Radhadesh March - April Newsletter 2022

Radhadesh E-Magazine

GAURANGA MEDITATIONS also in this issue: ISKCON'S STATEMENT ON CRISIS IN UKRAINE WHY WE CAN'T SEE WHAT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF US

Issue 14

MAR - APR 2022

Dedicated to...

This newsletter is dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

We remain forever indebted to him, our eternal spiritual master, and pray for his blessings so that we may continue to establish Vrindavan here in Radhadesh.

CONTENTS ISKCON's statement on crisis in Ukraine

06

New Accounts

08

Radhadesh switches to a new bank! Which means that the account numbers of different departments have changed.

Gauranga Meditations

09

Prepare for the upcoming Gaura Purnima celebrations by meditating on the Lord!

Radhadesh Mellows recap

12

Another beautiful festival with over 1000s of attendees through the online broadcasts! Read more about it here

International Yoga day

24

Join us for a day of meditation, kirtan, and Yoga on this year's International Yoga day!

Why we can't see what's right in front of us

26

Read this insightful article by Syamananda Prabhu about accepting our realities

Premaculture Retreat Learn about gardening for your home or just about the importance of eco-farming with Love!

"Krishna is present in the form of His transcendental name, and we can contact Him immediately by hearing His name. Simply by hearing the name Krishna we immediately become freed from material contamination."

Path of Perfection, Chapter 8, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada

29

Editorial team : Shyamsakhi dasi, Surabhi Kunja dasi, Syamananda das Photography: Syamananda das, Surabhi Kunj dasi, Gert Eelen / Brocco Photo and our community members.

IIllustrations: Saccidanandana das, Radhe Gendron & unknown artists Graphic design: Surabhi kunj devi dasi Proofreader: Shyamsakhi dasi

DEAR READER, Our cover story in this issue relates to the appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu or Lord Gauranga. He showes us that in this age of Kali yuga, the way to become cleansed of all the sinful reactions which cover our hearts and minds, is with the chanting and remembering of Lord Krishna.

Touching on a related topic, Manu shares a report on the annual Kirtan event, Radhadesh Mellows. Syamananda das writes about how to see and embrace the reality of the ever-changing nature of this place and to simultaneously work towards that eternal world, while living a very full and productive life here. On another note we would like to invite you to the Gaura Purnima and Ramanavmi festivals. Come celebrate these joyous events in the company of devotees.

As we hear from scripture, Lord Krishna resides in His name and it is recommended to recite His names every day. Even more so in times of distress, we are naturally impelled to call out to the Lord. In the reality of today's world we can easily be caught up with emotions of feeling overwhelmed. Just as now we are all painfully aware of the war in Ukraine and therefore everywhere around the world people are praying for the wellbeing of the residents of Ukraine in the form of Kirtan.

"When the kirtan is harmonious with so many people, it’s a tumultuous beautiful sound. We can’t hear just one voice during the chorus; or rather we do hear one voice. But that one voice is actually the sound of everyone’s voice in harmony. That’s our offering to God. And why is it so pleasing to the Lord? Because we are all cooperating for a higher purpose. We are all united for the pleasure of the center, for the pleasure of Krishna, in spite of all our differences". - His Holiness Radhanath swami Let's all find shelter in the names of Krishna.

Hare Krishna, Shyamsakhi dasi

ISKCON's statement on crisis in Ukraine On behalf of ISKCON communities and devotees throughout Europe we would like to offer prayers for the protection of all those living in Ukraine who are affected by the present conflict. ISKCON devotees and communities as well as the general public in Ukraine will be experiencing difficult and trying moments in the upcoming days and weeks.

We encourage everyone concerned to take shelter in their particular religious and spiritual traditions to overcome these tremendous trials. In ISKCON we take solace in chanting the holy names of the Lord. We also believe in sharing this spiritual practice with the broader public, as well as the distribution of free vegetarian meals, to somewhat alleviate the suffering and anxiety experienced by many residents in Ukraine.

We encourage ISKCON devotees and communities in the countries bordering Ukraine to help those who might be displaced and have become refugees.

We pray that all concerned parties will find peaceful solutions to the present conflict and re-establish long lasting peace in the region.

Bank details Triodos Bank ISKCON Communications Europe asbl 197 Ave d Auderghem 1040 Bruxelles Belgique IBAN: BE27 5230 8129 5573 BIC/Swift: TRIOBEBB Communication: ISKCON Relief Ukraine.

i t w h t K c r e i s n h n n o a C

Pure love is the original spiritual energy of each living being.

By chanting the Divine Names this consciousness is at once revived.

How? Since the transcendental vibration of the divine names comes directly from the spiritual level it has the power to evoke a spiritual experience and thus lift the soul above the physical, mental and intellectual plane. One only needs to connect...

Krishna says: "I dwell not in the spiritual kingdom nor in the hearts of yogis; where the chanting goes on there, o Narada, stand I." PADMA PURANA

When

will

Lord

Gaurahari

appear

in

my

meditation and lovingly place His lotus feet in my heart?

His golden effulgence eclipses the splendor of one

million

lightning

flashes.

His

face

is

so

stunningly beautiful that the full autumn moon wants to hide in embarrassment immediately after it has arisen.

His eyes are like two bumblebees, who feel irresistibly drawn to land on the glistening lotus flower of Lord Jagannatha’s smiling face.

As He ecstatically chants the Holy Name of Lord Krishna, He is tossed about by high waves of

BY SACINANDANA SWAMI

GAURANGA

ecstasy in the ocean of love.

MEDITATION

Streams of tears flow from His eyes while wave after wave draws Him deeper into the kirtan of His own names and qualities.

When He dances, the restless movements of His feet amaze even Lord Shiva, the supreme dancer. The dust arisen from the earth covers Sri Gauracandra as Bhumi’s beautiful offering of flowers… What a nectar shower for the mind!

Again and again He calls out with His hands gesturing towards the Lord of the spiritual sky: “O Krishna, O Mukunda, Murari, O Vanamali – where are You now?”

The light radiating from His lotus toenails uproots the darkness in the hearts of everyone in the universe who remembers Him even slightly, bringing waves of bliss from the ocean of His love. His compassionate words and glance completely drive out all the fear of material existence.

Lord Gaurahari is more purifying than the celestial Yamuna. He is sweeter than madhuka nectar. And more cooling than the winds from the Ganga.

Like a mother who does not distinguish between her various children, He is full of affection for everyone who merely turns to Him.

When will that Lord appear in my meditation and lovingly place His lotus feet within my darkened heart?

WEDDINGS Plan your outdoor wedding in Radhadesh.

Wedding season is from May - August.

Email to weddings@radhadesh.com

"When there is love in our heart, only love will come out" RADHANATH SWAMI

RADHADESH MELLOWS

For the second time ever and hopefully the last, the Radhadesh Mellows 2022 festival which took place on the last weekend of January was a fully Online experience.

Despite teams

the got

challenge, together

in

different

technical

Radhadesh,

and

Malaga,

Kirtan

Mayapur

(India) and New York (USA) to chant and inspire over a 100.000 people over the weekend immersing everyone in glorious Live Kirtans from their respective homes. These were also, to the extent we know, the first ever Live Kirtan Event available to all that was streamed in 4K quality!

From March onwards we will be releasing one by one all the individual Kirtans and mixed recordings on the various audio-visual platforms such as our YouTube channel, our Spotify, itunes accounts etc. Make sure to follow us, subscribe and share those amazing new recordings so more can soak in the bliss of congregational chanting of the Holy Name.

Jaya Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha, Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

Manu Hare Krsna Youtube: youtube.com/c/RadhadeshMellows Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/1hL2ejBSc96rsdMG2SB7ij

Celebrate – oh Celebrate!

BY SACINANDANA SWAMI

People of the world celebrate – oh celebrate! The son of Maharaja Nanda has taken birth in Mayapura, taking on the golden complexion and mood of Sri Radha. Inside He is Krsna, outside Radha. He wishes to flood the whole universe with love for Krishna.

When He suddenly realized that his brother Balarama was hiding in the house of Nandanacharya, he ran there and when the two brothers reunited, they started the sankirtana movement of calling out to Hari: “Where are you?”

Oh, what sweetness is there in the Holy Name? Like the monsoon rains which do not distinguish between the qualified or the not, Gaura-Nitai were intoxicated by the nectar of the Name and distributed it freely even to sinners, dull people and children. Everyone forgot about their misery and grief.

For 24 years Lord Caitanya made Mayapur happy by living there and spreading the essence of all dharma. Then He suddenly left in search of the Lord of His heart. And just like the residents of Vraja who cried when Krishna left them, now the people of Mayapur were beating their chest in pain. Tears were flowing incessantly from their eyes till the Lord came to them in the night. In their dreams He said to them: “I am always with you!

Take the Name of Krishna, that is the best worship. I shall never be separated from those who chant.”

When Lord Caitanya arrived in Puri, He remembered how Krishna had hidden in Vraja from Sri Radha.

Now He was wandering along the shores of the dark blue ocean, in the mood of His most Beloved, searching everywhere for Himself and cried: “Where are you Krishna, treasure of my life?” Such are the mysteries of love.

Radharani is the Supreme beloved of Krishna and Krishna is bound by Her love. To give that love to people of this age, Krishna mercifully manifested the pastimes of Lord Gauranga.

Do not worry! He does not discriminate between the high nor the low, those with great merit or practically no sadhana. To one and all His call reaches them sweetly: “Take the Holy Name, serve the devotees and be kind to all. I will rescue you from the great danger of Maya, and remove all material desires and offenses from your heart.”

Therefore with arms raised up to the sky I sing: “People of the world, celebrate, oh celebrate because you have been born in the Age of Kali, which is the best, for you can collect the treasure of love from my Gaura!”

GAURA PURNIMA FRIDAY

18

MARCH

2022

04:30 Mangala Arati 05:15 Japa Meditation 07:40 Guru Puja 08:00 Deity Greeting in Their new outfits!

08:30 Lecture 11:00 Bhajans 12:30 Noon Arati 16:30 Maha Abhishek 17:30 Kids Mrdanga performance 17:45 Gift Ceremony 18:15 Life of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 18:40 Offering of 108 preps 19:00 Gaura Arati with 19:30 Prasadam Feast 20:15 Kirtan

Join in celebrating the wonderful and joyous glories of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Govinda's Restaurant NAPOLITANA PIZZA Every Thursday 12:00 - 15:00 Radhadesh - Chateau de Petite Somme | Petite Somme 5 | www.radhadesh.com/restaurant

served fresh and hot!

Ridiculously delicious

Radhadesh highlights!

Upcoming Festivals 18 March

10 April

Gaura Purnima

Ramnavami

Gaura Purnima is a

Appearance of Lord

Vaishnava festival that

Ramachandra.Lord

celebrates the appearance

Ramachandra ruled the

of the Supreme Personality

earth more than two million

of Godhead Sri Chaitanya

years ago as the ideal king.

Mahaprabhu.

n a a v a m m a i R e day of Sri Ram c n a r ach ea p and p a e ra Th

SUNDAY 10 APRIL AT 12:00 PM COME AND CELEBRATE THIS JOYOUS EVENT “Just serve every creature in God’s creation with humility, respect, and love.” Or, “Just sing the names of Rama and everything else will be attained.” ― Radhanath Swami, The Journey Home

Memberships programs Become a member and directly serve Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha.

For more information go to radhadesh.com/members or email members@radhadesh.com

Radhadesh is a non-profit organization with over 100 permanent residents and more than 5000 congregational members and friends.

Become part of this wonderful spiritual family and participate in our lovely programs from your home.

From only €10 a month you are then united with us in helping Radhadesh achieve amazing things. You can then also become part of our annual member's weekend and participate in this joyous occasion.

You also with us plenty of attractive benefits depending on the support package of your choice!

Bronze membership € 10 / month

Silver membership

Gold membership

Platinum membership from € 84 / month

€ 50 / month

€ 30 / month

SPRING FRESH START WEEKEND RETREAT IN THE BELGIAN ARDENNES 18 MAR AT 17:00 – 20 MAR AT 15:30

For many it has been an interesting time, to say the least. A lot of us have been a little stagnant, waiting for our chance to bounce back into action. Some of us have taken time to nourish ourselves, start a hobby or do some creative internal work that you may have planned to do but but never had the time for chance to stimulate your mind. Either way, now is your chance to re-stimulate your mind, body and senses with an uplifting weekend of yoga, movement, creativity, expression, gardening, walking and tasty hot nourishing meals.

Explore within and get your body and energies flowing, revitalise your senses and connect deeper and connect with your deeper self.

Experience gentle styles of yoga, deep relaxation, inspiring meditation, mantra chanting and walks.

ENERGY AND UPLIFTING WEEKEND RETREAT IN THE BELGIAN ARDENNES 29 APR AT 17:00 – 1 MAY AT 15:30

WWW.RADHADESHRETREATS.COM

Full day in

Y o g a D a n c e A r t

Radhadesh 08:00 - 21:00

&

M e d i t a t i o n M o v e m e n t

S e s s i o n s

K i d s

&

Y o g a

M a m a

M a r k e t

T i b e t a n K i r t a n

Y o g a

B o w l

a n d

A y u r v e d a

&

&

G o n g

M a n t r a

b a t h s

C h a n t s

W e l l n e s s

sunday 19th June 2022

International International Yoga Yoga day day Register at radhadesh.com/yoga €25 adults & €10 kids registration fee vegan lunch incl.

Radhadesh highlights!

Are you coming to Radhadesh?

For those of you who would like to sometimes visit Radhadesh and do some practical devotional service, kindly write to us in advance to service@radhadesh.com . In that way we can anticipate your visit and arrange some particular service for you.

For your inspiration, let us consider the following: In the 12th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Krsna explains that the best thing you can do is to 'just fix your mind upon Me'. Of course, most of us are not able to 'just' do that all the time. Therefore Krsna continues to say that if we cannot do that, we should engage ourselves in sadhana bhakti, meaning to rise early, chant the holy names, read Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, etc. But again, not all of us are able to continuously engage ourselves in sadhana bhakti and therefore Krsna says that if we cannot do that, we should work for Him. In fact, the combination of remembering Krsna, hearing and chanting about him and doing some practical service is a very powerful one. Feel free and inspired to visit Radhadesh and experience this combination yourself.

WHY WE CAN’T SEE WHAT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US written by Syamananda das

An expression I heard a lot growing up was ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’.

Meaning once we get set in our ways, we are slow and disinclined to embrace change. And the change most people are disinclined to are changes in routine, habits, workloads and many other customs we develop throughout our life that come to make up our life. And that is not a bad tendency in itself. There is comfort in familiarity, in the same faces we see from day to day, the same foods, same TV programs, same music etc. And on the opposite side, there is fear and distrust for the unfamiliar or the unknown, going outside our ‘comfort zone’.

But do we not see in life all around us, and what

to

speak

through

the

media,

that

change has an inevitably score of 100%. No matter

what

the

routine

or

structure

we

develop, change catapults into our life and has zero regard of our feelings about it doing so.

So what can we do about it? Well from the external perspective there is very little. No insurance policy comprehensive enough, no wall high enough, no emergency service fast enough, to stop the influx of unwanted changes into our life.

But there is something we can do and that is changing our inner world. We cannot change the changing nature of the world around us, but we can change our place in it by changing the world within us. To embrace the reality of this world and its ever fluctuating nature is an affair of the heart. And doing this is not in any way

‘life

-negating’.

Actually

valuing

"We cannot change the changing nature of the world around us, but we can change our place in it by changing the world within us. "

and

appreciating all that is in our life, strangely

To see and embrace this reality of the ever-

enough is supported and increased by realizing

changing

that at some unknown point in my future it will

simultaneously

all be taken from me. Sometimes in ways that I

world, while living a very full and productive

might be given notice for but very often in

life here, we need to work on our inner world.

ways where no notice is given. But if I have

Lord Krishna gives us the ‘heads-up’ about the

embraced this work of understanding that my

need

search for everything to be fixed and permeant

endeavoring

is just not possible here, I will naturally be

situated in self-realization can see all this

drawn

where

clearly.

being

developed and who are not situated in self-

unchangeable. That place where my heart’s

realization cannot see what is taking place,

eternal yearning for permanence will finally be

though they may try.”

fulfilled, which Lord Krishna explains in the

So let's embrace the work to constantly direct

Bhagavad-Gita is His home, the spiritual world.

my hearts cry from seeking permanence in

That

the

to

everything

place

look is

of

towards the

where

true

that

place

nature

everything

is

of

mystically

nature

for

But

of

work

this

this

place

towards

in

the

that

Gita

impermanent

whose

to

going

who

minds

home

to

eternal

15.11;

transcendentalists those

and

are

to

“The are not

the

eternal and unchanging and yet still ever fresh

spiritual world and being permanently in the

and exciting. That place we are all really

permanent.

looking for.

Asafoetida (hing)

Hing or Asafoetida is known to aid the digestive system for better digestion. It can be used as a part of the seasoning and should be the first thing that you add to the oil so that what remains is merely a pleasant odor. It is ideal for Indian dishes.

Some of our products available online...

€4,50

Sri Radhe Medallion Necklace Beautiful Tulasi necklace with Sri Radhe Medallion.handmade in India

€8,00

Tibetan singing bowl Singing bowl, sometimes called Tibetan bowl or prayer bowl, is a type of a standing bell. It can be played by using a bamboo stick.

Our bowl is small in size and comes with a bamboo stick. It produces delicate sounds that you can enjoy yourself or offer to others.

€65,00

Buy online

WWW.RADHADESH.COM/ESHOP

premaculture.be

THE PREMACULTURE

retreat

24TH - 26TH OF JUNE 2022 Premaculture is a new way of farming combining the ecological and sustainable principles of permaculture with the loving devotion cultivated in India’s ancient Bhakti tradition.

The Premaculture retreat is an immersive weekend in a natural and spiritual environment centered on self-realization and living in harmony with nature. A real break in time focused on tuning our true self with nature.

In our retreat you will: > Receive the “Introduction to Premaculture” booklet > Follow on-site theory classes about Premaculture > Practice Premaculture in Radhadesh’s garden > Receive a certificate of completion > Familiarize yourself with Permaculture’s principles > Learn how to start a small-scale sufficient farm on your own! > Learn about the Bhakti tradition (Yoga, Ayurveda, Mantra meditation and Bhakti-Yoga introduction) > Visit and be part of a community aiming towards self-sufficiency > Live a weekend in a spiritual and peaceful community aiming for self-realization

THE PREMACULTURE retreat Meals Meals are provided by our vegetarian restaurant. Most of the food is coming from the Premaculture’s garden and cooked with love and devotion. Some Ayurveda preparation and teas will also be served.

Accomodation Accommodation is located on site in our beautiful Retreat Center. > Retreat including a Shared room: 280 euros > Retreat including a Private room: 350 euros Extras There are opportunities for some private massage / therapies if you would like to book in your spare time.

More information is provided after registration.

Contact us at retreat.centre@radhadesh.com

Guided tours of CHÂTEAU DE PETITE SOMME French Dutch English

1 october - 30 june 15:30 10:30 | 11:30* | 15:00 16:00

1 july - 30 september 11:00 | 15:30 10:30 | 11:30 | 15:00 | 16:30 16:00

*only during the weekends From October till June, we are closed on Mondays. Except for school and bank holidays and prebooked groups.

Due to government guidelines and to avoid disappointments, we recommend you book online, by e-mail, or by phone.

Visitors without a reservation are still welcome but may be refused if the capacity is reached.

Currently, there is a maximum of 20 people per tour.

WE ARE OPEN!

visit

WWW.RADHADESH.COM for more information

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