This Sunday's ecstasies

Yesterday was our second sleepover/ mangal arati program. The experience can be nicely summarized as: "According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu the preaching activities of the Krsna consciousness movement are anandambudhi-vardhanam, the ever-increasing ocean of bliss.
[SB 11.3.23] When I reached the temple at 4am I was happy to see that all the ladies had voluntarily put on saries and tilak. As the pictures reveal, they looked absolutely fabulous.

After all the dancing at mangal arati, at tulasi arati the devotees could not keep their feet on the ground as the ecstasy increased. Note in the picture below that the women also danced gracefully. The sleepover brings great joy to their parents also. Bhaktin Parijata told me that her mother can't stop asking her what she learnt at the temple. Others remarked that their parents are so happy that they have choosen a drug free path. They feel that the Krishna conscious movement is protecting their children from the vices of this world. All glories to Srila Prabhupada's teachings!!!

Bhakta Nitai who is pictured below chanting in dhoti and tilak has had his entire life transformed in a week since the program last Sunday. He managed to complete his tilak in time this Sunday and wear a dhoti and be punctual for mangal arati! He chants very clearly and is so inspiring. Last Sunday was his first encounter with japa. He chants the entire japa period from 5.30am to 7am sitting in one spot! All glories to Srila Prabhupada's touchstone process that he so mercifully gave to us even here in the southern tip of Africa.

In the group photo featured below are the blissful faces of those who attended mangal arati. During the week Nrsimhananda Prabhu, my husband who is kneeling closest to Srimati Tulasi devi and has been receiving SMS's from these devotees saying that they can't wait for the next program!! How attractive Krishna consciousness is that once tasting it so much of transcendental greed developes.

Friday's Preaching Experience

"Svadhyayam means that one should study Vedic literature according to his individual ability and also teach others. In Bhagavad-gita it is mentioned that a brahmana should have the qualities of jnana and vijana, scriptural knowledge and practical realized application of knowledge."[SB 11.3.24]

On Friday we had our third class of the first level - Bhakti Sadacara Course. In this course the students who are mostly completely new to Krishna consciousness have an introduction to the philosophy by studying Srila Prabhupada's book, Science of Self Realisation. (SSR) The course is designed for all ages. On the left is a pic of the class. Nrsimhananda Prabhu is the teacher/preacher/mentor and can be seen standing at the back. Most of the students drive long distances to attend the class every Friday night from 7pm to 9pm.

They are provided with a study guide. Recomended reading is part of the requirements prior to the class. This book, SSR is so appropriate as it covers all of the basic points of Krishna conscious philosophy. Above is Nash who has done his homework - answered assignment question.

Below is a pic of the study guide with the assignment questions.

"Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised Prakasananda Sarasvati, "Study Srimad-Bhagavatam very scrutinizingly. Then you will understand the actual meaning of the Brahma-sutra."
[CC Madhya 25.153]

In our experience of doing these courses in the last 15 years we find that the students continue with their studies in the ensueing years. After studying the SSR another course on Vaisnava Ettiquete and the Spiritual Master and Disciple is offered.

For this particular class the venue is a house. The one room has been transformed as a classroom. The parking is secure and the Vaisnava hosts are polite.

We use this venue twice every week. On Wednesdays I teach Nectar of Devotion here. We hope fellow devotees feel inspired by this post.