July 2015

Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder- of the International Society for Consciousness

Srila Prabhupada: Renunciation means to renounce one's dependence on the conditions of material nature and thus be completely dependent on the mercy of the Lord. Real independence means complete Festival of Chariots A huge crowd of devotees with beaming in awe and many joining in with the fun. faith in the mercy of the Lord smiles and boundless enthusiasm, After the procession thousands of well- without dependence on the pulled the giant chariot that carried wishers, tourists and locals congregated conditions of matter. This stage the deities of , Baladev and at Trafalgar Square to take part in the is the highest perfectional stage Subhadra through Central London from festivities. in -, the process Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square at the The Rathayatra festival now takes place of devotional service to the annual Rathayatra Festival on Sunday in twelve towns up and down the country 14th June. Absorbed in chanting and Supreme Lord. during the summer months. Sheffield is fervently dancing the swarm of devotees the latest addition. Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.22, left thousands of on lookers fascinated, purport International Yoga Day with the BBC 21st June saw the world’s first International Yoga day, an initiative led by 's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BBC commemorated this national event by broadcasting a programme named ‘Yoga: Bend it like Britain’, which explored the popularity and origins of yoga. Within the programme featured a morning session in Bhaktivedanta Manor and an interview with Sri Raman das and family. The program explored the correlation between physical (hatha) yoga and bhakti. Hatha yoga teacher Padma Malini dasi was interviewed by the BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty. Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter July 2015

Spiritual Retreat to the island of Iz

In May the College of Vedic Studies teamed up with the Retreats Team to organise a trip to the beautiful Croatian island of Iz. The retreat was a chance for participants to spend some quality time with fellow devotees and recharge their spiritual batteries.

They were lucky to be accompanied by wonderful warm weather and clear skies to accompany the deep blue Adriatic Sea. Many came away saying it was the best retreat they had ever been on.

The College is now planning a Bhagavad-gita residential, and further retreats abroad in 2016. To keep abreast with all the exciting courses and events taking place, please Police Commander for the Borough of visit: krishnacollege.co.uk Harrow, Mr Simon Ovens, was struck by the beauty of Bhaktivedanta Manor. He expressed his wish to visit there after listening to the prayers recited by Srutidharma das in the Harrow Council Chamber.

UK Retreat in the North Sun shines on Brighton Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, ISKCON Manchester organised a North UK ISKCON Brighton is perhaps one of the retreat. The retreat has been running for five years, offering devotees an opportunity fastest growing regular gatherings in for association of like-minded people in the North of England. Smallwood Manor the UK of a non-temple community of Boarding School in Staffordshire provided the exclusive use of their facility for the devotees. Run by Dharani Dhara das and entire trip. Locana das Thakur for several years, it is always hosting new guests, including local people and international students HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE to which Brighton has a big influx. HARE HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE The numbers of attendees are regularly above 30.

Page 2 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter July 2015 A retreat to the countryside, a treat to the inside A picturesque drive through the Brecon Beacons was the start to the enriching retreat organised by the Bhaktivedanta Manor Mentorship Team. The venue, Buckland Hall, offered exclusive occupancy to 120 devotees in a peaceful countryside settings.

Highlights of the event were thought provoking lectures by three esteemed speakers Akhandadhi das, Gaur Gopal das, and Sutapa das. The topics ranged from Kindness and Respect to Attentive Dealings and Attentive Japa. There were overseen by Pranabandu das. If this was not enough, there were devotees who lead hiking teams up the Brecon Beacon hills, team building exercises and a chance to relax and enjoy great talent watching theatre performances.

There was also a discussion on what devotees would like arranged for them. Devotees responded with a request for regular support for devotees in the grihastha ashram and the concept of a Grihashta Ashram Council was born.

Devotees returned home rejuvenated and motivated, knowing how they can transform their lives from materialistic endeavours to spiritual heights.

The Annual EU Household Science Communications Conference The Manor’s Mentorship Team held a thought provoking The annual ISKCON EU Communications Conference took Grihastha Seminar on how Krishna consciousness can best be place in Radhadesh, Belgium for four days. The purpose of practised and nurtured in married life. the conference was to report progress, share good practice and It was the very first session out of a whole series planned over undertake strategic planning. the coming years under a new initiative. These seminars aim to The conference is important to the development of ISKCON as provide guidance to those thinking of getting married as well it allows the devotees involved in communications to support, as for existing couples. There was a panel of senior devotees encourage and provide inspiration to each other in their local, who shared their own personal insights and experiences, national and global responsibilities of driving the collective including Dhananjaya das, Balagopal dasi, Sridama das, Kisori vision forward. dasi & Krsnapurna dasi.

There were many other exciting highlights during the four days. There was an entertaining role play on how couples can bring a Planning began for the 50th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s positive change in their relationship by following the basics of arrival to the West. After progress reports from the respective grihastha life. One of the most thought-provoking statements countries, there was an interfaith visit to a cathedral, church was how both a husband and wife are like the two arms of and mosque which enabled all participants to appreciate and the same body; the arms must stay and work together for the understand each other. overall growth of the body.

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National Yoga Tour Hare Krishna Festival Tour Adi-guru das led a team of devotees 250 people attended an enlivening spiritual evening in the theatre of a prominent to a Yoga exposition, Yoga studio and Nottingham Academy as a conclusion to a series of seven successful festivals over Wellness events in London, Manchester, the last two months Exeter and Birmingham. Each event consisted of and japa mediation The tour, so far including Bath, Reading, Colchester, Wrexham, Chester, workshops. Loughborough and Nottingham, brought together temple and local devotees to welcome a wide diversity of the spiritually inquisitive public. Local groups had Adi-Guru das had gathered mainly second booked a venue and invited the UK Festival team who work with Bhaktivedanta generation ISKCON school graduates, Manor and Food for All. who engaged their talents in clothes design, jewellery, cooking and massage. For more information, contact: [email protected] Hundreds of Srila Prabhupada's books were sold as well as many children's books created by Ananta das.

They are now looking forward to the Om Yoga Show at Alexander Palace this autumn.

Kirtan London on the road April and May were busy months for Kirtan London. In April they hosted their second 6 Hour Kirtan of the year, themed 'Spring Clean'. More than 130 guests arrived to the Swiss Church in Covent Garden. The church was decorated with spring flowers and bright paper lanterns. There were a higher number of first time guests than usual, and all left giving positive feedback about their mantra music experience.

The following weekend Kirtan London hosted a Pop-Up Temple at the London Wellbeing Festival at Kensington Olympia. For four days the beautiful space was open for festival goers to come inside and get involved. Feedback for the space was overwhelmingly positive - even the security guards kept returning to listen in!

The next 6 Hour Kirtan will be Barefoot in the Park in late July, at Hyde Park.

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

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Twenty-five years of absolute commitment : Indriyesha das’ was celebrated for his unparalleled achievement for starting a truly inspirational leader the ISKCON Educational Services with his brother twenty-five years ago. The The 10th Anniversary since the passing programme started with occasional school visit to the Manor as part of the of Bhakti Tirtha Swami was observed Religious Studies curriculum. Indriyesha das built the department into one of in Queen’s School, near Bhaktivedanta the most dynamic and inspirational areas of outreach in the whole of ISKCON. Manor. Bhakti Tirtha Swami was the Today his legacy has expanded to over 8000 primary school children visiting the highest-ranking African American in Manor every year, where they experience tours, bullock-cart rides, workshops, ISKCON and met with figures such as and a sumptuous lunch. Over the years there have been innumerable letters of . He was frequently appreciation from both children and teachers, where they have often stated their interviewed in the media, wrote 17 visit will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Indriyesha das remains part of books and led community development I.E.S’s Strategic Planning Committee. projects around the world, most notably the Gita Nagari farm in North America. First initiation He was also the founder and director of the Institute for Applied Spiritual in the Midlands Technology in Washington and also The first sannyasa initiation in served as chairman of the Third World the Midlands took place in May of Coalition. A most incredible personality Lilasukha das from his spiritual master who is never to be forgotten for his Bhakti Charu Swami. His sannyasa service. name is Bhakti Prabhava Swami. Other senior guests witness to the momentous occasion – Prahladananda Swami, Dhirasanta Swami, Dayananda Swami, Bhakti Prem Swami and Hriday Chaitanya das.

The ceremony took place at ISKCON Leicester, and devotees from around the UK and Europe also received first and second initiations.

Outreach Programs decided that a retreat would be held for weekday guests. In October 2014 Mind Over the course of the last two years the Body Soul Horizon was born. These Krishna Wisdom team have implemented weekly events take place on Wednesday a number of new strategies to attract evenings and recently a parallel group members of the public unfamiliar with has been running on Monday for the Vedic culture or our heritage. more serious members. Spirit of Yoga sessions take place once The idea of Soul Expressions a monthly a month on a Saturday morning and Saturday evening kirtan event has also are aimed particularly for people who started. Last May they hosted a cultural are interested in healthy living, lifestyle evening: Festival of Spirit where over 40 Srutidharma das and Gauri das with advice or spirituality in one form or the newcomers attended. Rev Robert Fletcher in the Church other. of St John the Baptist, Aldenham, in More info at www.krishnawisdom.com. celebration of his 30 years as a priest. After getting positive results it was

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Krishna Culture Showcase The Krishna Culture Showcase was album, very fresh, contemporary sound. Then came Jahnavi’s performance in held at the Camden Centre, London Performers from the Samadhi Dance the second half. The cultural fusion was in late May. The show featured young Company of Amsterdam danced their represented by an impressive array of musicians and kirtan singers, Ananda way through choreographed vignettes musical instruments: the West African Monet and Jahnavi Harrison, and some from The . The Samadhi kora, a 21-string lute; a traditional Italian captivating audio-visuals, dancers - and Dance Company, founded by a former cello played Indian raga-style; acoustic even stunt men! Two albums were being youth from Bhaktivedanta Manor, Vraja and bass guitars; a Bengali clay drum; an premiered on the night, Inevitable Time Sundari, is a contemporary dance troupe exquisite Indian bamboo flute; a small by Ananda, and Like a River to the Sea that now performs throughout Europe. group of singers – and to top it all off an by Jahnavi. Specially commissioned artwork, Odissi dancer. This was the first time the young artists projected with an accompanying The intense work behind the scenes performed before a paying audience narration, contextualised the scenes of was the effort of a dedicated team of and the first time they collaborated to the story. It all came together in one volunteers headed up by das and perform what was a beautiful fusion of fascinating and seamless performance. supported by Jai das, the president Eastern and Western music and theatre. We were even treated to an elaborately of ISKCON London. Ananda, trained in Russian folk singing, choreographed, exuberant battle scene Album available online at: sang her Sanskrit songs to music from her performed by two film stunt men! www.radhakrishnarecords.com

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Nund Vyas SUMMER 2015 Age: 26 Optometrist

How did you find out about Psena? I came into contact with PS through the KCSOC In June a few Pandava Sena youth anyone who is looking to have at City Uni. group members joined a Sankirtan the most exciting and fulfilling tour organised by Sutapa das experience you can get in What did you like about the Psena? and other brahmacharis from Krishna Consciousness! You can the Manor. They travelled all genuinely experience everything I like that like-minded people are working over the UK to distribute Srila there is, from the coolest towards similar goals, which gives it a family feel. Prabhupada's books and perform Harinams with 'Harinama Ruci' Harinama to the public. to the opportunity to distribute Srila Prabhupadas Books with Facts about yourself? They were joined by the the Bhaktivedanta Manor’s very inspirational Harinama Ruci, who I am interested in property development and in own expert group of travelling my spare time I like to play football. travelled the world doing Harinam Sankirtan warriors! On top of this in countries like Japan and you also have the opportunity to Australia up to around 350 days stay at a temple, attend mangal What service do you do? of the year! aarti and partake in many other I am involved in the Psubsidies team where I The devotees travelled to types of important services, help in writing grant applications to get funds for Birmingham, Liverpool, helping to cook prashadam and Pandava Sena. Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, cleaning the temple, to name but Blackpool and Preston in the a few: space of 4 days, performing All in all it is by far the best trip Sankirtan all day. I have ever attended and if you An impressive 1100 small and haven't been before, you'd be medium books were distributed crazy not to attend next year! throughout the 5 day Sankirtana "These books are so potent that tour. anyone who reads them is sure Raaj Raniga’s experience of the to become Krishna Conscious. Sankirtan tour is expressed below: So it is very valuable service to distribute our books." – Srila I was extremely fortunate to be Prabhupada. able to attend the 2015 Sankirtan tour along with two other "More than anything, I want that members of ISKCON Pandava my students should distribute Sena earlier this month. Having literature profusely all over the been on this trip for the last world and this should be our two years running now I would foremost concern how to do it definitely recommend this trip to properly." - Srila Prabhupada. Page 7 Bhaktivedanta Manor Newsletter July 2015

The Lotus Trust Nepal earthquake appeal The Annual Srila Prabhupada Festival & Launch of Everyone will remember when on 25th Life programme. ISKCON's 50th Anniversary April a huge earthquake, followed by With the help of 350 Food for Life another, caused a humanitarian crisis volunteers, the team has been daily The Annual Srila Prabhupada festival took with 279,000 homes damaged and an serving thousands of people in place on 20th June in Queen’s School. estimated 2.8 million people displaced. Kathmandu and seven thousand people Devotees attending had the opportunity More than 8000 people were killed and in Bhaktapur with fresh nutritious meals. to hear from , who many more injured. discussed the series of events leading Srutidharma Das, Temple President of up to Srila Prabhupada's departure. Then Soon after the first earthquake Bhaktivedanta Manor said: “Even sitting there was also an update on the Temple Bhaktivedanta Manor launched a thousands of miles away, we can all do of the Vedic Planetarium project from national charitable appeal to help the something small to help – by supporting Praghosa Das the GBC for UK. victims. the work of The Lotus Trust, we can The Lotus Trust, the welfare arm of ensure that much needed meals and The day also included recounting the Manor has been working with the medical aid can be given to the victims memories, ceremonies and presenting ISKCON temple in Kathmandu and locally. Please make a small contribution offerings. Beautiful bhajans were also Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai to today.” You can donate today to help The sung by Chakrini and a video was shown co-ordinate food relief, medical relief, Lotus Trust to continue its vital work. To alongside an introductory presentation and rebuilding of damaged homes on donate, please visit : by the National Co-ordinator of ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary, Devaki site, through the Hare Krishna’s Food for http://www.thelotustrust.org/nepal dasi.

April Wed 15th Varuthini Ekadasi Mon 27th App of Srimati Devi App of Srimati Jahnava Devi Wed 29th Ekadasi May Sat 2nd App of Lord Nrsimhadev (fast till twilight) Thur 14th Apara Ekadasi Fri 29th Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi (total fast, if any Ekadasi has been broken during the year) June Lion Heart variety of events to glorify the lord Fri 12th Yogini Ekadasi The appearnce day of Lord Nrsimadeva Visvambhar das organised a special treat Sun 14th London was celebrated at the Manor with a for this year’s celebrations. After 8 months of composing the Bhaktivedanta Manor melody and lyrics, his song Lion Heart Dharam Marg · Hilfield Lane Aldenham · Herts was delightfully sung by children of the (for sat-nav only, please use postcode WD25 8DT) Manor School. “The song was inspired by Srila Prabhupada books and is an 01923 851000 www.krishnatemple.com expression of love from young Prahlad Please send your news, photos and comments to: to the Lord” explained Vishvambhar Radha Mohan das [email protected] das,

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