Kartik Sonnet #2

As the month of Kartik continues, here is another beautiful Kartik sonnet by Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi.----Of lamps and lights this month is all too goodIt helps an eager traveler on their wayLean in, it calls, to those who think they couldTake shelter with a song and verse to prayThe daring know to practice what we preachOur lives we need to make a better changeTo turn within all that we love to teachAnd gain a sense of Krishna within rangeThis kartik month opens the curtains wideUpon the scene in Vraja’s village trueIt shares a glimpse of what the Lord can’t hideThe power of love and what such love can do    Lean in to hold the chance to listen well    And hear the stories Vrindavan has to tell

Kartik Sonnet

As Kartika month begins today, October 9th. Here is a beuatiful Kartik sonnet by Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi.

As Kartik comes our hearts are drawn to YouThe autumn moon rises full and deepThis month alone can have us start anewThe lights and songs awaken our deep sleepIt is a month that comes but once a yearIt’s worth a thousand lives for what it givesA chance to banish all unwanted fearA chance to sing no matter where one livesIt is a time when bhakti rasa sweetComes to our hearts in many joyful waysNot least of all the charming butter thiefPulls our thoughts through all His Lila playsAnd so we must to Kartik give our timeLeast we miss this opportunity sublime

The Poetry of Living Life

This September Urban Devi Class featured Ananda Vrindavan speaking on the topic "The Poetry of Living Life".'Poetic' is one of the qualities attributed to a devotee of Krishna, one that should come naturally as we practice Krishna Bhakti. Explore what does 'poetic' mean and what does a more poetic life look like? Please click here or on the video image below to explore this topic and learn from each other.Ananda Vrindavaneswari Devi is the President of ISKCON of Washington D.C. She is an educator and a writer and loves the early morning hours the best.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ufYjlz5IH4[/embed]  

The Big Old Turtle

~by Ananda Vrindavan devi Dasi

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He caught my eye

As I drove by then turned around

To stop and see him

Large and brown and moving slowly

He quickly drew in his elderly head

And eyed me for my next move

Which of course was nothing

But to marvel at his body

And to think some think

This is all a big bang outcome

That counts not the exquisite details

Of each and every life and body

How can we be so blind?

How can we think there is something

More important than stopping to

Stare and marvel at the sheer

Abundance around us

And within us

Sit a Moment

~by Ananda Vrindavan devi dasi--------------------------------------

Come mind, let’s sit together

And chant the holy name

I know you’ll find more

Interesting things to do

You’ll wander here and there

But I’ll pull you back with affection

Don’t you know your dreaming

Is nothing compared to this moment

With this mantra?

Just once chanting is ten thousand times better

Than what you can imagine

Or where you think happiness lies

And the fears that you slip away to?

Turn your back on them and

Soak in this mantra of love

Things will soften, fears will lessen

But wait, where are you now?

And how did you get there?

Come mind, sit with me again

And chant the holy name

For this moment is always

The only moment we have

Let’s make it count,

And let's make it work, together

Prayers by the Ocean

~by Ananda Vrindavan Devi Dasi----------------------------------------When I wander across the watersOf this material worldMay I always return to the shores Of Krishna consciousness When I marvel at the waves Crashing and moving With wild abandonMay I always remember The source of their powerThe supreme controller When I am saddened byThe troubles and pains of lifeMay I remember the teachingsThat I am spirit soulAnd can soar above it allLike the gulls that ride the wind When I am distracted by distractionsAnd the glitter and gold of othersMay I remember it’s all an illusionPerfectly set up to take me downAnd keep me locked in the dreamOf enjoying forever here When I finally get the point Of the futility of material existenceMay I enter the spiritual oceanAnd dive deep in the wavesTo stay there forever.  

Like Snow

~by Ananda Vrindavan devi dasi--------------------------------------Let our mantrasLand like light snowUpon the ground of our beingSo that all else is silent and coveredExcept the soft sound of the Krishna’s nameAnd our awakening sense of love and serviceLet our thoughtsAll fall in one directionLike the steady fall of snowThat touches the earth it seeksAnd so too let our inner self touchThe sound of life upon which we standAnd let our heartsBe warm and alive withThe fire of real spiritualityThe snow will come and goBut we turn to our journey homeAnd welcome the weather on the way

---

Ananda Vrindavan is the Temple President of ISKCON of DC iskconofdc.org

Autumn Sounds

~by Ananada Vrindavan devi dasi

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My favorite sounds of Autumn

As we move from cool to cold

Are the sounds of the geese against the sky

As they make their way south to home

They do not wait or think to stay

‘We’ll manage’ is not their mood

They are up and away on an urgent call

And a direction that does not sway

And so should we with knowledge clear

Be also heading home

Away from the cold of this shadow world

To the warmth of spiritual shores

Be like the geese and say it loud

To keep up with those who lead

To rise and fly away from here

Forever held and forever free