Samarpan

A Monthly e-Magazine by 

Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas

                   Issue: 36

                   January 2020
In This Issue
मां च योऽव्यभिचारेण भक्तियोगेन सेवते |
स गुणान्समतीत्यैतान्ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ||

māṁ cha yo 'vyabhichāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate
sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhooyāya kalpate
(Bhagavad Gita 14.26)

"Those who engage in unalloyed devotion, rise above the three modes of material nature and come to the level of transcendence."
From the Editor's Desk
Dear Devotees, 

Have you ever considered the consequences of your thoughts? Thoughts impact every aspect of our life. In fact, the quality of our life relies on the quality of our mind, and the quality of our mind depends on the quality of our thoughts. Thought-by-thought, we sculpt our personality, there by our life. If we can purify our mind with sublime and elevating thoughts, we can manifest a beautiful life. 

However, the question of paramount importance is - how do we purify our mind?
Bhakti Ras 
Beautiful Thoughts Manifest Beautiful Life
 
In the Śreemad Bhāgavatam, Parikshit asks his guru how the heart could be purged of the impurities, such as, desire, envy, anger, hatred, pride, etc. Shukadev Paramahans responds:

शृण्वतां स्वकथा: कृष्ण: पुण्यश्रवणकीर्तन: ।
हृद्यन्त:स्थो ह्यभद्राणि विधुनोति सुहृत्सताम् ॥
śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi vidhunoti suhṛt satām
(Śreemad Bhāgavatam 1.2.17)
"O Parikshit, the Supreme Lord Shree Krishna resides in the heart of all living entities. He naturally cleanses the minds of those who develop love for hearing His glories from the saints." 

We do go to satsang of the saints, listen to the divine teachings, but the problem is we do not implement what we heard. Therefore, the knowledge we received does not benefit us. When knowledge is no
t applied, it is ineffectual. Even if we did   implement the knowledge, it was only partially done. Hence, our scriptures ask us to repeatedly listen to the divine teaching.

Having heard, we need to to internalize the knowledge through contemplation. We have to repeatedly contemplate to
an extent that it remains with us and we are able to retrieve that knowledge at the time of need. Such positive contemplation has the potential of burning the impurities in our heart and 
develop sublime virtues. "Even one piece of knowledge, if sufficiently reflected upon, has the power of transforming us eternally," explains H. H. Swami Mukundananda ji. 

When we develop a firm faith in the knowledge we received, then it turns into our beliefs, which create our personal value system and determine the direction of our life. Thus, we consciously install productive and beneficial convictions in our intellect, unfolding a powerful force of self-transformation. When our beliefs are uplifting, our values are appropriate, attitudes are productive, decisions are proper, and our life progresses beautifully in the right direction! 

Thus, the purification of the mind is only effectively achieved when we fix it upon an all-pure entity, which is God himself. 
Wellness for Life
 
H.H. Swami Mukundananda ji says that meditation is an essential component for purification of the mind. Meditation can help to alleviate stress, create a sense of balance in our physical and psychological state as well as promote peace of mind. Meditation is more effective when we engage in roop-dhyan or visualization. Visualization is very powerful because the subconscious state thinks and remembers things in terms of images. However, meditation can be difficult if done on one's own because the material mind tends to create material images. Thus, we need a teacher to guide us through the process for effect. 

Guided meditation is a process by which we can visualize the image of the 
Lord, His heart-wrenching leelas or past-times, His cowherd friends, and experience His presence next to us. We can visualize loving God to attach our mind to Him and push out the mental afflictions.

For those who find it difficult to meditate, please listen to this most amazing guided meditation by Swamiji that has the power to touch the soul. 

Connecting with Lord Krishna | Guided Meditation (https://youtu.be/hk-Y0Lp_ZfY):

In this meditation, Swamiji beautifully guides us through on a journey that allows us to experience Shri Krishna's enchanting form, divine presence, inimitable qualities and immeasurable grace and opportunity to do seva mentally. This lovely visualization in Swamiji's soothing and deeply spiritual voice is the best tool for helping us with meditation.
Upcoming Events
Pongal/Lohri/Makar Sankranti Festival
Monday, Jan 13th, 2020: 5 pm to 8:30 pm
Join us at the temple on Monday, Jan 13th, 2020: 5 pm to 8:30 pm

Highlights:
  • Bonfire
  • Rituals and Pheri
  • Prasad distribution
  • Dance performances sequence with Boliyan followed by Punjabi Dhol
  • Authentic Punjabi Buffet spread - Makke ki roti, Sarson Ka Saag, Besan Kadhi, Rice followed by lassi and dessert!

Read More

Weekly Temple Events
For free weekly community offerings, please click here

Hanuman Chalisa                   - Tuesdays 7:15 pm
Lalita Sahasranamam             - Fridays 6:45 pm
BG Study Circle                       - Saturdays 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Vishnu Sahasranamam           - Sundays 9:30 am
Weekly Satsang                      - Sundays 10:30 am
Radha Krishna Abhishek        - 2nd Thursday 6:30 pm
Akhand Kirtan                         - 2nd Friday 7 pm to midnight        
Yoga Classes                          - Mondays 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Saturdays 8 am to 9:15 am

 

'Dollar A Day' - Pledge Continuous Support!

 

Donate a Dollar a Day towards the building and upkeep of the Radha Krishna temple! By donating just $1 everyday,
you'll help this noble cause!

 How many of us have the opportunity and are fortunate enough to build a house for God?

Set up monthly contributions through credit card/debit card by calling: 860-605-3685 or by visiting temple website at Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (click).