PREMA SAMPUTA DASA HOMEPAGE

Jaya Gurudeva-Dance Hall Mellody

2007-06-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-yMhVfOB90c

The nectarean sweetness of the holy name of the Lord.

With Love,
Prema Samputa Dasa.

2006-12-01T00:44:00.001-08:00

2006 Ratha Yatra Festival

2006-12-01T00:44:00.000-08:00

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=prema_samputa_dasa&aid=576460762355238552&pid=&wtok=Rt_YjDFRQmrgPBb21jqmog--&ts=1164915312&.src=ph#pa

2006-10-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

Hare Krishna,

http://www.saranagati.net/saranagati/data/flashs/darshan.swf

With Love,

Chant And Be Happy

2006-09-19T06:05:00.000-07:00

Hare Krishna

2006-09-15T21:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpis_LIcH_I

With Love.

The Nectar Of The Holy Name!!!

2006-09-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

The sweetness of the Holy Name is non different from my sweet Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

With Love.

The sweet sound of the Maha Mantra.

2006-08-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

The Power of Mantra Meditation
BASED ON THE TEACHINGS OF HIS DIVINE GRACEA.C.BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADAFounder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

It is as necessary to a life of growth as regular brushing is to dental hygiene. The ability to handle stress increases with the practice of meditation. In a culture like ours in which inner, spiritual growth is totally neglected in favor of materialistic pursuits, we might have something to learn from the Hare Krishna devotees' meditational practices. http://krishnatempel.de/html/downloads/audiovideo/musik/anandamaya%20dasa/Anandamaya%20Dasa%20-%20Hare-Krishna-Mantra.mp3 .

What is Hare Krishna?

Who is Krishna? Why do people dress in robes and chant His name on the streets? What is the philosophy of these Krishna devotees? What's the meaning of their chant?
Krishna is a name of the Supreme. It means "all- attractive." Anything that might attract you has its source in the Supreme. Therefore the Supreme is also known as Rama (rhymes with "drama"). "Rama" means "the highest eternal pleasure."
All of us are pleasure-seeking creatures. So you can say that directly or indirectly we are all seeking Krishna. Chanting Hare Krishna is a way of seeking Krishna directly.
As for the word "Hare" (pronounced huh-ray), it's a call to Krishna's divine energy. Just as the sun shines forth to us through its energies like heat and light, the Supreme reveals Himself through His multitude of energies. If the Supreme is the source of everything, then whatever we see--and even what we don't see-- belongs to the energy of the Supreme.
Now we're trying to exploit that energy, but the more we try the more entangled we get and the more complex our life becomes. But when we place ourselves in harmony with Krishna and Krishna's energy, we return to our natural, pure state of consciousness. This is what we call "Krishna consciousness."
Krishna consciousness is not something imposed on the mind. On the contrary, it's already inside of each of us, waiting to come out, like fire in a match. Chanting Hare Krishna brings out that natural, pure state of mind.
The chant is called a mantra, a vibration of sound that cleanses the mind, freeing it from anxiety and illusion. And this is a mantra anyone can chant. It's for people of all religions, all nations, all colors, and both sexes. No need to pay any fees, join any group, or turn your life upside down. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can try the chanting for yourself and experience its result.
Krishna and His energy are fully present in the sound of the mantra, so even if we don't know the language or intellectually understand how it works, by coming in touch with Krishna we'll become happy, and our life will become sublime.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare !!!

http://krishnatempel.de/html/downloads/audiovideo/musik/Chanting_with_Prabhupada_22kHz.mp3

With Love.

Clip 2 of 9 - Anger Mgt Live TV Interview with Dina A Das

2006-08-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Anger Management - Live TV Interview with Dina A. Das on Malaysian television NTV7's The Breakfast Show, 27 Jun 2005.

This Video Clip is Part TWO of 9 clips. Total interview time was 27 minutes.

There are many practical tips and insights on understanding anger and how to overcome the problem.

Anger is a very serious problem: in Malaysia alone, there is an average of one murder every three days just because of anger where arguments get out of control.

Stage One is - understand 'I am not my mind; I must not obey it blindly but realise I am its master - I must control it just as I must control my dog when I take it for a walk.'

Stage Two is - Conflict Resolution in Personal & Working Relationships - get to the root of why we are angry - learn to introspect, to cut off unnecessary relationships in our lives, and to communicate and make all our personal and working relationships healthy.

Powerpoint slides and other Files to help you cope with Anger will be automatically sent to you if you join Dina's online support group - just send a BLANK Email to:

angermgt-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

What is the difference between Jesus and Krishna?

2006-08-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.omjesus.net/en/05difference.htm

An interesting acticle we must love.

With Love.
Prema.

The World Cup - as Islam sees it

2006-08-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

The Soccer World Cup. From Another Corner...

At this critical juncture we find ourselves in a period where the talks,discussions, topics of conversation and focus of media networks, newspapersand various media centres around the Soccer World Cup. Many people wouldspend large sums of hard earned money to witness this spectacle live, whileothers would spend hours of valuable time glued to the television watchingevery move of their favourite team.
It is really amazing how players engaged in a football match or any othercode of sport find their lives guided and governed by the rules of the game.They are cognisant of the fact that if the rules are broken or the laws areflouted penalties would follow. The player is guided by the lines andboundaries and parameters of the game which he plays. We have been sent fora greater purpose, the lines and boundaries that govern us are the lines andboundaries chalked out for us by Allah subhaanahu wa ta aala Allah says inthe Glorious Quran: “These are the boundaries set by Allah, do nottransgress them.” (Surah 2 Verse 229)
How strange it is that a person is so mindful about the 2 linesman watchinghis actions from either side of the field while he is unmindful of theangels, on either side of his shoulder, writing all his actions.
How strange it is that a person would dare not touch the ball with his handin the penalty area for fear of the referee penalizing him, while he daresto venture into touching that which Allah has prohibited him from, withoutany fear of impunity or repercussions.
How strange it is that a person on the soccer field is so cautious about notbeing caught off side, while he does not care if Allah catches him in places.

With Love.

The Attitude of A Devotee

2006-08-11T14:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.radiokrishna.com/rkc_archive_new/index.php?q=f&f=%2Fenglish

One’s attitude is very important in Krsna consciousness, as stated in the preface of the Nectar of Instruction: “Advancement in Krsna consciousness depends on the attitude of the follower.”

This attitude is described in various ways, one of which is the attitude of renunciation, by which one is given a chance to advance to the platform of devotional service (1) and also the attitude of a devotee, who does not seek shelter in the fruits of his activities but acts as a matter of duty because he has been ordered to do so by the Supreme Lord. (2)

(1) “Those who work without fruitive results are also perfect in their attitude. They are given a chance to advance to the platform of devotional service in Krsna consciousness.” –Bg. 13.25 Purport

(2) “The transcendental attitude of the devotee in the performance of activities is actually that of renunciation, and this is called sannyasa. As stated in the first verse of the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita, one who acts as a matter of duty because he has been ordered to do so by the Supreme Lord, and who does not seek shelter in the fruits of his activities
(anasritah karma-phalam), is a true renouncer. Anyone acting under the direction of the Supreme Lord is actually a sannyasi and a yogi, and not the man who has simply taken the dress of the sannyasi, or a pseudo yogi.” –Bg.10.3 Purport

The devotees’ attitude is that he believes in everything that Krsna says, not that he only accepts those things that tally to his imagination. (1)

(1) “Only the devotee, or he who is in personal touch with the Supreme Lord, enters into the Vaikuntha planets or the Goloka Vrndavana planet.

The Lord further adds that of this “there is no doubt.” This must be believed firmly. We should not reject that which does not tally with our imagination; our attitude should be that of Arjuna: “I believe everything that You have said.” Therefore when the Lord says that at the time of death whoever thinks of Him as Brahman or Paramatma or as the Personality of Godhead certainly enters into the spiritual sky, there is no doubt about it. There is no question of disbelieving it.” –Bg. Introduction

With Love.

I am bless by the ....................

2006-08-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

I AM BLESS BY THE BEST AND WILL SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS. SHORT VEDIO OF MY BELOVED GURUDEVA.( http://portal.vvz.hr/download/video/Kamp%202000%20kirtan.mpg )

WITH LOVE

The Significance of Janmastami

2006-08-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

In late August or early September each year, hundreds of millions of Hindus in India and throughout the world celebrate Janmastami, the birth (in Sanskrit, janma) of Lord Krishna. On our calendar the exact date varies, for Krishna was born, according to the lunar calendar, on the eighth day (astami) after a certain late summer full moon.

Though interpretations vary widely, Vaishnavas, members of Hinduism’s largest sect, revere Krishna as the single, omnipotent, supreme God. According to Vaishnava theology, fifty centuries ago Krishna revealed to the warrior Arjuna the Bhagavad-gita, the "Bible of Hinduism." This famous treatise, dear to intellectuals such as Emerson, Thoreau, Gandhi and Einstein, concisely explains the phenomena of love, stress, self-development, creation and life after death.

"There is no truth superior to me," Krishna asserts in the Gita; "Everything rests upon me as pearls are strung on a thread. I am the source of all material and spiritual worlds. The wise who know this perfectly engage in my devotional service with all their hearts."

Skeptics question how God could be a blue-skinned cowherd such as Krishna, and how, in his divinity, he could be born among human beings. In the Gita Krishna explains that he appears at his own volition, unlike ordinary souls, who are shoved into new bodies due to past sins. Krishna’s benevolent purpose: the protect the good and punish the evil.

Krishna’s birth does not seem to befit a deity. Before his birth, his imprisoned parents, Vasudev and Devaki, lost six of their first seven children to Kamsa, their political oppressor. Their eighth son appeared with all the accouterments of Vishnu, the formal deity of God, but shed them at his parent’s request so they could smuggle Him out of jail and save Him.

This superficial contradiction—God almighty needing a rescue—reveals a splendid and unique quality of Krishna: He reciprocates His devotees’ love in very human ways. He is a son to Vasudev and Devaki, a friend to Arjuna, a lover to the cowherd damsels, a husband to thousands of wives, and more. Sometimes these intimate devotees, entranced with their particular love for Krishna, witness His superhuman actions and slip into a mood of awe. At that time Krishna, forever inundated by supplicating worshippers, extends a spell over these intimate servants to perpetuate their familiar roles. Krishna enjoys their diverse loving moods.

Images of Krishna as the mischievous boy, the romantic dancer or the compassionate friend often confuse the uninitiated. On Janmastami, however, devotees celebrate Krishna in all of these aspects. For just as Krishna reciprocates individually with His celebrated relatives and confidantes, he responds to the distinct feelings and desires held most deeply in the heart of every single worshipper.

How do devotees celebrate Janmastami?

Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s birth. Events include kirtan, group chanting of Krishna’s names with musical accompaniment, and japa, private, individual chanting. Some devotees cook an enormous feast while others perform drama and dance. Some devotees bathe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day.

Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored altar. A rousing kirtan ensues. Then, devotees and guests enjoy a lavish, multi-course feast in honor of Krishna’s appearance. The strictly vegetarian dishes comprise a wide variety of grains, fruits, vegetables and milk products, brilliantly combined in an array of succulent savories and sweets.

To devotees, Janmastami is Christmas and New Year's in one, a day of intense spiritual renewal and celebration that effectively finishes an old year and begins a fresh one. It is a day that recreates the activities of God's abode: a non-stop celebration of love of God through various spiritual activities in the fellowship of like-minded, submissive servants of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

With Love.

Words of Wisdom from BT Swami

2006-08-05T16:18:00.000-07:00

"Worry is a prayer for something one does not want. To avoid an
undesirable outcome, people can learn to control their thoughts,
especially when they are under stress and have an emotional
investment in a desired outcome. At such times, stress and emotions
represent thought energy fueling the creation of the image being held
in their minds. Instead of worrying, one can replace the negative
thought with a visual image of the desired outcome, and then help
that image manifest rather than the unwanted one. As people get into
the habit of energizing only the positive, their thoughts, words, and
actions will automatically reflect this higher state of mind. They
will, in effect, stop creating new negative karma, because they will
no longer generate energy that has to be rebalanced, and their
positive energy will begin paying off some of the debits on their
scoreboard."

Leadership I, Chap 3

With Love.

The Golden Rule of Bhakti

2006-08-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

smartavyah satatam vishnur
vismartavyo na jatucit
sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur
etayor eva kinkarah

Vishnu should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All rules and prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be servants of these two principles.(Padma Purana)

Life is full of ups and downs. An inexperienced devotee will especially remember Krishna when he's down, but a more experienced devotee also remembers to be thankful to Krsna and to take shelter of Him even when everything seems to be great.
**************************************************
Things to do

· Pray to Krishna for strength and direction. · Learn to take shelter in chanting, this will help to transform your heart. · Find your own maintainable level of devotional practice, one which will gradually enable you to reach the ideal rather than an unrealistic and unachievable end which will only frustrate you. · Associate with those who have a slightly higher level of practice than you do (those who are also struggling but maintaining higher standards). · Practice some level of self discipline, it is the genuine path to higher enjoyment.

**************************************************************************Tips Tips for the Struggle

If you find yourself struggling with chanting or the four regulative principles, don’t be alarmed, it is natural and to be expected for any individual who makes sacrifices (mental or physical) in order to progress spiritually. In fact, expect challenges as you move forward, be prepared for them and gradually work through them rather than evade them, otherwise they will only come back again and again. Find your own level of manageable practice, even though initially it may appear to be a compromise, gradually work up to the ideal, it may take weeks……., months………, or even years! But, sincerely persevere and the Lord within the heart will reciprocate.

Whenever there is a human impulse, our tendency is to respond immediately without even contemplating the outcome. In reality there exists a short moment between an impulse and a response, catch yourself during this short moment, think first, then act. If this thinking is based on principled directions (or scripture), you will succeed in holding back the force of unwarranted impulses.

Remember, whilst striving for the highest spiritual principles, we still have responsibilities to our spouses, children and friends. We must be conscious of their needs before imposing our own.

In all cases of upholding any vows, the key principle is DESIRE, half of the battle is won if we ourselves make a conscious decision to follow a practice rather than feel obliged to do so – so desire it!

Jaya Gurudeva!
Bhakti Thirta Swami Ki Jay!

With Love,
Prema Samputa Dasa.

My Lovely Gaura Nitai

2006-08-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

Principles

2006-07-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hare Krishna devotees often say that religion without philosophy is sentimental and philosophy without religion is dry speculation. Religion expresses itself through culture: different codes of behavior that help us to become aware that we are not this temporary material body but an eternal spirit soul, servant of God.

Although our state of mind is seen through the nature of our activities (how we dress, eat, talk etc.), the type of activites we perform also affects our state of mind. This means we can elevate our consciousness by elevating the nature of our activities. All spiritual activities help us to purify our consciousness and direct it towards God.

Because of this, a vaishnava (devotee of Krishna) does not take the regulations of spiritual life as restrictions, but rather as ´regulative principles of freedom´ - a tool for advancing personal character development & spiritual consciousness.

The four basic principles are as follows:
1. Cleanliness: Of body, mind and soul.This means the daily washing of the body, but also refraining from illicit sex (only sex for procreation within marriage). Celibacy, recitation of God´s (Krishna´s) holy names and studying the holy Scriptures help us to keep the mind and soul clean and balanced.

2. Mercy: To help living entities (materially as well as spiritually).True followers of the Vedic (or any other) Scriptures are strictly vegetarians. It is perfectly possible to live healthily and happily without needlessly killing innocent animals. To kill our fellow living entities instead of protecting them, is against the laws of God.

3. Austerity: To take only what we really need, without greed or violence.Intoxications like alcohol, hard and soft drugs, tobacco, caffeine etc. make someones mercy and friendliness disappear. Addictions are not only unnecessary, but also very harmful (to body, mind and to others). The best alternative for addictions is an awakening of our eternal relationship with God (Krishna) by living in accordance with His laws.

4. Truthfulness: Means that we should not lie or gamble.Gambling destroys truthfulness because it is an attempt to bypass the laws of nature and obtain material profit without honestly working for them.An honest deed is the best gamble in the world and a sure winner. There are many rules and regulations to follow in human life which help us to be healthy, happy and successful. The most important of all is: Always remember Krishna (God) and never forget Him.

Hare Krsna.

Reincarnation

2006-07-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

Reincarnation is the process by which the spiritual essence of any individual (commonly called "the soul") passes from one body to another in a repeated cycle of birth and death.

In the Bhagavad-gita this process is explained using the following analogy: "As the embodied soul passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change." (Bhagavad-gita 2.13)

Because the soul eternally exists then this process, if unchecked, is also eternal. In everyday life there is always some degree of distress and suffering & because the soul is eternal, as long as he is in the cycle of reincarnation, then he will be eternally suffering. The Hare Krishna philosophy explains how one can break this cycle of repeated suffering. This is exemplified in the Bhagavad-gita which, in essence, is an explanation of how to break this cycle and achieve liberation.

To fully understand the process of reincarnation then it is essential to also understand http://www.krishnatemple.com/teachings/karma.shtm.

With Love.
Bhakti thirta swami Ki jaya!!!

My Harinama Project

2006-07-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

Mantra meditation

2006-07-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

Chant and be happy!!!

Mantra meditation

Mantra meditation is a spiritual and religious practice that has a place in practically all religious traditions, although the method of practice may differ. In the Vaishnava tradition (which includes the devotees of Krishna) this type of meditation has two basic forms. The first is individual practice and the second is congregational.
Individually devotees of Krishna perform a daily schedule of personal prayer and meditation. This is centred around the recitation of the names of Krishna (God) using prayer beads to count out the number of names chanted. The prayer, or "mantra", that they repeat is called the Hare
Krishna Maha Mantra:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
http://www.krishnatemple.com/teachings/harekrsnamantra.mp3

The second form of this process, which is congregational, includes the use of musical instruments. Instead of chanting on beads the mantra is sung. One person leads the singing while others in the group respond. Depending on the circumstances this religious performance is done either within temples of Krishna or in public. In India such public performances are very common and have been for many centuries.
"Hare", "Krishna" and "Rama" are all names used in the Vaishnava tradition that refer to God and His energies. Because God is spiritual and all-powerful if someone chants His name then they will become purified - materially and spiritually. This chanting is also considered a form of prayer whereby the devotee is appealing to the Lord to please engage the devotee in the Lord's service.

With Love.
Srila Krishanapada Ki jaya!!!

Attraction to Lord Caitanya Develops Conjugal Stage Of Krishna-prema

2006-07-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

The prayers offered by Visvanatha Cakravarti to his Spiritual Master have a special significance. His Spiritual Master was one of the assistant gopis, so the prayer was offered like that. On the whole, the Spiritual Master is an agent of Krishna. But either He is assistant to the gopis or assistant to the cowherds boys, He is on the level of Krishna. That is the verdict of all scriptures. Krishna is worshipable God and the Spiritual Master is worshipper God. The exact words are sebya (worshipable) and sebak (worshipper). ..... generally those who are attracted very much to Lord Caitanya and Goswamis are understood to develop to the conjugal love stage with Lord Krishna.
- September 26, 1969 - Letter to Jayapataka das Brahmacari (now Swami)

With Love.

I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

2006-07-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

"Jesus in the Vedas"

2006-07-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

A recent flurry of articles and website postings have been made to indicate that the fable of Jesus is mentioned in the Vedas [Bhavisya Purana]. Many Vaisnavas have been enthused [confused] by these Vedic findings, confirming Jesus as a messenger of God [Krsna] and a pure devotee. However, a closer look at the prediction of Jesus found in the Bhavisya Purana strongly suggests foul play or interpolation on the part of Christian Missionaries in India during the late 18th century." Read Full Page http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/01-06/features186.htm

Hope you enjoy it.

With Love.

Super Ecstatic Story That Should Send Shivers Up Your Spine!

2006-07-30T19:17:00.000-07:00

"A story that Tara Prabhu often tells is that of a woman who approached a book distributor and asked him, "Do you have the Krsna book?!" He said yes and showed her volume one. She replied, "No; no!! Volume two is what I want. I already have volume one!!" Since she seemed annoyed, the devotee asked her to explain herself. She explained/complained that she had made the mistake of buying volume one from a devotee sometime back, and that she had made the second mistake of reading it to her son at bedtime. The kid became addicted to Krsna's stories and only wanted to hear them and nothing else. She read the whole book several times to the kid, who still wanted more and more. Finally, out of personal frustration at reading the same volume again and again, she went searching for volume two."

Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya!!!

With Love

Journey of Self Discovery

2006-07-29T14:13:00.003-07:00

‘Bhagavad Gita’, means ‘Song of God’. However, many a time, it is kept aside with the thought that it is a mythological book or outdated knowledge. But one can realize that ‘Bhagavad Gita’ is very practical.
Advanced technology has made life comfortable but failed to solve problems like stress, indecisiveness, unstable mind etc. The Bhagavad Gita can provide spiritual and scientific solutions to help solve these problems. When this knowledge is applied under the guidance of a bonafide spiritual teacher, it proves to be timeless wisdom.
Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, ISKCON, Chowpatty conducts a 7-day scientific presentation on the essence of Bhagavad Gita know as ‘The Journey of Self Discovery’, the topics of which are -
Search for Happiness.Special prerogative of human lifeReal and relative problemsTemporary solutions - a cure worse than the diseaseSearch for a permanent solution
Does GOD really exist?Can God's existence be proved?Definition of God.Is Scripture word of God?Relative and absolute knowledge.
One GOD or many GODS?Different conceptions of God.Is God personal or impersonal?God, Demigods and Incarnations.Who is Supreme God?
Who am I?The true identity of the self.Reincarnation : fact or fictionMystery of consciousnessIs ghostly existence a reality?Understanding life and death.
Why do bad things happen to good people?Can the problem of evil be solved?Why unending suffering if laws of nature are just?Understanding the subtle laws of Karma.Escaping the laws of karma.
The Complete Science of Yoga.What is Yoga?Different types of yoga.Do all paths lead to the same goal?Success and failure in yoga.Yoga for the modern age.
Practical spiritualityBalancing material and spiritual life.Do we need a Spiritual Guide?Making one's home and heart into a temple.ABCD of spirituality.

For further details contact me at:
(00233)-277-491869.
http://www.radhagopinath.com/media_coverage.php .

SRILA PRABHUPADA SAYS...

2006-07-29T14:13:00.002-07:00

SRILA PRABHUPADA SAYS...

A pure devotee always thinks himself as not-devotee. If one thinks he is big devotee that is not good, thinking that he is first degree. We should not be puffed up. A devotee avoids it, remaining always in the second degree. Krishna has given everyone something extraordinary, and to serve Krishna with one's extraordinary talent means successful life.

REF: LETTER TO SUKADEVA

With Love.

"Die Before Dying"

2006-07-29T14:13:00.001-07:00

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Hare Krishna,

Just as there is life, there is death. Someone or something takes birth, grows,stays for some time, deteriorates, and then dies. Another name for birth isdeath. You cannot have one without the other, meaning that when someone isborn, someone will soon die (as most species do not live very long); and whensomeone dies, someone is soon born. Everyone and everything in its normal statewants to live as long as possible—eternally. Eternality, however, is notassociated with matter, but is a spiritual affair. Death to matter and to ourmaterial bodies is inevitable, but if we master the science of dying beforedying, we will connect with that which is eternal—our soul and its home in thespiritual world. After all, death is to remove everything false and secondary.
My mother, who is deceased, often used to say, “Give me my flowers while I canstill see them.” As I child, I thought of it as strange, but as an adult, Ithought of it as a sign of wisdom. My mother understood the body to betransient and she celebrated life—“the now,” realizing one must show their loveand affection for life at every moment. Our life or the lives of others will betaken away in the near future. If one lives with proper preparation anddetachment, one will master the science of dying before dying so as to connectwith the soul and its home—the spiritual world. After all, death is to removeeverything false and secondary.
When we die before dying, we put first things first. The activities thatnourish our souls and help us detach from the illusion and confusion ofmaterial culture are our priorities. Since we know that life is meant toprepare for a glorious death, we can live each day as if it is our last.Therefore, there is no time to waste on irrelevant, superfluous activities.Even when we must give time to somewhat superficial things, it must be done ina way that enhances or strengthens the primary, significant involvements. Ifone lives with proper preparation and detachment, one will master the scienceof dying before dying so as to connect with the soul and its home—the spiritualworld. After all, death is to remove everything false and secondary.
There are so many offenses that can be made in devotional services. It is theseoffenses which are our greatest enemy. Devotional service is extremely potent,but offenses can stagnate our spiritual growth very seriously and can everdestroy the devotional creeper. Offenses are activities that try to redirectour consciousness back to previous sinful life or which serve as barriers toour unfoldment. Offenses are like a town courier who delivers an urgent messagedesigned to distract the individual from his or her relevant and importantactivities. When one stops making offenses, one will live with properpreparation and detachment. One will master the science of dying before dyingso as to connect with the soul and its home—the spiritual world. After all,death is to remove everything false and secondary.
So many people have cheated, disappointed, lied, manipulated, and even abusedus. When we reflect on the experience, it is as if we relive it again. Suchexperiences have definitely shaped us in various ways. Many of these abusersand cheaters have traumatized us. In some cases, they have scarred us for life.The normal position is for the hurt or abused to seek revenge and severelypunish the offender. It is easier to do but will not fully resolve the problem.What is important is for forgiveness to be the major means of addressing suchproblems. If one lives with proper preparation and detachment, one will masterthe science of dying before dying so as to connect with the soul and itshome—the spiritual world. After all, death is to remove everything false andsecondary.
Most people have special friends they would like to meet, places they wouldlike to visit, and experiences they would like to have. When we meet, know, orassociate with important people, it makes us more important, at least in theeyes of others. When we can travel to many exciting places, life seems to bemore adventurous. Most important, when we can have many exciting experiences,life seems more meaningful. We are all pleasure seekers and are always eager toexperience pleasure. But the true spiritualist does not get overwhelmed bythese concerns for he understands the temporary and even illusory nature of theworld. If one lives with proper preparation and detachment, one will master thescience of dying before dying so as to connect with the soul and its home—thespiritual world. After all, death is to remove everything false and secondary.
Sometimes we are so busy doing things and even doing things for those we lovethat we don’t have time to be with them, show them, or tell them how much welove them. Sometimes others are so busy doing things and doing things for usthat they also have no time to be with us, show us, or tell us how much theylove us. However, if we truly understand how this life is a preparation fordeath, we will always have time to give and receive love.
When someone dies, much of the sadness usually comes from a lack of sufficientclosure in the relationships. There is something we wanted to tell them or dowith them, and there is something they wanted to tell us or do with us. Eachparty has a tendency to procrastinate on or minimize the importantopportunities and moments. Especially when a person lives solely for eating,sleeping, mating and defending, or when he or she is captured by a very strongfalse ego, there is a tendency to miss opportunities to be fully present. Theperson misses the chance to say or do what will best honor other people’shighest needs as well as blocks the chance for others to honor his or herneeds.
Quality association is most important. Where there is quality association, oneis always either learning something or teaching something. Such association isbased on being with those who also are determined to end the cycle of birth,disease, old age, and death. With quality association, one understands thatjust as there is life, there is death. So one acts with the knowledge that lifeis for self-realization, and that death, which is inevitable for matter and thematerial body, is not associated with the soul. We must die to live! That comesas we accept the inevitability of destruction and elimination of all matter. Wecan then honor the deaths that have happened and those that are manifesting,knowing that they can prepare the way for eternal life.
The true spiritualist profoundly appreciates my mother’s statement, “Give me myflowers while I can see them.” For once the body is gone, the soul departs forits new encounter; therefore, it is important to say and do whatever is bestfor all now! Where we have made offenses, we must stop them and ask forforgiveness now! While we have people to meet, places to visit, and experiencesto have, we must put first things first, understanding the differences betweenwhat is temporary and what is eternal now! We must allow every day of our livesto represent healthy closure now! When we live for love, this is most naturalbecause all of our associations will be quality associations in which we shareour compassion, determination, and realizations, and receive the same fromothers.
This is the technology of how to celebrate life now and live with properpreparation and detachment, so that one will master the science of dying beforedying so as to connect with the soul and its home—the spiritual world. Afterall, death is to remove everything false and secondary.
I am that lowly beggar who is desperately trying to die before dying.

With Love.
Prema.

2006-07-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

Hare Krsna.

Above are my pictures when i was in Belgium,Antwerpen City Iskcon Govinda Mandir