This magazine is an offering to all our spiritual teachers and to the United Nations of the Spirit.
Table of Contents
The School of Inbound Yoga page 28
Areas of Action
Vraj Mandal Parikram page 10
Vrinda Temples page 34
The Vrinda Cosmos page 22
Acharya and Mamo page 15
The Vrinda Family page 7
Origins
Wherever you find this Tulsi leaf throughout the magazine, you have an opportunity to participate.
The Sacred Order of Sannyas page 14
Vrinda’s Goal Is Simple page 46 How to Serve Better page 42
Govinda´s Restaurants page 46
Great Gatherings page 52
Alliances Vrindavan Dham, Paradise on the Earth page 9
The History of the Vrinda Family page 16
Eco-Yoga Villages page 26
Acharyas and Yogis page 12
VRINDA NEEDS YOUR HELP Thank you for your generous donation. Volunteers are welcome.
The Sacred Feminine page 44
Ashram Life page 30
The Last Chance Drama page 72
HOW TO DONATE
Relationships of Universal Love page 62
BVAN page 68
The Harmony School of Conscious Art
Great Treasures page 48
City Ashrams page 40
Chaski Fest page 57
Conscious Doctors page 65
United Nations of The Spirit page 59
PAYPAL paramswami@aol.com
Services in Editing for the Vaisnavas Acharyas (SEVA) Vrindavan - India 2017 Executive Editor: Srila Paramadvaiti Swami Managing Editor: Kalki Avatar Das Design/Layout: Yiva Tarini Dasi. Front Cover: Sabda Brahma das Copy-Editors: Murali Manohara Dasi, Kamayani Dasi, Arjuna Das. Main Photographers: Sabda Brahma Das, Kavi Das, Krsna Ksetra Das, Jaya Krsna Dasi, Dauji Das, Ramesvari Dasi, Ananda Sanga Das, Matias Rojas Silva y Maharati Das. ISBN 978-958-56227-9-1
The World Vaishnava Association page 66
Every Step a Dance page 73 Secret Music of the Soul page 71
University Of Ancient Wisdom page 56
OIDA Therapy page 64
The World Conscious Pact page 61 The Spoon Revolution page 58
Our Guru Parampara – The Lineage of Vrinda’s Spiritual Masters
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jayatah!
Origins The Vrinda Family, which is rooted in the ancient wisdom of the Vedas, was founded by Srila B.A. Paramadvaiti Swami in 1984. Vrinda’s world-wide expansion was very successful, and it soon attracted other godbrothers like Srila Harijan Maharaj and Srila Bhaktivedanta Atulananda Acharya Swami, who brought the knowledge of yoga to areas where it had been previously unknown. They both contributed some new features such as meditation songs in different languages that gracefully influenced the movement. The Vrinda Family emphasizes the cultivation of loving, trusting, respectful relationships among all its members. Vrinda began building Eco-Yoga Villages, which necessitated interacting with local, including indigenous, communities and establishing communication bridges. The Eco-Yoga Villages are living testimony to our collective concern for Mother Earth.
Vrindaportal.com
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aramadvaiti Swami relates, “When I was serving Srila Prabhupad in Brazil, he wrote me a letter in which he said, ‘Dear Son, as far as Brazil is concerned, I am 99% dependent on you.’ At the time, I was only twenty-two years old and I had full responsibility for the Brazilian community. This loving trust, which I received from my spiritual master at that time, keeps me committed to this day in all profound relationships. Love and trust are the foundation of a successful relationship between teacher and disciple.”
Editorial Life is a miracle. How can we appreciate that at all times? A saintly person named Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in India five hundred years ago to remind us that the greatest gift we have, the most valuable of all possessions, is our human life. He came to invite us to reach the highest form of realization through our capacity to love. I come from a small village in Germany, and I would never have imagined that I would be serving as an instrument of His message of love, spreading His teachings throughout the mountain ranges of South America and to people living on many other continents. The Vrinda Family is a branch of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s tree of divine love. Despite all the initial challenges, the seeds of this tree were planted and they took root. Today, I am happy to share with you some of the fruits of this love. I hope to inspire you on your journey by sharing this gift of wisdom with you. Words and photographs can take us only so far. The journey begins when we make the shift from our external concerns and dive into the depths of the inner self. Allowing our hearts to soften with gratitude and compassion replaces all uncertainty, hopelessness and 4•
loneliness, and we reach a state of harmony with the Divine. We often hear the following saying, “You don’t appreciate what you have until it is gone.” Now is the time to discover and reveal the best of yourself. This is your opportunity to fully embrace this divine miracle by living a life rich in love, yoga and meditation. We invite you to come and take that journey within by connecting with nature, nurturing your body with conscious food, and tuning into the sacred song of the heart. You are very welcome to join us! By the grace of Lord Krishna, the teachings of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, and by chanting the Holy Names of the Lord, everyone in different countries around the world has this same, marvelous opportunity. We are happy to provide a journal in English for the first time. Our heart’s desire is to let the Lord of love unite us all in “Not His service.one step back and never
fight“
Swami Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti
Srila Prabhupad and his disciples going for a morning walk during his visit to Stockholm, Sweden. Alanath das, first on the left, represented Srila Prabhupad as temple president in Stockholm. Later, he received the sannyas name, Swami Paramadvaiti, from Sridhara Dev Goswami Maharaj
“He comes only to make sure that we want to serve Him with pure love.” Srila Bhaktivedanta Atulananda Acharya Swami •5
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhara Deva Goswami Maharaj
Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Maharaj
The The Vrinda Family The Tree of Divine Love
The Vrinda Family’s heart blooms from the teachings of several great personalities, all of whom are in the direct line of disciplic succession from Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He guided us on the path to divine love and compassion, especially during India’s most challenging times of Muslim colonization. Sri Chaitanya is known to be the first activist against this oppression. His distinctive position during these years is highlighted in His biography, entitled Sri Chaitanya Caritamrta.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Imlitala Temple on Parikrama Marg Vrindavan, India - Next to Yamuna Kunja, Vrinda’s Headquarter of Activism 6• for Braj Vrindavan Act Now.
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, an inspired devotee and a saint, continued to disseminate Mahaprabhu’s teachings and came to be known as India’s greatest hero of divine love. One of his students, Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada, spear-headed a similar campaign to present the message of divine love to the world. He was considered by his godbrothers to be
a “divinely empowered soul,” referred to by some of his godbrothers as a Shaktyavesh Avatar. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad graced the Vrinda Family with his inspiration. When he departed from this world, his godbrother Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhara Deva Goswami Maharaj was a great inspiration to the Vrinda Family. Later, after Sridhar Maharaj departed in 1988, Srila Bhakti Pramode Puri Maharaj became a prominent leader by accepting the presidency of World Vaishnava Association (WVA). While he was president, the WVA was registered as an umbrella organization to further the common goals of different Vaishnava missions. Srila Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Swami has served the association as general secretary since 1994.
Visit the online museum of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, created to show him our greatest gratitude: www.bhaktisiddhanta.com
•7
Origins
V Paradise on Earth
rindavan is the land of divine love. The moment you enter Vrindavan, you can sense that there is something special about it. Thousands of pilgrims are drawn to this land every year because of its mystically enchanting qualities. Srila Prabhupad revealed the treasures that Vrindavan has to offer to the world. Devotees are naturally drawn to the holy land of Vrindavan because of the pastimes of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which He performed here 5,000 years ago. You can feel the mystical essence and see the esoteric symbolism in every corner where these intimate and loving pastimes occurred. This holy land contains many divine manifestations such as the Govardhan Hill, the Yamuna River, and hundreds of deities that have been worshiped and preserved by generations of devotees. Thousands of years have passed since these divine events happened, but Vrindavan still maintains its charm and authenticity. The people of this land are humble sages whose collective desire is to be in divine service to Krishna. To this day, they continue to follow the ancestral traditions of the Vedas, preserving the language, the philosophical teachings and the sacred sites of this holy land. It is this spirit of devotional service that the Vrinda Family would like to share with the whole world How Can I Participate?
The Vrinda Family welcomes all pilgrims to visit this holy land and our ashrams, especially Vrinda Kunja Ashram. We invite you to come and experience unforgettable moments on our Yoga Inbound tours, to be part of the Volunteer Program at any time of the year and to experience the holy celebration of Kartik during October and November. This is a unique place with a home and an open heart for all. Visit: www.vrindakunja.org
Lord plays like an eternal child in Vrindavan. His complexion is like a dark, rain cloud with “ The shiny rings, He wears a Kaustubha jewel, a yellow robe, plays a flute, and holds feather, a horn, a rope and a stick like a cowherd boy. The river permeates His land. The trees, the deer and the monkeys dance, while the parrots, cuckoos and birds fly around in flocks. He offers the greatest love to those who seek it. Srila Bhaktivedanta Atulananda Acharya Swami
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•9
Meditation
Vraj Mandal Parikram Spiritual Pilgrimage Tour in the Land of Krishna Experience Magic in the City of 5,000 Temples
Vraj Mandal Parikram is the pilgrimage conducted annually in Vrindavan during Kartik in the autumn season of October and November. It is traditional for all pilgrims arriving in Vrindavan to visit the guardian of the dham, Lord Shiva, at the Gopisvara Mahadeva temple. It is said that no one can enter the holy land without his blessing and permission. The sacred Yamuna River is one of the places visited during the pilgrimage. The goddess of this river is the daughter of the Sun god, Surya. The Yamuna River flows down from Yamunotri in the Himalayas all the way to the banks of Vrindavan where it meets with various ghats or bathing places. Following the stream, you will find the beautiful Brahmanda Ghat where Krishna and his older brother played happily and where Krishna showed mother Yashoda the entire universe in His mouth.
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Oh Oh Sakhi, the truth of this holy land of Vraj, is tremendously pure and holy. Since the Supreme Personality lives here, disguised as an ordinary human being.
”
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.44.13 10 •
Vrindavan is a small village with more than 5,000 temples and beautiful lakes. Pilgrims can visit these temples and enjoy cultural events: concerts with talented, traditional musicians and dancers, theatrical presentations based on ancient pastimes, and special instrumental recitals such as the flute song played every evening for the pleasure of the Radha Raman deities. During Kartik, we celebrate the Hindu New Year festival called Diwali. the Indian New Year, also known as the “Festival of Lights.” In all the temples and homes in Vrindavan, people light many ghee lamps to invoke the Lord’s mercy for their homes and families. • 11
An example of life Prabhupada Devi Dasi Oidatherapy Coordinator
Acharyas & Yogis
SRILA B.A PARAMADVATI SWAMI Founder of the Vrinda Family
“
mac-cittā mad-gata-prānā bodhayantah parasparam kathayantaś ca mām nityam tusyanti ca ramanti ca
Important Participants Who Inspire the Vrinda Family
The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are surrendered to Me, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
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he Vrinda Family continues to spread the message of divine love, inspired by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. Since 1971, we have witnessed a magical, world-wide expansion of the Yoga of Love. After Srila Prabhupada’s departure to the spiritual world in 1977, the need to provide continued guidance to younger students became evident.
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he irresponsible and mundane activities of some leaders forced us to look elsewhere for further guidance. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad recommended that we seek help from Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj. This led eventually to the birth of the Vrinda Family. Although we did not feel qualified for such a task, we knew that it was our responsibility to pass on the spiritual legacy of our spiritual master and to extend the message of divine love to all children and to all future generations. It was essential that many branches extend from Sri Chaitanya’s tree.
Eco Aldea . Yoga Village Askalita Prabhu Spiritual Leader from Colombia
Damodar Maharaj Spiritual Leader from Chile
SRILA B.V. ATULANANDA ACARYA SWAMI
Protector of the Vrinda Family
Acintya Das SEVA Coordinator
”
Bhagavad-Gita 10.9. The Opulence of the Absolute
Mohana Vamsi Bihari Brahminical Guardian
Later, we joined with other branches of the tree to create an umbrella organization for the purpose of uniting in cooperation to protect our common, divine goals. Today, that organization is called the World Vaishnava Association (WVA), and the Vrinda Family has taken an active role in its development since the very beginning.
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SRILA KRISHNANANDA ACHARYA Spiritual Master from Hungary
Aradhya Das Vrinda´s Filmmaker
Kalki Avatar Das Purohit & Web Master
Raval Dasi Inbound Yoga Coordinator • 13
Sannyasis of Vrinda
Berito Cobaria (Leader of the UWA)
The Sacred Order of
Renunciation
We live in the spirit of serving and caring for one another. The Vrinda Family gives equal opportunity to men and women. Our senior Maharanis are renounced women and are considered the mothers of all. Young and talented women also take leadership roles in the family. These are our divine mothers, standing side by side. Sannyasis are renounced monks who carry great responsibility as spiritual servants. All men and women leaders are considered shiksa-gurus or instructing spiritual masters. They collectively stand for the same highest truth. They all belong to an initiation school called the Chaitanya Sampradaya. We are eternally indebted to all of them.
Acharya and Mamo Several personalities from India and the western world have preserved the authenticity of the message of the Vedas. Srila Paramadvaiti Swami is one of these outstanding personalities. They received this wisdom from their spiritual masters or Acharyas, and carefully passed it on to their disciples. This system of disciplic succession is known as the Guru Parampara. Despite the passage of time, every student is guaranteed to attain the knowledge in its original form. Srila Paramadvaiti Swami has devoted himself to continuing this tradition, as well as aspiring to become a guardian of Mother Earth and all that is part of her creation. Forty years ago, he began traveling around the world preaching Universal Love. He has been serving as an expansion of the truth to order to reestablish the essence of divinity in our lives, and to lead us to self-realization. His heart is rich with knowledge that has been passed on to him from his spiritual master. When he listened to Srila Prabhupad, the message of undying faith and genuine service penetrated his heart. Srila Paramadvaiti Swami created a bridge between the Himalayas and the Andes. He has been widely recognized for helping the world in various ways. He is working on
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Maharanis and Vishnupriyas of Vrinda
different projects aimed toward creating consciousness of the destruction that our over-consumption and lack of awareness is causing in the world. The University of Ancient Wisdom is one of the projects in motion that is fulfilling the ideals of a better world. The spiritual leaders of the ancient traditions in the Sierra Nevada of Colombia named Srila Paramadvaiti Swami, Mamo Kwibi. He was given this title because of his devoted service, and he is well known in the oriental tradition as “a faithful messenger of their lands.� Next, you will learn more about the history of the Vrinda Family and of those who have inspired it along the way.
Vrinda Family The History of the
1972
Srila Prabhupad arrives in New York in 1965 and reaches Venezuela in 1972. Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta gives initiation to Ulrich Harlan in Paris, France, giving him the name Alanath das.
1975
Srila Prabhupad gives initiation to Miguel Chavez Bautista, giving him the spiritual name, Mrigesha das. The ISKCON family from Venezuela received a personal, written letter from Srila Prabhupad requesting them to expand the mission to Colombia.
1976
The first visit of Alanath Das Brahmachari to Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil.
1972
The first meeting of Alanath das Brahmachari and Atulananda Prabhu took place in Brazil. Srila Prabhupad gives the service of taking leadership in Brazil to Alanath Das Brahmachari. The first Eco-Yoga village, called “New Gokula” was started by him.
1977
The Sri Sri Gaura Nitay dieties, chosen by Srila Prabhupad, were installed In Chapinero, a downtown area of Bogota.
1979
The Superior Institute of Vedic Studies (SIVS) was founded in Bogota, Colombia.
1980
The Varsana Eco-Yoga Village was started in sacred Muiska territory near the village of Granada, one hour from Bogota.
1983
Sri Sri Radha Colombia Ishvara was installed in the temple at Varsana.
1984
This year marked the official birth of the Vrinda Family. The vast majority of Colombian devotees decide to connect to more spiritual guidance directly from India. Major faults of the administrative system, under the execution of immature leaders convinced Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Swami and Harijan Swami to become a branch of the tree of the Gaudiya family. Both received sannyas in the sacred order of renunciation from Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj. The Service in Editing for the Vaishnava Acharyas (SEVA) was founded in Colombia to edit and manage the publication of transcendental literature.
1985 Yoga
The Inbound Home Study Course was created and translated into many languages. From this point onwards, the EcoYoga Villages kept expanding, starting with the principal ones in Colombia. Vrindavanita was founded for our older devotees. Gambhira was started afterwards for the devotees on the Atlantic coast, followed by the sanctuaries for Mother Earth in Medellin, Cali. Pamplonita and Barranquilla.
1988
In New York City, Vaishnava Das opened a temple, which was later transferred to Miami. Other preaching centers opened in Hawaii, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and in Montreal and Vancouver, Canada. These are just some of the Vrinda Family temples in the northern hemisphere. After Atulananda Acharya settled in Chile, the need for a temple in Lima, Peru, arose. Through Krishna’s mercy, a place in Jiron Callao was provided, and this led to Vrinda’s expansion into Peru, The ideal model for the other Eco-Yoga Villages, the famous Eco-Truly Park, was launched. Following its success, the Vrinda Cultural Center was inaugurated in Lima. This became a place for meditation and a famous cultural center in the heart of Lima. Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Damodar were installed in Eco-Truly Park.
1990
The Vrinda Family participates in food distribution through the charitable organization, Food for All, in Colombia, Guatemala and India among other countries. Srila Harijan Maharaj enters eternal samadhi. The Vrinda Family is invited to preach in Sweden. Paramadvaiti Swami later travelled by Czechoslovakia and Italy. Vrinda also established a farm in Rimini, Italy, centers in Holland, Belgium, Spain, Macedonia, Poland, with goshalas for the protection of all animals, and facilities in Terni for teaching people how to live according to Vedic principles.
• 17
Vrinda bought the Seva Kunja temple of Radha Vrindavan Chandra and later transferred ownership to Srila Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Maharaj. The Vrinda Family later acquired Vrinda Kunja, Yamuna Kunja, Vamsi Kunja, Vipralambha Kunja and established a goshala, a cow protection sanctuary, in Govardhan. After various attempts to expand to Mayapur in West Bengal, India, Jahnavi Kunja Gaudiya Math and Sarasvati Kunja were established.
1991
The Harmony School of Conscious Art, dedicated to linking all the transcendental arts, was founded in Germany.
1992
Vrinda Kunja ashram was opened in Vrindavan.
1993
The first Eco-Yoga Village in Chile was founded and Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Govinda were installed.
2000
2011
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Gopi Vallabha were installed in Hungary.
2012
Prabhu Sudama Das donated a house he owned in Quito, Ecuador, for the establishment of a temple. Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radhika Gopinath were installed.
2001
Prabhu Kanka initially arrived in Mendoza, Argentina, and later traveled to Buenos Aires, where the Eco-Yoga Park was inaugurated, and Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Madan Mohan were installed. The mission expanded from Buenos Aires to Uruguay where Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Shyamasundar were installed. He later traveled to Paraguay.
2006
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Govinda Sundara were installed in Germany A new temple was opened in Berlin.
1994
The World Vaishnava Association (WVA) was reestablished in Vrindavan. Srila B.P. Puri Maharaj was its first president, and he appointed Srila Paramadvaiti Swami as general secretary. Sri Jagannath Baladeva and Subhadra were installed in Medellin, Colombia. Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Vraja Mohan manifested in Vrinda Kunja in Vrindavan, India.
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2008
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Raman were installed in La Paz, Bolivia. At the same time, the preaching began in Uchumachi and in Titicaca.
2009
Sri Mahaprabhu Gandharvika Giridhari were installed in Brazil. Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Madhava were installed in Mexico, where there are three temples in the capital city.
The first Peruvian Ratha community, a parade of the deities, led by carts, occurred in Lima. Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra were installed. This was part of the opening of the temple.
In alliance with native groups, the University of Ancient Wisdom (UOAW) was established in Santa Marta, Colombia, thus uniting the Andean and Himalayan traditions.
2013
The authorities of the Arhuacos, from the mountains of the Sierra Nevada in Colombia, give Paramadvaiti Swami the honorary name Mamo Kwibi.
2014
The melas in Berlin, Hungary, Spain and many places around South America bring the Vrinda Family together. Devotees and friends travel from over 200 urban centers and Eco-Yoga Villages, just to share the joy of Srila Prabhupada’s gifts in the form of our yoga family.
The 30th anniversary of the Vrinda Family was celebrated with a huge Braj Mandal parikrama.
2015
Srila Atulananda Acharya receives the sacred order of sannyas from Srila Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Swami during the annual mela at Eco-Truly Park in Peru. During the kiva celebration at the Varsana community in Colombia, members of different ancestral tribes started the United Nations of the Spirit.
2016
The Vrinda Family reaches the heart of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and installs the deities, Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Vinoda. • 19
Areas of Action
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“We Are All One Family” dance at Brahma Kunda - Vrindavan, India. • 21
The Vrinda
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AGRO CONSCIOUSNESS
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reate seed banks, protect the original, non GMO, non- hybridized seeds and cultivate organic crops
HOUSE Of WISDOM
P
rofessionals volunteering in many kinds of charitable efforts to create sustainable solutions.
OIDA THERAPY
VALUES AND SCIENCE
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E
ducate yourself about adopting a more compassionate diet that will save our Mother Earth. Offer food to the Supreme.
UOAW
If any of these growing branches interest you, please join us in continuing their expansion by visiting the Vrinda Portal or contacting Radhe Shyam Dasi Dasi: radheshyam.bap@gmail.com
he niversity of Ancient Wisdom preserves the knowledge and the treasures of all cultures to take care of Mother Earth.
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CHASKI MESSENGERS OF LOVE
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ll kinds of artistic performances to increase our love for and commitment to Mother Earth.
romote transparency, equality and leadership. Through Brahminical Guardians and ritvik
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nvigorate the feminine force. Women represent the Goddess of Fortune.
p
reserve the water sources and natural sanctuaries.
ECO-YOGA VILLAGES
acharyas
T
he natural sustainable architecture is a midpoint for the yoga ashrams and the volunteering programs.
e r v i c e s via the web: YouTube, Facebook, websites, flyers and more.
xperience the perfection of Vedic wisdom through the practice of daily yoga. Learn to teach yoga.
BVAN
VRINDAVAN ACT NOW
W
ork
H
elp
THE UNIVEDA VAISHNAVA ACADEMIES
with our cleaning and restoration programs in the holy Dhams of Mayapur and Vrindavan.
S
ASHRAM LIFE
tudy
E
xperience
a spiritual lifestyle, and be part of a responsible community.
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xperience a higher taste; let your food be your medicine and the means of purification.
S
E
and learn in our projects while enjoying the company of people from all over the world.
GOVINDA’S RESTAURANTS
VIRTUAL VRINDA
SCHOOL OF INBOUND YOGA
VOLUNTEERS
WORLD CONSCIOUS PACT
kwashendwna We are all children of the creator, acting collectively to protect the rights of Mother Earth.
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ECO-YOGA FEST
P
SANCTUARIES
SPOON REVOLUTION
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ur goal is to investigate values, wisdom, and sustainability with a holistic lifestyle. Old is gold.
How Can I Participate?
ppreciate the dedication and achievements of others. Present awards to those who have made great contributions.
reate a new positive future by building a network of grandfathers, grandmothers, guardians, and volunteers.
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a i t h and self-esteem enlighten the heart. Dive inward to discover the treasures we have for healing ourselves and solving our problems
A
C
C
each principles to build character and have happy children.
VRINDA AWARDS
e natural. Harmonize with the will of the Supreme. Learn to be a guardian of Mother Earth.
Being Happy While Serving Others
FAITH EDUCATION
PROTECTING THE WOMEN
NATURAGENTE
Cosmos
BRAHMINICAL CENTER OF TRANSPARENCY
the ancient scriptures, experience sacred cremonies and learn meditation.
S
EDITORIAL SEVA
EVA the ancient scriptures, edits and manages experience sacredthe publication of cremonies andVaishlearn navameditation. literature and healing music.
GREAT FESTIVALS
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articipate in Melas, seminars, and healing circles.
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aith in a mystical tradition urges the members of their society to share the treasures that hide within their believes.The Vrinda Family initiated the enthusiasm of providing a better service to keep moving forward. Here we will illustrate what you can do, in a variety of aspects that may be to your capacity as well as abilities.
ECO-Yoga
Villages
How Can I Participate? Learn how to be a loving guardian of our Mother Earth. Join us for some time to learn the healthy habits of cultivating higher consciousness with proper knowledge. For more information please visit ecoyogavillages.org
Mahatma Gandhi True social progress does not consist on increasing needs, but voluntarily reducing them. For this to happen we need more humility. 5
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Nandafalva The site of the summer gathering, Nandafalva - Hungary Shanti Dwip Lake Titicaca – Bolivia Vrindavanita Refuge for older devotees Arbelaez – Colombia Gambhira Next to the headquarters of UOAW Santa Marta – Colombia Eco-Yoga Park The best place to visit according to lonely planet - Argentina 9
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Our great spiritual master, Srila Prabhupad, taught us how to live in the simplest way. We can lead a simple life by being grateful for everything Mother Earth provides. We are all children of our Mother Earth and we can all help to protect her. We should learn how to be conscious consumers who avoid anything produced with violence and inspire others to do the same. We must be mindfully conservative about our use of water. Be a reflection of this consciousness. The Eco-Yoga Villages are oasis where you can experience simple and sustainable living. All visitors can enjoy each other’s company in a unique atmosphere that promotes the ideals of conscious community living. Every action is taken order to transcend material attachments.
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Eco-Truly Jaganath Diaguitas, Elqui Valley - Chile Eco-Truly Park, Lluta Valley Arica – Chile 13
Mayapurita, – Cartago Cauca Valley - Colombia
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Vrindavan Ecological Gardens, Entrance to the Amazon Baños – Ecuador Om Eco-Yoga Park, Medellin - Colombia Vrinda Bhumi, A series of 60 waterfalls. Caxambu Mirais Gerais - Brazil Totumo Volcano, Mother Earth sanctuary Barranquilla – Colombia Saraswati Ahimsa Van, Tena – Ecuador
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Varsana Ecological Gardens, Vrinda’s original Center Granada - Colombia Vrinda Kunja, Vrindavan - India Eco-Truly Park, Chacra y Mar - Peru The Totumo Volcano Sanctuary of Mother Earth. Barranquilla – Colombia Ekachakra, Catemu - Chile
Volunteer Program
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The Eco-Yoga Villages, ashrams and temples are places for you to learn and experience compassion and love everyone. You can experience living on organic farms in sane and comfortable surroundings.
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You can visit at any time of year and participate in the Volunteer Program which includes some or all of the following: Inbound Hatha Yoga classes, organic gardening management, conscious art workshops, learning about bio-construction and ecological/organic farming, tours to ecological places, and organic, vegetarian cooking classes. Depending upon which location you choose, the options will vary. Our Eco-Yoga Villages have developed a unique program for people searching for a place to live that is integrated into nature and far away from the stress of big city living. This opportunity is available to anyone who wants to commit to sharing a life of service with other guardians of Mother Earth.
How Can I Participate?
Offer some of your time and energy to gain an inner perspective on living in a bhakti yoga ashram. It is a healthy and happy lifestyle that helps you to get in touch with your inner self, your spiritual side. ecoyogavillages.org
Our Emblem Trulys are constructed in an eastern architectural style with Gaudian, Incan, and Culliupa (Peru Chulpas, Anurages Italy) influences. Built with local materials, they can withstand high winds and earthquakes. • 27
Con stan cy
Det erm ina ti on
Pat i en ce A Journey into the Inner Self
“A true yogi observes Me in all beings and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized person sees Me, the same Supreme Lord, everywhere”. (Bhagavad-Gita 6.29)
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hanks to the masters who have passed on the original teachings, the culture of yoga has been preserved in the sacred land of India. The purpose of the School of Inbound Yoga is to apply these ancient teachings to meet present day needs and to restore the principles of universal unity and harmony. Yoga Inbound instructors share the common purpose of creating unity in diversity and establishing a global family. Their invitation is for everyone to deepen and strengthen their practice in a profound way. Anyone who is attracted to the healing practices of hatha yoga, karma yoga, dhyana yoga and bhakti yoga will enjoy the riches of the Vedic tradition upon which this system is based.
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The teachings of Inbound Yoga are derived from the essence of Vedic literature: the Bhagavad-Gita and the Yoga Sutras. Its practice is beneficial on the anatomical, mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of being. Each student is personally guided on the journey to the stage of consecration where they become a Brahman. Ideally, a student will be committed to seeking the truth for the benefit of humanity, just as the great sages taught us. There are several different aspects in which students can immerse themselves. In addition to the asanas (postures) of hatha yoga, karma yoga is integrated as an essential part of this practice. Ultimately, any action is performed without the
doer being attached to the results. Healing occurs when the student accepts his or her commitment to be a yogi in the world, looking after families, communities, animals, Mother Earth and all living entities. Doing so is part of both dhyana yoga and OIDA Therapy. In OIDA Therapy, both the School of Inbound Yoga system and traditional Ayurvedic medicine methods are used for the diagnosis and healing of the body and mind. Srila Paramadvaiti Swami states, “Holistic healing is not some kind of fantasy. Instead, it is our job at all stages of our lives. It is not some product that can be purchased that will have no deeper significance.”
Bhakti yoga enables people to realize their true essence as spiritual souls. The perfection of human life is reached when one offers true love to the Divine, which is innate in everyone and everything. The School of Inbound Yoga encourages the daily cultivation of a devotional attitude. Srila Paramadvaiti Swami says, “Bhakti yoga can be likened to a deep spiritual infatuation that really heals all relationships with God and with the world.” It also relates to your relationship with your diet and all the other elements of the environment.
The School of Inbound Yoga has its headquarters in India and instructors in more than twenty countries around the world. It offers students the opportunity to study in the cradle of yoga during its India trainings and to maintain close ties to ancient Vedic wisdom. Courses Learn more at www.yogainbound.org.
Directed by Srila Bhaktivedanta Atulananda Acharya Swami The School of Inbound Yoga aspires to the highest yoga goals.
How Can I Participate? Anyone who wants to become an instructor or open an academy should, contact representatives in their country or the closest Vrinda center. www.vrindavan.org.
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Ashrams and temples are hubs of devotional expression, spiritual upliftment and Vedic culture. You are welcome to visit us and be inspired by its atmosphere of harmony and joy.
EXPERIENCE
ASHRAM
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life
he Vrinda Family has developed the Ashram Life Program for all those who wish to deepen the development of their spiritual consciousness. The participants will receive a valuable opportunity to immerse themselves in the experience of living in a yoga monastery. Learn in detail the practices of how to study, meditate, worship, sing, eat, and rest among other practices that go in harmony with the cycles of nature.
- Mixed Ashrams - Male Brahmacari Ashrams - Female Visnupriya Ashrams - ECO-YOGA Farm Communities - Travel with a Swami in India or South America For a: - Weekend - Month - Vacation - Brahmachari training period - Emotional healing period After proper training, you can even join the ashram for life. It is a unique, purifying and joyful process.
How Can I Participate?
Visit our directory of centers around the world and join us in this adventure that will certainly bring you great joy. www.gurumaharaj.net/centros.html
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Association with those who are dedicated to their ideals is contagious; it gives us joy and strength. Also, it helps our true, eternal self-esteem to manifest, rather than our living just in our own egotistic world.
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It is for all ages it is beyond caste and creed. The ashram is a home for the universal family.
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Asia
India
V rinda Temples, Eco-Yoga Villages and Projects
Europe
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Bulgaria
rinda’s temple in Sofia, Bulgaria, is a very sweet community. Bulgaria is a mystical land with seven holy lakes in the Rila Mountains. The people of the area identify with Aryan culture because of their Veda Slovena tradition. Many Vedic deities and Lord Krishna are worshiped with the chanting of traditional songs, which is confirmation of the age-old connection between India and Bulgaria. One of the pioneers from this country is Bhakti Shakti Dasi. In Burgas, we have a program that some families maintain and they continue to develop our program.
Czech Republic
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f you are visiting Prague, go to the Radha Gopinath Mandir opened by Malati Dasi, who wished to have Radha Krishna present in Prague. This is one of the most beautiful places in Europe where people from all over the world are welcome to participate in our daily activities.
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he Vrinda Family gathers every year in India during the months of different holy festivals. In October, during the holy month of Kartik, people from around the world come to Vrinda Kunja Ashram in Vrindavan dham. In March, the family gathers in Mayapur to celebrate Gaura Purnima, the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Vrinda Kunja welcomes visitors at any time of year for spiritual meditation, yoga trainings and volunteering. The Jahnavi Kunja ashram in Mayapur is a breath-takingly beautiful Eco-Yoga Village. You do not want to miss the chance to stay in one of our tree houses with a gorgeous view of the Ganga River flowing alongside the ashram. The Vrinda Family works closely with various organizations dedicated to cleaning the holy rivers and reviving ancient, Vedic, Hindu culture. We collaborate with people who are aligned with our intentions and are committed to maintaining the same ideals. Since 2012 we have been participating in the gathering of Kumbha Mela, where we presented a conscious drama in an effort to create awareness and inspire people’s loving commitment to protect our Mother Earth.
Another thing we try to provide is access to wonderful Vedic literature. One of the main projects of the Vrinda Family is the Service in Editing for the Vaishnava Acharyas (SEVA), which publishes books to keep the Vaishnava acharya literature in print. The majority of the publications have been in Spanish, but we are currently expanding into other regions, among them Bulgaria, Sweden, Germany and the Englishspeaking countries. SEVA published books for OIDA Therapy, Perennial Psychology, The World Conscious Pact and Yoga Inbound and also helps in the management of several related web sites.
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Montreal
n addition to our projects in South America, the Vrinda Family extends into the northern continent. In Montreal, Canada representing both the French and English speaking communities, as well as the city’s increasingly diverse international community, Vrinda’s main center offers Inbound Yoga workshops, tourism to Eco-Yoga Villages, and activities related to philosophy and wellbeing. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
Germany
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here is a lovely Indian temple in Reinickendorf in downtown Berlin. It is located next to a park and is the perfect environment for studying Vedic philosophy and learning how to perform Vedic rituals. Yoga courses and workshops are offered here on a regular basis. Prem Kishore, temple president in Reinickendorf, has dedicated many years to making this a wonderful place. The deities were named in honor of Sridhar Maharaja’s main deities – Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Gandharvika Govinda Sundaram.
Spain
There is always room for guests, and many Swamis (monastic people) from all over the world are welcome at the temple. Two ashrams are available: the Brahmachari ashram for men and the Vishnu Priya ashram for women. The Vrinda Family also has a farm, Govinda’s Bauernhof, on the outskirts of Berlin where they host large, spiritual retreats. Patita Pavana Das and his wife Mohini Dasi also provide a spiritual space in Munich with their beautiful, Krishna-conscious family. The Lakshmi Nrishimha and Girigovardhan deities are installed in their temple.
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he Vrinda Family is currently in the process of establishing temples and developing activities on the nine Canary Islands of the coast of Spain. Uddhava Sakha Das is the president of the Grand Canary Island temple, and Krishnadas Kaviraj Das is the president of the Gomera Island temple. Gopeshwara Mahadev Das leads regular activities on the islands of Tenerife, Fuerteaventura and La Palma. Krishna Priya dasi is the leader on the island of Mallorca. There are Vrinda contacts in Barcelona and Alicante.
In Hamburg, Gupta Vrindavan Dasi has a Yoga Inbound School and offers OIDA Therapy.
“Community living is always based on what the heart wants. If youwant to give your heart to something, give it to your relationships, because you are only worth as much as your relationships”
Sweden The Vaishnava community has grown throughout Sweden, reaching as far as Sundsvall in the North. There are many places in Gothenburg for Vaishnava retreats. The main headquarters in Gothenburg, Nimai House, is administered by Sevananda das. The programs there include a vegetarian restaurant, Vedic philosophy classes and ceremonies and a bhakti yoga school. Outside of Ulricehamn, in the countryside, Madhu Mangal Das has aplace called Villa Vrindavan.
Hungary
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Maharari Das is the coordinator of the Imlitala farm located near the Kungsbacka Fjorden, where you will find the most sacred Radha Kunda Lake.
In addition to the beautiful congregation in Budapest, the Vrinda Family is also represented in Eger, Miskolc and Szeged.
The Swedish community has done many wonderful things including making recordings of our Chaski musicians and maintaining different web sites.
he Nandafalva community is an incredible place. This is the perfect spot for retreats and for studying in the Pushta. The temple has both Hungarian and Indian architecture. The deities are Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Gopi Vallabha, and Srila Krishnananda Acharya is the spiritual leader.
Peru THE MAIN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS
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Colombia
he Eco-Yoga Villages of Gambhira, Goloka and the University of Ancient Wisdom (UOAW) all began on a property that was donated for the benefit of the communities and members of the United Nations of the Spirit. This is a project that unites the ancient wisdom of the East with the ancestral wisdom of the Andes. Goloka has seven of the twelve healing pools of the Minca River. The native Arhuacos and Kogis used these river pools as healing spas. An old Tayrona road was found underground on the Goloka property, leading from the mountains to the healing pools. Another place is Gambhira, which is next to the headquarters of the UOAW. Close by is Tayrona University. There are amazing carvings left behind by the Tayrona people.
Argentina Eco-Yoga Villages Temples, and Projects
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he Vrinda Family has a breath-taking place near Buenos Aires called New Vrindavan. There are temples in different places in Argentina, but the main deities, Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Madan Mohan, are worshiped in the Eco-Yoga Village of New Vrindavan in General Rodriguez. This temple was reviewed and featured in the Lonely Planet travel guide as one of the best places to visit in South America. There are also programs on the islands of Tigre and Cordoba.
Varsana, the Eco-Yoga Village at the heart of the Vrinda Family is the most amazing community. This farm is home to many important Vrinda Family projects, including a seed bank and the construction of a Truly temple complex similar to the one at Eco-Truly Park in Peru. It is a short trip to the Vrinda temples in Bogota, the SEVA office and the OIDA Therapy Foundation. Varsana is not far from Vrindavanita, the Vrinda Family’s farm for elderly devotees who want to retire and live the rest of their lives in a sacred atmosphere. Gaur Nitay Mandir is the main Ashram in Bogota for spiritual enlightenment We offer many programs in different cities in Colombia such as Cali, Medellin, Pereira, Armenia, Bucaramanga and Cucuta. All of these places have Eco-Yoga Villages as well. Please contact us if you would like more information about the Colombian community.
Picture from the Vrinda Mela 2016 in Peru
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his is one of the most important and most frequently visited places in South America because of the remnants of the Incan empire that are there. By the grace of Srila Prabhupad and Sri Krishna, the Vrinda Family can be found in the beautiful communities of Sradhavan and Rasa Sthali in the sacred valley of the Incas (San Salvador Community). There are ashrams for both women and men, several vegetarian restaurants and great enthusiasm for taking knowledge of Lord Krishna to every corner of the world. We have a great opportunity to inspire so many people who travel to Cuzco every year. Here we inspire them to volunteer at the farm in Chacra y Mar. One can also live at Eco-Truly Park, a great Vaishnava community in a very artistic setting in Chacra y Mar on the Pacific coast just an hour North of Lima. This is one of the Vrinda Family’s most creatively designed ashrams with very interesting caves, a yoga planetarium, a Vedic village and a campus of the University of Ancient Wisdom. Chacra y Mar is a unique place that volunteers frequently visit and it is where our largest gatherings are held every year.
Other Important Places For lack of space, we have omitted some important locations. Those who are coming to Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico will find great treasures by locating the local eco yoga villages and Vrinda city centers. See: www.vrindavan.org for details.
Ecuador
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ou will find some of our most beautiful retreat spots in Ecuador: Ahimsa Van in Tena and Vrindavana Ecological Gardens in Rio Negro among others. The main temple is the Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Radha Gopinath Mandir in Quito. Contact us if you would like to visit our different retreat places in this country.
City
Ashrams W
e have several ashrams located in the heart of major cities. They are sanctuaries amidst the chaos for visitors seeking a quiet place to connect with a healing dimension. They provide the right atmosphere for cultivating spirituality, for meditation, for studying the Vedic scriptures, and for doing selfless service.
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hese sacred shelters offer programs for everyone. There are temples for those who want to share a spiritual practice and yoga academies for those who want to learn this ancient science for their own well-being and to help others. We also have several Govinda’s restaurants to provide people with delicious, nutritious vegetarian and vegan food, to help in the spread of vegetarianism and to teach healthy living concepts and practices. How Can I Participate?
Visit our directory of centers around the world and join us in this adventure that will certainly bring you great joy. www.gurumaharaj.net/centros.html
Sri Sri Gaura Nitay Cultural Center
(Bogota - Colombia)
Govinda’s Restaurant 40 • (Santiago - Chile)
Vrinda’s Cultural Center (Lima - Peru)
Vrinda house (Caracas - Venezuela) • 41
How TO Serve better
y GOVINDA’S Restaurants www.spoonrevolution.com
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ovinda’s Restaurants recognize the importance of beauty in the culinary art of preparing nutritious, pain-free food, offered to the Lord, and served in a devotional atmosphere. Nurturing people and giving them the experience of the benefits of a delicious, conscious diet promote well-being for both body and soul. The restaurants are located wherever there are Vrinda temples and centers. They are excellent alternatives for people who want unique preparations made with healthy, natural ingredients. Whenever possible, we use organic, non-GMO ingredients. These restaurants have come to represent goodness in the heart of cities, big and small. They are oasis of delights for everyone - food from India and around the world prepared with extra love and consciousness.
Thakur das
Leadership Training
The Vrinda Family makes every effort to maintain transparency within the personal and administrative relationships of its members. Each individual is responsible for reflecting this openness and understanding in all activities. This supports a relationship of profound trust in the leaders and those who are being trained to be leaders. The Vrinda Family is part of an initiation school that dates back thousands of years and will continue into the future. Each branch of this school is self-sufficient and is responsible for maintaining the standard of transparency and the joy of all its participants.
Nitay Pada Kamala dasi
These standards, set for us by the founders of this tradition, inspire us to come together and create opportunities for sharing such as meetings, also known as ishtaghostis. Aspiring leaders are always invited to visit all departments of every new center to help fill in the gaps as needed.
Cooking with love
Other Centers in the World
Love and trust are the basis of all relationships, and we follow this sacred principle taught to us by our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupad. This is the principle of the interaction of senior and junior participants and the Brahminical Guardians. • 43
The Sacred Feminine A
ccording to Vedic traditions, all women are sacred and are to be worshiped so long as they act within the laws of dharma. It is essential for women to be involved in spiritual leadership because they provide the nurturing love that should never be ignored as it was during the chauvinistic era of European colonialism. In our Vaishnava tradition, we have many great women leaders and spiritual masters who have demonstrated their great capacities. We have established training centers for women called Vishnu Priya ashrams. Their doors are open to protect
The
Our future
and connect all women from newborns to the elderly, including widows of any age. Srila Prabhupad would always remind us that women represent the Goddess of Fortune in a home. Therefore, if a woman is abused in any way, fortune will not manifest in that home.
All women are divine, and we must respect and protect them.
The
www.damodara.de
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happy C Kids
If you do not find happiness along the way, how do you expect to find it in the end?
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hildhood education relies a lot on the child’s experiences while growing up in addition to what they are taught in school. This is why those who want to take on the responsibility of being nurturing parents must take the sacred vow of marriage. The Vrinda Family encourages a profound degree of dedication from parents so that they will be a stronger unit. This dedication results in a sustainably happy atmosphere where children can naturally embrace these healthy ideals instead of raising children in a marriage based only on sexual attraction, dogmas, fears and material goals.
Conscious
Marriages
VrindaPortal.com Treasures of the Vrinda Family on the WEB And many more sites can be found in Spanish and German, etc.
Vrinda´s Goal is simple: divine love
(gurumaharaj.net)
all our members work for:
1. Our spiritual family. (vrindaportal.com) 2. Personal self-realization. Paramatma meditation courses
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raditionally, the Vedas were transmitted orally from teacher to disciple and memorized. Later, they began to be written down on palm leaves. After the invention of the printing press, the “Brihat Mridanga” made mass publication possible. Similarly, the invention of the Internet, the “Tera Mridanga,” opened the doors to communication on a scale never seen before.
Vrinda Portal holds the virtual files of all the services of the Vrinda family. The entire network is connected via this web site, and we can easily share texts, audio and visual files. We also use the portal for managing our communications, distributing bulletins and serving thousands of friends by making the Vedas available. We provide access to this spiritual knowledge to everyone. We use the Internet as a big archive and library of information and social media as a useful tool for inviting people to our programs and allowing us to livestream classes and conferences for people around the world to enjoy. There are more than 1,000 Vrinda pages, countless books about faith, several blogs and a YouTube channel. Vrinda aims to keep all of them open to the public. The great master, Srila Rupa Goswami, taught us that everything should be used in service of the Supreme Lord, otherwise it might be misused for negative purposes.
Dear first-time visitors to VrindaPortal.com, The majority of our web sites are in Spanish, but there are a few in English, such as the Vrinda News site, Vrindanews.com. If you would like more detailed information in English, please contact our secretary, Radhe Shyam dasi at radheshyam.bap@gmail.com
3. Joint social work for humanity in the house of wisdom. 4. The eco-yoga ashrams provide volunteers an opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle in harmony with nature and with others.(ecoyogavillages.org) 5. Joint environmental work for our dear Mother Earth, in solidarity with the natives as expressed in The World Conscious Pact. (worldconsciouspact.org) 6. World peace through conscious chanting and promoting the food of love, gratefulness and compassion. (worldpeacetherapy.com) 7. Joint efforts to form the heart to heart tapestry of the United Nations of the Spirit. (unitednationsofthespirit.org) 8. Joint efforts for Faith Education with respect for all to have happy and healthy children to construct our world. 9. Joint efforts to recover freedom of thought with the study of Perennial Psychology – the OIDA Therapy method. (oidatherapy.org) 10. Joint efforts to clean rivers, raise awareness of the need to protect Vrindavan Dham, Mayapur Dham and the world through BVAN – Act Now. 11. Joint efforts to appreciate and learn the ancient wisdom. The University offers guidance to a confused materialistic population. (The University Of Ancient Wisdom) 12. Demonstrating the healing power of art and music. (chaskifest.com) • 47
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rila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, the spiritual grandfather of our family, has been the subject of several of our publications. Our publishing house received blessings from our shiksaguru, Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhara Deva Goswami Maharaj, “Publishing books from the previous acharyas will benefit the world.” Considering that there are so few publications about him in either English or Spanish, we took these blessings and accepted this service.
The Study and Distribution That We Recommend
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he distribution and study of Vaishnava literature are the two most important aspects of the Chaitanya vaishnava tradition. This tradition stems from the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita, compiled by Srila Vyasadeva thousands of years ago. It includes the numerous writings of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan from 500 years ago. These writings contain the philosophical principles and the divine revelations that have been preserved until today. These great sages have left us with treasures of knowledge, a great list of materials for the benefit and awakening of humanity. The Vrinda Family continues this tradition by disseminating the message of the Vedas in its original form as well as by adapting it to simpler forms that nevertheless preserve its mysticism.
How do I participate?
You can get books, okis, messages from heart to heart, music, videos and all kinds of materials for your spiritual growth. Visit our headquarters in your city, or in our virtual store www.yogabazar.com
SRI DHAMESHVARA MAHAPRABHU DEITY of VISHNUPRIYA DEVI and SACI MATA in NAVADVIP (WEST BENGAL)
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tanding in the posture of generous distribution, He inspired thousands of literary and musical compositions in many languages.
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SEVA (Services in Editing for the Vaishnavas Acharyas) tries to make these nectarian teachings available as widely as possible. Do not forget the books of Srila Prabhupad are not only for distributing, they are also for reading.
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The Eco-Yoga Villages welcomes volunteers and guests. They are great examples of natural, ecologically sound architecture. Experience a holistic lifestyle, healthy food, and uplifting festivals. Learn about ashram life, yoga, meditation, and organic gardening. 50 •
The Truly method of construction is ancient, and can be adapted to any terrain, any weather, and any local materials.
for reservations Contact: Ecoyogavillages.org • 51
How Can I Participate?
Great
Travel with a Swami and meet the members of the Vrinda Family in their spiritual homes around the world. Celebrate with them during different devotional festivals. You can join in at any time of the year. For more information about special upcoming events, please contact the Vrinda secretary at radheshyam.bap@gmail.com
Encounters WHEN AND WHERE WE CAN MEET AS AN INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL FAMILY
Krishna Janmashtami 1 Sri in Colombia
On this day (late August to early September), we celebrate the birthday of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. The whole place is beautifully decorated. During the joyous ceremonies, we offer songs and prayers from our hearts as well as one hundred and eight vegetarian dishes. Special programs take place throughout the festival to mark the mysticism of this important celebration.
Gaura Purnima in 2 Mayapur, India
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu incarnated during the night of a golden full moon. In March, we come together in Mayapur to celebrate His appearance and share His teachings about the process of chanting the Names of God with love.
in Vrindavan, 3 Parikram India
Parikrama is a pilgrimage to the holy places of Vraj Mandal. It is a time to mediate on God. We stop at different holy sites to embrace the lingering sweetness of Sri Krishna’s pastimes. This experience can purify your heart and stimulate your spiritual growth.
Mela’s in Peru, Germany, Ma4 llorca and the Canary Islands In January, there are a number of special opportunities to spend time with our founder. The same opportunity is available in Kartik in Vrindavan and during Janmastami in Colombia. Many devotees from around the world gather during these special times to develop projects in service of humanity.
Festival 5 Summer in Hungary
Once a year, during the summer, there is a festival in Hungary where traditional Vaishnava monks, families, children and friends meet. It is a great chance to be together and an inspiration for all to serve Krishna as a community.
Lord Narasimhadev, the universal deitiy of the Lord who gives protection to everyone. • 53
ÁREAS DE ACCIÓN
Alliances Love without borders facilitates the formation of alliances so that the virtuous circle can run endlessly. Vrinda has assumed an important role in supporting various campaigns and linking different proposals to presently available solutions. When we join together with a common purpose, we can really make changes.
ecoyogafestival.com
worldconsciouspact.org pachamamanet.com
larevoluciondelacuchara.org unitednationsofthespirit.org sokhrates.com
chaskifest.com
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worldpeacetherapy.com
The ancestral traditions of the Americas and Asia meeting at Varsana Ecological Gardens in Colombia to chant together for peace and unity. • 55
ÁREAS DE ACCIÓN
The University of Ancient Wisdom
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he prophecy of the condor and the eagle says, “When the condor of the North and the eagle of the South meet in the nest of colibri, only then will we experience the insights that can teach us how to face the difficulties of the world. To bring about this shift, Vrinda Family undertook the founding of the University of Ancient Wisdom (UOAW) to provide a space for this new kind of education to be made available through on-line and classroom courses. This pivotal project started with a sacred meeting with the natives of the Sierra Nevada in Colombia where the local, native chiefs gave their blessings. A piece of land was donated for the University near the original university of the Tayronas. A branch campus has been built in Peru at Eco-Truly Park. There is a lot of enthusiasm about the project developing in Chile, Peru and India. Many other places have offered their facilities for local meetings. The curriculum of the university ranges from the most basic education for children on how to be guardians of Mother Earth to more advanced courses in the healing sciences and in the ancient wisdom traditions we have inherited from our ancestors. While the university is under development, we encourage all cultural ambassadors, researchers and guardians of the treasures of ancient wisdom to participate spontaneously. We invite you to unite with other well-wishers to share the responsibility for creating awareness of and protecting these sacred treasures, especially Mother Earth herself.
The nine principles of the United Nations of the Spirit (UNS) were inspired during a kiva meeting in Colombia on December 21, 2012 (See unitednationsofthespirit. org). This essential contribution of values and guidelines
Messengers of love
provides a clear statement of intention and understanding of the essential needs of all UOAW researchers. With contributions from different tribes and their ancient wisdom, the university intends to expand in the future and to focus on the healing arts and cultural education. All of these ancient traditions are connected and represented by the symbol of a bird: the peacock for India, the swan for Europe, the quetzal for Mayan cultures, the macaw or guacamayo for the Amazon, the eagle for North America and the condor for South America. Please, visit our web site, universityofancientwisdom. org, for more complete insight into our activities. You can look at short videos about the people who are working behind the scenes and about their efforts to defend the rights of Mother Earth, which include legal initiatives.This will continue to develop as we make more connections and weave together our visions into a conscious tapestry of the UNS, the UOAW, Ikwashendwna and everyone who wants to make this a better world.
Radha Damodar Dasi Secretary
How Can I Participate?
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Chaski Fest
you must come with a certain amount of patience and lots of love so that together we can realize these plans, these ideals that our planet needs. Let’s remember that “In Latin America, patience is no virtue, it is a necessary ingredient to survive.” Visit the nearest Vrinda center or go to: www.universityofancientwisdom.org.
All artists who use music to awaken the collective consciousness of the protectors One of the main releases was of Mother Earth are called to “Voices for Patagonia” be part of this movement. Leading artists in the Latin American music industry have joined Chaski Fest with their inspiring works and divine rhythms. Over one hundred artists have participated in musical events in Colombia, Peru, Chile and other Latin American countries.
(2009), featuring Angel Parra, Inti Illimani and others. Their message is for the big corporations that destroy our eco-systems, water sources, and some communities in the Chilean Patagonia.
“Abre Sierra” (2009) by Renace Bakata is an album created to support Ati Quigua, a movement of indigenous artists organized by David Jaramillo.
Ama-zonas (2014), is an album featuring various artists from around the world such as Dr. Krapula, Manu Chao, Cafe Tacuba, Maldita Vecindad, Aterciopelados, and others. During the month of July, 2014, this album was distributed free of charge through the Colombian newspaper, “El Tiempo,” and continues to be distributed in other areas around the world.
Visit: www.chaskifest.com
The call of the Chaski continues traveling through Latin America so that more artists can be part of this movement of love without borders.
How Can I Participate? Visit the Chaski Fest or promote it in your• city 57
Spirit United Nations of the
The
Spoon Revolution
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Eco
yoga festivals
h e Vrinda How om do I p al.c stiv articip e f a Family started g ate? yo For more details, go to; www.eco a motivational program called The Spoon Revolution to raise awareness about the protection of Mother Earth, Pachamama, and to promote vegetarianism. The Vrinda Family believes that adopting a vegetarian diet can solve many world problems, specifically the slaughter and abuse of animals, but also degenerative diseases that come from eating meat and the environmental effects of raising soy and grain crops to feed animals for human consumption. Traditionally, we follow a vegetarian diet and have a mutually nurturing relationship with animals. By behaving as a reflection of this love for all sentient beings, we hope to motivate others to make the shift toward a more compassionate, healthier diet. The Vrinda Family has made it a tradition to hold yoga festivals in natural surroundings. They bring hundreds of people from all over the he Spoon Revolution program is working as an offering to world together to celebrate in loving harmony with Mother Earth and the United Nations of the Spirit and The World Conscious God. The objective is to expand awareness of ecological/organic agriPact to solve some of the dilemmas we face in the world. culture, of conservation instead of consumerism, and of sustainable We promote vegetarian cooking courses, distribute vegetarian ways of living. Our overall goal is to share the science of harmony food and provide enlightening information. between man and nature.
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How Can I Participate?
You can receive the “Oki Newsletter” by email, download educational materials, participate in events or carry out your own activities, with the support of the materials of The Spoon Revolution. Visit the nearest Vrinda center or go to: www.thegoldenpages.info
We offer the following at our events: films about ecology, organic markets, holistic therapies, yoga classes, and workshops about living consciously, stage performances and more. We began holding these festivals in Bogota, Colombia, and called them “Universal Love Festivals.” Over the years, we have had twenty or so different versions of these gatherings with more than 160,000 people attending. Other places, including cities in Peru and Venezuela, have expanded on this initiative.
S
ri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of our spiritual lineage, taught us to respect everyone regardless of how they worship God. He said that the Lord has a thousand Names, and that He has put all His loving energy into them. We should offer our respects to all beings, considering them to be part of one, great big family. It was our greatest pleasure to meet the people of the ancient tribes. We completed a four-year long prayer with the native tribes on Varsana, Colombia, on December 12th, 2012, by announcing the founding of the United Nations of the Spirit. We emphasized the fact that problems that humanity faces cannot be solved without people considering their spiritual identities. We can find harmony in this world only by offering our humble gratitude to the Divine, the One who maintains everything in the creation. This fact is what unites us in our varied existences. By acknowledging this, we can solve all environmental problems and the other difficulties we face in modern times. We happily accepted the invitation to be part of the United Nations of the Spirit, and we feel that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would be very happy to see our unity. This is a chance for all people and all tribes around the world to work together to look after Mother Earth by developing innovative strategies. By doing so, we can reach the spiritual perfection of Universal Love, i.e. if you love God, then you love everybody, and if you love God, then you love everybody, and if you love everybody, then you also love the Creator of everything. Beyond sectarianism, institutionalism, and fanaticism, there is a spiritual path that we love, and we are supposed to develop and share that. The Vrinda Family has taken the initiative in connecting the spiritual leaders of South America with the teachers of India, thus merging the complementary fountainheads of ancient wisdom for the benefit of the world. Many tribes of South America are living without contamination, pollution and the destructive ideals of materialistic, modern society. These untouched places are great examples of simple living with higher thinking. Whatever we do, if done in the right spirit, can be an offering to the United Nations of the Spirit and can unite us in our universal concern for the welfare of all. We hope to inspire you always to act for the benefit of some, if not for all. Visit the UNS web site at unitednationsofthespirit.org for more information. Watch the movies, and if you feel inspired about this matter, please contact us. We may be closer to you than you imagine!
How Can I Participate?
The ancestral people gathered here: we want to tell the whole humanity that we have a common origin, that common origin is a thought, which that thought is the Great Spirit, from which everything originates. Thus, our duty is to put our mind in communion with that source and remember that we came here to experience harmony, • 59 joy and divine love. www.unitednationsofthespirit.org
Naturagente
Naturagente (Natural People) is what we call anyone who is actively involved in protecting and defending Mother Earth in an organized way. Naturagente work to stop vicious corporations and other organizations from continuing to damage our environment in order to reduce the pain humanity causes its great Mother. They strive to put an end to all unconscious activity that adversely affects this planet and its inhabitants.
World Conscious
Pact
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“
Ikwashendwna The same year that Paramadvaiti Swami participated in Brazil in Rio +20, he was invited by the spiritual leaders in the Sierra Nevada to a meeting of Mamos, an indigenous tribe who live North of Santa Marta in Colombia. Mamo L’wantana spoke the revelation of Ikwashendwna in the form of a message that his spiritual parents requested him to convey, “Mother Earth is calling for help. It is necessary for us to unite and help her.” Ikwashendwna represents a healing pathway for bringing life back into balance and harmony by restoring the memory of our original essence as human beings. Mamo L’wantana has been inspired by divine Mother Nature to call humanity to form one family – the Union of the Guardians of Mother Earth to save lives. In essence, the objective is the same as that of The World Conscious Pact: to unite our different beliefs, knowledge and wisdom into a single mission. It is in the universal interest of all generations to remain united and to protect the seeds of creation. Mamo L’wantana travels around to different communities to show us the need to understand our relationship to our Mother Earth and all living entities and our duty to protect her. Mamo L’wantana from the Nacoggi tribe of Ikwashendwna explains that our mission is to be mindful about using our sexual energy to reproduce, to consume less and not kill living entities unnecessarily, to be truthful in all circumstances, to defend the rights of Mother Earth and to become a spokesperson for Ikwashndwna.
How Can I Participate? Take a Naturagente (natural people) course and become a Guardian of Mother Earth. More information: www.naturagente.org
Values
and Science We seek to restore the values that sustain universal order, as taught by the ancestral cultures of the East and the West. This is a way of securing human, core values that lead us to have more positive relationships with each other and to engage in activities that promote the well-being of others. For more information on this topic, please Visit www.dharmascience.net
ogether with the United Nations of the Spirit, we created a platform for the Vrinda activists. We are creating powerful networks for all those who want to alleviate the environmental problems our great Mother Earth faces today. In an effort to make a better world for all, The World Conscious Pact, OIDA Therapy and The Spoon Revolution have joined forces. They are reaching out through various channels – Chaski Fests, programs at EcoYoga Villages, vegetarian restaurants, and other festivals about ecological awareness. The idea is to bring all activists together to have a larger impact. OIDA World Peace Therapy is another powerful initiative being used to inspire people to take responsibility for making changes in this world. Our common goal is to be guardians of Mother Earth and to protect her. We are not going to be here forever. Therefore, we should assume responsibility for everything the we leave behind. Every step we take toward making this a cleaner and more sustainable world is a step toward making this a better world for the generations to come. How Can I Participate? worldconsciouspact.org
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Relationships of
Universal Love S
rila Paramadvaiti Swami, the founder of Vrinda, is making every possible effort to weave a network of all who want to fight together on behalf of Mother Earth and to be part of the solution. In his monastic community, he became coordinator of the environmental committee of the World Vaishnava Association (WVA).
Doctor Vandana Shiva - India and Ati Quigua - Colombia
Los Chamanes Jaguares de Yurupari in Bogota.
He is driven by a need to see change in the world. There are so many tasks to complete to reach solutions and so many contacts that exist who can help achieve this progress. He has taken the initiative in forming alliances with many important people around the world in order to raise awareness and encourage taking responsibility. These meeting led to the Vrinda Family confronting various systems and lifestyles, but Paramadvaiti Swami’s message remains the same: to beg for the love of all toward others.
“
The guardians of Mother Earth, dedicated to the protection of nature, are tightening their bonds through Universal Love.
”
Paramadvaiti Swami
Damodar Swami - Chile and David Jaramillo (Doctor Krapula) - Colombia
World Conscious Pact with Buddhist monks Kumbha Mela - India
Paramadvaiti Swami and Lucas - Colombia
Paramadvaiti Swami giving the Book of OIDA Therapy to Coyote Alberto - Mexico
Paramadvaiti Swami and Pepe Mujica - Uruguay
Activist Chucho Merchan with Milena Chaski Fest - Mexico
Rights for Mother Earth - Mexico
Festival for the Rights of Mother Earth - Mexico
Chaski Fest - Mexico 2016 Encounter for the Rights of Mother Earth
Bhakti Sundar Sannyasi Maharaj and Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Swami with the banner of the United Nations of The Spirit.
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OidaÁREAS DE ACCIÓN
Our projects:
therapy
Oidatherapy for World Peace
The Science of Consciousness and Faith
Oida Psychotherapy
Oidatherapy Statement Oidatherapy is a therapeutic methodology, which offers us guidance on our spiritual path, so that we may find help in order to strengthen our relationship to the Divine through conscious living practices. To the degree that we recognize the importance of our spiritual reality and connect with it, we become able to see the presence of the Infinite Supreme in all aspects of our lives. The divine essence is present in everything, in our sweet Mother Earth, in the Sun and the Moon, in the air we breath, in the water, in the people around us, in every situation we experience and in the entire creation. As we raise our level of awareness, we can begin to go deeper into our faith and create an intimate relationship with our Supreme Well-Wisher, who will give us important realizations in our inner selves so that we are able to relate from the heart to others. Oidatherapy has been developed to help us to overcome our emotional and psychological traumas through the healing power of healthy faith.
Faith Education
Doctors Oida Arts
P Sounds that Heal
Oidatherapy in Prisons
About Oidatherapy
Retreats to Spiritual Sanctuaries
Oidatherapy Meditations
Swami Paramadvaiti, after deepening the concepts of the Bhaktivedanta Institute and of the healing power of faith, created Perennial Psychology and its practical application Oidatherapy. Now, Oidatherapy is being developed and applied in different countries around the world and is one of the main subjects taught in the University of Ancient Wisdom (UOAM).
Publications
(OTMs)
Ecumenical Dialogue
Training Courses
Perennial Psychology Manual of Oidatherapy Better Living through Believing (coming soon)
Conscious
Therapeutic Yoga Inbound
Group Therapy
Affirmations
eople who work in healing have a great responsibility in their hands. They are providing a service for the welfare of the world. Eating is a sacred ritual that we take part in every day, and when we do not do it in a state of higher consciousness, it can lead to disease and the destruction of Mother Earth. Most people are unaware of the chemicals in their food or the violence with which it may have been produced. They are not eating what Vrinda calls a “compassionate” diet. Vrinda’s Conscious Doctors program began in House of Wisdom. It includes allopathic and homeopathic medicine, chiropractic and various holistic approaches, including psychology provided by OIDA Therapy. Conscious Doctors are those who see the healing sciences as divine service and who have dedicated themselves to helping others under any circumstances and without regard for ability to pay. Please contact us if you are working in any of these fields and would like to become a Conscious Doctor and offer your services as a generous gesture of your noble heart. Wherever you are, you can open a new center as a Conscious Doctor or offer some of your time for community service. We want to educate people by providing them with the knowledge and preventive methods they need to live a healthy life. Conscious Doctors are there to guide members of their communities toward leading a holistic lifestyle. We encourage you to join this program. Remember – what you don’t give away, you lose. How Can I Participate?
We are one family I know I feel I believe I decide I am grateful • I64 discriminate I have free will
I am responsible I am loved I have compassion I am part of the Supreme I have a mission I have an Inner Guide I am eternal I am free
Visit our: web page: www.oidatherapy.org or contact us at info@oidatherapy.org.
We invite all professionals and health workers to articulate themselves in this network. Being conscious of their role in forming, investigating and divulgating the different elements that are contributed in the maintenance of general health. Accordingly, with the Divine Destiny and respect for all the other beings that accompany us in this planet. You can connect yourself with the headquarters of the foundation of the House Of Wisdom nearest to you, or the web page. www.medicosconscientes.net
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World
The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatan, Sri Jiva, Sri Gopal Bhatta, Sri Ragunath Das, Sri Ragunath Bhatta
Vaishnava
Association The Vedantic School and Its Union In Diversity Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu started the World Vaishnava Association more than 500 years ago to spread Krishna consciousness, a service that all Vaishnavas continue to do to this day. He instructed his most trusted disciples, The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, to establish networks within the Vaishnava mission to disseminate Vedic knowledge around the world. Srila Jiva Goswami founded the Vishva Vaishnava Raj Sabha to start this expansion. The organization almost disappeared at one point.
Srila B.P. Puri Goswami Maharaj 1994
Srila Nayananda Das Babaji Maharaj 2002 Srila B.B. Tirtha Goswami Maharaj 2003 Srila Gopananda Bon Maharaj 2016
However, thanks to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur Prabhupad, Vaishnava activism was revived when Srila Bhakti Pramod Puri Goswami Maharaj was appointed president and renamed the organization as the World Vaishnava Association (WVA). He appointed Srila Paramadvaiti to serve as general secretary.
“
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur 1919
Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur 1800 Srila Jiva Goswami 1500
We must fulfill Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s predictions, which indicate that the Holy Name should be sung in every town and village around the world.
”
Along with other important Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual leaders, Srila Paramadvaiti gave new life to the association in 1994. Since then, many steps have been taken in collaboration with them. A total of nineteen different missions and thirty-four acharyas have united to serve humanity and preserve the tradition of Vedantic theism. The World Vaishnava Association continues to fulfill its mission by planting the seeds of truth in people’s hearts. Every year, after Gaura Purnima, we celebrate the eight-day, international Chaitanya Mela in Calcutta with speakers from all the Vaishnava missions.
How Can I Participate?
If anyone desires to have more information on the different Vaishnava missions, their founders or members. - Please visit www.vina.cc
Vrinda is a member of the umbrella organization called the World Vaishnava Association, also known as Vishva Vaishnava Raj Sabha.
BVAN Needs you.
Please, Act Now. Restoring the holy places of Vrindavan and Mayapur
www.vrindavanactnow.com
before
before
after
Vrindavan dham and Mayapur dham are two sacred places very dear to us. We are speaking up for the preservation of these holy shrines and to make sure that measures are taken to protect them. Anyone who feels a strong connection to Mother Earth will do everything possible to preserve her beauty. A crucial part of this process is educating ourselves and others about how to treat our Mother. We have a great opportunity to provide a very important service to Bharat Mata, the sacred land of Mother India. The holy land of Braj Vrindavan is in great need. In order to bring about the changes it needs, we started a project called Braj Vrindavan Act Now. Although most of us were not physically born in Vrindavan, we feel a strong connection to her and want to do everything possible to care for her. One of our goals is to protect the holy rivers that flow through this land and all the waters of Mother Earth. We must stop polluting our water sources! Rivers are the source of life for this existence, and without them, the creation will not survive. We also need to minimize the cutting of trees, the trees that contribute to our oxygen supply. It is essential that we stop exploiting the Earth and instead respect the very source that feeds and sustains us. We need to stop this before it is too late. That is why we are working together around the world for the rights of our Mother Earth. We have cleaning programs operating every day. We are teaching children in schools to be environmentally conscious and preaching activism in the streets. We invite all to join us because the more hearts and hands that unite for this cause, the greater the impact. You can be part of this change from wherever you are in the world. You can also help the cleaning program by sponsoring a Bhumi Guard, a local person in charge of supervising, cleaning and educating in their assigned areas, meanwhile inspiring the community to adopt habits that are healthier for the environment. Many helping hands from around the world are collaborating by presenting dramas, providing permaculture education, protecting our seeds, designing web sites, creating awareness posters and movie clips as well as generating support from the government and other organizations with the same intentions and spirit.
How Can I Participate
Vrindavanactnow.com vrindavanactnow@gmail.com facebook : Brajvrindavanactnow Ambika BVAN communications +91 81 71 66 04 03 Donation for Vrinda projects NATIONAL DONATIONS Bank: HDFC BANK Name: TRUST BRAJ VRINDAVAN ACT NOW Account number: 50200020332700 IFSC: HDFC0000942 FOR INTERNATIONAL DONATIONS PLEASE CONTACT: Vrindavan Chandra +91 9927888664
BVAN Director in Vrindavan Hriday Chor Das BVAN Director in Mayapur Prisni Dasi
BVAN office Yamuna Kunja Ashram Parikrama Marg next to Imlitala temple. Vrindavan. 28112.
We want to show that we can work at different levels: personal, social, political and legislative to bring about improvement and a positive change for our Mother Earth and Bharat Mata. If we all work together, our impact will be much greater.
Conscious Art I
n Vedic culture, the ability to be constructively creative is considered an art form. This spiritual process that has been given to us is meant to lead us to reaching our highest and most beautiful potential, filled with an abundance of art. Devotees have a need to beautify the devotional environment. This is reflected in worshiping the Deity, which requires a loving, artistic vision – making dresses, crowns, ornaments and flower garlands. All of this takes not only devotional love, but a creative touch. In addition, gatherings for kirtan, bhajans and forms of beautiful prayer dances are also part of creative expression for the Divine. Throughout history, we have seen that art is a powerful instrument for the expression and expansion of the message of love. Listening to stories allows us to gain new perspectives and reveals a lot within us too. The same thing occurs when we look at a painting or a sculpture or watch a dance performance that inspires us to elevate our consciousness. These forms of artistic expression have been part of traditional bhakti yoga.
Secret Music of the Soul
The
Harmony School of
cartrecords.bandcamp.com
M
Conscious Art
usic is a powerful method of elevating consciousness. Listening to sacred sounds has an immediate effect on our thoughts and can guide us toward achieving a loving and profound connection to the Supreme. Many extraordinary musicians have contributed with their sweet and sacred sounds for the Divine and their compositions have left lasting impressions.
c 2014 SIF
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad provided outstanding inspiration through music, books, dramas, temples etc.
How Can I Participate?
love
, at Chaski Fest. Travel with Become a messenger of your music to serve Mother Earth.
The poetry and writings of Vrinda’s Srila Bhaktivedanta Atulananda Acharya Swami are Vrinda’s gift to the Vaishnava world.
Conscious Drama
Our Last Chance Our Last Chance is a conscious drama created by devoted artists in the Vrinda Family. In this play, they creatively expressed the need to come together to preserve the beauty of Mother Earth, also known as our Bhumi Mata. We must protect our sacred rivers and respect the land that sustains us and all living entities that are part of this wonderful creation. In this drama, we present Mother Earth’s abundant beauty and magical harmony as well as the damage we are doing by polluting her waters, cutting down precious trees, stripping her of natural resources and killing animals. In an effort to bring awareness to this destructive, human behavior, we created this vivid expression of what it is like and how it could be if we came together to restore nature’s harmony. We are proposing solutions to make her clean and green once again. Using this artistic performance, we hope to raise consciousness about the importance of this matter and inspire the world to take every step toward this change.
Our volunteers play the following roles: Mother Earth, Holy Tree, Flower, Fruit, Holy Cow, Holy Rivers, Kali Yuga - the destroyer and BVAN - the solution. Our awareness drama was performed in 30 locations all over India and Bangladesh.
Every Step a
Dance T
raditionally, dance is considered an offering to God. Every step represents the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva. He comes to destroy and make way for a new cycle of creation. Hindu dance illustrates the mystical stories from spiritual scriptures. It is fascinating to see the expression of prayer through body movement in an elevated and reverential form that celebrates universal truths. A few members of the Vrinda Family have done studies and made poetic presentations of the classical dances of India such as Bharata-natyam, Odissi-natyam and others. For more information about the Vedic dance schools connected to our main centers, please go to: www.cadapasoesunadanza.blogspot.com
Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Jayatah!
WORDS FROM A WANDERING BEGGAR OF
love
The Vrinda Family magazine has collected several photos and texts to share our service with you. The following words have been written by our founder.
A Dearest reader,
spiritual master offers many things, among them the ability to unite people who are seeking to develop an honest lifestyle, always spiraling back to connection with the Infinite source. In this circular dance, you can feel that we are all part of the same family. This concept extends into all activities of selfless service and becomes part of an offering to the Divine. We learned from Srila Prabhupad and Srila Sridhar Maharaj the principles needed to build the foundation of a spiritual community. We pray that, together with the true idealists of the Vrinda Family, we continue to serve this world with the same spirit of dedication and freedom from indifference or exploitation. The spirit of disciplic succession is what really creates art from the heart. My master said, “One becomes a member of a community to make it beautiful.” Art has always fascinated me, but only after meeting my spiritual master I was able to Truly embrace it, to fill the emptiness that I felt in a world full of mundane art. Life is an artistic process: eating without causing suffering to an animal, painting with love to relieve pain, awakening consciousness by creating a superior taste. With these ideals within my heart, I have tried to lead a community, forming a school of harmony with a conscious, artistic lifestyle. The beauty of truth and auspiciousness, satyam, shivam, sundaram, has been an inspiration in my life. I thank God for the opportunity to have met incredible artists on this path. The most beautiful part of these encounters has been our focus on bringing it back to Godhead. The Main Artist resides there, in the melody of His flute that conquers all hearts and in the sound of the bells around His ankles that represent the origin of the
rhythms of the universe. People have spoken to me over the years about creating this magazine to commemorate the growth of the Vrinda Family. I would ask them to collect some of the beautiful, artistic offerings so that we could publicize them in this magazine. We hope, in this way, to encourage readers around the world to realize that many beautiful things can come from sharing the joy of a consecrated lifestyle in search of eternal love. The process is continual. We can sing to the Lord at all times from the depths of our hearts and decorate His sanctuaries. We can make artistic offerings to please Him while simultaneously pleasing those around us. This includes the art of cooking every day. God has provided us with an abundant Mother Earth that gives us wonderful ingredients to nourish our bodies and souls. For this reason, the Vrinda Family has the sacred principle of prasad distribution, sharing the food of mercy with the community. Prasad is food offered to our provider, Sri Krishna, and it is said to conquer hearts easily because it has been made with pure, loving devotion. Since we cannot feed you prasad through this magazine, we have offered you some visual treats instead. I believe that the greatest art is the willingness to listen to others, when they need to be heard. The first thing one should ask is, “Are you thirsty? Are you hungry? Do you know the purpose of your life?” All these questions were answered with love by our spiritual master to whom we are eternally indebted and grateful, and we aspire to offer this loving service with which he provided us.
From Varsana, the Muisca Sanctuary, where we were invited to start the first spiritual community in the Colombian mountains. This is the cradle of the Vrinda Family.