Any expertise in any field - science, literature, music, dance, athletics, oratory, business, etc. - is accomplished through practice. Similarly, to progress on the spiritual path, we need to do sādhanā (spiritual practice) daily. This is the only sure way we can purify our heart and attain peace of mind.
If you take out time every day to fill your mind with thoughts of devotion, surrender, and love for God, it is your sādhanā. Just like a one-hour physical exercise per day fetches the benefits of good health all through the day, similarly doing sādhanā for some time in a day, will reap the benefits of a spiritual consciousness throughout the day.
If you wish to make spiritual progress a part of your daily life, and take a step towards inner peace and joy, read on....
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Bhakti Ras
Devotion - The Essential Ingredient of Spiritual Growth
Profound Vedic knowledge may attest one's scholarship, but it does not fetch tranquility to the mind, if not amalgamated with unwavering devotion to God. Merely acquiring the knowledge from the Vedas does not boost our spiritual growth or enhance our spiritual experience. "The path of spirituality requires many ingredients - knowledge, devotion, faith, detachment, enthusiasm, inspiration, and much more. However, devotion especially is the key ingredient," emphasizes H. H. Swami Mukundananda. When we blend our knowledge with devotion, we rise, as Shree Krishna compassionately assures Arjun:
भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्वत: |
ततो मां तत्वतो ज्ञात्वा विशते तदनन्तरम् ||
bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaśh chāsmi tattvataḥ |
tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā viśhate tad-anantaram ||
(Bhagavad Gita 18, 55)
"Only by loving devotion to me does one come to know who I am in truth. Then, having come to know me, my devotee enters into full consciousness of me."
Therefore, it is important we take our mind consistently to His lotus feet. Once, a five-year-old boy was reciting the Devanagari alphabets - क (ka), ख (kha), ग (ga), घ (gha) ... - kneeling in front of God in a temple. The curious priest asked him, "My child, why are you reciting the alphabets to God." The boy innocently said, "Panditji, I want to make God happy, but I do not know any prayer. So, I am reciting the alphabets to God, and praying Him to make a prayer of His choice." Such is the nature of loving devotion, and the vital role of the mind in devotion.
Often, when we focus our mind upon God, we will find that it wanders off toward worldly matters. Therefore, it is important to understand the three steps involved in the process of sādhana:
- With the intellect's power of discrimination, decide that the world is not our goal. Hence, we forcefully remove the mind from the world. This requires effort.
- Again, with the power of discrimination, understand that God alone is ours, and God-realization is our goal. Hence, we bring the mind to focus upon God. This also requires effort.
- The mind comes away from God and wanders back into the world. This does not require effort, it happens automatically.
When the third step happens by itself, sādhaks (spiritual practitioners) are often disappointed. However, when it does wander off, don't lose heart. Instead, repeat steps 1 and 2-take the mind away from the world and bring it back to God. Do this repeatedly, then the mind's attachment toward God starts increasing. With determined effort, success will come slowly, as Daily Sadhana helps you discipline your mind and engage it very easily in the spiritual realm.
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Wellness for Life
Lauki (Bottle Gourd) Juice for Overcoming Physical Afflictions
In India, bottle gourd, a common vegetable is referred to as lauki or doodhi. In the Indian culture bottle gourd is known for its medicinal qualities and incorporated in the diet for prevention and remediation. The vegetable is rich source of phosphorous, fiber, potassium, iron, sodium, and vitamins. Additionally, it has zero calories, fat or cholesterol which is why it is recommended to people with heart health issues. Here is a recipe for lauki juice.
Ingredients:
- One fresh bottle gourd washed in cold water
- Tulsi (Holi basil) leaves (7)
- Mint leaves (5)
- Pure drinking water
Method of Preparation:
- Take the washed bottle gourd without peeling the skin;
- Cut lengthwise in quarter pieces and these into halves;
- If you have a juice extractor, insert the lauki pieces lengthwise;
- Add the tulsi and mint leaves;
- Turn on the switch and extract the juice (approximately 4 ounces);
- Add the same quantity of water as the juice;
- Throw in some crushed pepper and rock salt to taste and enjoy a nice cool drink!
Uses:
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Upcoming Community Events of the
Radha-Krishna Temple of Dallas
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Exciting news!!
Registrations for Bal-Mukund - Specially designed character building program is now open! Classes offered every Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm.
Please register your child.
Bal-Mukund is a holistic program for physical, mental, emotional & spiritual upliftment in Children. A study conducted on that parents at the USA Bal-Mukund students has shown extremely positive improvement in the awareness of Indian culture, values, Indian language proficiency, public speaking, social skills, focus and concentration! Most importantly the program is beautifully designed to make it interesting for different age groups. Survey results show that 98% agree that their child loves attending Bal-Mukund program!! Then...why wait?
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JKYog presents an exclusive 2-day workshop for youth filled with fun & innovative leadership activities that will help you reach your leadership potential. Learn from highly successful and effective leaders on essential leadership skills, develop your leadership identity, and discover your true calling in life.
July 12th : 8 am to 5 pm
July 13th: 8 am to 9 pm
Eligibility: Young Professionals and Students; Ages 15 to 25 yr
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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
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'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).
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