Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta mercy. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta mercy. Mostrar todas las entradas

True renunciation - 7/31/16 From Ecuador

Message sent from Ecuador on July 24, 2016:

All glories to Srila Prabhupada,

 
My beloved devotees, I hope you are very well in your respective services.

 
I wanted to tell you that sending a weekly message to the whole community has been my custom for the past 15 years. However, this year we have not done it one way or another. This is a new attempt to recuperate the Sunday chat so as to connect with each of you.


There are three things you should never abandon in your spiritual practice: tapa (austerity), yagna (sacrifice) and dana (charity). Austerity is basic for the Age of Kali-yuga. Srila Prabhupada called it 'simple living and high thinking'. Sacrifice is expressed as the chanting of the holy names of the Lord, either in the form of japa or in congregational kirtan, in gatherings, or even writing about the glories of the Lord. Charity refers to creating temples with such a beautiful atmosphere that people do not want to leave them and return to the material existence of which we all came from. Places filled with sadhu sanga.


Everything that is done in the company of sadhus or devotees is a profound and beneficial purification. Sadhu-sanga is full of rasa, full of taste and appreciation for others. There may even be people in the world that we do not feel a natural appreciation for, but then they immediately become recipients of this special mercy. As the saying goes, "Lord, please give me your mercy when I least deserve it, because it is when I need it most." So we can constantly keep the desire to encourage all people in our environment, including both members of the spiritual community and those who are not.


 
Similarly we have to learn to see the action in the inaction. We must learn the concept of detachment in the concept of attachment. This means that while we have a material body, and devotees are seeking detachment, we are placed in constant contact with the material energy. This is inevitable. In this way devotees must maintain temples and centers open in a practical and efficient manner so that people can learn more about spirituality; they have to participate in campaigns to address adverse ecological situations that may affect the people around them; They have to care for their health and their bodies so that it is in perfect condition while sharing the message of Sri Krishna to the world; They have to keep their families healthy and happy. They have to become excellent professionals in the areas defined by Srila Prabhupada that devotees should take action in, etc.

 
Sometimes one feels a strong urge to give up all the material attachments and run away from them, but in that case, the real renunciation is the ability to fulfill your duties and responsibilities. For it is through this compliance that one qualifies oneself for transcendence. As soon as one abandons their independence and takes refuge under the protection of a Vaishnava, the same Vaishnava will give you responsibility to protect, which can only be executed with a mature approach and individual discernment. This responsible and careful attitude is completely healthy for the spiritual development of those who have been inspired by the Lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada.



 
I ask you to reflect on these issues and share them with the members of your communities and families. Jay Srila Prabhupada!

With all 
my affection from Ecuador.Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti

What is the purpose of our life? We so often forget ... From Bolivia. 09/14/2014

                                                        Conference. 

My dear devotees of the soul 
Greetings from Bolivia, 

There is something essential that we ask in difficult times, but then easily forget: What is the purpose of our life? We so often forget that instead of striving to fulfill our ideals, we end up making great efforts to please what others tell us: 

The wishes of our parents, the instructions of the government, sellers who try to convince us of their products, etc, etc, etc. All have different concepts. The world of consumption and material selfishness makes us believe that the purpose of life is to have more and more things, competing with others to be "winners" and feeling discouraged and frustrated when an impediment to get what we we want arises. Or worse, we feel envious when we see that someone else has more facilities or simply gets things. Or that they got to be born into a wealthy family while you, with your multiple desires, do not know how to satisfy them. But do not be fooled, even one who has many material things and that seems to be in a nice position, is not completely satisfied. Why? Because the real satisfaction is never found in the material sense gratification. 

In this life we must understand that material goods are just tests, they are not the essence. Rather they come to test us. The real purpose of life is to connect with God in different ways: through beautiful works that embellish our existence. Works created by thought, words and actions. Divine works. Works offered at the Lotus Feet of the Lord that will help the heart to grow. 

We are completely dependent on the mercy of God to be able to discern and identify what is positive and negative for our lives. You only need to always remember this dependence and pray for the Lord's mercy and become determined to make the best effort to become an instrument of Him and His devotees. Pray for all the people who surround your life so that they may be benefited by my realizations, my efforts and my intent. Well, since I like being creative, I should put forth the most effort I have to help others in one way or another whether it is through my art, my work, through my family, as a monk, etc. 

The most beautiful thing in life is to fulfill the essential duties of a human being. What does that mean? Bringing happiness to all those around you. But this happiness is not just any happiness; it has everything to do with the purpose of life which is self-realization. This  human life is a gift, not something cheap. Many people can take life, not knowing what that means ... but only a person can give life and that is God. 

God is always very close to each of us, watching and supporting the different choices we make. He loves us completely and manifests Himself in different ways so that we can perceive Him. One of the ways in which He manifests is through Mother Nature. 

Do not forget that whatever we do to Mother Nature it's as if we were treating our own mother the same way. Life can end at any time and our stay on the planet can also expire at any time, therefore we must be very careful with what we do ... because at the end of life everything that we have done will be accounted for. Thus all the reactions for all the good and bad that we've done will come. 

Now, if you have not done things that are an accumulation of goodness, that are constructive and beautiful, that will undoubtedly bring lamentable states. It's real. And in life we must be realistic. You have to be able to implement the large wisdom that enriched the souls of the past. 

In the world of action and reaction we must not think that life just passes by as if nothing happens, then we and later we will automatically be successful. We must strive to raise our consciousness. We must take matters into our responsibilities and to develop and better ourselves. Always listening to our inner voice. One detail is that the inner voice often conflicts with the voice of the mind. The inner voice always suggests we do things the right way, while the voice of the mind always calls us to enjoy things but deceitfully. So you always have to stay alert. You reap what you sow. Your actions planting your next states. Now, what if I have made ​​mistakes or I have strayed from the purpose of life? 

The answer is mercy. Begging again and again to the Divine Mercy with deep regret. Only the repentant person can make a change. We can even compensate for all those who gave suffering to in the past. And if we can not compensate for any living entity that we have harmed, then turn into an activist against violence, a sankirtaneer carrying the message of protection to every corner. That's my advice, my dear, to become activists at all levels. That's the way to vindicate all the damage we have done. Deeply praying always for more and more mercy. 

This concludes my message for today. 
A big hug for all of you 

Your always well wisher, 

B. A. Paramadvaiti Swami

Today the grand mercy of our Lord manifests. 8/17/14.Varsana.



My dear devotees,
Accept all my affection today.

Today is a very special day, when the great mercy of our Lord manifests.It is the day of the appearance of God in His personal form on Earth. It is thanks to the spiritual master that we can approach all this wonderful knowledge of Krishna and His pastimes. We are so fortunate that we not only celebrate the appearance of God on Earth, how Nanda Maharaj made ​​a great festival to share the joy of the arrival of his child Krishna, a day after we also remember the beautiful arrival of the great savior of the fallen souls into the world: Our Srila Prabhupada. It is a double celebration of happiness that fills each of our days. Thanks to Srila Prabhupada we know about Sri Krishna. And thanks to the devotees we can be at the Feet of Srila Prabhupada.

The simplicity of the devotees is something admirable. Vaishnavas are free of the desire for recognition. They only seek to serve unconditionally. Devotees do not demand respect for themselves. However they do for their guru, for their Lord. The most important thing is the attitude that reflects the following: without the guidance of my spiritual master and the Vaishnavas I can not do anything as well as thinking, thanks to the support of the Vaishnavas I can do some service to God.

One can understand that only by Krishna's mercy can you do some service. Well, ultimately we are instruments, nothing more. How best to serve, how to become instruments of love of the Lord, those are the questions we must ask ourselves every day: What does being an instrument of Krishna in practical life mean? How can I do it?

Srila Prabhupada exemplified this with his own life:
He went to America penniless, with two baskets full of books talking about the glories of his spiritual master and so all of Krishna's mercy went with him.

Srila Prabhupada never wanted to be famous, he did not find the movement "Bhaktivedanta Swami". Many yogis who came to the West formed their own movements, where the guru was the center. Of course, that comes from the pollution of advaita - vada which says that we are all God. That's a big mistake to think that we are God. Just think a little bit about our disqualifications and we quickly realize that we have no chance of being God. However, if you take refuge in God and you ask for His divine protection, many of His qualities begin to soak into your own personality. Luckily!. That is the special gift that God gives us, that permeates us with His mercy. Only those who fail to understand that they still think they are God. It's like saying, "My mother is amazing, therefore I am my own mother." Well, not your mother would say about it :)

If one says to God: "I am God himself" it is a great insult, however, if you say, I'm part of the family of God then that is a great blessing. And if I am part of the divine family of God, then all others are also part of it. That's what I want everyone to understand. Being part of the eternal family of God means that we can not mistreat anyone who is part of that family, including animals and plants. I am very happy to be part of this eternal family and be with each one of you.

Today we will be celebrating the initiations of new members of the family and sharing with all devotees who have come so far. All my love to you on this day. Jay Srila Prabhupada!

Your always well wisher,
B. A. Paramadvaiti Swami

Dedication is the Key. 6/29/14. Spain.


Conference.

Dear devotees
Receive all my affection from Spain. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Ratha Yatra, ki jay.

Today Lord Jagannath goes to distribute His mercy to everyone.
Even those who are not considered fit to receive His darshan, that mercy is given to them today. And thanks to Lord Jagannath who sent Srila Prabhupada, we in the West could also receive that mercy. Srila Prabhupada was able to establish the Ratha Yatras throughout the world.

Festivals of Universal Love. And today, in our spiritual family, we also have them and they have become real festivals of joy and art for God. Thanks to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and the Supreme Lord, service possibilities are growing in our family. That's the life of the devotee, to serve. I deeply and wholeheartedly thank all those devotees who are giving all their love and dedication to the vrinda family.

Everything in the life of the devotee depends on the love that he gives to others. A devotee is not grumpy nor unhappy. A devotee is totally loving. Anger is an atheistic quality. Sometimes anger is pedagogical. For example a parent has to show some anger at the bad things you do to educate the child. Mahaprabhu also showed anger in some of His lilas to instruct His devotees. But I do not mean this kind of "educational anger," but the self-absorbed and selfish mode of anger. That's not natural for a devotee. The devotee is naturally affectionate and expresses their love in every moment, to all beings and in all services performed.

To grow and advance one needs to learn what unconditional kindness is. To grow you must be nice. Not just kind to some, but kind to all. The affection of the heart is the only thing that will allow us to serve. And indeed, our life and soul, our main motivation is service. We have no other reason to exist than to be engaged in service. Service, service, service. And what is service? Helping others, appreciating others, being useful to others.

Service implies staying motivated, healthy and happy to continue serving. Because life, after all, is not to relax. If you are a farmer and your job is to plant and harvest the field, then you need to get up early, you work with effort and dedication, sometimes even under the sun and heat, sometimes enduring the cold or rain. You have to learn to be patient and wait for the propitious times for planting and picking. If you are a lazy farmer it is unlikely that you will produce good crops. Everything depends on the dedication with which things are done. You must realize the great responsibility that it takes to become a cultivator of your spiritual life. The grand responsibility to cultivate your service. Because you have received a great gift from God, the service given to you by your spiritual master. So it is very important that each of you find an area in which you want to dedicate and fight in order to grow. And therefore extending your arms to the spiritual community and to all the possibility of serving them..

Being present and saying, 'I'm here, I'm willing to work on what is needed for the good of all.' All souls who cross your path have been put there by God for the purpose of teaching you to love. Do not take it as unimportant. Do not take it lightly. Serving those souls means to serve Krishna ...

Just as a child is the ability that God gives to parents to teach them how to love and serve, similarly, all the people God puts in our path have such a value. Only by planting the values ​​of love in our spiritual life can we flourish and grow. But that mentality is very lacking in today's society. Completely absent. The world teaches us to enjoy alone and without love. To have sex without thinking of children. To exploit others without caring whether they are good or not, but if we give away love and we remain in the association of devotees and our spiritual family, then we are protected.

I want to emphasize the importance of the people that Krishna has put in our way. They are our companions. Relationships should be sacred. Krishna gives us holy people. I feel enriched and indebted to the presence of each of you. Despite that, we have not been able to spend much time together or  we only see each other once a year when there is a big mela or when I visit your country, but still I feel that you have the ability to do a wonderful service and offer it to the Lotus Feet of Srila Prabhupada. That comforts me. So I ask you to become leaders in your service area. Commit to it. Develop responsibilities. And put forth the effort. Never stop striving in your service. Because when you stop trying complacency comes and everything loses its magic. The importance is bringing love to every place.

Man must be carrying the seed of love. Please take care of it and sow it into the hearts of all, so that they flourish in bhakti. And for that we have a variety of areas for preaching: We have Vaishnava Academies, the UDSA, Eco Yoga Villages, Yoga Monasteries ... Because the devotees of Krishna are the servants of humanity. They are the guardians of the seed of love and the same seeds that Mother Nature gives us. They are the guardians of proper consciousness and are responsible for engaging human society in the service of God. Srila Prabhupada taught us the importance of simple living and high thinking. So fur us to be able to serve in such a way, Krishna is giving us everything we need.

Therefore we just need to put all our skillfulness, enthusiasm and great clarity in the process. And we always keep chanting the holy name of the Lord and beg for mercy. Thereby allowing us to expand our awareness that we are guardians and servants.

What the Lord has given us is pure mercy, it is completely independent of our work. It's not something that we have produced. I know devotees have worked hard and I deeply appreciate your help and service, but I know it has not been by individual efforts and powers alone that this family has managed to do something... It is only by mercy. Well, as the saying goes: "Krishna Consciousness expands despite us" Despite our unconsciousness, despite our impurities, despite our indifferences, despite our lack of affection ... Yet Krishna Consciousness expands. All I have received are gifts from Krishna and the master plan behind it all is controlled by Krishna.

The master plan is based on what Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said: "pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma
sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nām" That everyone chanting the holy names of the Lord will listen. Although everything is controlled by Krishna, like He tells Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita: "it is up to you to carry out your duty for your own growth." In other words, we are not the controllers, hopefully we can make a plan ... but, either way, we have to comply with what we need to do and appreciate how Krishna manifests in our lives. One must become an instrument, nothing more. A complete instrument. An instrument of a service that does not bring sole profit to us. And not just to our community.

We are serving all of humanity. Without seeking personal gain. Our task is to spread the Eternal Divine Consciousness to all conditioned souls in the material world. This human form of life is meant for God. Destined for God. That's what I wanted to share with you today. We are here to do good, not to waste it. So, when we come out of this world we've done something good and not just wasted our life that will only force us to come back again to this world of suffering. So we have to preach and preach ...

We have to become serious and strive with joy. Never lose joy and affection. I wish that you all become happy and loving devotees and all that you do is filled with love for others.
Jay Srila Prabhupada!

Your always well wisher,
Swami B.A. Paramadvaiti.

It's not for understanding, it's to pray for that mercy. New York 05/04/2014

                                                         Conference.
Dear devotees

King Bharata was extraordinary and his dynasty practically established the Vedic culture as one of the most important. India was called Bharata varsa in the past. An example of an incredible ruler is Ranti Deva who sacrificed so much for the welfare of others.

Practically, today, the rulers have no ideals. That is the reason why they have no solutions to the world. They do not have any examples to give or ideals, which is why this world is totally lacking in guidance and clarity. So, we must have ideals and define what is right, what we want to do in life.
I ask devotees: What are your goals? What do you do for a living? And in general, they do not have good answers.

This is worrisome, because in life you have to know what to do, perhaps someone does something motivated by impulses, three steps here, three steps there, after six steps take four back, and then you come to a halt. Vedic culture teaches that you have to know what you want. For example, in the Vedic culture accepting a spiritual master is essential. It is something you do, but of course it is not an obligation. Nor is it a requirement that a ksatriya warrior becomes a Brahmin priest. This step is not imaginary, it is real and tangible, it's a natural progression stage. It's like when you go on a road. There are many paths, but if one does not reach the destination, then you did not take the right path.

The steps in spiritual life are like the rungs of a ladder. These steps in spiritual progress are as real as the view of the road. People who do not accept an authority think that there is neither a road nor a destination, so for them there is no origin, cause, road or destination. We came to this world and are only dedicated to engaging the senses. People pass life in sense enjoyment, and if they get good karma they obtain good looking ladies. In this way one thinks that the senses are real and worship them with various efforts. So life goes on never wondering Why were we born and what are we here for?

A devotee wants to climb up to the maximum point of its achievement and a devotee knows that the maximum of achievement that exists is in a world of  dimension where you can no longer climb any higher. One can climb to the modalities. One can climb by Karma -yoga, dhyana -yoga, you can climb even by  mystic yoga, but in bhakti there is no longer scales, only mercy. In the world of bhakti one progresses by mercy, not ambition, nor complying with only certain techniques.

In bhakti there are no scales, there is only the abyss and into the abyss, when you reach the top, you say, I have reached the top of everything. Then you hear a voice that says, no, you have not gotten anywhere yet. How have I not gotten anywhere yet? I'm above all, everything is under me.

Arriving at the door of bhakti one asks and 'Now, what do I do here?' I feel like I'm missing something, but how is that possible? I reached the top and I'm still not fully realized. There's a special mystique in bhakti. When you get to the top and still do not feel fully realized, an invitation from bhakti comes and that invitation is to: jump.

"But where is the land? If I'm going to jump I may fall." Relax, here we will pick you up. Who will pick me up? Where is the security? Do not worry. Jump no worries just jump. I have ground under my feet, I'm fine, until you reach the top. You came to the dimension of faith and the dimension of faith, there is no one to assure you anything. The only thing that guides you is the star of a sincere heart and encouraging comments of the Lord's bhaktas.

They tell of the world that goes beyond the analytic visibility, beyond that which can be cut and measured, beyond illusion, beyond the abuse, beyond back-slapping and falsehoods.
Back in the world of bhakti, where we are invited, everything is governed by the same rules of divine love, and that is where you should be living. This goes against everything I've known to date. They have always told me to be secured  and now they tell me to leave all safely. Lord Krishna Himself practiced this. He says to abandon all religion ...

- Lord Krishna, how do you ask me this?
Krishna says, when there is a predominance of irreligion, I appear there to establish the religious principles and then He says: Abandon all religion?

Lord Krishna , you confuse me so. How can I understand such a thing?
We were always taught about patterns and steps.
Karma- kanda clearly teaches that every action produces a result, that a specific activity brings a specific consequence, certain aspirations can lead you to experience different things.
And now You tell me : Everything you've accomplished, abandon it. I struggled to get things, and now I have to leave it! Imagine. What is love? Love is the opposite of the rational, the opposite of what we've tried to do.

Are all our efforts were in vain? No. I had to pass them, deal with them, to abandon them.
But how is this? I worked so hard to earn fame, I won money , I won a job, I earn so much and now I have to abandon it all? and what do I get in return? Disqualified, too inquisitive :)

But how is this, you can not even ask questions? You can ask questions but it will benefit you more if you start practicing the answers you have been given.

Start experimenting with your own realization, that reasoning fails better to act with dedication to the ideal, the goal. You are your own warranty. You have to experience the same with the Krishna's name. And listening is the beginning of the process.

What to listen to? The invitation bhakti. There is a very special thing and this is the reason why we are here. If one has not reached the top of which I am speaking, one can leap and accept the bhakti path now. It is needless to reach the top of Dhyana and Karma -yoga to reach Bhakti. Bhakti is greater than Karma Yoga and Dhyana. Krishna clearly says : "To know Me, bhakti is the only way, nothing more."

He recommends Karma and Dhyana for certain stages, but he himself says : "You will not know Me like this" So the biggest thing about this, is that you with your karma or your sinful activities, the lowest of the lowest, you can still leap into Bhakti. You can leap into Bhakti and surrender to the will of Krishna.

Do you know that Krishna has a plan for you ?
Do you know that God has personal expectations of you?
Do you know he is on a quest for his lost servant?
Do you know that all things that happen everyday are delicately arranged by God?

Your food , your happiness, your experiences, the ability to walk, hug, decide, sharing, helping and serving. God is very, but very aware of you. And at the same time of all others. No soul is forgotten by God. And one who understands this sees no difference between souls.

The Bhagavad Gita (6.29) says:
sarva-bhūtāni cātmani
īkṣate yoga-yuktātmā
                                                                    sarvatra sama-darśanaḥ

"A true yogī observes Me in all beings and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized person sees Me, the same Supreme Lord, everywhere."

Then the following verse (6.30):
tasyāhaḿ na praṇaśyāmi

"For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me."

This is the invitation of Sri Krsna.

Your invitation is the Bhagavad Gita. Each verse is filled with hope. So one who preaches or teaches others about the Bhagavad Gita is giving hope to the world. What to say in a world where we are all basket cases. Krishna comes and tells you, you have another chance. You 're not a lost cause for me. We do not deserve another chance, but for the purpose of the divine we do.

When all the world judges us and punishes us, Krishna comes in the form of his mercy. So in this way we can realize the infinite love of God for his children. It is not for understanding, it's to pray for that mercy. And I 'm looking for it and I wish you all of do the same with your own efforts.

Thanks for joining .
This is the message I wanted to share with you today.
Thanks to Srila Prabhupada for this Chat .
Srila Prabhupada ki jay .

Your always well wisher,
B. A. Swami Paramadvaiti .

The following October is the anniversary of our 30 years of pilgrimage in Braja Mandal Dhama . A great festival will be developed under the guidance of our Gurudevas Srila Paramadvaiti Maharaj and Srila
Atulananda Acarya. Register to be part of this important event in our spiritual family: www.vrindakunja.org / brajmandal "