July August Radhadesh English E-Newsletter

E-Newsletter ISSUE 9-JULY / AUGUST '21

KRISHNA IS SO KIND

Also in this issue HOW TO TAKE DARSHAN AND VIEW THE DEITIES

HARINAM IS BACK!

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

Editorial team : Shyamsakhi dasi, Surabhi Kunja dasi, Syamananda das Photography: Syamananda das, Surabhi Kunj dasi and our community members.

IIllustrations: Satcidanandana das & unknown artists Graphic design: Surabhi kunj devi dasi Proofreader: Syamananda das

WELCOME

Do you believe in magic? A question I have been asked many times as a child and may have asked others myself. And as a child I was wonderfully naive and happy to say ‘Yes, I believe in magic’. But then when we become adults we would not dare entertain such juvenile topics such as the probability of the existence of magic. But can I let you in on a secret…..then I became a Hare Krishna devotee and suddenly I believed in magic again and not just believed in it but would argue strongly on grounds of logic of the absolute certainty of the existence of magic!

But unlike the ‘magic’ of my innocent childhood, the magic I believe in now is ‘Krsna magic’! And simply put that means, I now fully accept that so many things can happen and do happen that is way beyond my capacity to understand. Something beyond our modern obsession to take everything into a lab and have it be fully under ‘my control’.

And so this is how I see Krsna in my life and in this world which we celebrate next month in a magical line-up of festivals. It really is magic how Krishna entered my life, when I had no idea who He was and even more magical how I see He is clearly determined to bring me back to Him, in spite of my continual reluctance to fully accept that is what I really need. So the upcoming marathon of festivals of Lord Balarama’s appearance, Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day, all together every year show the magic that is Krsna’s caring and infinitely kind nature to reach out to each one of us His loving hand. I just need to reach out mine in return. And then I would finally bring an end to my time in the material world and go back home, back to Krishna.

And now that would be really magic!

DARSHAN

DARSHAN OF THE LORD

(AND HOW TO DO IT!)

To come and see Krsna, is always an exciting meditation for a devotee. But like everything in Bhakti-yoga, there is a proscribed way to do it. The proper manner in which one should take darshan of the Lord is described in Srimad Bhagavatam 2.2.13: "The process of meditation should begin from the lotus feet of the Lord and progress to His smiling face. The meditation should be concentrated upon the lotus feet then the calves, then the thighs, and in this way higher and higher. The more the mind becomes fixed on different parts of the limbs one after another, the more the intelligence becomes purified."

"It is not easy to understand Krsna. But Krsna is so kind that He is coming personally and He is leaving behind Him this Bhagavad-gita to understand Him. That is Krsna's kindness.

Otherwise, by so-called mental speculation, you cannot understand Krsna. It is not possible. Atah sri-krsnanamadi na bhaved grahyam indriyai..Namadi means His holy name, Hare Krsna. Because the name is the first. In our forgetful condition, our first business is to chant the holy name.

Therefore namadi. To understand Krsna we have to chant His holy name first, adi. Then gradually, Krsna's qualities, Krsna's form, Krsna's pastimes, Krsna's entourage, and everything will be revealed…If we take to this devotional service, then this chanting, this vibration of the holy name of Krsna, very simple method, if we accept this... Just like we have offered these boys this chanting process, and they have accepted it very humbly. And if they prosecute the routine work, gradually they will understand what is Krsna. As you see the advanced students who are dancing in ecstasy, you can understand how much they have understood Krsna. A simple method."

Bhagavad-gita 7.3, March 29, 1971, Bombay

QOUTE

SRILA PRABHUPADA SPEAKS..."KRSNA IS SO KIND...."

APPEARANCE DAY

Lord Balarama's Appearance Day 22nd August

"THE WORD OF A SPIRITUAL MASTER IS THE ENERGY OF BALARAMA." HH RADHANATH SWAMI

ARTICLE

KRISHNA'S APPEARANCE

By Syamananda das

Sri Krishna Janmastami is known as the mother of devotion but it also is the mother of all festivals...

Throughout the many Bhakti scriptures, various festivals are mentioned but none get the prominence and glorification that Sri Krishna Janmashtami gets. And also in terms of celebrations around the world, the Janmashtami festival is held in every country worldwide and some cases attended by millions.

We celebrate this day upon which the Lord decided to appear on this planet to present to us the drama of His endless exciting, thrilling, and sweet pastimes that are to draw our attention back to Him and His divine spiritual realm.

We all love an exciting story and so therefore we have so many movies, books, and songs that are trying to be thrilling, adventurous, and of course, loving but all of these are attempts to re-create the original trilling and loving pastimes of Lord Sri Krishna who is the source of all these moods. And while they may seem to excite us with their clever plot twists and big budgets, they do nothing to answer the deepest cry from our soul for the love that only Krishna can offer...the only true 'and they lived happily ever after'.

So on Janmashtami day, we get together to celebrate these many pastimes of Krishna and especially His appearance in a high-security prison in the midst of a wild stormy night with the threat of assassination hanging over His head from the moment of His birth!

Could it get more exciting?!

RADHADESH ONLINE SHOP Our Radhadesh Eshop is equipped with many articles which can be hard to find elsewhere. We always strive for the best quality and try to keep the prices as low as possible! Every so often we update your choice of articles on the shop. If you cannot find something but would like to purchase it online, you can contact us through the contact form on our website Next to the articles from the shop, we are also starting to expand to having other merchandise unique to Radhadesh.

We update almost every week. So stay tuned! www.radhadesh.com/eshop

UPDATES

PREMACULTURE WHAT IS PREMACULTURE?

Premaculture is a new method of farming combining the ecological and sustainable principles of permaculture with the loving devotion cultivated in India’s ancient Bhakti tradition.

Self-sufficiency is a topic of great importance for ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness). The founder-acarya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, many times recommended the importance of ‘simple living, high thinking’ and its connection to ‘self-sufficiency’.

Permaculture is a set of design principles centered on whole systems thinking, simulating, or directly utilizing the patterns and resilient features observed in natural ecosystems. It uses these principles in a growing number of fields from regenerative agriculture, rewilding, and community resilience. www.premaculture.be

NEWS

RADHADESH TV YOU DID IT!!!

After the combined efforts of the broadcasting team and all of Radhadesh's supporters, we've finally been able to get to the 1000 mark and have now 1.11K subscribers to the radhadeshTV Youtube channel. This means we can now also broadcast from our Radhadesh.tv website. There you won't have the distraction of the Youtube space, and just will be able to follow our program in peace.

The monthly costs for maintaining the whole broadcast project is of a minimum of 150€. Our Internet connection costs us around 70€ a month and the other 80€ goes towards general maintenance costs (software & equipment). Of course, we can always do with additional support so we can continue in bettering the broadcasting for everyone. In fact we have just completed a major upgrade injecting 2000€ into a brand new powerful computer and screen bringing our Live Experience to an HD standard. We are eventually looking at raising an additional 5000€ (or quicker if you have some extra cash in your pocket :p) so that we can reinvest the money into 4K cameras with much better lighting capacity giving us at night, during the day or through different weather, a premium and first class clear image. You will have never felt closer to Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha :)!!!! If you wish to see this happen sooner than later do not hesitate to support the project by donating to the cause.

More information on www.radhadesh.tv

NEWS

NIRJALA EKADASI

It is so nice to see how we can come together as a community and focus on the very heart of what our movement is about - the chanting of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra. The impact on ourselves, the community, and even the world at large is something we probably can't understand but we all had the simple faith that it is the best thing we can do.

And for those who are interested....we did actually surpass last year's numbers by a huge amount....last year's participation was 60 devotees and this year it was 79 devotees. And the rounds chanted this year were 658 rounds more as a community!!!

Total Holy Names...6,035,904...!!!

And not to forget the all-night kirtan group went very well also chanting right up to Mangala-arati!

Sri Hari Nama prabhu....ki....jaya...!!!

IT MEANS YOU CHANT, NOT FOR YOURSELF, BUT KRISHNA. “IN WHAT WAY?” ANUKULYENA! YOU DO IT WITH A FAVORABLE MOOD – THAT OF WANTING TO GIVE PLEASURE TO KRISHNA. IN THIS WAY, A KIRTAN LEADER CAN THINK: “I WANT THE DEVOTEES TO CHANT NICELY AND FOR KRISHNA TO RELISH THEIR CALL.” THUS, ACTIVITY FOR KRISHNA IS NOT DONE MINDLESSLY 'The secret of chanting with bhakti' - HH Sacinandana swami

NEWS

WORLD

YOGA DAY

On the 20th of June 2021, we had our first big public event.

International Yoga Day was celebrated in Radhadesh with a day full of interactive workshops. It was a fun and spiritually inspiring day for all.

From different yoga and meditation classes to dance movement, art sessions, kids & mama yoga, Tibetan bowl session, gong baths, and Kirtan.

The event was well attended, we had more than 100 registered participants

"ADVANCEMENT IN YOGA IS CONNECTED TO YOUR COMPASSION TOWARDS OTHERS AND YOUR RECOGNITION THAT THE SUFFERING OF OTHERS IS YOUR OWN SUFFERING AND THE HAPPINESS OF OTHERS IS YOUR OWN HAPPINESS." HH Radhanath Swami

NEWS

MEMBERSHIPS PROGRAM

Radhadesh is a non-profit organization with 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. For €10 a month you help support Radhadesh achieve amazing things together with us, and become part of our annual member's weekend and participate in this joyous occasion.

Become a member and you directly serve Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha.

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

UPDATES

NEW COW SANCTUARY

COW PROTECTION

Installing the new water tank for the cows out on the fields.

Over 40 bales of hay from our first cutting of the summer.

It's been a good year so far for making hay for the cows winter feed.

We might even get a second harvest later in the summer If you wish to support the New Cow Sanctuary project & our beloved cows you can do so via: A donation to (name: ASBL Radhadesh) IBAN: BE84 0682 5042 8159 or via Paypal.me/RGoshala Following our social media posts by subscribing to our Facebook & Instagram pages here: www.facebook.com/RadhadeshGoshala/ & https://www.instagram.com/radhadesh.cows/

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS

HARINAMA

"To chant the holy name and dance in ecstasy is so easy and sublime that one can achieve all the benefits of spiritual life simply by following this process."

Srimad Bhagavatam 6.2.11 - Srila Prabhupada

The Golden Devotee IS READY TO WELCOME YOU FOR YOUR NEXT VISIT

BHAKTI HOME PROGRAMS

To facilitate those devotees who are inclined towards Krishna Consciousness but cannot come to the temple every day, ISKCON Radhadesh organizes Bhakti Home Programs at various places. Bhakti Home is a program centered around Krishna-conscious homes aiming to connect Krishna-conscious families with additional support and exciting resources in today’s busy world.

“Everyone can establish a small temple in his house, and he can begin familywise — himself, his wife, his children. That is wanted. This Krsna consciousness movement wants to see that every house has become a temple of Krsna. That is our program.”

Lecture by Srila Prabhupada, 13 December 1972

The program consists of Kirtana, the Holy names of Lord Krishna, spiritual discussion on Bhagavad-gita or other Vedic scriptures, Question/Answer session and concludes with prasad (sanctified food offered to the Lord). After the Corona measures are relaxed, we would like to contact you by email to plan a date for your house program. If you are interested in the Bhakti Home programs, scan this QR code to fill in the form to register or you can contact shyam@radhadesh.com.

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS

NEWS

A special bath of Jaganatha takes place on the Purnima of Jyestha month, to commemorate the appearance day of Lord Jaganatha. According to Skanda Purana when King Indradyumna installed the wooden deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day is considered to be the appearance day of Lord Jaganatha. The children had a wonderful celebration with kirtan, snana ceremony and offering bhoga. They concluded this festival with a cosy picnic.

Sri Sri Jaganatha Baladeva Subhadra devi ki jaya!

SNANA YATRA

BY THE KIDS

@RADHADESH.OFFICIAL @CASTLE.DURBUY @RADHADESH.MELLOWS @GOVINDAS.RADHADESH @PREMACULTURE @DURBUYBOUTIQUE @RADHADESH.COWS

YOUTUBE.COM/C/ISKCONRADHADESH YOUTUBE.COM/C/RADHADESHTV

VISIT FOR MORE INFORMATION

radhadesh.com WE ARE OPEN!