Radhadesh March- April Magazine 2023

SRILA PRABHUPADA:

GAURA PURNIMA

9GLORIESOFLORD

Glorification of Lord Gauranga Yoga

Kids Summer Camp

17 21 25

Lord Chaitanya is the ideal teacher of life’s prime necessities. He is the complete reservoir of all mercies and good fortune, and He is worshipable by everyone in this age of disagreement. Everyone can join in His sankirtana movement. No previous qualification is necessary. Just by following His teachings, anyone can become a perfect human being I sincerely hope that by understanding the teachings of Lord Chaitanya, human society will experience a new light of spiritual life that will open the field of activity for the pure soul.

Introduction to the Teachings of Lord Chaitanya

The festival of Gaura Purnima is coming up, the appearance day of Lord Gauranga! Here are a few meditations on Him

Become a yoga teacher! Follow one of our weekend yoga retreats!

Join our Radhadesh Summer camp and meet young devotees from around the world!

Editor: Shyamsakhi dasi, Surabhi Kunja dasi

Photography: Gour Govinda dasa, Surabhi Kunja dasi and our community members

Illustrations: Saccidanandana das, Radhe Gendron & unknown artists

Graphic design: Surabhi Kunja dasi

DEAR READER,

As the weather warms up and flowers start to bloom, springtime is a beautiful time for festivals and new beginnings. We're excited to share with you some of the upcoming events on our calendar

First up is Gaura Purnima, the appearance anniversary of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This year it falls on March 7th. On this day, devotees observe a fast and participate in transcendental activities such as chanting and hearing scripture. It's a special day to remember Lord Caitanya's teachings and His example of love and devotion to Krishna.

Then, on March 12th, we'll celebrate our Spring Holi Festival at Radhadesh in Durbuy, Belgium. This festival of colors is a fun way to welcome the warmer weather and celebrate springtime. Kirtan, colors, and devotees - what could be more fun?

We hope you can join us for these special events!

Shyam Sakhi

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

STEPS TO PRAYERFUL READING

The spiritual foundation of ISKCON are Srila Prabhupada’s books, which present the most scientific and the most authentic understanding of spiritual reality in a very simple way. Srila Prabhupada has also written numerous small books that present the philosophy in a short, concise and easy to understand manner. Examples include: ‘Chant and Be Happy’, ‘Easy Journey to Other Planets’ and ‘The Perfection of Yoga’ to name a few.

At the time of creation, Lord Krishna imparted spiritual knowledge to Lord Brahma, and through disciplic succession, this transcendental knowledge is still flowing through our spiritual teachers Srila Prabhupada’s books are carrying that knowledge and they represent the words of Lord Krishna through which we can understand that there is a spiritual world beyond this material world. From reading these books, we gain spiritual strength to tolerate the turbulence and miseries of this world; and to position ourselves to navigate through our journey of self-realization and God realization. Even if you read just one line or one paragraph, it will change your life.

Find a quiet spot where you can be alone and be able to read for an uninterrupted amount of time

HUMBLE ATTITUDE

Approach the books with a need to acquire knowledge and a need to receive guidance

OFFER PRAYERS READ SLOWLY FIND INTERESTING WORDS

You may offer a personal prayer to those who you will associate with before you start to read This will help to make meaning out of what you read and to see the relevance of it in your life

The purpose of your reading is not quantity – it is quality with meaningful association. Therefore, it is important to read slowly

Read until a word or a phrase or a key point catches your attention Stop there, repeat it to yourself a few times, and meditate on it for a sufficient amount of time

FIND AGAIN

Start reading again until another phrase or point strikes you. You can repeat the process as many times as you like depending on how much time you have. When you are reading, discover what is nourishing you.

OFFER OBEISANCES APPLY

Start reading again until another phrase or point strikes you. You can repeat the process as many times as you like depending on how much time you have. When you are reading, discover what is nourishing you.

Try your best to apply the teachings and realizations to your life If possible, discuss your realizations from the scriptures with someone else as devotees relish Krishna in different ways

BHAKTI SADĀCĀRA

We would like to invite potential candidates to our upcoming three month Radhadesh Bhakta Program called "Bhakti Sadācāra" which will start in in spring next year, from the end of March 2023 to the end of June 2023 Please help us spread the word and direct towards us any potential candidates that are ready to have a residential experience within our Radhadesh temple ashram

Over a period of three months, the following modules will be covered: Theology and Philosophy, Devotional Practice and Vaishnava Culture. This will also include a full dose of daily early morning sadhana & kirtanas, wonderful temple & community service opportunities, plenty of delicious prasadam and load's of Krsna conscious fun... guaranteed!

Fee: Only 250€ for all 3 months!

For more information, please contact: gopinatha@radhadesh.com

THE RADHADESH BHAKTA PROGRAM

"OUR NEW YEAR IS EVERY DAY"

"Well, our every day is a New Year. Nava-navayauvana. Our Krsna consciousness is so nice, the more you advance, you see new year, new year That's all Nothing is old People are seeing that they are simply chanting the old slogan, Hare Krsna. But we are feeling new pleasure in every moment. Take any other chanting, you cannot chant more than few hours But the Hare Krsna mantra we can chant perpetually So unless there is new enlightenment, how we can do that?"

(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Los Angeles, January 3, 1974)

Upcoming Festivals

Gaura Purnima festival

Celebrate the auspicious appearance day of Lord Chaitanya with the Radhadesh community

Rama Navami

The appearance day of Lord Ramacandra!

Narasimha Caturdasi

The appearance day of Lord Narasimha deva, the incarnation of the Lord in His form of half lion and half man

SPRING HOLI FESTIVAL

Celebrate life with colours

Sunday 12 March 2023

starts at 12pm - 3pm

ENTRY FEE

with lunch and 1 powder included

12 euro adults

8 euro kids (6y-12y)

RADHA MELLOW

ADESH WS 2023

pictures by Gour Govinda dasa

9 GLORIES OF LORD CHAITANYA

dhyeyaṁ sadā paribhava-ghnam abhīsta-dohaṁ

tīrthāspadaṁ śiva-viriñci-nutaṁ śaranyam

bhrtyārti-haṁ pranata-pāla bhavābdhi-potaṁ

vande mahā-purusa te caranāravindam

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (11.5.33) describes how the lotus feet (caranāravindam) of the great personality (mahā-purusa)

Śrī Gaurānga Mahāprabhu are glorious!

dhyeyaṁ sadā – eternal object of meditation

paribhava-ghnam – destroy the insults of material life

abhīsta-dohaṁ – award the greatest desire of the soul

tīrthāspadaṁ – shelter of holy places and saintly people

śiva-viriñci-nutaṁ – honoured by Śiva and Brahmā

śaranyam – worthy of surrender

bhrtyārti-haṁ – relieve the distress of devotees

pranata-pāla – protect those who simply bow down

bhavābdhi-potaṁ – boat to cross the material ocean

"O lotus-eyed Lord, by concentrating one’s meditation on your lotus feet, which are the reservoir of all existence, and by accepting those lotus feet as the boat by which to cross the ocean of nescience, one follows in the footsteps of great devotees By this simple process, one can cross the ocean of nescience as easily as one steps over the hoofprint of a calf.” (SB 10.2.30)

Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says that a follower of Caitanya Mahāprabhu is jīvan-mukta, or a liberated soul. The devotee is always confident (niścaya) that the Lord will quickly take him across the ocean of material existence A devotee is firmly convinced about the potency of the process of devotional service. The devotee is not even aware when he has crossed the ocean of material life.

Lord Śrī Gaurakrsna is addressed by the word mahāpurusa in this verse, and the whole intention of this verse is to offer obeisances at His lotus feet Those divine lotus feet are the actual eternal object of meditation for all of us because they cut off the bondage of material life and fulfill the spiritual desires of the devotees

source: https://gaurangadarshandas.com/2021/03/27/nine-glories-of-sri-gaurangas-lotus-feet/ - excerpt of article by HG Gauranga Darshan dasa

GAURANGA BOLITE HABE

gaurāńga' bolite habe pulaka-śarīra

'hari hari' bolite nayane ba' be nīra

āra kabe nitāi-cānder korunā hoibe

saḿsāra-bāsanā mora kabe tuccha ha'be

visaya chāriyā kabe śuddha ha 'be mana kabe hāma herabo śrī-brndābana

rūpa-raghunātha-pade hoibe ākuti kabe hāma bujhabo se jugala-pīriti

rūpa-raghunātha-pade rahu mora āśa prārthanā koroye sadā narottama-dāsa

When will that opportune moment come to us, when there will be shivering of the body as soon as we chant Lord Gauranga's name? While chanting Hare Krsna, when will there be tears in the eyes?

When will I obtain the mercy of Lord Nityananda-candra? When, by His mercy will the desire for material enjoyment become very insignificant?

When the mind is completely purified, being freed from material anxieties and desires, then I shall be able to understand Vrndavana and the conjugal love of Radha and Krsna, and then my spiritual life will be successful.

When shall I be very much eager to study the books left by the Six Gosvami's, headed by Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami? By their instruction I shall be able to properly understand the loving affairs of Radha and Krsna.

My only aspiration is to attain the lotus feet of the Six Gosvamis headed by Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami Narottama dasa constantly prays to attain their lotus feet

Gaura Purnima

TUESDAY7THMARCH2023

4:30 Mangala Arati

5:15 Tulasi arati followed by Japa meditation

7:35 Guru Puja

8:00 Deity greeting in Their new outfits!

8:10 Special Bhajan

8:30 Lecture by Mahendra prabhu

11:00 Bhajans

12:30 Noon Arati

16:30 Maha Abhishek of Gauranga Mahaprabhu and Nityananda prabhu

17:45 Performance by Parividha prabhu

18:15 Gift Ceremony

18:40 Offering of 108 preparations

19:00 Gaura Arati

19:30 Prasadam feast

20:15 Kirtan

YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

26 March - 24 April 2023

Yoga Teacher Training Course at Bhaktivedanta College Yoga School can be attended without any special requirements Some experience in practicing yoga is, of course, needed but beginners are also encouraged to register.

www.bhaktivedantayoga.com

KUNDALINI YOGA & SOUND HEALING RETREATS

30 Mar, 14:30 – 01 Apr, 14:30

Experience the best of Kundalini Yoga including morning Sadhana (sacred morning practice) before daylight, transformative meditation and praanayam, mantra chanting, deep relaxation with Singing Bowls and Gongs, and Breathwalks. Explore within and allow your energies to flow and release emotional blockages Balance your stress response through a revitalized glandular system, awaken your senses through Breathwalk and connect on a deeper level with your true essence

Kundalini Yoga retreats can be a launchpad for change, release or other forms of transformation It is recommended to have already experienced some Kundalini Yoga prior to the retreat This can be arranged through online classes

(see www.soulsoundyoga.be website for schedule)

www.radhadeshretreats.com

Meditation beads

Special japa mala made from tulsi wood. Each bead is perfectly cut and holds Sri Radha's name

€49.00

Goloka incense sticks

High quality natural nagchampa incense A traditional Masala incense Handrolled from the finest oils, powders, gums, and resins available.

Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa Incense is a special blend of natural herbs, resins, flowers and oils, hand-rolled to perfection Its rich earthy fragrance will enhance any environment, and it is often used for meditation.

€3.50

Radha Gopinatha statue

This is a magical statue of our Radhadesh King & Queen Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha The statue is digitally printed and is easy to carry with you. The print is made of the newly offered Radhastami outfit from 2020 You can take Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha with you to your office, meditation room, when travelling, or just simply on your own altar. A perfect size to carry around with you, but not too small

€6.90

Guided tours of CHÂTEAU DE PETITE SOMME

*only during the weekends

During the high season (July, August, September), school holidays and public holidays the reception is open every day from 10:00 – 13:00 and from 14:30 – 17:00

During the low season (October to May) we are closed on Mondays

From October till June, we are closed on Mondays Except for school and bank holidays and prebooked groups.

For information and questions about school visits, please write to visitors@radhadesh.com.

Price: 3 – 10 persons: € 45 per person from 11 persons and up: € 40 per person

This program is available only on reservation.

For reservations and more information, please contact Shyam via e-mail: shyam@radhadesh.com

PROGRAM

Guided tour of the castle, duration 1h30; Yoga session, duration 1 hour; Lunch at the restaurant, consisting of the day menu and a drink at our Govinda’s restaurant.

RADHADESH RADHADESH KIDS & YOUTH KIDS & YOUTH

SUMMER CAMP SUMMER CAMP

AGES 6-13 Kids camp

24-31

July 2023

Radhadesh

Petite Somme 5

6940 Septon, Durbuy

Games

Treasure Hunt

Story Telling

Forest sessions

Temple programs

Kirtan

Ratha Yatra

ACTIVITIES : Youth Camp

Crafts

Arts Theatre

Sign up for the kids camp

shorturl.at/oCK01 sign up here:

Ages 14 - 25

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

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

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 receive plenty of nice benefits depending on the support package of your choice!