*Sensitivity enters in the toothpaste but leaves the human heart*

Some of the news which flashed in past few weeks made me to wonder, is there any sensitivity left with humans or only toothpastes have sensitivity? One poor villager had to carry corpse of his dead wife on his head for 12 km because hispital denied an ambulance, another poor man had to burn dead body of his wife in garbage because no one provided him wood, in Delhi one person was hit by a vehicle coming from behind and left him in the pool of blood, no one cared for him, one person came he stole his watch other came stole his mobile and just left, no one thought let me take him to hospital, he died. So many people are abused physically and mentally in the world. What to say of only people but so many animals are killed brutally everyday just to satisfy the tongue, what's wrong on their part? How insensitive we have become to other's need and only thinking selfishly.

Insensitivity is not at all a human's quality it's a quality of demons they take pleasure in troubling others. In fact animals are more sensitive, I just happened to see one video where one baby which was thrown in gutter by it's parents was protected by dog. Being sensitive means being sympathetic for others,their feeling, their conditions and respecting them. Our problem is, until and unless we go through the similar crisis we don't understand the pain of others in fact we take it lightly.

But our scriptures and saints has always taught us for being sensitive to others, May that be humans, animals, plants or any creature, they always felt the pain of others(par dukh dukhi), because they know that all are children of one God and if I displease them I will displease God,it's so simple philosophy. God is living in the heart of every living entity and if we hurt any one of them certainly He will be dissatisfied, which is not the aim of human life, aim of life is to satisfy the Lord by serving him and by serving his children. Just see the example of Arjuna, when he was told to fight, he started thinking what will happen to wife and kids of those who will be killed? What will happen to their parents, who will perform their sradhha ceremony? He was so concerned...This is the thinking and behaviour of gentleman, and not of the one who acts according to his own whims without bothering of others.

We must put the our feet in other's shoes to experience how much they are going through in life, that's empathy and not so easy. Sensitive person will always be concerned about others and always thinking how can he help them to come out of miserable life. Highest form of sensitivity is spiritual sensitivity in which devotee thinks how he can help people of this world to connect to the God and make them eternally happy. Only those who are connected to God and God given culture, they have this rare gift of sensitivity because God is the most sensitive person with the heart of millions of mothers. When one gets connected with God he didn't need to develop this quality separately but automatically emerges from the heart, so let's become devotee of Lord and become sensitive and compassionate to others!!!

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com 

*10 spiritual lessons From Railway trains*

Let's learn some lessons from train travel

1) *There is a Train driver*- we understand the simple fact if the train is moving means there must be a engine and a train driver although one can't see both if he is in coach. Similarly nature is working so in amazing way, although we can't see God but we must know he is there.
2)*Faith in driver*- one must have faith that this driver will make my journey happy, in spirituality also one must have faith in God as everyone's well wishing friend.
3)*Various passengers will get down*- when stations come passengers get down some get in, likewise in our life too many will leave us and many will join us, also remember we also have to get down(die) on day.
4)*Stations are coming according to schedules*- many times schedule is posted near coach door, and one can conform from that train is going on right way or wrong. Similarly scriptures have given us the whole path of spiritual life, first station is sradhha then next sadhusanga and last station is Prema, one can observe own life and see are these stages coming or not and get confirmation of right path.
5)*Don't get allured*- many times it happens that copassangers give some alluring food stuff to each which is mixed with drug which makes people unconscious,then they loot them. Similarly maya will show some allurements of sense enjoyment that will only make us unconscious in Bhakti.
6)*Train will stop due to signals*- if train stops don't change the train be there you will reach, many times in Bhakti also so many hurdles will comes
 but continue spiritual practices, signals are there only for sometime.
7)*Scenic places will come but don't get Down*- some places will look attractive but we don't go there, in our path of spirituality also things like name, fame and prosperity will come which is not our aim but looks attractive. Don't get allured by them, continue your path.
8)*Travelling may be miserable*- long travels are uncomfortable but remember our loving home with parents awaiting us, that will make journey hopeful. Spiritual life may also be felt like full of austerities but know that unlimited happiness is awaiting for us with our eternal parents.
9)*Train doesn't discriminate*- there may be discrimination in coaches as general class, sleeper class or air conditioned class, but everyone reaches same destination if they stick to train. Similarly poor, rich, everyone can attain goal of human life if they practice spirituality seriously.
10)*Train always runs on tracks*- train doesn't say, 'see that motor bike on road, it can go in any way, why I should only follow my ways' but biker can't go long and with high speed of train . Similarly those who want to go long and high must follow rules and regulations.

By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
In the service of www.iskondesiretree.com

*Are you into fault finding or fact finding ?*

We are so much accustomed to find a fault that we forget to see the facts,  once there was a nice, benevolent King who always cared for his pupils like his own children. He was also famous for giving charity to Brahmanas, he would fed them food everyday noon. Once it's so happened that when his servants were carrying big pots of food to the place where Brahmanas were sitting, one eagle was flying over their heads, carrying snake into it's teeth who was on the verge of dying, snake out of fear vomited poison and that dropped incidentally into one of the pot. When this particular poisoned food was served to Brahmanas those who eat that were died on the spot. Now other Brahmanas started investigating who is real culprit, King? his servants? eagle or snake? Or God? but no one could understand, even yamadutas were confused whom to be held responsible for such heinous act of killing few Brahmanas. Yamraj said,"don't worry, just wait and watch, you will soon find who is real culprit...". Many days passed, once 2 ladies were passing from that kingdom, they saw the King is serving food to the Brahmanas, they also desired to have food but suddenly one of them said,"hey, wait!! we can't eat food from the hands of this King, who is known for killing noble Brahmanas"...immediately Yamraj sent his dutas to bring this lady to him as a real culprit. The lesson we learn here is that fault finder is real culprit and sinner.

Actually it has become our nature to see only the faults although ocean of good qualities lying in person, some of us take so much pleasure in fault finding as if reward is awaiting for us. Sometimes it's so happens that although faults are absent in person we make them present by our habit. Most of the times because of not knowing the facts we just judge on the external behaviour of person.

One of the leading aachrya Srila Sarswati Thakur says,"the cause is one's own heart being honeycombed by the very same faults which we find in others!". Best way to deal will this bad practice is trying to see good in others and finding faults with ourselves, as Jesus says,"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?". God has not made us bad, He has given everyone of us some good, special and distinguishable qualities. To find a fault is very easy but to find remedy is a bit difficult job.

Lord Krishna in Gita(16.1-3)enlist the qualities of godly souls, He mentions there about 'aversion to fault finding'. In fact Lord's one of the name is Adosh-darsi(one who doesn't see the faults). The God who has created us, who knows everything about us, who always watches over us, He neglects the to see faults within us although plenty of them present within the heart...then who are we insignificant souls to judge his children? As bible says,"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven". So let's become dear to lord by developing quality of fact finder and not fault finder!!!

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

*10 Spiritual Lessons from Hotel industry*

Let's learn some lessons from Hotels
Material world is can be compared to the hotel...
1) *Hotel is not home*- hotel is just temporary place to stay, not our permanent residence..we must return back to our home, similarly we have permanent residence in Lord's abode and we must return back.
2) *Meetings are only for limited time*- many conferences, seminars, meeting hosted by hotels where people meet, discuss, interact but after such sessions people are departed, similarly in this world we come together and make relations but one day everyone has to leave.
3) *More attractive than home*- hotel looks more attractive,beautiful and comfortable than home, similarly illusory potency(maya) makes us feel that this world is so wonderful to stay.
4) *Pay to get*- however hotel is comfortable we need pay to get pleasures (food, drinks, rooms etc), similarly in material world pleasure are not free we need to toil hard also miseries accompanies with pleasures as free gift!!
5) *Relations are for money*- however good managers or staff may be, they are interested in your money and not love. In this world too money is cause of building up relationships or breaking up of relations(Bhagavatam 11.23.20). But spiritual world is totally love oriented.

Now let's see what good things we can learn from hotels for our spiritual development
6) *Service is foremost*- for them their service to customer is more important. For us service to Lord Krishna and His representatives should be prioritised
7) *Attitude matters* - just observe the attitude of staff, they are happy to serve
8) *Don't say no*- managers and staff are ever ready to serve, they will never say no even though you ask service from them at midnight. In spiritual society too whatever seva we have been asked we should not say no considering it to be inferior seva.
9) *Don't judge customers by looking at their car*- they treat everyone very nicely not bothering about customer's monetary value, because apparently poor looking customers are billionaires, don't judge a devotee in spiritual circle he may look neophyte but may have the qualities of advanced devotee.
10) *Loyalty*- staff is loyal to it's hotel and customers, similarly we should be loyal to our gurus and sampraday by following the principles they have given us.

By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
In service of www.iskcondesiretree.com

*Is Yoga meant for Bhoga ?*

India is famous for giving many gifts to the world and one of the gift is 'Yoga', last year on 21st June first International Yoga day was observed and practically all countries took part in it because people knew the benefits of yoga. In modern cities and towns people have to deal with lot of work tension, pollution, noise, traffic, violence, relationship problems, health issues and so many other things. Yoga methods like Hath yoga, Power yoga, Sudarshan yoga, chakra yoga, kundalini, Kriya yoga have become popular as stress busters for mental piece and good health. We find many yoga studios and so many yoga gurus in western world which are attracting masses. These techniques of yoga asanas, pranayamas and focus on breathing or light or music are very good for mental balance, relaxation and detox or toning of the gross body. To counteract the stresses created by the hazards of modern lifestyles they are sometimes absolutely essential to be practiced regularly for peaceful survival.

The word yoga means to join, to connect. Connect the soul to the super soul is the main aim of yoga. Many people practice the yoga for shaping  and toning of body, mental relaxation, good health, focused intelligence etc. but these all are bi-products of yoga. The yoga has power to cleanse the mind, purify the intelligence, engage the body in service of God and eventually liberate the soul from birth and death.

Actually people don't know what yoga means, they think it's only some asanas(physical exercises) and some meditation, but it's just basics of yoga. Yoga has 8 steps starting from Yama Don’ts, Niyama-Do’s, Asana-Physical exercises, Pranayama- Breathing, Pratyahara-sense control, Dharana-Holding the Lord in the mind, Dhyana-Focussing on the form of the Lord and Samadhi means absolute or total absorption in the Lord. So if you observe carefully whatever we do on the name of yoga is only till pranayama, neither yoga guru teaches sense control and samadhi nor people are ready for that. But the culmination of yoga is samadhi means absorption in the God which hardly anyone knows.

So in conclusion we see people performing yoga only for their better present and future sense enjoyment, they have nothing to do with The God. According to Gita we can't call such people as yogis but they are simply bhogis- sense gratifiers, because Lord Krishna says, "for one can never become a yogī unless he renounces the desire for sense gratification". Now it's in our hand to become bhogi(servant of senses) or yogi(servant of God) by doing yoga ?

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

*Don't miss the Bliss*

'He took 6 years to find bliss, you can get it on coming weekend, don't miss the bliss', this was an advertisement of holiday homes at Lonavala which I saw on big billboard(there was the photo of Buddha depicting he took 6 years to find bliss). What not people do to get bliss and advertising companies also falsely promises such bliss. They go to movies, theme parks, adventures and amusement parks etc. but still that doesn't give us fullest pleasure which we are seeking for. Bliss not available in market or online shops or in holiday homes...actually we are missing the real bliss and running after imaginary bliss like mirage in desert.

Everyone is searching for bliss but don't know where to find the real bliss? Basically it's soul's nature to be in bliss always, but when it comes to material world and gets covered with the body of five elements he starts thinking that I am this body and tries to gratify his senses and mind to be blissful because of misidentification with body. Actually we are not these bodies made up of blood, bones, skin etc. but we are eternal soul, part and parcel of God, this body is just temporary covering which soul will give up when it's gets old and will accept new body(reincarnation). One more disadvantage of bodily pleasure is it's temporary just like body.

Actually bliss is present but we need to understand where it is...scriptures says soul gets in bliss when he is in contact with super soul(God) just like child is happy in the arms of mother. The special privilege of this age is that God appears in His name and when we chant His name we are in direct contact with Lord. Because God is absolute His name, pastimes, form and qualities are non different from Him. Yugavataar Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has personally introduce the method of chanting the Holy names of God just 500 years before in Mayapur, West Bengal and predicted every town and village will be introduced to this chanting of holy names. He explains in His teachings(Siksastakam) that, God has induced all his powers in holy name and whoever chants holy name with humility he realises the transcended bliss, He says,"Anandambudhi-vardhanam- “The chanting of Hare Krishna expands the ocean of transcendental bliss". Pleasure found in anything of this material world is like drop in front of nectarine ocean of holy name.

Yes, he took 6 years to realise the bliss but you can realise the bliss in 6 minutes(it takes approximately 6 mins to complete one round of holy name) If you chant sincerely. So let's not try find bliss anywhere else but know that it's available easily in holy names as proclaimed and experienced by all saints and scriptures of the world!!

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

*Maya...Much More than a software for Computers*

Maya is animation software, with its presence everywhere. It's used for making video games, animated films, tv series and visual effects. It's featured applications are in architectural engineering, civil, aerospace, manufacturing, media and entertainment and educational purposes. It's functioning is bit difficult to understand but maya brings imagination to life, means something which is non existent and imaginary can be made and felt real with animation, it's an expert and powerful software such that illusory things(like games and movies) made out of maya gives the feeling of real world.

In our scriptures also there is mention of this software as the controlling software of whole material universe. This Maya is described as potency of God, and does the work of making illusions for souls of this world. Maya means that which is not or that which is actually unreal but felt as if real. She also is the in charge of giving 3 prominent miseries to souls who are trying to enjoy senses independent of her Lord. Maya is everywhere, she has spread her net everywhere. For eg in dusk when someone considers rope as a snake or vice a versa he is under illusion also in desert during afternoon time we see water lake at some distance but as we go near its vanished that's because of illusion. Those who are surrendered to this illusions, maya offers them false shelter(false happiness) which ultimately is collapsed due to its temporary nature.

When we're under maya's influence we think I am this body and everything in relation to it is mine, the attractive things in this world—wealth, fame, the opposite sex—appear real and desirable to us. We think we should be able to enjoy and control them, as we like. But really, everything here is under the control of time, and none of these temporary things can bring us lasting happiness. Maya poses herself beautiful than God and allures us by promising false and temporary happiness of this world. In Fact it's said even most powerful demigods like Lord Shiva and Brahma are also under the influence of maya.

So one may ask how ordinary souls like us will overcome this illusions?? Lord Krishna explains in Gita,"This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it". Those who are surrendered to Krishna, maya who was distracting before acts as yog-maya who brings devotees more closer to Krishna. So it's upto us whose shelter we are willing to take maya or controller of maya, Lord Krishna??

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com 

*The unReal Estate*

Rates of real estate in Mumbai are increasing like a rocket speed. Recently son of one of the politician bought duplex flat for 160 crores, before that in 2015 one industrialist paid rs 425 crores only to buy a sea facing flat!! People are so much attached to and have fond of their property that till the end of life as if they are going to take property with them. Bhagavatam says," Even a man’s brothers, wife, parents and friends united with him in love will immediately break off their affectionate relationships and become enemies over a single coin", it's so true, just see example around us of a people who are actually fighting over a coin, not only common people but also sons of big politicians, industrialist, superstars of movies and big builders, these people are pulling their own brothers in the court and have become the rivals of each other to get the property of their father. There were cases where family members killed each other due to estate issues, who will have the estate? Who will be the successor? All relationships become insignificant in front of money, that's why it's said money is sweeter than honey.

Fighting over the estates or land is not a new thing, if we look into our history textbooks we shall find many similar examples. What did moguls do? What did Britishers do? Then what did Portuguese do? They all wanted to conquer the land, they didn't fought only with the opponents but also killed their own relatives( Aurangzeb killed all his brothers and imprisoned his father), may be they have thought they have danger from their own family members. And fights for land and property still going on...in family, in society, in states, in countries etc.

Goddess earth gives a nice conclusion over this phenomenon of trying to conquer her, she says in Bhagavatam that, 'no one actually can posses her, she is property of Lord, people fight or they kill one another to obtain her. Although some mighty kings lived their life intensely tying to acquire her they became subjected to time and died and non of them could establish rule permanently'. Alexander the Great practically conquered all earth, but where is he now?

Jesus once said to merry,“Life is a bridge: pass over it, but build not houses upon it." Bridge is meant to cross not to make a houses on it, similarly this world is compared to a bridge. Let's use it to cross the material ocean of birth and death not get to much into temporary things of life like money and property because we can't carry even a needle after death. Devotees of God try to make their homes in kingdom of God by their service to Him, which is actually A Real Estate because it's permanent and full of bliss with no envious brothers!!!

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

iPod, iPhone, iPad...isoul !!

Apple is launching its latest product iPhone 7 with many upgraded features on 7th September. Apple products like iPod, iPhone and iPad always being successful in attracting the customers due to quality of product and service they provide and because of that although they are expensive they are in demand. They are 2 years ahead of their competitors. Gadgets fans are always waiting on Internet for release of new iProducts and engrossed in thinking and discussing which 'i' is better? Which 'i' can give be best of pleasure, pleasure to touch, to see and to show to other?

In the world of 'i' gadgets we have completely forgotten to ask the question who is this I? no one is bothered to think who am I? I means myself but what's my real identity? Actually if you see only humans have the prerogative to ask the questions because of higher intelligence, and one should make a proper use of that to get answers related to life. According to scriptures we have 2 identities, one is temporary and other is real. Temporary identity changes with time, place and circumstances but real identity remains the same always. Our relative identity as name suggests is in relation with something, so when someone is asked who are you, we will get the answers on the basis of relative identity because of real identity crisis, for eg one will reply by saying, I am Ram or I am Michel or Shyam, now his answers are in relation with name. Someone will say, I am male or female, answer is in relation with gender. Others will say, I am Hindu or Jain, identity based on religion. Others will reply, I am Indian or I am American, here identity is based on nationality. Now if you observe properly all these identities can be changed or transferable. For eg if person changes his name his identity will also change, if person changes his nation his nationality will change, man can become woman, rich can become poor, religion and faith can be changed. In fact even our body changes at every moment, it's said after 7 years all cells of body are changed means we get brand new body. But still we feel that we are same personality, why is it so? Fat person after becoming doesn't say,"ohh! I wasn't that, I am new person", no he is same person...because although temporary identity is changed real identity remains same.

And what's that real 'I'? It's a soul who is living in the body, which is unchangeable and eternal, that's our real identity and Lord Krishna explains this phenomenon very nicely to Arjuna in Bhagvad Gita to bring him out of confusion. Gita says,"As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones", it means the body which we are considering as ourself will be given up one day by soul just like we give up things which are not useful for us.

So one should not only enquire about iPhones or iPads but also inquire about 'isoul' means understanding the fact that we are not this body but we are the soul, eternal part and parcel of The God. Only the 'i' which is engaged in service of God can make us truly happy!!

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

*The Best Love Song Which was Ever Sung...*

Do u know what most of the people do for most of the time to get relieved from the boredom and stress of life or when they are free? What do people generally do while travelling? Have you seen them with earphones around their neck which goes upto the ears? What they are listening to? exactly...music, songs refreshes the mind and connects them with their past happy moments of life. There may a few who don't like songs and music but people cherish songs like anything and if it's their favourite or any old romantic, love song then they get immersed into to it which reminds them of their past, as they say behind every favourite song there is untold story. Song speaks emotions which can't be expressed by words, it soothes the mind and apparently heals the heart, and that's why there exists music companies with the turnover of billions of dollars.

Song has power to entrap you or to liberate you, it's not always that songs will give you pleasure. I know one of my friend who would start bitterly crying whenever he would hear love songs and when I asked why he is shedding tears, he replied that,"because my memories associated with love song", I came to know that his girlfriend had ditched him giving him promise of false love and cheated him. This is the nature of material love and songs related with that love, that's create bondage. Do you know how they catch a deer? Bhagavatam explains,"A person should never listen to songs or music promoting material enjoyment. Rather, person should carefully study the example of the deer, who is bewildered by the sweet music of the hunter’s horn and is thus captured and killed". Deer gets attracted to sweet songs and gets killed, similarly we also have to be careful what to listen and what not to listen. Bhagavatam further explains that there was strong celibate saint named Rusyasringa, but when he heard Worldly songs from women he felt victim to them. One must understand from scriptures that pleasure doesn't exist in this material world, so what's the use of hearing of songs which promote such pleasure. And that's why one has to be very careful of what he are listening to. So many movie songs now a days only promote vulgarity and lust with no meaning to it's lyrics, hearing them is nothing but waste of time and increasing our passionate desires.

The love song which still attracts the hearts of millions from past thousands of years is not sung by any ordinary person but by the God Himself out of compassion and love for His children, it's Bhagvad Gita(Song Of God). This is the only song which has perfect and complete meaning to its lyrics and even a single word is filled with hopes, although sung without any music on battlefield it soothes the soul. This song teaches us how to become free from vices of heart by purification and directs us to true meaning of life, this song tells us where real pleasure lies and how to obtain that

So let's decide what to hear? Do you want to hear love song that traps you or the love song which has potency to liberate you from bondage of material life?

Article by Rupeshgauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com