atma

I just don't get it why they have to make a gay vaisnava association? Gays and lesbians are already accepted in the devotee community. Inmediately come to my mind so many names and nice people that are gays and they are doing devotional service and everybody is quite happy with their service, just don't flaunt it because is nothing to be proud about. I have personal devotee friends who are lesbians and gays and we have a very nice relationship. All of them have their partners and they are doing seva. I'm not criticizing the sex part because I always believe that the one that is free of sex desire should throw the first stone and in my condition I can't even throw a little pebble. Just don't make big waves about it because they are so many gays in this movement that it is not necessary to make a separate association.

To Jahnava Nitai Das: Just to congratulate you for the nice job that you are doing with your website. Your answers in "Letters to the Editor" are clear, precise and full of knowledge. I'm very impressed. Continue the good work.

You can try the Amish's website: www.allyouwantoknowaboutamish.com Good luck

The answer to the eternal question: Is "it better to be a jock or a nerd?" Michael Jordan having "retired," with $40 million in endorsements, he makes $178,100 a day, working or not. If he sleeps 7 hours a night, he makes $52,000 every night while visions of sugarplums dance in his head. If he goes to see a movie, it'll cost him $7.00, but he'll make $18,550 while he's there. If he decides to have a 5 minute egg, he'll make $618 while boiling it. He makes $7,415/hour more than minimum wage. He'll make $3,710 while watching each episode of Friends. If he wanted to save up for a new Acura NSX ($90,000) it would take him a whole 12 hours. If someone were to hand him his salary and endorsement money, they would have to do it at the rate of $2.00 every second. He'll probably pay around $200 for a nice round of golf, but will be reimbursed $33,390 for that round. Assuming he puts the federal maximum of 15% of his income into a tax deferred account (401k), his contributions will hit the federal cap of $10,500 at 8:45am on January 1st. If you were given a penny for every 10 dollars he made, you'd be living comfortably at $65,000 a year. He'll make about $19.60 while watching the 100 meter dash in the Olympics, and about $15,600 during the Boston Marathon. While the common person is spending about $20 for a meal in his trendy Chicago restaurant, he'll pull in about $5600. This year, he'll make more than twice as much as all U.S. past presidents for all of their terms combined. Amazing isn't it? However... If Jordan saves 100% of his income for the next 500 years, he'll still have less than Bill Gates has at this very moment. Game over. Nerd wins. [This message has been edited by atma (edited 08-26-2001).]

Love the cows, keep them coming.

Gauracandra, what was that sad face in the rear end of the cow? Quite funny.

Any nectar for today's celebration?

Please Jagat prabhu, when you come back continue with the nectar!

Hey guys, I didn't understand a thing. I'm so ignorant in computers. I know the next goal in my life, learn about computers and fast.

This is in reference to a previous post where I learn that Maitreya was kick out of a temple because he refused to give up Jesus. Just to let you know Maitreyaji, I spent few Xmas in different Iskcon temples and they did worship and put the picture of Jesus in the altar on 25th December. In Medo Lago near Milan (Italy),they had this huge celebration for Christmas and even they distributed presents for all the devotees! Most of the family members came to see the bhaktas and was VERY family oriented. Really nice. In Lima, Peru, the same thing. Picture in the altar, nice kirtana and prasada and even the congregational members were encouraged to bring offerings for the Deities in that day. In Quito, Ecuador, we had beautiful bhajans and a great feast for everybody. Same thing in Santiago, Chile. Even though many times they tried to say that the feast and celebration was for the end of the Marathon, it wasn't so because the Marathon continued until New Year. It was mostly because everybody came from a Roman Catholic background and everybody understood that we didn't have to give up Jesus, actually with Krishna conciousness we can understand His teachings better. In Bangkok, Thailand, they used to have Budha in the altar. Same thing in Singapore, in Bhima's temple.

Once upon a time, a perfect man and a perfect woman met. After a perfect courtship, they had a perfect wedding. Their life together was, of course perfect. One snowy, stormy Christmas Eve, this perfect couple was driving their perfect car (Grand Caravan) along a winding road, when they noticed someone at the side of the road in distress. Being the perfect couple they stopped to help. There stood Santa Claus with a huge bundle of toys. Not wanting to disappoint any children on the eve of Xmas, the perfect couple loaded Santa and his toys into their vehicle. Soon they where driving along delivering toys. Unfortunately, the driving conditions deteriorated and the perfect couple and Santa Claus had an accident. Only one of them survived the accident. The mind numbing question is: Who was the survivor? Scroll down for the answer.... The perfect woman survived. She is the only who really existed in the first place. Everyone knows there is no Santa Claus and there is no such a thing as the perfect man. Women stop reading here. That is the end of the joke. Men keep scrolling... So, if there is no perfect man and no Santa Claus, the perfect woman must have been driving. And that explain why there was a car accident. By the way, if you're a woman and you're reading this, this illustrates another point:Women never listen, either.

A small boy asks his Dad "what is politics?" Dad says, "Well son, let me try to explain it. I'm the breadwinner of the family, so let's call me Capitalism. Your mom, she is the administrator of the money, so we'll call her the Government. We are here to take care of your needs, so we'll call you the People. The Nanny, we'll consider her the Working Class. And your baby brother we'll call him the Future. Now think about that and see if it makes sense. So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what Dad has said. Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diapers. So the little boy goes to his parents room and find his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the Nanny's room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the Nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed. The next morning, ther little boy says to his father, "Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now." The Dad says, "Good,son, tellme in your own words what you think politics is all about." The little boy replies, 'Well, while Capitalism is screwing the Working Class, the Government is sound sleep, the People are being ignored and the Future is in deep s..."

Just trying our best. Times and circunstance. In Mayapur many kids were completely in maya reading all kind of nonsense, watching every movie that come out, smoking and drinking. All depends in the consciousness. In one way here I'm a little bit more KC, I have to surrender by force. In India I took it for granted. The last days had been a real test, so many things going on. Lots of moral decisions. The best part was when I planned something so nicely I was convinced that it will work out and at the last moment it didn't happen. I was so crushed even though theorically I knew that was for the best that didn't happen. Before I did it I went in front of the deities and I told their Lorships that I will accept whatever they want for me, but you see only talking because I really wanted it and when didn't happen I was so upset and tried to make it happen again and of course again did not happen. Took me a while to accept it. Surrendering is so hard but in a way I'm enjoying it. I think is better that I go to zzzzzzzzzzz, I'm rumbling too much.

She touched my heart completely. Poor thing. When she was 6 years old she was the pride of the school in Mayapur because she knew 108 slokas of B. Gita by heart. She is trying to remember them again.

Busy having a life prabhu...Lots of decisions to make lately. Been thinking for a while

SPL to Upendra, 5th July, 1969. Regarding your questions, 'Is Subhadra, Lord Krsna's sister, the same Durga or maya?', the answer is that originally Krsna's energy is one: that is spiritual energy. But according to different functions maya is represented differently. In the material world the energy is called Bhadra and in the spiritual world the same maya is called Subhadra. The only distinction is su and without su. Su means auspicious.......

Sorry, I don't have time to put the Sanskrit. S.Bhagavatam Canto 10. Ch.1. Text 56: Each year thereafter, in due course of time, Devaki, the mother of God and all the demigods, gave birth to a child. Thus she bore eight sons, one after another, and a daughter named Subhadra. S.Bhagavatam Canto10, Ch.4. Text9 Translation The child, Yogamaya-devi, the younger sister of Lord Visnu, slipped upward from Kamsa's hands and appeared in the sky as Devi, the goddes Durga, with eight arms, completely equipped with weapons. PURPORT Kamsa tried to dash the child downward against a piece of stone, but since she was Yogamaya, the younger sister of Lord Visnu, she slipped upward and assumed the form of goddess Durga. The word anuja meaning "the younger sister" is significant. When Visnu, or Krsna, took birth from Devaki, He must have simultaneously taken birth from Yasoda also. Otherwise how could Yogamaya have been anuja, the Lord's younger sister? Atma: Jagat prabhu, do you know that story that Yasoda Mayi had twins? One boy and one girl, and when Vasudeva brought baby Krsna to Nanda Maharaja's palace the 2 boys merged? I read it somewhere but I can't remember exactly and from what Srila Prabhupada said in the above it seems to be true. Prabhupada's letters: SPL to Madhusudana, 29th July, 1968. Subhadra is yogamaya. The spiritual energy is called yogamaya. And she has 16 different expansions. Out of these 16 expansions Subhadra is one....... SPL to Hamsadutta, 9th February, 1969. Regarding your question about Subhadra and Durga, they are not at all the same. Durga's other name is Bhadra, not Subhadra, and Durga's activities are within the material world. Subhadra does not work as Durga. Subhadra is the internal energy and Durga is the external energy. As energy they have a relationship as much as we are energies of Krsna.......

Today I enrolled my eldest for her first year in High School. It was a hard decision but I didn't have so much of a choice. Five of the kids in the block will go together. First time in public school. A sad day but nobody has the time and qualifications to teach the kids at home. The kids are aprehensive too. The counselor was nice and very impressed by the kids. At least they can be together during breaks and lunch. The funny part was when the counsellor heard that 2 of them were just fresh from India and home-school he told me about the report in Time magazine and now I come here and read all this. I feel terrible and the other parents too. One of the kids was in Mayapur Gurukula and for a while with Urmila and now he's going straight to the system. My daughter was also in Mayapur Gurukula and home-school in Calcutta for 4 years. I had no transcripts from the previous years because in India they don't even know what home-school is but they didn't give me any trouble because of that. The counsellor enrolled her for Honor class in English because she told him that she likes to read and write. It is that or me teaching English to her. I think she is better off with them. Last night, my kid was waiting for me at 11.30PM to recite Bhagavad Gita slokas that she just memorized. I think that she was trying to reassure me that she won't forget Krsna. Tomorrow the younger one will get enrolled in middle school. She is trying to convince me not to do it because she said that she is not ready but with broken heart I'll have to do it and with her other kids will go too.

It's just a joke guys, don't take it too serious. Deep down we love you. Atma. A new two-year degree is being offered at the University that many of you should be interested in: Becoming a Real MAN. That's right, in just 6 trimesters, you, too, can be a real-man- as well as earn a MA degree (Male Arts). Please take a moment to look over the program outline. First Year Autumn Schedule MEN 101 Combating Stupidity MEN 102 You, Too, Can do Housework MEN 103 PMS-Learn When to Keep Your Mouth Shut MEN 104 We Do Not Want Sleazy Under Things for Christmas Winter Schedule MEN 110 Wonderful Laundry Techniques MEN 111 Understanding the Female Response to Getting in at a.m. MEN 112 Parenting: It Doesn't End with Conception EAT 100 Get a Life, Learn to Cook EAT 101 Get a Life, Learn to Cook 2 ECON 001 What was Yours is Hers Second Year Autumn Schedule SEX 101 You CAN Fall Sleep Without it SEX 102 Morning Dilemma: If It's Awake Take a Shower SEX 103 How To Stay Awake After Sex MEN 201 How to Put the Toilet Seat Down (elective) (See electives below) Winter Schedule MEN 210 The Remote Control: Overcoming your Dependency MEN 211 How NOT To Act Younger than Your Children MEN 212 You, Too, Can Be a Designated Driver MEN 213 Honest, You Don't Look Like Tom Cruise (or Mel for his fans in this website) MEN 230A Her Birtdays and Anniversaries Are Important Spring Schedule MEN 220 Omitting%! from Your Vocabulary (Pass/Fail only) MEN 221 Fluffing the Blanket After Farting is NOT Necessary MEN 222 Real Man Ask for Directions MEN 223 Thirty Minutes of Begging is NOT Considered Foreplay MEN 230B Her Birthdays and Anniversaries Are Important 2 Course Electives EAT 101 Cooking with Tofu EAT 102 Utilization of Eating Utensils EAT 103 Burping and Belching Discreetly MEN 231 Mothers-in-law MEN 232 Appears to Be Listening MEN 233 Just Say "yes, Dear" ECON 001C Cheaper to Keep Her Just a thought for the women out there. Ever notice how all of women's problems start with MEN MENtal illness MENstrual cramps MENtal breakdown MENopause GUYnocologist (poetic spelling)..... and when we have real trouble, it's HISterectomy. E

JRdd said: PS Hope youre enjoying all those devotees, Atma. Wish I was there. Maybe you can tell us about the Gurukuli Balaram play? Unfortunately I couldn't see it. I had to go to work. Everybody told me that was really good. It was about Maha Bharata.. Maddy, the main kuli for the plays got kind of upset with me because I didn't see it. I saw his work in Vrindavan and Mayapur and he is really good. He is here studying drama and working at the same time. That day was Lord Balarama appearance's day and the gurukulis lead all the kirtans. For Mangala Aratik, Vishvambhar (Ananga Manjari's song) lead really nicely. A girl sang for Tulasi Aratik. Amarendra's son gave morning class. During the morning while we were making garlands for decorating the carts, a girl not more than 20 years old sang for the noon aratik and her kirtan was pure nectar. So full of life. Reminded me Vrindavan. I saw many of the kids that I knew from India when they were little and I'm happy that I got their association. Many of them went through rough times but they are still in KC. The little girls that I knew are already married and having babies and doing really great. BTW Jayaradhe, Mahamaya said that she is sorry that she couldn't said bye to you. Another thing that I remember now is that while we were making garlands a few people showed up to help. I was amazed how diverse in every sense we were. There was this old Prabhupada's disciple talking non-stop about the years in New York and the Road Show. A gurukuli boy from NY (rittvic) with her girl friend (she is suing ISKCON). Two indian ladies talking about Delhi. A greek lady trying to finish everything in time. Another boy from Alachua quiet and sweet. Somehow we were all together doing service for the Lord.

They were terrible. Many devotees had to sell them in Europe and some of them said that they were so embarrased for selling that garbage. The other one that was really bad was Suhotra Swami. Really creepy kind of stuff. When I lived in Mayapur, most of my neighbours were Harikesh disciples and I had to hear that bad rock all day long. Even once they convinced Jananivas prabhu to put HK song greeting Lord Nrisimhadev instead of the usual prayers. Thanks God they got back to their senses and that lasted only one morning. Sometimes I got so mad that I used to put my tape recorder full blast with Prabhupada's bhajans to try to cover up HK's squeaky voice. Another Italian that still around with music is Krsna Prema. He has some cool ragas and songs. Jagat prabhu, was your name Hiranya Garbha before? Or am I mistaken?

It is all Krsna's mercy and as I said before that chapter in my life is closed. It is not only a brand new day it is a brand new life. I have lots of jokes but somehow I can't send them because is some error in this computer with the cutting and pasting thing and I'm too lazy to type them. I think that some of them will be too much for BB and we don't want to upset him.

The Italian devotee was Krsna Chaitanya Das. He was very famous before he became a devotee and wrote lots of songs about Krishna.Unfortunately he and his family blooped after Bhagavan left. Yesterday during the beautiful Ratha Yatra here in LA, they had lots of devotees singing. Govinda sang rap, Mangalanda was very melodious and Goravani and the gurukulis enlivened everybody with their songs in the main stage. I have to say that the best kirtan during the parade was in front of Subhadra Devi and Srila Prabhupada with the gurukulis leading. We had a very nice festival and I'm glad that I was here to get the mercy.

What about red-headed ones?

Why can't a blonde dial 911? She can't find the eleven.