tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47028096460533781612024-03-13T11:35:34.533-07:00Toronto Sankirtan AdventuresThe Blog of the Toronto Sankirtan TeamToronto Sankirtan Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496224250371372174noreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-54519929158678291632013-02-21T14:41:00.001-08:002013-02-21T14:41:34.384-08:00Lord Nityananda's Special Monthly Sankirtan Festival - This Saturday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This coming Saturday is our 2nd MSF (Monthly Sankirtan Festival) for 2013 and it’s a special one! You may ask why? well... because its the<strong>appearance day of the most merciful Lord Nitai</strong>!</div>
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Lord Nityananda who is none other than Lord Balaram. He appeared over 500 years ago to assist Lord Caitanya in flooding the hearts of many materialistic souls with the Love of Krishna! In the spirit of Lord Nityananda, we will reach out to everyone and anyone on the streets of Toronto and share with them this wonderful message of Krishna Consciousness!</div>
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It will be a day of festivities, beginning with mangal aarti and an ecstatic morning program, followed by MSF and a grand evening program. Please come for as long as you can. We look forward to celebrating this most glorious day with you!</div>
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<strong>Schedule:-</strong></div>
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4:30 am - Mangal Aarti followed by complete morning program</div>
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7:30 am - Special Bhagavatam Class by Apurva Prabhu</div>
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9:30 am - Building the mood </div>
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11:00am-2:00 pm - Sankirtan Festival</div>
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2:30 pm - Sharing Nectar Stories with Lunch Prasadam</div>
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6:00 pm onwards - Evening Program details at <u><a href="http://blogspot.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a8b8920d57ae6ee76d0b5824d&id=1cb0abb6f1&e=060549024d" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://iskcontoronto.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.ca/2013/02/celebrate-<wbr></wbr>lord-nityanandas-appearance.<wbr></wbr>html</a></u></div>
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In your service,</div>
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Toronto Sankirtan Organizing Team</div>
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<em>O Lord </em><em>Caitanya</em><em>, kindly offer me shelter at Lord Nityananda's Lotus feet. I am able to sing about the pastimes of Lord </em><em>Caitanya</em> <em>because of my love for Lord Nityananda. Lord Nityananda knows no other designation than being Lord </em><em>Caitanya</em><em>'s servant. Only through serving Lord Nityananda is one eligible to become a devotee of Lord </em><em>Caitanya</em><em>. As by Lord Nityananda's grace one can know Lord </em><em>Caitanya</em><em> in truth, similarly to fully comprehend the truth about devotional service one must receive the blessings of Lord Nityananda. Lord Nityananda is very dear to all the devotees. Everyone can receive from Lord Nityananda entry into the path of devotional service. But if someone disregards Lord Nityananda, Lord </em><em>Caitanya</em><em> condemns him to eternal suffering.</em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; line-height: 28px;"><em>Caitanya Bhagavat</em></span></div>
Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-42740535177298544352013-02-21T07:12:00.001-08:002013-02-21T07:12:56.643-08:00Gearing Up for the Weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This coming Saturday is our 2nd MSF for 2013 and its a special one! You may ask why? well... because its the appearance day of the most merciful Lord Nitai!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More details to follow soon, but here's an article from ISKCON News from 2011 that gives us a glimpse into the un-ending compassion of Nityananda Prabhu</span></div>
<a href="http://news.iskcon.com/node/3434" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nityananda Prabhu: The Embodiment of Compassion</a><br />
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-18563281374604169712013-02-14T16:55:00.000-08:002013-02-14T16:55:10.565-08:00Book Distribution Training Seminar - H.G. Vaisesika Prabhu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As we come closer to the second MSF of 2013, which will be celebrated as Lord Nityananda's Special MSF on February 23rd 2013, here's a crash course for you with the best Book Distribution Tips from none other than H.G. Vaisesika prabhu.<br />
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-29995039402207088922013-02-01T14:35:00.001-08:002013-02-01T14:35:49.240-08:00Sankirtan is Fun And Easy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-59272116800292791162013-02-01T14:34:00.001-08:002013-02-01T14:34:35.000-08:00We Did It!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our apologies for missing in action on our blog for almost a month! No we haven't been hibernating...there's been lots going on! We smashed our target for 2012 on the most celebrated boxing day! We had our 4th Annual Devotee Appreciation Day, our 1st MSF of 2013 and lots of planning for the year ahead! Stay tuned for some updates from the last month. Here's a glimpse in to the magical moment from Prabhupada Marathon 2012, right after we met our target at Yonge and Dundas Square on Dec 26th! <div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="il">It</span> was one of the coldest days of the year so far, but as has been a tradition, devotees headed out at 6:30am to catch the early shoppers and stayed on till about 4:00pm when <span class="il">we</span> met our target. There was constant kirtan for the entire duration <span class="il">we</span> were out and many many devotees came by to participate throughout the day. At the end of the day, <span class="il">we had</span> distributed about 350 books on the street. from the Toronto Sankirtan Adventures Diary </i></span></blockquote>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-51709912262806050582012-12-22T21:06:00.001-08:002012-12-22T21:06:45.146-08:00Celebrate Krishna’s Eternal Song<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">By H.G. Vaisesika Prabhu</strong></div>
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This year, Gita Jayanti, the anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna’s speaking the Bhagavad-Gita to Sri Arjuna, falls on Sunday, December 23rd.</div>
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For those whose lives have been forever improved by meeting Lord Krishna personally in the pages of the Gita, Gita Jayanti is not only a day of celebration but also a chance to express their gratitude. And the best way to do so is to share the Gita with others. Krishna Himself says, “There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.” (Bg. 18.69)</div>
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The Gita teaches the essence of spiritual knowledge, purely and succinctly, in a way that anyone – in any situation of life – can practically apply its instruction and wisdom. And since Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, resides within the heart of every living being, He is always there to help the reader understand the Gita’s profound message.</div>
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Many people in the world are innocent; and when they hear the message of the Gita from a devotee, they at once embrace it and attain perfection.</div>
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Krishna says, “Again there are those who, although not conversant in spiritual knowledge, begin to worship the Supreme Person upon hearing about Him from others. Because of their tendency to hear from authorities, they also transcend the path of birth and death.” (Bg. 13.26)</div>
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More than ever before, people need the common sense and elegance of the Gita. Why? The modern media daily brings us foul rumors, incendiary disputes, and scenes of massacre. And a popular scientist has proclaimed, “The human race is just chemical scum on a moderate sized planet . . .” (Stephen Hawking, interview 1994).</div>
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It seems that the public demands these things—at least some studies suggest that they do. And news anchors across the world have come to count on the fact that people have developed an insatiable appetite for calumny and the gory details of tragic events.</div>
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As people disclose the acrimony and conflict that trouble their hearts in tens of millions of daily blogs, YouTube clips, Facebook postings, and interviews in the 24-hour news cycle, the resultant din is a toxic outpouring of malignant sound that flows into the ears of the innocent masses, leading the world’s population into anxiety, despair, and mental illness.</div>
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The delicate human ear requires Krishna’s soothing voice in the Gita to clarify the heart and fortify the intellect.</div>
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Even five thousand years after Lord Krishna’s departure from this world, “the Bhagavad-gita can be consulted in all critical times, not only for solace from all kinds of mental agonies, but also for the way out of great entanglements which may embarrass one in some critical hour.” (SB 1.15.27, purport)</div>
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Lord Caitanya exalts the Gita to Srila Sanatana Gosvami: “Kåñëa is so merciful that simply by aiming His instructions at Arjuna, He has given protection to the whole world.” (Cc Madhya 22.56)</div>
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The Gita issues from the beautiful lotus mouth of Lord Sri Krishna, our best friend and eternal benefactor. And as that message passes through the pen of Krsna’s empowered representative, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Bhagavad-gita “As It Is” becomes all the more relishable.</div>
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As Gita Jayanti approaches, please read the Gita, remember the Gita, give the Gita.</div>
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Humbly in service,</div>
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Vaisesika Dasa</div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-56587389904357639802012-12-11T11:01:00.002-08:002012-12-11T11:01:16.493-08:00Guess Whose Coming to Town?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The much awaited weekend is here, the icing on the “Marathon Cake” – <b>H</b><b>is Grace </b><b>Vaisesika Prabhu and </b><b>H</b><b>er Grace </b><b>Nirakula Mataji</b><b> </b>arrive on Thursday! An exciting extended weekend has been arranged for your transcendental pleasure and inspiration!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you've been to any of these events before, you surely need no convincing; and if you have not, then you really don’t know what you're missing! Check out the detailed schedule below, and mark off the dates! Make the most of this amazing weekend, come and drown into the ocean of bliss…as much as you can!</span></div>
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<u>Detailed Schedule</u></div>
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<b style="color: #500050;"><span style="color: red;">Special 4-part Srimad Bhagavatam Classes (Fri Dec 14</span></b><b style="color: #500050;"><sup><span style="color: red;">th</span></sup></b><b style="color: #500050;"><span style="color: red;"> to Mon Dec 17</span></b><b style="color: #500050;"><sup><span style="color: red;">th</span></sup></b><b style="color: #500050;"><span style="color: red;">, 7:30 to 9:00 am): </span></b><b>“Books are the Basis - Meeting Krishna Through Srila Prabhupada's Books”</b><u></u><u></u></div>
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<i>“By regular attendance in clas</i><i>ses on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost comp</i><i>letely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.” </i>Srimad Bhagavatam <i>1.2.18</i><u></u><u></u></div>
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Come to inspire and be inspired, learn how to do “Sastra-deity worship”, develop strong personal sadhana through reading and distributing Srila Prabhupada's Books<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #500050;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b style="color: #500050;"><span style="color: red;">Friday Evening Seminar (Dec 14</span></b><b style="color: #500050;"><sup><span style="color: red;">th</span></sup></b><b style="color: #500050;"><span style="color: red;">, 6:30 – 9:00 pm)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #500050;"> on </span><b style="color: #500050;">Top 6 Techniques to Fast Track your Krishna Conscious ‘Career’</b><u></u><u></u></div>
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<i>Where do you see your Krishna Consciousness in 5, 10…25 years? What did that senior devotee do right? How to maintain and grow your KC with increasing responsibilities in life (family/job/health)? </i>Come to find out answers to these questions from the ancient yoga texts!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #500050;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">Saturday Street Sankirtan Festival (Dec 15th, Noon – 4:00pm)</span></b><u></u><u></u></div>
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A rare chance to head out with Vaisesika Prabhu and share this beautiful gift of Krishna Consciousness with people of Toronto! Highlight is the sharing of the nectar stories with everyone over sumptuous lunch prasadam in the temple!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #500050;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">Saturday Bhajan Night (Dec 15th, 7:00 - 9:00 pm)</span></b><span style="color: red;"> - </span><b>Bhajans with Sankirtan Stories led by Vaisesika Prabhu</b><u></u><u></u></div>
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The all-famous Bhajan Night interspersed with Sankirtan Stories. Come...get a glimpse of the spiritual world!<u></u><u></u></div>
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<b style="color: #500050;"><span style="color: red;">Sunday Feast Lecture & Kirtan (Dec 16th, 6:30 – 9:00pm) </span></b><u></u><u></u></div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-62717204775052560262012-11-30T07:44:00.000-08:002012-11-30T07:44:53.508-08:00Another Ecstatic Weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Submitted by:- Minakshi Devi Dasi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We went on another two outings this past weekend during Prabhupada Marathon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This past Friday November 23rd<sup>th</sup> we were at the Woodbine Banquet Hall for the HAONA Event and then on Sunday we were at <u></u><u></u>Vaishno<u></u> <u></u>Devi<u></u><u></u>Temple<u></u> in <u></u><u></u>Oakville<u></u><u></u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Friday event was fairly small with less than 300 people and many people that had already met us at other banquet hall events in the past few <span class="il">weeks</span>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One lady entered the foyer of the banquet hall and immediately came over, very pleased and joyful. She began hugging me and telling me that she is on the board of directors of many community organizations and would love to have us come out to their events as well. She happens to be a doctor with many connections that we can take advantage of to distribute more and more of Srila Prabhupada’s books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A while later another I approached a woman who did listen with interest and looked at the Bhagavad Gita and then the Krishna book – she asked me which one she should take – I explained her that one is what Krishna spoke and one is about Krishna – she said that she has been thinking about the Lord for a few days and was thinking about getting some books but did not know where to go and here we are! She took both books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There was a huge extended family with sister-in-laws, husbands etc. Radhapriya spoke to one, Vicky another, Jessica another and me the other. Each of them was very interested and happily took a selection of Hidden Glory of India, Srimad Bhagavatam Condensed, Illustrated Bhagavatam Stories and more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Over 80 books were distributed at this event.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On Sunday we went to <u></u><u></u>Oakville<u></u><u></u> where we had kirtan and as well as a lecture by Subhavilasa Prabhu. The congregation was very happy. They do not get to hear philosophy on a regular basis so this was refreshing and insightful for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One lady spoke to Ashalata devi dasi for a long time and just could not stop her enthusiasm for the chanting, the lecture, the books, etc. She took a Bhagavad Gita and a small book and exchanged her contact information.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I approached a teenager and showed him the <u></u>Krishna<u></u> book – he really liked it and showed it to his father. His father made him promise that he would read the entire book and then agreed to take it. Another lady decided to take <span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc;">2</span> Bhagavad Gitas as holiday gifts for her 20 and 21 year old sons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A small girl of about 6 saw the kids books and desperately wanted it. The mother was being very reluctant. Finally Mother Ashalata told her that if your daughter wanted to buy a candy from the store you would buy it so why not buy this that the girl really wants and is more valuable. She took 3 kids books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There are so many more stories, so much nectar, but so little space….By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada over 80 books were distributed here as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">For the weekend, over 160 Books were distributed and about $800 collected. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!</span></div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-62071805133030599362012-11-23T07:57:00.002-08:002012-11-23T07:58:34.546-08:00Non-Stop Sankirtan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This past Sunday November 18<sup>th</sup> we had the opportunity to do two events in one day – the daytime was Vishnu Mandir in Richmond Hill and the evening was a Diwali Event at Versailles Banquet Hall. So the Sankirtan day began at about 9 am and continued until about 12 midnight! The sankirtan warriors for this day were myself, my daughter Radhapriya, Mayur Prabhu, Vicky Prabhu and Jessica Mataji.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Our first stop was at the Vishnu Mandir where they were holding their regular Sunday program plus their Diwali Celebration. We were able to setup a table in their lobby and even as we were unpacking the boxes, people were coming by with interest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One girl looked at the Krishna Book and Bhagavad Gita and after being explained about both books wanted them. Her mother was a little reluctant – will you really read them and so on – the girl was adamant and the mother purchased both books much to the delight of the girl who held on to them tightly. There were actually a few kids who loved the Krishna Book and thus had the parent take them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Adjacent to our table was another table where a young white lady was promoting a not for profit endeavor. She looked bored so I went to her and spoke about spiritual yoga and showed her 3 of our smaller books including Spiritual Yoga, Consciousness - The Missing Link and Topmost Yoga System. I told her to just look them over as she sits at her table.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A little while later I followed up with her and she was very excited – she said her husband grew up a Christian but as a teenager gave it up because he was not getting answers and both of them have taken a step back – these books look like exactly what they have been searching for. She ended up taking 5 books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We finished at Vishnu Mandir having distributed 120 books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On we went to the Banquet Hall with a short stopover at Vicky Prabhu’s house for some rest and rejuvenation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here our book distribution started very slowly but we did not give up. Eventually, by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada things picked up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One lady that took a Bhagavad Gita happened to be a Crown Prosecutor that is involved in murder trials – she said “I need something spiritual to help me.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A professor from Nairobi that we met at an event a few weeks ago happened to be at this event and was excited to see us again. Another fellow who saw us at another event invited us to come out to an event this Friday that is hosted by an organization that he is the Chairman of. When I took his name and number and gave him my name – he said I already know you – I know you and your family from the temple since you were a little girl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We distributed books to all bodies – white, brown and black, to government officials and to Sikhs – many took Bhagavad Gitas. We distributed a total of 100 books at the Banquet Hall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although it was a long day, we were having such a Sankirtan rush and experiencing much nectar!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Final results for Sunday’s efforts – over 220 Books and over $1100 Laxmi Collected. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!</span><br />
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-46606148968815816502012-11-19T13:19:00.002-08:002012-11-19T13:19:39.294-08:00Glorious Gerrard Street Sankirtan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Submitted by:- Minakshi dd</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Our weekend of Ecstatic Book Distribution continued on Sunday November 11<sup>th</sup> where we did Sankirtan on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Gerrard Street</st1:address></st1:street>.<span> </span>By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, we were able to get permission to setup a table in front of one of the clothing retailers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As we were setting up we noticed a puja store adjacent to the clothing store and predicted trouble!<span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">About 20 minutes later the owner of the puja store came out and was asking “who gave you permission, you can’t be here” and proceeded to admonish the clothing store owner about it.<span> </span>With <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place>’s mercy the clothing store owner said - yes, what is wrong? – he did indeed give permission – they are the Hare Krishnas – leave them alone.<span> </span>So our angry puja store owner just stomped away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Later on in the evening, Subhavilasa Prabhu came by and decided to go into the puja store and speak to the man – it turned out that Subhavilasa Prabhu knows this man’s brother for years.<span> </span>The brother assisted the temple back in the 70’s. Subhavilasa Prabhu was able to not only soften the owner up but he ended up taking 9 books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There were many stories from this event and I will relate a few quickly:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Jessica Mataji was speaking to a family and they purchase a couple of books and took a temple card.<span> </span>They ended up coming to the temple that very same evening, spoke to Indresh Prabhu and took sweet boxes and more books – so instant reaction!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I approached a young couple and said Happy Diwali and showed them the Bhagavad Gita. They said that just two minutes ago as they were walking down the street they were thinking of getting something spiritual – they each took a Bhagavad Gita – just see how <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place> knows people’s hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ashalata Devi Dasi came by later in the evening and immediately began pumping out Krishna Books and Bhagavad Gitas both Hindi and English – one man, an Ismaili, listened to her about the Krishna book and said this looks interesting – I WILL read it and quickly took out his wallet to pay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Final results for Sunday’s efforts – 150 Books, $502 Laxmi Collected, countless nectar, and many thanks to all who helped – Jaya Srila Prabhupada!</span></div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-523919206978321692012-11-14T08:53:00.000-08:002012-11-14T08:57:30.521-08:00Ecstatic Weekend of Book Distribution – Diwali Event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Submitted by Minakshi dd<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This weekend we had the opportunity to do Sankirtan not only on Saturday but also on Sunday. So two days of Sankirtan in the service of Srila Prabhupada!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is a recap of Saturday’s event:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We went to a Banquet Hall in <u></u><u></u><u></u>Mississauga<u></u><u></u> where they were holding a Diwali Celebration. We were able to secure a table in the lobby and immediately put up a huge poster of Srila Prabupada along with a variety of books.</span><u></u><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Beside us was a vendor selling saris – the name of her store happened to be “Maya” so we were joking among ourselves – “Do you want <u></u>Krishna<u></u> or Maya?” Of course we saw that people (especially the women) were all hovering around the sari table – Maya!</span><u></u><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><u></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Not only that, inside the hall, the music was blaring, the lights were pulsing, people were drinking and eating meat.</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><u></u></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">But the Sankirtan devotees – Vicky Prabhu, Mayur Prabhu, Jessica Mataji, myself and my daughter Radhapriya stayed in the lobby and kept preaching and distributing books. Our thoughts were on how Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda dealt with Jagai and Madhai. We are insignificant compared to this example.</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><u></u></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Final results for Saturday’s efforts – 116 Books including several Bhagavad Gitas and Krishna Books and $534 Laxmi Collected – Jaya Srila Prabhupada!</span></div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-36856635931017962812012-10-30T08:43:00.000-07:002012-10-30T08:43:05.197-07:00Transcendental Fireworks - Diwali Sankirtan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Submitted by Minakshi dd</div>
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We had the opportunity to do sankirtan at a Banquet Hall where there was a Diwali Event.<br /><br />We got there at 5:30pm and met with resistance by one of the management as soon as we walked in. However, we perservered and were able to get our table and get things setup. Everyone was cooperative except for this one fellow we will call 'Angry Man' who had many objections - only 1 table, only in this corner, No picture of Srila Prabhupada, No picture of Radha Gopinatha, no distributing beyond your table and so on!<br /><br />Anyhow, with the help of Mayur Prabhu, Vicky Prabhu, Jessica Mataji, Radhapriya and myself we kept approaching everyone and trying our best. <br /><br />I will relate a wonderful story. We were approaching many people and Mayur began speaking with one girl probably around 16 or 17 years old. She really loved the Bhagavad Gita and wanted it badly, but did not have any money; she asked her mother and brother and both did not have (or want to give). Suddenly it was realized that this girl is the daughter of this man who was objecting and indeed getting very angry at us. So Mayur really wanted to get this Bhagavad Gita to this girl and told her just take it and have it. She took the book. Later in the lobby as we were packing up I went over to our 'Angry Man' to soften him and 'thank' him. His daughter was right next to him and across from me. She opened the Gita and asked me "Is this Hindi?" I told her no this is Sanskrit and then here is the phonetic English - the first word of the verse happened to be 'evam' and that this is the word by word translation such as evam=thus. Suddenly our 'Angry Man' looked over and saw the Bhagavad Gita in his daughter's hands - the shock on his face was priceless. So I told him that she really wanted the book, fell in love with it but did not have money so we gave it to her as a gift. He got a little embarrased and asked how much is it - we said, no it is a gift - but he pulled out a $10 bill and handed it to us! Thus despite all his offensive efforts to block Srila Prabhupada's Sankirtan Movement, a Bhagavad Gita ended up in his household!</div>
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Another quick incident - I was speaking with an older gentleman and showing him the books by Srila Prabhupada. It turns out that he was a professor in Nairobi and had read the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. He said he has ready many many books by others and the power of ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada's books bacause of their purity and authencity. We couldn't agree more!<br /><br />We left the Banquet Hall at 1:30 am and then proceeded to Vicky Prabhu's home where his mother kindly had wonderful prasadam prepared for us. <br /><br />Totals for this event: 115 Books including lots of Big Books and $900 Collected.</div>
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<br />Thank you to all the devotees that helped in the service of Srila Prabhupada!</div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-23314246420987670802012-10-18T08:06:00.001-07:002012-10-18T08:06:45.847-07:00This is My Request<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://eepurl.com/qbJrX">The Canadian Sankirtan Newsletter</a><br />
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Click on the link above to view the 1st Issue of the Canadian Sankirtan Newsletter, which was released at the recent Canadian Leaders Meeting in Brighton.<br />
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-19336981461148057332012-10-18T07:56:00.000-07:002012-10-18T07:56:14.033-07:00Sankirtan At Garba - Leaving No Stone Un-turned<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Submitted by:- Minakshi devi dasi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On Saturday October 13<sup>th</sup> we had the opportunity to do book distribution at the Ontario Soccer Centre where there was a Garba Event. Imagine on the one hand loud pulsing live music with hundreds of people dancing with dandiya sticks and on the other hand Srila Prabhupada’s books trying to deliver these souls. The sankirtan warriors included Mayur Prabhu, Vijay Patel Prabhu, Radhapriya and myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A quick incident: I had approached a couple of older men and started speaking to them and showing them the Krishna Book in Gujarati; they came closer to the table and we continued to speak. In the meantime, another man came closer and said there is no need for these books – ‘everything is in your mind – you control your happiness’. Despite this, I showed them a paragraph about suffering and happiness and they ignored the interrupting man and purchased 2 Krishna Books and 1 small Gujarati book!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A lot of people said ‘we already have these books’ or ‘we already know about <u></u><u></u>Krishna<u></u>’. Others had been drinking and we could clearly smell it on them. Anyhow we all persevered and by the end of the night we distributed over 60 books including many Krishna Books and Kid’s books and collected over $400. Thank you to all the devotees who helped in this service! Jaya Srila Prabhupada!</span></div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-65202136971272254302012-09-18T15:03:00.002-07:002012-09-18T15:03:46.686-07:00Orillia Beatles Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: AGaramondLT;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">This was our 3rd year participating in the <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Orillia</span> Beatles Festival. <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Orillia</span>, which is a small city about 1.5 hours away from Toronto hosts this annual festival in the memory of the Beatles - and the Hare Krishna's are an integral part of it. The city management and the festival organizers are very favorable and encourage us to participate every year. They've also provided us with on-stage slots for Kirtan, which have been led by Toronto's very own, Gaura Sakti group. This year, the festival experienced lower than usual attendance (perhaps cut down by the festival entrance fee)! Still, the low numbers did not deter the sankirtan warriors as they used the opportunity to hit the streets of <span class="il" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222;">Orillia</span> for kirtan and book distribution. A total of about 150 books were distributed. </span></span><span style="font-family: AGaramondLT; font-size: 16px;">This was also the first out of town sankirtan festival where we explored prasadam distribution (Govinda's booth). We setup a booth next to our book tent, and served prasad in various combo meals. Although the sales were not spectacular given the number of festival goers - we made a great foot-in for combining prasadam "sales" with outdoor sankirtan festivals! We hope to bring more of those to action next summer.</span></span></div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-79383847246031337102012-09-14T07:09:00.003-07:002012-09-14T07:09:46.052-07:00Sankirtan Nectar from Toronto<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One of the most enthusiastic sankirtan devotees in Toronto, Bhakta Mayur, goes almost every day on sankirtan - whether there is a big festival with a team of 20 devotees, or by himself, his determination to share Srila Prabhupada's books is unshakeable.<br />
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Here is an excerpt from a compilation of some amazing sankirtan nectar, which was recently shared on the international book distribution portal.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #48423f; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px;">We also met one boy who was I think about twenty years of age, and Jessica started a conversation near Rosedale garden. The guy said “I tried yoga but it is really hard to get it, and kinda’ boring”, and Jessica handed him a book and said “It’s OK you can just read the rear cover of this book”. Srila Prabhupada writes about the perfection of yoga, how we are not this body and that we are pure servants of Lord Krishna, and how what we really must do is realize this by chanting Hare Krishna. So then she said “let’s chant”, and the young boy and his girlfriend joined us in chanting the Mahamantra. Jessica showed him her beads and she explained what is Krishna consciousness, what the effect of the Mahamantra is in in our daily lives. Really amazing.</span></div>
Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-89744552810552452002012-09-14T07:03:00.001-07:002012-09-14T07:03:56.806-07:00A Little Goes a Long Way at Toronto Carribean Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As many of you, recently we participated in Carribean FEstival here in Toronto! Here is an article by ISKCON News on the event!<div>
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<a href="http://news.iskcon.com/node/4607/2012-08-31/a_little_goes_a_long_way_at_toronto_carribean_carnival">Toronto Caribana</a></div>
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Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-60200119710815369812012-08-03T11:14:00.000-07:002012-08-03T11:14:05.324-07:00Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Submitted by:- Mahabhagavat Das</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Our second outing to the Multicultural Festival (June 23-24), located in the beautiful Victoria Park, Kitchener-Waterloo was another tremendous team effort, with more than 40 joyful Sankirtan enthusiasts working together. The organizers gave us a much better location than last year and we had enough space to conduct over 14 hours of nonstop Harinam from our "Hare Krishna Hill", one-on-one guided Mantra meditation sessions, beautiful conversations, and much more. Over 1,500 persons received Krishna Prasadam, more than 20 individuals chanted their first round of Hare Krishna Mahamantra, at least 250 people chanted the Hare Krishna Mahamantra for the very first time, and more than 330 books were taken home in return for generous donations. Above all, we made many new friends, renewed connections with some of our old friends, and it was a great opportunity by the grace of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada and the spiritual masters to extend ourselves in the service of Krishna.</span></div>Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-34000439350631328492012-06-28T07:21:00.003-07:002012-06-28T07:21:47.071-07:00Purity is the Force<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By Minakshi Devi Dasi</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday June 24th, a couple of temples in the Etobicoke/Brampton area conducted a small Rathayatra. We had the opportunity to put up a book display outside under a small tent. Even as we were setting up, people were getting attracted to Srila Prabhupada's books. There was some rain, but people were 'hungry' and interested and within only 20 minutes 40 books were already distributed. One individual was looking at the titles and listening and suddenly noticed that all the titles were by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada - he was simply amazed! The power of ISKCON is Srila Prabhupada's books and pure philosophy, something that is usually missing when people go to 'other' temples.</span></div>
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</div>Toronto Sankirtan Teamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496224250371372174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-91863874783135571662012-06-22T03:44:00.002-07:002012-06-22T03:44:54.815-07:00Astaprahar Sankirtan at Tagore Centre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;"><b>Submitted by Minakshi Devi Dasi</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">On June 16th, we went to the Astaprahar being held at the Tagore Centre in Etobicoke. It was an extremely hot day and we were already perspiring as we setup the table. We noticed that the place was practically empty. In fact during the course of the whole day, there were only about 30 to 40 people in the building. However, this gave us an opportunity to approach everyone that passed. One lady decided to buy some children's books for her young daughter but would not buy the Bhagavad Gita saying that she is all about her daughter now and when she gets old maybe she will have time. This was quite funny to hear because as Srila Prabhupada and indeed Prahlad Maharaj has taught us - the time is now - we don't know how much more time we will have on this planet. In the end 73 books were distributed. Thank you to all the devotees involved in this service to Srila Prabhupada.</span></div>Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-45633992041977954122012-06-21T07:23:00.002-07:002012-06-21T07:23:24.909-07:00Lord Caitanya's Troops at Yoga Palooza<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Submitted by:- Keeshori<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha, this weekend was packed with Sankirtan. This Saturday we went to a Yoga festival in a West end park to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books at Yoga palooza festival. Anshul, Anjan and Indresh prabhus along with myself set up the tables and the tent.<br /><span></span><br />I greeted a black bodied gentleman and asked him to look at the books we got. Keeping the theme of the festival in mind, I offered him 'The Perfection of Yoga ' book and explained to him what it means to be a perfect Yogi and how to practice Bhakti Yoga. I think it made him curious to inquire more. He flipped few pages and wanted to know who is God and how we relate ourselves to God. Without being very preachy, I simply offered him the Bhagvad Gita, showed him a few verses and told him this can answer all his questions.<br />He read the contents page and introduction to the chapters . He seemed interested even more and looked at the nicely displayed vegetarian cook books. He asked why we were promoting vegetarianism.<br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I said without going into scientific and environmental details, just think why some animals like cows and rabbits are vegetarian and a tiger doesn't even think twice before killing and eating it's prey. Because they simply follow their instinct. Humans don't like to kill , see blood and eat animals like a tiger does. They are not naturally carnivorous. They cheat their own instinct to eat meat, so we are promoting what comes naturally to human beings. He seemed satisfied with the answer and shared an incident where his friend was freaked at the sight of blood in his plate at a restaurant. I showed him the Higher Taste and told him that first half of the book will explain why we should be vegetarian and second half will give him recipes of vegetarian dishes.<br />He wanted the books but did not have enough cash. That is where the sankirtan innovation of the mobile credit card machine came in handy. He bought all three books and paid very generously.<br /><span></span><span></span><br />Anshul and Anjan Prabhus did an amazing job distributing books as well and with krishna's mercy we distributed 46 books and had an amazing experience of sharing Srila Prabhupada's books!<br /><span></span><br />Jaya Gaura Nitai!<br />All glories to Srila Prabhupada! </span></div>
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</div>Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-12777716762389385522012-06-19T13:23:00.001-07:002012-06-19T13:23:11.701-07:00Italian Food Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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With Italy qualifying for Euro Cup, the Italian Food Festival, at little Italy, was packed with people and 8 young devotees went out loaded with books, prasad and kirtan to spread some of Lord Chaitanya's love to the pizza-makers!</div>
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Devotees had a great time distributing over 23 books (including a few italian ones!), lots dum dums and singing kirtan Italiano style. </div>
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The event was a success and showed huge promise for large scale sankirtan in the coming years. </div>
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Looking to have a few italian phrases mastered for next year's festival!</div>
</div>Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-2569766878884507622012-06-14T09:11:00.000-07:002012-06-14T09:11:30.376-07:00Transcendental Sales At Guelph Multi-cultural Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Submitted by Mahabhagavat Das</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">A team of over forty enthusiastic volunteers joined together in a well-coordinated effort to take this sublime spiritual knowledge of Krishna consciousness and blissful process of Bhakti Yoga to Guelph on the weekend of 9-10 June 2012. The event was the Guelph Multicultural festival, where we went for the second year in a row. We met old friends from last year, we made new connections, and distributed 171 transcendental literatures, hundreds of pieces of Prasadam and many chanted, danced, and clapped enthusiastically. We had several wonderful conversations centered around Krishna. We are grateful to all who contributed so freely of their time, attention, energy, and personal resources to make this event such a smashing success!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span><br />
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Sharing a letter sent out by H.G. Vaisesika Prabhu through the<a href="http://www.7thGoswami.com/"> 7th Goswami Network</a>:- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s go for 20% more book distribution in 2012!</span></span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Goals are Potent </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The moment one sets a goal and commits to it in writing, one’s mind begins to figure out how to achieve it. And when devotees set transcendental goals, like increasing book distribution by 20%, the Lord who lives in their hearts gives them all help and guidance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Try it and see for yourself!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Acting on this principle in January of this year, all the leaders present at the North American temple president’s meeting set the following goal for this year:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All temple leaders in North America work together as one team to increase book distribution by 20% in 2012.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2011, N/A devotees remitted $903,613 to the BBT and distributed 714,334 books. Therefore, for 2012, the goals are as follows:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Laxmi: $1,084,336</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Books: 857,000</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Expenses at the NA BBT are fixed. Therefore, when we increase our Laxmi remittance to the BBT, the BBT is able to print more books, and a wider variety of titles at cheaper prices.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Not only did Srila Prabhupada create the BBT to distribute transcendental books, he also set it up as the instrument for developing ISKCON projects. Therefore, he mandated that half of the profit from BBT go for printing and the other half for funding international ISKCON projects such as new temple construction, the Bhaktivedanta Institute, and so on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now Get the 20%! is fast becoming a worldwide movement. Devotees in India, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, after hearing about Get the 20%! are joining in too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In fact, everyone is invited. No matter where you live, please set a goal to increase book distribution by 20% and to join the effort to increase book distribution. Doing this will bring great happiness to our Founder-Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and will bring relief to people everywhere who are suffering the ill effects of Kali Yuga.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Join the Sankirtana party!</i></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Let’s go for 20% more book distribution in 2012!</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Your servant,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Vaisesika Dasa</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">(N/A Sankirtana Strategist)</span></span></div>
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“<span style="font-family: Balaram, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This is our most important work. All the leaders should tax their brains for increasing the sales of our books. I have always said that if we simply rely on book distribution all our needs will be met.” (SPL to Rupanuga, 11th January 1976</i></span></span></div>
</span></div>Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702809646053378161.post-44981353431006466322012-06-12T15:06:00.000-07:002012-06-12T15:06:47.629-07:00Tamil Carnival Sankirtan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">By Radhapriya (12 years)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On June 2 and 3<sup>rd</sup>, there was a Tamil Carnival in Markham. The organizers were expecting thousands of people, but the weather did not cooperate – it rained and so there were no crowds and very few people. But we had a beautiful table filled with Srila Prabhupada’s books in both Tamil and English. At first I was very shy but my mother (Minakshi devi dasi) kept approaching every person that passed and was encouraging people to look at the books and preaching. Finally I got the courage to do so as well. I spoke to kids and adults and people actually stopped and listened! Some just passed and said no, but I was still hopeful and kept trying. I distributed Tamil Bhagavad Gitas and Krishna books as well as some kids books. I was so happy everytime someone took a book that I was not even so tired after standing all day. In the end a total of 200 books were distributed at the Tamil Carnival with the mercy of Srila Prabhupada</span></div>
</div>Shyama-Mohinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11013419245080829235noreply@blogger.com0