Ananda Rupa Devi We read in the Bhagavad Gita that the soul is eternal and is on a journey back to its true home. It also talks about attaining peace through detachment, steadiness, and faith. Such philosophy remains comforting until life asks us to live it. This reflection arose from experiencing the departures that shaped me: the loss of a loving parent whose voice now lives in memory, the separation from a spiritual Guru whose physical presence is no longer visible yet con

Ananda Vrindavaneswari The air is warming, the snow is melting and the birds are singing a little louder. This poem is inspired by this time and how Krishna’s name also warms and melts our hearts: It’s a wonderful thing the sound of the holy name like the song of the birds it moves across the sky of my heart and sweeps my soul to places it longs to be  It is the parrot song bringing messages of love, to me of all people how this birdsong of the holy name  touches my small hea

Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi Mother Theresa once said that the only real hunger we all have is a hunger for love. To give and receive love is what will truly satisfy us. In this attention-craving world that we currently live in, the underlying motive behind all activity is a search for love and belonging.  The good news is that the essence of our self, our soul, is made for love; the soul's dharma is loving service to God. The not-good news is that we regularly forget this, and

by Chaitanya Kishore Das Recently there was a celebration called Nityananda Trayodasi. It is a holy day for Gaudiya Vaishnava followers celebrating the birth of the person Nityananda. If you’ve never heard of Nityananda, please allow a brief introduction. Nityananda was considered to be many things: an ascetic, an enlightened man, divinity incarnate, a priest, a madman; all depending on who you ask. Whatever the case, history attests to the fact that he was born in West Benga

Ananda Vrindavan devi dasi The cold weather continues, unusual for this location, and for this long. Extremes can break us down, wear our mind and emotions thin. Then the cold seems colder and our life more difficult.  What energy sources from within do we have to warm us up? Here are three to consider: Remember who we are - ‘mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ.’ In the Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 15, text 7, Krishna reminds us that we are part of Him, made up of His energy

Jai Gopali Dasi This weekend, many around the world celebrate Easter- a time that marks resurrection, hope, and the triumph of love over death. Whether or not you observe Easter as a religious holiday, its themes are universally resonant: transformation , renewal , and the  power of presence  in times of uncertainty.   In the Christian tradition, Easter invites us to reflect on the mystery of life emerging from loss, and the sacred potential in new beginnings. But these theme

by Hari Kirtan Das I have an ongoing game I play in my head for no particular reason. The game is called, “If I had two cats, I’d name them . . .” Jaya and Vijaya, Soochi and Moochi, Karma and Dharma, Rover and Fido, Wave and Particle, Doonakranitz and Frannakranitz, Hawkwind and Motorhead, . . . The rule (apparently) is that the names must have some kind of complementarity. And if they rhyme, I get extra credit (whatever that means). The complementarity of a doonakranitz and

The powerful concept of equal vision (sama darshana in Sanskrit), is not about external equality. We are different in multifarious ways. Sama darshana is about a deeper vision, a deeper seeing. It’s a reminder to acknowledge the soul's presence within all living things.  It’s one of the principles of a living spiritual practice, and by that I mean, the effort to actually live the teachings, everyday.  So when I saw the photo of the mega-rich couple on the magazine cover, shar

I recently read a story about firefighters in LA and the work involved in containing wildfires. One group is designated to walk miles and miles every day to put out smoldering ashes. Sometimes, they are buried deep and have to be dug out. They are a hidden danger and, if not discovered, have the potential to ignite and start a new fire.   What a great word, smoldering, and it made me think of what emotions might be smoldering within us. What have we buried, consciously or unc

Blessing the land of India in the 16th Century, the Golden Avatar, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was a powerful force in the blossoming of the Krishna Bhakti movement during that time.  He left behind 8 teachings known as the Siksastakam. These verses are celebrated as an essential guide to uncovering our love for Krishna. Each verse could have its own book, so filled they are with deep and wide truths. The following overview gives us a glimpse of the teachings. Come clean Anytime any