tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9501396909275706222024-03-16T18:52:51.667+00:00Hare Krishna Yoga | The bite sized bhakti blogHare Krishna Yoga is the bite-sized Bhakti Blog, providing a beginners guide to a Krishna Consciousness lifestyle. With inspirational tips and explanations, this Blog will promote inner happiness and well being using Yoga, Meditation and ancient wisdom in its purest form.Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-20263107791222895082015-03-25T11:41:00.000+00:002015-03-25T11:43:22.741+00:00How to Chant Hare Krishna & be Happy<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Free your mind with this step by step guide to <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/04/mantra-meditation.html#.UXaGJbWG1Bk">Mantra Meditation</a> and learn how to chant the Hare Krishna maha mantra. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When chanting, it is most important to hear each any every syllable being chanted. One round of 108 mantras takes between 7-10 minutes to complete. The mantra consists of 3 words: Hare, Krishna & Rama and goes like this:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Krishna, Krishna, Hare Hare<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hare Rama, Hare Rama,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rama Rama, Hare Hare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meaning behind this mantra is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O Hare (energy of Krishna) O the all attractive one (Krishna) O the reservoir of all pleasure (Rama), please engage me in your loving devotional service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chanting beads (Japa mala) with 108 beads.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bead bag (to keep beads clean - beads should never touch the floor, or the body from the waist down)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bead counter (to keep track of number of rounds chanted)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quiet/distraction free environment</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWsuQKO8yGlxWZs4W6mwRZyew54YAHaeSy5ileBybcHNTUvbC2C63CiNEBxJ1vwvGKnunvjqqOnbRzNcXxdiT34zbvhOEhmog6jpnpawkRsxbFGfTmGlxEzbDB7sDvC6yvcwBzp7BXY0/s1600/how-to-chant-hare-krishna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWsuQKO8yGlxWZs4W6mwRZyew54YAHaeSy5ileBybcHNTUvbC2C63CiNEBxJ1vwvGKnunvjqqOnbRzNcXxdiT34zbvhOEhmog6jpnpawkRsxbFGfTmGlxEzbDB7sDvC6yvcwBzp7BXY0/s1600/how-to-chant-hare-krishna.jpg" style="width: 600px;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: #444444;">How to Chant</span></span><br />
<ol><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">
<li>Rinse mouth with water and wash hands.</li>
<li>Hold the first bead next to the furry Krishna bead between the middle finger and thumb. </li>
<li>Place the index finger out of the bead bag hole. (The index finger represents the ego as it is used to point and fault find. It is considered inauspicious and therefore not used when chanting. Further more, the middle fingers are used to increase concentration as they are connected to the heart and mind).</li>
<li>Begin with chanting out loud the Panch Tatva Mantra for Blessings and mercy.</li>
<li>Chant out loud the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.</li>
<li>Move to next bead and repeat the mantra. Move along to the next bead after every mantra by pulling the bead towards to you with the thumb. </li>
<li>Once you reach the Krishna Bead you have completed one round of 108 mantras.</li>
<li>Chant Panch Tatva Mantra for Blessings.</li>
<li>Start the next round by chanting on the beads in opposite direction (without crossing the Krishna bead)</li>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-58761403206362575892013-09-29T22:23:00.003+01:002013-12-03T21:15:08.714+00:00The Universal Form<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-70986168313827465072013-08-11T18:25:00.000+01:002013-08-11T18:39:36.454+01:00Ekadasi Lasagna<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're fasting from grains this ekadasi, why not try this satisfying potato lasagna dish, substituting the pasta for a thin layer of potato and the béchamel sauce with sour cream. </b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tomato Sauce:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 table spoon olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon cumin</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon black pepper </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon Dry Oregano</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon basil</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 carton (500g) Tomato Passata </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">142g tin tomato puree</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.5 teaspoon salt to taste</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Other Ingredients:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 medium sized potatoes, peeled thinly sliced and parboiled. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 handfulls of spinache</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 medium peppers</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 sweet potato, peeled thinly sliced and parboiled. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">300ml Soured cream</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Handfuls of grated cheese</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon Paprika</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boil the potato and sweet potato slices in lightly salted water for about 5 minutes till cooked but firm. Careful not to over-cook.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat and when hot, add cumin, herbs, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Sauté quickly and add tomato puree. Stir in passata and add salt. Cover sauce pan and leave to simmer while preparing vegetables. Chop peppers into slices and roughly chop the spinach. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Assembly the lasagna as follows:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 portion tomato sauce</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 portion potato</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peppers</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/3 sour cream</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 portion cheese</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 portion tomato sauce</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 portion potato</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2/3 portion sour cream</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 cheese</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sprinkle of paprika</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place in the top portion of preheated oven.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: This isn't a perfect dupe for lasagna as there is no pasta to absorb the excess water from the sauce and veggies so try not to make the tomato sauce too runny. With neat layering you may be able to serve in neat little square portions with a bed of sauce however don't worry if it doesn't hold its shape, it will still taste delicious! </span></div>
Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-76314028209597790362013-05-24T18:59:00.001+01:002013-05-24T22:15:29.624+01:00Narasimha Chaturdashi<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Today is the Appearance day of the Avatar Nrsimhadeva. Also known as Narsingha, He is the Half lion, half man incarnation and is none different to Lord Krishna. </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Nara </i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">= Half, </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Singh </i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">= Lion. To his enemies he is terrifying and ferocious but to his devotees he is their merciful protector, remover of obstacles and destroyer of unwanted tendencies in their path of </span><a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/04/devotional-service.html#.UZ-nE7Wfjqs" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><i>bhakti</i> </a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">or devotion. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nrsimhadeva is one of the 10 famous <i>Lila avatars</i> of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna explains the reason for his incarnations in the following verse:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to re-establish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.<i> </i></b><a href="http://www.asitis.com/4/8.html" target="_blank"><i>[Lord Krishna BG 4.8]</i></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord Nrsimhadeva delivers his devotee Prahlad Maharaj and annihilates the miscreant demon King Hiranyakashipu in order to re-establish religiosity, as well as display his divine <i>Lila </i>(story) for the benefit of generations to come. What we learn from this divine <i>Lila </i>is that Lord Krishna is present everywhere and will always protect his sincere devotee.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Bhagavata Puran Krishnas previous incarnation was Varaha Dev, the boar incarnation. In this lila Varaha Dev killed the evil demon Hiranyaksha, the brother of Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu wanted revenge for the killing of his brother and so performed severe austerities and penance in order to gain the power to defeat Lord Vishnu (Krishna). His severe austerity caused great distress and fear throughout the universe and so Lord Brahma appeared before him to offer the demon a boon in order to stop the distress his yogic austerities were causing. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiranyakashipu asked for the benediction that he become immortal however Lord Brahma, the creator of the material world stated that one day even He will die and therefore immortality is a benediction that he cannot give. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore, the cunning Hiranyakashipu tried to cheat his way to immortality and asked for the following.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He cannot be killed...</span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By any living entity created by Lord Brahma</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside or outside</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the daytime or at night time </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the ground or in the sky</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By any weapon</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By any human being or animal.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any entity, living or non-living. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any demigod or demon </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any great snake from the lower planets. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Lord Brahma granted these boons and Hiranyakashipu became a tyrant ruler. Shortly after he banned the worship of Lord Vishnu and declared that everyone worship him instead. However his own son, Prahlad did not accept this. When in his mothers womb his mother received divine instruction from the great sage, Narad Muni. He taught her and her unborn child the glories of Lord Vishnu and devotional service. This transcendental knowledge was heard by Prahlad even before birth and so he was born a pious devotee of Lord Vishnu. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From a young age Prahlad was praying to Lord Vishnu and preaching to others about Lord Vishnu. This infuriated Hiranyakashipu and he ordered his servants to kill his young son. His servants tried many different ways to kill Prahlad, however every time Prahlad was in danger he would meditate and chant the names of Vishnu and Vishnu would protect him. He would escape unharmed from whippings, from fire and even from being thrown from a cliff and being trapped with a mad elephant! Eventually Hiranyakashipu decided to end Prahlad's life himself. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiranyakashipu picked up his sword and threatened his son. He exclaimed <b>"Where is your God now? Show me him!"</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bhakta Prahlad humbly replied <b>"Lord Vishnu is everywhere."</b> </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The angry demon replied, <b>"But where is He? If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar?"</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiranyakashipu in frustration and anger </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">struck his fist against the pillar in question and with a mighty thudding crack Lord Narasimhadeva emerged from the pillar. With a tumultuous roar and in crouching position ready to pounce on his opponent, Hiranyakashipu's end was near. The beautiful, angry form of Lord Vishnu with a Lion for head battled with the demon. Hiranyakashipu was no match for Lord Narasimhadeva and the Lord killed the demon as if crushing a wasp between one's fingernails. The method and timing of killing the demon Hiranyakashipu was very strategic. </span><br />
<ul style="text-align: start;">
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord <span style="text-align: justify;">Nrsimhadeva was Vishnu himself and therefore not a living</span> entity created by Lord Brahma.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord <span style="text-align: justify;">Nrsimhadeva was standing in a door way therefore he was neither </span>Inside or outside.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The time of day was twilight and was neither during the daytime or at night time.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord <span style="text-align: justify;">Nrsimhadeva placed Hiranyakashipu on his lap, neither o</span>n the ground or in the sky.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mighty half Lion, half man, used his bare hands and sharp nails to rip the demon apart, without the use of weapons.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord <span style="text-align: justify;">Nrsimhadeva was neither animal or human, but a hybrid. </span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord <span style="text-align: justify;">Nrsimhadeva was an <i>avatar </i>of Lord Vishnu himself, descending from the spiritual realm and not classed as a living </span>or non-living entity, demigod, demon or snake but the supreme Lord Himself. </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NjUTWqQjLTSKf8ZGFn3O9yFgPOtA0STBlVkIgGByg049vicrto9PlOohIwSaxxT3Aq8RI_qje-Y2J751q_yqJpDtZe7hQhaqfXyBqo64phyc8H5ZZSeyRgV1QcMcsACJhVKDIySjGZU/s1600/Narasimhadeva-Hiranyakashipu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NjUTWqQjLTSKf8ZGFn3O9yFgPOtA0STBlVkIgGByg049vicrto9PlOohIwSaxxT3Aq8RI_qje-Y2J751q_yqJpDtZe7hQhaqfXyBqo64phyc8H5ZZSeyRgV1QcMcsACJhVKDIySjGZU/s1600/Narasimhadeva-Hiranyakashipu.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the demon was </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">annihilate,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Lord Nrsimhadeva was still raging with fury as much as any parent would be if their child was mistreated or in danger. The demi gods and even Lakshmi Devi, the consort of Lord Nrsimhadeva did not dare to approach Him in his angry form. Only Prahlad, the young boy was brave enough to approach and garland His Lord and savior with flowers and offer his prayers which greatly pacified Lord Nrsimhadeva. Prahlad was then given charge over his father's Kingdom. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjPR4WuE3VUNlis1-MlWD3mjmLN74TemBV4jNd8grUIPDu82QgBwadG2cU17hjvf9N8_NYaP0yfcd1qBUxqt1r6aFWxLnK7QdWwPs1L16Az9cHje5GiL2gtp_LSkf9t3jgpARL6xlFTA/s1600/lakshmi-narasimha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjPR4WuE3VUNlis1-MlWD3mjmLN74TemBV4jNd8grUIPDu82QgBwadG2cU17hjvf9N8_NYaP0yfcd1qBUxqt1r6aFWxLnK7QdWwPs1L16Az9cHje5GiL2gtp_LSkf9t3jgpARL6xlFTA/s1600/lakshmi-narasimha.jpg" /></a></div>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-19750937016987137982013-04-20T08:37:00.001+01:002013-04-20T08:37:39.490+01:00 Mantra Meditation<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“In this age of Kali there is no alternative, there is no alternative,
there is no alternative for spiritual progress than the holy name, the holy
name, the holy name of the Lord.” (Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa)</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's not a typo, the message of this verse was so important it had to
be repeated 3 times!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hearing and chanting are the first two stages of <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/04/devotional-service.html#.UW5zLLWG1Bk" target="_blank">devotional service</a>.
Mantra meditation is fundamental for spiritual progression as Krishna's names
are transcendental sound vibrations that can purify and cleanse the heart as
well as bring one closer to Krishna. Chanting awakens the dormant love
and Krishna consciousness within, making the individual qualified to execute
<a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/04/devotional-service.html#.UW5zLLWG1Bk" target="_blank">devotional service</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h4>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Types of Mantra Meditation.</span></h4>
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<ul>
<li><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Japa:</span></b><b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personal chanting in a soft voice while counting on a set of 108
beads (japa mala)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #666666;">Kirtan: </span></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chanting in rhythmic form, accompanied by musical instruments
and audience participation. The leader of the kirtan will sing/chant one mantra
and the audience are encouraged to repeat, as well as clap along and dance.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #666666;">Harinaam Sankirtanam: </span></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congregational chanting of the Holy names of
Krishna, which takes kirtan to the streets for all to hear and benefit from -
as inaugurated by </span><a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/03/the-golden-avatar.html#.UW501rWG1Bk" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Lord Chaitanya</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNCpGlqQJEY0YWgE6S1TEEGIevb8C553W5QyfENr5cPeuq3URcLTJG8b8oB3Kh2rudkOLznL4Iu_P13POoP6XHm4_MzDZUHhGQmvA7t-BpJIaDhdPc-ZavVmz2AEuexUBHw6ACGUHTWo/s1600/hare-krishna-japa-beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLNCpGlqQJEY0YWgE6S1TEEGIevb8C553W5QyfENr5cPeuq3URcLTJG8b8oB3Kh2rudkOLznL4Iu_P13POoP6XHm4_MzDZUHhGQmvA7t-BpJIaDhdPc-ZavVmz2AEuexUBHw6ACGUHTWo/s1600/hare-krishna-japa-beads.jpg" /></a></div>
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<h4>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Japa - Mantra Meditation. </span></h4>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kirtan and Harinaam sankirtanam are both very enjoyable and fun,
however Japa is the most potent of the types of chanting as it is considered
the most selfless and more austere of the 3. It is recommended to chant a set
amount of rounds (108 mantras) every day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regular silent meditation is very difficult as the <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/02/arjunas-chariot.html#.UXJEhrWfjqs" target="_blank">mind </a>is always
active. There is no focal point. One may only experience temporary relief and
peace and quiet until the mind once again takes control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mantra meditation however helps to free the mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Man</i> = Mind, -<i>tra</i> = Free. <i>Mantra</i> = Free from the mind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It does this by engaging all the senses, with the mantra being the
focal point. If the senses are controlled then the mind is also controlled and
fixed upon the remembrance of Sri Krishna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ears</b></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - engaged in hearing the mantra</span></li>
<li><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tongue</b></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - engaged in chanting the mantra</span></li>
<li><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Touch </b></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- the fingers count the mantra on beads</span></li>
<li><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Eyes </b></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- can meditate on images of Krishna</span></li>
<li><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nose </b></i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- breathing is controlled and regulated through every repetition
of the mantra</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra is world renowned and is the single most
recommended mantra to chant in this day and age. The names of God are
non-different to Krishna himself and have a deep spiritual significance. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Krishna, Krishna, Hare Hare<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hare Rama, Hare Rama,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rama Rama, Hare Hare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The meaning behind this mantra is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O Hare (energy of Krishna) O the all attractive one (Krishna) O the
reservoir of all pleasure (Rama), please engage me in your loving devotional
service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-53736544159936361092013-04-15T09:32:00.000+01:002013-04-20T08:43:17.017+01:00ISKCON Leicester - From a Miracle to a Dream<br />
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A message from ISKCON Leicester</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IhsARhMc93k" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Following the explosion at our previous centre, we have wondered around various venues, none of which have allowed us to fulfill our full range of activities. Not only was it a miracle that no one was hurt in the explosion but it was a miracle that we were gifted a grade II* listed building by one very generous family.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This building is situated on 31 Granby Street, Leicester, neighboring Town Hall. Right at the heart of the City stands the most beautiful jewel of Victorian architecture, A spiritual centre, the new home of ISKCON.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Previously the home of HSBC bank, ISKCON would like to regenerate this building to act as a perfect community hub, providing a variety of activities to suit the needs of all.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A place to welcome people from all walks of life regardless of class, colour or creed. To find a common link in society where we can integrate as one community.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A heritage room celebrating the work of renowned architect Joseph Goddard. It will provide a base for learning for schools and colleges.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A meditation hall providing regular music, mantra & meditation programs. A place for health, wellbeing and enhanced personal development</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A café & restaurant serving wholesome, mouth watering international cuisines for the taste buds of all. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A library with a range of books in 165 languages, providing a place for the inquisitive minds for thought, reflection and reading.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A truly versatile venue that will serve for Weddings, birthdays, engagements or even corporate events.</span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please help this dream become a reality.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are currently trying to raise £2M to regenerate this building for you our loving community. We are all one and can work best together, with a little help from all of you we have the potential to meet our target.</span></div>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-4631292359512768582013-04-06T09:01:00.000+01:002013-04-10T16:48:20.677+01:00Devotional Service<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You may not realise it, but we are always serving. Serving our mind, our body our boss, our society our family, the laws of our country, our government by paying tax. Everything we do is in service. </i></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So serving God, should come very naturally. As the third step in </span><a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/03/bhakti-yoga-link-to-god.html#.UVVhjByeNBk" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">bhakti yoga</span></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, after acquiring faith and the association of devotees, one can be introduced to devotional service. When we come before god, often we ask God for material benefits "Dear God please let me pass this exam, please let me win the lottery!". We start bargaining with God, "I'll come to the temple every day if you grant my wish", or "I'll donate this much money if you fulfil this desire". It becomes a business like relationship rather than a relationship of love. However devotional service is selfless and we ask Krishna, "Dear Krishna, What can I do for you?" and not "what can you do for me?".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><i><a href="http://www.asitis.com/18/55.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">[BG.18.55]</span></a></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nine Processes of Devotional Service</span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The nine processes of devotional service is described by Prahlada Maharaja in the 7th Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam and are as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Hearing (sravanam)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Chanting (kirtanam)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Remembering (visnu smaranam)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Serving the Lord's Lotus Feet (pada sevanam)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Deity-worship (arcanam)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Praying (vandanam)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Executing orders (dasyam)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Serving as a friend (sakhyam)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Complete surrender (atma nivedanam)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prahlada Maharaja said: Hearing and chanting about the transcendental holy name, form, qualities, paraphernalia and pastimes of Lord Visnu, remembering them, serving the lotus feet of the Lord, offering the Lord respectful worship with sixteen types of paraphernalia, offering prayers to the Lord, becoming His servant, considering the Lord one's best friend, and surrendering everything unto Him (in other words, serving Him with the body, mind and words). These nine processes are accepted as pure devotional service. One who has dedicated his life to the service of Krsna through these nine methods should be understood to be the most learned person, for he has acquired complete knowledge.</span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://vedabase.net/sb/7/5/23/en1" style="color: #666666;" target="_blank">[Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.23-24</a>]</i></div>
Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-19266992641170923022013-04-02T19:41:00.000+01:002016-05-27T15:27:29.567+01:00Govinda’s Vegetarian Café Nottingham(Please not that as of June 2015 Govinda's Nottingham has permanently closed. More information <a href="https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=851122081638190&id=433954266688309" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today was the grand opening of the first Govinda’s Vegetarian Café in
England outside of London.</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Located in the trendy shopping area of Nottingham City Centre, Govinda’s
is a good value and heart-warming place to eat. The delightful surroundings is
divided into a cafe serving light snacks and daily specials and also a buffet
serving an array of delicious Indian food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pure vegetarian restaurant is ran by ISKCON with a cheerful team of
volunteer Hare Krishna devotees serving tasty spiritual food. All
preparations are prashad meaning it is blessed and so is karma free! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhBT7xLDhIo27-Nczv_zhsHTw11KrpJ7Cl7eyR5qW8BmwNg_9NeZdb3d0l2vVXUOX-l5I9hBpq9jGerft-xutUpCt5tnVRGvPwMivhNk3Oc3DffSeouruGEea5GEqZQHP3WuyTf-_p6g/s1600/Govindas-Nottingham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhBT7xLDhIo27-Nczv_zhsHTw11KrpJ7Cl7eyR5qW8BmwNg_9NeZdb3d0l2vVXUOX-l5I9hBpq9jGerft-xutUpCt5tnVRGvPwMivhNk3Oc3DffSeouruGEea5GEqZQHP3WuyTf-_p6g/s1600/Govindas-Nottingham.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Todays menu was:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Peas, paneer and tomatos<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spinach Rice/Brown rice (vegan)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yellow mung dhaal with carrots (vegan)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Daily special – Lasagna & Salad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Veggie Burger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vegan cupcakes & biscuits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wt583KBcXyqhyphenhyphenBpwRU0G60rGvq14GN4Gk50cn6YWvpsNCSEx3woKLmENV6dA1oUdKphHUw2IwZ8nsM1JGO0XBxfga6aM74snOmwZHEHbTgo3iD17fot1JcZMzxw3U3yKGIccQbtuaEQ/s1600/Govindas-Nottingham-cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wt583KBcXyqhyphenhyphenBpwRU0G60rGvq14GN4Gk50cn6YWvpsNCSEx3woKLmENV6dA1oUdKphHUw2IwZ8nsM1JGO0XBxfga6aM74snOmwZHEHbTgo3iD17fot1JcZMzxw3U3yKGIccQbtuaEQ/s1600/Govindas-Nottingham-cafe.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Govinda’s Nottingham serves food that is satvik, meaning it is without
meat, fish, eggs and also onion and garlic and full of love and devotion!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaeijAsDuUYNYpmiPaRuqkZM5U3JkPbnp0dNYThGbUcoAkzYMgZjyLbOTzt5mpguU13LXpOgB8eW94wAmTtM9oGEudP3X3OMr3Zi0UWFmLRhGcCWmOVseUkNwmL-mFSDfPt82v6uXPDE/s1600/Govindas-Nottingham-cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaeijAsDuUYNYpmiPaRuqkZM5U3JkPbnp0dNYThGbUcoAkzYMgZjyLbOTzt5mpguU13LXpOgB8eW94wAmTtM9oGEudP3X3OMr3Zi0UWFmLRhGcCWmOVseUkNwmL-mFSDfPt82v6uXPDE/s1600/Govindas-Nottingham-cupcake.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“This cupcake is awesome!” – Happy customer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Govindas Vegetarian Cafe <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7-9 Thurland Street<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nottingham<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NG1 3DR<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Opposite Newlook, 2 minute walk from Victoria Centre, Nottingham) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Opening Times:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Open Monday – Saturday: 11am to 6pm.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-86003429069427207552013-03-30T10:11:00.000+00:002013-03-30T14:22:58.668+00:00Gauranga Potatoes<h3>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A world famous Hare Krishna dish much loved and favourite of many. Slices of potato in an irresistibly rich, creamy and tasty sauce with a magnificent Golden colour named after <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/03/the-golden-avatar.html#.UVSS-BxT7qs" target="_blank">Gauranga Mahaprabhu</a>.</i></span></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 medium sized potatos peeled, sliced </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 table spoon olive oil</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon jeera (cumin)</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon hing (asafetida powder)</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 chunk ginger, minced</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 green chilli, chopped (de seeded - optional)</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 teaspoon haldi (turmeric)</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon black pepper </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon paprika</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">600ml Single Cream</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 cup water</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Handful of cheese, grated</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 generous handful of Love</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Directions:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boil the potato slices in lightly salted water for about 8 minutes till cooked but firm. Careful not to over-cook or you will have Gauranga Mash potato! Preheat oven.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat and when hot, add jeera, ginger and then green chilli. Saute quickly and add hing followed by haldi and black pepper and stir briefly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add the single cream, salt and water. Stir into a smooth and even golden sauce and remove from the heat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Off the heat, add the potatoes to a baking tray or casserole dish and pour mixture over potatoes and gently combine. Top with a layer of cheese and sprinkle with paprika. Place in the top portion of preheated oven.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve hot.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Variations:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a less Indian taste, instead of ginger, chilli and </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeera, use fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alternative to single cream, use sour cream.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheese is optional</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try other vegetables, eg. Cauliflower. Peas and carrots.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Ekadashi fasting, don’t add hing</span><br />
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-1213434695923339762013-03-27T21:52:00.003+00:002013-03-30T14:23:57.793+00:00The Golden Avatar<br />
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<i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kali yug, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy is drowning in irreligion and atheistic <wbr></wbr>lifestyles. And so in this age, Krishna was predicted to decent as the </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Golden Avatar</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (incarnation) - </span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and establish the Yuga Dharma </span></span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of Harinaam Sankirtan </span></span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Congregational devotional chanting </span></span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(prescribed method of liberation according to the current age). </span></span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is Gaura-Purnima which marks the advent of Sri Chaitanya's descent to Earth, in the town of Mayapur, West Bengal - India in 1946. </span></span></i></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Who is The Golden Avatar?</b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Chaitanya is a direct avatar of Sri Krishna Bhagavan in the mood of His greatest devotee and consort, Srimati Radharani. Sri Chaitanya started the Nama Sankirtan movement and gave the world the divine and powerful Hare Krishna Maha Mantra that one must chant to become self realised and to attain the lotus feet of Sri Krishna. This is the easiest way to reach Krishna in this age of Kali! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Holy Names of the Lord are:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His Appearance. </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in 1486 in Navadvipa, Mayapur in West Bengal to Jagannatha Misra and Sacidevi. He was named Vishvambhara (support of the universe) and nicknamed Nimai, as He had been born under a neem tree. His appearance was accompanied by widespread chanting of 'Hari Hari' and as a child, the only way His parents could get Him to stop crying was by chanting the holy names of the Lord. Therefore, from the beginning, He induced people to chant the names of God. His birth chart was so auspicious that the child was declared as the Supreme Lord, Narayana Himself. It was predicted that He would have extraordinary qualities and would deliver the people of the world with even atheists worshipping him at his feet. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE44fgLt5WmgOHj9Wc1p2lV3GqW_zyrWzjP7NPSzfAymTEWF56t0hgQt0e4aBcFrueGGGXQ84ErGcOlH1eGWBYkVygBuCfc-JPTO35DpHiJG_POdaHB9dBaLKtiRb-2kU7JQQCvEH9jU/s1600/Sacinandana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE44fgLt5WmgOHj9Wc1p2lV3GqW_zyrWzjP7NPSzfAymTEWF56t0hgQt0e4aBcFrueGGGXQ84ErGcOlH1eGWBYkVygBuCfc-JPTO35DpHiJG_POdaHB9dBaLKtiRb-2kU7JQQCvEH9jU/s1600/Sacinandana.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gaura Purnima is the festival which celebrates Sri Chaitanya’s appearance. It means "Golden Full Moon". His devotees spend this festival fasting and chanting the holy names. At moonrise a sumptuous vegetarian feast is offered to the Lord and then enjoyed by all.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Golden Avatar </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In different ages there are different methods for self-realisation such as meditation, temple worship and various yoga practices to control the body and mind. We are currently in Kali-yuga, which is considered the worst age out of the four, (Satya, Treta, Dwarpa and Kali) as the people of Kali-yug are prone to quarrels, hypocrisy and have a lack of God consciousness. However the all-auspicious appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu makes this age more beneficial than the others by His grace and causeless mercy. The prescribed method of liberation has been made easier by simply chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra! And so Kali-yuga is also called the golden age of Sri Chaitanya.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How do we know he is an Avatar?</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is multiple evidence in authoritative scriptures of Sri Chaitanya’s appearance. Here are some examples. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prediction of His actual time of incarnation is stated In the Kurma-Purana:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Supreme Person will appear in the first part of the age of Kali. He will appear in the home of a Brahmana, to save the embodied conditioned souls burning in the troubles of Kali-Yuga. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Padma-Purana, it is written:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Supreme Personality, Janardana, who is the object of the yogis' meditation, who saves the devotees from various sufferings, and who is the master of all yogic practices, who is always full of divine transcendental ecstasy and bliss, will advent in His own divine form of Sri Chaitanya.</span><br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does he look like?</b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Avatars of Sri Krishna Bhagavan must:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Comply with predictions in authoritative scriptures</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Display 32 auspicious markings on the body and feet</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Have long arms that past the knees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is 7 ft tall and also known as Sri Gauranga because he has the complexion of molten gold. He has auspicious markings on His body and His feet and his slender arms extend down to His knees which are further evidence that He is an avatar of the Supreme Lord.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why did he come to the material world?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As stated in the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna appears in the material world for two reasons which are:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Annihilate the miscreants.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Deliver the pious people. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the form of Sri Chaitanya He shows his mercy by delivering His devotees and annihilating the demons in everyone’s hearts by chanting the Holy names of the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He propagated the <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Harinam Sankirtan movement which is the congregational street chanting of: </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gKCjUGVnkuWm3mqFUr1SLtiKoTQW0gJF5o43iooGenfbQowT9rYfgBJQkdsU9yooLggs63ThzLFhJcK35cCqPXcMWglXdi0dXUE8etqFY7fPNyX3_EsVeqvLABOVJLPrrybbUlUXGJE/s1600/Harinam-Sankirtan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gKCjUGVnkuWm3mqFUr1SLtiKoTQW0gJF5o43iooGenfbQowT9rYfgBJQkdsU9yooLggs63ThzLFhJcK35cCqPXcMWglXdi0dXUE8etqFY7fPNyX3_EsVeqvLABOVJLPrrybbUlUXGJE/s1600/Harinam-Sankirtan.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Previously chanting was done quietly and individually. Sri Chaitanya mahaprabhu along with his associates encouraged loud public chanting and graceful dancing with instruments. The intention was for all the devotees, atheists and even the animals and all living entities, to hear and benefit from the transcendental sound vibrations of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Another reason for Sri Chaitanyas appearance is part of the divine Lila or story of Sri Radha Krishna's pastimes Sri Krishna wanted to feel first hand the devotion which Radharani feels for Krishna and so He came as a devotee in the mood of Radharani expressing Krishna Prem. In this way Krishna can understand Her devotional love for Him. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are his names?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few of his most popular names that you will hear are:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Chaitanya </b>– Consciousness</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mahaprabhu </b>– Great Lord</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gauranga </b>- One with Golden Limbs (named by his father Jagannath Misra)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;">Sacinandana</span></em><span style="color: #666666;"> - Son of Saci Devi</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nimai </b>– born under neem tree (named by His mother Saci Devi)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Visvambhara </b>- </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">one who maintains the entire universe (named by his</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> maternal grandfather </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nilambara Cakravarti,</span><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">after reading his birth chart)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gaurahari </b>- Golden Lord (named affectionately by the ladies of Navadwip)</span></li>
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: small;">“In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.”</span></span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN"><a href="http://vedabase.net/sb/11/5/32/en1" target="_blank">[Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32]</a></span></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who are his associates?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Chaitanya has four main associates and all five are known as Pancha Tattva (the Five Truths)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From left to right we have :</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Advaita </b>Acharya who is a combined incarnation of Sri Vishnu and Shiva</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">Nityananda</span></b> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prabhu who is an incarnation of Balaram (Krishna's brother)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chaitanya</span> </span><span style="color: #666666;">Mahaprabhu</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who is Krishna</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Gadadhara </span></b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pandit who is an incarnation of Krishna's internal energy</span></li>
<li><span style="color: orange; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Srivasa</b></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pandit who is Krishna's pure devotee, Narada Muni</span></li>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"I bow down to Lord Krishna, who appears as a devotee (Lord Chaitanya), as His personal expansion (Sri Nityananda), His incarnation (Sri Advaita), His devotee (Sri Srivasa), and His energy (Sri Gadadhara), and who is the source of strength for the devotees." </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://vedabase.net/cc/adi/1/14/en" target="_blank">[Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi 1.14]</a></i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What were his teachings?</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because He is Krishna Himself, His teachings are identical with those in <a href="http://www.asitis.com/" target="_blank">Bhagavad-gita</a>. His only written work is His <a href="http://www.iskcondesiretree.net/page/shikshashtakam-1" target="_blank">Shikshastaka</a>, or “Eight Instructions” and If understood properly, they can elevate a person from the mundane plane of materialism to the highest form of devotion, bhakti. Sri Chaitanya taught that Bhakti, or devotional service to Krishna, is both the most effective spiritual practice and the ultimate goal of all spiritual practices.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Chaitanya’s teachings cover three main topics:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knowledge of the soul’s relationship with Krishna</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The method of awakening that relationship</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The awakened state of that relationship (pure love of God)</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4Yn4iSaRpiYImz9R6GDQfpEqRxZ001IKEVsis2kK5ZwJzxIdrXZ5s8o-0GzYQwI9QV1RN0CfqwLytrNHkbpne7eUfYPFho19BFOu9LY3vaPy4_-EJpbTRPqJTtUs7keMS3EoMWZE1Ew/s1600/Chaitanya-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4Yn4iSaRpiYImz9R6GDQfpEqRxZ001IKEVsis2kK5ZwJzxIdrXZ5s8o-0GzYQwI9QV1RN0CfqwLytrNHkbpne7eUfYPFho19BFOu9LY3vaPy4_-EJpbTRPqJTtUs7keMS3EoMWZE1Ew/s1600/Chaitanya-3.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Chaitanya also contributed a great deal to theology by teaching that God is simultaneously identical to and different from His energies meaning that the spirit soul is the same as God in quality but different in magnitude.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Notes:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Avatar</b> - Incarnation</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Yuga - </b>Age, Era</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Dharma</b> - Religious practice</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Yuga Dharma </b>- Prescribed method of liberation according to the current age</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Harinaam Sankirtan</b> - Congregational devotional chanting</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sri </b>- A title of respect or reverence, can be used interchangeably with the English word Lord. eg. Lord Krishna, Sri Krishna.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Hari </b>- Name of Sri Vishnu/Krishna. You will often hear Hare Krishna devotees saying "Haribol!" meaning "say the Lords name!". Haribol/Hare Krishna/Gauranga can also be used as a greeting, replacing hello and goodbye. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Appearance </b>- When talking about avatars/swamis/gurus/saints we say 'appearance' rather than birth/born as birth is related to material bodies. These personalities are either God themselves or empowered by God and so are on a spiritual platform and are not ordinary human beings. Birthday becomes, Appearance day. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Gaura Purnima</b> - Although Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared on a Purnima (full moon) night, on the day of his appearance there was a lunar eclipse (considered inauspicious) and everyone, even the most impious and atheists who had never chanted the name of Krishna, found themselves going to the river Ganga and chanting “HARI! HARI!” as if compelled by some imperceptible force.</span><br />
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-60493742754561019422013-03-23T22:14:00.002+00:002013-04-04T08:48:37.449+01:00Bhakti Yoga - The link to God<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Now hear, O son of Pṛthā, how by practising yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.</b><i> <a href="http://www.asitis.com/7/1.html" target="_blank">(</a></i></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.asitis.com/7/1.html" target="_blank"><i>BG 7.1)</i></a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love is the highest form of happiness and love of God is the ultimate Goal in life. So how do we develop that love for God? When you are attracted to someone, you naturally want to get to know them, spend time with them, find out what makes them happy, and do things for that person that will make him or her happy. So when we love someone we naturally aspire to serve them. In the same way, when there is attraction to Krishna, one can get to know him and develop a relationship via the process of Bhakti Yoga.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Devotional service is the heart of Bhakti yoga. Bhakti meaning devotion or love comes in hand with service, as service is the activity intended to please the beloved.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 Stages of Bhakti Yoga</span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Faith <i>(sraddha)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first step, one begins with an interest in spiritual life with the faith that spiritual activity is superior to material life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Association with devotees <i>(sadhu-sanga)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One then associates with persons advanced in Bhakti.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Performance of devotional service <i>(bhajana-kriya)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under the instruction of an elevated spiritual master one begins to practice devotional service.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Decreasing of unwanted attachments<i> (Anartha nivrtti)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By executing devotional service one becomes free of all material attachments. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Steadiness <i>(nistha)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With regulated practice one attains unshakeable faith and steadiness. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Taste<i> (ruci)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And one acquires an insatiable thirst for hearing about and serving the Supreme Person, Sri Krishna.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Attachment <i>(asakti)</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Love <i>(bhava)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gradually emotions for God intensify to the point of spiritual ecstasy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Pure love for Krishna<i> (prema)</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally one awakens pure love for Krishna, which enables one to see Him face to face, to speak with Him, and to live and enjoy with Him eternally. Supreme perfectional stage of bhakti. </span></div>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-25807326264826759912013-03-05T19:29:00.000+00:002013-04-04T08:48:22.905+01:00Yoga<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Yoga (Sanskrit योग</span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> yō-gə</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, “union or link [with the Divine]”)</span></h3>
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<a href="http://www.asitis.com/6/47.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Srila Prabhupada says</a><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: The culmination of all kinds of yoga practices lies in bhakti yoga. All other yogas are but means to come to the point of bhakti in bhakti-yoga. Yoga actually means bhakti-yoga; all other yogas are progressions toward the destination of bhakti-yoga. From the beginning of karma-yoga to the end of bhakti-yoga is a long way to self-realization. Karma-yoga, without fruitive results, is the beginning of this path. When karma-yoga increases in knowledge and renunciation, the stage is called jñāna-yoga. When jñāna-yoga increases in meditation on the Supersoul by different physical processes, and the mind is on Him, it is called aṣṭāńga-yoga. And when one surpasses the aṣṭāńga-yoga and comes to the point of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa, it is called bhakti yoga, the culmination. Factually, bhakti-yoga is the ultimate goal, but to analyse bhakti-yoga minutely one has to understand these other yogas. The yogī who is progressive is therefore on the true path of eternal good fortune. One who sticks to a particular point and does not make further progress is called by that particular name: karma-yogī, jñāna-yogī or dhyāna-yogī, rāja-yogī, haṭha-yogī, etc. If one is fortunate enough to come to the point of bhakti-yoga, it is to be understood that he has surpassed all other yogas. Therefore, to become Kṛṣṇa conscious is the highest stage of yoga, just as, when we speak of Himālayan, we refer to the world's highest mountains, of which the highest peak, Mount Everest, is considered to be the culmination.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the west Yoga is popularised
and most famous for its health benefits, both for the body as a form of
exercise and the mind as a form of stress relief, relaxation and well being. However these benefits are
just positive side effects for the real purpose of yoga. Yoga benefits the
body, mind and most importantly the Soul.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yoga means, to link with or unite
with God. However many impersonal schools of philosophy (practitioners that believe god is not a person) interpret this as
merging the individual self to the supreme and becoming God. However, the soul
does not lose its unique identity and never loses its individuality. By linking
with God, the soul remembers its constitutional position and original
relationship with the Supreme Lord Krishna.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When an individual has a desire
to take a step towards Krishna, Krishna reciprocates accordingly and so </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">corresponding to ones desires, ability and understanding, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Krishna has devised</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> many different approaches that one may take to Yoga. Therefore there are different yoga systems that an
individual can follow, all with the eventual result to become detached from Material
concepts. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bhagavad Gita dedicates
chapters on the various processes of Yoga in which Krishna explains various yoga practices in a progressive system like the rungs of a ladder with the ultimate goal of Krishna at the very top of the ladder. Krishna encourages us to follow
the instruction to the level of one's ability.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 Paths of Yoga</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EkCl7RpRO7IEPE7Wkgol-W7bXbnnCJFM61DzpuWeJGCCa2_0DdaeplGuEFhdrZ5V_Xhsoa3raqbvNVFqrgP6CCN9SEnCeB7DcQt_kHBiAuKyCbBTAQTqQFqcjxA3Xe_cF3GzY3zFUHw/s1600/karma-yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EkCl7RpRO7IEPE7Wkgol-W7bXbnnCJFM61DzpuWeJGCCa2_0DdaeplGuEFhdrZ5V_Xhsoa3raqbvNVFqrgP6CCN9SEnCeB7DcQt_kHBiAuKyCbBTAQTqQFqcjxA3Xe_cF3GzY3zFUHw/s1600/karma-yoga.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karma-yoga</span></h4>
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<i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Union through selfless action.</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karma means action and so Karma yoga is a duty based path aiming towards perfection in worldly actions. It is ideal for those attached to material activities and is a good stepping stone between material and spiritual life as selfless actions increases piety and encourages spiritual progression. By sacrificing the fruits of ones deeds to God, one is relieved from the results of selfish activities. An example of this would be to dedicate your exam paper to Krishna. You study and work to your best ability however you offer mindfully the results of the examination to Krishna. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme.</b> <i><a href="http://www.asitis.com/3/19.html" target="_blank">(BG.3.19)</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jnana-yoga</span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Union through spiritual knowledge</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jnana yoga is the process by which ones attains wisdom in the field of spiritual science. The process also encourages the minimisation of worldly pleasures and activities by introspective study and contemplation, the opposite of Karma yoga. The study explores the nature of the self and setting aside the false identity of ego and the illusion of the material world. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashtanga-yoga (Raja-Yoga). </span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Union through Meditation and physical exercise.</i> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Astanga yoga, (8 limbed yoga system), also known as Raja (Royal) Yoga is a comprehensive process divided into eight disciplines, beginning with physical exercises and finishing with meditation on God within the heart (supersoul). Many modern practices of yoga like Hatha yoga and Kundalini yoga are related to the 8 disciplines with practises to help control the body and mind. The physical effects of yoga exercises and meditation help to purify the mind and body and prevent and alleviate diseases, much like a physical and mental detox. Hatha yoga (union through life force) concentrates on breathing & sitting exercises. Kundalini yoga is also similar, identifying and aligning the chakras or the life force within. Dhyan Yoga (Union through concentration) is the 7th stage within Ashtanga yoga and involves the practice of meditation and concentration. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashtanga yoga is better suited to yogis from previous ages and is very difficult for modern day practitioners due to the strict and severe practice required to gain liberation via these methods. Practitioners that have mastered the discipline can acquire siddhis or mystic powers. India is full of such Yogis performing their mystic powers and attracting (cheating) followers that call them God. However these are mere side effects of yoga and are nothing to be amorous about as they bewilder and divert the disciple from the real focus and highest perfection of Love of God. </span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place and should lay kusa-grass on the ground and then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth. The seat should neither be too high nor too low and should be situated in a sacred place. The yogi should then sit on it very firmly and should practice yoga by controlling the mind and the senses, purifying the heart and fixing the mind on one point.</span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.asitis.com/6/11-12.html" target="_blank">(BG. 6.11-12)</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/03/bhakti-yoga-link-to-god.html#.UVAjLByeNBk" target="_blank">Bhakti-yoga. </a></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Union through love
and devotion. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At present we are separated from Krishna, however Yoga is the
path to 'join' and reunite with Krishna. It is not necessary to navigate
through all the yoga types as bhakti can be picked up if you have the desire to
serve the Lord. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With jnana and dhyan the result is only the impersonal Brahma jyoti or parmatma (which will be explained in future posts), as there is no direct service to the personality of God head Sri Krishna Bhagavan. The path of devotion is stated in the Bhagavad Gita as the top most yoga. It may seem simple but as the practitioner advances they will see all of the other yogas within their practise. Bhakti or devotion is based on knowledge to go beyond material enjoyment and impersonal liberation and</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> aim at pure, selfless service to a personal God.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="clear: both;" /><b>And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. </b><i><a href="http://www.asitis.com/6/47.html" target="_blank">(BG.47)</a></i></span></span></div>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-31820711599138065432013-02-24T18:19:00.000+00:002013-04-30T08:42:14.990+01:00What is the Goal of Life?<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding a purpose in this human life is something most people strive towards and is regarded as a vital aspect to a persons well being and sense of success and progress. Setting goals is a beneficial exercise to practice in order
to be successful. To start with it acts as the first step towards success,
giving you a point of focus and motivation. You wouldn't get into a taxi and
not know where it was you wanted to go, the taxi driver will require your
destination or you won’t be going anywhere. Goals are inner
desires that you wish to manifest. They also encourage positive thinking and
aid self improvement. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spiritual Goals</span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As spirit souls dwindling through the material world taking
one birth after another, it is easy to feel lost and without a <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/02/what-is-meaning-of-life.html#.USpUr6VT7qs" target="_blank">meaningful</a> goal
or direction in life. When lost it is wise to ask for directions and so by inquiring submissively to a spiritual master who has already found the path to self-realisation and seeking guidance from pure devotees of the Lord, one may find answers. His Divine Grace Srila
Prabhupada is a spiritual master and founder of the Hare Krishna movement. From his books he tells us that the ultimate goal of life is to attain the highest perfectional
stage of <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/04/devotional-service.html#.UX91G7WG1Bk" target="_blank">devotional service</a> to the Lord. As God is the source of all happiness
and love the essence of spiritual life is to develop love for God. Our goal is
to rekindle that lost connection with Lord Krishna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B0-8juZwOfizyGzVKfW2464WAAVnV9X5zpbixzfL0e_VCxua4dVOcPngjZLYIQn5DRyHPw-3QRhK5RtAyiso0l0vd_peBApKWkV9w6IoThKLiymTzar3JCu-3__yfRIoyQ9V3GwFAN0/s1600/goal-of-life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B0-8juZwOfizyGzVKfW2464WAAVnV9X5zpbixzfL0e_VCxua4dVOcPngjZLYIQn5DRyHPw-3QRhK5RtAyiso0l0vd_peBApKWkV9w6IoThKLiymTzar3JCu-3__yfRIoyQ9V3GwFAN0/s1600/goal-of-life.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.vaniquotes.org/wiki/According_to_the_Vedic_principles,_there_are_three_stages_of_spiritual_advancement,_namely,_sambandha-jnana,_abhidheya_and_prayojana" target="_blank">Srila Prabhupada says:</a> According to the Vedic principles,
there are three stages of spiritual advancement, namely, sambandha-jñāna,
abhidheya and prayojana. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sambandha-jñāna
refers to establishing one's original<b> relationship</b> with the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abhidheya
refers to <b>acting </b>according to that constitutional relationship<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prayojana
is the <b>ultimate goal </b>of life, which is to develop love of Godhead (premā
pum-artho mahān). <o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">If one adheres to the regulative principles under the order
of the spiritual master, he very easily achieves the ultimate goal of his life.
A person who is addicted to the <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/04/mantra-meditation.html#.UX91bLWG1Bk" target="_blank">chanting</a> of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra very easily
gets the opportunity to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly.</span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fold a piece of paper in half.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the left hand side of the paper write down your goals,
they can be both spiritual and material goals. (e.g. <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/04/mantra-meditation.html#.UX91bLWG1Bk" target="_blank">Chant Hare Krishna</a>, read <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/02/srila-prabhupadas-books-for-amazon.html" target="_blank">Srila Prabhupadas books</a>, get a promotion at work.)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now on the right hand side of the paper write down in detail
everything you did yesterday, from waking up to going to sleep.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now connect with a line each activity you did the day before that corresponds to a goal. The connection must be an activity that was conducive to achieving that particular goal.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">How many connections did you make? 3 or 4? Great, then you
are on your way to achieve your goals. Fewer? Then try and re-evaluate your priorities in order to be more successful and act in accordance to your goals. </span></span></li>
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<br />Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-46279250444365204122013-02-19T22:11:00.000+00:002013-04-04T08:47:32.721+01:00What is the meaning of life?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">From the last post, in the video people are asked what they would do if they only had <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/02/the-most-wonderful-thing-in-this-world.html#.USPxg6VT7qs" target="_blank">24 hours to live?</a> The response was ultimately something that would make them happy, which suggests that the meaning of life is to be happy and seek enjoyment. Yet, in previous posts we have established that <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/01/happy-blue-monday.html#.USPxt6VT7qs" target="_blank">spiritual happiness</a> is superior to material happiness and so there must be a higher purpose and meaning to life.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSX6UO6Qr_uEdy2TJaOFMwG8Upk5-PrC2WdQk7uNDk8AJpl-mqzVMwcCkw2kqvYiyhkQQQJHg0guk_VMD8ADMBHtENlik8Uh4kOKCR-IJSrBhj8TnAG19k75cp_wRRSpJHs_4mx9gZWC4/s1600/Meaning-of-life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSX6UO6Qr_uEdy2TJaOFMwG8Upk5-PrC2WdQk7uNDk8AJpl-mqzVMwcCkw2kqvYiyhkQQQJHg0guk_VMD8ADMBHtENlik8Uh4kOKCR-IJSrBhj8TnAG19k75cp_wRRSpJHs_4mx9gZWC4/s1600/Meaning-of-life.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Understanding why we are in the material world.</span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scripture tells us that we are fallen souls. We were once enjoying eternally with God in the spiritual world, however selfish and lusty desires caused us to fall as we desired to enjoy separately from God. Being envious of Krishna we desired to be God ourselves and serve only our own desires. Therefore Krishna has given us independence from him by creating the material world and allowing us to live by our own free will. This includes giving us the free will to worship God or not, as real love is not forced. However, as the absence of light is darkness, the absence of god is ignorance and so the material world is full of suffering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Srila Prabhupada says: </span><span style="color: orange;">The meaning of life is to enjoy. But now you are on a false platform of life, and therefore you are suffering instead of enjoying. Everywhere we see the struggle for existence. Everyone is struggling, but what is their enjoyment in the end? They are simply suffering and dying. Therefore, although life means enjoyment, at the present moment your life is not enjoyment. But if you come to the real, spiritual platform of life, then you'll enjoy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nourish the Soul.</span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this material world, the body, mind and soul all need nourishment in order to be balanced and happy. The body requires energy from food to sustain the body, the mind requires entertainment and the food for the soul is love. If the soul is neglected, then there is no sense of real enjoyment. Krishna is the original source of Love, which is the highest form of happiness and so the essence of spiritual life is to develop love for God. More coming up in the next post... </span></div>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-54315089798613782042013-02-13T09:20:00.000+00:002013-04-04T08:47:11.398+01:00The Most Wonderful Thing in this World<h3>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you had 24 hours to live, what would you do?</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Yamaraja once asked Maharaja Yudhistira, “What is the most wonderful thing within this world?” Maharaja Yudhishtira replied (Mahabharata, Vana-parva 313.116):</span><br />
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"Hundreds and thousands of living entities meet death at every moment, but a foolish living being nonetheless thinks himself deathless and does not prepare for death. This is the most wonderful thing in this world."</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truth is, we don't know when our time will be. We don't like to think about it and we don't see the urgency to do anything about it. An intelligent person will always prepare for the future. Waiting till we are old to take spiritual life seriously can be regretful as old age is not guaranteed. The only thing that is guaranteed in life is that one day we will leave this body. Imagine how much more difficult spiritual life will be in old age, both mentally and physically? Those that do meet old age will have habits that are already deep routed and harder to change. Therefore w</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hile a person is young, fit and active is the ideal time to be practising spiritual life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So like a pension fund, savings made now will benefit a person at the point of retirement, likewise any spiritual activity done now will accumulate to something that will benefit them in their next life. Putting effort into something that is only temporary is wasteful, however engaging that same energy in devotional service and offering all endeavours to the Supreme Lord Krishna will reap eternal benefit that will carry over to your next life, like a spiritual bank balance. So why not prepare now, start now and secure your future interests. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no time like the present.</span></h4>
Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-16157170338168884852013-02-10T17:52:00.000+00:002013-02-16T20:48:50.789+00:00Eggless English Pancakes<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake Day! So today I have for you a tried and tested eggless English pancake recipe. Now Pancake Day is the time for Christians to use up certain ingredients before the fast of Lent begins, however as a Vaishnava, it is a great excuse to prepare a tasty offering for Lord Krishna and relish eggless pancake prashad with the family. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pick up these simple ingredients to make a batch of delicious Eggless English Pancakes to serve 8 </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100g Plain flour</span></h4>
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<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sift flour into a large mixing bowl.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make a well in the centre of the flour and add condensed milk .</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wisk together and gradually add the milk to make a smooth, runny batter.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place a none-stick frying pan on medium heat & add butter or oil.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor a full ladle of batter into the frying pan and quickly tilt the pan to create a evenly thin and round layer.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until golden brown.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use a palette knife to carefully flip the pancake and cook for a further 20 to 45 seconds.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slide pancake onto a plate and serve with sugar and lemon, folded into triangles or simply rolled up.</span></li>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-10094282922220463412013-02-10T12:37:00.000+00:002013-02-10T12:40:16.172+00:00Srila Prabhupada's Books for Amazon Kindle Review<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was suprised when I saw how little it costed to have the complete collection of Srila Prabhupada's original books, conversations, letters and classes available for the Kindle. It is available <a href="http://krishnastore.co.uk/srila-prabhupadas-books-for-amazon-kindle-h-krishna-1570.html" target="_blank">here</a> at an insignificant £6.21 (at the time of this post) reduced from £12.45 and that even includes the 18 canto Srimad-Bhagavatam! However don't for a second think that these books are cheap, they are certainly PRICELESS and it is the pure causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada that they are so available for all to read. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is such a delight to be able to have all of Prabhupadas books with me all the time. The Kindle is easy to use, smart and light-weight. You can easily add notes and bookmarks so you don't loose your place and It also has added features including a dictionary and search function. The screen is really clear and the Paperwhite version has an adjustable light feature which is great for dim rooms. I've also found that I read for longer and more often than I did with the regular hardback books as its compact, always with me and the pages are so quick to navigate through. If you like reading on your commute to work, lunch breaks or when travelling, I highly recommend the Kindle or any type of e-reader. My Kindle has now become a sacred piece of paraphernalia on par with the holy books and scriptures that I keep on my alter. I often wondered, what would Srila Prabhupada have thought about his books being on the Kindle, and then I came across this passage in The Nectar of Devotion - Chapter 14. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="http://nectarofdevotion.com/nod/14/en" target="_blank">Srila Prabhupada Says</a> One should not give up anything which can be utilized in the service of the Lord. That is a secret of devotional service. Anything that can be utilized in advancing Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service should be accepted. For instance, we are using many machines for the advancement of our present Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, machines like typewriters, dictating machines, tape recorders, microphones and airplanes. Sometimes people ask us, "Why are you utilizing material products if you condemn the advancement of material civilization?" But actually we do not condemn. We simply ask people to do whatever they are doing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is the same principle on which, in Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa advised Arjuna to utilize his fighting abilities in devotional service. Similarly, we are utilizing these machines for Kṛṣṇa's service. With such sentiment for Kṛṣṇa, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we can accept everything. If the typewriter can be utilized for advancing our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we must accept it. Similarly, the dictating machine or any other machine must be used. Our vision is that Kṛṣṇa is everything. Kṛṣṇa is the cause and effect, and nothing belongs to us. Kṛṣṇa's things must be used in the service of Kṛṣṇa. That is our vision. </span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Remember most kindle covers are made from leather and so if you are using your Kindle to read scriptures then go for a synthetic material to avoid causing offences. FYI I got mine from <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230899919265?var=530107384089&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649" target="_blank">ebay</a>. It is made from PU 'leather' which is polyurethane, a synthetic material.</span></span><br />
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-67440890972037141152013-02-06T09:30:00.000+00:002013-04-04T08:46:39.379+01:00Arjuna's Chariot<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last post we find that the soul is covered by layers of the </span><a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/02/the-subtle-body.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">subtle body</a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and gross body</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Each layer covers or alludes the soul in disassociating with its true self. This is called ego or thinking that we are the body.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arjuna's chariot is an analogy which illustrates the roles each layer of the subtle and gross body plays. The chariot carries the passenger (Arjuna) in the same way that the material body is the carrier of the soul. The chariot can only be driven with the presence of the charioteer which is the intellect. The battle ground is the object of the senses. The 5 horses are the 5 mighty senses which are tamed only by the reins (the mind). The mind is superior to the senses and even higher than the mind is the intellect or the charioteer that grips the horses reins. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The soul teamed with intellect drives the body and instructs the mind to control the senses. If the intellect is weak and unable to control the mind, then the senses will run wild like untamed horses. </span><br />
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<i style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.asitis.com/6/34.html" target="_blank">Srila Prabhupad says</a></i><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind, but the mind is so strong and obstinate that it often overcomes even one's own intelligence. Such a strong mind is supposed to be controlled by the practice of </span><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;">yoga,</i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"> but such practice is never practical for a worldly person like Arjuna. And what can we say of modern man? The simile used here is appropriate: one cannot capture the blowing wind. And it is even more difficult to capture the turbulent mind. The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested by Lord Caitanya, is chanting "Hare Krsna," the great </span><i style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;">mantra</i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"> for deliverance, in all humility. The method prescribed is </span><i style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;">sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh:</i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"> one must engage one's mind fully in Krsna. Only then will there remain no other engagements to agitate the mind.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The soul or </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Atma</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> sits besides the super-soul or </span><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Parmatma</i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> who is an expansion of Krishna himself. The super-soul is the divinity within that acts as the witness to all our endeavours, thoughts and prayers and our eternal best friend that gifts us with intuition and guidance. Krishna in the form of super-soul is within the heart, sitting patiently until the day that the soul breaks through the layers of the gross and subtle body and realises his true self, remembering his eternal relationship with Lord Krishna. </span></div>
Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-14430850256124334252013-02-02T21:03:00.000+00:002013-04-04T08:46:04.671+01:00The Subtle Body<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bhagavad Gita is a scripture that is over 5000 years old and its knowledge and wisdom is still as relevant today as it was when it was first spoken. It is revered as the highest authority, as it is one of the only scriptures that is spoken by God himself. So who better to explain who we are than our eternal father, the Supreme Personality of Godhead! From my last post, we concluded that <a href="http://www.harekrishnayoga.com/2013/01/who-are-you.html" target="_blank">we are the soul and not the body</a>, but where does the mind and intelligence fit in? Are we not the thoughts and feeling in our mind? Lord Krishna further elaborates and explains in Bhagvad Gita chapter 3 text 42 the following. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence. <i><a href="http://www.asitis.com/3/42.html" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">(BG 3.42)</a></i></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As illustrated in the diagram above, we see that the Gross body is a construction of physical elements. However the Subtle body is invisible and intangible. How can we prove or understand something that we cant see? </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.krishna.com/scientific-proof-soul" target="_blank">Srila Prabhupada Says:</a> </span><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just because something is invisible doesn't mean we can’t know it exists. The subtle body of mind, intelligence, and ego is also invisible to you, but you know that the subtle body is there. We have two kinds of bodies: a gross body of earth, water, fire, air, and ether, and a subtle body of mind, intelligence, and ego. You can see the body of earth, water, and so on, but can you see the subtle body? Can you see the mind? Can you see the intelligence? Yet everyone knows you have a mind and I have a mind....Anyway, you accept that the subtle body exists even though you cannot see it. That is my point. Similarly, the soul exists even though you cannot see it. The soul is covered by the subtle and the gross bodies. What is known as death is the annihilation of the gross body. The subtle body remains and carries the soul to a place where he can again grow another material body just suitable for fulfilling the desires of his mind.</span></i></div>
Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-30094094109565191142013-01-28T21:41:00.002+00:002013-04-04T08:45:46.507+01:00Who are You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.............now did you point to your head, your arm or leg or did you point to your heart? When we talk about the 'self' are we talking about our body, our brain or something within? The majority of you would have pointed to the heart. Now doesn't that tell you something? It is not surprising that the heart is the resting place for the soul and it is the soul that pervades the whole body with life essence. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Compare a living being with a dead body, what is the difference? We say the person has 'gone' yet the body remains, so it must be something within that has gone. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is the soul within that is our real identity and gives the life symptoms to the body.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After giving up one type of body, the soul enters another type of body, similar to taking off and putting on new clothes. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is confirmed in the Bhagavad Gita by the supreme personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna himself. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.asitis.com/2/13.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">(BG 2.13)</a></i></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain. <span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><a href="http://www.asitis.com/2/20.html" target="_blank">(BG 2.20)</a></i></span></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, similarly, the soul accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.asitis.com/2/22.html" target="_blank"><i>(BG 2.22)</i></a></span></h4>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-84305878278135068622013-01-21T13:21:00.001+00:002013-04-04T08:45:21.545+01:00Happy Blue Monday!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The mind always seeks for the the thing that will give it the most pleasure. Especially when we have something boring or tedious like, work, study or daily chores to do. It will find a hundred other things that it would rather be doing. Material happiness is a blend of all kinds of sense gratification but this is no different to animals, they also eat, sleep, mate, defend and can gratify their senses just as we can. Surely human life is meant for much more! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Are you really Happy?</span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Happiness can often be mistaken for relief from distress. For example, we've all been there. We really need to pass water and are absolutely bursting and then finally after a long wait you go to the loo! Aaaahhhhh now don't you feel happy? But surely THAT can't be real happiness. It can be described as a temporary relief from distress. The same applies for the euphoric sensation that drinking alcohol brings, numbing the senses and feeling happy by temporarily forgetting the pangs of material existence when in actual fact on a material level we are illusioned to accept that this relief from distress is happiness. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">What sets us apart from animals and where can we find happiness that gives a lasting sense of inner contentment that isn't just a temporary relief? How can we reach a state that gives us a greater, more supreme version of happiness? </span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">This can only be done by altering our level of consciousness and changing our perception and taste for happiness. What we perceive as happiness is determined through our senses and our level of consciousness. If we raise the standard of what we consider to be happiness and not settle for a mundane watered down version of it, then true happiness may be achieved. By purifying the consciousness with spiritual activity one can be alleviated from this material concept of happiness. Material happiness by nature is insatiable and short lived, where as spiritual happiness is pure and eternal. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Don't settle for less! Develop a higher taste by chanting Hare Krishna! </span></h4>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">When you're feeling blue on a Monday, think of Krishna, he's also blue ;)</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS649a_xU4bj_TmM398dGc-YWMaHPEu-WOOx0WYHE8wWfrJ44Te0Roi70-YZO1DW0x3ZUNNGMLUcfmHh1rAmpgeCQT0WO-vPkTrT5o2H920qVvXCUwziI__g1dQaeyCA-7nizqst1fzIc/s1600/krishna1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666;"><img alt="Krishna playing flute" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS649a_xU4bj_TmM398dGc-YWMaHPEu-WOOx0WYHE8wWfrJ44Te0Roi70-YZO1DW0x3ZUNNGMLUcfmHh1rAmpgeCQT0WO-vPkTrT5o2H920qVvXCUwziI__g1dQaeyCA-7nizqst1fzIc/s1600/krishna1.jpg" height="400" title="Krishna playing flute" width="393" /></span></a></div>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950139690927570622.post-79003865812210300382013-01-03T22:02:00.000+00:002013-04-04T08:44:58.852+01:00Happy New Year Everyone!<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one thing most of us are searching for in life, is quite simply to be happy. How can we make this new year a truly happy one? What is happiness? How can we get it and how can we keep it?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is happiness that new pair of shoes you were so so excited to buy? However, once they're worn and scuffed they don't seem so special any more. Or does food make you happy, a tasty pizza with all your favourite toppings on? Could you eat the same pizza everyday and still be happy even when you are stuffed and bloated? Or is happiness that pint you were craving after a long hard week back at work? But the happiness is all gone by the morning when you're suffering with a migraine and full of regret. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes when we get the thing we wanted the most, it still doesn't bring us that feeling of inner happiness or true bliss that we expected, and if it does it doesn't seem to last that long?The problem is, all these things are material and only deliver happiness temporarily. That is the nature of the material world. Not only do these things only delivery happiness for a short amount of time, we're under the forces of material nature which make us think, "Well that wasn't what I really wanted in the first place" and we start looking for happiness somewhere else in the form of a matching handbag, a different type of take away food or a glass of wine instead. Its a cycle of bursts of temporary happiness followed by disenchantment and wanting more or something else. The material world is temporary, illusory and sadly makes us think we're happy in our ignorance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzVaKU3H6XHQJU02S_0LyvExr8s2gbRkE2NhWgrm0QaJ9PyEYMxNsm5aVf9sb9lxxryPvzdCwskvNK_AFqFXznon50lYKdiiSfn-uV3jm6wxTio8AeVf7AHEfA8P6GSgYNabS6JnGvLM/s1600/happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><img alt="Happiness" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzVaKU3H6XHQJU02S_0LyvExr8s2gbRkE2NhWgrm0QaJ9PyEYMxNsm5aVf9sb9lxxryPvzdCwskvNK_AFqFXznon50lYKdiiSfn-uV3jm6wxTio8AeVf7AHEfA8P6GSgYNabS6JnGvLM/s1600/happiness.jpg" title="Happiness" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Lets think about transcending the material platform in search for Spiritual happiness, which is deep, meaningful, satisfying and eternal.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sound good? Stay tuned for more posts to get a further insight into spiritual life, hints and tips which you can apply to everyday life and attain inner fulfilment and Happiness! Comment, subscribe and share! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, what makes YOU happy? </span></h4>
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Krishna Yogahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16312991452323172662noreply@blogger.com0