Wonderful Chapters 5 & 6

Read the final 2 chapters of Elevation to Krsna Consciousness. Please consider.....

• Turn your thoughts to Krishna's relationship to and with Radharani, How does Prabhupada suggest we offer our obeisances?
• How does this relate to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu?
• What 'mood' can we emulate as given in example from the Goswamis?
• Prabhupada states that devotional service begins with the........?
• What is the role of the spiritual master?

The final thought in this wonderful book is well worth meditating on.....

"Hare Krsna can be chanted by any man in any social position, in any country and in any age, for Krsna is the Supreme Lord of all people in all social positions, in all countries, in all ages."

Srila Prabhupada ki JAYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHAPTERS 3/4

Please read chapters 3 and 4 of Elevation to Krishna Consciousness and consider these points....

• What is the meaning of 'ksetrajna' and 'ksetra' and what verses in the Bhagavad Gita relate to this concept?
• What are 'sudra' and 'brahmana' and how does one rise to the brahminical platform?
• What are the four social strata outlined by Srila Prabhupada and why is there conflict in today's society?
• What is the meaning of 'jagadisa' and in what prayers is this name found?
• When referring to Krishna what does 'asamaurdha' mean? 
• What are the two conceptions of presence, which is more important and how does this relate to Prabhupada and your own living Guru?

Enjoy your reading and keep your eyes open for the next instalment!!

Going up?

  

ELEVATION TO KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

This is the next book on our list of reading, please join in and mull over these points as you read chapters 1 and 2.

• It is easy to find limitations and faults in others, but what are our own? What are the 4 sense imperfections outlined by Srila Prabhupada and reflect on how we can minimise these and try to purify ourselves. 
• What are the 3 types of miseries in life? What roles do Maya devi, Lord Narayana and Durga devi perform under the instruction of Krishna?
• Srila Prabhupada uses prison as an analogy, what point is he highlighting and how does this explain personal culpability for our actions?
• Consider this excerpt from page 17 (below) in relation to your own spiritual practice and service mood. Can adjustments or improvements be made? 

"Even the cultivation of spiritual realization for one's own self-interest is unlawful and destructive. The point is that all activities must be directed to the satisfaction of Krsna and his service" 

Elevation to Krishna Consciousness, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Next Chapters with points to consider coming soon.....

Hare Krishna.

Easy Journey!

...Anyone who trains the mind to turn from matter to the spiritual form of the Godhead by performance of bhakti-yoga can easily attain the kingdom of God in the anti-material sky. Of this there is no doubt...

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Our next Bhakti Book Group read is Easy Journey to Other Planets, if you do not have a personal copy an online version can be found here... http://files.krishna.com/en/pdf/e-books/Easy_Journey_to_Other_Planets.pdf

Whilst reading please consider these points.

• How does Prabhupada describe 'matter' and what is it's relationship to 'anti-matter'?
• The anti-material particle is never created nor destroyed, which sloka/s in the Bhagavad Gita supports this statement?
• Lord Caitanya selected the 5 most important instructions to be followed by the serious candidates, what is their goal? Reflect upon your own spiritual practice whilst considering this point.
• What are the 9 modes of devotional service to the Lord?
• In this book, 'suffering' is discussed at length, which sloka/s in the Bhagavad Gita instruct us on how to deal with suffering?
• What is the definition of Sac-cid-ananda?
• What is Srila Prabhupada's final statement in this book?

ENJOY!!!

What's your relationship status????

Read the final chapters (6/7/8) of The Perfection of Yoga considering these points....

• Why is Krishna referred to as Bhagavan? What does this name mean?
• Prabhupada uses the example of Visvamritra Muni when discussing Yoga, what does this illustrate?
• Think about the ups and downs our own devotional life has taken and reflect on how we dealt with them, what has hind-sight taught us about those times?
• The Absolute Truth is realised in what 3 stages?
• What is our personal relationship with Krishna, What does the word 'relationship' mean to you. How are relationships maintained and how does this relate to our role as 'servant'.

The final paragraph of this fantastic book is definitely worth reading and re-reading so I'll write it again here for contemplation. 

'Krsna consciousness is the last link in the yogic chain, the link that binds us to the Supreme Person, Lord Sri Krsna. Without this final link, the chain is practically useless. Those who are truly interested in the perfection of the yoga process should immediately take to Krsna consciousness by chanting Hare Krsna, understanding Bhagavad-gita, and rendering service to Krsna through this society for Krsna consciousness and thereby surpass all other systems and attain the ultimate goal of all yoga - love of Krsna.'

A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Perfection of Yoga, 1972.

What type of Yogi am I?

Please read chapters Four and Five of The Perfection of Yoga. Consider these points before during and after reading.

• What outlines does Krishna give for disciplining the body?
• How does one control the mind? What is 'samadhi'?
• Is it possible to become free from desire? How should a devotee approach this?
• What is the real meaning of 'Rama' when chanted in the Maha Mantra?
• Association - reflect on your own life, think about all those whom you mix/socialise/work most with, how do they make you feel? Why is association with devotees important? What is the role of Guru in one's life?
• What are jnana and vijnana? How do we address these in life, How much time do we spend on each and how does it relate to sadhana?

Always try to reflect on your own spiritual life after the reading. Please feel free to write realisations, discussion points and quotes both here and on the BBG facebook page.

Welcome!

The first book on our list this year is 'The Perfection of Yoga' By A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Please read chapters 1-3 Yoga as Rejected by Arjuna, Yoga as Work in Devotion, Yoga as Meditation on Krsna.
Whilst reading please consider these points...

• Why does Arjuna refer to Krishna as Madhusudana?
• What was Arjuna's qualification to hear the Bhagavad Gita?
• What are the 3 types of yoga as mentioned in chapter 2?
• What are the 9 processes of the Bhakti Yoga system? - How can we apply these to our lives?
• What have we understood from these chapters?  

Please post comments, realisations and discussion points on both the blog and facebook page.

Hare Krishna

BBG