community Blog
When Seasons bring Hope
By Ananda Rupa devi dasi Yesterday evening, I paused during my walk as a cool breeze carried a shower of colorful leaves across the sidewalk. A child getting down from the school bus ran ahead, laughing as the leaves swirled around her, while nearby someone quietly arranged pumpkins on their porch. The warmth of sunlight in the afternoon, the changing colors of the trees, and the signs of harvest all created a feeling that the neighborhood was preparing for something hopeful.
The Best Things Aren't Always Perfect
By Ananda Rupa devi dasi On many festival celebrations, the temple room is filled far beyond what anyone expects. From the welcome area to different events going on in other areas it seems crowded and busy, The food distribution queues are often big and food is to be replenished more quickly than how its planned, volunteers adjust on the go, and many step in wherever help is needed. It is not picture perfect, but somehow it feels just right. No one seems concerned that exactl
From Karma to Compassion
By Ananda Rupa devi dasi During a recent visit to the United States, my elderly father undertook the long flight from India despite his age and health challenges. The desire to spend meaningful time with my brother, whom he could not meet enough during an earlier visit, became an inspiration for this journey. It was a reminder of how deeply a parent's love, care, and attachment can move the heart. The wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita helps us reflect on the nature of our desires.
5 Tips for Janmastami
Ananda Vrindavan If you are planning to come to the temple to celebrate Janmastami here are some sweet tips. Come Early and Stay Late - this way you miss the big traffic and have lots of time to be with Krishna on His special day. Explore the Festival - make sure you experience everything, even the joy of observing others' joy! Do some Service - help a lot or a little. Check in at our volunteer tent and see if there is a need. Even if you have 15mins or an hour or more, the
Of Secret Things
Ananda Vrindavan Of Secret Things Recently a young couple delivered a baby and as we were celebrating I asked their friend - so what’s the baby’s name? Oh, was the reply, I know the name but they asked me not to share it. I appreciated her ability to keep her word and not tell me the name. This, I thought, is someone I can trust. “Of secret things I am silence” is part of a verse in the Bhagavad-gita, 10th Chapter. The chapter is called The Opulence of the Absolute and list
Where We Stand
Ananda Vrindavan devi dasi I watched as the two elderly ladies came down the road while on their morning walk. Then they parted - one headed into the driveway of her house and the other crossed the street and stopped at the entrance driveway to the temple. There she stood with folded hands and bowed head towards the temple building. How nice, I thought. Pausing to acknowledge the presence of a sacred place, to offer respect and perhaps a prayer. I then wondered why she didn