Friends and Krishna Conciousness

Hare Krishna to all the devotees out there. On the 4th of July, Saturday the Sri Mayapur Dham Youth Group had a discussion at the ISKCON temple in Lenasia. It was headed by Manoj a young devotee. The topic was all about Friends and Krishna Consciousness. We first had a short kirtan, then a discussion.

We had an intense discussion with questions like what qualities do you think a friend should have? Which friends would you prefer, materialistic friends or spiritual friends and why? Is there a difference between materialistic and spiritual friends? At the end of the discussion we realised that we should respect and treat our friends with honesty, love and care and that our only Best Friend is Krishna.

Sri Mayapur Dham Youth Group Ki Jai!
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai!
Sri Sri Nitai Gaura Hari Ki Jai!
Nitai Gaura Premanande Hari Hari Bol!

Written by Meera

To celebrate the June/July holidays the youth group decided to go ice-skating! it was a lots of fun and there was lots of laughter as we ventured out on the slippery ice...i think most of us wet our clothes come is in much too close contact with ice ring they we'd have liked! :o)

check out the..pros...



the pros in the making..


all in all a great time with everyone :o)

Haribol!!

Appreciate the spiritual masters

Hare Krsna Devotees

On Monday the 22nd of July, the members of the Blue Lotus Book Club met for there monthly review at Aarti matajis house. This month’s book was titled “Traveling in the service of Srila Prabhupada” by His Holiness Bhakti Caitanya Swami.

Even though not personally having completed reading the book, it was certainly worthwhile attending. What better way to increase your Krishna consciousness then being in the association of devotees and their preaching, for it was a wonderful inspiring discussion. This book certainly made us as devotees understand and appreciate the guru’s we are so blessed with. As devotees living in this material world we are so quick to complain …give up or loose hope.
By reading of our gurus traveling, only then did I realize just how petty we are, as they go through so much more then we do for our benefit and never ever show or tell of there struggle.
We take for granted how fortunate we are to have the association of these maharaja’s and fail to realize just how much they have been through allowing us to have Their association. They are well traveled and certainly most knowledgeable and as Sitala mataji said the least we can do as devotees is make an effort to attend their classes, appreciate them and try to put into practice their preaching.
A specific point I particularly found interesting and useful in hearing was when Gita Govinda Mataji had Mentioned a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam that Bhakti Caitanya Swami explained. The lesson read ‘The lord already knows what we want, and we don’t need to harass Him by constantly praying for material things”, something most of us are guilty of.
All in all the book was gripping and many felt it difficult to stop reading once they had begun. The beautiful pictures complimented the book and was dearly appreciated by us all.

Thank you to Bhakti Caitanya Swami for His mercy, having provided us with this wonderful book. Thank you to our host Aarti, and for all the wonderful prasadam the devotees brought along. Thank you to Hemisha for our wonderful gifts, we certainly are encouraged to read more.

Another wonderful night of tasty prasadam… good company and great conversation.

The Next book club is scheduled for the 13th of July and titled “A Second Chance”

Hope to see you all there.

Your Servant
Reena

Our Eternal Purpose!

2 weeks back we had youth group at Manoj’s place and he lead us in a discussion...or rather several debates leading up to the answer of what is our eternal purpose! Between Caitanya Prabhu and Isvara Puri Prabhu several doubts were removed. The meaning of attachment and the value of yukta vairagya was discussed. How one becomes fortunate enough to meet a devotee is amazing. Are u going to take the staircase or are you going to take the elevator to the top?? The elevator of course! And what is the elevator to get to the top, to fulfil our eternal purpose? Manoj sang it to us as follows:

sarva-dharman parityajya

mam ekam saranam vraja

aham tvam sarva-papebho

mokshayisyami ma sucah

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

Etavan sankhya yogabhyam
Sva-darma-paristhaya
Janma-labhah parah pumsam
Ante narayana smrtih

The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers or by perfect discharge of occupational duty is to REMEMBER THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD AT THE END OF LIFE!

Something to remember!
Krishna is completely independent and self-satisfied, He accepts service from His devotees, and thus remains at the centre of their lives.

Last weeks youth group was held at Meenal’s place where we delved in to our favorite topic of PRASADAM! We’ve found new value is being a Krishnatarian instead of an ordinary vegetarian and the great value of ekadasi and why and for who do we follow it.

Thank you guys for leading these nice topics, it’s certainly been enlightening.

Blooming in the pond of love...

Haribol wonderful devotees
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances. All Glories To Srila Prabhupada!

We enjoyed yet another book club meeting last night. The beautiful bhajan Manah-siksha, Teachings to the Mind (from Präthanä) was sweetly sung by Sitala Matajee and cartels melodiously played by Kandarpa Matajee and Hemisha Matajee.

We read the Teachings of Queen Kunti, although many of us had not completed our books, we had read them before and whatever we read now we greatly appreciated and absorbed the lessons.

Gita Govinda Matajee discussed the point where Srila Prabhupada says that Krishna is the worshipable God and the spiritual master is the worshiper God, a very nice point.

Kandarpa Matajee spoke about the vision of the lotuses and how beautiful Krishna is and whose glance is cool as the lotus. She also mentioned that if we dress the Lord beautifully we feel spiritually satisfied which is far better than beautifying ourselves.

Nayan Matajee mentioned how she admired Queen Kunti who had beared so much as a single parent but always had the mercy of Krishna, Prabha Matajee and Indira Matajee agreed.

Aarti Matajee mentioned how Queen Kunti would pray to Krishna for calamities so that Krishna would always be near and Hemisha Matajee also agreed.

Sitala Matajee mentioned that Krishna is so attractive and described how Srila Prabhupada says that when we do devotional service we also become attractive. She also mentioned how Krishna and Radharani are not envious so it’s really wonderful to love Them.

I mentioned how insignificant our problems are compared to what Queen Kunti and her family had to face. Krishna protected them from poisoned cake, a great fire and cannibals!

We would like to thank Hemisha Matajee and Indira Matajee for hosting our book club meeting and for the scrumptious prasadam. Thank you to the other Matajees who also provided prasadam. Maha prasadam ki jai!

Sitala Matajee had a surprise for us; she was so kind and took the time and effort to make a bracelet and a note for each of us out of Maha beads. We all deeply appreciated her loving gesture.

Our blue lotuses are blooming in the pond of love at our meetings and are blossoming in the loving exchanges and association of each precious blue lotus flower.

TEACHINGS OF QUEEN KUNTI KI JAI!
SRILA PRABHUPADA KI JAI!
BLUE LOTUS BOOK CLUB KI JAI!
ALL GLORIES TO SRI SRI NITAI GAURAHARI!

Your loving servant
Hema

Why we do the things we do

Last youth group, 9 May 09, Sunaina and sisters came up with this topic and led the discussion in describing what it was like for them coming to the temple and seeing all sorts of things being done but not knowing why it was being done and generally just following what everyone else was doing.

There were some important ones and some funny ones:

We spoke about why we need a guru. Isn’t the scriptures enough?
Why 16 rounds? should we push for 16 or go slow until we are ready?
Why be vegetarian? Isn’t killing plants also a violent act? Is it better to be a potato in Bengal or a human being in South Africa?
What does it mean when someone puts their hand on you and then puts their hand to his head? Is that person calling you or what?

The discussion was good especially since Caitanya Prabhu was able to join us after a very, very, very long time. Between him, Isvara Puri, Sunaina and Mehul there was lots of laughter and fun.

We ended the day playing transcendental treasure hunt.

namaste narasimhaya!

Last youth group, 2 May 09, was at Mehul and Meera’s place, the topic, with Nrsingadev’s appearance day just few days away, was naturally “Nrsingadev!” Mehul and Meera researched unusual aspects and sweet pastimes of this attractive Lord and His dear devotee, Prahlad Maharaja. We all read these out and shared realizations, pastimes and important points that we can take back into our own lives. Jai Nrsimha!




Under the caring guidance of Reshma Matajee the Bhaktivedenta College kids together with our youth group guys arranged a play for Nrsingadev’s festival. As we discussed sound, props and actors there was much excitement to have everything ready in time.

The result on the auspicious day was truly enchanting! With a smooth blend of humor and seriousness the actors captivate their audience and had them clapping and jiving to Prahlad Maharaja’s kirtan, shouting out in surprise at Nrsinga dev bursting out of the pillar and laughing at the funny antics of the demon teachers.

All in all a super festival and a super, super play! Thank you, dear youth group members for your great enthusiasm and just for being great people.

“Glory to Lord Nrisimha,Lord Nrisimha with mother Laksmi. All glories,all glories all glories to Sri Sri Laksmi-Nrisimha. I offer my humble obeisances to Lord Mahavisnu in the form of Lord Nrisimhadeva. He is the furious hero, Who's mouth is blazing in all directions. Lord Nrisimha is tremendously auspicious and He is death for the death personified All glories to Nrisimhadeva! All glories to Nrisimhadeva,who is the Lord of Prahlad Maharaj and, like the honeybee,is always engaged in beholding the lotus-like face of the goddess of fortune."

We sure got the crowd laughing :o)

For Rama Naumi our youth group volunteered to perform a play for the pleasure of the Lord and His sweet devotees.




It was a hectic time for me and so the bulk of the play planning and organising was left to these young members who took up the task with enthusiasm and a level of commitment that was pleasing to witness.





The result was a performance filled elements of these guys own enduring natures.




Vivek as the hot-tempered Lukshman had the crowd laughing as he portrayed Lakshman with some serious aTTiTude!





Meenal as sage Vishvamitra looked regal as she besieged Dasaratha to give Rama to him. Manoj played the part of grave, noble Rama perfectly… urm … at least until he couldn’t get his plastic arrows into his bow and then had to throw the arrows to kill Tataka!




Kamsa played by Roshan brought out more bursts of laughter from the crowd as he boasted the pride of his demon prowess. Deepan and Trusheel played there parts of kings and demons perfectly, thoroughly enjoying themselves.





Gentle Meera can’t help but look sweet even when she is playing the male part of King Janaka.





And our saving grace, Radha, who at the last moment was asked to play the demoness Tataka portrayed her part so well with only a last minute rehearsal, we will definitely be calling upon her acting capabilities again!



Jai Rama!

A special thanks goes to these 3 actors who did the bulk planning.


Manoj headed up the co-ordination of the play.



Mehul looked after the sound side of it.


Meenal took care of the props and costumes.


All glories to your service! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Lord Ramachandra!

BLUE LOTUS REPORT - TKG's DIARY

Haribol wonderful devotees
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances. All Glories To Srila Prabhupada!

What a fantastic book club meeting we had last night? It left us all inspired and high spirited. We read the book TKG's Diary" by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami. We started by singing Sapärñada-bhagavad-viraha-janita-viläpa Lamentation Due to Separation from the Lord and His Associates (from Prärthanä) a beautiful bhajan lead by Sitala Matajee who sings very sweetly and plays the mrdanga very well. Gita Govinda Matajee and Kandarpa Matajee played the kartels so melodiously not to mention little Gopi who was also playing so nicely.

All the Vaishnavis were highly inspired by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami’s dedication to Srila Prabhupada. Nayan Matajee, Daksha Matajee and Aarti matajee were feeling especially sad for Srila Prabhupada’s suffering and expressed their sincere admiration for Srila Prabhupada’s determination and high standard ensuring that everything was in order before he left his body. Gita Govinda Matajee shared her experience when she went to the Bhaktivedanta Manor in London and how by Srila Prabhupada’s mercy that she actually got to see his rooms even though they are normally closed during festival time. Vishaka Matajee also described how Srila Prabhupada’s rooms are still so well preserved in Vrindavan and also made mention of how particular Srila Prabhupada was about the paintings that his disciples used to complete. Sitala Matajee was describing when she visited Srila Prabhupada’s samadi and the potency that one feels there and also made mention of the following point further elaborated by Kandarpa Matajee who read the extract where HH Tamal Krishna Goswami told Srila Prabhupada that he is a fool and Srila Prabhupada then replied to him that as long as he thinks himself a fool Srila Prabhupada can instruct him but as soon as he thinks that he knows everything then nothing can be taught. Kandarpa Matajee said we should adopt this attitude to for advancement in our spiritual lives and we all happily agreed. We also had two surprise guests which we warmly welcomed and they will be visiting our temple more often which pleased all the blue lotuses.

We all felt so blessed by HH Tamal Krishna Goswami who was so compassionate for sharing his diary with us and the entire world. Only by his mercy ordinary people like us could know the truth as it was about the greatest leader who walked on this earth, Srila Prabhupada. We were feeling so blissful and started to appreciate all of Srila Prabhupada’s amazing disciples. Srila Prabhupada was truly an outstanding spiritual father who had so many dedicated and loving sons who has followed/follows him exactly, that is why ISKCON still stands so firm with proper standards, highly maintained and always will, continually growing from strength to strength!

"Srila Prabhupada lives with those who live to fulfil his desires. We take shelter beneath the lotus feet of our beloved Guru Maharaja, whom we eternally serve" HH Tama Krishna Goswami from TKG’s diary pg 357. We see this statement is practised by all of our ISKCON leaders and we can only try to follow in their footsteps.

SRILA PRABHUPADA KI JAI!!!!
HH TAMAL KRISHNA GOSWAMI MAHARAJA KI JAI!!!
BLUE LOTUS BOOK CLUB KI JAI!

We would like to extend our gratitude to all for providing delicious prasadam.

Your loving servant
Hema Patel

For and on behalf of The Blue Lotus Book Club
(31 March 2009)

Vraja’s Goddess

kyaham parah sata-nikaty-anuviddha-cetahsankalpa esa sahasa kva su-durlabhe’rtheeka kalpaiva tava mam ajahaty upadhi-sunyeva mantum adadhaty agater gatir me

O Srimati Tulasi-devi, how low I am, my heart pierced by hundreds of offenses! How exalted and difficult to attain is my aspiration! Your causeless mercy is my only hope. It is by Your mercy that I, who am so fallen, can have these desires in my thoughts.

( Sri Sankalpa-kalpadruma,Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Srimati Tulasi devi is a dear most servant to Radha Krishna and under Purnamasi’s guidance arranges the pastimes of Radha and Govinda. For this reason she is a great shelter for devotees who are aspiring to reside and serve the Lord in Vraja. But she has another special characteristic making her mercy so freely accessible to all! And that is her form within this material world is a plant. Just by watering and singing prayers to Tulasi devi we are able to receive the highest perfection. Tulasi devi, Vrinda devi ki jai!

For such a special personality as this devotees, Mother Radhakunda and Damodara Prabhu, painstakingly over a few months arranged for a beautiful house and garden for Tulasi devi to reside in. The opening for this special place took place last weekend and the mood was incredibly sweet.

Our youth group and book club arranged the décor and assisted in the gift bags.

This here is Neha accompanied by her mum, Prabha Matajee, and aunt, Daksha Matajee.



They created a beautiful Vrinda devi backdrop for the stage.


It was very nice to be able to mediate on the different names of Vrinda devi that they had scribed to the backdrop.


Daksha Matajee also took care of the Tulasi skirts that were arranged for each and every tulasi plant.


This here is my dear friend, Hemisha, and my sweet sister, Gita Govinda devi dasi, who are also the local décor gurus.

For years they have been dedicated to the service of decorating the temple and Lord Jagannath’s cart and tent at the annual Ratha Festival in Lenasia. Their devotion and meticulous service to the Lord is inspiring.

Hema Matajee and Syamarani devi dasi prepared fancy gift bags holding ekadasi sweets, Maha Tulsi leaves, Tulasi devi info pamphlet and Tulsi book marks. All the guests so much appreciated this thoughtful gesture.

Once again the true bliss of the festival was everyone working so nicely together at such short notice on all of this to make the day special for Tulasi devi and all her guests.

We hope the Lord and devotees engage us more and more in divine service.

Thank you to all the youth group members and mothers who assisted so willing in all our endeavors.

Hare Krishna Food for Life

Last Saturday we joined the Lenasia Food for Life team in distributing sanctified food in Kliptown, an African township, a 10 minute drive from the temple.

Hare Krishna Food for Life (FFL) is different to other welfare organisations as it does not only provide physical relief but spiritual relief as well. Supplying food to the body is temporary as one again becomes hungry but by providing spiritual relief (of Krishna prasadam and the Holy Name) one is given the opportunity to never again take birth in a material body, thus providing permanent relief from the pangs of material existence.

FFL is a truly satisfying experience. We distributed at an orphanage that is part of an informal settlement. Several young kids and older ladies came inside the clean and neat dining area.

This here is Minesh Prabhu, the head organiser, getting an energetic kirtan started up.

With the enthusiastic encouragement of Sharad Prabhu and others the ladies began clapping their hands and the kids danced to the rhythms of the holy Name.



Some of the youngsters brought out their African drums taking the whole experience to another level.



While others were overjoyed to play some of our instruments



All glories to Srila Prabhupada’s perfect solutions to all troubles! Global Food for Life Ki Jai!



FFL in Lenasia takes place from the temple every Tuesday and Maha (big) FFL takes place every last Saturday of the month. You are most welcome to be a part of it!

Blue Lotuses working their magic

The Blue Lotuses were working their magic again this Monday... where we discussed Nectar of Instruction

It was a fun group of over-enthusiastic devotees.. 'some new some old'..

joined by their passion for deepening their knowledge of Krsna Consciousness

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So what was said??

What was learnt??

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"..this book is like a beginners manual..it tells you step by step how to learn about and attain Godhead"

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"the book progresses from verse to verse Urging you..Instructing you to improve in Krishna Consciousness"

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"..it was entertaining when the book described gossiping devotees as croaking frogs!!" Who wants to be a croaking frog?? :(

What is to be a confident devotee? When you know Krsna will help, protect and guide you for surrendering and serving Him

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" Prabhupada was so merciful to us, he brought the minimum number of rounds down from 64 to 16, we shouldn't use time as an excuse, we can always make time.. get up earlier, spend our lunch time in our cars chanting..."

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Prabhupada urges us to lift ourselves up spiritually, the power is in our hands to advance...

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The book says.. "who in their right minds wouldn't want to be here" referring to godhead..

Are we all insane then, for not doing everything possible to advance spiritually faster???

.

We really hope to see more new devotees joining us at our next Book club, 16 March, where we will discuss: TKG's Diary

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Your servants

Sunaina
on behalf of the Blue Lotus Book Club

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Jai Nitai! Jai Nitai! Jai Nitai!

Man! What a festival!

Last youth group we went around asking each member what was their favourite moment in the festival hosted by our youth group. In all responses the service they performed was appreciated the most. We are servants, servants of the most amazing Lords and so we are only truly happy when we engage in His service.

Thank you dear members of the Lenasia Sri Mayapur Dham Youth Group & the Blue Lotus Book Club.

Thank you to the vegetable cutters and cooks, headed by Gita Govinda dd and Kandarpa Manjari dd

Thank you to the décor peeps, headed by Hemisha and Sitala dd

Thank you to the Prasadam serve out team, headed by Srivas das

Thank you to the welcoming party, headed by Sunaina and Syamarani dd

Thank you to the garland makers, headed by Gita Govinda dd

Thank you for working together so nicely – that was the reason for our success. And was the festival a success?? Well, a kind Vaisnava tells that he thought it was:

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Hare Krishna
Please accept my humble obeisance
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All glories to all you wonderful devotees.

I just wanted to express my sincere appreciation to the team of devotees who arranged the fabulous celebration of Lord Nitiananda’s Appearance at the Lenasia Mandir.

Thank you very much.

The reception was very heartwarming.
Being greeted upon entrance and being welcomed by very young devotees was a splendid idea. The new generation were presenting themselves as future leaders of Iskcon. Their smiles of welcome spoke volumes on the ecstasy of service to the Supreme Lord.

Being offered a garland in welcome, as well as an embrace, by a very young vaisnava really stole my heart.

The temple room was absolutely beautiful. The elevated signage, expertly composed, revealed the finesse of the organizers; a whole new input of fresh ideas to capture one’s attention and induce query and appreciation.

The massive poster of Lord Nitiananda’s feet (with symbols) was very well presented. Yet again a superb example of devotional expertise!

I looked around and saw many senior vaisnavas wearing “Welcome” garlands. The senior Vaisnavis were not forgotten, and that really meant a lot to me.

Having devotees from our various temples and preaching outposts meet at one venue for this fabulous celebration was a splendid arrangement.

I loved the “report back” made to the Lordships of goals attained during the past year, as well as the commitments being made for the present term.

Overall, a most wonderful festival that brought us all together in glorious surrender to the Lordships, our beloved Srila Prabhupäda, and the warm embrace of our fellow vaisnavas in the House that Prabhupada built.

May you all be eternally blessed in your glorious service to Srila Prabhupäda.

Your servants, as always

Prabhavisnu dasa;
Premä Bhakti devi dasi.

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May we be always engaged in positive attitude in the Devine service our Lords!

Jai Nitai!

Srila Prabhupada is coming!

Haribol friends....

Book after book ... Srila Prabhupada never ceases to amaze us...

From his writings to the dear memories captured of him by devotees... We are left relishing the sweet nectar that our Blue Lotus Book Club has afforded us yet again

Yesterday evening we discussed “Srila Prabhupada is coming” by Mahamaya Devi Dasi…

What a beautiful life story that she tells with tender care and brutal honesty..

One cannot help but appreciate and admire her for having done so.

Her journey from Sin to Surrender was awe-inspiring.. she grabbed Krishna Consciousness with so much passion and enthusiasm that allowed her to overcome the darkest of times

“Try out Krsna Consciousness for just one lifetime.. What do you have to lose??”… she was told..

and so she did and gained her true purpose in life

Srila Prabhupada saved her soul… and through her story ... he continues to save us.. What a great motivational book to urge devotees to serve Krsna no matter the circumstance

We truly hope to see you at our next book club on the 16th of Feb to discuss

"Nectar of Instruction"

Hari Haribol!!!!

Your servants,
Sunaina
on behalf of The Blue Lotus Book Club

:o)

Transcendental party preparations

As you all know our beloved Lord Nityananda's party is taking place on the 7th of Feb, that’s just a weekend away and guess what?? We planning the party! From the prasadam, to temple program, to EVERYTHING!.



It’s a great opportunity to offer a really, really nice day to the Lord, if we please Lord Nityananda we'll automatically get the mercy of Lord Caitanya :o) Lord Nityananda is described as being eternally joyful and the devotees pray to Him saying that we are always unhappy but because You, Nitai, are always very happy, please make us very happy too! Haribol!

So on that note let us try our best to offer our very best to this Supremely Joyful Personality of Godhead!

So far different devotees have been heading up different areas:
Prasadam - Gita Govinda and Kandarpa
Devotee Welcome – Sunaina and Syamarani
Décor – Hemisha
Banners – Sitala

For the past 2 youth groups we’ve been doing a lot of cutting and pasting and (this last youth group) a lot of messy, fun painting!


With these creative geniuses, the banners are coming along nicely and I can’t wait to put them up!

2009 here we come!

Welcome to a new year!

Youth group ended last year with a fab Christmas Party. Check out the pics from the Christmas Party in the blog post below

Last Saturday was the first youth group gathering of the year and so we discussed what each one of us are going to do for Gaura Nitai in the year 2009. Each person was given a log sheet to track if they have done what they have promised and then at the end of the year or sometime during the year we can see how we are doing.


The idea is that we have SO much to be thankful to Gaura Nitai and so for 2009, every day/week/month, we want to do something for the Lord. It can be something simple like offering a flower every day, chanting one round, reading a book, coming to youth group every week … the opportunities are unlimited!

If you have not attended, it is not too late to get log sheets from me and to start your offering of love :o)

Next youth group this is what we going to do:

"Whacha gonna do?"
Kirtan,
Skit and Discussion,
Game of Cricket,
More Kirtan
End

Time: 4PM
Date: 10 Jan 09
Venue: Temple

See you all there!

Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way!

It’s that time of year again! Yes, Christmas! And as per tradition we held our annual youth group “Christmas Party”. The theme this year was “Old meets New”

Many of our “old” members have grown up and moved into different spheres of life (marriage, babies, and from there the list goes on :o) )while we’ve gathered other young members who’ve added a different kind of spice to our youth.

For all our parties we dress up to match our theme, once we had dressed up as Italians (soccer stars, painters, chefs, gangsters, fashion designers, etc) and last year we all dressed as either demons or demigods! Click here to view the pics from this party.

This year we all had to dress according to the olden times whatever our perception of that was.

The party was held at Mandira and Nashin’s place and to start of we had a very competitive game of 30 seconds. The boys totally whipped the other 2 teams only because they had about 20 people in there team!

After that we had something called cRaZy professions. We were divided into 8 groups, we then had to give another teams members’ crazy professions that we think would suit them. Thereafter we were called up and we’d mention the profession and everyone had to guess who we were talking about. Amidst much laughter, some really perfect and some really ridiculous professions came about. Thereafter it was prasadam time and then we just chilled out playing volley ball and soccer.

Thank you to Mandira Matajee and Nashin prabhu for so kindly lending their home to us and thank you to Sunaina for organising everything so nicely.

Click here to view all pics

:o)

Books! Books! Books!

Syamarani, Pooja and I have been meeting on every free evening possible (and there haven’t been that many much to our disappointment!) to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s glorious books.

To gently let ourselves in the mood we started off at a block of flats and the response has been great. Most people are happy to see us, and those that slam the door in our faces are there for our purification.

Oh yes, book distribution means purification, but still it has a nectar that keeps us going. We love meeting new people and even thought some may initially be wary of us, “beggars”; I feel that they are a little inspired by seeing 3 young girls sacrificing their evenings to do this work.

Some start off being all cagey but by the end of our visit they tell us to please come again. We appreciate this because it means we, teeny weeny representatives of Srila Prabhupada, have made way in to their hearts.

Why are we doing this, some of us going against our very introverted natures? For the mercy! We want the mercy and we want you to have the mercy too. Spread the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya. Whether you distribute one book to a hundred books all your efforts are being noted by the Lord and no doubt His mercy will flow on you more and more!

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The living force of immortality, Sri Caitanya

After 3 months us blue lotuses were sorely missing each others association and so with great anticipation we all gathered at Gita Govinda’s place last Monday to discuss the transcendental message of the Teachings of Lord Caitanya.

“Caitanya” means the living force of immortality - impressive or what?!



To get into the right mood we sang the beautiful prayer “Sri Sri Gaura-Nityänander Daya” by Locana Dasa Thakur, which means The Mercy of Sri Gaura and Nityänanda. This beautiful prayer describes how Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda are the most merciful incarnations of Krishna because they are giving a process of self realization that is simply joyful! (Chanting and Dancing)

This is quite a lengthily book and while we all did not finish reading it, the bits that we did read increased our appreciation for Srila Prabhupada, the six goswamis and Gaura Nitai so much more. Srila Prabhupada’s sarcastic descriptions of the Mayavadi analogy of the water pot had us all laughing.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada’s transcendental books! We pray we may be able to dive deeper and deeper!

Your servants
Blue lotuses desiring the lotus feet of the Lord

Why do you DO what you Do?!

…I mean it is kinda strange what you do…fasting like every 2 weeks…chanting on these beads every spare minute of the day...waking up in the early hours of the day just to see the Deity at the temple…only eating veggies ..very specific type of veggies… and even more stranger things like dancing by jumping up and down and that’s without any materially intoxicating drug…wearing funny garments …with even funnier markings on your face…I don’t get it…

WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?!

hear what these guys have to say:

Mohini

The heart symbolises love for coming to the temple and Krishna consciousness. The spider’s web is like when you come you are trapped. I don’t know why I keep coming but some how I’m trapped and can’t not come.

Vikash

> fasting like every 2 weeks
Discipline ... The fasting helps me dicipline myself, mind and body.
Discipline to help me to continue down this path I've chosen.
Too often mishaps and temptations find away to lead you astray.
So by persisting in the fasting, I can dicipline myself to hold onto my
aims.

> chanting on these beads every spare minute of the day...
Persistence ....
* Eventually water will carve a path through a mountain.
* practice makes perfect
* hope .... ( to hear the bhakti in my own voice oneday, then everyday
there after)

> waking up in the early hours of the day just to see the Deity at the
temple...
* insomnia
* serenity ... The only place on this planet were I am peace with who I
am, where the demons are'nt ripping me apart.
* Where beauty is not perverted.

> only eating veggies ..very specific type of veggies...
* dharma/karma
* control, to be able to control my actions to a small degree. By
ensuring that I control what I eat, I hope to be able to contol other
aspects of my existence ( that are within my control )

In short, all the above is to help me become a better person.

Sunaina

The tears are for when you see others suffering you feel there is an answer to there suffering if they could just take it. The sunshine represents happiness, light at the end of the tunnel. Foot steps are the path back to Godhead, bow down to Godhead. And the books represent my desire of always wanting to learn more.

Pooja

I like kirtan, especially HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja’s. I love acting in plays and I am always fascinated by the way Krishna is dressed. The heart represents how Krishna wants us to come back to Him more than we want to go back to Him.

Nanda Kisore das

Out of love for my spiritual master. I like the sound of the spiritual world and I’d like to be there. There is also the element of duty. This is the right thing to do.

Kandarpa

It’s the only thing that seems real. It’s satisfying, relief from material life. It’s calming not like everything else. You know it is for an eternal gain.

Manoj

The only way to surrender is chanting and through Srila Prabhupada’s book. That’s what keeps me doing what I’m doing.

Reena

Eternal happiness – No matter what life throws at you, you are always happy when turned to Krishna consciousness. Devotees – wonderful devotees. Music – kiratna and dancing is pure ecstasy. Love –pure love for Krishna and His devotees. Krishna’s mercy. Service to the Lord. Prasadam. I’m really attracted to Nrsingadev and Lord Jagannatha.

Sitala

There is nothing that makes me truly happy than being in touch somehow with Krishna. Actually it is the only place where I am happy. The”I” represents how through different stages in life I’ve tried to fit in, first as a good student, then as the cool friend, then as the dedicated employee, etc but Srila Prabhupada has told us who we really are: spirit soul, servant of Krishna.

.

All glories, all glories to the assembled devotees

After every kirtan and before every class the prem devani prayers are spoken, each line ending in "ki jai!" then right at the end, 3 times, it is mentioned "All glories to the assembled devotees! All glories to the assembled devotees! All glories to the assembled devotees!"

All of you are glorious! What makes you glorious is your association with Krishna, your dedicated service to Him and Srila Prabhupada. Thank you dear youth group members for your selfless service attitude these past few weeks. Everyone assisted as they could juggling work, exams, family commitments, etc.

Special mention goes:

To Reena for bringing her funky drawing apparatus which made it easy and speedy to get the cut outs done;
The painters: Aarti, Kandarpa, Sunaina, Hemisha, Syamarani, Dini;
To Raji for the tricky work of cutting polystyrene,
Veemal for painting an incredible sun;
To all the girls for cutting what felt like a million birds;
To Vishaka M, Srivas Pr, Gita Govinda M, Hemisha, Hemisha’s mum, Aarti, Aarti’s mum, Sunaina, Reena, Mohini, Kandarpa for assisting with the cooking.;
To Srivas Pr, Veemal, Nanda Kisore and Vraja Vallabha for assisting with putting up everything around Srila Prabhupada;
To Gita Govinda M for helping me arrange everything and for buying everything and doing the local vyasapuja book;
To Gita Govinda M, Hemisha, Aarti, Veemal, Srivas Pr and Kandarpa for manning the book table and also to Abhiram for doing some running around for us.;
To Kandarpa for helping me get the actors ready;
And finally to the actors for their sweet performance – well done! check out the pics below!

I’m sure I’ve missed out some people – please forgive me.

All your efforts and service no matter how small or big is truly valuable. Let’s continue serving together at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada!

Your servant and friend,
Sitala dd