Dear Reader,

With the start of a new and fresh year, many of us usually consider this a time to make promises of joy and hope. Especially after reflecting on the past year and if we had to endure many hardships, this ray of joy and hope helps bring a smile to many faces. I would like to invite you to step into this new year with a quote from the Bhagavad gita 4.22: “He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions.”

My wish for the New Year for you, dear readers, is to take this quote under your arm for at least the first two months of the year, and see how it can touch your life.

Warm regards,

Malati Devi Dasi

Radhadesh Mellows

On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th January a big kirtan yoga festival will be organized so, together with you, we all come singing and dancing into 2012. When most of us think of “yoga”, we get images of headstands and deep stretches to become fit and healthy. But this form of yoga is rapidly gaining recognition and prominence in the West. Kirtan-yoga festivals are becoming increasingly popular because simply by just dancing and singing an ancient spiritual process is practiced. Try to get a taste of it and join us.

More information is on: www.radhadeshmellows.com

Gaura Purnima

With Gaura purnima we celebrate the appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, which is a major festival for Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Festivities take place in temples worldwide, especially in Mayapur, India. Gaura Purnima means “Golden Full Moon,” signifying that Sri Caitanya took birth at the time of the full moonrise. On Thursday 8 March, an elaborate feast is served at moonrise by the devotees of Radhadesh. Together with Nityananda prabhu, Caitanya Mahaprabhu propagated the kirtan yoga path that is mentioned in the Vedic scriptures as the easiest way to reach enlightenment. The many participants of kirtan yoga all over the world follow in Their footsteps. Special donation opportunities for this festival will be announced on our website: www.radhadesh.com

Contact Malati for more information and participation.

Sri Nityananda prabhu

Nityananda prabhu appeared in the village of Ekachakra in West Bengal, India, around 1474. In the Caitanya Caritamrita and other scriptures it is explained that He is an incarnation of Lord Balarama, who is the first expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. He is the Lord’s active principle in both creation and lila. He is the second body of the Lord, manifesting as Balarama with Sri Krishna, Lakshman with Sri Ram and Nityananda Prabhu with Caitanya Mahaprabhu. All other forms and expansions of the Lord emanate from this second body. On the altar at Radhadesh, Nityananda is worshipped together with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Join us in celebrating His glorious appearance day on Sunday 5 February.

Holi

Popularly known as the ‘Festival of Colors’, Holi is celebrated by Hindus all over the world. This festival was also popular in ancient times, when Radha and Krishna performed Their pastimes on earth. Holi festival gives way to expressions of joy between friends, family members and even ‘enemies’! It enhances existing social networks and offers an opportunity to bring color to your life after the long dark and grey days of the winter. You are invited to the Radhadesh Holi festival on Sunday 11 March.

Vedic Cooking Workshop

 Our cooking workshops are dynamic learning experiences, which require active participation. The next workshop is on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th January. Mahalaxmi, an expert in tasty dishes, looks forward to discovering with you the vegetarian cuisine originating from the ancient traditions in India. The workshop starts on Saturday at 11am and ends on Sunday at 2pm. The participation fee including all meals, ingredients and a cookbook, is €80 per person. If you book with a second person, a discount of 20% is available.

Contact Malati Devi Dasi for more information and registration

Srila Prabhupada and kirtan

‘‘Beating on an old tom-tom, Srila Prabhupada would lead kirtan (the singing of the Lord’s holy names) for at least 45 minutes before and after each one-hour class. On Sundays the devotees would go to the park to chant and these weekly kirtans sometimes lasted for 2 to 3 hours. Prabhupada was tireless and wore out his disciples who were younger by 40 to 50 years.’’ Yoga of Kirtan by Steven Rosen

Maha Mantra

‘‘At first, His chanting with people was for the few participants who were a part of His group, but then Sri Caitanya ordered that the ecstasy of love of God be distributed to all people of the area. He gave no recognition for the privileges of caste, or for position, or type of philosophy a person had, or yogic asceticism. He only emphasized the devotional chanting of the Lord’s holy names, using the Hare Krishna mantra (Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) which can bring out the natural loving sentiments for God.’’ Yoga of Kirtan by Steven Rosen

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