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Bhajan Kutir — Bhumi-puja and a Blessed Day
30th of January, 2007 - 18:33
As our readers already know, we've been at trying to get the construction work of our bhajan kutir started for a good long while now. The land has now been paid off in total, and we are the blessed future servants of 220 square yards worth of Vraja-bhumi.
Yesterday brought us one step onward towards the attainment of our objective with bhumi-puja and Vaisnava-seva at our land. Monday, Bhaimi Ekadasi, was the day to get the work started. The day was good in every respect – we consulted Venimadhava Sila's Panjika for the best available date... Where do we belong?
28th of January, 2007 - 9:45
From correspondence. Original question slightly re-touched.
"If I have taken diksa from an acharya in Bhakti Siddha Saraswata Matha, and I have a siksa-guru in the ISKCON Revelation Movement, and I also like to hang around with the babas at Radha-kunda – to which one of these do I belong?" Briefly on Initiation
26th of January, 2007 - 2:17
The following are reflections sent to a seeker who asked for the bare bones of the process of getting initiated.
Initiation is a substantial commitment in one's spiritual life, well worth spending all the time you can on reflections and introspection on the how and why of it. The gist of the process is... Synopsis of Raga-marga
19th of January, 2007 - 5:23
These are are some reflections sent to a friend in clarifying the concepts of raga-marga and vidhi-marga:
• There are two distinct paths. • There are identical practices. • There are different stages on the path of raga. Along with thoughts on what we find ourselves following in substance. Why Enthusiasm Withers
15th of January, 2007 - 18:12
An excerpt from a letter to a friend.
Devotees come to Vraja and return, and then find their enthusiasm withering and their old interests rekindled, for two reasons. The first reason is that the inspiration of devotion, and the solidity we have attained in our early phases on the path, is to a large extent a reflection of the spiritual strength of those who have inspired us, and as such is dependent on maintaining a good connection to the source... Chanting: The Magical Herb
10th of January, 2007 - 19:04
1008 Friends
9th of January, 2007 - 18:26
Today's log-in at MySpace had another 18 friend requests queued up. Clearing out the junk and approving the rest, the total count settled at a round figure of 1008.
Now, the value of having 1008 friends? Little do the numbers alone add up to in the end... 
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Chanting: The Magical Herb
Posted: 10th of January, 2007 - 19:04
From a letter to a sincere seeker who has found meaning in chanting the divine names.
Chanting is mrityu-sanjivani, a magical all-curing herb: It heals the material condition and opens the doors to the ocean of ambrosia flowing from realization of a direct, personal relationship with God. As for the symptoms you mention while chanting: The clearing of past karma and your past lifestyle's effects on your body are undoubtedly an aspect, while at the same time the holy names no doubt are a catalyst for inner transformation that, conjointly with the first cause, give rise to what you mention. It's not one or the other, it's the both together. Keep chanting, your existence will become clarified and you'll experience more and more subtle and purified states of being and divine joy. The chanting is also a purging process of the heart from all the ghosts of the past; you'll find old memories rising to the surface. If at that time you look at them with a spirit of detachment, wishing for a new future and praying at the feet of the name, the power of the divine name will purge them from your heart, bringing you one step closer to a pristine state of existence. As for spiritual master. Find inspiration with many, but be wary with committing yourself immaturely. The guru must be well examined before a relationship is forged. Seek the company of saints, gain of their wealth of wisdom and let your taste for chanting grow with the effect of the divine energy they are filled with. With a refined understanding gained in good company, filled with a spirit of sincere prayer for selfless service to God, matters of discovering your spiritual guide will be resolved for you of their own accord.
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