Radhanath Swami's Blog, page 14

Three Book Launches for The Journey Within in Detroit

Srila Prabhupada once observed that Detroit was the important center of the industrial revolution in the United States and he wished that the city would become an important center of the spiritual revolution in the United States, as well. The metro Detroit area was host to three special book launch events for The Journey Within and special talks by Radhanath Swami.

Each talk was preceded by the serving of delicious vegetarian meals cooked with love by devotees at the Farmington ISKCON Temple, traditional Indian dance performances, beautiful kirtan led by Rupa Das, Deva Madhava das and the members of the Harmony Collective, and to a ribbon cutting ceremony for the launch of Radhanath Swami’s new book The Journey Within.

On the evening of Sunday, May 22nd, Radhanath Swami spoke at the Hindu Temple of Canton. Approximately 500 attendees heard him give a beautiful talk centered on the mood of love and tell the touching story of Sridhar, the banana seller, to illustrate pure devotion. Guests of honor included Michigan State Representative Kristy Pagan and Doctor Anil Kumar, a candidate for the United States Congress.

On the evening of Monday, May 23rd, Radhanath Swami spoke to an audience of 400 at the historic Grosse Pointe War Memorial. Situated on the shore of Lake St. Clair, the venue was the perfect setting for lessons about going deeper into our spiritual practice and beyond just the surface of our lives.

Radhanath Swami began his talk by describing a recent encounter with an atheist. At the end of their meeting, Radhanath Swami had told him “God bless you” and the man responded by also saying “God bless you”. The atheist confessed that it was the first time that he had ever said those words in his life and that it felt so good to say them. Radhanath Swami shared with the audience a humorous story about his father’s television and complaints that, despite hundreds of channels, he can never find anything good to watch. The lesson from the television is that it is important to tune into the appropriate frequencies and to find the right energies and influences in our lives because this will determine how we think, speak, and act. We should try to tune into the frequency of Grace. Radhanath Swami praised the beauty of the War Memorial building and pointed out that most people do not notice a building’s foundation. True spirituality requires us to reconnect with our foundation and to build upon that foundation.

On the evening of Tuesday, May 24th, Radhanath Swami spoke to an audience of 600 people at the historic, iconic Michigan Theater in the heart of Ann Arbor just one block from the campus of the University of Michigan.

Before the talk, author Stephen Knapp (Sri Nandanandana das) shared with the audience some impressive sales figures from the preorders for The Journey Within (which has since gone on to make the New York Times Bestseller list).

Radhanath Swami spoke of his reluctance to write his books and shared the beautiful story of his dear friend Bhakti Tirtha Swami’s last few days. His friend had told him that the stories in The Journey Home were not his stories, that they were the story of a young man searching for meaning and that everyone needed to hear these stories. He went on to describe an airport encounter with the Indian National Minister for the Environment and Forests who challenged him that the spiritual leaders of India are not doing enough to protect the environment. Radhanath Swami shared that the root cause of environmental pollution is pollution within the ecology of the human heart, and that to make a sustainable change we must all cleanse our hearts. The topic of fear was discussed with a dramatic and humorous retelling of a story from The Journey Home about an encounter between a large European man and a group of monkeys in Nepal. Radhanath Swami’s talk concluded with a lesson of the crane who waits patiently for big fish to swim by, letting the little fish pass. The lesson from the crane is to find awareness of what is truly important in our lives and to not be distracted by the little things.

At each of the three events many in attendance had been eagerly awaiting Radhanath Swami’s return to the Detroit area and many others in attendance had no prior knowledge of Radhanath Swami or of Bhakti-yoga. Many members of the local yoga community attended the talks to learn more about yoga’s ancient wisdom. After each event, Radhanath Swami spoke personally with the guests and signed copies of The Journey Within.

These special events helped spread wisdom from the Bhatki-yoga tradition to people from many different backgrounds. They were unforgettable, heart-opening experiences for all who attended. The new spiritual revolution is growing in Detroit.

video for Ann Arbor Event:

TJW-MichiganTheatre from Sreehari Sundararajan on Vimeo.

Talk and book Signing at Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club

On July 10th, 2016 a book launch and signing event for Radhanath Swami’s new book “The Journey Within” was held at the Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club, in Santa Monica, California. The event was conceived and organized by Kumudini, a yoga teacher and friend of Radhanath Swami. It was a wonderful eclectic gathering of yogis, spiritual seekers, Hollywood entertainment industry, media, journalists, musicians, photographers, bhakti yoga practitioners, healers, and mega festival organizers. In all, over 400 people attended.  A surprise special guest, musician Trevor Hall, opened for Radhanath Swami, and kirtan was also played before and after the lecture.

In his talk Radhanath Swami spoke of diversity, servitude and inner pleasure in a  profound yet humorous way, invoking feelings of introspection. The kirtan following his talk had all the guest chanting and dancing to the maha-mantra.

Devotees from the Laguna Beach and L.A. ISKCON temples assisted in the serve out of the sit-down dinner which was held in an exclusive area within the club, beautifully decorated with flowers.

During dinner, Radhanath Swami mingled with guests including Zach Leary, Stuart Sender, David Shapiro, Sridhar, Eric Levine, Philip Guston, Shyam Sundar, Narayan, Gary Liss, DJ Drez Selecta, Lu Parker, Dharma Shakti, Alex Artymiak & Alexandria Z Geringer, Govind Das, Gabriel Braun, Dhanajaya Prabhu & Bala Gopal Devi Dasi, Jaga Beca, Remuna Beca-Kitchen, Clytie Lane, Joni Yung & Bridgette Jackson-Buckley, Sheryl Utal and Jorgen Christianson, to name a few.

Felicia Marie Tomasko from the LA Yoga Magazine and Veda Yoga teacher trainees were very kind to offer their time and effort in spending hours to set up this gorgeous event. Books were sold throughout the program and personally signed by Radhanath Swami.

Radhanath Swami and Marci Shimoff on Finding Everlasting Happiness

Silicon Valley which is a hotbed for innovation for technology, scientific developments, and entrepreneurship, hacked into spirituality for a mindset shift on July 16, 2016, with Bhakti-yoga leader Radhanath Swami and Marci Shimoff, bestselling author of several self-help books including Love for No Reason and Happy for No Reason. Marci Shimoff is also the woman’s face of Chicken Soup for the Soul and is a featured teacher in the international film and book sensation, The Secret.

Held at the Jain Center, the program was cohosted by Bay Area entrepreneurs N. Prameela, Damodar Reddy, Sushant and Namrata Patnaik as well as by Artha Forum, a community dedicated to providing healthy work/life balance and business ethics based on spiritual principles. Around 300 entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and thought leaders attended the event.

During his introduction N.Damodar Reddy, Founder, Chairman and CEO, SutiSoft Inc., shared about Radhanath Swami, “One thing that stands out with all my conversations with Swamii is that it’s all about finding love within your own heart. And that is the essence of Bhakti-yoga.”

The event began with a mesmerizing flute recital by the Director of Digital Commerce at Adobe Prasad Bhandarkar and his son Kunal. This created a mood of tranquility for the evening.

Marci Shimoff spoke briefly about finding happiness in a world plagued by sorrow and gloom. Sharing her personal story about finding happiness she said, “Since childhood, I had existential angst. In June 1998, I had three books on NYT bestseller list. I felt like an author rock star. But I burst into tears. I couldn’t convince myself to believe to be happy. After a lot of interviews with people who practice spirituality and happiness, I realized being joyful is not dependent on external circumstances.”

Radhanath Swami began his talk by explaining the aphorism “annada mayo ‘bhyasat”. “We are all seeking happiness. From the cockroach on the kitchen counter to a Silicon Valley entrepreneur. Everyone is trying to avoid what interferes with their happiness. This question leads to the very basis of spirituality – Who Am I?” said Swami.

He explained that a car may be nourished with oil and gasoline, but will it give deep pleasure to the driver of the car? The driver may be happy momentarily but he needs a different type of sustenance. Things can give flickering happiness to the senses and mind. But it never gives true pleasure. Real fulfillment is a state of heart. Real happiness means to love and be loved.”

Throughout his talk, Swami shared personal anecdotes about experiences that helped shape him as a teacher on the path of Bhakti Yoga.

After Swami’s discussion on happiness, fulfillment, and spirituality, Vaisesika Prabhu, President of ISKCON Silicon Valley shared his appreciation of Marci Shimoff, Radhanath Swami, and Artha Forum.

Rajeev Srivastav, Managing Partner, Basil Capital Partners and Founding Member of Artha Forum shared the broader vision of Artha. He stressed having a higher goal and purpose is a bigger motivator than simply trying to accumulate wealth for yourself.

The event ended with a book signing and a vegetarian dinner. Sourabh Tandon, Board Member at TiE Silicon Valley and Partner at Alpheas Advisors shared, “We often forget about simple things in life. Then we read several books and have great ideas and concept to live life to the fullest. But then you see somebody actually living it when they had so many other choices to take. This itself is inspiring. That’s why I love listening to Swami.”

“This was a blissful and life changing evening for me. Swami spoke with such simplicity but yet it was so lively with all his experiences and stories,” said Pankaj Srivastav.

Journey Within Book Launch at Santa Monica Bergamot Art Gallery

On Friday July 8th, 2016 the Santa Monica Bergamot Art Gallery hosted a book launch for Radhanath Swami’s latest book “The Journey Within”. The event was organized by Sridhar Silberfein, the Executive Producer of Bhakti Fest, an annual yoga, dance and sacred music festival that celebrates the path bhakti. The venue features a gallery housing modern art pieces from local artists as well as a movie screening room where some of Hollywood’s movies are exclusively screened for private gatherings.

The evening began with kirtan led by the local singers of the Los Angeles ISKCON Temple. Radhanath Swami then spoke on “The Journey Within” to a gathering of 50 people from diverse backgrounds, citing examples of compassion and human spirit. His anecdotes invoked a joyful mood and guests were inspired to ask him questions at the end of his talk. This was followed by more kirtan and finally the signing of books that were purchased by the guests. Light refreshments including cookies and herbal tea were served to the guests as they mingled and conversed with Radhanath Swami and each other.

Radhanath Swami To Join Chant4Change in Washington D.C

On October 8th, 2016, Radhanath Swami will be joining thousands of concerned spiritualists at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. for Chant4Change. He will be a speaker at the event and he encourages everyone to come, chant, and be heard.

 

From Chant4Change’s website – “The first Chant4Change in 2009 brought together a diverse group of over 1,000 people in sacred song and chant. On October 8, 2016, raise your voice in song to heal the soul of America with thousands from across the social, political and religious spectrum. Celebrate our diversity from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King spoke his dream aloud to the world more than 50 years ago. The noise of this year’s presidential elections is loud and divisive. And the volume is increasing. If you love your neighbor without consideration of their religion, politics, race, sex, age, economic status, it may seem there is no place for your voice to be heard. Chant music has long powered revolutionary action from Gandhi to Martin Luther King Jr. Chant4Change is “conscious action” – an alternative to the negativity.”


 

To find out more about Chant4Change visit their Website chant4change.com.

Radhanath Swami Endorses New Book “Chasing Rhinos with the Swami” by Shyamasundar Das

“Chasing Rhinos with the Swami” is a book by Shyamasundar Das chronicling the author’s adventures with Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Shyamasundar Das (Sam Speerstra) was one of Prabhupada’s earliest disciples, helping him shape the Krishna Consciousness Movement in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, with the Beatles in London, and then, as the Swami’s personal secretary in India, Russia, and around the globe. Srila Prabhupada instilled the idea that nothing was impossible in the hearts of his first disciples, using the expression “go for the rhino”, meaning to dream big and take up challenges that seem impossible.

“Get Ready for Chasing Rhinos with the Swami! Shyamasundara is about to take us on an incredible adventure into events that transformed our world. We will be witness to unimaginable events, events that made history, while we live side byside with Prabhupada, a humble saint who awakened spiritual love in countless hearts.”

“In Volume One, we will be there, in the streets and hideouts of Haight-Ashbury at its pinnacle of cultural change. Then, with the Beatles living at John and Georges homes in England during intimate moments of their spiritual exploration. From there, along with Shyamsundara, we will be launched into the spiritual sky to circle the world with Prabhupada. As we travel with him, we will laugh and cry, we will be stunned and utterly amazed while our hearts fill with wisdom and love. This book is masterfully written and is truly unique.” – Radhanath Swami

For more information and to preorder the book visit chasingrhinos.com

Mega Kitchen slide

Radhanath Swami’s Vrindavan Yatra Featured in National Geographic Channel Documentary

“When we work together and we harmonize our hearts in that way, then God performs miracles, even through us.” – Radhanath Swami
 
The devotees of Radhanath Swami’s annual Vrindavan Yatra (pilgrimage) were recently featured in a National Geographic Channel documentary called India’s Mega Kitchens. An entire episode was dedicated to the yatra devotees as part of a series of shows which focus on the scale, volume, technology and process of large kitchens. The episode was written by Purnima Rao and directed by Rajendra Kondapalli. 
 
During the auspicious Kartik Maas, a month dedicated to the practice of bhakti, thousands of devotees visit the holy town of Vrindavan. The yatra team starts planning months in advance. The organizing team visits Vrindavan and Govardhan to select the site to set up a temporary kitchen where meals for 5000 will be cooked during the ten day yatra. Blueprints are made and the temporary kitchen is built up accordingly. Eco-friendly chulhas (clay stoves) are built using firewood as fuel. Huge pots and other equipment are brought in. The whole area is cleaned and set up a day in advance. On the days of yatra, meal preparations start as early as 2.30 am. Volunteers enthusiastically take part in the services assigned to them. Different teams are there for vegetable chopping, cooking, serving, etc. 
 
Through the use of diagrams and statistics as well as interviews and beautiful footage, the show captures not only the fascinating engineering that goes into developing and running a traveling megakitchen, but also the devotion of the engineers, cooks and participants of the yatra.

The Journey Within Book Launch in Dallas

On May 17, 2016, a book launch of Radhanth Swami’’s new work, The Journey Within, was held at the East Plano Comfort Inn and Suites in Dallas, Texas. Radhanath Swami spoke with honored dignitaries and local leaders in attendance.

The program began with traditional Indian music performed by a group of enthusiastic local youth, followed by introductions and a talk by Radhanath Swami on the book and his spiritual journey. Radhanath Swami discussed how the book came to be and the circumstances surrounding its inception years prior. He recalled a phone call from a major New York publisher he received while on the banks of the Ganges River, wherein he was asked to write a book that would elucidate Vedic spirituality in a manner that would be understandable to a “middle-class housewife from Minnesota”. Throughout his talk, he explained yoga philosophy with entertaining, understandable analogies.

Following the talk, a sumptuous dinner feast was served as Radhanath Swami signed books and met with locals. Attendees enjoyed the event, and many were touched by his words. “The message that was given tonight was one of peace and togetherness”, said Laxmi Tummala, a Frisco realtor and politician. Patrick McBride, a renowned author and life coach, felt that Radhanath Swami’s ideas were “from his heart, to everyone else, so full of love and care”. Also in attendance were Atul Vohra, former chief marketing officer at Dell Services, Vinode Vitthala, former Fijian politician and corporate leadership coach, and Kishore Kandavalli, Founder and CEO of IT Tech, one of the country’s fastest growing software companies.

Radhanath Swami & James Doty on Redefining Success at Stanford University

On July 21, Stanford Bhakti Yoga Club and the Hindu Student Association of Stanford joined efforts to host spiritual leader Radhanath Swami and James Doty, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery and Founder of Stanford’s Center for Compassion & Altruism Research & Education, for a talk on the topic “Redefining Success”. An eclectic mix of approximately 500 students, members of academia and industry leaders attended.

The event began with mantra meditation, creating a serene mood.

James Doty spoke first, about compassion and care, sharing a personal story about finding spirituality after a bankruptcy. “I became a successful entrepreneur, my company went public, I owned a Ferrari and a penthouse, but I started feeling empty. And then one fine day I lost everything. It allowed me time to reflect and forced me to take a journey inward.” he said.

Radhanath Swami began his talk by explaining that the English word success comes from the Latin succedere, which means to go up or to go near. Drawing parallels to Sanskrit, he explained that the word Upanishad, a collection of ancient spiritual teachings, also means to go near or rise above and that, from a spiritual perspective, success comes when we build our life based on a meaningful and fulfilling foundation. “Things can never give fulfillment to heart” he said. “Only one thing gives fulfillment to heart, and that is to love and be loved. That is our greatest need. Actual fulfillment is state of our heart.”

Throughout his talk, Radhanath Swami shared personal anecdotes that helped shape him as a teacher on the path of bhakti-yoga.

After Swami’s discussion on success, fulfillment, connection and spirituality, Vaisesika Das, President of ISKCON Silicon Valley, shared his appreciation of James Doty, Radhanath Swami, and Stanford Bhakti Yoga Club. The event ended with Radhanath Swami signing copies of his new book The Journey Within and a vegetarian dinner.