JRdd

Hi, hari bol, Atma, I am going to get back into emailing soon, just been way under the weather lately and today is sunny so lookin' better.... Funny thing about Catholics though (I too was raised one) is that the ones who don't become devotees think we are pagans to have statues and personal worship, and they don't even seem to notice that they have similar customs and mysticism, too. It's strange to me. I too love St Francis, and the movie too, with wonderful sound score by Donovan. I also favor St Therese of Lisieux, who expressed her faith through her paintings, writings, and acting. She was inspired greatly by the awareness that being little was what caught God's eye. Humbleness was her central focus, and surrender to the greater, the Lord. Her writings are candid and entertaining in addition to being inspiring and encouraging. Jayaradhe

I think this book is a great gift. I have a couple to give out myself. I sold four in as many days, hope to do many more. This book has already helped me through some discouraging moments. It's like medicine for the soul. Dasarath-suta is quoted in this book, excerpts from his own writings, and he helped edit this book. He himself wrote Jayananda: A Triumph of Bliss, A Biogrpahy of Jim Kohr, America's First Hare Krishna Saint. He does seem to have a very sweet mood. In addition to Valaya's info, here is his email address, as given in the back of Vishoka's book: dasarathasuta@ ys, Jayaradhe

I can't think what the first cover of Sri Isopanisad was. Can you jar my memory a little? Gosh, I have so many favorites I may have to put them on one by one, over time. One I love is the one Premananda prabhu's guru painted of Radha and Krsna. There is a link to it from one of his posts. I also love the Murlidhar one as well as the original Indian one of Gopal sitting on the rock with the deer-looking cow in the dark tones. The original ISKCON Janardhan one, similar to Jadurani's Sri Iso one, I also love. I think the original used to hang in SF temple. Another is the original Rasalila one by Devahuti prabhu. It is primitive and charming and Srila Prabhupada loved it.

I never understood why that is supposed to be a profound example. Thirty drops does not seem like much.

Hare Krsna! If anyone hasn't already ordered this new book from Vishoka prabhu, The Beautiful Life of Jayananda Thakur, do so now!!! It is so nectarean, a dive in the warmest sweetest waters imaginable. I read half of it in one sitting, couldn't put it down. Jayananda's exemplery life is truly en-COURAGE-ing. And the combination of his life, along with Vishoka prabhu's deep love for him and able storytelling, really makes for some potent delivery to the heart. Mine arrived two or three days ago and I have already sold three. Absorbing ourselves in the mood of Jayananda can lift our spirits higher and enthuse us onward in the most positive ways! The page where you can order from and also read the introduction, as well as exerpts, is: http://www.geocities.com/visoka123/jayakatha.htm your servant, sister, Jayaradhe dasi

Around here, every year they give anyone who wants it huge salmon. Too bad they weren't more enterprising about produce gluts. About roadkill, the Natural History Museum in London, where I loved to go to see all the Deities or statues, they of course have a large selection of taxidermied animals, including a platypus. The Victorians used to kill hummingbirds of all varieties and keep them in a large glass cabinet made especially for displaying these beautiful creatures, in their parlors. The museum has a lot of these. But once a couple of devotee artists and I wnet behind the scenes and met the main sculptor, who makes moulds of dead frogs and such to cast for scenes, and makes realistic birds and other things. Astonishingly real and he showed us how he does it. These days the museum does not accept dead animals unless they are roadkill. (England in general is really strong about animal rights, and has a very high number, proportionately, of vegetarians.)

I had torn out the face of George for this peace painting, weeks before his departure, at which time it ended up on the altar kind of lying at Prabhupada's picture's feet. The peace painting has been somewhat on hold (but is mullling around inside), but funnily enough I was planning today to attach that picture to the peace painting. I think it's going to be a long work in progress, maybe. It would be nice if others were here to help on it. I finally picked up the brushes again to finish another of many paintings which are not finished, one of Krsna playing the flute, in the style of Cosmic Jagannath, with gridded diamonds. hari bol, Jayaradhe [This message has been edited by JRdd (edited 12-29-2001).]

My prayer for the world: http://www.geocities.com/theopenheart/xmasprayer.html

These are interesting conjectures, Suryaz. My input is that in accepting lifestyle of the devotee in the ashram actually healed my depression, and that, conversely, the more I find myself in situations which oppose that lifestyle, the more I find myself at odds with this world in general. Of course one could then say that perhaps my primary socialization is actually the customs of the temple devotee, which I have carried from another lifetime, but then the discussion at that point becomes moot. Simple living, high thinking... How about that one for this discussion? Thoreau was definitely into high thinking.

Hari bol, I have been wanting to get back to this topic but was away. I think that Thoreau had a healthy mixture of both pessimism and optimism. Cynical may be a better word. He was cynical about the ways of the world, but his understanding of deeper matters was his real world. Did you ever read Nathaniel Hawthorne's fictionalized account of the commune started by his transcendentalist friends? Its title is just on the tip of my mind. The Alcotts (including their daughter, author Louisa May Alcott, as well as the rest of the children) and others banded together on some land. They were extremely and endearingly and even amusingly idealistic. They ate only what they grew, which that first and only harsh winter was very very little, so that they became somewhat emaciated. They would not eat root vegetables (they were vegetarians by the way) as they reached toward hell. They would only eat above ground vegetables that reached toward heaven. They made their own clothes, very simple rough things, and their own shoes too, which were quite inadequate for the winter. I admire their determination and idealism, but not their impractical approach. They did not last even a year on that commune. To me it is funny that they were "transcendentalists", as I understand transcendentalism, as taught by Srila Prabhupada, to be a state of actually transcending the expected norms or rules of the world. And Srila Prabhupada's practicality has always demonstrated this understanding. Emerson visited the communal farm a few times, but Thoreau was cynical about it. I gather that with all his indidiuality, he was somehwat of a loner, and happy to be that way, too. I admire him because he didn't just talk, but acted on his convictions, such as making a simple life with nature, at Walden Pond, and his accepting jail rather than pay an unjust poll tax. Have you read his essay on civil disobedience? Every word of it could apply today. Gandhi was directly influenced by Thoreau's nonviolent civil disobedience. But who can know for sure? Imagina someone trying to piece together exactly what kind of person you are, from whatever writings you left behind. People are complex and it is hard even to know ourselves what to speak of anyone else. Jayaradhe (no "y" at the end)

Hari bol, here is the link to Project Gutenberg, which has many authors' folio online. Scroll down and type in "Thoreau" in the author part and it will pull up seven works by Thoreau, including Walden: http://www.promo.net/pg/index.html [This message has been edited by JRdd (edited 12-16-2001).]

I agree. And what does it matter if it is make believe or not, if it engages the body, senses, mind, imagination, heart, etc. in thoughts of and yearning for and service to Radha Krsna? Even shadow attachment is a very fortunate thing.

Walden Pond is not fiction. I have books and essays by Thoreau. I would love to discuss this topic. Did you ever read his essay on nature? He was so God-centred in his outlook. If you go to my website you can find on the links page the link for a site that has some of his writings on it. This may save time if you want to cut and paste on this thread. http://www.geocities.com/theopenheart

Interesting. Now do you believe WC? Isn't it strange how there would be pride in such a statement? It's like saying, look at me, I'm a bigger dog than you are. Or: I'm more expert at exploiting women than you are (he certainly was no lover, with that number--fictional or not.) Now celibacy. That is something to get dangerously proud of....

Ex-Postal Worker Peppers People With Porcupine Poop A better headline would have said: Pissed off Ex-Postperson Profusely Peppers People with Putrid Porcupine Poop But I am absolved from any judgements as to how I just spent my last sixty seconds. JR

(tee hee)

LOL! Too hilarious. But isn't fascination the ecstacy of curiosity? And not the other way around. Just curious.... Tarun, are there any intersting stories connected with your meeting CC aka MA, or anyone else famous (besides Ringo)? Jayaradhe

Now when I hear that Dylan song it will remind me even more of Krsna. (Hey Mr tambourine Man.) Many thanks for the prayer on the other thread. It has been answered... gratefully, Jayaradhe

Your naughty little prayer worked before it even left your heart. Yesterday, most unexpectedly, the naughty little Boy found me! I could not imagine, as I peeled off the wrappings! He is large (for a child His size), holding a large sweetball (for a baby His size). Now I must prepare a divine play area for Him as the Others have taken up all the space on the altar. It must be! Many thanks to my donor friend. It is amazing how, so often, the right kind of prayer gets answered (I have really been wanting a Ladu Gopal). Praying for a husband might not be the right kind of prayer so I don't go there. I figure Krsna, He knows what I need. Besides, you never know what you may get as a result of impure desires. My main prayer (for myself) lately has been to have the strength of spirit to make the most of my situation in such a way that I can become a useful servant. My prayer for all the devotees is that we increase our attention on chanting the Holy Names. In this Age, there is no other way.... your servant, Jayaradhe

Your naughty little prayer worked before it even left your heart. Yesterday, most unexpectedly, the naughty little Boy found me! I could not imagine, as I peeled off the wrappings! He is large (for a child His size), holding a large sweetball (for a baby His size). Now I must prepare a divine play area for Him as the Others have taken up all the space on the altar. It must be! Many thanks to my donor friend. It is amazing how, so often, the right kind of prayer gets answered (I have really been wanting a Ladu Gopal). Praying for a husband might not be the right kind of prayer so I don't go there. I figure Krsna, He knows what I need. Besides, you never know what you may get as a result of impure desires. My main prayer (for myself) lately has been to have the strength of spirit to make the most of my situation in such a way that I can become a useful servant. My prayer for all the devotees is that we increase our attention on chanting the Holy Names. In this Age, there is no other way.... your servant, Jayaradhe

imho, the best eulogy ever! And then Srila Prabhupada would say, upon being asked the question....

Talasiga's tofu mousse makes me want to take up tofu. (Does that smilie look embarressed to anyone else? They had a better one before. This one looks like it's in ecstacy. Oh, so it fits either way. Your choice.)

(It just cracks me up how they make a real big deal--HEADLINE NEWS--about someone taking a year off sex. That must make me superwoman)(tee hee) Didn't devotees use to give him (MA) books in New York? I knew one girl who went to his hotel room with books. Any other stories about where/how this powerhouse really got his power?

I understand. Don't worry about reactions. I have been handing it out gradually, and it is all goiong somewhere. Then I hope to get more maha to hand out to devotees. ys, Jayaradhe

Ditto that. As one of my friends likes to say: It's better to be kind than right. By that I mean better to come from the heart than the ego. (And you can still of course be right.) Jayaradhe