Five Lessons from a Pencil
When I was walking today, on the Island Mali Losinj, I felt my mind reach out over the blue sea to an island shimmering in the distance. When my mind returned, it brought a story with it, a story of spiritual instruction. Strange are the ways of inspiration.
Here is the story:
When Mohan returned from his journey to Jagannatha Puri, he was a changed man. Those who had never met him were impressed with his character, but those who had known him before were suspicious. Why was Mohan so clear-minded and suddenly so happy? There seemed to be no good reason, because while Mohan was on his way to Puri, his spiritual master, Gurudeva, had left his body. CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE »
INTERVIEW: Shortly before passing away, the legend of kirtan shares both practical knowledge and deep insights. Interview by Dhanurdhara Swami.
FILM SCREENING/REVIEW: A screening and review of Nina Paley’s Animated feature film Sita Sings the Blues.
ESSAY: Dhanurdhara Swami discusses in depth “Is there therapy in the Vedas?” and examines the effect of one’s nature, actions, environment and heartfelt devotion on the development of a healthy mind.
SLIDESHOW: Stunning Photos of the Pushya Abhisek/Flower Festival, at the Radha Gopinath Temple in Mumbai, by Stephan Crasneanscki.
SLIDESHOW: Striking photos of Vrindavan’s Radha Govinda Temple by Robert Stoetzel.
PODCAST: A brilliant recording of “The Story of Pingala” from Karnamrita’s CD Dasi-Prayers by Women.
SLIDESHOW: Photos of Vrindavan’s Keshi Ghat in December by Robert Stoetzel.
SLIDESHOW: A photo collection of the murals which decorate the Krishna Balaram Temple in Vrindavan. Photos by Gitapriya dasi.
PODCAST: A beautiful recording of Bhaktivinode Thakur’s Mama Mana Mandire (In the Temple of My Heart) sung by the bhajan group Spiritual Skyliner.
PODCAST: A live recording of Aindra Das at the Krishna Balaram Temple in Vrindavan.
ESSAY: In his paper The Nature of the Self: A Gaudiya Vaisnava Understanding Ravindra-svarupa dasa provides an introductory presentation on the nature of the self according to the followers of Sri Chaitanya.
PODCAST: An exceptional recording of Dravida dasa chanting the perennially famous Mukunda-mala-stotra of Kulasekhara Alvar.
BOOK PREVIEW: In the following excerpt from his forthcoming book, a translation and extensive commentary on Patanjali’s Yoga-sutras, Dr. Edwin Bryant examines the classical commentaries on a section of the text while providing his own insights.
ESSAY: Matthew Dasti’s paper Indirect Perception of Brahman in the Bhagavad-gita uses a contemporary account of indirect seeing to examine religious experience within the Bhagavad-gita.
PODCAST: Kirtan by As Kindred Spirits, from their CD Nectar of Devotion.
ESSAY: Dhanurdhara Swami’s paper, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta and Raganuga Sadhana Bhakti explores a central point of contention regarding the influence of Vaishnava reformer and modernizer, Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati.
SLIDESHOW: A photo collection of the extraordinary gopurams (temple gates) of South India by Kaustubha das.
MAGAZINE ARTICLE: My Studies with Sri Krishnamacharya: By Srivatsa Ramaswami. A thorough account of the author’s training in yoga and mantra under the tutelage of the Sri Vaisnava, Sri Krisnamacarya who is often credited with reviving yoga in the 20th century. From NAMARUPA Magazine.
SLIDESHOW: Portraits from the Kunds of Govardhan: Photos by Gitapriya dasi of some of the residents and pilgrims at the sacred kunds (lakes) at the foot of Govardhan Hill in Vrindavan.
PODCAST: Prayers to Govardhan:The prayers of 16th century saint Raghunath das Goswami in glorification of the sacred Govardhan Hill. Chanting by Nityananda das.
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