atma

Maharaja just left to take the plane to go to Australia. Here is the itinerary for there: Arriving in Sidney on 23rd at 6 AM. He'll stay for 2 days at Ksastri's house. Phone: 0061-2-95257530, fax: 0061-2-90249013. Departing Sidney to Brisbane on 25th. He'll stay in the Giriraj Gaudiya Math till 29th. Today was really nice. In the morning he gave a short class and later he decided to go for a walk in the neighborhood because he said that he didn't know if he was coming back again, he wanted to walk in the streets of LA. he was disappointed that the palms and banana trees didn't have any fruits and when finally they located a tree with fruits (I don't know the name of it), he touched and smell it but he decided not to eat it. They told us that he'll give another class before departing and one gurukuli girl and I showed up. To our surprise in the living room Visnu Maharaja was sleeping and Puri Maharaja was sitting alone in his bedroom. No one to loose an oportunity like that I went out searching for a man. Got one and brought him in with us. Then we had the sweetest darshan with Maharaj in his room. Maharaja remembered me from India and he started telling the devotee that I used to go to see him every day in Seva Kunj but the last 4 or 5 years he didn't see me (gulp!) He asked me if that was because I was living here (double gulp). He even remembered the time and circunstances! He really amazed me because he mentioned that was in the time when ISKCON was having all the problems with Narayan Maharaja. He talked to the other girl too. I asked him if he was coming back next year and he said that he didn't know. Everything changes and whatever happens is the Lord will. The Lord desire. The servant asked us to move out because he had to pack and Maharaja came out with us and gave a very sweet class. By that time we were 5 people listening. He spoke a lot about Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His potency. The Holy Name and how Srila Prabhupada was the one that came to the West to distributed. Only him, he was the only one. Now are so many. He spoke a lot about how is not difference between the Lord and His name and how he should always chant even if we can't do it constantly in our beads. Spoke about the Goswamis in Vrindavan and recited the prayers to the 6 Goswamis. Almost at the end an Indian family came and so typical Indian they went to Maharaja and grabbed his feet. Maharaja put his hands in the man's head and started reciting prayers for a long time and I was thinking: where is another man, they can get the mercy and they are not here. After them we also went to Maharaja and touched his feet. He also said that in America is so much prosperity but things are now disturbed and the World War is coming. It is all the Lord's will. Finally he took some prasada and he left us. So sad, who knows if I see him again. I asked one of the servants what did he said in Mexico about the WTC tragedy and he told me that when Maharaja heard about it he inmediately started to say prayers to Lord Nrisimhadeva, for a long time. He told the devotees that war was coming. Somehow or other, many people in that tower heard the kirtan and saw Maharaja just a few weeks before they died. So much advancement. Just a second of association with a pure devotee help us so much. Jayaradhe if you want the memories videos let me know because I know Sidhanta and this weekend I'm going to his house. Haribol.

Tonight I was blessed again with darshan of Srila Puri Maharaj. I'm very happy, one moment of association with the pure devotee, vaisnava thakur,makes me forget all the problems in this material world. He came back because he is flying from here to Australia. We had a very nice kirtan and when he arrived, they washed his feet and sang Sri Guru Carana Padma, it was really emotional. When all the prayers were over he looked at me directly in the eye (I was in front, been a weeknight not so many devotees were there) and he said: "Excuse me, please, I'm so tired, tomorrow we can have a program". He gave blessings to everybody and went to rest. While we took prasada, excellent subzi, rice, halava and ice-cream (who wants to fast?), Visnu Maharaja told us that the reception in Mexico was excellent. Maharaj was received in the ISKCON temples in Mexico City and Guadalajara. Guru Prasada Swami the local GBC washed his feet and Puri Maharaj gave class in both temples. Really nice. Tomorrow I'll be there for the program and I'll let you know what is the program for Australia. Haribol.

April 11 makes you have the Sun in Piscis in Vedic astrology. More sensitive than an Aries.

That's why ekadasis are so important in our line. At least twice a month we have the chance to do some austerity through fasting or at least not eat grains and chant more in that day. We try to focus more in spiritual matters that day.

Dear Jayaradhe: few minutes ago I sent you a personal e-mail. I just came here and read your post. I agree with you. More feedback tomorrow, I'm so tired I need to go to sleep. Keep well and dream of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna

yes, prasada and lots of it. Today we went to a chinese vegetarian restaurant and was really good. So bad that nothing is left. Japa beads, Krsna Book...can we add CC? Love Chaitanya Lila. Jayaradhe don't feel alone. You're in our prayers and thoughts. Take it easy, sis, remember that the Lord in your heart knows what you need and he'll provide what you need and preserve what you posses.

Another e-mail with info. still I think that its relevant what Sinclair said. Atma. "I think it should be pointed out that this broadcast occured in 1973. A lot has happened in the 28 years since. For instance, Gordon Sinclair died in 1984."

Yes, I really love it. Good that I'm in sync with someone tonight because this evening was terrible in my job. I was so upset with people because they are so inconsiderate and rude and suddenly all this smoke appeared and everybody panicked. They started running and finally we discovered that a little unsupervised kid was playing with the fire extinguisher and we had all this smoke from the thing all around us. Anyhow, coming home and reading Bhakta Jim's e-mail was very uplifting. We are still making bhaktas Take care JR, I'll write to you soon.

I want to share this e-mail with you: Atma. 911: An emergency wake up call for Krishna Consciousnes By James S. Seymour, II(Aka Bhakta Jim) I was moved to write down some thoughts about Krishna Consciousness inlight of the shocking events that transpired in New York City on the 11th of September 2001. First off, please permit me to give the readers some background on how I personally came into the orbit of Srila Prabhupada's teachings and Krishna Consciousness. As a public high school teacher (and football coach!), I had the very good fortune of having some devotee children enrolled in my school district's independent study program. The way the program works is that students meet with me once a week for all their assignments, and then turn the work back in the following week. This allows students the flexibility of pursuing subjects not offered in the regular curriculum, and also the time to work in family businesses, etc. Anyway, by Krishna's causeless mercy, I got to gradually associate more and more with this wonderful devotee family. Now after about three years, I am holding bhakti yoga classes twice a week in my own home! There is a growing number of young people here in my community who are realizing that the only way to solve their myriad problems is to chant the Holy Names of Krishna, and in their own individual fashions, to weave Prabhupada's teachings into the fabric of their daily lives. This summer, I was sent to a US History teacher workshop (on the Revolutionary War) in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. I decided that while I was back east,I should explore not only the origins of the United States, but of Krishna Consciousness in America! So, with a dual "karmi/Krishna" angle of vision, I made plans to visit Washington DC, Philadelphia and Boston, along with Tompkins Square Park, 26th Second Avenue, New Vrindavana, Prabhupada's Palace of Gold, etc. Wow! What an incredible "education" I received this summer. I spent the entire month of August on the east coast. It is truly amazing, how seeing the world through Prabhupada's teachings just totally transforms your reactions to everyday people, places, and things.I am working on getting my private pilots license, and being the son of an airline pilot, I thought for sure that a visit to the National Air and Space museum at the Smithsonian would be a real rush. I have to admit that it held no fascination for me. In fact, it was a very disturbing experience,especially in light of what Prabhupada had to say about America's moon landings. To witness thousands upon thousands of tourists just "ooing and awing" over the marvels of our scientific and technological achievements actually made me sick to my stomach. Maya is so thick, so insidious, and so completely all consuming, that I realized; without the Holy Names, without Krishna Kirtan, this planet is a sinking ship of misery and suffering. All I could do for relief was to quietly chant Hare Krishna to myself, and constantly think about what Prabhupada actually did for this planet's suffering living entities, by personally risking everything he had for our benefit. For an "All-American guy" like me to come to Krishna Consciousness relatively late in the game, (I'm 36 years old),it is still very uncomfortable at times to live here in America, knowing what I now know. But fear not, the story definitely gets better from here! After "doing the Capital thing" in DC under a full moon in Pisces, I made my way over to West Virginia to see a dear friend of mine who also happens to be a neophyte Krishna devotee- and get this- a Major in the United States Army!We went together (on Janmastami) to see New Vrindavana and the Palace of Gold. While there, we met up with two wonderful devotees, Balabhadra das and his wife Chayadevi. Obviously, the Palace of Gold was awe inspiring, and a beautiful tribute to our eternal Spiritual Master. However, as an environmentally oriented educator, I was deeply moved with the Cow Protection work being done by these humble and dedicated devotees of Prabhupada. Especially after the events of September 11, (and what they might signal with regard to global conflict), karmically speaking, Cow Protection takes on a whole new urgency. I recall now where Prabhupada taught us that widespread animal slaughter is the cause of world wars. So as we lurch ahead into the future of Kali Yuga after these terrorist actions, it is indeed a very profound thing to ponder. Probably the most incredible and enlivening experience on this summersjourn was what lay ahead for me in New York City itself! By Krishna's arrangement, I found myself at the St. Mark's Place Sri Radha Govinda Temple, right in the thick of the lower east side! I felt a deep historical significance being able to stay so close to the elm tree in Tompkins Square Park, where everything started back in 1966! As luck would have it, the very first Harinam of my life started right there at the elm tree, with devotees coming from several different temples to join in. It was an intense synchronicity for me that right after touring the capitol of the United States of America, I would be in the capitol of Krishna Consciousness in America! We circled the elm tree several times, and then made our way all through the Bowery, finally ending up at the 26th Second Avenue Temple. I got to walk into the back courtyard where that famous picture of Prabhupada standing next to a fountain was taken. I thought to myself,"this is where history was made, not in Valley Forge or Philadelphia!" But that's not all! I got to actually live for a week in the St. Mark'sPlace temple, and finally experience "a sliver" of devotee life. It was a very purifying experience for me, because up until that time, the daily reality of being out on the streets was all just a mental concept. We would go out everyday and have kirtan, while distributing Prabhupada's books. New York is a wonderful place to preach Krishna Consciousness because overall, everyone really loves the Krishnas. The week wrapped up with some very climactic events. I got to join with several other devotees and have a rousing harinam in Times Square on a Saturday night, as well as chant Hare Krishna with other devotees who were riding in a big yellow truck right down Madison Avenue in the India Day Parade! I'd like to conclude this little story by saying that before I learned about Krishna Consciousness, (i.e. as a karmi), I really have "been there, and done that". I grew up in southern California and graduated from college at UC Santa Barbara, which is a real "party school" to be sure; where drinking alcohol and chasing girls are the focal points of life. I've traveled the world many times over, made tons of money, played music on MTV, worked on a blockbuster film, hob-knobbed with boozing politicians at the National Republican Convention, scuba dived on the Great Barrier Reef, and basically done my fair share of wild, crazy and really stupid things early on in this lifetime. So I can honestly say, with 100% conviction, that there is no single activity in this material world that is more thrilling, more enlivening, more blissful, more potent, more purifying, and utterly more important for the future of this planet than the congregational chanting of the Lord's Holy Names!!! I am making an urgent, honest, heartfelt plea to the Krishna Devotees of the world, but most especially to those in New York City!!! Please, as Srila Prabhupada's followers: organize yourselves and converge in large numbers upon this disaster zone of America, and bombard the atmosphere with the Holy Names of KRISHNA. If other karmi groups can organize everything from "million man marches",to gay pride parades to Super Bowls, why can't all the different temple groups of Hare Krishnas re-energize Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan Movement, and zero in on New York City? This is a perfect "launch window" of opportunity! It's no coincidence that Srila Prabhupada chose New York as the epicenter of Krishna Consciousness in the western world. New York City sets the pace for the rest of the world in every sphere of activity, from finance and fashion, to art, music and cuisine. If devotees could stage kirtans around the clock all through the city, with special focus around the damaged areas, they could not only help to counteract the glaring effects of Maya, but could also focus international media attention on Prabhupada's Movement!> This terrorist event is actually the wake up call for all the Krishna Devotees of Prabhupada's Society to transcend the "little sectarian differences"that have preoccupied and stagnated the movement! This in-house quarreling has not only turned-off multitudes of potential new devotees, but it has kept existing devotees from the real work that is so urgently needed, RIGHT NOW, which is widespread, intensive, and focused efforts to invade New York City with Krishna Kirtans!!! As an ex football coach, believe me! There's nothing like a "COMEBACK KID"! Why not start a massive, second wave of Krishna Consciousness in America? With a constant onslaught of kirtans all over the city, devotees could get media coverage on Larry King Live, Oprah Winfrey, 20/20, Nightline, you name it! (Besides, all the other religious groups are banding together to pray for the victims of the terrorist disaster, and they're getting media attention!) So, it is in this spirit of national urgency that I urge all the leaders of ISKCON, plus any and all other Krishna groups to unite in the Holy Names,and really BOMB New York with the one sound that can end all quarreling and dissention: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare! So, "who's game"? To quote President John F. Kennedy, "If not you, who? If not now, when?" Thank you all very, very much for reading this, and All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Hare Krishna! My email address is: james_seymourii@excite.com, jimmy171@juno.com Very Sincerely, Your most fallen, eternal servant..........

I just found this in krishna.org:Srila Prabhupada on National Disasters 'We are always in the ugly reality,' Prabhupada said, '-- twenty-four hours a day. Suppose there is no blackout? Still, if you go in the street, there is no guarantee that you will get home. In this way, you are always in the ugly reality. Why do you say only this blackout? This is just one of the features of this ugly reality. That's all.' His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada "Blackout! Blackout!" cried the reporter and others in the house. War between Pakistan and India had been imminent for weeks, and air raid drills and warnings were now commonplace in Delhi. "Sir" -- the reporter spoke tensely in the darkened room -- "this is the presence of reality. We are being threatened by this fight with Pakistan. The siren is the ugly reality coming for us." 'We are always in the ugly reality,' Prabhupada said, '-- twenty-four hours a day. Suppose there is no blackout? Still, if you go in the street, there is no guarantee that you will get home. In this way, you are always in the ugly reality. Why do you say only this blackout? This is just one of the features of this ugly reality. That's all.' Reporter: "Yes, but at the moment..." Prabhupada: "You do not realize that you are in ugly reality twenty-four hours a day? Padam padam yad vipadam. There is danger at every step." Reporter: "I know, sir, but this is collective, national danger. Have you anything to offer us as a remedy?" Prabhupada: "Krsna consciousness is our only remedy. Take to this process, and you will be happy." Reporter: "Sir, I think someone should go to the Yahya Khan [the president of Pakistan]." Prabhupada: "What benefit will you derive by going to Yahya Khan?" Reporter: "Someone is out to kill me." Prabhupada: "But suppose Yahya Khan does not kill you? Will you be safe? Then what is the use to go to Yahya Khan? You will die today or tomorrow. If you want to save yourself, then go to Krsna. That is our proposition. Even if you go to Yahya Khan, and he does not fight, then you mean to say that you will live forever? What is the use of flattering Yahya Khan? Flatter Krsna, so that you may be saved perpetually. Why don't you do that?" Reporter: "I was only thinking in terms of collective security. I can see your point..." Prabhupada: "You should know that you are always in danger." Reporter: "Yes, sir, we agree. The late Einstein said the same thing..." Prabhupada: "That is our position, and Krsna says, "I will save you.' Therefore, let us go to Krsna. Why go to Yahya Khan?" Reporter: "Simply because he is disturbing us, that's all." Prabhupada: "Your mind is always disturbing you all the time, because it is always with you. Your body is always with you. Are you not suffering from bodily pains? Why don't you go to Yahya Khan to cure your pains? You are always in danger. Why don't you realize that?"

New York World Trade Center Bombing New York is now in a state of shock. As far as we are aware all the devotees in New York have escaped any injury from the bombing. The Editors (09-11-01) Kapindra Swami is out in Tompkins Square Park chanting Hare Krishna and distributing Prasadam [food offered to Krishna] and we have had reports from a number of devotees who work in or near the World Trade Center who today somehow or other missed the disaster. Report from Ramdasa Ramdas has a computer business across the street from the WTC. Every year his mother and sister come from Bangalore in India to visit him. He lives in Jersey and travels to Manhattan every day taking his mother and sister with him and they spend all day shopping in the WTC. Today, for some strange reason, he decided to take them to Maceys instead. He went to office and was going to the bank in the WTC but just as he was leaving he was warned that there was some problem and he returned to his office just in time to see the second plane crash into the towers. He walked uptown to Brahmabuta's house and by the time he got there he was covered head to foot with ash. Report from Locanananda Prabhu: Haribol, Prabhu -- I work a few blocks from the WTC and I spend quite a bit of time there. Fortunately, I was running a little late this morning and train service to Manhattan was suspended while I was still in the subway. I had to walk home five miles and had to wear a surgical mask because it was hard to breathe with all of the ash in the air. Still, sankirtana must go on, and I'll be seeing you all Saturday night in Times Square. Report from Madhusudana Prabhu: Yes, we are all OK so far. We are about 2 miles from the World Trade Center which has been beltching smoke since 8.45am. I say so far, because there is a fear that there may have been biological weapons in the explosions, anthrax etc. The doctors are advising anyone who comes down with flue symptoms within the next 36 hours to see a doctor immeadiately. I am planning on staying inside and chanting Hare Krishna today as it is chaotic on the streets, though in this area where we live things seem calm.

Can you see Srila Prabhupada in the Jaladuta? Like that old painting, Srila Prabhupada in the ship and many people taking the ropes from the ship. JR: nice way to cope with the tragedy. Do you have Mahaprabhu in there? He is the "apostle of love"

Grandchildren? I'm surprised too.

Just came from eating at 'Govindas' and while I was enjoying my nice prasada, I overheard this lady telling this guy how bad the American are and how they will utilize all this to make "propaganda" and an excuse to bomb muslims countries. She went on and on and on, saying that this kind of things happen all the time in Palestina (?) and the middle East but because they have no money they can't do anything about it but the Americans will take advantage of this situation. She was saying more crazy things and I couldn't take it anymore. I turned around and I was surprised to see who she was and told her to shut up. I told her how lucky she was that was only me and the guy that understood her language but if she opened her mouth one more time I could translate for the people around what she was saying. I told her that the countries in the Middle East are the wealthiest and if they don't want to help Palestine is because between Muslims they have their differences too. Remember when Irak attacked Kuwait the Palestinian servants were the happiest for the Kuwaitis tragedy? I told her that she should be ashamed because even though we know that we're not this bodies, we should feel compassion for all the people that is suffering and the dead and not made like nothing happened and everything is just politics. I told her that as a foreigner living in this country she should be grateful that she earns money, have a decent place where to live and even an American boyfriend. I asked her why she didn't go to one of the countries in the Middle East when her family lost property in Palestine. How come she took shelter in the USA? No reply. Maitreya said: "The danger for us is that we may get sucked into identifying even more with our false designations." Even though I'm not from here and at the risk of people telling me that I'm completely in maya for identifying with the situation, I couldn't keep my mouth shut when that lady was talking. It was too much for my mind.

Yes, thank you for telling us about the hoax. I do remember from the book that he does speak about another big conflict. Anyone with a book around? In India, the astrologers'd been telling for years that the big one will be between the Muslims and the rest of the World. I heard the predictions that most of North India will be finish. South India will be relatively safe. They said that 2003 will be especially bad. Srila Prabhupada also said that India will suffer the most.

Yes, thank you for telling us about the hoax. I do remember from the book that he does speak about another big conflict. Anyone with a book around? In India, the astrologers'd been telling for years that the big one will be between the Muslims and the rest of the World. I heard the predictions that most of North India will be finish. South India will be relatively safe. They said that 2003 will be especially bad. Srila Prabhupada also said that India will suffer the most.

I think he wrote in French. They are books translated in many languages. I did have the book in India in English. Somebody send me this via e-mail.

I think he wrote in French. They are books translated in many languages. I did have the book in India in English. Somebody send me this via e-mail.

So many realizations the last few days. We started last Sunday getting all shaky with the earthquake. For my kids was first time experience. On Tuesday we saw how vulnerable we are. Death may come at any time. We were glued to the TV with the kids and their friends. Most of the girls were crying. I realized that was becoming too much for them when the friends brought dolls to play with. Teenager girls that put dolls in the closet a couple of years ago started play and setting up everything with the dolls. They went back to chilhood, to fantasyland, where they can pretend that everything is happy and they can control situations. When I came back that evening from work, the girls were sleeping together in one bed. So afraid, a doll of lord Nrisimha with them on bed. They are taking shelter of the Lord. They are in the right track. Today morning, I was walking with them on the street. They were on their way to a devotee's house who takes them to school and I was on my way to the temple to make garlands. Suddenly, 2 bulldogs on the loose are in the opposite side of the road. Not taking any chance we took shelter in a devotee's house. With sticks they had to chase them away. Danger at every step. My only prayer is that at the moment of death we can remember Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.

I'm sorry Yasoda, I don't have contact with Maharaj at the moment. He is in Mexico now.

In the city of York there will be a great collapse. Two twin brothers torn apart by chaos while the fortress falls. The great leader will succumb,the third big war will begin when the big city is burning." -Nostradamus -1654

In the city of York there will be a great collapse. Two twin brothers torn apart by chaos while the fortress falls. The great leader will succumb,the third big war will begin when the big city is burning." -Nostradamus -1654

I got this from a friend via e-mail: Thank you for your thoughts during this very dark day in our short history. Sadness and shock prevail here as we are on our knees during the rescue efforts. The enormous first plane flew over my apartment so low and loud, we knew they were coming down. Almost instantly, on the TV, I could see the horror of the first crash in building #1. As we watched in shock, moments after it happened, the second plane plunged into building #2. Minutes later, I had to leave my apartment and was on my way to work as I watched in horror with a clear view from fifth Avenue and 19th Street. Depending how close you were, you could see people jumping from the top floors as the fireman ladders were climbing up the side of the building to save them. The entire Avenue was filled with humans screaming and crying as we watched the first enormous building come down before our eyes. Over 250 extraordinarily heroic life saving firemen and 80 policeman are lost after the buildings suddenly fell on them as they were trying to save lives. Thousands and thousands of workers from inside the buildings may be dead. Somehow many got out. Miraculously, my cousin and friend who both work in the building made it out alive and are safe. Crying in the streets, the million of us will never live the same lives again. Upon waking this morning, I felt so vulnerable. I can't bear the thought of terror in hearts of the children who did not have a parent(s) come home last night. Today is a very sad heart breaking day. Thank you for thinking of our great city and the beautiful people who live here and those poor souls whom we have lost. I pray they find some more people alive today. As of 9-11-01 there is a new order here vulnerability, humility but also a strength of human spirit and a very empty feeling of tremendous loss. All my love,

I just realized that Srila Puri Maharaja was in the World Trade Center a few days ago. They had harinam over there. What a purification for the place.