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update July 1, 2014;
Facebook has conducted a secret massive psychology experiment on its users to find out how they respond to positive and negative messages - without telling participants
A Facebook employee arrives at a presentation by the California-based company Photo: GETTY IMAGES
12:00PM BST 28 Jun 2014
Over 600,000 Facebook users have taken part in a psychological experiment organised by the social media company, without their knowledge.
Facebook altered the tone of the users' news feed to highlight either positive or negative posts from their friends, which were seen on their news feed.
They then monitored the users' response, to see whether their friends' attitude had an impact on their own.
"The results show emotional contagion," wrote a team of Facebook scientists, in a paper published by the PNAS journal - Proceedings of the National Academy of Scientists of the United States.
"When positive expressions were reduced, people produced
by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda
Question 1: Jesus Christ is jagad-guru, the spiritual master of the whole world. His instructions alone are sufficient for our spiritual welfare. Is it still necessary, then, to accept a mahānta-guru – a great spiritual ācārya (one who teaches by his example) – who is still living in this world?
Answer: We accept both – jagad-guru and mahānta-guru. If only the jagad-guru-vāda [jagad-guru-ism] is accepted the result has many undesirable consequences (anarthas). If someone accepts such a great soul from the past – in this case Jesus Christ – as jagad-guru and wishes to follow in his footsteps in the present but considers that there is no need for any mahānta-guru, it is questionable to what extent he will be able to properly follow the views of Jesus. Only the succession of mahānta-gurus mercifully delivers to us the words of the Supreme Lord or of the jagad-guru ācāryas.
The stream of water that originated in the Himalayas has t
Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur
"He had a responsible government position as the District Magistrate (high court judge), maintained a Krishna conscious family, and wrote almost one hundred books on Krishna consciousness. At the same time, he served the Supreme Lord in so many ways. That is the beauty of his life. After a full day of government service he would sleep four hours, get up at midnight and write until morning. That was his daily program." (Srila Prabhupada)
Thakura Bhaktivinoda took Va
Sri Gadadhara Pandit. He was a member of the Panca Tattva and is described as the effulgence of Srimate Radharani.
Sri Gaurahari had so much affection for Sri Gadadhara Pandit that He couldn't be without him for a moment. He appeared a year after Lord Caitanya. Gadai and Nimai were inseparable as childhood playmates. Peaceful, renounced, serious, self-composed, fond of solitude Gadadhara proved quite a contrast to his bosom friend Gaura Raya, who was fickle, unsteady, and whimsical. In Ganga Dasa Pandit's tol (school) Nimai Pandit regularly teased Gadadhara by challenging him with illogical questions.
Sri Kavi Karnapura states that in Vraja lila Gadadhara Pandit is the daughter of King Vrsabhanu–Srimati Radharani. Gadadhara Pandit served as Lord Gaura's chief assistant during His Navadvipa-lila. Sri-Sri Radha Krishna in Vrindavana appear as Gaura-Gadadhara to perform pastimes in Navadvipa in the forest groves beside the Ganges.
Gadadhara Pandit"No one call describe the charac
Sarvabhaum Bhattacharya has written this song “Nava Gaura Varam”. The official name of this song is Sri Sri Sacisutastakam. In this song, Sarvabhaum Bhattacharya glorifies Lord Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Saci.
(1) His complexion is the hue of fresh cream tinged with kunkum. He is the ever-fresh Cupid who shoots arrows of newly blossoming flowers. He bears newer and newer moods of emotional ecstasies. He is fond of performing novel dances. He makes ever-new jokes that cause much laughter. His brilliant luster is like freshly cast gold. I bow down to Gaura, the beautiful son of Mother Saci.
(2) He is endowed with ever-fresh love of Godhead. His radiant luster is like the color of fresh butter. His fresh attire is arranged in evernew fashions. He relishes ever-new mellows of love for Krsna. He shines in nine-fold new ways while executing the nine-fold processes of devotion. He is permeated with a most auspicious loving nature. I bow down to Gaura, the
Take the case of Srimad Bhagavata – when Pariksit Maharaja was deeply concerned about the dilemma he was in after hearing various opinions from great men and sages, at that moment, by divine providence, Sukadeva arrived. The enquiry of Pariksit is not that of any particular group or class of people – it is not even confined to the human species – it is relevant to all conscious jivas. At that final moment he only had one question – what activity within this very short phase of time can lead to attaining supreme auspiciousness and transcendental peace? In what way is it possible to obtain the greatest benefit?
Pariksit was affected by this problem – the giver of the solution was Sukadeva. One is in an extreme crisis and the other is the solution-giver at that extremely critical situation. On this point there are similar comparative narrations in the Srimad Bhagavata which you can understand in more detail.
Hearing Pariksit’s question Sri Sukadeva, who is self-satisfied and worshipped
Govinda's Farm |
Posted: 23 Jun 2014 08:28 AM PDT
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| Beginning of a MOObile for my new grand-daughter. Made with upcycled cotton and stuffed with merino wool. |
Dear Readers;
I walk by a human and they will undoubtedly get this bewildered look and say..."Hmmmm....all of a sudden I feel hungry for some fries!" In the mood of making what we use....we make our own shampoo bar and for a hair conditioner I rinse my hair with two cups of apple cider vinegar and just leave it in. The ACV smell usually leaves after my hair is dried.This minty scented shampoo bar is a minimalists dream because you can shampoo your hair...wash your bod and brush your teeth with it. Of course I recommend you cut a bit of the bar off ...for your toothpaste...other wise...that would just be gross:)
I'll write the weekly blog post while my hair dries and besides I look like a wild woman with my hair down...and I hate having anyone see me like that! Once upon a time as I was typing my post
The great Master, Shri Krishna Chaitanya Maha-Prabhu
- video courtesy Parvati DD, 2nd. gen. devotee, co-TP elect.
SPIritNET
The organizational structure here at SPI; loosely moderated Gaudiya Vaisnava spiritual anarchy; Its all about pleasing Sri Krsna through cooperative encouraging services to each other and the sankirtana movement. We dont care much for formal hierarchies except inasmuch as required. We embrace the spirit of like-minded humble cooperation and appreciation and service of other devotees; all are servants here, there is no big boss-man except God and His pure devotees. In all, its the same seventies ISKCON unchanged except in online format and contemporary news slant !
As Editor, I would dare to say most members here aspire for Beauty and Love, while Knowledge and Power per se take a distant secondary place in our hearts and minds. Simple and sublime works, but
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati; "The church that has the best chance of survival in this damned world is that of atheism under the convenient guise of theism. The churches have always proved the staunchest upholders of the grossest form of worldliness from which even the worst of non-ecclesiastical criminals are found to recoil. It is not from any deliberate opposition to the ordained clergy that these observations are made. The original purpose of the established churches of the world may not always be objectionable. But no stable religious arrangement for instructing the masses has yet been successful.
The Supreme Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in pursuance of the teachings of the scriptures enjoins all absence of conventionalism for the teachers of the eternal religion. It does not follow that the mechanical adoption of the unconventional life by any person will make him a fit teacher of religion. Regulation is necessary for controlling the inherent worldliness of conditional sou
Shrivasa lead his brothers Shri Rama, Shri Nidhi, and Shripati in their devotional lives of singing Krishna's names, worshiping the Lord, and bathing thrice daily in the Ganges. (In the wallpaper: Shrivasa Pandit, ISKCON Leicester, UK).
Shrivasa Pandit, fifth member of the Panca-tattva, Shri Krishna Chaitanya, Prabhu Nityananda, Shri Advaita, Gadadhara, Shrivasadi, Gaura Bhakta Vrinda lived in Navadwipa before the advent of Lord Chaitanya. Shrivasa lead his brothers Shri Rama, Shri Nidhi, and Shripati in their devotional lives of singing Krishna's names, worshiping the Lord, and bathing thrice daily in the Ganges.
Meeting with Shri Advaita Acharya Prabhu, they studied Bhagavatam and prayed for an incarnation of the Supreme Lord. Why did they pray? Because only an avatara of Krishna could reestablish Vaishnavism among the staunch atheists, logicians, and proud pandits harassing Nadia at that time.
Malini, wife of Shrivasa, was a constant friend of Sachi Devi. She served Nimai as a
Party Time, Prabhus! Hope you like the tunes.
SPIRITNET ; A meeting place for devotees to express themselves, share Radha-Krsna culture, plan and perform seva, learn, educate, and grow their love.
The materialist is certainly driven by demands
to satisfy infinite varieties of scenarios repeatedly,
of false-self identified pleasures at mundane hands,
forging karma, ongoing, into a destiny.
Devotee now seeks to rise and forsake such dull restricting confusing glop and gloom
Vaikuntha bound ! Try your fortune, shoot for the Moon!
Selfless service, unconditionned, performed unceasingly in every situation !
Until the dross of desire to enjoy the temporary body falls forever into perdition.
But in between, not knowing who is the Self,
Placing all pleasure-seeking selfish desire upon the shelf,
We should act in service... But I do not yet know who or what I AM?
How do I know then how to serve?? I am not yet spirit, and also not merely a man!
It is like being a hungry ghost, an unanchored ship, a lost pilgrim, a pollen-less flower.
I have no such ability that I can see, nor such power.
All reason leaves such a devotee when, and he must take shelter of Godbrothers in the faith, then.
Question 1: What is the easy way to achieve the Supreme Lord?
Answer: The only way to attain bhagavad-bhakti is by associating with those devotees who are engaged in serving the Supreme Lord. The devotees have accepted that rendering service to Śrī Bhagavān is the essence of life, and that this is conclusive. They always engage in discussing the name, form, qualities and pastimes (nāma, rūpa, guṇa and līlā) of the Lord and consider this the sole substance of their very lives. Only by associating with devotees who perform service to the Lord simply to please Him can one attain spiritual welfare.
The devotees do not attempt to secure their own pleasure by pretending to serve the Lord. They have no desire for personal happiness, either in the present or in the future, nor do they have desires for bodily or material comforts, nor liberation. They are always engaged in serving the Supreme Lord from the core of their hearts. Their inclination to serve does not heed any impediments at all
AFP PODCAST
Once in the house of Srivasa Thakura Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sang while Vakresvara Pandit danced in, constant ecstasy for seventy-two hours. At that time Lord Caitanya said, "Vakresvara, I have only one wing like you, but if I had another certainly I could fly in the sky".
Expert at singing and dancing, Vakresvara Pandit always pleased Lord Caitanya with his service in the Navadvipa sankirtana parties (which he joined from the beginning), the dramas at Srivas Angam, and the yearly Ratha-yatra at Jagannatha Puri.
Vrindavana Dasa Thakura said, 'To awaken the sleeping souls in the age of Kali Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to distribute the nectar of the holy name of Krishna. When He came the khol (mrdanga) and karatals sounded like thundering clouds. Absorbed in moods of ecstatic love and shouting "Hari bol Hari bol," Sri Gauranga told everyone to chant the holy name of Krishna. Raising His golden arms to the sky, Lord Gaura Hari would dance in ecstasy. At that time, Vakresvara Pandit and
Prabhupada: No, no, I can understand. The thing is that everyone can take advantage of this statement that "I am perfect." Just like so many rogues and bogus persons come. But it is your duty to know whether he is perfect. It is your duty to test whether he is perfect. That requires intelligence. If you unintelligently accept some bogus person as perfect, that is your fault. You must be assured that "The person from whom I am asking, he is perfect." Then you take it. Otherwise don't take.
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SBSSP; “We should not become subordinate (nicata) to non-devotees, but to devotees, from whom we should beg mercy and show respect. The mahajanas instructed us not to display humility before everyone. To show humility towards envious atheists like Ravana and the pretentious brahmana is not vaishnave-seva or trnad-api-suhisnuna. If we transgress this instruction we will never become qualified to chant the holy name or attain name ruci; rather, our actions will result in b
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SBSSP; “We should not become subordinate (nicata) to non-devotees, but to devotees, from whom we should beg mercy and show respect. The mahajanas instructed us not to display humility before everyone. To show humility towards envious atheists like Ravana and the pretentious brahmana is not vaishnave-seva or trnad-api-suhisnuna. If we transgress this instruction we will never become qualified to chant the holy name or attain name ruci; rather, our actions will result in b
Govinda's Farm |
Lots and Lots of Wood Chips! Posted: 11 Jun 2014 12:10 PM PDT
Dear Readers;
I think that it was about three weeks back that our friend Andrey turned us on to ..The Back To Eden Garden Youtube video. We watched the two hour video about this Vietnam vet who had been gardening using wood chips as mulch for thirty odd years! This guy...Paul had damaged nerves in his legs due to "Agent Orange" and walked around with a terrible limp. He used his rake as a cane and that same rake is basically all he used to work his very large garden and orchard. Here's the video and it is well worth watching in my opinion. (Editor; no video was attached!)
I think that it was about three weeks back that our friend Andrey turned us on to ..The Back To Eden Garden Youtube video. We watched the two hour video about this Vietnam vet who had been gardening using wood chips as mulch for thirty odd years! This guy...Paul had damaged nerves in his legs due to "Agent Orange" and walked around with a terrible limp. He used his rake as a cane and that same rake is basically all he used to work his very large garden and orchard. Here's the video and it is well worth watching in my opinion. (Editor; no video was attached!)
We were so convinced by this method of gardening that we ordered thirty-five tons of wood chips!
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| Anyone want to help haul wood chips? |
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| Starting to cover the front flower garden. |
We will keep you all updated on our latest Govindas' Farm experiment.
Until next time.
Hare Krsna.
Lal
Posted: 09 Jun 2014 05:5
Feeling very sad (dukhi) over losing several children before his birth, his parents named him Dukhi Krishna Dasa. Upon taking diksha from Hrdaya Chaitanya he became known as Krishna Dasa. In Vrindavana, he joined Narottama Dasa Thakura and Shrinivasa Acharya to study the Goswami granthas under Shri Jiva Goswami.
Many "ankle bell stories" describe how Krishna Dasa received Radharani's mercy, the name Shyamananda, and his unique tilaka mark. Shripad B.V. Narayana Maharaja gives this account in Navadwipa Dhama Parikrama:
"While living in Vrindavana, Krishna Dasa regularly swept the streets before dawn. He performed this humble service so that the Vaishnavas would not hurt their feet while walking to the Temples. One morning he found a captivatingly beautiful golden ankle bracelet. When Lalita and Vishakha-sakhis asked for the bracelet Krishna Dasa said he would only give it to the original owner.
"Blindfolding Krishna Dasa, the gopis brought him to Shrimati Radhika. She allowed h
