mark

Hi Debbie. Hare Krsna. I'm kind of like you in the fact that I also like to be alone while chanting. I tried chanting along with the tape that I got from ISKCON of Srila Prabhupada chanting but that messes me up. I prefer instead to just listen to that in the background while I'm doing ordinary tasks like making dinner or something. How long have you been doing this? Do you do 16 rounds a day yet? Your Servant, Mark

That was really a great thread on rounds. Funny how a simple question can generate so many responses. I'd like to ask more on the chanting issue if I may. I just starting chanting rounds last week again after not doing it for a couple of years. The first time I started was when I was first introduced to the books by Srila Prabhupada and I felt like I never really got anything out of it. The reading continued but the rounds didn't. Lately, though, I've had the urge to start it up again. My question is this. Does anybody here have the same problems with concentration when they are chanting? The desire to chant is there so I'm getting about four rounds completed a day. I just find that my mind wanders to so many other things besides Krsna. Is this common. If so, does anybody have any words of encouragement so that I don't fall into the trap of discontinuing my rounds. I really want to keep it up this time. Thanks. Mark

Hi Govinda. Hare Krsna. Thanks for opening up and telling me about your experience with homeschooling. I'll certainly look into the matter more. I don't know any devotees here in the KC area because we just moved here. We'll be here for about another year until my wife finishes up school. Thank you too, Mahaksa, for sharing your story. I never knew you had homeschooled. By the way, I'm the same Mark from a couple years ago on the Mela. Take care. YS, Mark

Hi Govinda. Hare Krsna. Thanks for opening up and telling me about your experience with homeschooling. I'll certainly look into the matter more. I don't know any devotees here in the KC area because we just moved here. We'll be here for about another year until my wife finishes up school. Thank you too, Mahaksa, for sharing your story. I never knew you had homeschooled. By the way, I'm the same Mark from a couple years ago on the Mela. Take care. YS, Mark

Thanks, Govinda. It was interesting reading this thread. I am actually thinking about homeschooling my son now also. I've been getting a lot of negative feedback from the public school he attends. He's in kindergarten and I'm one of only three parents in a very very large school district in Kansas city that has decided to send my son only for half days instead of full days. They don't seem to like that. Also, every morning I walk him to class and give him a big hug and kiss at his classroom door and say goodbye. I like doing it. I don't think it's harmful in any way but his teacher has been really stressing to me that he needs to walk to class by himself. What's the big deal about me walking him to class? It's not like he's 16. He just turned 6! It's as if they don't want me there. I know that there is a school here in Kansas City for Brahmacaris (sp?) but I don't think they do anything with younger children. Besides, they are very bad at returning any email inquiries I have. Anyway, you're not alone in your disgust at the public school system. hang in there. Your Servant, Mark

Thanks, Govinda. It was interesting reading this thread. I am actually thinking about homeschooling my son now also. I've been getting a lot of negative feedback from the public school he attends. He's in kindergarten and I'm one of only three parents in a very very large school district in Kansas city that has decided to send my son only for half days instead of full days. They don't seem to like that. Also, every morning I walk him to class and give him a big hug and kiss at his classroom door and say goodbye. I like doing it. I don't think it's harmful in any way but his teacher has been really stressing to me that he needs to walk to class by himself. What's the big deal about me walking him to class? It's not like he's 16. He just turned 6! It's as if they don't want me there. I know that there is a school here in Kansas City for Brahmacaris (sp?) but I don't think they do anything with younger children. Besides, they are very bad at returning any email inquiries I have. Anyway, you're not alone in your disgust at the public school system. hang in there. Your Servant, Mark

Thank you jndas for posting the article on Srila Prabhupada chanting japa. It was nice to read and showed a side of Prabhupada that I was unaware of. YS, Mark

Another answer could be that Krishna is, in fact, God. He's just one of many manifestations of Him. Some people in the Vedanta faith (Sri Ramakrishna order) believe that there are many manifestations of God called Avatars. Krishna was one of them. If this is the case, then God could very well have made Himself known throughout the world and not just in India by manifesting Himself in different forms, at different times and in different places. Just a thought.

Hey, thanks for the quick reply. I appreciate that. Mark

What is considered a complete round in japa? Is it once around the 108 beads or once around and back? Thanks in advance. Sincerely, Mark

Hi Tirisilex. I have some other suggestions of very interesting books to read so that you may learn a little more about Hinduism. The main books by Srila Prbhupada, as suggested by the others, are all great places to start. But another great place to start would be to get a hold of some of the books put out by the Vedanta Society. The desciples and subsequent followers of this area of Hinduism follow the teachings of a 19th century Indian saint named Sri Ramakrishna. The website is www.vedanta.org . Hope you find what you're looking for. Your Humble Servant, Mark

Hello. I'm wondering how it was that Krsna left this earth. I thought he was shot by a hunter in the ankle with an arrow but after reading the condensed version of the Mahabharata (Krishna Dharma's version) it appears that he left by His mystical powers with his brother, Balarama, after a terrible fight between the Yadus. Could someone please clear this up for me? Thank you. Sincerely, Mark

I'm just wondering if that's a gun you're holding in your picture. If so, why?

Would anyone here happen to know the web address for the ISKCON college in Kansas City? Thanks. Mark

Does anybody here have any experience with practicing Kriya Yoga and the teachings of Paramamsa Yogananda? If so, could you please share your thoughts with me. I just got the book, Autobiography of a Yogi and I'm starting to read it so I don't know a whole lot about this method of God Consciousness yet. Thank you. Mark

Is there a place on the web where I can read more about Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati? I've seen his name mentioned here before and on the Dharma Mela and I'd like to learn more about his teachings. Thanks, Mark

Hi guys. Thanks for the information. I'll look over those websites sometime this evening after my son goes to bed. I'm looking forward to it. Hare Krsna! Your servant, Mark

Hi everybody. Hare Krsna. I've been away from the Internet forums for quite a few months now and upon returning I see the same old arguments going on. Not so much here although I'm sure if I looked around the archives I could pull something up. I'm referring to the debate that's going on over on the Dharma Mela. It's the old Diksa vs Siksa guru argument that never seems to die. Why is this such an issue among so many devotees? It seems like too much time and energy is wasted on this subject. When I read through the various arguments it actually turns me off of Krsna Consciousness and begins to remind me of the strict political hierarchy of the Catholic church; as if the politics were more important than the religion. I'm just wondering why this is such a big issue with those who follow in the teachings of ISKCON and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Who really cares whether your guru is siksa or diksa or whatever. If you're so fortunate enough as to be able to actually find a guru who is true to his beliefs and convictions and loves God/Krsna and understands the intricacies of it all and is willing to share them with you as a disciple then isn't that all that matters? I'm asking this because I truly don't know. I'm very ignorant when it comes to this so any reply to this would be most helpful. I'm just trying hard to make sense out of it. Thanks. Mark [This message has been edited by mark (edited 01-15-2002).]

In my dreams, gHari. In my dreams. I'm about as fallen as they come. Each time I think I'm headin' there I trip over something mundane. I've got many lives to go before I get there. Take care of yourself. Hare Krsna. Mark

I'm on my way! Hare Krsna!

Hare Krsna, gHari. Could you please tell me what Nitai-Gaura and Nityananda-Gauranga mean. Thanks.

Hello everybody. Thanks so much for all the information. When I first posted the question I wasn't sure anybody would reply but I have definitely been proven wrong. It should be interesting to see this series. I hope it doesn't cost too much. I can't wait to see it. Hare Krsna Mark

Hello everybody. Thanks so much for all the information. When I first posted the question I wasn't sure anybody would reply but I have definitely been proven wrong. It should be interesting to see this series. I hope it doesn't cost too much. I can't wait to see it. Hare Krsna Mark

Thanks so much for the reply. I'll try your suggestion. mark

Thanks so much for the reply. I'll try your suggestion. mark