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Come As You Are Series (The boy who gave up his lunch)John 6:9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?”This verse is just before the Lord does something amazing! Jesus is speaking to his disciples, and a large crowd has followed Him. They saw all the amazing things Jesus was doing with curing the sick and wanted more. Jesus told his disciples to have everyone sit down and asked how they would feed them. One of the disciples said there was no way they would have enough money to feed that many people. There were 5,000 in all. Then another disciple said that there was a boy who had five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus took those five barley loaves and two fish and broke them up and instructed the disciples to hand them out, and when everyone had their fill, the disciples gathered what was left over, and it filled 12 baskets.I am sure most of us have heard that story before. If you haven't, you can read the beginning of Chapter 6 in the Gospel of John. It is great. Today, since this series is Come as You Are, I want to focus on the boy who gave up his lunch. We know very little about this boy. They do not talk about him other than that he gave us his lunch, and yet, he was the only one. I wonder why this boy was there that day. Was he with family or friends? How old was this boy? I would think if he were with his parents, they would have said, There is a family with five barley loaves and two fish. So, it doesn't seem like he was there with family.I wonder if his mom made him that lunch. I wonder why he wanted to go see Jesus. Did he need a healing? Did he have a loved one who needed a healing? Did he just really like what Jesus had to say? Was he drawn to Him? There is so much I would like to know that I never really thought of before now. This story is mostly focused on the miracle, as it should be. Jesus took a very small amount of food and fed 5,000 people with 12 baskets to spare. That is truly incredible!Jesus did not need the boy's lunch to make this miracle. He could have made bread out of thin air. He made the whole universe. He could certainly have made food for everyone to eat. What I love is that Jesus included this boy in his miracle. He didn't do it all by himself. He allowed the boy to take part in it by offering his lunch. Imagine how special that boy felt? I am sure that is a day he will never forget. I am sure no one there will forget that day, but this boy especially. He willingly gave up his lunch so that Jesus could feed everyone.Jesus uses people like you and me every day to help Him with miracles. Not because He has to, but because He wants to. He does not use people who are ideally suited for what he needs to accomplish. He uses people who are willing to be used by Him to build up His Kingdom. This boy was not perfectly suited to help Jesus. We don't know anything about him. He could have been Jewish, but he also could have been a Samaritan or some other nationality. We don't know. The Bible doesn't tell us. We don't know if he was a sinner or not. All we know is that when Andrew asked what the boy had for food, he gave him all he had.The boy said yes. That is all that Jesus requires of us. He just wants our yes. I know you think that you are not who God is looking for. I know that you feel you are too old or too young for God to use you. I know you think you are not enough or too much for God to use you. I know you feel you are not smart enough or holy enough. I know you think there are a million other people out there who are more qualified than you are to do what you believe the Lord is calling you to do. I know you are nervous, and you don't feel like you know how to do what He is calling you to do. I know because I feel all those things too. We all do.This is the reason I am doing this series. I am praying that by the time we are done with this series, you will begin to see that you are exactly the kind of person God uses. You are perfectly suited for what He is calling you to do. He knows your strengths and weaknesses. He knows what you can and can not do. He actually knows much better than you do what you can and can't do because He created you. We don't always know what we can and can not do because sometimes we have had other people telling us that we can't do something our whole lives, and yet they were wrong. We actually can do it. Or, maybe we have been telling ourselves we can't do something even though we have never tried it.If God is calling you to it, He will equip you for it. God knew Jesus was going to need to feed 5,000 people on the mountain that day. It was not a surprise to God that all those people followed Jesus. Why do you think that boy was there at the specific moment in time? Why do you think, of all those people, he was the only one to bring food. I wonder if his mom packed him that lunch? I wonder if he argued, as my kids would. No, Mom, I don't need food. I will be fine. It's just a talk, I'll get food with my friends after. I will figure something out. I don't want to carry that around all day, and so on. Whatever happened, the Lord allowed the boy to have that food and to donate it to the cause. He allowed that boy, who isn't even named in the Bible, to be part of that miracle.What about you? Will you be a part of God's miracles? Will you say yes and allow Him to use you even though you don't feel like you are worthy? Even though you don't seem like you have anything to give. I am sure when asked, the boy thought to himself, What can my five barley loaves and two fish do to feed all of these people. I am sure he felt like his contribution was not enough. Yet, with Jesus, He can always make our little into enough. He just needs our “yes” and He will do the rest. Will you give Jesus your “yes” today?Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening today. Lord, we love you and we are so grateful you use us even though we don't feel worthy. We are grateful you allow us to participate in your miracles even though you could do them without us. Lord, we ask for you to reform our hearts and help us to be more willing to say “yes.” We ask that you give us the holy boldness we need to step into all you are calling us to be. We ask that you give us the strength to pursue you relentlessly just as you pursue us. We love you and we ask all of this in accordance with Your Will and in Jesus's Holy Name! Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in May 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Expect the unexpected. I am doing amazing things in each one of your lives. Look for those amazing things. Focus on the things I'm doing. Look for the things that I might be doing. Expect the unexpected.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
Come As You Are Series - Hagar Genesis 16:7-8 “Now the angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. He said, “Hagar, Sarai's slave woman, from where have you come, and where are you going?” And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”God promised Abraham that he would be the Father of nations. His descendants would be more numerous than the stars in the sky. Yet Abraham was 86 years old at this point in his life, and he still had no children. His wife was getting impatient. She was 75 years old and still had no children. One day, she told Abraham that she wanted him to sleep with her handmaid. She thought maybe that was the way she was going to get the children that God promised her.We might think this is crazy, as we don't really live in a culture where this is normal. Unfortunately, it was more normal back then. Even though we might not be able to identify with Sarai giving her handmaid, Hagar, to her husband so that she could have some children, we can definitely relate to being impatient waiting for God to fulfill His promises. We want everything in our time, and when it doesn't happen, we try to make it happen.Have you ever done this? Have you ever gotten tired of waiting for the Lord to do what He said he would do, so you took matters into your own hands? I know I have. I am sure we all have at one point or another. We are human. God's ways are higher than our ways, which means we don't understand them. We don't know why God told Abraham he would be the father of nations 25 years before his only son would be born. We don't know why God said He would be the father of nations and His descendants would outnumber the stars, yet He only had one child. We don't always know what God is doing.What we do know is that when we try to take over for God and do it our own way or in our own timing, then we create a mess. Sarai thought she could give her handmaid to her husband, and all would be fine. The handmaid would have children, but Saria and Abraham would raise them as their own. However, once the handmaid Hagar got pregnant and realized she was pregnant, she looked at her mistress with contempt. Sarai became upset and started mistreating her. Isn't this just like us? We do something we think will fix the situation, and surprise, surprise, our idea wasn't actually better than the Lord's idea, and it all just backfires. Now Sarai is mad at her Hagar because she is acting like she is better than Sarai. After all, she could get pregnant, and Sarai couldn't. However, it was Sarai's idea in the first place. This is exactly how this world operates. We take things into our own hands and then get upset when it doesn't work out.Hagar got tired of being mistreated and ran away. However, an angel appeared to her. Let's stop right there. Hagar is a maidservant who married her mistress's husband so that they could have a baby. Does that sound like someone an angel would visit? Do you see how God doesn't choose the people we would choose? Hagar was put in a bad position and yet did what she was told to do. Everything worked out exactly like her mistress wanted, and then her mistress began to treat her badly.God didn't forget her or forsake her, though. He could have let her run away. The baby she was carrying was not the baby that God had promised them. However, he sent an angel to have her go back and have the baby with her husband. The angel told Hagar that she would have a boy and that he would be called Ishmael. The angel said to her that God had heard her affliction. Imagine what it would be like to have an angel appear to you and tell you that God has heard you? How many of your prayers right now do you wish you knew if God heard or not? Wouldn't it be great if an angel came down and told us that God has listened to our affliction?Sometimes it feels like we are talking to ourselves because we are waiting and waiting for an answer, and it doesn't seem to come. God hears all our prayers. It says this in many places in the Bible. We know this, and yet it would still be nice if God sent an angel to reassure us. The angels would be pretty busy if they needed to come and reassure us every time we doubted that God heard our prayers. God did send an angel to visit Hagar another time, too. After Isaac was born and weaned, Sarah told Abraham to send Hagar away. Abraham was sad as Ismael was his son. However, God told him to do as Sarah wanted.Here is another instance where we might not understand why God would want Abraham to send Hagar and his son away. We trust that God's plan is better than our plan. Hagar sleeping with Abraham was never part of God's plan. He told Abraham and Sarah that they would have a baby and that God would make Abraham the father of nations. Yet, when it didn't happen soon enough for them, they took matters into their own hands. God wanted to fulfill his promise to Abraham through Isaac, not Ismael.Hagar left, but she was not abandoned by God. She was in the wilderness with her son, and an angel spoke to her from heaven. Most people go their whole life never seeing an angel, and Hagar gets visited twice. God sent an angel to let her know that she was not alone. He wanted her to know that God had heard the cries of her son and that He would be taking care of both of them. God told her that He would make a great nation of him. God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness, and he became an expert with a bow.God did not forget or forsake Hagar and Ismael even though they were not really part of His original plan. God won't forget you either. God knows that we will try to take things into our own hands. He knows we might get impatient and do something we wish we hadn't done. It's ok. He still allowed Abraham and Sarah to have their child. He still blessed Hagar and Ismael. He won't take away your dream either, just because you got tired of waiting and tried to do it on your own. God is looking out for you just as He was looking out for this maid servant who was doing what she was told to do, and then was sent awayGod sees the injustice in your life, too. He sees the ways you have been treated by this world, and He has not abandoned you. He is with you in the wilderness the same way he was with Hagar and Ismael. He is protecting you and blessing you. God never leaves your side. He is making all things for your good. Not just for those special few, but for all of us.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening. Lord, we love you, and we ask you to help us be patient and wait for your timing. Help us not to take matters into our own hands. Lord, have mercy on us when we do wrong and help us navigate the mess we often get ourselves into when we try to take matters into our own hands. We love you, Lord, and we know your plan is best. It can be challenging for us to be patient and wait at times. Please be patient with us as we do our best. We ask all of this in accordance with Your Will and in Jesus's Holy Name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus—just a few more days to register for the retreat. CLICK HERE FOR RETREAT INFO! I will give my numbers to the retreat house on Friday. I can't believe the retreat is next weekend already! Additionally, I have exciting news: my devotional book is almost ready to be published as well. I am so excited, and I ask for your prayers that all goes well and it gets printed in time to have it at the retreat. Additionally, if you could all join in prayer for the retreat and those attending, that would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in May 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Give me your hand so I can lead you. You will not fall astray if you hold on to my hand. You are not meant to walk alone. I am with you. There is no need to fear. I guide each step of your way.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary: Following Mary in Discovering Our Mission Today's Homily for the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary . . . . . . begins with engaging young parishioners in a dialogue about their names and the significance behind them. The Homily explains that names are not just identifiers but carry meaning and vocation. Mary, though given the earthly name “Mary” by her parents, received a heavenly name from God through the angel Gabriel: “Full of Grace” or “Highly Favored One.” This new name revealed her mission as the dispenser of God's grace and the vessel through whom salvation entered the world. Mary's Unique Role The Homily then traces salvation history . . . promise, preparation, and fulfillment . . . showing Mary's unique role at the “fullness of time.” The Homily concludes with a call for all Christians to reflect on the meaning of their own names, especially those received at baptism and confirmation, as each name signifies a vocation and mission to live faithfully in today's world. Hear more and listen to this Meditation Media. The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary: Following Mary in Discovering Our Mission --------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Madonna of the Roses: French Artist and Painter: William-Adolphe Bouguereau: 1903
I thank everybody for congregating here around The Holy Names and giving full attention. This is where we get strength, personally and also as a family, also as a community, also as a movement. It all comes from good japa. Any kind of adjustment you might feel in your life, you could trace it back to japa because: māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate (BG 14.26) The only solution to life's problems and anomalies is to rise above the three modes of material nature. There is no other solution, and the only way to do that is by chanting the holy name of the Lord. Harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam, kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā (Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa). So, let's make it our topmost priority and value to finish at least 16 rounds every day, and also to give full attention in the chanting and to avoid the 10 offenses in our daily lives from moment to moment. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
Today is day 261 and we are studying The Ten Commandments. 261. How did Jesus fulfill God's Law? For our sake, Jesus fulfilled God's Law by teaching it perfectly, submitting to it wholly, and dying as an atoning sacrifice for our disobedience. (Psalm 119:49–72; Isaiah 53:4–12; Matthew 5:17–20; Romans 8:1–4; Hebrews 10:1–18) We will conclude today by praying the Collect for the Circumcision and Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ found on page 600 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️
"Brink" means an extreme edge of land before a steep or vertical slope; a point at which something, typically something unwelcome, is about to happen. The verge. It reminds me of, samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ mahat-padaṁ puṇya-yaśo murāreḥ bhavāmbudhir vatsa-padaṁ paraṁ padaṁ padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadāṁ na teṣām (ŚB 10.14.58) which is, you could say, paraphrasing, "Don't stay on the brink, the vipadām. Come back under the shelter constantly and just be under Kṛṣṇa's protection. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
You have to see in order to know what you're looking at! Can you see? Are you confident in what—in who—you are looking at?
2025.09.11 Radhadesh EN
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Become a Spiritual Mentor!Today's transcript. We depend on donations from exceptional listeners like you. To donate, click here.The Daily Rosary Meditations is now an app! Click here for more info.To find out more about The Movement and enroll: https://www.schooloffaith.com/membershipPrayer requests | Subscribe by email | Download our app | Donate
Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
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Friends of the Rosary,Today, September 12, as we pray for the eternal rest of the soul of Charlie Kirk and for the divine grace upon his wife and two children, we honor the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a feast that follows that of her Birthday, as the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus follows Christmas.The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryãm (in Latin Domina), means lady or sovereign.We call Mary our Lady as we call Jesus our Lord. When we pronounce her name, we affirm her power, implore her aid, and place ourselves under her protection.Pope Benedict XVI wrote, "May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart. If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination."In accordance with Jewish custom, St. Joachim and St. Anne named their child eight days after her birth, and they were inspired to call her Mary.The feast originated in Spain and was approved by the Holy See in 1513. Innocent XI extended its observance to the whole Church in 1683 in thanksgiving to our Lady for the victory on September 12, 1683, by the king of Poland, over the Turks, who were besieging Vienna and threatening the West.Ave Maria!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• September 12, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
Sirach 24: 23-31; Luke 1: 26-38; Haydock Commentary Please consider donating to help keep this podcast going by going to buymeacoffee.com/catholicdailybrief Also, if you enjoy these episodes, please give a five star rating and share the podcast with your friends and family
Meditation from Pere Louis François D'Argentan OFM Cap (+ 17th Century)
September 12th, 2025: Mary, Sea of All Graces; The Holy Name of Mary - Who Named Our Lady?; September 11th & the Invincible Name of Mary; The Virgin's Name was Mary; The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary
Today we celebrate the feast of The Holy Name of Mary. Why do we honor the name of Mary? Find out on today's reflection from Fr. Kubicki.
Get a jump on your weekend with The Morning Blend. Brenda and Brian celebrate the Holy Name of Mary and tell you about some of the many titles of our Blessed Mother. Also get caught up on all the latest news and sports.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.
26 And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,In mense autem sexto, missus est angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilaeae, cui nomen Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.ad virginem desponsatam viro, cui nomen erat Joseph, de domo David : et nomen virginis Maria. 28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.Et ingressus angelus ad eam dixit : Ave gratia plena : Dominus tecum : benedicta tu in mulieribus. 29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.Quae cum audisset, turbata est in sermone ejus, et cogitabat qualis esset ista salutatio. 30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.Et ait angelus ei : Ne timeas, Maria : invenisti enim gratiam apud Deum. 31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.Ecce concipies in utero, et paries filium, et vocabis nomen ejus Jesum : 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.hic erit magnus, et Filius Altissimi vocabitur, et dabit illi Dominus Deus sedem David patris ejus : et regnabit in domo Jacob in aeternum, 33 And of his kingdom there shall be no end.et regni ejus non erit finis. 34 And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?Dixit autem Maria ad angelum : Quomodo fiet istud, quoniam virum non cognosco? 35 And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.Et respondens angelus dixit ei : Spiritus Sanctus superveniet in te, et virtus Altissimi obumbrabit tibi. Ideoque et quod nascetur ex te sanctum, vocabitur Filius Dei. 36 And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren:Et ecce Elisabeth cognata tua, et ipsa concepit filium in senectute sua : et hic mensis sextus est illi, quae vocatur sterilis : 37 Because no word shall be impossible with God.quia non erit impossibile apud Deum omne verbum. 38 And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.Dixit autem Maria : Ecce ancilla Domini : fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Et discessit ab illa angelusThe great victory, which John Sobieski, king of Poland, gained against the Turks under the walls of Vienna, caused the Pope Innocent XI to make this Feast obligatory throughout the whole Wester Church as a yearly act of thanksgiving for the deliverance of Christian Europe.
Homily by Fr. Michael Renninger
1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-14 (Formerly I was a blasphemer, but I received mercy)
There's niyama-āgraha and niyama-agraha. Niyama-āgraha means to do something, but to not be aware that you're doing it actually, you're just doing it by rote. And the other one, niyama-agraha, means to avoid doing it altogether. Finding that balance is the perfection of practice. In that, I'm doing it, but I'm also aware that I'm doing it, and I'm doing it with deliberation, as that's when the chanting becomes really powerful. So Haridas Thakur in the Harinam Chintamani said you should make whatever arrangements you have to on a daily basis in order to be aware that you are chanting and to be very deliberate about it. And if you find yourself falling into a rut—that either I'm not doing it or I'm doing it, but I'm not deliberately doing it—then adjust. Move your environment around, get new association, do something. And that's why we have these japa circles as a kind of booster so that when we come together, it gives us more awareness that we're chanting and the importance of chanting, and so forth. Hopefully, it carries forward. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
You can add this to your portfolio. "I was there. I chanted Hare Kṛṣṇa. I got up early, I dropped what I was doing, and I sat and chanted with the devotees, gave full attention to The Holy Name." This some people don't achieve after millions and millions of lifetimes, but all of you have this conviction: 'Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti,' Vasudev is everything. You also have śraddhā, which means, "śraddhā-śabde-viśvāsa sudṛḍha niścaya, kṛṣṇe bhakti kaile sarva-karma kṛta haya" (CC Madhya 22.62). That if I chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and I give my full attention to the holy name, then everything else will be perfectly executed in my life. Nothing else is needed. "Vedeṣu yajñeṣu tapaḥsu caiva, dāneṣu yat puṇya-phalaṁ pradiṣṭam, atyeti tat sarvam idaṁ viditvā, yogī paraṁ sthānam upaiti cādyam" (BG 8.28). That is Kṛṣṇa, who assures us at the end of the eighth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, that if you just give yourself to Kṛṣṇa and the process of devotional service, you achieve the results of everything else you're trying to achieve in your life. This is why you're here. This is very deep. So this is no small accomplishment to be able to sit and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Most people can't do it. The mind is raging, there's problems to solve. "I feel depressed, I feel attracted to something else." But the fact that you show up means that you have evolved spiritually over many, many lifetimes to come to this position. So take advantage of it, that you know this, and that you know that all the Vedas are pointing to one thing—the holy name. And that is by taking part every day in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Finishing 16 rounds, you're following the instructions of the Ācārya, which means you're safe. So stay safe. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
This section of something I have been writing lately, has to do with Prabhupāda's statement about how chanting Harē Kṛṣṇa is forced meditation; I'm just interpreting that. I've included some other śāstra, which I'll just read to you briefly. In other words, it's a brief segment excerpt. At Nectar of Instruction, verse three. In his purport, Śrīla Prabhupāda tells how powerful such a prayer can be. "Devotional service," Prabhupāda writes, "is so pure and perfect that once having begun, one is forcibly dragged to ultimate success." In other words, for those who pray for Kṛṣṇa's help, Kṛṣṇa takes personal care and pulls them in the right direction. Anugraha, often translated as mercy, literally means "to grab and pull." Chanting japa invites Kṛṣṇa to grab and pull us to him. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, in his last bhajan in Śaraṇāgati, tells how the Holy Name abducts him, taking him directly to Kṛṣṇa. "The Holy Name is the bud of the flower of divine love, and it is the very abode of astonishing mellows. Such is the power he manifests that when his holy name starts to blossom a little further, it then reveals his own divine form and qualities. Thus my heart is abducted and taken directly to Kṛṣṇa. Blossoming fully, the flower of the holy name takes me to Vraj and reveals to me his own love dalliance. This name gives to me my own eternal spiritual body, keeps me right by Kṛṣṇa's side, and completely destroys everything related to this immortal frame of mine." Abduct means "the action of taking someone away by force." Kṛṣṇa, by his supreme powers, personally escorts those who chant his divine name back to his supreme abode. Kṛṣṇa's name is so kind that he helps even those who accidentally chant His names, what to speak of those who chant with love? As Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.2.55, The Yogendras say the Supreme Personality of God is so kind to the conditioned souls that if they call upon him by speaking his holy name, even unintentionally or unwillingly, the Lord is inclined to destroy innumerable sinful reactions in their hearts. https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/11/2/55 ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #mantrameditation #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
Next is an excerpt from something that Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākur wrote about chanting the Holy Name of the Lord. It's entitled "Don't artificially meditate on the form of the Lord." Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta: I am overjoyed to hear that your enthusiasm for chanting is increasing. As our contaminations are removed by chanting, the Lord's form, qualities, and pastimes will be revealed to us in the Holy Name. There's no point in making a separate effort to artificially remember the Lord's form, qualities, and pastimes. The Lord and His name are one and the same. This will be understood clearly when the coverings in your heart are removed by chanting without offenses. You will personally realize that all perfection comes from the Holy Name. Through chanting, the distinction that exists between the self and the gross and subtle bodies is gradually effaced, and one realizes one's own spiritual form. Once aware of the spiritual body, as one continues to chant, one sees the transcendental nature of the Lord's form. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
In the context of bhakti, we see in the Sixth Canto of the Bhagavatam and elsewhere, as one of the ācāryas has mentioned, this principle of accumulation of bhakti sukṛti in circumstances where one is not fully aware of what one is doing. For instance, one may hear the chanting of The Hare Krishna mahāmantra. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī very clearly says, "yad-ābhāso ‘py udyan kavalita-bhava-dhvānta-vibhavo dṛśaḿ tattvāndhānām api diśati bhakti-praṇayinīm" (Nāmāṣṭakam, verse 3). And that is, if you hear, even those who are in ignorance of what the Holy Name is, or why people are chanting The Holy Name. Did you see anybody like that last night? How many, as a percentage, had no idea what was going on? In other words, they knew something was happening. They just didn't know what it was. So what percentage? 95%? So those people are called by Rūpa Gosvāmī --"tattvāndhānām." They don't know tattva. They have no idea of what that is. But Hare Krishna is directly the Lord, and therefore there is a dawning of bhakti in their heart that comes from the ābhāsa—just the indirect rays of The Holy Name. And such people then can see or experience for themselves in their hearts the truth of bhakti, an amazing statement in and of itself. As is mentioned in the Sixth Canto of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam in the section of Ajāmila, in Prabhupāda's purport, he said, "Such encounters are recorded and counted." And so there's a little book, and it goes in the book. And Prabhupāda puts it and gives a different metaphor. He said, "Every living being has a bank account in his or her heart, and every time you come in contact with Krishna, the devotees, then there's a deposit." Of course, we have to be careful, because we may think that it means it doesn't matter how we disseminate Krishna consciousness; it's some sort of inoculation by force. Because there is a way in which, if we are artful and gentle in the ways that we present Krishna consciousness and teach according to people's cultural and psycho-physiological natures, then their hearts will be more open to hearing and taking in, and they'll gain more sukṛti. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
Friends of the Rosary,The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose memorial is celebrated on September 15.Another important feast on September 14 is the Triumph of the Holy Cross, the instrument of our salvation.September is a month that falls during the liturgical season of ordinary time (formerly Time After Pentecost), which is represented by the liturgical color green, the symbol of hope.The main liturgical feasts are:St. Gregory the Great (September 3)Nativity of Mary (September 8),St. Peter Claver (September 9),Holy Name of Mary (September 12),St. John Chrysostom (September 13),Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14),Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15),Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian (September 16),St. Robert Bellarmine and Hildegard of Bingen(September 17)St. Januarius (September 19),St. Andrew Kim and Companions (September 20),St. Pio (September 23),Sts. Cosmas and Damian (September 26),St. Vincent de Paul (September 27),Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (September 29) andSt. Jerome (September 30).The commemorations of St. Matthew (September 21) and Sts. Wenceslaus and Lawrence Ruiz and Companions (September 28) fall on a Sunday and are superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of September 2025 are for relationships with all of creation. Inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.In September, we follow the life of Christ and Mary through the Gospels, and focus on the teachings and parables of Jesus and what it means for us to be a follower of Christ.During Ordinary Time, we can focus more on the saints and imitate their holiness as followers of Christ.Finally, the months of August, September, October, and November are part of the harvest season, and as Christians, we recall God's constant protection over his people and give thanks for the year's harvest.Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• September 2, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
I was just thinking, also, about yesterday. We went out. It's an ocean out there, and people are coming from every direction. You don't know who they are, where they're coming from. I was thinking of the churning of the milk ocean when the devas and the asuras came together for the yajña. It was Viṣṇu's wish that they did this yajña. So, they threw all the ingredients into the ocean. And then, of course, with the help of The Lord at every step, because they couldn't even carry them out by themselves. But when they started churning, then of course, Hālāhala poison came out. And then there was Lakṣmī Jī and all the different entities. Saṅkīrtana is like that. It's the yajna, yuga-dharma. When we go out and attempt to distribute the holy names, the Bhāgavatam, and the Bhagavad-gītā, it's like churning in that crowd, and you don't know who's going to come out of it. Yesterday, on the way home, I got a note from somebody on our team about a person who had written in and said that many years ago, they got a book at a motel, and they didn't think anything of it. They said, "We stole it." It was a Bhagavad-gītā, and they said, "We also got some packet at Los Angeles Ratha-yātrā; somebody handed us one. We had them all, and we didn't do anything about it." He said, "But now I'm chanting. I'm reading. I'm part of the program." So the yajña is very potent because The Holy Name always has a supreme effect, even if somebody accidentally does it, what to speak of jokingly. I was thinking yesterday, too, there were so many challenges. Somebody called me a white devil. Another kid, when I asked about karma, he had some—he was very pugnacious and wanted to challenge the whole idea of morality and everything. It was like everywhere you go, there's some challenge, and it's very healthy to go out and be part of that polishing process where you're getting hit from every side, and then you are endeavoring to give people Holy Names. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #japawalk #sankirtan #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
Dear Śrīla Prabhupāda, on this sacred day of your divine appearance, I offer my humble obeisances again and again at your lotus feet. I pray for the humility to accept correction, the zeal to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and the patience to serve others in their spiritual journey. May I always remember that devotional service is about service, not status. Please bless me to purify my heart, to improve my chanting, and to remain forever protected at your lotus feet. My beloved Gurudev, everything meaningful in my life comes from you. Without your guidance, I would be lost in the waves of material desire, but by your mercy, I have found purpose, hope, and joy in serving Kṛṣṇa and his devotees. On this day of Vyāsa Pūjā, I renew my dedication to your mission. I pray that your books illuminate every home, that The Holy Name echoes in every heart, and that your movement thrives forever. May my life, every thought, word, and action, be a token of gratitude to you. All glories to you, Śrīla Prabhupāda, all glories to your ISKCON, and all glories to The Holy Name. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #vyasapuja #srilaprabhupada #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī, mama māyā duratyayā. Mām eva ye prapadyante, māyām etāṁ taranti te. That means that the material world is too complicated; nobody can ever figure it out. Why are you in so much anxiety? Because everyone, from the ant to Lord Brahmā, is. So, there's a resort: it's the holy name. It's the only resort. Don't feel bad about being in anxiety. Everybody's in anxiety because the material world is duratyayā. Don't try to fix it by figuring it out—you can't do it, it's impossible. But if you take shelter of the holy name and just say, "Kṛṣṇa, you're my only resort. I'm just taking shelter of You, please show me the way, and please show me how to figure out this complicated mess I'm in here in the material world." Just keep doing that and put that into The Holy Name and take shelter take shelter take shelter, over and over again. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #japajolt #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
It's a reminder that comes up often in the Bhāgavatam: labdhvā su-durlabham idaṁ bahu-sambhavānte mānuṣyam artha-dam anityam apīha dhīraḥ (SB 11.9.29). It's such a rare opportunity, and it's so temporary. But if you take something temporary and you turn it into something eternal, then you're the wisest person—if we can just use the short time slot we have here. And it goes by so quickly. If you blink your eyes and open them again, you'll look up and go, "Oh my goodness, I'm 64 years old." You know, it just happens in a blink of an eye. So, fill in all the blanks with Harinām. Fill in all the blanks with Bhagavad Gītā and Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, and just do service and stay in it no matter what else is happening in your life. Because if you can do that and fill it in, then when you leave this body, Kṛṣṇa will make arrangements to continue your service in amazing ways. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
The God of King DavidAugust 10, 2025A Life To Learn FromTeacher: Dave BrownThe Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people.— 1 Samuel 13:14Why is David called a man after God's own heart?“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided forbuilding you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”— 1 Chronicles 29:14-19Our choices become our habits, our habits become our character, and our character is our destiny.— Charles DuhiggWe make our decisions, and then our decisions make us. In the beginning we have a choice, but eventually, we have a character.— John Mark ComerEvery time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life longyou are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature.— C.S. Lewis1 HUMILITYEverything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.— 1 Chronicles 29:14b Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.— Rick Warren2 INTEGRITYI know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.— 1 Chronicles 29:17 Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.— Albert Einstein3 LOYALTYI have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you… keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you.— 1 Chronicles 29:17b-184 LEGACYGive my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees.— 1 Chronicles 29:19
If during a japa session, we can feel that "this is where I want to be; I don't want to be anywhere else," if that feeling comes over you when you're chanting japa instead of being harassed by the thought that "oh, I need to be somewhere else. When's this going to be over?" then you're getting traction. You're going somewhere because it means we're willingly associating with the holy name. And that's the sum and substance of the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. How to advance is to be willingly in the association of the holy name, in a mood of service, and to feel that I don't want to be anywhere else. Śraddhā'-śabde — viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya kṛṣṇe bhakti kaile sarva-karma kṛta haya (CC Madhya 22.62). And part of that feeling is that everything's done by this. I can't be effectual in this world, really, because everything's already—to quote one of our leaders—"rigged." The material world. It's all rigged. The whole material world is rigged by the three modes of material nature. This is: 'tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatām upary adhaḥ tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukhaṁ kālena sarvatra gabhīra-raṁhasā.' This means the whole world's rigged. It's already rigged. So don't worry about trying to change the karma. Worry about trying to go deeply within The Holy Name and stay in a mood of service to the holy name. And then there's happiness, and then there's traction in spiritual life. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
If we can touch that region of absorption and experience, just for one second, then the controlling of senses is not an issue—because it's a higher taste. And it takes a lot of practice, because the mind has been controlling us since time immemorial—not just this lifetime, but previous lifetimes as well. It keeps forcing us to do things. It's like an overlord. Kṛṣṇa tells that to Uddhava in the 11th Canto of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, that we've been under no other master except for the mind since time immemorial, and it has fearsome, god-like powers over us—as in, practically nobody can do this. We can only do it with the help of Kṛṣṇa. So, the chanting of Kṛṣṇa's names—calling out to Him for help—and the ways that He has extended Himself to us The Holy Name, if we extend back.. Attention, It has the word ten in it. It's the same root as in the word tendon, which comes from Latin tendere, “to stretch.” It means to hold on to something, just like a tendon holds muscle and bone together. So that's our attention: we have to extend ourselves back to Kṛṣṇa. And just from this one process—there is no other process: "harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam," eva kevalam --nothing else. It's only one thing. So don't think you have to go shopping anywhere else for some other process. That's just another trick of the mind—to say, “This is too hard,” or “I'll go find something easier,” or “There must be something fancier or more rasika.” No—the rasika is in The Holy Name, and the real rasikas are the ones who do the hard work. They try it every day. That's why I called you stalwarts: you show up with your lunch box, and you sit down, and you do your work—and that's sādhana-bhakti. No excuses. No cutting class. You show up for your japa, and you make sure that you extend yourself as much as possible and keep practicing. And at some point, the mind becomes attracted to The Holy Name. It starts to sound sweet. Even before that, in nāmābhāsa, there's this radiation from The Holy Name that is described in the Harināma cintāmaṇi—that is bringing us unlimited benefits and preparing us for continuance in the process of chanting The Holy Names. So, nothing is lost in the process. And then, if we can really try to avoid the offenses—especially being inattentive—don't be lazy. Really try to work at it. Do the heavy lifting that nobody else wants to do. Everyone wants to scroll. "Just let the mind do it and maybe figure it out at the time of death." It won't work. You have to do it now. You have to do it when you're young. And you've gotta get really strong now. Then everything else becomes easy. The only thing that makes it hard is the mind. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam mentions that those who are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa are at such a high level because The Holy Name is the pinnacle of all Vedic knowledge. "Aho bata śva-paco 'to garīyān yaj-jihvāgre vartate nāma tubhyam tepus tapas te juhuvuḥ sasnur āryā." Devahūtī says, "Aho bata śva-paco 'to garīyān," which means, "Oh, how wonderful it is!" "Tepus tapas te juhuvuḥ sasnur āryā brahmānūcur nāma gṛṇanti ye te." (SB 3.33.7) This means that those who have somehow or other come to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, even if it's just a little bit, with the tip of their tongue, they just say Hare Kṛṣṇa once —these people you should understand to have already graduated. There are levels of education. For instance, one has to go through a process to become a lawyer, an attorney, what to speak of after that, to become a judge. You know that if somebody is a judge, he or she has gone through law school, and that's why that person is sitting behind the bench giving verdicts. In a similar way, Devahūtī is saying, if someone can say Hare Kṛṣṇa, they have to be counted amongst those who somehow or other have come to this high level of connection with the Supreme Personality of God, through His Holy Name. And if someone can chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and does so with sincerity, it's also known that that person has superseded the level of Brāhmaṇism. So, accepting The Holy Name as one's life and soul and one's main meditation is the recommendation of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. At the outset of the Bhāgavatam, in the First Canto, First Chapter (SB 1.1.14), it is said: "āpannaḥ saṁsṛtiṁ ghorāṁ yan-nāma vivaśo gṛṇan tataḥ sadyo vimucyeta yad bibheti svayaṁ bhayam'" So, there's no difference at all between Kṛṣṇa and His Holy Name. Therefore, anyone can take advantage of the association of Kṛṣṇa and can get protection from Him just by saying "Hare Kṛṣṇa," because Kṛṣṇa is personally present. And near the end of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, it is said that the essence of everything is the chanting of Hari, the Lord's holy names. https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/3/33/7 https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/1/14 ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
'Avatar' means our friend who comes down to get us, and The Holy Name really takes us by the hand. We need a friend in this world to hold us by the hand and to take us out. We can't fend for ourselves here in this world; we are overwhelmed. 'Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te' (BG 7.14) This surrender is actually sweet surrender. It means, "Accept The Lord's hand." He's holding it out, especially through His name. And if I just grab on and say, "Kṛṣṇa, I can't do this by myself. Please allow me to accept Your merciful hand to pull me out of this material world." That's exactly why He comes as The Holy Name, to save us. So, I want to point out too that we don't just have to chant during japa. We have to keep The Holy Name always close to us throughout the day. Keep the vibration going as much as possible—in between, after, during, when you wake up in the morning, when you wake up at night, say, "Hare Kṛṣṇa, always Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama, Hare Hare" Prabhupada had a god-brother, Akinchana Krishna Das Babaji Maharaj, whom he liked very much. He loved him. When he would come, they would sit together for hours and talk. And Akinchana Krishna Das Babaji Maharaj, he only chanted Hare Kṛṣṇa. I mean, he spoke very few words; he would chant shlokas and he would chant Hare Kṛṣṇa constantly. And this is the prerogative of a soul ready to go back to Godhead: they just say, "You know, hey, it didn't work out. So I tried for a few trillion lifetimes. It didn't work. So no problem, let me just take shelter of a different course now." ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
SCRIPTURE- Psalm 29:2"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."REFLECTION- LaurenMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.
Kṛṣṇa is the witness in everyone's heart and is fully aware of every devotee's intention. Complete sincerity is the price for tasting the nectar of one's relationship with Kṛṣṇa through The Holy Name. Caitanya Mahāprabhu recommended that if somebody is chanting and feels, "I can't appreciate the name at all, durdaivam I'm unfortunate." Then, He said, "Be very humble and just admit your faults and say, 'I'm so fallen, I'm lower than this straw in the street,' and humbly beg, 'Please give me some standing in devotional service.'" Dar Śrīla Prabhupāda, dear Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, if You so desire, please instill in us sincerity and humility so that we may chant The Holy Name with full attention and love. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
O King, constant chanting of The Holy Name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and also those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge. https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/2/1/11 ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
Although Kṛṣṇa is nondifferent from His name, and although the process is simple, our minds may become blank or bored and think of some other kind of variety of the material world. This is why practice is required, because that's an obstacle to our ultimate well-being and happiness in life, which is to reconnect with Kṛṣṇa. When we talk about crossing the ocean of material existence, we talk about crossing over these conditions of mind that prevent us from steadiness in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One of them is this sense that chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa is boring; that can be counteracted by numerical strength -"saṅkhyā-pūrvaka-nāma-gāna-nātibhiḥ." It means, even though you may not see the results right away, you still have to show up and do your number. You have to count it, and you have to do it every day, and you can't skip it. That's what determination looks like, and that's what seriousness looks like in spiritual life, that's necessary. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
Although Kṛṣṇa is nondifferent from His name, and although the process is simple, our minds may become blank or bored and think of some other kind of variety of the material world. This is why practice is required, because that's an obstacle to our ultimate well-being and happiness in life, which is to reconnect with Kṛṣṇa. When we talk about crossing the ocean of material existence, we talk about crossing over these conditions of mind that prevent us from steadiness in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One of them is this sense that chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa is boring; that can be counteracted by numerical strength -"saṅkhyā-pūrvaka-nāma-gāna-nātibhiḥ." It means, even though you may not see the results right away, you still have to show up and do your number. You have to count it, and you have to do it every day, and you can't skip it. That's what determination looks like, and that's what seriousness looks like in spiritual life, that's necessary. ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose
I was writing in one of the chapters of my book the other day, which is about mantra meditation. I reread one of the paragraphs, it was about concentration. And really, it's a simple process in doing japa: the main point is to listen. That's simple, but it may not be so simple if the mind runs off here and there. So, Kṛṣṇa recommends in the sixth chapter of the Gita that practice that. In normal meditation, focusing on the tip of the nose or on some singular point. It's like building a muscle. But actually, when you chant japa, you're invoking the avatāra. Kṛṣṇa is making His avatār, His descent, in the name. So He actually takes us by the hand. If we extend ourselves through our attention and we actually sincerely try, then He'll lift us up, because He has the power to do that. He can lift us up above the chatter of the mind, above all the modes of material nature."Māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate (BG 14.26)." By Kṛṣṇa's power, which is fully invested in The Holy name – "nāmnām akāri bahudhā nija-sarva-śaktis"– He is no different. All the śaktis are there within His Holy Name. We can be lifted up above. So, it's the most worthwhile practice to take time every day to fully listen with attention to the name, to ourselves repeating the name over and over again, and then self-examine: "How did I do and why didn't I do as well as I thought? What's the defect?" And in that practice, one makes advancement in devotional service without a doubt. It's very, it's the most powerful of all the practices. That's why Prabhupāda insisted, "At least you do 16 rounds every day." ------------------------------------------------------------ To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Add to your wisdom literature collection: https://iskconsv.com/book-store/ https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/ https://thefourquestionsbook.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Join us live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FanTheSpark/ Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-bhakti/id1132423868 For the latest videos, subscribe https://www.youtube.com/@FanTheSpark For the latest in SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/fan-the-spark ------------------------------------------------------------ #makejapagreatagain #mantrameditation #chantharekrishnaandbehappy #spiritualawakening #soul #spiritualexperience #spiritualpurposeoflife #spiritualgrowthlessons #secretsofspirituality #vaisesikaprabhu #vaisesikadasa #vaisesikaprabhulectures #spirituality #bhaktiyoga #krishna #spiritualpurposeoflife #krishnaspirituality #spiritualusachannel #whybhaktiisimportant #whyspiritualityisimportant #vaisesika #spiritualconnection #thepowerofspiritualstudy #selfrealization #spirituallectures #spiritualstudy #spiritualquestions #spiritualquestionsanswered #trendingspiritualtopics #fanthespark #spiritualpowerofmeditation #spiritualteachersonyoutube #spiritualhabits #spiritualclarity #bhagavadgita #srimadbhagavatam #spiritualbeings #kttvg #keepthetranscendentalvibrationgoing #spiritualpurpose