Recently in June Category

Radha Madhav Dham's popular Gita Class, which was recently led by Swami Nikhilanand Ji, pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, in Fremont California, has been featured in India West.

The Fremont Hindu Temple hosted a Family Gita Class during the first week of summer holidays that was attended by over 200 parents and children throughout the 7-day course. The unique kid-friendly class was taught by Swami Nikhilanand, a travelling sanyasi teacher and disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, who is based at Radha Madhav Dham in Austin, TX.

Instead of a traditional lecture format, the lessons of the Bhagwad Gita were taught by Swami Nikhilanand, pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj, in an interactive style that encouraged questions from both kids and adults, and allowed them to take notes on the main points. Kids and teenagers opened up and freely asked the questions which had been burning inside them, but had never had the chance to ask. Questions like, "How do I know God really exists?" and "Why did God put us here?" were asked and answered. Kids and parents also enjoyed the game of Jeopardy that concluded each day's class and gave them a chance to test their knowledge on the Gita.

It was obvious to all in attendance that through understanding the philosophy of the Bhagwad Gita, kids developed pride in Hinduism, and parents commented that the discussions didn't end when the family left the mandir - conversations with their kids at home the whole week revolved around various topics that had been covered in the class. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the next Family Gita Class.

Radha Madhav Dham launched "Kripalu Kids" last month

We had 27 youth attend. We opened up the conversation by asking the youth about their experiences coming to Radha Madhav Dham and what they knew about Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj. Many of the youth expressed that they love coming to Radha Madhav Dham and have been coming for many years and all are attending the Shiksha School of Indian Arts and Culture. We asked the youth to describe what 'bhakti' means to them also. 

Divine compositions of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj

Sunday afternoons after lunch the youth eet in the prayer hall and have a 'devotional jam session' and get an opportunity to express their love for God and Guru by singing and playing on instruments to the Divine compositions of Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj.

For those who like to express themselves artistically or poetically, they will be given a chance to write and draw and express their love in those ways as well. They all agreed they would like to have dance, bhajan, art and writing competitions in the near future.

In addition, one of the college students attending came forward and asked to facilitate the 'Kripalu Kids meetings. She will be using "Always Remember" quotes from Prem Ras Madira and helping the youth apply Jagadguru Shree Kripalu ji Maharaj's timeless teachings to their daily lives.

We ended the meeting with a very fun game of hitting the pinata and gathering up lots of candy and prizes.

Pictures are available at Radha Madhav Dham facebook.
Jai Shree Radhey!
Brajrani
Sujata
Gopal Das

We're coming to the end of the Irish series of posts... Enjoy:

Tonight's discourse and meditation at Indigo Holistic Healing Centre in Tuam was a uniquely insightful description of how to do spiritual meditation.

Janeshwari Devi, a disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, began with an explanation of the mind, its formation and qualities. Then she explained about the soul and the connection between the mind and soul. The soul is Divine. Like sparks rising up from a fire, the soul is an eternal fragment of Divinity. We feel a constant inner urge for God, because our real self is Divine. Mind feels an urge for perfect happiness, and because it is material, it seeks that happiness through material means. As one purifies his mind through spiritual meditation, the mind receives a reflection of the Divine soul, and begins to understand that the eternal happiness we are looking for is in God alone.

What distinguishes different forms of meditation is the object of meditation. The effects of the meditations which engage the mind in mental training or concentration on material objects (such as the flame of a candle) offer us only temporary peace and relaxation and can never satisfy the longing of the soul for God.

Janeshwari Devi presented the audience with a new way to meditate which takes one beyond the common meditation techniques. It is a spiritual meditation taught by the saints and sages of India. The focus of the meditation is on God. She explained that devotion to God without asking Him for anything is the true meditation that when faithfully practiced can lead to a feeling of closeness and affinity to God.

Didiji explained that material love and spiritual love are opposite to each other; material love is limited and temporary, while spiritual love is everlasting, keeps growing and is unconditional.

Through a mix of speech, Sankrit verses and soulful chantings, Didiji took the audience to a new level of spiritual understanding and experience.

Didiji's lectures in Galway are coming to an end so we are looking forward to attending her lecture, "Spiritual Wisdom and Chants of India" at An Seomra Yoga later today, 4pm - 5:30pm. See you there!

Namaste,
David.

(Vyasar Ganesan was born in Derry, New Hampshire, and raised in Austin. His mother is from near Delhi, and his father comes from southern India. He currently is an arts graduate of Allegheny College, having just finished a senior project in creative nonfiction. Vyasar is a blogger for Radha Madhav Dham, the main US ashram of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.)

6/3/12 Austin, TX 3:43 PM

Living in Texas, it's hard to ignore the prevalence of cows. Cattle farms, dairy farms, along the highway and in the supermarket, the cow is virtually the symbol of the state. If there were traffic jams caused by livestock here, people might think they'd somehow ended up in India. The primacy of the bovine is acknowledged, but not understood. This week's misconception, therefore, is the nature of cows in Sanatan Dharm.

"Why do you worship cows?" This question echoes from California to New England, one of the universal puzzlements Americans suffer from. Really though, they should be asking themselves that question. More than just Texas, the whole country is fanatically addicted to the animal. Specialty cheeses, milk of all kinds and colors; we live in an age where milk is an industrial commodity, rather than an agricultural one.

Milk is just as important, if not more so, to Indians as it is to Americans. We use it so much, for so many things, that the respect for the product carries over to affection for the source. Cows are the lifeblood of many small communities, and the size of a herd can indicate a great deal about the status or health of villages in India. We use ghee (clarified butter) and milk in ceremonies, and we revere the cow for providing it. We drink the cow's milk, as though it were our mother's. So indeed, we respect the cow as if it were our mother.

However, the question about 'worshipping cows' is based on misinformation. Hindus do not 'worship,' cows, in the implied sense of the word. There is a religious relationship between us, but it is not one of worship. In its place, there is a deep reverence for life in all forms.

When someone dies, their soul is reincarnated throughout the 8.4 million species, based on their karm. So, at any given time, the animals, insects and bacteria you see around you are all souls, waiting for their chance to be reborn as humans. Sanatan Dharm's perspective on all of the life that teems around us, waiting for its chance at God realization, certainly breeds a loving amount of respect for all creation.

Finally, during Krishn's avatar on Earth, he cultivated an incredibly strong bond with cows. There are many leelas of Krishn in Braj, playing with the cows, tending to them every day. Revering and respecting cows is important from a devotional perspective, too. When we look at cows today, with their gentleness and calm manner, it is the beginning of a connection to the past, when Krishn played his flute and all of nature fell under its irresistibly soothing spell. We can feel our own lives slow down to match the simple pace of the cow, sitting on a grassy hill to watch the sunset, some clover between our teeth and a little more love in our hearts.

Radha Madhav Dham, the main US ashram of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, will host its 5th Annual Family Camp this year, starting June 29 thru July 4, 2012. BOOK NOW to reserve a spot for your family.

Learn the greatness of Hinduism. Deepen your spirituality. Give your children the opportunity to feel proud of their own culture and heritage.

This fun-filled Family Camp has become a popular tradition at Radha Madhav Dham, bringing joy and devotional upliftment to everyone who attends. There is spiritual learning and fun-filled family activities planned for each age group, starting at 3 years. Click here to see video.

Let the nurturing environment of the camp blossom your family's faith in God

• Children get to participate in leela performances, prasad making and yoga
• Adults & kids can also learn to chant or play Indian musical instruments, like dholak & harmonium to enrich your personal life
• Most importantly, your children will get an opportunity to meet and make lasting friendships with other like-minded children, providing them a whole new support structure for their life

For more information and to register, please go to: www.HinduFamilyCamp.org or call 512-288-7180. 

Past Radha Madhav Dham Family Camp Glimpses (Click to view in full size):

"Family Camp is Coming, Family Camp is Coming!" - by Joe Chorneau

There's a peacock, affectionately named Shukdeo, who lives right off Barsana Ave. Most days you can see him on the grass across from the Ancient Yoga Center standing tall and proud, like the peacock he is. And just before satsang you can hear him yelling out- "Radhey, Radhey! Radhey, Radhey! Radhey, Radhey!"

But lately he has been going on about the upcoming Family Camp coming at the end of this month, (June 29 - July 4). Some of the residents living here have reported hearing him calling out to them: "Family Camp!" He says, "Family Camp is coming soon! I can't wait! Can you?! Family Camp! It's coming!"

It's very well known that Shukdeo's greatest love is for Radha Rani, but Family Camp at Radha Madhav Dham is something very close to his heart too. He says that he loves to see so many lovely, smiling faces from the families of the community who come and enjoy this fun-filled holiday week, especially all the kids and adults playing cricket (or soccer, volleyball, or kabaddi) in front of Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple. Shukdeo fondly calls them all "my Radha Madhav Dham-vasis."

Shukdeo wants to remind the parents, especially those who have not yet had a chance to come and participate with us at Family Camp, that while Family Camp at Radha Madhav Dham is so much fun for the whole family, it is also a great opportunity for educational and spiritual growth. It's all about deepening our understanding of our great spiritual heritage of Sanatan Dharm. However he stresses that we should enjoy it, have fun, laugh and taste the sweetness of Radha Rani and Shree Krishn Who are always here, ready to shower Their Grace on us.

"This summer, don't stay home," he says to the children, "Just for a few days, leave your Xboxes or your Play-stations and come to Radha Madhav Dham Family Camp! I promise you that you'll be amazed and astounded. Go, find your parents now and tell them to start planning to come! It will soon be here!"

Vyasar Gansesan, Family Camp Youth Counselor four years running, says, "At Radha Madhav Dham Family Camp, parents and children have a unique opportunity to expand their devotion. I've been coming to Family Camps for over six years, and I have seen that there is truly no limit to all of the fun that is here. Water-holi, leelas, outdoor games, interactive programs - these are all pieces that are just a part of the wonder you can experience at Radha Madhav Dham."

There's the story that Swami Nikhilanand recounts from last December's Family Camp about the girl in the 3-5 age group who learned to chant "Radhey Govind" along with the other kids. Now, her parents say that every night before going to bed, she sits in front of their family mandir and does 5 minutes of chanting and meditating on God. Even if her mother forgets, she reminds her and insists on doing it before sleeping. Imagine, such great thing as that from going to Family Camp!

And then there's the one he tells about the boy who was in the 6-12 age group. As part of the class, they made a calendar marking all the main Hindu festivals for 2012 and learned their meaning. On January 14, he asked his family what they were going to do to celebrate Makar Sankranti. His parents were surprised to be asked this by their young son, and asked him how he knew what day it was. He answered that he knew because of the calendar he had put up on the wall in his room.

Stories like these are bountiful; about how parents return home with their children and slowly realize what a profound effect Family Camp has had on them. It is so heartwarming to know so many youngsters who are becoming aware of their tremendous spiritual wealth by coming to Family Camp each year. They form lasting relationships, especially those that bind them to God, which they will one day share with their children, as well.

Here are just a few from a long list of testimonials that kids have written after every Family Camp at Radha Madhav Dham:

"The first time I came here, I never wanted to leave. And then when I came to Radha Madhav Dham for Family Camp, it felt so devotional. "
- 10-year-old participant from Texas

"Radha Madhav Dham is my favorite place in the whole world. I loved spending time here with friends and family and especially God. The things I learn at every camp change me and turn me into a better person. I can't imagine how anyone can leave here without the realization of true happiness and bliss."
- 14-year-old participant from Plano, Texas

"I felt a type of happiness that I never felt in my whole life. I feel purified by my stay in Radha Madhav Dham."
- 12-year-old participant from Queens, NY

Follow this link: http://www.hindufamilycamp.org to register and reserve your spot. And to view the detailed schedule of the upcoming Family Camp, click here.