Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org
Sign in to follow this  
Guruvani

Hear Babhru das prabhu lecture - New Raman Reti, Florida

Rate this topic

Recommended Posts

 

Yeah--well, it looks as though I got another chance. It's a little embarrassing to have my nervous stammering on the World Wide Web. Wait until KB gives a class somewhere. Then I'll get him back. :P

 

You sounded a lot younger than I expected.

I thought you were an older guy.

 

I guess living good has it's rewards?

 

This is not an insult, but you sounded more like a college student than college professor.

 

I enjoyed the lecture.

 

But, don't expect to ever hear me lecturing in a Hare Krishna temple.

 

You might see me on a street corner on a soap-box but never a Hare Krishna temple.:cool:

 

I preach to the chickens running around the neighborhood here.:eek3:

 

I am a people person for sure, but I can't deal with the formal situation.

 

Nice lecture.......

It won't be long before you are wearing the saffron sheet and walking with three legs.

 

I see you taking sannyasa from T Swami in the next few years.

 

See...... I am a mystic.:D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

You sounded a lot younger than I expected.

I thought you were an older guy.

Actually, I turned 60 a couple of years ago.

 

 

I guess living good has it's rewards?

 

This is not an insult, but you sounded more like a college student than college professor.

 

I enjoyed the lecture.

Thanks; it's nice of you to say so. (All of the above.) I was encouraged that several devotees, including some very well-known members of ISKCON, also said very kind things about the talk.

 

 

But, don't expect to ever hear me lecturing in a Hare Krishna temple.

 

You might see me on a street corner on a soap-box but never a Hare Krishna temple.:cool:

 

I preach to the chickens running around the neighborhood here.:eek3:

Well, I still can't believe I'm here. I don't think either my wife or I feels naturally comfortable in big-temple situations. And this is one big temple!

 

And chickens are cool; they just don't have a very long attention span. (We had a whole bunch of them running around our place in Hawaii.) Moreover, didn't we all grow up preaching on the streets?

 

 

I am a people person for sure, but I can't deal with the formal situation.
I get nervous as anything. Running classes in college (and subbing in middle schools) is hard for shy folks like me. But I did it because I was asked. I saw it as an opportunity to surrender.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

 

I get nervous as anything. Running classes in college (and subbing in middle schools) is hard for shy folks like me. But I did it because I was asked. I saw it as an opportunity to surrender.

I led a sundara-arati in the temple years ago when nobody else showed-up on time.

I am decent on mrdanga.

 

But, I couldn't do a formal lecture.

Not that I would ever be asked.

I am like the James Dean of bhakti.(rebel without a cause)

 

I haven't been to the temple in over three years.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I dunno bout giving talks to a bunch of devotees. I remember when I served with babhru, we had plenty of experiance. Sudama Swami led a very nice program where all the devotees would take their turn, giving morning class, even speakiong at sunday feast venues to the public. Good practice when we are in our twenties pays off now that we are old.

 

Like I say sometimes, the young pretty girls still look and smile, but now, instead of "honey", they say "daddy":eek3: :eek3: :eek3:

 

I gave a short address about chanting Harinam at a reggae festival, 1000 deadhead rastas is not a tough crowd, though, everything is "far out" for them. I kept it simple, focusing on the sheer fun of samkirtana. I put the "restrictions" in my back pocket for the day. If ones speaking engagement is followed by INSPIRED chanting, then Srila Prabhupada is pleased, and that is our goal in speaking, eh?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

I dunno bout giving talks to a bunch of devotees. I remember when I served with babhru, we had plenty of experiance. Sudama Swami led a very nice program where all the devotees would take their turn, giving morning class, even speakiong at sunday feast venues to the public. Good practice when we are in our twenties pays off now that we are old.

I accept the opportunity to speak at temples where I am as a chance for more practice. The challenge, it seems to me is to reinforce salutary understanding of our siddhanta and practice, while presenting something stimulating for jaded old-timers, and, at the same time, making it interesting for myself as well.

 

 

I gave a short address about chanting Harinam at a reggae festival, 1000 deadhead rastas is not a tough crowd, though, everything is "far out" for them. I kept it simple, focusing on the sheer fun of samkirtana. I put the "restrictions" in my back pocket for the day. If ones speaking engagement is followed by INSPIRED chanting, then Srila Prabhupada is pleased, and that is our goal in speaking, eh?

I agree. An effective speaker will be aware of his or her audience's adhikara and adjust the presentation accordingly. And inspired chanting is the heart of the whole thing, yeah?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

To me Sudama Swami will always be awesome. A great mentor, and his ideas he passed on have been used all my life. My friends in kona called him Prabhupadas little brother.

 

Anyway, one thing he impressed upon me when he was training us to be effective in speaking is that we speak in order to hear (and on the internet, we write in order to read, a time and space consideration). So, whenever we speak, we are hearing. This is why our own ideas dont have the same value as representing the tattwa of our preceptors. Our own words have great value, because our style in serving krsna is attractive, but when we speak in our own jargon the truth as we have come to actually realize and put into practice, our main student is our own self. This is why Srila Prabhupada, when introducing us to japa meditation, made sure that while we may chant softly, it is important to actually be able to HEAR ourselves chant. Japa is both chanting and hearing.

 

Giving class or even addressing the throngs is an act of yajna, sacrifice. We do it not because we get a thrill out of adulation but because this is our sadhana bhakti practice. We are initiated as gosthianandis, preachers, so even in isolation, we speak (or write). While we speak, we ask for Srila Prabhupada to speak, and we become the microphones, the tools of his mission. Not parrots, never. We must taste the prasadam we distribute, otherwise we are fanatics, speaking of truth we dont believe in. And when we go that route, we are discovered rather easily.

 

If I ever went to a temple, I might say a thing or two, but Id like to sing a tune even more. I got three versions of "hare Haraya Namah" that would be fun to try with a bunch of mad folk, as long as they dont make the ladies go upstairs. Their voices are the key.

 

Hare Krsna, ys, mahaksadasa

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think it would be interesting on so many levels if both Babhru and KSB gave a synopsis of the talk. What message was presented? What message was received?

 

My last partner on my job here had been an altar boy. He was the first person in forever that really deserved and received my message - completely nonsectarian, yet the whole thing. He got even more than the internet forums got over the last fifteen years. Now he's somewhere else and the world is empty again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

gHari, are you suggesting an abstract? Maybe I can do that this weekend. As far as what message was received, that would be interesting to know. A number of devotees (I've lost count, which is a good sign, I guess) have thanked me for the class, and I meant to ask them what they liked about it, specifically. Maybe I can still do that, although it would have been more effective within the first day or two.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

To me the lecture was basic Bhagavad Gita.

To me the tone and tune of the vibration is as important as the message.

 

I liked the vibe and the energy.

 

The message was nothing Earth-shaking or revolutionary.

It was just a good vibe and a very positive energy.

 

I surely have a different impression of Babhru after hearing his voice than I did from his posts on the forum.

 

To me the vibe is as important as the message.

 

The vibe was nice.

 

The message I have heard a thousand times before though mayhe without Michael Jordan as an example of how success comes from commitment and determination.

 

The message was about the importance of determination and commitment if we really want to achieve our dreams.

 

p.s.

I can assure everyone I am nothing like the person they think they know from this forum.

In this forum I am role playing.

A role I certainly don't play in daily life.

 

I never talk to anyone about Krishna.

Not even my kids.

 

This forum is the only sanga I have.:crying2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The verse was SB 7.6.26. Here are the translation and purport:

Religion, economic development and sense gratification—these are described in the Vedas as tri-varga, or three ways to salvation. Within these three categories are education and self-realization; ritualistic ceremonies performed according to Vedic injunction; logic; the science of law and order; and the various means of earning one's livelihood. These are the external subject matters of study in the Vedas, and therefore I consider them material. However, I consider surrender to the lotus feet of Lord Viñëu to be transcendental.

PURPORT

These instructions of Prahläda Mahäräja stress the transcendental position of devotional service. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gétä (14.26):

mäà ca yo 'vyabhicäreëa

bhakti-yogena sevate

sa guëän samatétyaitän

brahma-bhüyäya kalpate

"One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman." One who fully engages in the devotional service of the Lord is immediately raised to the transcendental position, which is the brahma-bhüta stage [sB 4.30.20]. Any education or activity not on the brahma-bhüta platform, the platform of self-realization, is considered to be material, and Prahläda Mahäräja says that anything material cannot be the Absolute Truth, for the Absolute Truth is on the spiritual platform. This is also confirmed by Lord Kåñëa in Bhagavad-gétä (2.45), where He says, traiguëya-viñayä vedä nistraiguëyo bhavärjuna: "The Vedas mainly deal with the subject of the three modes of material nature. Rise above these modes, O Arjuna. Be transcendental to all of them." To act on the material platform, even if one's activities are sanctioned by the Vedas, is not the ultimate goal of life. The ultimate goal of life is to stay on the spiritual platform, fully surrendered to the parama-puruña, the supreme person. This is the object of the human mission. In summary, the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies and injunctions are not to be discounted; they are means of being promoted to the spiritual platform. But if one does not come to the spiritual platform, the Vedic ceremonies are simply a waste of time. This is confirmed in Çrémad-Bhägavatam (1.2.8):

dharmaù svanuñöhitaù puàsäà

viñvaksena-kathäsu yaù

notpädayed yadi ratià

çrama eva hi kevalam

"Duties [dharma] executed by men, regardless of occupation, are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the message of the Supreme Lord." If one very strictly performs the various duties of religion but does not ultimately come to the platform of surrendering to the Supreme Lord, his methods of attaining salvation or elevation are simply a waste of time and energy.

I took a clue from the verse and decided to talk a little about çaraëägaté. That’s the last word in the Gétä, and that’s where the Bhägavatam picks up, beginning with the second verse. This verse is the vastu-nirdeña sloka, which tells what the book is about, which is pure devotional service, completely rejecting any concept of duty or religion with any mix of material motivation. Essentially, I took this instruction from Prahlada as an opportunity to talk a little about the six-fold process of seeking the Lord’s shelter, which has been on my mind more and more over the last few years. From what I understand, bhakti and çaranagaté are not static, but progressive and dynamic.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

What message was presented? What message was received?

 

This was surely also an important point for Srila Prabhupada, how to make people remember what's being said in class - even the very next day, things were sometimes already forgotten. HG Sriman Janaka Rishi prabhu ( http://jeevjago.blogspot.com/ ) took up the task to present essential philosophy in such a way to make us remember for a longer period of time.

These are the slokas of Bhagavad-gita As It Is being explained:

 

BG 2.62: While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.

 

BG 2.63: From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc5EeNn4T6U&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjeevjago%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F

 

 

 

CREDITS:

Cast (in order of appearance)

Janaka Rishi Maxwell

Krishna and Balarama Rodriguez

Krishna Dhama Rico

Jishnu and Krishangi Allin

Poppy

Radha Kunda Allard

Cinematography and

Assistant Director

Manu Kaseder

 

Original Score

Kevin MacLeod

Dog Wrangler

Devaki Solomon

Maritime Services

Dude Overboard!

 

Catering

Amaradha Saona

Devaki Solomon

Lokasaksini Chapaprieta

Special Thanks

Tosan Krishna Allin

Laksmi Nrsimha Pugliese

Lokasaksini Chapaprieta

Rodriguez Family

Gaura Shakti Allin

Kesisudana Allard

 

Written, Directed,

and Edited by

Jeeves McAtman

Tom Spence

 

Filmed on Location

in Florida at the

Santa Fe River and

San Felasco Hammock

DISCLAIMERS:

No animals or actors

were harmed in the

production of this movie,

and only two hats were lost.

 

Any resemblance

to actual persons or

electronic devices

is purely coincidental.

Jeev Jago Studios

&

Pop Goes the

Gita Productions

MMVII

 

MORE DISCLAIMERS:

 

For educational purposes only. Unix is a registered trademark of AT&T. Do not fold, spindle or mutilate. Contents may settle during shipment. Batteries not included. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. May be too intense for some viewers. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. This software is not designed or intended for use or resale as on-line control equipment in hazardous environments requiring fail-safe performance, such as in the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation or communication systems, air traffic control, direct life support machines, or weapons systems, in which the failure of the software could lead directly to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental damage ("high risk activities"). Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Some assembly required. List each check separately by bank number. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Postage will be paid by addressee. Subject to CAB approval. This is not an offer to sell securities. Apply only to affected area. Do not stamp. Use other side for additional listings. For recreational use only. Do not disturb. If condition persists, consult your physician. No user-serviceable parts inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. Subject to change without notice. Times approximate. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Simulated picture. Please remain seated until the ride has come to a complete stop. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. Contraindicated in individuals who have a hypersensitivity to sulfonamide preparations or to any of the ingredients of the preparation. One size fits all. Many suitcases look alike. Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Colors may, in time, fade. We have sent the forms which seem right for you. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Not affiliated with the American Red Cross. Drop in any mailbox. Edited for television. Keep cool; process promptly. Post office will not deliver without postage. List was current at time of printing. Return to sender, no forwarding order on file, unable to forward. Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect, error or failure to perform. At participating locations only. Not the Beatles. Penalty for private use. Do not use if solution is discolored. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. Do not write below this line. Falling rock. Lost ticket pays maximum rate. Your canceled check is your receipt. Place stamp here. Avoid contact with skin. Sanitized for your protection. Be sure each item is properly endorsed. Sign here without admitting guilt. Slightly higher west of the Mississippi. Employees and their families are not eligible. Beware of dog. Contestants have been briefed on some questions before the show. Limited time offer, call now to ensure prompt delivery. Must be present to win. No passes accepted for this engagement. No purchase necessary. Protect from light. Processed at location stamped in code at top of carton. Shading within a garment may occur. Use only in a well-ventilated area. Keep away from fire or flames. Replace with same type. Approved for veterans. Booths for two or more. Check here if tax deductible. Some equipment shown is optional. Price does not include taxes. No Canadian coins. Not recommended for children. Prerecorded for this time zone. Reproduction strictly prohibited. No solicitors. No alcohol, dogs or horses. Restaurant package, not for resale. List at least two alternate dates. First pull up, then pull down. Call toll free number before digging. Driver does not carry cash. Some of the trademarks mentioned in this product appear for identification purposes only. Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear. Record additional transactions on back of previous stub. No transfers issued until the bus comes to a complete stop. Package sold by weight, not volume. Your mileage may vary. Illustrations are slightly enlarged to show detail. Do not remove this disclaimer under penalty of law. Hand wash only, tumble dry on low heat. No substitutions allowed. For a limited time only. Void where prohibited, taxed, or otherwise restricted. Reader assumes full responsibility. Quantities are limited while supplies last. If any defects are discovered, do not attempt to fix them yourself, but return to an authorized service center. Read at your own risk. May cause drowsiness. Keep away from sunlight. Keep away from pets and small children. Limit one per family, please. No money down. Need not be present to win. Instructions included. Action figures sold separately. No preservatives added. Safety goggles required during use. Sealed for your protection, do not use if safety seal is broken. Not liable for damages arising from use or misuse. For external use only. If rash, irritation, redness, or swelling develops, discontinue use. Avoid extreme temperatures and store in a cool dry place. Keep away from open flames. Avoid contact with eyes. Avoid inhaling fumes. Do not puncture, incinerate, or store above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not place near a flammable or magnetic source. No salt, MSG, artificial color or flavoring added. May contain nuts. If ingested, do not induce vomiting. Allow four to six weeks for delivery. Disclaimer does not cover misuse, accident, lightning, flood, tornado, tsunami, volcanic eruption, earthquake, hurricanes and other Acts of God, neglect, damage from improper or unauthorized use, incorrect line voltage, broken antenna or marred cabinet, missing or altered serial numbers, electromagnetic radiation from nuclear blasts, sonic boom vibrations, customer adjustments that are not covered in this list, and incidents owing to an airplane crash, ship sinking or taking on water, motor vehicle crashing, dropping the item, falling rocks, leaky roof, broken glass, mud slides, forest fire, or projectile (which can include, but not be limited to, arrows, bullets, shot, BB's, shrapnel, lasers, napalm, torpedoes, or emissions of X-rays, Alpha, Beta and Gamma rays, knives, stones, etc.). Other restrictions may apply. Professional driver on closed course. This supersedes all previous notices.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

"People won't remember what you said to them for very long but they'll always remember how you made them feel."

 

The above statement knocked me over the first time I heard it.

 

The presentation is just as important as the message.

 

 

 

To me the lecture was basic Bhagavad Gita.

To me the tone and tune of the vibration is as important as the message.

 

I liked the vibe and the energy.

 

The message was nothing Earth-shaking or revolutionary.

It was just a good vibe and a very positive energy.

 

I surely have a different impression of Babhru after hearing his voice than I did from his posts on the forum.

 

To me the vibe is as important as the message.

 

The vibe was nice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

 

"People won't remember what you said to them for very long but they'll always remember how you made them feel."

 

The above statement knocked me over the first time I heard it.

 

The presentation is just as important as the message.

 

Myself, I am not interested in being popular or being liked.

I just speak it the way I see it.

Most usually a lot of people disagree with me.

I don't have a problem with that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At the risk of calling any more attention to myself, I want to make a correction to something I think I said in the class. When discussing Krishna das Kaviraja's comments about kaitava dharma as he explains the second verse, I think I said that it was the vastu nirdesa sloka. Actually, as Kaviraja Goswami says, the first two verses (vande gurun isa bhaktan, and vande sri krishna chaitanya nityananda suhoditau) constitute the namaskara part of Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita's mangalacarana, which invokes the book's Deity. The vastu nirdesa (theis) is the verse beginning yad advaitam brahmopanisadi. The asirvada (blessing)verse is the fourth verse: anarpita-carim cirat karunayavatirnah kalau. . . .

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...