Ep.

[@deepsikhachatterjee8931]

Its beautiful to hear Mother Harrison's story. Its interesting to hear her story growing up Jewish and her desire to learn more and participate in Kibbutz in Israel. The concept of communal living in Kibbutz and personal sacrifice is so similar to what we call seva.

[@shreyamishra4389]

Such devotional vibes throughout the interview. So inspiring. Haribol ❤

[@chiranjib108]

As a devotee and kirtaniya since 1970, there's so much to relish in this conversation! Fascinating! I feel another Hare Krishna Explosion is about to blossom. The he many forms of Harinam Sankirtan, Sadhu-sangha, book distribution, Harikatha, prasadam distribution and nurturing others in their Krishna Consciousness- the prime benediction for humanity at large!🥰🙏👏

[@marygracebasto1456]

Thank You for sharing mataji. ❤

[@darcybhaiwala7057]

I don't even know you guys but listening to y'all chat feels like listening to the family I wish I had. I love my folks but there are some MAJOR siksa vibes here . . .

[@yasomati-stanya-payidasi9991]

Thank you Hare Krsna you lovely family. You have been blessed surely. Thank you for sharing your world with us for this short time. I have met you mataji, and wouldn't rule out us meeting again, but I couldn't foresee a time when I would be in a position to hear you sharing your private and devotional stories with me, so have relished listening to this today, and found it enlightening. I found your ability to maintain long term friendships very inspiring and your advice to young couples to do the same very wise. I was also inspired by your book distribution endeavours, which I personally have great difficulty with and find excruciating so push myself to try for Srila Prabhupada, but 500 is more than I will manage in my lifetime I fear. Thank you for sharing Mataji and to Namarasa Prabhu for facilitating. Look forward to the next episode🙏🙏🙏

[@colingoldring2801]

Mum got grace

[@IndraBahiaMusic]

Just wow. Thank you for your open hearts 💕

[@gregglock1503]

Mama Harrison! 🙌

[@mridangadrum1756]

Part One Thanks for expanding on the glories of devotees that we don't know so much about like the brahmacaris in the last episode, and Mother Guru in this episode. Kamala Radha in the last episode I"m sure has an amazing story as well, although unfortunately she was given a hard time. There are many amazing points in this episode that were super inspiring. What was especially inspiring is obviously the adventures, the coincidences, the distribution of so many books, the raising of a wonderful family, but I think the most inspirational point was the honesty: Chanting problems, marriage problems, relationship problems, do I really want to practice Krishna consciousness problems, being undermined as women problems etc Honestly, I didn't know what the red-light district was until I looked it up because of this episode. I think most of us can add the red-light district problem on our list of problems as well. If a patient goes to the doctor, the doctor will ask him, "What's your problem?" "Me, I have no problem." "Then what the hell are you doing here?" Similarly, we go to the spiritual doctor, our diksa-gurus, siksa-gurus or mentors and say, "I have no problem." However, objectively speaking, I've never seen a motivational speaker who was able to motivate others by saying, "I"ve always lived a perfect life and I can teach you what to do." Rather, the greatest personalities throughout history who were able to motivate the most people say, "I've always lived an imperfect life and I can teach you what not to do." Even in Radhanath Swami's The Journey Home, which this episode was the female version, most people would say Maharaja's book was inspirational because of the adventures etc. which is certainly true, but also because of the honesty and profound lessons as well. For example, Maharaja admitted to doing drugs, stealing a music book and calling himself a hypocrite because he stole from a music store but criticized Gary for stealing a crucifix from a Church. He realized it was the same difference. Therefore, in his lecture entitled, "Envy is the root cause of our Degradation," Radhanath Swami says, "If we're humble, it's easy to be honest; if we're proud, it becomes quite difficult, because false pride not only causes us to hide our shortcomings from others, but it also hides it from ourself where we're not able to see it. So the idea is not to be great, the idea is to try to be genuine." Similarly, Alice Walker said, "People do not wish to appear foolish; to avoid the appearance of foolishness, they are willing to remain actually fools." Also, There's one famous Christian Minister who says something similar to the above mentioned quotes. He says, "In order to get well, you have to get real. You have to take that mask off, get honest with yourself, and say, 'Ok, I have some things to deal with. This is not normal.' When you get down to the real you, not the pretend you, that's when God can turn things around. God will not bless who you pretend to be, God blesses people who are real. Not people who are perfect, not people who don't have any issues, but people who are honest enough to say, 'God, I have this bad habit. I need your help. I'm taking off the mask that everything is OK.' Or 'God, I'm struggling with my temper. I made a mistake. I blew it. God I need your forgiveness.' When you're honest, you open the door for God to come in and begin to change things. But as long as we're pretending, not dealing with the real issues, it's not going to improve."

[@MetaphysicalExplorations]

Very entertaining story:)

[@mridangadrum1756]

Part Two: I've learned many profound lessons from my various teachers, which for me is everyone, and here's is one of the most important lessons for me regarding why people have relationship problems, whether it's marriage, friends, family, colleagues, co-workers etc. These are the lessons that keep me going in Krishna consciousness. Story One Once upon a time, a mother wanted to teach her 8 year old son, Michael, a lesson on gratitude. Why? Because every year for Michael's birthday, he would be grateful for some gifts, and ungrateful for others. When he received a video game, he was so happy. When he received a book, he threw it away in disgust. Therefore, the next year for Michael's 9th birthday, the mother decided to try something very different. She surprisingly bought her son more presents than ever, approximately 100. When Michael saw so many presents, it was the happiest he'd ever been in his life. Suddenly, he opened the first present and was completely SHOCKED; he opened the second present and was completely SHOCKED; he opened the third present and was completely SHOCKED. Michael sat there and opened all 100 presents and was still completely SHOCKED. Why? Because he discovered that in each and every present, there was nothing inside. The moral of the story is.........Just as we're all initially attracted to a nice gift wrapped package but repulsed by it when we find out that there's nothing inside, so also we're all naturally attracted to people who are gift wrapped in beauty, fame, riches and high education, but repulsed by them when we find out that there's nothing inside. Unless we give ourselves the gift of yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana sarvair-gunais tatra samasate surah, namely the good qualities of a devotee such as humility, appreciation, forgiveness and gratitude, then we'll always remain empty with pride, envy, vengeance and attitude. In other words, materialism brings people together, but spiritualism keeps people together. For example, why were all the great saints and enlightened teachers so attractive throughout their entire life, even in their old age? Because they were less concerned about being a MODEL, and more concerned about being a ROLE MODEL. This subject matter is summarized in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.9.9) and in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.7.51-52). Therefore, Aristotle said, "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." Similarly, consider the following quotes regarding this subject matter: "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." (Theodore Roosevelt) "What is the use of attending Harvard without Humility; Princeton without Principles; Yale without Yielding; or Stanford without Standards." (Anonymous) "The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do." (B. F. Skinner) "Maybe the preoccupation with technological progress has overshadowed our concern with human progress." (Wynton Marsalis) "Before we work on artificial intelligence why don't we do something about natural stupidity?" (Steve Polyak) "We have guided missiles and misguided men." (Martin Luther King Jr.) "We've learned to fly the air like birds, we've learned to swim the seas like fish, and yet we haven't learned to walk the earth as brothers and sisters." (Martin Luther King Jr.) "Now that we have learned to fly the air like birds, swim under water like fish, we lack one thing---to learn to live on earth as human beings." (George Bernard Shaw) "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." (Jimi Hendrix)

[@mridangadrum1756]

Part Four As far as women being undermined and not given opportunities to give class, I agree with everything you guys said. Of course, there are many famous and well-known women speakers in ISKCON, whether it's first generation or second generation, but one not so famous woman Bhagavatam speaker whom I"m very much inspired by is on ISKCON's Melbourne youtube channel. Her name is Yamuna Lila Devi Dasi. One of my favourite pastimes in the Bhagavatam where, although the men undermine the women as inferior, Krishna glorifies them as superior. This pastime can be found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10th Canto, chapter 23) and is elaborated on in Srila Prabhupada's book, Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead (Chapter 23). This story is about brahmanas versus the wives of the brahmanas. Long story short, the brahmans were known as "the Appointed Ones" because they were more concerned about being leaders on the outside, whereas the wives of the brahmanas were known as "the Anointed Ones" because they were more concerned about being leaders on the inside. Indeed, the brahmanas knew all the scriptures by heart but didn't care about the needy and hungry, whereas the wives of the brahmanas didn't know all the scriptures by heart but cared for the needy and hungry. What this essentially means is that although the brahmanas had scriptural information on the outside, Krishna considered the wives of the brahmanas superior because they had spiritual transformation on the inside. In other words, although the brahmanas could give speeches composed of thousands of words, but because they couldn't practice one word, namely humility, it led to their degradation. On the other hand, although the wives of the brahmanas, by Krishna's arrangement, couldn't give speeches composed of thousands of words, but because they practiced one word, namely humility, it led to their elevation. Therefore, Lord Buddha said, "Even though a speech be a thousand words, but made up of senseless words, one word of sense is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet, peaceful and humble." (Dhammapada 100) Similarly, consider the following quotes regarding this subject matter. "A man is not learned because he talks much; he who is patient, free from hatred and fear, he is called learned." (Buddha---Dhammpada 258) "The thoughtless man, even if he can recite a large portion of the law, but is not a doer of it, has no share in the priesthood, but is like a cowherd counting the cows of others. The follower of the law, even if he can recite only a small portion of the law, but, having forsaken passion and hatred and foolishness, possesses true knowledge and serenity of mind, he, caring for nothing in this world or that to come, has indeed a share in the priesthood." (Buddha-----Dhammapada 19-20) "The devotee is right even when she apparently misquotes, and the non-devotee is wrong even when he quotes correctly the very words, chapter, and verse of the scriptures. It is not empiric wisdom that is the object of quest of the devotee. Those who read the scriptures for gathering empiric wisdom will be pursuing the wild goose chase." (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta----Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Vaibhava: Volume Three, page 143) "Knowledge without proper character can lead to a prideful attitude and wouldn't really help anybody. The Bhagavad-Gita explains that if one hopes to have an impact on other peoples lives, then one needs to develop humility within their own character; and humility isn't something that can be developed by signing up for a two semester or three semester course. It needs life-long enrolment." (Gadadhara Pandit) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hamplqOeqZx8bdE "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and SISTERS, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish people of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak people of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly people and the despised---and the things that are not---to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him." (Holy Bible---1 Corinthians 1.25-29) Finally, as previously mentioned, just as security guards subdue criminals, so also the most important point in the pastime of the brahmanas versus the wives of the brahmanas, is that the wives of the brahmanas subdued "Bashing my husband consciousness" with "Krishna consciousness." Indeed, even though the brahmanas mistreated their wives and humbly admitted that their wives were superior to them in every way (although we probably won't see this kind of humility with men in ISKCON), the wives never went on youtube, facebook or twitter bashing their husbands. They just spoke about Krishna and were actually oblivious to their husbands. Consequently, their was no room for them to commit Vaisnvava-aparadha which every devotee should take very seriously. However, it should be pointed out that although I'm not a statistician, but there's probably more women who mistreat women out of envy than their is men who mistreat women out of pride. Similarly, there's probably more black on black crime than their is police on black crime. Everyone has their faults. The conclusion is that neither women or men need a prominent position in ISKCON to have a positive influence on others, especially with social media. Afterall, Haridas Thakur wasn't ever allowed in the Jagannath Puri temple, nor was he a born brahmdnaa, nor was he very rich, but He had such great INFLUENCE even though he was devoid of great AFFLUENCE. Why? Because he was less concerned about being a leader on the outside (Appointed) and more concerned about being a leader on the inside (Anointed). Therefore, Simon Sinek said, "Leadership is not a rank or a position, it is a choice---a choice to look after the person to the left of us and the person to the right of us." Similarly, John C. Maxwell said, "Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another."

[@radhikaschwartz3499]

What I heard here is that Mataji's husband was open to studying spiritual teachers and other philosophys.. My experience with Iskcon teachers and devotee that they only learn enough about the other spiritual paths to arm themselves in preaching against them. there is very little understanding and respect even for great luminaries like Ramana maharishi and Paramahamsa Ramakrishna. Other teachings are misunderstood and denigrated by their Masters. Its like talking to evangelical christian missionaires whose sole purpose is to convert and convince you their path is the only real path to God ( ie Jesus or Krishna). though they will say there is one God with different names , when it comes down to it. Chanting the Maha Mantra and following the Vaishnava practices and rituals and teachings are the only true way to the highest reaches of God realization. Im glad to see the younger generations of Iskcon devotees becoming much more op;en minded. this has to happen as evolution occurs. Mataji and her family had absolutly no choice or " free will" in living a life of pure bhakti in striving towards krishna consciousness. whether it came from past life impressions or Gods will, they were driven by a force greater than themselves in pursuing an ardent spiritual life in the Vaishnava path or dwaita vedanta.. Other devotees on other paths with other masters have the same samskaras driving them. We want to control everyone else for" their own good" . not understanding we are in " Gods business" when we preach to change them. we have a limited vision of God or nature that is directing the entire Leela ..If we want to help hold up Govardan at least recognize we are doing it out of devotion and to help ourselves only. Its certainly time to stop Denigrating devotees on the Advaita path as " mayavadis" and to start really studing what those masters are teaching. Swami Sarapriyananda of the Vedanta society has some wonderful youtubes on Bhakti yoga and also the difference advaita and dwaita .. He is not my teacher but he is a good spokesperson to clear up much of the confusion that has been spread for a thousand years. the other point I want to make is about divinizing life so the concept that there is a material life and a spiritual life dissolves. this concept works for new or spiritually immature devotees but those sadhaks who have spent 30 40 or 50 years deeply doing sadhana are ready to chuck the idea that there is a spiritual life that is good and a material life that is bad. that only when you die do you get to go to a good spiritual heaven for ever.. divinizing life means to use every situation and person and challange and moment in life as practice. to understand that God is the ultimate creator of the universe but also is part and parcel of everything, sentient and insentient being.. to understand this we have to know every thing is for us, not against us. every moment is there to self reflect and grow. Every person and situation in front of us, is the " Guru"( Krishna ).. the apparent universe is there to detach from, not run away from.. Krishna didnt tell Arjuna to go sit and chant and run from the battle field, he told him to fight , AND in a state of true detachment there is no judgement or putting things higher or lower because pure detachment is a state of mind that lives free in the moment. Judgements are based on past and future. All the sadhana we do,purifies the body, mind and emotions , but we continue to use all life battles and experiences to grow from. The strongest trees are not in the nurseries but are in the forests being pounded by the harsh elements. . the buddhists are masters of using life as the teaching . Chop wood carry water... Hari Om

[@vkchaitanya2003]

I wonder what the guru mata was in her previous life, I mean how do you even connect the dots from a Jewish girl in Winnipeg to an Iskon devotee

[@mridangadrum1756]

Part Three Story Two Once upon a time, a father wanted to teach his 18 year old son, Jason, a lesson on taming the tongue. Why? Because all throughout Jason's life, he was always the most popular kid, the best athlete on his basketball team, and a strait A student as well. Consequently, Jason became very proud by thinking, "I can say anything to anyone and get away with it" However, Jason's father warned him, "My dear Jason, it doesn't matter how powerful we are or how powerful we think we are, we can always be humbled by Almighty God." Of course, like most teenagers, Jason did not listen to his father. However, circumstances forced Jason to learn humility the hard way. Indeed, during Jason's freshmen, sophomore, and junior year in high school, he always made the basketball team. However, during his senior year in high school, Jason was cut from the team. Why? Because Jason's best friend, Eric, told him that the new basketball coach for his senior year was the father of one of the students he bullied all throughout high school. The moral of the story is........Just as criminals who escape from prison will cause problems for all of human society, so also when our bad qualities escape from us through our words and actions, they cause problems for us and potentially for others. The government subdues criminals with security guards. A wise person subdues pride with humility, envy with appreciation, vengeance with forgiveness and speculation with education. Therefore, Solomon Gabirol said, "As long as a word remains unspoken, you are its master; once you utter it, you are its slave." Similarly, consider the following quotes regarding this subject matter: "Strong feelings do not necessarily make a strong character. The strength of a man is to be measured by the power of the feelings he subdues not by the power of those which subdue him." (William Carleton) "Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something." (Plato) "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." (Abraham Lincoln) "Speech is the gift of all, but thought of few." (Cato the Elder) "People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use." (Soren Kierkegaard) "Brisk talkers are usually slow thinkers. There is, indeed, no wild beast more to be dreaded than a communicative man having nothing to communicate." (Johnathan Swift) "All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been make in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." (Holy Bible-----James (3.7-10) "Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny." (Frank Jackson)

[@radhikaschwartz3499]

what was the use of learning TM and not practicing it and then disparaging it.. The fee for learning is not paying for a mantra. it is to help cover the costs of the organization, teachers, halls, teaching materials. the teachers make a pittance. and the fact Mataji recieved a mantra and shared it with her friends was a pity.. she should know by now that a mantra is secret because bringing the sound to the surface from the silence depth of the mind to vocalizing it is like planting a seed and then digging it up soon after to see how its doing.. of course not every person will have a different mantra. all ISKCON devotees have one mantra yet they dont think that is odd. the TM mantras are composed of Bija mantras. powerful sounds that also represent the divine dieties or laws of nature.. if someone finds out they have the same blood type as their friend do they quit the doctor.. ? she was foolish as a youth and that is normal. the TM path was not for her. but as an adult and sadhak its too bad she still has no respect for another path and teaching that has had such a profund postive effect on humankind