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Answering Gaura-Nitai’s question on “what is atma-van”

Nandagopa — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:07:43 +0000

And how devotees should answer questions for themselves and then for others as part of being “self-situated”.

What is the meaning of the items we offer in arati and in what mood it should be offered?

Nandagopa — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:34:52 +0000

I don’t understand what was the obstacle to make Priyavrata a disciple? Does Krsna become forgetful during his pastimes? Sridhara d / Balarama d / B. Nilesh

At 7:22 am Grahila Prabhu today left his body

Nandagopa — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:14:01 +0000

My remembrances of my last and only visit with him.

My understanding is that when speaking in spiritual circles, including Srimad Bhagavatam class, we should support what we say with evidence from guru,sadhu and sastra

Nandagopa — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:20:38 +0000

However I have experienced on a number of occasions that many devotees take strong exception if we quote gurus or sadhus who are in the disciplic succession after Srila Prabhupada. Is it correct that we should only refer to Srila Prabhupada or the great Vaisnavas who precede him in the disciplic succession? And if that is the case that we cannot refer to devotees who come after Srila Prabhupada in the disciplic succession as authorities then what is the difference between this and the rtvics presentation? Ramananda das (Scotland)

Addressing further comments on the role of sannyasis as managers

Nandagopa — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:34:30 +0000

And the observation that some sannyasis have a lifestyle beyond the rights of their asrama.

Commenting on Sunday night’s Oscar Awards

Nandagopa — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:25:10 +0000

Maybe one day a Mahabharata will be the best film of the year.

Devotees are so enthused by persons who have had Prabhupada’s association, however I am aspiring of an ISKCON Guru who is a grand disciple of Prabhupada and not had Prabhupada’s direct association

Nandagopa — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:40:44 +0000

Does it make a difference if the Guru is a direct disciple rather than a grand disciple? / Anonymous

Whilst going through anartha-nivrtti we may come up against mental illness problems such as depression, paranoia, low self esteem etc.

Nandagopa — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:52:34 +0000

H.H. Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu refers to this as going through a spiritual psychosis. How should we deal with such things? / Prema-rasa d, Wales.

In short what is the meaning of smarana and how, if possible, can it be practiced in ISKCON today?

Nandagopa — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:29:20 +0000

We find in ISKCON that there are certain sannyasis who live austerely with minimal comforts, whilst others live more “opulently”

Nandagopa — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:20:53 +0000

eg. flying business class, driving in luxury vehicles, living in fancy hotels etc. How do we reconcile this with the sannyasa dharma of living simply or explain this to others?

Is it better to think of one’s material duties or of spiritual things?

Nandagopa — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:12:33 +0000

Why do devotees dance in an organized way in Hungary? What is the KC way of resolving conflict amongst devotees?: Abhinandana d / Bn. Anna / Caitanya Priya dd

Further discussion on comments to “What is ISKCON and Who is a Member?” Part 3

Nandagopa — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:59:32 +0000

Explanation of the krsna-varnam sloka on the occasion of Gaura Purnima at Bhaktvedanta Asrama in Govardhana

Nandagopa — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 10:49:15 +0000

More on who is a member of ISKCON Part II

Nandagopa — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:34:52 +0000

Should ISKCON be a small elite group of devotees? How should leaders of ISKCON engage members and non-members in service? In a country one does not lose citizenship because one breaks a law – why would one lose membership in ISKCON for the same? Bn. Rita / Pusta Krishna d / Puskaraksa d

More on who is a member of ISKCON Part I

Nandagopa — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:26:19 +0000

Isn’t 16 rounds and 4 regs the criteria for membership? Can a devotee whose only allegiance is to his guru be a member? Why select a state-like model for “Society” instead of one of a club? / Ranganatha d/ Omkara dd/ Babhru d.

A friend of Kancana-valli dd was distraught to hear on the presentation “What is ISKCON and Who is a Member?” that those who divorce cannot be members

Nandagopa — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:52:02 +0000

She writes, “What would you recommend that I tell her on this subject?”

What is the difference between material and spiritual intelligence

Nandagopa — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:31:12 +0000

…and how can one explain the importance of spiritual intelligence to non-devotees? Toth Sanyi / Sweden

Are the 8400000 species of life present in the spiritual world?

Nandagopa — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:37:03 +0000

Is Srila Prabhupada’s form eternal? Should we preach to carrots?

How do we determine which dreams and thoughts are based or contaminated with sahajya?

Nandagopa — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:27:28 +0000

Can we really restrain ourselves from taking sides in arguments? What are the points in essence we should know in regards to this matter – rtvik?

When a disciple wants to accept a spiritual master, is there any ISKCON etiquette, rule or protocol forbidding or discouraging one guru from deferring to another?

Nandagopa — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:57:50 +0000

What are the pros and cons for the disciple, guru or ISKCON? Bn Rita / NV

Can you please clarify what it means to say that the residents of Vraja all considered Sanatana Goswami to their spiritual master?

Nandagopa — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:14:15 +0000

For what reason did Rupa Goswami direct Jiva to take initiation from Sanatana? / Rita Gupta, NV

How do we convince our parents that the decision to become Krishna Conscious is the right one?

Nandagopa — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:00:24 +0000

I would really appreciate it if you could guide me as to how i can overcome this problem. / Ravi Talsania, London

How would you define what is pre-determined (pre-ordained), what is random and what is free will

Nandagopa — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:21:58 +0000

… and how would a person identify which of these is acting in there life or others lives at any given time. / Varsana dd

Faith, prescribed duties and qualified leadership, questions and answers Bhagavad-gita (Part 8)

Nandagopa — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:44:38 +0000

Bhakta Ankura. (car ride)

Further conversation about Tamal Krsna Maharaja with B. Carl and others

Nandagopa — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:05:13 +0000

Did the animal sacrifices of yore please the Lord and can one think of philosophy while chanting Hare Krsna?

Nandagopa — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:37:47 +0000

Loka-bandhu dasa / Hungary

Conversation with B. Carl, Tamal Krsna Maharaja’s brother and remembrances of TKG

Nandagopa — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:43:57 +0000

Thoughts on some current proposals for establishing kirtan standards

Nandagopa — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:14:09 +0000

Preparing for our presentations to the GBC

Nandagopa — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:59:07 +0000

What is ISKCON and who is a member and Self-sufficient communities ISKCON-worldwide

So how do we think of Krsna in the general conduct of our duties, especially if our activities are indirect in nature?

Nandagopa — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:34:00 +0000

Is our meditation meant to be on Krsna Himself? / Ananda Caitanya/UK