Dwayne

This is not true, feel free to start reading the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Karma is cause and effect. You do something pious, you'll get a pious reaction, and impious, a impious reaction. The results of your karma comes through in your next life - it helps determine what body you get and the life you have in that body. A true materialist for example doesn't just aim to be happy in this life, he also does pious activities so he can enjoy in future lives.

Can you quote the date of the letter so I can look it up in Vedabase? Thanks

Where does Srila Prabhupada or the Sastra say this? Thanks.

I suggest that if you are feeling physically different in general, that you get some multi-vitamins pills (go to a health store and specifically ask for vegeterian), and then find someone who knows about health and talk about what you're eating now. Becoming vegeterian by simply taking the meat off the plate isn't going to work very well - the body is expecting a certain amount of iron, protein etc. When this is removed quickly, the body will react in ways alike to what you have mentioned. So, consider getting some vitamins for now, and talk with someone who knows about nutrition to discover what a healthy diet will be for you.

This is correct. The parampara system is in place so that the true teaching of the Bhagavad-gita is always there, and so the text can be understood as it's supposed to be, rather that interpreted through our limited senses. If the sastra is changed, then it is no better than mental speculation. I have found that some Christians will say "interpret the bible, get your own meaning from it". This really blows me away - where is the truth if the teaching is encouraged to be skewed?

He knows what he's supposed to be doing and is ignoring it, because of attachment. This, sadly, is Maya (though it may not be obvious). The best thing you can do (in my opinon) is to talk to him about it, association etc, and say that you are having problems with it (as not to make him feel bad), and that maybe it would be better if you were more offical, and less friendly, and that it would be better for the both of you. If that doesn't work out, and you are truly concerned for his Spiritual life (which is very nice if you are), then I suggest you talk to his Diksa or Siksa Guru, and they'll talk to him about it, and sort it out for you. I hope that helps. Dwayne

Gaura Hari Shelly It's best to be practical in Krishna Consciousness. If you are able to get organic milk, this is nice, but otherwise purchasing supermarket milk is okay. Just like if you needed cheese - sure, if you could get organic milk, you could manually make cheese, but is this really practical? no, not really. The time could have been better spent on chanting and hearing. In regards to offering, the normal offering is fine. But again, be practical. If you're at work and you want to have a glass of milk, it's more practical and sensible to just chant Srila Prabhupada's Pranati & the Hare Krishna Mantra. Or even just the mantra - time, place, and circumstance. Hope that helps, all the best in your life of Bhakti-Yoga Dwayne

You'd be better off studying Prabhupada's books then, rather than listen to someone who doesn't know about Krishna? Krishna only reveals himself to the devotees, no one else. The best thing you could do is try and get involved with a Bhakti Sastra course, learn about Krishna from devotee teachers and read Prabhupada's books, and in the end get a proper qualification as well... enquire at the local temples if anything is available!

Why not just ask the devotee who did it...

So did you end up doing Religious Studies? From what I've heard from other it's a waste of time.. but that's probably because the teacher is an atheist here. An atheist doesn't understand or know god, so how he can teach religous studies as an authority is beyond all comprehension..

That's just how they spell Krsna in Poland... you see it on omkara's website as well... I'd imagine it's just so they can pronouce it correctly, as obviously they read and say words differently to how we do.

Obviously there is two choices, continuing or quitting. If you continue, Krsna will appriciate this. You are striving very hard for him and his devotees, this is very nice. Make sure you get some association each week, and of course, read Prabhupada's books. Find the time, it is there you just have to look for it! Otherwise, if you quit, then yes you can concentrate fully on your spiritual life, which of course is most important. Either way is equal however, provided you do it all for Krsna I'd stick with it myself, and just try to mix more association and reading in if possible. Haribol!

Personally I just pick them up, and throw them out the window screaming "GAURANGA!!!!!" I have heard about some Prabhu's using spray (and shouting the lord's names) though it's not the highest standard.

Provided you are doing the right things, this is good. If you're doing sinful activities, and offering them, this is bad.. But if you're doing things for Krishna, this is devotional service, and is the highest goal in the material world. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

"Mushrooms are generally not offered, but there is no prohibition, there is no harm in them." "Because mushrooms grow in a filthy place, they are not usually offered to Krishna." Prabhupada quotes from Letters.

Haribol. The only verse I can find at the moment (i'm at work) is http://vedabase.net/sb/11/18/2/en1 but it's not very relevent. I'll look it up in Vedabase when I get home and give a Prabhupada quote. I also found Kurma Prabhu, who writes fantastic cook books, has given a lot of good information about it here http://www.kurma.net/faq/q1.html He doesn't particularly state Mushrooms, but I know they are of the mode of ignorance thus should be avoided. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Try and increase or stay steady, rather than decrease. Find a way to prioritise time better, I can understand how this may seem hard but it is possible!!!

Hari Hari SoulVision. Incense cones are fine. Sadly the ISKCON page isn't loading for me at the moment so I can't see the page. But from what I know and have seen, we pay our obeisances when entering a room where deities are present. Maybe when you visit the temple, you can ask about the etiquette for that temple. From what I know in regards to Mushrooms, it's because they grow at night (or in the dark usually) and basically feed on dead, decomposing material. They are in the mode of ignorance, so we restrain from eating them (when it's practical). I hope this helps.

Haribol SoulVision! One of the important teachings I have learnt in Krishna Consciousness is to Be Practical. Do what you can do, but don't do what isn't practical for you to do. Here is my answers to your questions. 1. I don't know of a Braille version of the Bhagavad-gita, however there is many audio versions available. 2. Different temples have different policies. Janananda Prabhu has written a nice book called 'Animals in Krishna Conciousness' which includes some stories about dogs that would turn up for morning program every morning, so it seems that some temples allow this. The best thing to do is to call the temple that you are considering visiting in advance and ask if it's okay. Everyone is very merciful and i'm sure something could be arranged. 3. It is recommended to have the pictures on the altar, but again as I said earlier, be practical. Obviously little purpose is served if you are unable to see them. The purpose is for the food to be offered to the past acaryas and Krishna. You can do this in your mind, it is fine. 4. Do you have any sight capable friends? Perhaps you could go to the supermarket with them one day, and go over all the different things that you normal eat, and get them to help you sort out what is okay and what isn't. This way in the future you are able to purchase without too much trouble. The main things to keep away from is Meat, Eggs, Onions, Garlic, and Mushrooms. However meat as you'd know sometimes turns up under different names, like rennet in cheese. So, make sure that your friend is aware of different things like this before leaving for the supermarket. If you email me, I can send a list of animal based products to you. 5. I would suggest you didn't prepare the dog food in the kitchen. If it is simply feeding the dog from a can of dog food, then wouldn't it be possible to do this outside or where the dog is fed? 6. When it comes to applying tilak, either you can apply it with the help of your husband, just apply water (which is bona fide, and also it's doesn't matter how it looks), or not apply at all. 6 (the second question 6). Since you are unable to cook yourself, there is no other choice than to accept this food. If you are able in any way to help, do so. If you can talk to him about Krishna while he cooks, do so. Even if you play some Krishna Conscious music while he is cooking, this can make a positive change on the food. Krishna is merciful and will understand. 7. Yes this is fine, it doesn't matter who purchases the food. 8. It isn't important the direction that you pay obeisances, so this won't be a problem. 9. I'm not sure what you mean in this question, but to my knowledge there is no need to ring a bell to enter the temple room. If the deities are sleeping, you can still enter, and when the bell is rung and they are shown, it is important to pay obeisances. However everyone at the temple will be able to help you with the temple etiquette so I wouldn't worry too much in advance about these things. 10. If it is not practical for you to bath the deities, I recommend you don't, and pray to Krishna to understand. 11. I am unaware of what Pawn incense is sorry. However wax candles are fine. 12. It would be a good idea to keep the guidance dog away from the alter, specifically touching the alter if possible. It is okay if your dog is in the same room, but I would say that if you can keep your dog away, do so. 13. If your husband is envious of Krishna, no. If he is innocent, then this is okay, and you will be engaging him in devotional service which is nice. It would be nicer though if only you handled the deities. 14. Pay obeisances and pray for mercy. Krishna will understand. 15. I would suggest that they don't touch the deities. But if they are chanting and they are interested in Krishna Consciousness, in time this may be okay. I hope this helped. I may get corrected on some of the deity details, I am not very knowledgable on that particular topic. Just remember, be practical. Do what you can, Krishna will understand when maybe something can't be followed, and the point that you are so interested and are trying so hard to please Krishna, he will see this endeavour and reciprocate with you very nicely. I hope I have been able to help you. Dwayne