LET THEM BE HAPPY AND SATISFIED

Isn't it? Really? Seriously?

The goal, the essence of everything we do is to bring about some sort of gratification, a feeling that arouses teh butterflies, and shakes the cobwebs a bit letting the sleepy spiders of our minds crawl about a bit. Every advertisement we see promises sense gratification, every great speech promises the revelation or realization of a dream! So how bout I tell you a little something about a dream.

I too have a dream!

My dream is to see that everyone becomes happy. As a monk, my one question is always what can I do everyday that can benefit the masses. How can the vows I took to follow spiritual principles actually transfer from me to someone else? That is, if I'm catually feeling spiritual bliss as I may claim. The Srimad Bhagavatam (one awesome holy book out there) explains that it is the duty of every person to use his life , intelligence, wealth and words for the benefit of another.

So how can i really do that? So here's my dream.

__ Anandambuddhi vardhanam pratipadam__

Spiritual bliss and satisfaction can be tasted at every step, but the highest pleasure comes when we in turn distribute that bliss to others. There is no end to it. The ocean of bliss is unlimited and each person is allowed to take more than he can handle- provided he also gives more than enough. Everyday I stand out in the strees distributing spiritual literature and hoping that someone will read them and understand that material life is a one way ticket form nowhere to nowhere... (nowhere man please listen- john lennon).

But lately I've been doing some self examination: if people are to abandon everything and try to follow my lead, I have to actually show that I am feeling the bliss. That deep feeling within has to also connect with the next person's inner hankering. its not some external show of things. True bliss comes from the soul, from the spiritual stratum and unless we are feeling it, people, who are also spiritual in essence, will find out sooner or later.

So do we have to be self realized souls then? Nope, but we can at least have trust in the self realized souls and repeat what they impart to us. In this way, the transfer of knowledge stays fresh and not contaminated by our mundane speculation. Kinda like a postman, sometimes he may be carrying a letter with a check for one million dollars for you, as long as he delivers the check to your mailbox, he's done his job; but say he opens your letter and find a check! Oh Oh. now his mind runs all over the place with what he could do to get some of your money- kidnap your pet, you, your friend. I dunno, never met a postman like that.

Basically, my dream is to deliver the message of Bhagavad Gita as delivered to me. And as I practice and feel some clarity in my life, I would like to urge others to do the same.

Nothing to lose untimately, but if there's gain, why not?

So not just me, but other spiritual practitioners- the best way to increase your spiritual blis is to give it to others. Lord Caitanya and His associates showed us this practically; the plundered the storehouse of Love and distributed that love freely to everyone. But something strange was happening at that time- the more the gave, the more there was to give. Some of that has been passed to us, lets keep passing it on and paying it forward.

WEEK IN REVIEW

It's been a risky week! I opened the third Chapter of a book called "Servant of the Servant", a recollection by a monk named Tamal Krishna Goswami about his times travelling around the US on this Greyhound but turned temple. Along with other monks, it was the pied piper meets the magic school bus. They'd go from city to town to village and practically each time they left, two or three fortunate souls would join up and try to live as monks. He recounts the joys, the transcendental competitive spirits of other monks who admired their bus's adventure and tried to replicate their activities, the rude awakening in parking lots with guns in the window and insults hurling thru the ether, the bitter cold and warm summers, and the care and nourishment of each new soul trying to make his way back home to the spiritual world by accepting monastic vows.

As I read on my yearning increased to be engaged in such a way! Forget everything and just travel and teach. I yearn to meet others with this mentality. In the 60s and 70s that was easy, people were unsatisfied with the ways of their parents and so the Hippie movement sprung up in search of inner and higher truths. Today, time is mostly spent uploading or downloading Ipod stuff, shopping, girl/boy hunting, celebrity gossiping and whatever else us young ones do for fulfilment. Who dare try monastic life now? Very few even think of it. At most, guys and girls sit up all night trying to figure out life's mysteries through the pot peace pipe hole or shrooms or again, whatever else us young...

So in that state of mind I distributed books in downtown Halifax this week mentally recalling all I read the previous nights. Then a funny thing happened. A few guys I talked to started asking questions on monastic life. Even better, this curious eyed guy, full of energy and a spirit of adventure hopped off his bus and had to see what those guys in Saffron robes were talking about. We even invited him and a few others over for supper. pretty cool I thought. But he's only 18- wait a minute! Just one minute there fella :) I was only 18 when I moved into the monastery. Yup, fresh outta high school and wondering what i was gonna do in that college place.

Then there were those Saffron clad monks and Sari clad nuns who caught my attention on that busy day in 1998 in Seattle. The rest is history which pops up every now and then in the pages of blogs and journals.

What else this week....

I got really cold and my bones started to hurt but I ignored it allll day and it hurt still alllll day.

I also realized and decided to learn to respect others who don't share my let's jump in a van and take over the world and turn every one and their moms into monks mood.

I ate spice cake, got marriage proposals from a lady on the street (funny one). I told her no (valley girl accent) and she was like why? and I was like cuz i chose not to and she was like oh my Gosh you so should, and I was like sorry, what i don't use down there I use in my brain, like oh my God she was like so sad, like i don't like get it!

EQUAL GIVE EQUAL TAKE

OK, exercise time! Take a deep breath, come on! Deep in, now let it out. wotcha noticed? Anything? OK try again, but this time, count the amount of seconds breathing in, and breathing out. In most cases, its equal amounts; a balance set up by nature herself. All around us these things are happening- in nature that is. So who let the dogs out in human society? Who are these people taking more and more and giving little back? Oh well, landfills I guess. Who let the Hogs out, turning our world from fast food nation to fast food world? Who let the Camels out, eating thorns mixed with their own blood? Oh and lastly, who let the Asses (donkeys) out, working so hard for so little profit?
Can any of us relate to any of these animals? Are our daily lives filled with a search for more gratification and seemingly putting out more energy than necessary? I have a thought or two on that. Human life is not meant to be like what we see out there. Look at civilizations gone before, Aryans, Mayans, and even up to 70 or more years ago; after lasting for so many years did they leave the earth in such a state? Did they leave landfills? Yes a land filled with what we now go back to in documentaries and other things marvel at. This is human civilization. A civilization that leaves garbage and waste for the next generation is no better than that of the animal kingdom. But even he animals are doing better than we are nowadays, no?
So lets begin to work toward positive ends. Plant a garden for starters, walk more, party less, and be outside more. There's a whole lot of amazing things left that we have to explore. Creation is full of variety and we have to seek it out. I promise, its beautiful. It does require some effort tho. Like the good book says, its mo re blessed to give than to receive.
Quality is what we should desire now, quality of life, and animal life doesn't cut it. Quality life comes with great effort and conscious living.
I'll continue this tomorrow, bed time now.
Oh by the way, if you'd like to write something here, like an article or poem, you're welcome to do so. just email me and we'll see about it.

A RICH HARVEST

In monastic life, one's first duty is to offer respect to his teacher and then go on for the rest of the day in his service. But what is the service of the teacher? As in my case, Srila Prabhupada's most important service he has passed down to me is assisting him in freeing the western world from impersonalism and voidism.

"namaste saraswati deve gaura-vani-pracharine nirvishesha-shunyavadi pashchatya-desha-tarine"

"Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami. You are kindly teaching the message of Lord Caitanya and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism."

So one may ask why not help free the world from hunger, poverty, etc etc. These are visible problems. Yes, true, but as the truth goes, we never find the root cause of something at the front of the line. We may see symptons, like a boil on the body representing so malfunction or impurity in the blood. Or worse case scenario, people who externally seem to be the nicest of neigbhors or teachers or whoever, and then the next day their faces appear on the news for some act unmentionable here. The problem, the cause is usually deep within; deply rooted.

The jist of it is that in an impersonal and void world, actions happen out of a sense of hopelessness or resignation.

The earth becomes a dead thing we can claim, others are seen as a means for exploitation in order to reach the top, children laugh and play as kids together, then grow as men and fight to kill each other. Is this reaching too far? Look around again and then keep reading.

There's somuch to write about the effects of impersonalism but I'll focus on the importance of personalism henceforward.

The Vedas tell us that everything animate and inanimate belongs to someone- Krishna, or whatever name one may have for ht Supreme. Krishna has also allotted to us different quota according to our capabilities (for example and elephant can eat tons of food, and I can only eat up to a bowl or two at most.) When we understand and respect such teachings, then we begin to Honor everything and everyone around us.

Moreover, by understanding the nature of Spirituality, we also begin to fill the Void in our own lives. People today look outside for satisfaction: the new I pod, or zen, discotheque or arcade, boy or girl. We are bombarded with advertisements gauranteeing our happiness- til the next new thing comes along. How long should this go on? When we understand that happiness comes from within, we should also make an effort to look within.

One thing we'll find when we look with in is ourselves. Yup! thats a whole other topic that I'll leave for later. When we do see things a little clearer, its easy to be personal, fearless and fulfilled. Fearless means reaching out and giving one's service selflessly, knowing that he, the soul is indestructible. And there are many out there today who need to be reached out to. No that we should become some super heroes and fly to the rescue, but if we are spiritually inclined, we should go deeper into spiritual consciousness and from that point, reach out. To quote Jesus, "one should not light a candle and then cover it with a bowl; no, when a light is lit, leave it in the open so people can see in teh dark. So let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who is in heaven."

So the harvest is rich, thanks to an ever increasing advancement towards outer satisfaction.

People are looking for something tangible, so my appeal to all Spiritualist is to join in the march for real freedom- freedom from impersonalism, and voidism (in other words, lonliness and emptiness)

THE FIRES OF INDUSTRY

I was reading this passage from Srimad Bhagavatam this morning and thought it'd be an interesting read for those out there who look for an alternative to our industry lifestyle today.

All these cities and villages are flourishing in all respects because the herbs and grains are in abundance, the trees are full of fruits, the rivers are flowing, the hills are full of minerals and the oceans full of wealth. And this is all due to Your glancing over them.
PURPORT
Human prosperity flourishes by natural gifts and not by gigantic industrial enterprises. The gigantic industrial enterprises are products of a godless civilization, and they cause the destruction of the noble aims of human life. The more we go on increasing such troublesome industries to squeeze out the vital energy of the human being, the more there will be unrest and dissatisfaction of the people in general, although a few only can live lavishly by exploitation. The natural gifts such as grains and vegetables, fruits, rivers, the hills of jewels and minerals, and the seas full of pearls are supplied by the order of the Supreme, and as He desires, material nature produces them in abundance or restricts them at times. The natural law is that the human being may take advantage of these godly gifts by nature and satisfactorily flourish on them without being captivated by the exploitative motive of lording it over material nature. The more we attempt to exploit material nature according to our whims of enjoyment, the more we shall become entrapped by the reaction of such exploitative attempts. If we have sufficient grains, fruits, vegetables and herbs, then what is the necessity of running a slaughterhouse and killing poor animals? A man need not kill an animal if he has sufficient grains and vegetables to eat. The flow of river waters fertilizes the fields, and there is more than what we need. Minerals are produced in the hills, and the jewels in the ocean. If the human civilization has sufficient grains, minerals, jewels, water, milk, etc., then why should it hanker after terrible industrial enterprises at the cost of the labor of some unfortunate men? But all these natural gifts are dependent on the mercy of the Lord. What we need, therefore, is to be obedient to the laws of the Lord and achieve the perfection of human life by devotional service. The indications by Kuntīdevī are just to the point. She desires that God's mercy be bestowed upon them so that natural prosperity be

maintained by His grace.

Reach Out and Touch Faith

Nope, not your own personal Jesus :)
But something interesting I've noticed during my travels and interaction is the sour fact that lots of people are lonely. While distributing books I find that many ppl put their headphones on, or dark glasses and walk past trying not to notice, or be noticed.
The world gets a little more impersonal each day. We're almost spinning our own silk coccoons as dasy go by.
As a monk my challenge is extending myself as much as possible to people who have sort of a big and bad attitude and walk around with a chip (of no chip) on their shoulders. With so much fear and distrust around us, who can blame anyone for keeping to themselves? But is it our fear fo each other thats killing us?
Hmm, I've waited for this day when I'd start to write this seriously about something. But with a bit of encouragement. We can all be our brother's keepers- one good turn deserves another.
Anyways, life goes on and travels are happening. i only touched the surface of this because I could write for hours about what I've seen and heard.
But that bed time is approaching and sleep is driving a fast car to get to me.
Hare Krishna. Good night

FUGGETTABBOUDIT

So I have a proposal.
I know I said I'd write so much that happend this summer right. But when I sit to write... my minds a blank.____________________________________________
So what say ye we start a new from here on eh? Savvy?
I can whip up some awesome stuff about my strange little realizations, silly little notions. and just keep you entertained.
Yup so the past shall sleep as of tonight. Sometimes best not wake it either; so full of moments
ever changing moments, embarassing, humbling, exciting, living moments.
Forget the past the sleeps,
ne'er dream the future at all.
Live with times that are with the now
and progress the shall call."
Bhaktivinode Thakur.
(pop quiz: who's Bhaktivinode Thakur? )

CURSED!!

Part of my daily routine is reading one of the many Spiritual Books written and translated by My Spiritual Grandfather Srila Prabhupada. These books are filled with knowledge fo everything and anything. While travelling this summer I was reading a section on Astronomy and the different planetary systems, then later I read about one of my favourite personalities, the great sage Narada. Basically, Narada got this benediction to be able to travel throughout the universes at will and travel he does! He's a monk who appears at very crucial times in people's lives and gives them some spiritual message to speed up Krishna's proceeding pasttimes.

For saintly people, Narada is a blessing, a breath of fresh air, a "just when I need it" kinda person. But for the gross materialists, this blessing in disguise is often not so welcome. Materialists want spiritual enlightenment in the least! Imagine a person trying to blow up a building, (or should you really imagine that), or do something to increase his attachment to the bodily concept of life and in comes this monk who tells you that your plan, although it may work, is temporary and so why waste time on it? Yup! thats the kinda fellow this Narada is. Interested in teh welfare of all beings, he looks beyond their faults and sees their real needs- the need to contact the spiritual realm. So on a few occasions Narada was cursed to never stay in one place very long so that he won't be able to disturb ppl's peace. In his Purport to one of the translated verses, Srila Prabhupada explains how he has been cursed in such a way by the parents of his students for bringing this sublime spiritual science to the western world where parents would rather see their sons and daughters as full fledge sense enjoyers, forgetting their eternal nature as spiritual beings. He accepts the curse but it also hampers him from swiftly translating all the Sanskrit books he needs to translate. He wishes to transfer and distribute this curse to some of his students and grand students who want to continue to "cause trouble"and give people an alternative to the rat race.

WOW I thought, I want to be CURSED! I mean, I like travelling, I love teaching about Krishna conscious philosophy, I like interacting with people. So whaddawewaitingfor?

The I thought, wow, a curse? Who in their right minds wanna be cursed? But then double take, its a blessing to be cursed like this. That means all the Teachers in the line of Narada will be pleased with me and offer all their protection. Ah... lets do it.

So yup, I'm living on a prayer, halfway there!