Spiritual Reflections of a Recovering Atheist – Mahabhagavat Das SDA
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Genuine Freedom, Harmony, Peace, and Love are only possible through spiritual progress.
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Update: The Bhagavad Gita contains timeless wisdom that helps us all to progress and connect spiritually. Live Online Bhagavad Gita Classes now every other week!Contact us to join or access recordings!
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Bhagavad Gita Class timings
Recent Posts
14 May 2024 What is the real problem of life, and how to stop it? Srimad Bhagavatam Class with Bhakti Sanga Japa Group SB 7.7.37-Prahlada is a great saint. He learned everything he knew while he was still in the womb of his mother Kayadhu, from Narada Muni, the great spiritual master. And his devotion manifested when he was a small child... so much so that Prahlada is known as one of the great Mahajanas, the great pure teachers of the Science of God.
In this SB 7.7.37, Prahlada instructs that the real problem of life is birth and death. Do you want to know how to stop this continuously whirling wheel of birth and death?
Attend this class to find out, watch the recording, or if you are pressed for time, just read this article!
What do we call persons who don’t recognize their own suffering?-What do we call someone who does not recognize that they are suffering? What do you call someone who does not recognize the root cause of their suffering? What do you call someone who refuses to accept the cause of their suffering? We call them innocent, just like children, just like animals. And then we see them as spirit souls, and we try to serve them on their spiritual journey. Hare Krishna!
Next Class: Why does someone act against their own self interest? Srimad Bhagavatam Class ISKCON Toronto Sunday 5 May 2024-The ISKCON Toronto Srimad Bhagavatam Class on 05 May 2024 at 7:30 AM (Eastern Time) will address the guidance of Lord Rishabhadeva on understanding our actions, the motivation behind them, and their consequences. The class will be recorded and shared. Join in person or online to explore how to avoid long-term pain for short-term gain, and how to find lasting happiness devoid of undesirable reactions.
Next Class: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Summary – Part 2 May 3/4 2024-
In this exciting journey through Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, we delve into the essence of spiritual wisdom. Krishna compassionately guides Arjuna as he unveils profound truths about spirit, duty, devotion, and enlightenment. This immersive course offers a transformative experience, with online classes and accessible recordings. Join us for an enlightening exploration!
Next Class: Appearance of Sri Radha Kunda, ISKCON Stouffville, 28 Apr 2024-Sri Radha Kunda and Sri Shyam Kunda are sacred places of pilgrimage at Sri Govardhan, near Vrindavan. This class discusses the appearance pastime, and how to approach such a sacred site as this. There will also be a discussion as to what is stopping us from appreciating such spiritually elevated pastimes and topics, and what we can do to improve our spiritual standing.
Moonlight wakeup call-I strive to follow the spiritual practices such as rising early for meditation, but sometimes, being encased in dull matter, even though I am a spirit soul, I stumble. But by divine serendipity this morning, I got a loving moonlit wake-up call!
Next Class: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2 Summary – Part 1-Hello, Hare Krishna! In the first 7 classes, we covered the Introduction to Bhagavad Gita, exploring Jiva, Prakriti, Karma, Kala, and Bhagavan. Moving on to individual chapter summaries, we will soon delve into Chapter 2. The course relies on the Bhagavad Gita As It Is with translations and purports by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. If interested, the next class is on Friday April 19 and Saturday April 20. Thank you for your engagement.
Anxious from physical pain or health issue? Leverage it!-When facing physical pain, it's natural to feel anxious. This anxiety can be debilitating if not channeled properly. However, this can be channeled to deepen Krishna Consciousness. Just like a cricket batsman flicks away a fast ball from an aggressive bowler to score many runs, embracing verses like 10.14.8 from Srimad Bhagavatam within the heart and leveraging hardships to increase devotion can lead to liberation. Just as a legitimate son inherits from his father, a sincere devotee will gain the mercy of the Lord and attain the kingdom of God.
Next Class: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 Summary-The introductory classes on Bhagavad Gita covered topics such as Jiva, Prakriti, Karma, Kala, and Bhagavan. Moving forward, individual chapter summaries will be explored. The course relies on the Bhagavad Gita As It Is with translations and purports by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The next class is scheduled for April 5/6. Those interested, contact for enrollment.
Satan as Competitor to God, what an absurdity!-On Easter Friday, reflecting on Jesus' sacrifice, compassion, and forgiveness fills us with hope. While beliefs about Satan vary, turning inward reveals our own role in turning away from God - the cause of all problems. Instead of blaming external forces, let's embrace personal responsibility and reconnect with God's boundless love and grace. No one else can thwart our journey to knowledge and bliss. Hare Krishna!
What is “reflective” chanting?-What are the stages in chanting the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra? Especially, what is reflecting chanting? What are the benefits experienced by someone at the various levels of chanting?
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?-An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? Where does that leave us all? And if we don't want to get involved, what can we do instead?
A great saint – bull in his last lifetime-Once upon a time there was a bull. Then there was a warrior. And then there was a great saint. The bull became the warrior who became the saint when reminded of his legacy... how come? How does a bull become a saint?
Bound up, Fashionably-Do you strive to look good? Body building? Sculpting? Plastic Surgery? Fashion? Chic? Couture? Do you know that you may be bound up, trapped, shackled, your freedom of choice stripped from you? Do you know you could be trapped?
Is your wealth safe?-Not long ago, Silicon Valley Bank collapsed. With over $209B in assets, it still collapsed. Where is your wealth? What is your wealth really? Who or what can protect your wealth?
Taj Bibi – Mughal Queen, Pure Devotee of Krishna-Taj Bibi was a Mughal queen. A wife of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar himself. But she is also a great Vaishnava saint. Her devotional songs are sung to this day. Her tomb is in Vrindavan. How did she make the journey from a mere Mughal Queen to an exalted pure devotee of Krishna?
Why Krishna Takes Birth-Why does Krishna take birth in this horrible material world? How does contact with Krishna help a soul? And what if we cannot associate with Krishna personally?
Why does Maya try so hard to take us away from Krsna?-Maya, the illusory energy, is also an energy of God. So then, why does Maya test us so hard? Why does the illusory energy try so hard take us away from God, even if we are trying to get closer to God? This doesn't seem to make sense! Please explain!
The 26 Qualities of a Devotee of Krishna-The devotee of Krishna, or Lord Ramachandra, or any other expansion of Krishna, referred to as "Vaishnava" manifests 26 wonderful qualities. What are they?
The Stone Deity who bore witness – Saakshi Gopal-Deities are made of stone, wood, marble, metal etc. But authorized deities are anything but material! Want to read about a deity who walked a thousand plus miles to bear witness for His devotee? Read about the renowned Sri Saakshi Gopal!
Efforts bring Results, right?-So, if I work very hard, results are sure, right? Wrong, so many people work so very hard, but get no results... on the contrary their results are the opposite of what they were hoping to achieve! So what determines success? Should we just stop working altogether? How to understand all this?
Feasting on the Holy Name-Many spiritualists fast. Especially Vaishnavas on Ekadasi day... but Ekadasi is meant for feasting. So how is it that someone can be simultaneously fasting and feasting at the same time?
Of Devotion & Devotional Service-What is the difference between devotion and devotional service? Is it possible to perform devotional service without devotion? Is it possible to have devotion without performing devotional service?
God has no shortage of sons (and daughters)-Some people say that God has only one son. But God is unlimited. So why can't God have more than one son? And why not daughters? Are we misunderstanding something here?
Vrindavan Feeling in Toronto-Sometimes, you're so near to a spiritually perfect person or in a sacred place of pilgrimage, but your consciousness is far from spiritual, and sometimes you could be far from a spiritual preceptor or a place of pilgrimage, but feel blessed with spiritual grace... w Howhy is that? How can we be in perfect spiritual consciousness always? How can we experience Krishna at every moment?
A gift of warm socks, from one beggar to another-Once, on the street, an old lady gifted me with warm socks. I am not a beggar, and but yet a beggar. Why was I begging? I don't need anything from anyone. Or do I?
What is the difference between a Brahmavadi and Mayavadi?-What is the difference between a Brahmavaadi and a Mayavadi? Is one better than the other? Should we interact with one but leave the other alone? How to know which is which?
Killer Earthquakes – why do they happen?-Why do earthquakes occur? Yes, the scientists explain about sesimic faults, tectonic shifts, and so on, but why an earthquake at a particular place at a particular time that affects only a particular set of people? Have we forgotten the most fundamental law of nature?
Always Be Prepared – to Die-Everyone will face death, it's just a question of death, whether it comes in the next 80 seconds, or not for another 80 years. Our attitude to death brings all sorts of choices... and we all know that the decisions we make today constrain our choices tomorrow. So how to live with a perfect balance between the long-term view and the short-term view?
(dis) United Nations-In 1945 when the United Nations was setup, there were 74 countries. Now there are 194. Since 1945, more than 285 wars have been fought. So clearly the nations are disunited! Did you know why we can never achieve unity through negotiations and resolutions?
2020.21-30 Sankirtan Adventures – Old City Hall, Online Sankirtan, and Chinese Old Age Home-December is celebrated as marathon month all over the world, where the followers of Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada go out to distribute spiritual literature profusely... this is from 2020. But I'm out again in 2022, and it feels like it all happened yesterday. Please help us by going out, or supporting those who are out, in harsh weather, to benefit the world by adding more spirituality to the collective consciousness of the world. Thank you!
The weapon guaranteed to backfire-If you had a weapon that was guranteed to backfire each time you use it, would you ever employ it? But we routinely do! What is this weapon that is guaranteed to hurt the owner?
Celebrate Humility, not Pride-Pride is celebrated these days. Be proud of this or that, we are told. But what is the price of pride? And why is humility better? How to be humble? What is the big deal about humility? Why not celebrate humility for a change?
No reason for hopelessness, despair, and negativity-Sometimes there is hopelessness, despair, negativity in our life. Sometimes we don't understand what's going on and why. But spiritual life is a scientific process. A scientific process produces a repeatable results each time. So, always remember Krishna (GOD) and never forget Krishna (GOD). But how practically?
Ascending vs. Descending Process of knowledge-What is knowledge? What is ignorance? How do we acquire knowledge? Which method actually works? Finding out things the ascending way, or hearing from an authority? How to acquire perfect knowledge beyond all doubt?
The Ultimate Synthesis of Advaita & Dvaita – achintya bheda abheda-There are a lot of different philosophies in the world. Some are just absurd, but some are partial truths. Instead of fighting over philosophies, one should try to understand the ultimate synthesis of philosophies - if you haven't heard of it before, it's called "Simultaneous Inconcievable Oneness and Difference" - the philosophy of Lord Chaitanya.
How George Harrison found complete satisfaction-Why can we not find satisfaction? A poor person, middle class person, and rich person all are dissatisfied. Even the richest person sometimes wants a carefree life of the poor... how to get satisfaction in life?
Democracy means a society ruled by Hogs, Dogs, Camels, and Asses-Democracy is much praised, but what does it really produce? A government where the leaders are no better than hogs, dogs, animals and asses, just like the people who elect them. Don't believe me? Read on!
What is the final destination of the Yogi who sees the Supersoul?-If the goal of the Yogi is to see the Supersoul, then how can they end up at the Impersonal Effulgence instead? Is it possible to attain perfection with devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
Slaughtered in moments on the 401-Death can come at any moment. We experience death regularly, whether of a fish that just got caught, or a person who died in a car accident, or someone who had a heart attack. Animals, birds, fish and insects can't do anything about their death. But as humans, how can we prepare for death? How can we transcend it altogether?
If Krishna is self satisfied, then how can Radharani satisfy Krishna?-Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is self-satisfied. So how can Srimati Radharani's touch satisfy Krishna? How can any devotee's service satisfy someone who is already self-satisfied? Why words like "lust" used in connection with Krishna?
The Profession of Confession and Atonement-In many religious traditions, there is the concept of confessing and atoning for sins. But why do people keep sinning and keep confessing, keep atoning? What is the use of such confession and atonement? What can be done to completely get out of this nasty habit of committing sinful activities?
A bridge to the Moon-With all this talk of going to Mars and the Moon, did you ever pause to think that this has been tried before? There is a way to go to other planets but is this it? But anyways, why go here and there when it is all necessarily temporary?
Krishna – Duality Confusion – One And Many?-Is the Supreme Absolute Truth One or Many? Is Krishna One or Many? How is it that Krishna is One without a Second? How about Love? How about Relationships? How to understand this?
The Milk Controversy – should we give it up?-Should spiritualists consume milk or should they be vegan? The Vedic texts enjoin us to develop solid intelligence through milk consumption, but yet modern milk production is fraught with violence. So what is the spiritualist to do?
Dear Pope Francis, how many apologies to go?-Recently, Pope Francis apologized for the abuse and killing of Inuit children in residential schools in Canada. But is an apology enough? Does the faith he profess even understand what "spirit soul" means? I challenge all Christians to read and understand the Bhagavad Gita, so they can actually be Christians one day.
Moving homes – painful business-Have you ever moved? Moved a home? Moved a job? Moved to another city? Moved to another country? Moving is painful, is it not? What about the ultimate move we will be forced to make at the end of our lives? That moment when our soul is ripped from all its current attachments? How to deal with that?
Are there millions of souls living in my body?-How many souls live in a body? For example, there are millions of sperm in an average healthy man's body, do they all contain souls? If there are millions of souls but only one or two get a chance then what happens to all the others?
Surrender means Loving Service-OK, so surrender is required in spiritual life, and it is not an admission of defeat, and the person surrendering cannot surrender their intelligence too. But what exactly is this surrender practically?
Is there Sex in the Spiritual world?-Is there sex in the spiritual world? Everyone in the spiritual realm is just perfect, so do they get attracted to each other and have sex?
Surrender yourself, with your intelligence-In spiritual life, we often hear the term "surrender", and surrender we should. But dear reader, never surrender your intelligence!
Bodily Consciousness, Miss America, and Suicide-Recently, an accomplished young lady committed suicide. What is the root cause of it? What is the consequence of it? What can we do to stop this?
Who or what is Vishnu Tattva?-Who or what is Vishnu Tattva? Since Lord Shiva is an expansion of Lord Vishnu, is Lord Shiva also Vishnu Tattva?
Muslim Brahmin in Hyderabad-Can a Muslim be a Brahmin? Can a Vaishnava be as good as a Mullah or Rabbi or Christian priest? Here are some great insights from a Maulvi in Hyderabad!
How Popular is Krishna?-Krishna is mentioned as the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. So why is it that apparently more people worship Ganesha, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Shiva, etc. than Krishna?
The myth of the increasing human lifespan-They say, that due to advances in science and medicine, the average human lifespan is steadily increasing. But is this really true? Could it be that the advances in science and medicine are actually decreasing our life expectancy?
Be careful what you think around saintly persons!-When we visit the great saints, and when we pray to them, are our prayers heard? Is there any reciprocation? How do we know it was not our imagination?
How to go deep into meditation-How to go deep into meditation? How to overcome the tyranny of the mind? What can we do to improve the quality of our meditation?
Human Animal Farm-George Orwell's Animal Farm describes a horrifying story of how "equals" exploit other equals... There are so many different social systems being tried out, communism, capitalism, socialism, and so on, but practically all of them are animalistic. Is there an ideal social system?
Understanding Lord Rama-Why was He exiled for 14 years? Why did Lord Rama act the way He did? Why did He kill Vali like a hunter kills a wild animal? Why did Lord Rama send Sita to the forest?
Marriage and Celibacy-What is Celibacy? Is it mutually exclusive with Marriage? What is Celibacy in Marriage? Is there something higher than sex pleasure?
Did we or did we not land on the Moon?-Some say humans landed on the moon, saw that it was a barren world, collected some rocks, took some pictures and videos, and then returned. But Srila Prabhupada, a spiritually enlightened person says that this was a collosal hoax... and he is no conspiracy theorist? How to understand this?
The origin of western religion-What is it with those who claim to have the one and only true eternal religion? And why do they spew hatred? Would you like to understand the origin of the western religious traditions?
Descartes did not understand Consciousness-Many believe that animals and other species in other bodies outside of humans are not souls, that they are mere automations. The misunderstanding can be traced back at least to Descartes' "cogito ergo sum", where he sadly misunderstood something very important...
Heat Wave in Canada(!!)-Canada is known for the cold, but there was a heat wave that killed hundreds! Why do these types of things happen? Is there any way out?
Sun Engineering-The sun is our primary source of energy, uses fusion reactions, which are ordinarily understood to be very difficult to control. is it reasonable to assume that the sun remains in equilibrium without engineering and control?
Jiva Soul – A poem from 1874-Back in in 1874, Bhaktivinode Thakura wrote this sublime poem that gives us the formula for Supreme Spiritual Success! Jiva Soul, from Saragrahi Vaishnava
The Sun, The Moon, Distances, and The Universal Arrangement-How is it that the statements of the Vedic Scriptures in the matter of dimensions of the sun, moon, and the distances between them don't match with the modern scientific theories?