IFAST Offers Innovative Online Lessons in Applied Krishna Consciousness
Established by the late ISKCON guru Bhakti Tirtha Swami, IFAST (Institute for Applied Spiritual Technology) operates on the idea that it’s not enough to simply give people spiritual knowledge – we must teach them how to apply it.
It is an odd development of the modern world that being excessively anxious about our children is considered a virtue. We consider ourselves good parents if we make life easy for them, reward them for the smallest achievement, and are anxious for their safety and well being at all times.
In the year 1992, the last of the four Asta-sakhis, or principle associates of Srimati Radharani, appeared in Mayapur and took their places on the altar of ISKCON Mayapur.
Professional BMX freestyle rider Joris Coulomb always chased adventure. He didn’t realize that one day it would take him to a place of deep meaning where all his questions about life would be answered.
The five powerful practices in The Living Name, a new book by Sacinandana Swami, can enliven the chanting of the Holy Name and turn it into a dynamic and transformative experience.
Sacinandana Swami once joked: “The scriptures predict that as Kali Yuga progresses, devotees will play musical instruments so loud that people will not be able to hear the maha-mantra anymore.” That might make you crack a smile, but the background isn’t so funny.
At this time of the year, Sarajevo is full of tourists and many are from the Middle East. These tourists love street harinams and stop to chant with devotees and take photos.
It is stated in the Nectar of Devotion that by following the regulative principles of Caturmasya, one can quickly be raised to the platform of devotional service.
What makes this achievement even more unique is that Divya’s Kitchen is the only vegetarian/vegan restaurant on the list.
The catchily-named new restaurant “OmNom,” set to open in Islington, London in January 2019, aims to promote conscious eating, kirtan as meditation, and authentic bhakti-yoga.
Excitement is ramping up for “MAN-tra,” ISKCON’s first ever Men’s Retreat, to be held in New Vrindaban and headlined by Bhaktimarga Swami, Gaura Vani, and comedian Yadunath Das. The event is subtitled “Being a KC Guy in the 21st Century,” and is gathering hype as the place to be this fall.
A new temple dedicated to Ganga Devi has recently been constructed by ISKCON Mayapur's Ganga Mata Seva Committee, where a Deity of Ganga Devi is worshipped along with Deities of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai. This temple is only the beginning, for the committee has plans to construct a larger and more opulent temple for the worship of Mother Ganga.
Over the past few years, the ISKCON Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture (IMCPA) has been bringing ISKCON farms together for biannual continental conferences. Now, the Ministry is beginning strategic planning meetings every other year, to foster team building.
Founded by Srila Prabhupada in 1974, Gita Nagari is an optimal setting to practice his vision of simple living, high thinking. It has 350 lush green acres, a vegetable garden, 80 protected cows, and its own dairy, all centered around the temple of Sri-Sri Radha Damodar.
The managers of the spiritual city of Mayapur are doing their best to keep the ISKCON premises clean from garbage waste.
SanctuaryAlachua is owned and managed by people from the Krishna community, however the house, services and classes are open to everyone in the Alachua community.
The art projects were distinct from most others. Students at Bhaktivedanta Academy of Alachua, FL, USA, had to use pieces of trash to create artwork weighing less than 50 pounds.
Run by Brazilian ISKCON Youth Secretary Vaikuntha Murti Das, and his wife Subhadra Dasi of ISKCON Education, the camp is now in its fourth year and has just reached a new milestone. This year, it opened its doors for youth outside of Brazil, with participants from Chile and Canada attending.
The tongue-in-cheek poster shows the host dressed in a suit and assuming an overly serious pose. And a fake testimonial calls it “Borderline Prajalpa.” But there’s a lot more depth to what might be ISKCON’s first video podcast show, and its host Namarasa Das, than at first may be evident.
For the past thirty-five years, the Bhaktivedanta Manor School in England has given children a loving Krishna conscious education, earning its moniker “The Small School With a Big Heart.” A year ago, the school moved into its own dedicated building. And now, with committed longtime head teacher Guru Charana Padma Dasi set to retire, it’s looking for a new principal to oversee its exciting next phase.
The Sri Surabhi App will serve mainly as a “friend raiser” involving devotees in various activities related to the OM Sri Surabhi Campaign as well as a “fund raiser” (to support local village/rural projects and campaign initiatives.
Lovers of spiritual inspiration may want to set a weekend aside this summer for the Heart of Yoga retreat, to be offered in New York for the sixth time from June 1st to 3rd. The event grew out of the Bhagavad-gita classes senior Prabhupada disciple Yogesvara Das taught at Jivamukti for ten years.
The 22-acre property, originally called Inis Rath, is ISKCON’s only temple on its own island. Located on the waters of Upper Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, resplendent with emerald green foliage in the summer and often shrouded in mists during the winter, it’s perfect for spiritual reflection and growth.
It seemed like Jason La Shard was living the dream. Born in Quebec, Canada to Kashubian parents (a Slavic ethnic region in Northern Poland), his incredible physical stature – 7 foot 1 with size 20 shoes – set up his destiny early on.
