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Recent Stories
- Physics PhD student wins EPSRC Doctoral Prize
- New network for particle accelerator engineers
- Faculty leads new initiatives to stimulate postgraduate teaching and business innovation
- Lancaster research to help business decision-makers protect against cyber attack
- Lancaster University helps British fishing tackle manufacturer reel out new product
- Research institute opens in China
- Lancaster University engineers help discover the world's biggest cave
- China visit helps establish research and development links for UK businesses
- Google award recognises Lancaster academic's focus on eye tracking research
- Energy Lancaster to help research new generation of fuel cells
Lancaster Graduate crowned Enterprising Young Brit
Story supplied by LU Press Office
A Lancaster University graduate, whose company is worth £20 million, has been crowned Enterprising Young Brit at a glittering event in London.
Antony Chesworth, 29, holds a degree in Computing from the University. In 2002, shortly after graduating, he went £25,000 in debt to set up his shopping business ekmpowershop.com.
Antony, whose company is based in Darwen, scooped the highly acclaimed award at the Institute of Directors, which was attended by some of the UK's top business people.
The competition is open to entrepreneurs who have made their idea happen in a new, innovative or inspiring way.
The award was presented in style by Lord Peter Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Antony ran up huge credit card debts to get his business going against all odds. His company which enables people to build their own online shop is now worth in excess of £20 million pounds. ekmPowershop.com is now the market leader in UK ecommerce, powering 1 in every 5 online shops in the UK.
Commenting on his achievement, Antony said: "The whole essence of ekmPowershop.com is to enable people to set up their own online business. Winning the Enterprising Young Brit award is an honour and it shows that with drive, ambition and a bit of perseverance anyone can succeed."
Lord Mandelson, Business Secretary of the State, said: "Despite the toughest economic conditions we have known for the past decades, this year's competition has received a record number of entries. That says something about enterprise and about the young people who are committed to enterprise in this country."
Antony will now become an Enterprise UK Ambassador. As an Ambassador for the organisation, Antony will network with some of the UK's top entrepreneurs.
Tue 27 April 2010
Associated Links
Latest News
Physics PhD student wins EPSRC Doctoral Prize
Peter Hodgson, who has just successfully defended his PhD, has now rounded off the achievement with the award of an EPSRC Doctoral Prize by the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Thu 30 October 2014
New network for particle accelerator engineers
Lancaster University has played a lead role in the inaugural meeting of a new engineering network for all types of engineers working on particle accelerators in the UK.
Fri 17 October 2014
Faculty leads new initiatives to stimulate postgraduate teaching and business innovation
Almost 100 postgraduate students have been welcomed onto two new masters degrees that bring together expertise from across the faculty.
Fri 10 October 2014
Lancaster research to help business decision-makers protect against cyber attack
Lancaster University research will enable business leaders to take more informed decisions about protecting critical infrastructure from cyber attack.
Story supplied by LU Press Office
Thu 09 October 2014


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Journal Sentinel business reporter Tom Daykin talks about commercial real estate and development.
Mayor meets Marcus executives on downtown hotel concerns
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett met with Marcus Corp. Chairman Steven Marcus and President and CEO Greg Marcus Friday morning to hear their concerns about plans for the downtown Marriott Hotel.
Barrett told me the executives at Marcus, which operates three downtown hotels, didn't lobby him against the Marriott, which Barrett supports.
"Their concern is they want more demand for hotel rooms in the city," Barrett said.
Greg Marcus told me he wants a "game plan" from city officials on stimulating demand.
That could be done by increasing funding for Visit Milwaukee, the public-private agency that promotes the city for conventions, Marcus said. He said Visit Milwaukee is underfunded, with the smallest budget among Milwaukee's peer cities.
Milwaukee also needs focused marketing and incentive plans to attract corporate headquarters, which would generate more business travelers, Marcus said. Finally, he called for maintaining parks, entertainment venues and other amenities that help attract visitors.
Without more demand, Marcus said, the new hotel will "divide the pie" into smaller slices, with the Marriott's jobs offset by job losses at competing hotels.
The Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee voted 3-2 Thursday to support the 200-room hotel plan without a setback requirement imposed by the Historic Preservation Commission.
The hotel's development firm, Jackson Street Management LLC, needs 10 votes from the 15-member council to overturn the historic commission's setback condition. The developers say that condition would boost the $50 milion project's costs, and kill the deal.
Both Barrett and Common Council President Willie Hines told me they're confident that the project will win approval from the full council when it meets Wednesday.
Marcus said some people have made "assumptions" about the company's position on the Marriott. Marcus said he has not lobbied against the project.
He said Marcus Corp. has opposed city financing help for new hotels. Jackson Street Management isn't seeking city money, but the firm hopes to land federal New Markets Tax Credits.
Most of the Marriott's financing will come from the EB-5 program.
That program allows a foreign citizen to obtain a visa by investing at least $1 million, or at least $500,000 in rural areas and areas with high unemployment, with that investment creating at least 10 U.S. jobs. That two-year visa can then be converted into a green card, which provides permanent U.S. residency privileges to the investor, the investor's spouse and children.
Marcus said EB-5 program amounts to a subsidy.
Comments »
Read and share your thoughts on this story.

subset: commoncrawl


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The South Side Scholarship Foundation (SSSF) has been working since 1969 to raise funds in our community to give scholarships to youth and adults pursuing post-high school education. The SSSF, originally chartered by a handful of Bay View volunteers, now includes members from throughout greater Milwaukee.
We are proud of our achievements, giving away over $366,000 in financial assistance to students over the last 44 years. Last year alone we we awarded 25 $750.00 scholarships to deserving students.
Our major fundraiser is our Annual Mardi Gras Dinner Dance held at the Oak Creek Community Center on February 18, 2012. Tickets are $35, and the event includes dinner, live music (by Six Pack), raffles/auctions, and FUN. For more info. call Glenna 414/744-9250 or Lynn 414-763-3046
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Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter Get the Newsletter!
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- Hallman Lindsay opens West Allis Store
- Wixon Adds Protein Project Manager Nathan Radue
- Book Signing & Authentic Viennese Recipes at Library!
- French Horn Holiday Flash Mob scheduled for December 6th
- Bridging the Inter-generational Gap
- WCA "I Choose Compassion" Campaign Launches For National Bullying Prevention Month
- HallwenancorSingls Over 40+ in West Allis
- STAR WARS events at the Oak Creek Library
- A Special Need for Communication


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posted by Rebecca Keenan | 0 Comments
Our photo of the day shows the breathtaking views of Seville from the Giralda. At one time a Moorish minaret, it now serves as the bell tower for Seville Cathedral.
If you're looking for accommodation in Seville, check out our great selection of hostels in Seville. To learn more about top Seville attractions like Seville Cathedral, download our free Seville pocket guide.
In our hostelworld.com travel blog we bring you all the latest company news and information on new additions to the site including podcasts, videos and more. You'll also get inside information on a variety of destinations across the globe as they're visited by our travel editor and writers.
danilo capulong said
" which of the hostels near or very accessible to Saint Peter`s church, Vatican Ci...
Steve F said
" The draft beer over bottled beer is correct most of the time but also be aware, ...
Samanta Crew said
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Jenna said


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Local Blogs
By Janet Lafleur
E-mail Janet Lafleur | Follow this Blog
Sort by: Most Recent | Most Popular
Jan 17, 2014 1:09 pm
Comments: 8 | Views: 5,977
According to a recent poll, the top five New Year's resolutions for 2014 are: lose weight, get organized,... More
Dec 25, 2013 8:21 am
Comments: 6 | Views: 3,335
It's such a traditional Christmas gift that it's almost a cliché: the new bike. I don't remember ever waking up to find a bike under the Christmas tree, but I do... More
Dec 12, 2013 1:54 pm
Comments: 7 | Views: 4,418
For the vast majority of my shopping trips, my bikes do a great job. Between a pair of oversized panniers in the back and an ample basket in the front, I can carry... More
Nov 26, 2013 9:48 am
Comments: 4 | Views: 2,937
When most people think of traveling by bike they think of bicycle touring, where you carry everything you need to be self-sufficient for long distances: clothing,... More
Nov 13, 2013 3:23 pm
Comments: 2 | Views: 6,708
For most of us, the challenges of bicycling lead to growth as cyclists: climbing a long, steep grade to the top of a hill, staying balanced and pedaling through... More
Standardized Test Prep: When to Start and Whom to Hire?
By John Raftrey and Lori McCormick | 2 comments | 1,596 views
Finger Food and a Blood Lite?
By Laura Stec | 0 comments | 1,201 views
Giants Win! Couples Can, Too
By Chandrama Anderson | 0 comments | 701 views


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This contest is closed.
The winner is RON!
Your wife is one lucky lady, Ron!
Check your email for details
As women we're constantly facing down the gender stereotypes life throws our way.
Women are weaker leaders than men. (Pfff. Please.)
Women are bad drivers. (Research actually shows that women are safer drivers than men.)
Even Mother Nature seems to be in on the game – men grow "distinguished" while women grow old.
Let's face it. Even if you weren't the least bit beauty-conscious as a girl and young woman, you start taking notice when your thirties arise. Smile lines seem to get deeper, and all of a sudden the person looking back at you in the mirror… well she's just not you anymore.
Like it or not, our identities are strongly tied to the person we see in the mirror. And none of us has a desire to age badly.
When it comes right down to it, we'd be okay if someone discovers the fountain of youth and shares it with us!
Well that's just the focus of the research dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone has been conducting.
You may have seen him on Oprah talking about his secrets for fighting aging, educating us about the effect certain foods have on our bodies and how that translates to our appearance.
In his new book Forever Young he talks about nutrients in the food we eat that can actually turn on genes that block disease. They can even turn off genes that lead to accelerated aging – wrinkles and weight gain. He's even laid out an approach for those facing the big M – we all know Menopause can be a miserable experience for some.
Dr Perricone takes the approach of fighting aging with diet as well as with a beauty care line (he calls them his Cosmeceuticals). The book also talks about the research and technology behind his Cold Plasma.
Dr. Perricone was able to isolate charged particles, suspend them in a highly absorbent and penetrative base for maximum absorption into the skin. This is the science that underlies the product. In the book, he also discusses how the nutrients in Cold Plasma directly stimulate the precursor to collagen and elastin, glycosaminoglycans. Dermatologists have been looking for years for effective ways to stimulate skin's natural levels of glycosaminoglycans.
Forever Young is available for pre-order on Amazon only right now. If customers pre-order the book now, they can get a free Concentrated Restorative Treatment, a $75 value!
I never promote beauty products. You'll see me talk about entertainment for kids, safe computing practices and technology, and things that help me keep an organized home. I've never been concerned enough about my skin to stick with a beauty regime.
Until I hit my thirties.
I've had the opportunity to try Perricone Cosmeceuticals because I knew I had to do something about the dark circles under my eyes. The prompt I needed – when putting my 7 year old to bed, he looked up at me and said "Mom, sometimes when you're really tired, the dark stuff under your eyes gets really scary."
Oh man.
Who wants to hear that?!
I've been using Perricone's Advanced Eye Area Therapy, and I really was skeptical at the start. A few weeks into this and I'm a happy customer. (I had to stop and restart because of my recent chickenpox episode, so I haven't included photos as they really wouldn't be a fair representation of the progress I had witnessed.)
Try Cold Plasma for Free:
Get in on Perricone's current special offer. Get free samples of Cold Plasma – just pay $4.95 shipping.
Win Cold Plasma ($150 value):
Leave a comment on this post and share why you want or need Cold Plasma. (US & Canada only)
For extra entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each entry)
- Follow me on twitter @trinmom – 1 entry (leave username)
- Grab my button in the sidebar and add to your blog – 1 entry (leave link to your blog)
- Subscribe by email (remember to activate) – 1 entry (leave your email address)
- Tweet this giveaway- may be done once daily – 1 entry (leave link to your tweet)
- Click the retweet button near the end of this post.
You have until midnight on August 26th , 2010 to enter (EST). One winner will be randomly selected and will have 48 hours to respond to the notification email I will send. If the initial winner does not respond within this time a new winner will be chosen.
Good Luck!
Disclosure: I was provided with a product sample in order to share my experience with it. I received no compensation for this post and the opinions and experiences I have shared are 100% mine and 100% true.


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From our blog
Bow Themes news update, joomla tips, web development...here
One year has gone and now let's celebrate a happy 3rd Bowthemes birthday with great gifts. Firstly, we're grateful because you all stand besides us and give us both positive feedback and valuable recommendation to complete a perfect Bowthemes. Thanks to your great response, we have tried our best top provide high-quality products to meet all customers' need:
Thank you very much for supporting us. We are very excited with the number of Bowthemes members and positive feedbacks of customers being significantly grown.
Dear Valued Customers and Business Partners,
Thank you very much on supporting our business. We couldn't be happier to see that our Joomla products remain a great result in a highly competitive industry.
As Lunar New Year is coming soon, we will be celebrating the Tet festival from January, 26th to February 5th,2014, during which period we continue to provide support services via ticket, forum and email. However, online chat may not be available. Any pre-sale, account, billing question, please do not hesitate to let us know, contact mail: email@example.com.
You may also know, our support team will not work full time on Holidays. Therefore, to improve response time for technical problem, don't forget to describe your problem as detailed as possible. And if needed, please provide us with the temporary access(Joomla admin account, FTP account…), so we can help you directly. For support requests that require over 24 hours, support staffs may not accomplish them on time. We will arrange these requests after we come back from this long holiday. Bowthemes team will do our utmost to serve you needs.
The Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) is an occasion for an entire people to share a common ideal of peace, concord and mutual love. So let us give you a big hug and wish you have the most happiness and prosperous New Year!
Happy Lunar Year of Horse!
We've got a very exciting announcement today. Comes with updates version Bowthemes website is the opening of our new affiliate program. The commission will be paid via PayPal. Plus there are more features we think you'll really like.
Christmas and New Year are just right round the corner so Bowthemes Team wish you a joyful holiday season and a great new year. Thanks to your encouragement!
Become a member


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|Here I'm
a r a b b i t h e a r t e d g i r l
a girl. twenty-four. lazy. stubborn. passionate. moody. bitchy. loyal. open-minded. crazy. coffee. water. music. books. movies. nyc. shoes. art. history. night. black. red. travel. tv. fire.
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Some changes have been made to LiveJournal, and we hope you enjoy them! As we continue to improve the site on a daily basis to make your experience here better and faster, we would greatly appreciate your feedback about these changes. Please let us know what we can do for you!
See a bug? Let us know! Here you can also share your thoughts and ideas about updates to LiveJournal
Your request has been filed. You can track the progress of your request at:
If you have any other questions or comments, you can add them to that request at any time.


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My Experience with Writing Essays: Funny, Sad, Frustrating or ?
Write between 150 and 200 words on your previous experience with writing an essay in an in class, high pressure setting. Answer as many of the following questions as appropriate in the body of your paragraph. It is not expected (or possible) to answer them all. Choose the questions that reflect your experiences the best and expand on these. Give examples to illustrate.
What kinds of problems have you had with the organizing/brainstorming section? Give an example of something that has happened at this point.
What do you usually do first (second, third etc.) during the test? Why do you do that? Do you feel that you are efficient in your use of time?
What kinds of feedback have you received on your writing in the past? How have you tried to improve based on the suggestions your teacher has given you?
Do you have any funny (or sad) experiences while writing an essay that you would like to share with the class?


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10/27/2014Certification Prep Class
10/27/20142014 Fall PHR/SPHR Certification Prep Class
10/29/2014Speed Networking Event
11/3/2014Certification Prep Class
11/3/20142014 Fall PHR/SPHR Certification Prep Class
What is StudentLink?
StudentLink is a listing of PHRA members who have volunteered to act as informal HR information resources to other student PHRA members on topics of personal expertise.
What are StudentLink volunteers expected to do?
StudentLink volunteers are willing to answer questions via phone calls or e-mails from other student PHRA members on the HR topics identified as area(s) of HR expertise. Basically, the StudentLink directory acts as an informal student to peer network.
NOTE: StudentLink is presented as a member service of the PHRA. Participation in this listing is voluntary and should not be construed as an endorsement of any member's expertise by PHRA. Individuals listed in the StudentLink Directory have self-selected to volunteer and are not formally screened by the Association.
Access StudentLink
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Soothing Boost Oil$8.99 (1)
Blend Oat, Argan & Zi
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Finally. Someone's said what had to be said about climate change, energy, and the future of human civilization, and, quite naturally, that person was our hero, Al Gore.
Soothing Boost Oil
Blend Oat, Argan & Zi
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The latest news, food for thought, recipes you'll love, great advice on everything from raising kids to nurturing bees, plus videos designed to entertain, educate and enlighten. If you'd like to find out what's on our mind – or let us know what's on yours -- this is place to be.


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You don't pay for tutoring
unless you find a good fit!
Bryan B. has not yet had a background check. After sending a message to Bryan, you will be able to order a background check for $7.99. The check will be processed by First Advantage. For more information, please review the background check information page.
As part of your tutor selection process, we encourage you to run updated background checks. Please also review the safety tips for hiring tutors.
Hi! I'm excited to be a tutor and help students on their way to be successful in not only the subjects I tutor in, but in life! I am available to tutor in subjects such as History and German. I am currently a history major at Elmhurst College entering my senior year. I also took German from 7th grade until my Sophomore year at Elmhurst College. The only reason I did not continue to take German, is due to scheduling conflicts with my major. I am excited to help any young students whether they know a lot about either of these two subjects or very little! I look forward to becoming your tutor!
Read all subject qualifications »
Elmhurst College (History)
Standard Hourly Fee: $40.00
Cancellation: 3 hours notice required
Bryan will travel within 25 miles of Palatine, IL 60067.
Your first hour with any tutor is protected by our Good Fit Guarantee: You don't pay for tutoring unless you find a good fit!
Send Bryan a message explaining your needs and you will receive a response by email. Have you already emailed Bryan or another tutor? If so, you have an account! Sign in now
If selected, WyzAnt will ask interested tutors to contact you by email if they are able to help. A maximum of five different tutors will email you and none of your personal information, including your email address, will be released.


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WEATHER ALERT: Fire watch issued for today
Weather service cites low humidity, strong winds
2:42 PM, Apr. 24, 2014
Email this article
WEATHER ALERT: Fire watch issued for today
The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for most of New Jersey, including Morris County, that will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, due to low relative humidity and
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Short Cuts
St. Clare of Assisi
Prayer Cards
St. Joseph the Worker
Prayer Cards
What do dreams have to with prayer? Aren't they just random images of our mind? In 1867 Pope Pius IX was upset with John Bosco because he wouldn't take his dreams seriously enough. Nine ... continue reading
St. Joseph was born at Cupertino, in the diocese of Nardo in the Kingdom of Naples, in 1603. After spending his childhood and adolescence in simplicity and innocence, he finally joined the ... continue reading
St. Genevieve was born about the year 422, at Nanterre near Paris. She was seven years old when St. Germain of Auxerre came to her native village on his way to great Britain to combat the ... continue reading
Abbot and disciple of St. Anthony the Great, companion of St. Hesychius. He was born in Tabatha, Palestine, and was educated in Alexandria, Egypt. He stayed with St. Anthony in the desert there ... continue readingMore Saint of the Day
Brigid was probably born at Faughart near Dundalk, Louth, Ireland. Her parents were baptized by St. Patrick, with whom she developed a close friendship. According to legend, her father was Dubhthach, an Irish chieftain of Lienster, and her mother, Brocca, was a slave ... continue readingMore Female Saints
St. Michael the Archangel - Feast day - September 29th The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief ... continue reading
The name Gabriel means "man of God," or "God has shown himself mighty." It appears first in the prophesies of Daniel in the Old Testament. The angel announced to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks. His name also occurs in the apocryphal book of Henoch. He was the ... continue reading
Lucy's name means "light", with the same root as "lucid" which means "clear, radiant, understandable." Unfortunately for us, Lucy's history does not match her name. ... continue reading
So often we hear people or even ourselves excuse an action by saying "I was only following orders." But for Nereus and Achilleus this excuse could not stand in the face of the cross. ... continue reading
By Deacon F.K. Bartels
St. Teresa's whole life is one of simple beauty and fervent purpose; it is a life contained in Christ. She shows us how to live the same way through Prayer.On reading from St. Teresa, a deep feeling of her love for His Majesty envelops us; we begin, in a very real, ... continue readingMore Christian Saints & Heroes


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The Flying Needle
Kate's cross-stitch and quilting
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Latest finishes and a close call
1. Red House in Winter by LHN
2. Frosty Flakes by LHN. I got most of this finished on Sunday - the V8's were racing at Bathurst so watched that on TV all day, then it was the final of The Block on TV that night. Both had dramatic finishes. I grabbed some time last night while dinner was cooking and added the beads before I had to go out.
I'm still working on old wips. Next is another small LHN ornament - Pear Tree.
I'll have less stitching time for the rest of this month. I like to sit down and stitch for an hour at night when all my jobs are done, but DD has amateur theatre performances over the coming 2 weeks as well as sport and I will be out 5 nights a week with her for the next few weeks. DH is going to be in Vancouver next week so I need to be organized.
I was driving DD home from school last Thursday afternoon when we witnessed a car accident just in front of us. It was on a busy suburban street, lots of traffic going the same way as we were, but still moving close to the speed limit - 60km/h. A 4WD coming the other way swerved into our lane and hit a car head on, a third car couldn't stop and hit the second car from behind, then ended up on the footpath. We were 2 cars behind and I think I said a bad word as I was braking. All I can remember is seeing car parts flying in the air and a car shooting across the road. I was amazed there were only minor injuries. The driver of the middle car was fairly shaken up. The driver of the third car was a learner and did a fantastic job - he had some facial grazes from the airbag and his mum hurt her wrist. The second car would have been a write off and the third car had lots of damage to the front. Not an experience I'm in a hurry to repeat!
I'm enjoying the warmer weather here as we head into summer. It's still a bit cool some mornings and very dry. We could do with some rain, but not if is accompanied by violent storms like they just got down in NSW.
Blogger seems to be playing up. I'm only getting email notifications about some comments? Sorry if I haven't replied to you.
Wishing you all flying needles and safe driving.
Until next time.
Monday, October 6, 2014
DH's bedside drawer- YES! Time for a happy dance. In DH's defense, the bedside drawers are huge and stuffed full of various things. I'm sure I'd already looked in them.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Travelling Pattern Winner
Congratulations cucki.
Send me your snail mail address and I'll pop the pattern in the post for you.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Travelling Pattern
I stitched this on 28ct Antique Ivory Linen using HDF and DMC 3865.
It's time to get this chart moving again!
If you would like to be the next person to stitch this gorgeous travelling chart please leave a note specifically stating that you are interested in the drawing for this chart in your comment.
There are a few simple rules that need to be followed.
1. Your blog must be an active one.
2. You must stitch it as soon as possible and agree to pass it on.
3. Pick the next lucky stitcher via a drawing on your blog.
4. Post your finish on your blog and the history of where the chart has already travelled to.
See where this chart has already been.
- Kathy at Kathy's Sit and Stitch
Ontario, Canada - Completed March 2012
- Carol at Stitching Dreams
Pennsylvania, USA - Completed May 2012
- Lisa at Lisa V's Lounge
Perth, Australia - Completed August 2012
- Ellen at Stitch Passion
Singapore - Completed August 2012
- Theresa at Giraffe Crossing
Taiwan - Completed December 2012
- Tatyana at Girl with Hoop
Russia - Completed May 2013
- Vicky at Nutmegger's Stitching Works
Connecticut, USA - Completed July 2013
- Meari at Meari's Musings
Illinois, USA - Completed August 2013
- Sue at I'd Rather Be Stitchin'
Essex, UK - Completed September 2013
- Kate at The Flying Needle
Brisbane, Australia - Completed March 2014
If you are interested in stitching this chart and passing it on, leave a comment below by Monday, April 7 and I will draw a name the next day. Good luck.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
I'm Back!
First, a stitchy update then all the details about my health.
Way back last year I received a travelling pattern - Summer Splendor by LHN.
We were in the middle of renovation hell so I pulled threads and chose fabric and put it in a safe place. Then I couldn't find it again until I had unpacked all my sewing room boxes after the new carpet was laid.
I picked it up on January 1st and started, but the weather turned horrible and we had a heatwave. Next I was running around like a headless chook trying to get everything organized for our Canadian holiday. Fine, I thought, we get back at the end of January, the kids go back to school and I will get it knocked over within a week.
2 months later, here is my progress photo. I picked it up last weekend and hope to finish this weekend.
Sorry for the poor quality photo - I took this on my phone and it was a rainy day.
When it is finished I will do a separate post and see who would like to have a chance to do this next.
To say I haven't been well is probably an understatement. I woke up in the early hours of the morning we left Whistler (January 26 - Australia Day) with a terribly sore throat, headache and runny nose. Great, I've caught a cold, so dosed myself up with painkillers and antihistamines. I had a bit of trouble clearing my ears on both flights but managed to get a fair bit of sleep. Got home Tuesday morning and had a busy few days with the start of school for both kids. Took myself to the Dr that Friday as it felt like I was getting bronchitis - sore throat, painful chest and coughing. By the weekend the cough was much worse and I was getting up in the middle of the night needing to sit upright for several hours, coughing and choking for breath then feeling like I was going to be sick, then crawling back to bed exhausted at 4am for another few hours sleeep. After about 4 weeks of that I improved enough to realize this wasn't an ordinary cough and took myself back to the dr. He agreed that it sounded like whooping cough and ran some blood tests but they came back negative. The cough lasted another few weeks and was set off by talking, laughing, changes in temperature and standing up. Even when the cough stopped I was tired all the time. If I went out to get a few groceries I would feel like I had been hit by a truck and would need to rest for an hour or so after.
I am feeling much better now, the cough has gone and the fatigue and fuzzy head haven't been a problem for over a week. DH was the only other one who got it and he was about 2 weeks behind me so he is still getting better. Whatever it was, it was a nasty bug and left me with no energy to do anything but the essentials - food, laundry, kids to and from school.
DD has had a rough time lately as well. About 3 weeks ago I came home after dropping DH at the airport and found DD buddy taping her little toe and calmly saying she thought it was broken. Bike + bare feet + speed + cutting corners in the garden = clipping the garden edging. I was feeling rather ordinary so waited a day then took her to the hospital ER the next afternoon. Yes, it was broken, they showed her how to tape it up, gave her some crutches and told her to use them for a week or two. I was fine with that as she has a fair bit of walking to do at high school. No netball for 4 weeks. Only problem is that now I have to drive her to and from school everyday as the bus drop off is at the bottom of a steep hill and the school is at the top.
Just over a week later I got a call from her school. It was a wet morning and her crutch had slipped, she had twisted her good ankle and the swelling wasn't going down. Result - one sprained ankle. No netball for at least 4 weeks. She had to stay home for a few days until she could walk well enough to get around! The toe still hurts a bit but the sprained ankle is pain free when she walks. She is going to try a slow jog this weekend. She has missed the first 3 games of the netball winter season but there is a 3 week break over the Easter holidays so she will be right to play after that.
Well done if you have managed to read all that. I'm excited to be stitching again.
Have to go and feed my family before they complain too much.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
On Holiday
We have a few more days here in Whistler, Canada. The weather has been lovely - no snow and sunny most days. Today was a rest day after skiing every day for the previous 6 days. Yesterday afternoon we skied from the Roundhouse near the top of the mountain down to the village - 1200m vertical drop. It took us an hour and a half on the easiest green runs. I'm snow plowing slowly down the steeper sections but I'm having a great time. Tomorrow is our last day skiing and I hope my left knee lasts the day. I hurt it here 3 years ago and it's getting a bit sore and stiff. DS is skiing behind me to pick up the pieces if I crash - he tells me I'll go better if I ski faster and not worry so much about staying in control!
The trip over was pretty good. Landed in LA and cleared security and customs and was waiting at the lounge for my Vancouver flight within 90 minutes. The kids and I met DH at Vancouver airport and got the bus to Whistler. How long did it take you ask? From leaving home to checking in at the hotel at Whistler was 26 hours. With the time difference we arrived at Whistler 8 hours after we left. Always feels strange arriving in LA before we leave home! However, on the way home we lose a day, leave Sunday midday and arrive home Tuesday morning. The kids start the new school year on Wednesday morning.
Stitching from Stash is going well. I haven't spent any money this year, but I've only stitched a little at the beginning of the month. It was very hot before we left for our holiday and I was getting ready to go away and preparing for the new school year. I didn't bring any stitching with me on holiday but the light in the hotel room isn't good enough for stitching anyway. I'm looking forward to having more time next month.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Happy New Year
Our new carpet was laid 2 weeks before Christmas. I'm used to the colour now - the first week I thought I'd made a horrible mistake. It's a bit darker than the old carpet, but that is good because the cat has already vomited on it twice! We are still unpacking boxes and will be for a while yet. We still have no window coverings in any bedrooms, but I'm getting plantation shutters in my bedroom and the sewing room which will arrive early Feb. The kids curtains will be organized around then as will their new beds. Photos below were taken with my phone.
|dining area
|lounge room
|Great grandmother's travelling chest - initials on top
|library nook
Stitching Plans for 2014
Kids are on school holidays until late January. DD finished her last year of primary school last year and is going to a new school this year for grade 8. She is 12 but is taller than me now (I'm 5'5")
DS is about to start his final year of high school and wants to do Mechanical Engineering at uni next year. He will be 17 in a few weeks.
We are going to Canada in 2 weeks for some skiing at Whistler again. We were there 3 years ago. DH has to go over to the US for work before so we are meeting him at Vancouver. We are due to get back home the day before the kids start school so the jet lag will be fun for them that first week!
I wouldn't mind some cooler weather right now. Brisbane is forecast to reach 41C today. That's not much fun with no airconditioning, but we usually only get a few weeks of the really hot temps each year. However, not much stitching happening with the heat.
I've been reorganizing in the sewing room - photos next post.
I'm off to peel some prawns for lunch - I picked up a frozen kilo from the parents in law on Christmas day and forgot about them until yesterday. Yum!
Stay warm/cool wherever you are.


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Village of East Williston Trustee Christopher Siciliano recently met with representatives from the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), a New Jersey-based electric and gas company that will be taking over the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) effective January 1, 2014. They discussed what the village can expect following the transition.
Delivering a brief report at a village board meeting on Monday, Dec. 9, Siciliano said the meeting was productive and that he learned the village will have a liaison from PSEG to communicate with directly—at no cost to the village.
Christmas trees, poinsettias and tinsel. All three are signs that the holiday season is here and while they provide stunning visuals, they could pose harm to your furry little friends, says one Mineola veterinarian.
Pet safety during the holidays is crucial, according to Dr. Aaron Vine of Central Vets of Mineola. For Vine, the leading cause of increased trips to the vet after the holidays is chocolate and tinsel. He has worked for Central Vets since 2003.
"Eating off the floor is a big one," says Vine. "We see tons of chocolate ingestions during this time of the year. Tinsel is big with cats. There's a lot of times when tinsel, while it can cause a tummy ache, can get stuck in the intestinal tract. If that happens, it can be very life threatening."
The Mineola Village Board approved the much-debated, revised plan for Bolla Market to build a gas station and convenience store at 449 Jericho Turnpike last week. The property was hotly contested at hearings in October and November due to the property abutting village residences and the proposal calling for a 24-hour gas station and convenience store.
The 2,250-square foot business will be open seven days, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days per week, according to papers obtained by the Mineola American. Bolla reps confirmed that this is the first non-24 hour Bolla Market station in the entire company.
Forty-two of CEO Harry Singh's 85 Bolla locations have a convenience store. The Mineola site will hold six 2-sided gas pumps and one store.
Mineola High School senior, Jennifer Vasek and her mother have suffered for years from a rare disorder called Chiari malformation. Both have endured several brain surgeries yet still suffer from Chiari symptoms on a daily basis. They include headaches, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision and loss of balance. Chiari malformations occur when the base of the brain protrudes through the lower skull and touches the upper part of the spinal cord, creating numerous neurological symptoms. The only accurate way to identify Chiari is with an MRI of the neck.
Station Plaza Diner owner Nick Liakonis indicated he has submitted a lease proposal to Winthrop-University Hospital on Dec. 4 concerning the revamp and reconstruction of the "Welcome To Mineola" sign that sits atop his building at the
Mineola Long Island Rail Road Station. He said hospital reps asked in mid-September that he begin to draw up plans.
The location of the sign offers good exposure for the hospital if Winthrop secures the roof for rent and renovation. Winthrop is currently constructing a new $80-million, 95,000-square-foot diabetes research facility directly north of the sign, at the corner of Mineola Boulevard and Second Street, and expressed interest in the sign two months ago.
Carmela Solomon, who has two children in the Mineola School District, is sad to say that learning is not fun for her sons anymore.
"It's gotten better but it hasn't been an easy couple of months and I fear the standards," she said to about 70 concerned parents and educators at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Mineola Middle School. Her fear: second- and third-graders will have to go to summer school.
A panel of teachers and administrators—Assistant Superintendent Patricia Burns, Middle School Principal Matthew Gaven, Jackson Avenue School Principal Cindi Gonzalez, English language arts developer Jodi Helming and mathematics coordinator Nicole Bartone — faced parents concerned about the new state standards and testing in the "common core curriculum." Superintendent Michael Nagler moderated the talk.
Even rain couldn't put a damper on children's faces as they marveled at the Mineola tree across from Village Hall on Friday, Dec. 6 during the annual Christmas tree lighting. With the Chaminade High School Jazz Band rocking the community center across the street, residents and kiddies waited with bated breath and excitement for the tree to come alive, along with a visit from old St. Nick.
As the area between the Mineola Fire Department and Piccola Bussola began to fill up, the tree ignited with blue, green and red glory for all attendees to gaze at, while cars buzzing by on Jericho Turnpike now had a beacon in the night to guide them. Inside the community center, the band provided much needed holiday cheer, playing "Jingle Bells," "Carol of the Bells" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."
Eleni Pitzel has lived in East Williston since 1975, having raised five children. Prior to that, she and her family lived in Floral Park. Pitzel is a longtime club member, and served as corresponding secretary for two years.
Pitzel has been the club's art instructor for four years; she also teaches art at St. Paul's Orthodox Cathedral in West Hempstead. "My artistic skills are a gift from God, and from that gift I give back to others," Pitzel said.
A new proposal by interim Town of North Hempstead Supervisor John Riordan seeks to hike pay for elected officials. Riordan's plan would have board members' salaries jump by $15,000 to a total of $55,000, an increase of approximately 37.5 percent. Other proposed salaries would be $138,000 for the supervisor, $115,000 for the receiver of taxes and $105,000 for the town clerk.
Riordan introduced the proposal at the last town board meeting, on Nov. 19, requesting that a resolution be placed on the agenda setting Dec. 10 for a public hearing to consider the adoption of an amendment that would enable the salary increases for the 2014 calendar year.
The spirit of giving during the holiday season is ramping up and two Mineola-based organizations were one of the first beneficiaries. The Family & Children's Association and the Winthrop Cancer Center for Kids recently received 325 Toys
"R" Us gift cards totaling $8,125 from MSC Industrial Direct Co., a metalworking supply company headquartered in Melville. The two groups have received gift cards from MSC's Annual Toys "R" Us Holiday Gift Card Program for the past several years.
The Family & Children's Association is a multi-faceted organization that helps foster children, homeless youth, runaway teens, struggling families, veterans, and even senior citizens. While the association has a hand in many types of community outreach, it started out as an orphanage and still places an important emphasis on housing. The goal is simple—to keep families together.
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Articles by Lydia Kiesling
January 31, 2012
Appearing Elsewhere 0
My review of Eowyn Ivey's debut novel, The Snow Child, is up at Slate.
January 23, 2012
Modern Library Revue: #33 Sister Carrie 8
In a state of temporal foreignness, it is not always easy to read the signs of the previous century.
December 15, 2011
Grand Officier Yaşar Bey 0
On December 17, Turkish author Yaşar Kemal will be decorated as a Grand Officer of the French Légion d'Honneur. Kemal received the rank of Commander in 1984. Read his contribution to our Year in Reading series here. (Via HaberTürk.)
November 22, 2011
"It was a nasty autumn morning…" 0
A thoughtful piece of fiction to mark the November 10 anniversary of Atatürk's death.
October 31, 2011
Felt Succeeds Where Words Fail 0
Spike Jonze and Olympia Le-Tan collaborate on a short, creepy, bookish sex romp, animated in felt and set in Shakespeare and Company. Via The Dish.
October 19, 2011
Wanting it Bad: The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides 4
On its face, The Marriage Plot appears to be a novel that mentions a lot of novels without talking about any of them. These facile, knowing references disguise the sly ways that this novel engages with its predecessors.
October 7, 2011
Modern Library Revue: #76 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie 6
It is a dark and lovely poem, written by the possessor of a sinister wit.
October 5, 2011
The Unlovable Nobel Novelist 0
Why don't Turks like Orhan Pamuk? A detailed analysis here.
September 16, 2011
Modern Library Revue: #25 A Passage to India 4
This gets to the heart of both my admiration and my anxieties about this novel. How can we write across culture, or think across culture, even, in a way that is fair? The cowardly answer is that we can't.
August 11, 2011
Dispatch from Turkey: Plagiarism Charges Levied at Award-Winning Author 17
Award-winning polyglot Turkish author Elif Şafak has been accused of plagiarism by a translator in Turkey, where her newest novel Iskender was released on August 1.


text:
For schools that had no processes in place and were making mistakes it was a serious prod up the backside ... it got them to do lots of stuff and although process heavy, it made them think about what they were doing. The thought that came out was "can't this be simpler and give us time to manage things to fit us rather than jump through hoops" ... and so that is what it will change to.
You may not have liked it, but it forced a change of approach from schools.


text:
Blogs From Around the Web
Australia, October 2014
This afternoon (19 October), I left Australia. It was a good tour with so many different programs. First up, we headed north for a home program in Burleigh Heads. There is a cafe there and most devotees who are involved with the cafe came to the program. It was nice; everybody was young and enthusiastic. Then we had a kirtan program in New Govardhana. My stay at New Govardhana was too short – just two days but it was nice and peaceful, in a pleasant room. Devotees were enthusiastic about the programs; there was a lot of kirtan. We had a good time. There is a WWOOFer (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) village, where about 40 volunteer workers from all over the world are staying for a while. I did a program with them and that was fun.
Then next morning, we had to return to Sydney for a boat program. I like boats and water and kirtan, so it was a winning combination! We are going to do it again.
I did a great variety of programs all over Australia – Sydney, Gold Coast, Murwillumbah , Melbourne, Canberra – university programs, home programs, hall programs, Indian programs, Western programs, meditation programs and yoga programs. My stay in Melbourne was very dynamic.
This morning, we had a program in Govinda Valley for an audience of Australia's leading yoga teachers – very nice, quality people who are serious about the mode of goodness. It was nice to meet them and share something about Bhakti Yoga. Emmanual, the flute player, had brought all these little percussion instruments, chimes and created amazing musical effects. It created a nice atmosphere.
Now, I am on the way to Tirupati for a few days of meetings about Mayapur. Then Govardhana Puja in Vrndavana as well as some small parikrama and singing for the Deities.
Okay, time to board the next plane!
To see more pictures, kindly visit flickr.
HH Giriraj Swami – CC Antya 20: The Śikṣāṣṭaka Prayers
Tuesday, October 14th, 2014
The Grand Poem
I just can't resist sharing an offering sent on my birthday from a soul who loves walking. Here is the poem entitled, "The Grand Beaver":
In the great and natural North
Was a hill of sticks and logs
Nestled in the clearest pond
Created by a Beaver's song
He, pure servant of the Gods
All were welcome to the lodge
And put to steady use
This Spirit Beaver glowing grand
Always lent a helping hand
And tail and foot and tooth
All who joined him found a home
And a window in the nest
That opened to another world
Where dancers sang and singers twirled
Where all were duly blessed
Grand Beaver on occasion made
His way both far and near
To share spirit ways of family
And what is truly enemy
And what is truly dear
Nearby a moose walked forest trails
Of bramble, switch and thorn
And came upon Grand Beaver glad
Who noticed that the moose was sad
Entangled and forlorn
Grand Beaver said, "Be less like Moose
And more like Caribou,
Alone you haven't stamina
And even saintly brahmina
Must work within a crew"
The moose then bowed and acquiesced
To Beaver's mystic call
And with Beaver's flick of magic tail
Came cool winds and sparkling gale
Moose – no longer Moose at all!
Now Caribou who humbly knelt
Before Grand Beaver, prayed,
"Please help me to stay nearer you
And aid you in the work you do;
Let not my mind be swayed"
Grand Beaver lead Now Caribou
Back to the spirit lodge
And gave him many roles to play
Bright colours to the darkest grey
Expression's camouflage
Grand Beaver knew Now Caribou
Occasionally would fail
And at those times
Forgave the crimes
And offered massive tail
To give Now Caribou a push
And all else who sought his charge
This tail that built
Ne'er based on guilt
But compassion in the large
Grand Beaver gave wise counsel
And Now Caribou could be
An Otter and a Beaver too
As long as there were things to do
And done so lovingly
There never was so grand a Beaver
As Grand Beaver solely was
Save for his much beloved master
Who saved the world from disaster
And moved all creatures to his cause
- Written by Nitai Priya
May the Source be with you!
Monday, October 13th, 2014
Thank Your Shapers
It being Thanksgiving Day, we can consider a day to express gratitude. "For what?" you may ask. For at least what has come to you today, because the task to say merci beaucoup to all the nice people that have come to your life would be impossible. Consider, however, that whatever has come to you as good or bad circumstances, are all welcome, because they shape us all. Thank the shapers and love who you are.
I decided to be grateful for the people in my presence today, and the environment of today. I decided to BE HERE NOW. After hummous and toast sandwich, I took to a trail which might lead me to where the other three monk had apparently slipped off to. I wanted to relay to them my thanks to them about the good company they provide.
Well, I never did detect them. No foot tracks or evidence of their wanderings were clues for me. I then took to one of dozens of trails. I stepped by moose hoof prints and felt the animal's spirit. I spotted a grouse, a chipmunk, and felt their presence. Even so, I heard the woodpecker tapping his tree and viewed the green moss and the white of the peeling birch. The smell of the spruce spurred me on. All this was my company and I said, "Hare Krishna," as a way to express thanks.
The footpath was the way I like it. It was sloping up and down and sideways. There were areas of moistness and dryness, of sand and black soil, of laden twigs, leaves, bark and rock. The path was an ankle strengthener and an eye alerter. I was grateful even though I could not find the lost monks.
It's all quite relative, isn't it? Perhaps I've become the lost monk. Let's take this as a metaphor on life and when on the spiritual path, there must always be a sense of direction, and even more so, a sense of gratitude.
Thus ends the walk for today, and the super meetings of the weekend. En route to Montreal's airport, my auto companions, Sahadeva, Vrinda, and Gauramani and I, spent the hour pulling out the highlights of three days. It was so fitting considering the day.
May the Source be with you!
Sunday, October 12th, 2014
Gold Then Gold Now
We did plod the country road, but in the dark, after meetings that mattered. Three Canuck monks and I took to the gentle up and down course. It was down time after a long but rich day of discussion and presentation. These presentations of a "close-to-the-heart" sort moved my emotions as there was vision behind such initiatives. "Think for the future" was the theme. And as I heard the voice of 'care' in the air I looked out several times through the resort's window to trees drip of tears. I think they were hearing our message of opportunities missed, hence the tears. They were an actual transformation of the lightest frost melting in the sun's warmth. Triumphantly rose the yellow leaves of the aspen shaking for joy because not all occasions we spoke of were grim. There has been far greater victory over defeats of the past. Once our walk had terminated we found some of the weekend crew still in the dining lounge space engaged in happy chatter over the old and gold days, of the times spent in jail because we were misunderstood. I joined in and oh yes, lest I forget, I escaped a near-death fire and when a moving train bashed again and again at our stalled vehicle on the tracks while I, the driver, sat there frozen in shock. When I think of life as a Krishna monk in the 70's and the monks of now who live on easy street, it is like night and day. May the Source be with you! 5 KM
Saturday, October 11th, 2014
Millions Millions of fallen leaves were under the foot until it stepped down to be submerged by them, both moist and dry. But not so dry were they that they would break to flakes. The challenge was to take them at a slope with the extra stretch and stride for a leap over the log. The log was also a submergee. You are looking for a solid something to anchor your foot but it most helplessly falls prey to the rot beyond the bark. It's deceptive. You then pull out the captive foot and search for a more secure footing. This climb is not possible without the young and older living trees that serve to offer themselves as we grasped them. Speak of anchor, well, that's exactly what they are. The water cascading over rocks is the creek that makes the sound pleasant enough for our meditation, japa or chanting to the finger-roll on our beads. Only a few minutes is sufficient for relishing a moment before it was time to trail on. The rocks we sat on were just too nippy on the butt. There were four butts, excuse me, bhaktas, devotees who decided on this brief trek of adventure, which lead us to wonder and wander this wilderness. We had spent a full day on couchy-material over meaningful meetings. Our stroll through the woods, reminding us of mutual guardianship, was of equal significance because you couldn't help but think of the master craftsman behind it all. May the Source be with you! 5 km
Friday, October 10th, 2014
It takes some hours to reach this destination near the reputed Mount Tremblant in Quebec. Unfortunately it was not on foot but cab, plane and car. I had great company though, Vrinda from Winnipeg and Sahadeva from Calgary. We travelled and wish listed much of the way over en route to partake in our annual Krishna Consciousness leaders meetings for Canada. We had reached a rustic retreat place nestled in Laurentian Mountain territory. Once we arrived and settled in I took note of remarks made by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, from an article recorded on Dec 1, 1966 in New York City. Some significant points made are as follows: Kirtan usually means describing. Unless you hear you cannot describe God has given you power of hearing, The process to acquire knowledge is hearing. There are two processes of knowledge, ascending and descending. The ascending process means trying to go high by your (own) strength and the descending process means receiving the pure knowledge from above. And we have four kinds of imperfectness - (the tendency) to commit mistakes, to be in illusion, our senses are imperfect, and the propensity to cheat. Our attempt to understand the Absolute Truth by our faulty senses and experience is futile. We must hear, sravanam. That is the Vedic process. May the Source be we with you! 0 km
Faithfully Performed With Enthusiasm
Nectar Of Instruction
Verse 3 purport
The Radha-kunda's Appearance Continued, October 16, Dallas
"Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Nava Vraja Mahima by Sivarama Swami and Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava by Bhakti Vikasa Swami.
"Krishna turned to Radha and declared. 'Most beloved. Because your kunda is as dear to me as you are, I will bathe in it daily. May Radha-kunda garner more fame in this world than my own beloved Syama-kunda.' Now it was Radha's turn. She completely abandoned her contrary mood and openly revealed her true feelings. 'Oh Syama, you may kill a hundred bull demons but every day I will bathe in your kunda.' From now on any person who has intense devotion for your lake, Syama-kunda, or who bathes there, or lives on its banks, will certainly become very dear to me and thus come to me. After Radha and Krishna had pronounced their vows and given their blessings, the entire area surrounding the two lakes echoed with the voices of cheering gopis and the sounds of rejoicing forest animals."
—Nava Vraja Mahima
Favorite Destinations
Born Again
The King Of Mountains
Travel Journal#10.18: New York City and Philadelphia
By Krishna-kripa das
(September 2014, part two)New York City and Philadelphia
(Sent from Brooklyn, New York, on October 17, 2014)
Where I Went and What I Did
I rejoined Rama Raya Prabhu's Harinama New York City party, living at their ashram in Brooklyn and chanting six hours a day in Union Square. There many, many people, from a variety of countries, have positive interactions with the devotees and advance in spiritual consciousness, and it is truly beautiful to see. In the midst of that I spent three days traveling with the World Harinama Party devotees to Philadelphia to do harinama and attend the Ratha-yatra there. In Philly I also spoke for three hours with Prishni dd, who is doing an oral history project on Sadaputa Prabhu. Contact her if you had personal association with him. One day in New York City I participated in the Climate Change March with my family, who visited from Albany. I also played my harmonium and chanted Hare Krishna both in that parade and alongside as it passed. I ended September by celebrating my 55thbirthday by making coconut sweets and sharing them with my friends nearby.
I share inspirational quotes from Srila Prabhupada's books and from the lectures of Bhatki Marga and Danavira Swamis and from those of Abhirama, Laksmi Nrsimha and Rama Raya Prabhus.
Thanks to Dharmatma Prabhu for his pictures at Union Square and Times Square and to Murli Krishna Prabhu for his pictures at Union Square. Thanks to Vishnujana Prabhu (alias Harinama Ruci) for his picture of Ratha-yatra in Philadelphia. Thanks to Jim Peppler for his pictures of the Climate Change March. Thanks to Marc Gordon for the pictures of me at the book table at Union Square.
Harinama in Union Square
Rama Raya Prabhu's New York City harinama party chants in Union Square from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week, a great example for the world of dedication to the dharma of the age, the congregational chanting of the holy name.
Most often I would contribute by dancing.
Sometimes I would man the book table.
Sometime I would talk to people who liked listening to us.
There were many very positive kirtana experiences at Union Square. Some I photographed, some I videoed, and some I described.
Ananta Prabhu from Alachua led some kirtanas that were appreciated by the people in general (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGerEnGdI0xL_peUACOf1UwMm_Xo_2CwV):
Nikunja Bihari Prabhu also led some pretty fired up chanting (http://youtu.be/mtTzeK4h4Ws):
Vrajananda dd from Lithuania sang and inspired a whole family to take part in playing instruments and moving with the music (http://youtu.be/abCGBEBXEAc):
Sometimes she would play the flute when others sang.
One time I was talking to a man in front of our party.
He said he played the harmonica and opened a case containing thirteen of them, one for every key.
He wondered what key Ananta Prabhu was playing in, and I suggested it was probably E or B because there were many black keys in it. He concluded it was E and took the appropriate harmonica and began playing along (http://youtu.be/AZxRJRR6kb0):
Arjuna Prabhu, son of Prahlada Priya Prabhu, sang in such a lively way lots of the devotees danced (http://youtu.be/Zcypg7Ev9Pw):
Sometimes the kirtanas were so lively that many people watched and some people danced (http://youtu.be/jo5ZfRXlLpE):
Sometimes people would bring their own instruments to play, like the guitar player in the video below, while others would play our different percussion instruments (http://youtu.be/38GiRaQ6Pd0):
Danavira Maharaja, who has great faith in the holy name and musical talent, kindly chanted with us during his visit.
Different people of all ages would play instruments with us.
Devotees and onlookers both danced.
Many people, include took pictures of us, sometimes at odd angles.
One lady held up the Bhagavad-gitafor all to see.
One girl asked if she had seen me in Jacksonville. I explained that I sometimes went to our programs at the University of North Florida, and she had too. She knew Amrita Keli dd, our organizer there.
One young lady who works in marketing stopped by our party at Union Square after work. She found the chanting to be very soothing. She took our free literature and also bought a book, took a mantra card and had prasadam. She had a mild smile on her face the whole time and applauded at the end. She must have stayed two hours and said she will come again. It is awesome to see new people connect with the chanting in such a positive way. Several days later she stopped to listen for some time. She said after she visited us before the Hare Krishna mantra had stayed in her mind the whole next day, and she told her friends about it. She had visited India once, and plans to return in November. I advised her to visit Mathura and Vrindavan and to ask the devotees about good places to visit.
World Religions professor, Zachary Smith, of Cooper Union, brought his entire class to Union Square to see the harinamaone Monday evening. Students listened for half an hour, got Krishna, Reservoir of Pleasure, ate prasadamcookies, and talked with devotees. The professor told me he thought, "What better way to teach them devotional Hinduism!"
Harinama at Times Square
When the World Harinama Party was visiting New York City they would sometimes do harinama in Times Square. In the second half of September, they did one on the Saturday night after the Climate Change March. We started by chanting on the subway (http://youtu.be/39dXe3P5UpE):
And then through the Times Square subway station.
We chanted on a crowded street, and many people got into dancing with us (http://youtu.be/M0V4SHJNFXA):
The World Harinama Party devotees were brave enough to chant Hare Krishna in the Times Square Radio Shack store, and the workers were all very happy about it (http://youtu.be/Merjtj3qO2c):
On the very day we returned from Philadelphia, they did harinama again in Times Square. Even through it was Sunday night, there were still plenty of people there. Again we started by chanting on the subway (http://youtu.be/Kj14nvKIdj8):
That day we chanted through a shoe store (http://youtu.be/U4VAbVCSt-E):
Philadelphia Harinamas
Haryasva Prabhu, owner of Govinda's restaurant in Philadelphia, greeted the World Harinama Party with enthusiasm and had us sing kirtana for his large Panca-tattva deities as soon as we arrived. After prasadam, we rested and hit the streets.
Across from Rittenhouse Square on Walnut Street, we met a trombonist and trumpeter from Berlin, who loved playing and dancing with us (http://youtu.be/wYQBRe-HyHk):
Some students we met on the sidewalk danced with us (http://youtu.be/JRXcHnIKFl4):
One worker danced ecstatically in her shop when our party came to the door (http://youtu.be/dfEBFLSZraY):
The first day it rained, and there were not many people on the streets. Still as you can see in the videos above, we found some people who were happy to move to the beat of the kirtana and to hear about our Ratha-yatra festival.
To avoid the rain, we chanted underground from Suburban Station to City Hall.
We passed some musicians playing guitar and djembe.
The djembe player really enjoyed playing with us (http://youtu.be/0YsAAOsU_AY):
The next day when we were on Walnut Street, he was playing with his friends on the opposite side of the street, and then he saw us, he crossed the street to play with us.
On Friday during the day, famed kirtana leader Agnidev Prabhu from Trinidad lead us one harinama on Walnut Street.
A guitar player later played with us in Rittenhouse Square.
On Friday night, Agnidev Prabhu and a kirtana leader from Toronto both led harinama on crowded South Street. We passed out almost all of the invitations to the Ratha-yatra.
Philadelphia Ratha-yatra
Harinamananda Prabhu read a description of the 1975 Philadelphia Ratha-yatra, and it sounded like the devotees had a better route, including big shopping streets. Still there were many people along the parade route who were very favorable when invited to the festival after the parade near the museum.
Two years ago they did not have separate carts for the three Jagannatha's deities, but they did this time, and they also had a separate cart for the Panca-tattva deities as before.
During the procession we passed a Shakesphere memorial with his famous quote, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." Of course, that is a very Krishna consciousness statement when we consider the players to be the souls who are wearing different bodily costumes in each life.
In the stage show afterward, the comedian Yadunatha Prabhu told a story of a devotee who had difficulty with the loud kirtanas. He also had doubts about the restriction on elastic socks, finding it a bit unreasonable. When the devotee asked Yadunatha Prabhu about that restriction, at first Yadunatha said he was confused as he could not think of any restriction on elastic socks. But then it occurred to him that devotee meant "illicit sex" but because of the hearing damage from the loud chanting he had not heard properly.
At least three people we had invited during the harinamas we did the previous two days actually came to the festival. To one, who I remember from his gigantic beads, I gave a On Chanting Hare Krishna pamphlet at the festival and along with my business card.
He expressed interest in attending the programs at Govinda's. Later he bought a Bhagavad-gita from Harinamananda Prabhu.
One girl I talked to remembered getting an invitation from us. She loved dancing in the kirtana at the festival.
I also gave her a On Chanting Hare Krishna pamphlet at the festival and along with my business card, and she also said she would come to our programs. She gave me an extra samosashe bought, and I gave her and her boyfriend some cookies. She was from Jamaica and had no problem with the hotness of the spicy samosa.
Rasika Mangala Prabhu talked to a young man named Brandon at the festival who he had met on harinama at Rittenhouse Square. Brandon danced for hours in the kirtana and became a Facebook friend of Rasika.
He changed his profile picture to one of himself wearing tilaka and with the chariots behind him.
People were happy to receive the maha-prasadam from Lord Jagannatha.
They also enjoyed the chance to fan Srila Prabhupada and the deity with the camara.
I talked to two or three people who lived in the area and saw or heard our festival and were attracted to come. Some came from visiting a college fair or the nearby art museum.
Our kirtana group was so lively many people were attracted to watch for some time and almost all took the "On Chanting Hare Krishna" pamphlets I offered them.
Both the vegan and vegetarian prasadam were very good, and I had a plate of each. I had a sense that there was a larger quantity of prasadamwhen I came two years ago, but I do not know if my perception is valid.
New York City Climate Change March
September 21, the day of the New York City Climate Change March was crazy for me with four different events I wanted to attend happening all at the same time. My mother, a social activist who had her 90th birthday the previous week, wanted her friends and family to celebrate by participating with her in the Climate Change March. At the same time a group of Hare Krishna devotees was chanting Hare Krishna in the march. Also that afternoon, devotees had arranged a memorial service for Jada Bharata Prabhu, a disciple of my diksa guru, Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami, who was a book distributor in Manhattan when I joined the temple on 55thStreet in 1979. And as usual we had our six-hour kirtana at Union Square from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.
As I do so few things for my mother, I decided to spend some time with her and my other family members in the Climate Change March. Then I planned to join with the devotees who were chanting in that parade. I brought my harmonium, so in case I could not find the other devotees to chant with, at least I could chant by myself.
My sister made special T-shirts for my mother's 90thbirthday which had a picture of her at a protest on the front along with the text "Happy 90th Birthday Pat Beetle" and a favorite saying of hers on the back, "We are all in this together."
My sister, Karen, her boyfriend, Victor, and I with my harmonium, joined my mother, who was in a wheel chair only because of the long distance of the march. When no one was talking or shouting slogans and no bands were playing, I would sometimes play harmonium and chant Hare Krishna, and Victor pleased me by chanting nicely along with me.
A professional photographer friend of my mother's, who works for Albany Times Union newspaper, took several pictures, three of which made the website of the newspaper. They were captioned, "Pat Beetle, age 90, considered to be the grand dame of Activism in the Capitol region, of Albany Fiends Meeting, marching (via wheel chair) in the People's Climate March in New York City on Sunday, September 21, 2014. Photo by Jim Peppler. Copyright Jim Peppler 2014. All rights reserved."
After spending time with my family, which included Gwen, my niece, and her husband, Matt, and their friends, who did not make the above pictures, I decided to look for my Hare Krishna friends in the parade. I thought they were behind us, and walked alongside the parade toward the end, chanting Hare Krishna and playing harmonium. I did not find my World Harinama Party friends till almost the end of the parade, and I could not join them because I had to run to get my kurta (shirt) from my sister's bag, where I put it when I put on my birthday T-shirt, before she left to Albany by bus at 4:30 p.m. Still the result of me looking for the Hare Krishna party was that many, many people got to hear the chanting of Hare Krishna as I wondered around looking for them and that was Krishna's mercy. I was engaged in devotional service, but not in the way I had hoped. Sometime after 5:00 p.m., I joined the Union Square harinama till 7:30 p.m., and then went to Times Square to sing with the World Harinama Party in the evening, so it was a very full day with lots of kirtana.
InsightsSrila Prabhupada:
from Srimad-Bhagavatam6.19.5, purport:
"Lord Krishna had the competence to win the Battle of Kuruksetra, but nonetheless He induced His devotee Arjuna to fight and become the cause of victory. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was quite competent enough to spread His name and mission all over the world, but still He depended upon His devotee to do this work. Considering all these points, the most important aspect of the Supreme Lord's self-sufficiency is that He depends on His devotees. This is called His causeless mercy. The devotee who has perceived this causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by realization can understand the master and the servant."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.9.46, purport:
"There are many who like to chant the Hare Krishna mantra in a silent, solitary place, but if one is not interested in preaching, talking constantly to the nondevotees, the influence of the modes of nature is very difficult to surpass."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.14.3–4, purport:
"Simply by joining the kirtana– Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare – and by hearing about Krishna from Bhagavad-gita, one must be purified, especially if he also takes prasada.This is all going on in the Krishna consciousness movement."
"In a dream we form a society of friendship and love, and when we awaken we see that it has ceased to exist. Similarly, one's gross society, family and love are also a dream, and this dream will be over as soon as one dies. Therefore, whether one is dreaming in a subtle way or a gross way, these dreams are all false and temporary. One's real business is to understand that one is soul (aham brahmasmi) and that his activities should therefore be different. Then one can be happy."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.14.5, purport:
"Certainly one requires some means of livelihood, and according to one's varṇaand asrama this means of livelihood is prescribed in the sastras.One should be satisfied with this. Therefore, instead of hankering for more and more money, a sincere devotee of the Lord tries to invent some ways to earn his livelihood, and when he does so Krishna helps him. Earning one's livelihood, therefore, is not a problem. The real problem is how to get free from the bondage of birth, death and old age. Attaining this freedom, and not inventing unnecessary necessities, is the basic principle of Vedic civilization. One should be satisfied with whatever means of life comes automatically."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.14.7, purport:
"An intelligent person should try to spread Krishna consciousness through the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, and all the necessities of life will automatically follow."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.14.8:
"One may claim proprietorship to as much wealth as required to maintain body and soul together, but one who desires proprietorship over more than that must be considered a thief, and he deserves to be punished by the laws of nature."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.14.10:
"Even if one is a householder rather than a brahmacari,a sannyasior a vanaprastha,one should not endeavor very hard for religiosity, economic development or satisfaction of the senses. Even in householder life, one should be satisfied to maintain body and soul together with whatever is available with minimum endeavor, according to place and time, by the grace of the Lord. One should not engage oneself in ugra-karma."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.14.13, purport:
" . . . if one intelligently considers the constitution of the body and the soul beyond it, what is the value of the body? Antavanta ime deha nityasyoktah saririṇaḥ:[Bg. 2.18] the body may perish at any moment, but the soul is eternal. If one gives up attachment for the body and increases his attachment for the spirit soul, his life is successful. It is merely a matter of deliberation."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.14.14, purport:
"The education of so-called scientists, philosophers and poets is now engaged in the service of maya,and the wealth of the rich is also engaged in maya'sservice. The service of maya,however, creates a chaotic condition in the world. Therefore the wealthy man and the educated man should sacrifice their knowledge and opulence by dedicating them for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord and joining this sankirtanamovement (yajñaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah[SB 11.5.32])."
from Srimad-Bhagavatam7.14.29, purport:
"The forest may be in goodness, the cities and villages in passion, and the brothels, hotels and restaurants in ignorance, but when one lives in the temple community he lives in Vaikuntha."
from The Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 44:
"Lord Krishna has no rival; no one is equal to Him, and no one is greater than Him. His beauty is also without any rival, and because He excels all others in the pastimes of conjugal love, He is the original object of all conjugal love."
"A pure devotee [of Krishna] follows in the footsteps of the gopisand worships the gopisas follows: 'Let me offer my respectful obeisances to all the young cowherd girls, whose bodily features are so attractive. Simply by their beautiful attractive features they are worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna.' Out of all the young gopis,Srimati Radharani is the most prominent.
Bhakti Marga Swami:
from a lecture before Ratha-yatra:
What is the mood? The idea is to share, for Lord Jagannath to meet His devotees. Who is that? Everybody.
We want to express the joy that Lord Jagannath Himself expresses.
You cannot force people, especially in North America. You just have make it attractive so they will want to want to participate.
We are introducing a whole new concept of how to enjoy. No meat eating, no intoxication, no illicit sex.
Look presentable. Sound presentable.
Q [by Harinamananda Prabhu]: Do you have examples of people taking Krishna consciousness more seriously as a result of Ratha-yatra?
I have seen people increase their commitment as a result of Ratha-yatra. Sometimes we do Ratha-yatra in a more secluded place and it is like a family festival but the people become more happy about their commitment as a result. [Later, at this year's Ratha-yatra, I asked a new devotee how he came to practice Krishna consciousness. He had some books and read them, but he said that at a previous Ratha-yatra he became really commited. When he said that I remembered what Bhakti Marga Swami had said that very morning.]
my comment: I talked to one girl I met on harinama who was happy to get from me an invitation to Ratha-yatha and who gleefully told her friend, "This is the greatest festival!" One year I talked to three groups of people who came to the festival, and they had all come two or three times, although they were not devotees but just residents of the city. There are a lot of devotees of the festival in Philadelphia, more so than in many cities.
comment by Nirantara Prabhu: Every group has their day. There is Gay Pride Day, etc. Ratha-yatra is our day.
comment Agnideva Prabhu: Ratha-yatra is Divine Dispensation Day.
after the Sita's trial by fire and Rama's ultimate acceptance of her in his Ramayana play:
"Relationships are always complicated, even in the divine and absolute realm."
on Srila Prabhupada singing "Parama Karuna"in Atlanta in 1975:
He enjoyed the mood of the kirtana. There were devotees from all over America present, and even Canada. Our Canadian traveling party was in the USA, and we decided to follow Srila Prabhupada.Srila Prabhupada played mridanga although in 1975, he rarely played it in public kirtanas.
from a Srimad-Bhagavatam class on verse 7.3.36:
If we are materialistic, and we all are to a certain extent, we try to protect what is ours.
At one temple while I was visiting I got attached to pacing back and forth on a certain set of tiles while chanting japa. Then someone sat on one of my tiles, and I was upset.And I was just a visitor!
Hiranyakasipu had four sons, but the most beloved was Prahlada.
If anyone stands out in a Vedic text, it is saint. In this Kali yuga, it tends to be the swindlers and bad elements that are heroes. My favorite quote by Benjamin Franklin is "Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?"
Successful people, including Srila Prabhupada, encourage and engage people according to their talents.
Ego in this world is just like a balloon, and one little pin can make us shrivel up.
Take a humble position. Be a team player. Get on with life.
On Ratha-yatra I like the short route. After an hour and a half people run out of energy. The weather was great. Pretty good kirtana. Good location.
Q: You go to Cuba every year? Tell us about it.A: I wear a dhoti.No one harasses me. 50% of the cars are from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, American cars with souped up Russian engines. I like the people because they are down home. People are not wearing mp3 players. They say "Ola (Hello)." The people are friendly and healthy. No pesticides. No pornography. Great fruits. Every day for a week I have speaking engagements to curious artistic type people. A few friends from Canada come with me. There are a few devotees there and a few more taking initiation. Cuba and Canada have a loving relationship.
Danavira Swami:
Knowledge of God is understandable and yet not understandable.
Krishna consciousness is not just something a group of people believe, but it is a verifiable science. Anyone who acts according to the Vedic wisdom can experience the same result of liberation and attainment of the spiritual world.
As one advances, Krishna reveals more of Himself.
When the Lord appears, it is in one of the forms that are described in the revealed scriptures. For example, we do not have a picture of Krishna riding a surf board. Although someone may like to think of Krishna like that, it is not described in the revealed literature.
A father may not tell a irresponsible son where his wealth is located and how to get it, although he maintains him. So it is also with the Supreme Lord.
Q: How does a nondevotee become faithful?A: He can develop faith if he is willing to hear from the Bhagavad gita or from the devotee.
Q: What mood do we have to have in our Deity worship to experience His reciprocation and how can we recognize that reciprocation.A: We can reveal our minds to Him, offer prayers to Him, see His form, remember Him, glorify Him, give gifts to Him. He reveals His mind to the devotee, either by speaking or revealing knowledge in the heart. He also speaks through His devotees, especially the spiritual master. The spiritual master has the power of attorney to speak on behalf of the Lord. On practical matters we consult the spiritual master or the senior devotees. Even Lord Caitanya would go to a place only if His senior followers gave their blessings.
Meditation on the universe or nature is good for people who have no higher knowledge.
In Deity worship there are so many rules, but there are no rules regarding the chanting of the holy name.
People create forms like spider man, but they are not as amazing as the Lord's forms, like Nrsimha, half man and half lion. Movies with imagined characters become tedious, but movies depicting the actual pastimes of the Lord will remain ever fresh. The pastimes become more interesting, and the philosophy becomes more deep.
In the Bhagavad-gita, the Absolute Truth is personally speaking, but scientists looking for the truth in other places are not listening, and for this reason they can be considered foolish.
Krishna's promise of protection does not necessarily apply to the body, but it definitely applies to the soul.
The demigods were powerless to kill Hiranyakasipu because Brahma had given him the benediction of not being killed by any demigod, man, or animal.
The demigods could understand that Nrsimha was Vishnu because a half man, half lion is not among the 8,400,000 species of life.
There is a name for Nrsimha meaning he wears a garland of intestines.
Krishna protects His devotees because they have no other shelter than Him.
When Indra was angry and inundated their homeland with water, the residents of Vrindavan did not pray to Indra for protection but to Lord Krishna.
One must worship both the spiritual master and Krishna.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had a father and mother who were extraordinary Vaishnavas, he had great knowledge of Sanskrit, the scriptures, and astronomy. He said that his guru did not consider his many qualifications and that was his guru's qualification.
The guru has to consider all praise, money, fame, and opulence given to him is actually for Krishna.
If we stay in ISKCON, we will be subject to correction, for everyone in ISKCON is at least subordinate to the GBC, and then we can progress. Otherwise, if we think that we are greater than the body of Vaishnavas, then our faults will never be rectified.
Abhirama Prabhu:
The more we decorate our body and make arrangements for its glorious accommodation and transportation, the more we become entangled in false ego.
Pain is the gap between our aspirations and achievements.
The parent needs nothing that the child has but the child's love, and that love makes the relationship so very satisfying the parent is willing to do everything for the child. Similarly we have nothing that we can give the Lord that he does not have but our love, and that love makes the Lord very satisfied.
We are singing the glorification of the Lord. We are not a performance group, but we try to create a situation by our singing and playing of the instruments that inspires others to participate.
The pure devotee lives in a state of amazement seeing the glories of the Lord expanded everywhere.
Glorifying the Lord is to precisely describe the Lord according to our realization.
For Mother Yasoda, the worst catastrophe is that some danger would befall her child, Krishna. This is a manifestation of her love.
There are people who live in Vrindavan and who decorate themselves beautifully with tilaka but spend their timelooking for faults in the devotees and broadcasting them on the Internet. Just see how the false ego of thinking "I am better" persists! This is opposite to Lord Caitanya's recommendation to think oneself lower than a blade of grass.
Although Srila Prabhupada was happily living in Vrndavana, where he was appreciated by the residents and where he was able to witness the pastimes of Krishna, yet he came to the West where no one knew him just to benefit the people in general.
"How to cultivate humility?" Srila Prabhupada was asked, and he responded. "Preach vigorously."
In a report of the activities of my temple that I submitted to Srila Prabhupada, I included the comment, "The devotees appear to be happy." Srila Prabhupada replied, "If the devotees are happy, then Krishna is happy."
There are so many amazing devotees in history to inspire us. Even one would be enough, but the Lord has given us so many.
The difficulties that we have are all manifestations of false ego, and the false ego is attacked by humility. Thus we can eliminate all our problems by cultivating humility.
Our whole life people are doing things to benefit us beginning with our father and mother, but at a certain point we start claiming "this is mine, that is mine." But what is actually ours? Everything has been given to us!
Laksmi Nrsimha Prabhu:
Prahlada Maharaja says that Krishna is the best of those we can offer prayers to.
My Uncle Rick challenged me saying, "Why did you become a devotee?You could have been so successful in the world!" I asked him, "For you, what is success?" He said one word only, "Money." I said, "Success for me is to connect with God. Money comes and goes."
Bhakti energizes karma and jnana.
In jnana yoga, atma is the primary meditation, in karma it is dharma, in dhyana yoga it is the Lord in the heart, and in bhakti yoga it is Krishna.
Krishna reserves the right to reveal Himself to only those in pure devotional service because those not in the proper consciousness will try to exploit Him.
Because of their advanced devotional activities, the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan were completely satisfied and fulfilled, although they were so impoverished they had no place of residence and stayed under a different tree each night.
The Christians say you cannot attain God by good works alone. We also agree that Krishna cannot be attained simply by pious acts.
When we see Krishna alone we are not satisfied because we know He wants to be with Srimati Radharani.
Rupa Goswami says that nama kirtana energizes the other four of the five primary practices of bhakti.
A proud man is seldom grateful because he never thinks he gets what he deserves.
Gratitude is the cause of our happiness.
There is a difference between taking and receiving. In both you get something but in receiving you cultivate gratitude.
The perfection of kirtana is to attract people to the holy name.
I did kirtana at a yoga program. About twelve people had never done kirtana before. They did not even know the word. One lady who looked to me to not be attracted by it later said, "I do not know what that was. I did not know the words, but that was the most incredible experience of my life."
Mangala Maharaja told me when he visited Radha-Govinda Mandir that Srila Prabhupada's specific greatness was that he created guru bhakti, and that was his success. Without guru bhakti there is no chance of Krishna bhakti.
It is offensive to consider what a devotee was before attaining perfection. It is irrelevant.
Sadhana is conscious application of the principles of bhakti. We need to be aware of the other creepers that may grow in addition to the creeper of bhakti.
Things can make you happy for a moment, but they do not ultimate fulfill you.
Reserved means not yapping.
Millions of thoughts come. What you do with them is what matters. Do you hold on to them?
How do we become detached? We become attached to Krishna and service to Krishna and His devotees.
Detachment, devotion, and direct perception of the self are the results of pure devotional service.
The devotee is confident that Krishna will bestow His mercy, but how that mercy will manifest may not be exactly what he might imagine.
One sannyasi was falling asleep in class. Srila Prabhupada reprimanded him, "If you cannot stay awake in class, you are a sudra. Better you go out and plow the fields." The next day in the distance, Srila Prabhupada saw a saffron figure out in the field in Mayapur behind a plow, and he asked who it was. He was told it was Pancadravida Swami, the devotee he had corrected in class. Prabhupada replied that it was very good, but he should come to class.
By properly associating with devotees more advanced than ourselves, those on our own level, and those who are less advanced, we become so satisfied that we will not seek the association of materialistic persons.
According to Bhaktivinoda Thakura, even the hypocritically devout devotee is a materialist.
If we are despondent in devotional service, we have not sought out sufficient association of advanced devotees.
Reading Srila Prabhupada's books is one of the best ways of strengthening your intelligence.
Advaita Prabhu (the professor at Rutgers) told me that one day after practicing devotional service for thirty years, he realized that devotional service is yoga, and he then began to practice it with the seriousness of a yogi.
A peer is someone you feel an attraction to because of their qualities. They may not be the same age as you. But they are someone who enthuses you in devotional service.
We have the right to choose who to associate with, but we do not have the right to be disrespectful to anybody.
When you choose a guru, an important part if it is his mood.
Rama Raya Prabhu:
We should not think that harinama sankirtana is antiquated and was suitable for Lord Caitanya's time but not for the present.
Without prioritizing sankirtana,putting it in its rightful place as the most important activity, whatever else we do will not be complete.
One of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura's disciples who preached in London was explaining how it was not possible to preach to those people of London and told his guru that he did not understand the actual situation. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was so disturbed by the disciple's mentality, he told him to never again come into his presence. Lord Nrsimha was so angry that even Laksmidevi, the Lord's eternal consort, was not able to pacify Him.
By asking Prahlada to request some benediction Nrsimhadeva is revealing the glory of the devotional mentality.
Vallabha Bhatta says that only one who is empowered by Krishna can preach.
Because the advanced devotee is absorbed varieties of devotional service, he has no material needs.
Just as a New Yorker knows all the subways, buses, and streets, the advanced devotee knows the details of the relationships and mellows of love of Godhead.
Some people say that you have to personally hear from a rasika Vaishnava who is physically present to attain the highest level of Krishna prema, but that is not our philosophy. The spiritual master does not have to be personally present to reveal the highest knowledge. By serving the instructions of one's guru in separation one can gain all perfection.
To think we need to go outside of Srila Prabhupada's movement is a reprehensible and abhorrent idea.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura tells a story about a landlord who could not motivate his workers to increase their service. A friend advised him to feed them bhasmati rice and cow ghee and to not ask them to do anything for six months. Then he could begin asking them to do something. Some of them rebelled at being engaged in service and went away, but they came back because of the bhasmati rice and cow ghee and consented to do the service. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explained we have to give people profit, adoration, and distinction to motivate them to do something in the Lord's service. Those who are advanced, however, do not need such motivations.
If we are engaged in harinama sankirtana, book distribution, and prasadam distribution, we can know we cannot be very far off the mark.
Devotee who cooks at Govinda's:
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said thinking the spiritual master an ordinary man is the root of the other nine offenses.
yuñjann evam sadatmanam yogi vigata-kalmasah sukhena brahma-samsparsam atyantam sukham asnute
"Thus the self-controlled yogi,constantly engaged in yoga practice, becomes free from all material contamination and achieves the highest stage of perfect happiness in transcendental loving service to the Lord." (Bhagavad-gita6.28)