chakra, so that is no big surprise. The engineers who built New Orleans below sea level without adequate dikes and levees are largely to blame for this recent catastrophe. If you build on a swamp in a hurricane track, it is far more problematic than building on a hilltop far inland. I now work in the second tallest building in Chicago, which is a prime target for terrorists. Does that make me nervous? Perhaps not. Since it is so well guarded, I think terrorists are going to pick an easier target should they choose to strike the city of Chicago in the near future. I would be much more nervous riding public transportation. The fact that we are on the fifteenth floor of that building is a little dicey, since most fire fighting equipment only reaches as high as twelve stories, but I figure it is a quick dash down three flights of stairs, if necessary, to get to that level. The spiders who built webs outside the windows are in far more danger of being eaten by a larger spider or bird than we are in our climate controlled glass and steel tower.

Enough about the dangers of the earthly realm. It is time to think about Shri Radhika and Her special day.

Does anybody has any informations about Navadwip Ji? He has not been online since 7th August? If he is OK?

Jay Nitai

Not me. He's living on the mountains in Switzerland and has a dialup connection, perhaps he's out of connection? I recall he's dropped out on a couple of occasions in the past for some time.

As I've gone back to university to get a BSc. in Psychology, the first day of the 2nd year starts later today. I shall be looking forward to getting my greedy hands on all those lovely academic materials.

I've prepared a little for this by trying to re-familiarise myself with some of the key concepts, as well as trying to read up on some current academic views on my own. Some interesting viewpoints there; I can try and work out if there are any paralleles within our own Gaudiya tradition when I get some free time. Already I've discovered how Stephen Jay Gould (Rocks of Ages) suggests that science and religion do not necessarily have to be in conflict with each other since they represent different magisterias. I need to read a little bit further with that so I can understand how practical implementations of that can occur.

Still enjoying the Caitanya-bhagavat also. I want to write something about it in the coming days when I get some time.

I also had a rather drastic haircut in preparation for uni. Anyone know the style where you brush your hair forward and then brush the front upwards to give a sort of spiky look? I wanted that, but my hairdresser cut it too short, so now I look like The Terminator about to join the US Army!

"'I'll Be Back", indeed!

Lucky Advaita has gone to Vraja and is trying to get to Navadvipa also. Madhava is preparing for his own upcoming trip. What's everyone else upto? Any news?

Radhe Radhe!

Trying to get my own trip to Radha Kunda for November. Waiting for final word from my Manager and my wife... so far so good. I need to get away...

Rasaraja dasa

QUOTE(Gaurasundara @ Sep 25 2005, 04:14 PM)

As I've gone back to university to get a BSc. in Psychology, the first day of the 2nd year starts later today. I shall be looking forward to getting my greedy hands on all those lovely academic materials.

I've prepared a little for this by trying to re-familiarise myself with some of the key concepts, as well as trying to read up on some current academic views on my own. Some interesting viewpoints there; I can try and work out if there are any paralleles within our own Gaudiya tradition when I get some free time. Already I've discovered how Stephen Jay Gould (Rocks of Ages) suggests that science and religion do not necessarily have to be in conflict with each other since they represent different magisterias. I need to read a little bit further with that so I can understand how practical implementations of that can occur.

Still enjoying the Caitanya-bhagavat also. I want to write something about it in the coming days when I get some time.

I also had a rather drastic haircut in preparation for uni. Anyone know the style where you brush your hair forward and then brush the front upwards to give a sort of spiky look? I wanted that, but my hairdresser cut it too short, so now I look like The Terminator about to join the US Army!

"'I'll Be Back", indeed!

Lucky Advaita has gone to Vraja and is trying to get to Navadvipa also. Madhava is preparing for his own upcoming trip. What's everyone else upto? Any news?

QUOTE(Rasaraja dasa @ Sep 25 2005, 10:04 PM)

Radhe Radhe!

Trying to get my own trip to Radha Kunda for November. Waiting for final word from my Manager and my wife... so far so good. I need to get away...

Rasaraja dasa

Throwing down the gauntlet are we?

Radhe Radhe!

Just got my tickets this evening. I will get 10 days at Radha Kunda... much needed. My the Vaisnavas bless me and allow me to make it in one piece.

Rasaraja dasa

Hello Everyone! Jai Sri Radhey!

Hari Sharan - thank you for your input about Hawaii - kindly keep in touch about anything comming up there, land for sale, etc. I am back in Missouri. Fixing up the house - I have just given it to one of my students who will be moving in in November or so and will be getting into more concentrated practice. Wish everyones Bhajan Sadhana is going well and happy.

Nice to hear from you JD. Where have you been? Sorry I missed the chance to get that house...

Jagat-Ji,

I think of you quite a bit..... I would love for you to have moved here - I am well and good - kindly E-mail me and we can get back into correspondance - I would love that! I see alot of people and travel to 3 cities nowadays. I have recently gotten more celibrity clients and will see how it all unfolds. I am completely astounded in Sriman MahaPrabhu and Sri NitaiChand; Jayatam!

QUOTE(JD33 @ Oct 3 2005, 07:54 PM)

Jagat-Ji,

I think of you quite a bit..... I would love for you to have moved here - I am well and good - kindly E-mail me and we can get back into correspondance - I would love that! I see alot of people and travel to 3 cities nowadays. I have recently gotten more celibrity clients and will see how it all unfolds. I am completely astounded in Sriman MahaPrabhu and Sri NitaiChand; Jayatam!

Nice to know that. I am really happy to hear about your successes. You know that you instill in all of us an increased faith in the Holy Name. I can just feel it in your presence here, and remembering your effulgent appearance in Nabadwip Dham. Jai Radhe!

QUOTE(Jagat @ Oct 3 2005, 08:08 PM)

I can just feel it in your presence here, and remembering your effulgent appearance in Nabadwip Dham. Jai Radhe!

Jagat Ji can you share more about this? We like to hear something about JD which he wants to hide all the time.

Jay Nitai
Dasanudas

Not much new to report here. Still working on various enterprises to get back into positive cash flow territory. Nitai has just sent over a couple chapters of Karunamayi's book for editing, which should go quickly based on the preface that required zero changes/corrections. I'm taking the train to work again, which frees me up for extra japa (which I count on my fingers).

Still hankering to get back to the translation work and lila paintings, but alas there are only so many hours in a week.

Jaya Radhe!

Which book of Karunamayi's is this, may I ask?

The Life and Times of Shri Krishna das Baba