vaisnavas_care

Vaisnavas C.A.R.E. Inc.

-C.A.R.E.

Counseling, Assistance, Resource, and Education
for the terminally-ill and their family

Submitted by His Holiness Giriraj Swami on May 8, 2008

My dear Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and
Your Divine Grace. I don't know if any other devotee has sent you this,
but please see the attached file.

Your humble servant
Ramanuja das

Srila Sridhara Svami writes in his commentary on
Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.9.1):

ugro 'py anugra evayam
sva-bhaktanam nr-kesari
kesariva sva-potanam
anyesam ugra-vikramah

"Although very ferocious, the lioness is very kind to her cubs. Similarly,
although very ferocious to nondevotees like Hiranyakasipu, Lord Nrsimhadeva is very, very soft and kind to devotees like Prahlada Maharaja."

Newsletter & Events

April, 2008

His Grace Dharmasetu dasa and his team are Finding Great Success Giving Final Journey Seminars to the Hindu Community in San Diego, California (U.S.)

The Final Journey Seminars in the San Diego area, organized by His Grace Dharmasetu dasa, have become a great success. The conference room where they are held at a nearby hotel are filled to capacity and the line up of speakers deliver almost three hours of valuable information to the attendees. The half hour lunch break is also wonderful— delicious prasadam (sanctified food) from the Hare Krishna temple, is often served outside on the sunny patio. Here is a list of last year's impressive presenters:

Welcome: Ravi Sahay - The inspiration behind the Final Journey Seminar.
Religious Concerns: Dharmasetu das - Purohita in San Diego for 30 years.
Funeral Services: Debbie Allen: 26 years of experience in death-care services.
Medical/Hospital Concerns: Dr. Jay Thomas – Clinical Medical Director at San Diego Hospice and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
Legal/Estate Planning: John Preston - One of the most sought after Estate Planning attorneys in California with over 26 years experience.
Financial Planning: Sandeep Varma -Named one of the top 100 financial advisors in America. Voted the best financial advisor firm in San Diego for client satisfaction.
Vera Kripalani – attended last year’s seminar too.
Social Security: Lloyd Watnik – Retired consultant with over 27 years of experience working with the Social Security Administration.

Dharmasetu Prabhu explained, "The seminar offers a chance for a Questions & Answers session after lunch that gives everyone the opportunity to ask as many questions as they desire. One issue that often arises is the desire for our community to develop a single source for this information that could be accessed at anytime when someone needs it.

I gathered together a team of friends, clergy, and mortuary executives to put together a package of essential information that answers the two questions:

1. What to do and whom to call if a loved one passes away?

2. How do you know if you your estate and assets are safe in the event of an untimely death?

Out of the meetings came a brochure and The Final Journey Seminar. We are extending an open invitation to all Indo-Asian families in San Diego County to attend this informative and free seminar. The Final Journey Seminar is solely for the purpose of disseminating information. All of the participants are volunteering their time and energy."

In a recent correspondence with Dharmasetu Prabhu, he told us that he freely distributes our book, The Final Journey--Complete Hospice Care for Departing Vaisnavas (Torchlight Publishing) by Sangita devi dasi (Susan Pattinson, RN, CHPN), to all who attend. We are grateful and honored to play a small part in his highly successful service to Srila Prabhupada and the San Diego community.

The Final Journey Seminar committee is planning to hold next year’s free seminar around the same time, the third weekend in January. We’ll keep you posted.
Thank you again to all of this year’s attendees and speakers. For further information, please contact Dharmasetu Prabhu at: dharmasetudas@yahoo.com

Here are a few comments and pictures from attendees of last year's seminar:
A convenient venue and the information was absolutely necessary to have and know.
—Dr. Dhruv Dhupa
Good seminar. Professional environment and very pleasant. —Himanshu Upadhyaya
It was a really great team and the content was perfect. I enjoyed all the speakers.
—Gopalan Raghunath
Thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to educate people. —Janani

In Medical News

Submitted April 18, 2008
By: Sangita devi dasi
(Susan Pattinson, RN, CHPN, Certified Hospice Educator)

According to two studies presented at the American Heart Association International Stroke Conference, 2008, patients who present at the hospital with stroke symptoms at night and on weekends are more likely to die in the hospital than those treated during regular business hours and on weekdays.

In off hours, patients suffering hemorrhagic strokes had a higher rate of death of 27.2% versus 24.1% for regular hour patients. Many other studies across the U.S. also show the same results. These statistics come from Mathew J. Reeves, PhD, professor of epidemiology (diseases) at Michigan State University. The same was also true for victims of ischemic strokes.

This "off-hours and weekend phenomenon," acccording to Reeves, points to quality of care as an issue.

"If hospitals look at their staffing and care practices on weekends and off hours, one should be able to correct these differences," Reeves stated. "It could be that specialists are unavailable or more difficult to get hold of and there is less staffing in terms of nursing care and rapid access to certain procedures on the weekend."

New Vaisnavas C.A.R.E. Hospice Room now being furnished in
Gita Nagari Farm in Pennsylvania (U.S.)

With the assistance of HG Mitravinda dasi, the Board of Directors for Vaisnavas CARE is in the process of organizing and decorating one room in the Gita Nagari Farm building to be used for terminally ill devotees. We are humbly begging for donations of Laksmi for furniture that needs to be purchased such as:

Twin bed
Night stand
Side table Lamp
MP3 player
Comfortable chair by bedside for devotee to read to patient
Small, round dining table with 2-4 chairs
Krsna conscious DVD's
MP3 bhajans (calming ones)

Other items are already being collected by the devotees, such as:

Srila Prabhupada's books
Small TV with DVD player
Clean, fresh linens/blankets
Wheelchair
Canes
Walker
Latex gloves
Incontinent pads (disposable and washable)
Combs/toothbrushes/
toothpaste/lotions
Heel pads for comfort
Framed posters of Krsna Lila

We still need:

2-3 more bed pillows
large floor pillows that pile on top of one another for visitors.
One large framed picture of Srila Prabhupada
Curtains
Bedside Clock or wall clock
Long, door mirror

Our thanks to Mitravinda dasi, a Philadelphia disciple of HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami, for making calls and humbly asking for donations for this needed cause. HH Bhakti Tirtha Swami was one of the original Board of Directors for V-CARE and this was one his desires for Gita Nagari.

Our thanks to the following devotees who have pledged donations:

1. Annapurna dasi and Len Cohen-Philadelphia

3. Mahadhana dasi-Waterbury, CT

2. Atmarama dasa-Philadelphia

4. Charanya & Srinivasan from State College, Pennsylvania (U.S.)

5. Raj and Archana Arya-Philadelphia

6. Srinivasan and Charanya Ganesan from State College, Pennsylvania (U.S.)

(Please let us add your name and city to the above list!)

Please send any items to donate, checks, or supplies to:

Kaulini dasi (T.P. of Gita Nagari Farm)
RR 1, Box 839
Port Royal, PA 17082
USA

Inspirations

God Provides

Submitted by Sriji devi dasi, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (U.S.)

A generous king once ruled in the land of Andhra. Every day two
beggars used to come to him for alms and he always gave them food and
money.

On receiving the alms, one of them, the older one, used to say: "God
provides." The other beggar, the younger of the two, would say: "Our
king provides."

One day the king gave them more money than usual, whereupon the older
man cried out lustily: "God provides." This annoyed the king who
thought: "It is I who am feeding him and he keeps saying: 'God
provides, God provides'. It is time he learnt who his real benefactor
is."

The next day after he had given them alms he asked the beggars to go
by a little-used road instead of their usual one. "I have provided for
one of you," he said. "God will provide for the other." He made sure
that the one who always praised him went first. He had ordered that a
purse of gold be kept on the road in the beggar's path so that he
would find it.

But as the beggar walked down the road he wondered why the king had
sent him that way. "Perhaps he wants me to enjoy the privacy of this
road," he thought. "It is indeed a beautiful road and so broad. One
can walk with eyes closed." And he closed his eyes. As a result he
missed seeing the purse. It was spotted and picked up by the other
beggar who was coming behind him.

The next day the king asked the beggars whether they had found
anything on the road he had sent them by and he looked meaningfully at
the younger man. But the beggar shook his head. "It was a beautiful
road," he said. "But I did not find anything on it." "But I did," said
the other man. "I found a purse of gold. God provides."

Now the king became even more determined to show the older beggar that
he was their true benefactor. So while the beggars were going away he
called the younger one back and gave him a pumpkin. The pumpkin had
been hollowed out and filled with silver coins. But the beggar did not
know that. On the way he sold it to a baniya (merchant) for a few
coins.

The next day the king asked the beggars if anything eventful had
happened the previous day, looking meaningfully at the younger beggar.
"Nothing," said the beggar. "Except that I earned a few more coins
than usual by selling the pumpkin you had so generously given me."

The king tried hard not to show his dismay. "And you?" he said to the
other beggar. "Did you too earn more than usual?"

"I certainly did," said the beggar. "As I was passing by a baniya's
shop he called me and gave me a pumpkin. When I went home and cut it I
found that it was full of silver. As I always say, God provides."

— A folktale from Andhra Pradesh

MORAL: When God wants to give anything, he gives by one means or
other. The fruit of our karma (actions).......whether good or
bad.......we get with astounding precision.

Submit an inspiring story

More Inspirations

The Final Journey
Complete Hospice Care for Departing Vaisnavas

Order Book

It was a delight to read The Final Journey—Complete Hospice Care for Departing Vaisnavas by Susan Pattinson, RN (Sangita devi dasi) for three reasons. First, her obvious professional knowledge and experience in hospice care make this book a serious presentation on the subject. Thus it will serve as a practical tool for all concerned, as well as a reminder of how sensitive and qualified one should be for this service. Then, departing spiritualists can derive great benefit from modern medicine as it is applied to hospice care. As a spiritualist herself, the author also gives us inspiring and useful insights on the importance of a good death. She goes deep into subjects like compassion toward spiritual pain, respect for one’s spiritual desires and convictions, importance of prayers and holy association, and relevant scriptural quotes. Finally, this book offers great hope to the aging Vaisnavas and will inspire members of our society to cooperate for this noble service of caring for others.

—Gopaswami dasa (M.D., Qualified in Hospice Care

Cancer Information Website

Submitted by
Dr. Shyama vallabha Prabhu, Vrindavana, India

We recently learned about a valuable website called, OncologyChannel, that offers a wealth of information on various cancers, their causes, treatment options, etc. What makes this site especially helpful is that you can easily watch videos with a click of a button to learn more on the subject. These informative videos explain complicated subject matter in an easy-to-understand format. Some subjects include:

Breast cancer
Gastric cancer
Lung cancer
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Ovarian cancer
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer

Some examples of “Quality of Life” videos on this site include:

Anticipatory grief: Preparing for the death of a loved one
The Power of Visualization
Losing a Parent
Balancing the Caregiver's Burden: Knowing when to seek support
The Impact of Pain on Sleep
Informed Consent: Understanding Your Rights as a Patient

And many more…

If interested, please click here

Visit Sri Mayapur Dhama with a Click of a Button

Srila Prabhupada often reminded us that we can visit the holy dhama with the speed of the mind. Now, thanks to modern technology, we can have daily darshan of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and the Asta Sakhis in Sri Mayapur dhama. Please click here and see wonderful videos of mangala arotika, greeting of the Deities, etc. Associate with Their Lordships with "mindspeed."

Visit Sri Vrndavana Dhama with a Click of a Button

ISKCON Mayapur #1: Visit beautiful Mayapur while listening to a bhajan. See birds flying over the Ganges River, Swans, ISKCON devotees on Harinam and many lovely paintings of Krsna lila.

Go to video

Final Journeys

He is Here
(Part 1)

Spoken in Houston Temple
on the Disappearance Day
of Srila Prabhupada

by Sangita devi dasi

__________________

I first met Srila Prabhupada's devotees in 1969 in San Francisco. By Srila Prabhupada's grace I was taken to the temple. I was fourteen years old, and I did not take to it at the time. I was too involved in enjoying my teenage years. But Srila Prabhupada never gave up on

me. We may think that we find our spiritual master, but actually the spiritual master comes and finds us. Srila Prabhupada made so many arrangements. A year later I met the devotees again in Philadelphia, and then in 1972, when I was sixteen, I moved away from my family. I wrote to Srila Prabhupada and asked him what I could do to serve him. When I look back at it now, I had no idea what I was really asking. He gave me some nice instruction, and I moved into the Los Angelestemple. I was initiated the following year, in 1973, at the age of seventeen. In those days they gave second initiation very quickly because they needed pujaris. So a few months later I became a pujari in Los Angeles.

Eventually I was asked by Jayatirtha Prabhu to go to Hawaii to take care of Panca-tattva there. I could say that in Los Angeles as well as in Hawaii I was always in the right place at the right time, because I saw Srila Prabhupada many, many times. He spent so much

time in Los Angeles, and when I moved to Hawaii he spent a month there, and later he visited Hawaii many times. There was no telling when you would walk around the temple grounds when he would suddenly appear, or come into the kitchen, for example, and ask what I was cooking for him. There were so many nice exchanges. I did not come

early enough in the beginning of the movement to have the mercy that some of my Godsisters had when they traveled with him. But still, with Srila Prabhupada, it is like finding out what the taste of the ocean is. All you need to do is taste one drop and you know what the entire ocean tastes like. It is the same with Srila Prabhupada. You needed just one glance, one smile -- he did not have to say anything -- and you knew his mercy, his unlimited mercy.

I can tell some stories. One time in Hawaii he was giving class. At that time he was taking his morning walks at the beach park, Ala Moana Beach Park, and that is when he made his famous statement about surfers, because there were surfboards on so many of the devotees' cars in the temple parking lot. And after he gave class all the devotees would hit the waves. So when Srila Prabhupada saw the surfers in the water at Ala Moana Beach Park, surfing in the waves, he made that famous statement: "You call them surfers. I call them sufferers." And then he added, "They will all take birth as fish." So when everyone came back from this morning walk and told the other devotees, the next day there were quite a few empty cars without surfboards!

One thing that happened during that visit was that Srila Prabhupada called a big GBC meeting. Ambarisa Prabhu, still Bhakta Alfred Ford, had just donated the new temple in Hawaii, and as many of you know, it is quite a large mansion. It is a beautiful property with two acres of gardens. So Srila Prabhupada called all the GBCs to come, and he was taking his first walk around the grounds. The GBC men surrounded him wherever he went. I was just this young nineteen-year-old pujari girl, feeling very, very insignificant. That was my proper position. I remember sitting in class and praying to Srila Prabhupada, "If you

just give me one look, just look at me one time, then my life will be fulfilled." I felt very unnoticed. I was very immature and needed some attention from Srila Prabhupada, so I prayed like this during class. "If you just look at me one time, my whole life will be

complete." Then class ended and Srila Prabhupada got up from the vyasasana and all the GBCs and sannyasis were following him, singing "Jaya Prabhupada" walking out of the temple room. I had already gotten up and was near the doorway of the pujari room, so

Srila Prabhupada had to pass by me as he was leaving, but I was several feet back in the pujari room. Srila Prabhupada stopped at the entrance, turned, and looked at me. He folded his hands, his eyes lit up, his face broke into a big smile, and he looked me right in the

eyes and nodded as if he was pleased. That was the first time that I realized that Srila Prabhupada hears our prayers. The guru does hear us when we pray. Even though it was a few years after I had joined the movement, I would say that that was the moment that my spiritual life began -- when I realized that Srila Prabhupada is in the heart and that he does hear us. There is a special relationship.

Over the years there were other incidents. I went back to Los Angeles, and we always just tried to get the mercy. We cleaned his room. We arranged the flowers for his vases. This was all while he was on his morning walk. The women were very encouraged because we

had heard this one story that on a morning walk in India some of the sannyasis had been saying something about what the women's position in ISKCON should be. Srila Prabhupada just listened. While he was on his walk, his lady disciples had stayed behind and cleaned his entire room, made the vases, dressed the Deities, and cleaned the altar. When he returned from his walk and saw his lady disciples, he said to the sannyasis, "Yes, but if you associate with these women you will go back to Godhead." So we were very encouraged. He was always very sweet, but he especially gave his gentle, supportive mercy to his Goddaughters. He knew that we could not handle the other type of mercy.

Anyway, I do not want to dwell so much on past stories, because after all Srila Prabhupada is still with us. That sounds almost cliché, but it is true that he is still here and that he is still guiding us and smiling when we accomplish something for him and make some

advancement. And he chastises us in his own way when we fall. But he still always picks us up. We can stumble and fall, but he never lets us stay down too long.
(Continued on Part 2)

More Final Journeys

Lectures

Preparing for Life’s Ultimate Test
A Talk by Indradyumna Swami
April 23, 2008
Wallingford, Pennsylvania

The subject matter of the verse this evening is obviously death. The verse is certainly not the kind you would expect at a sweet home program like we’re having tonight. But I choose it because I wanted to honor Mother Sangita’s devotional service. Everyone here knows that she is helping terminally ill devotees make a transition from one body to another—or better yet, from their temporary bodies to their eternal forms in the spiritual world.

For a materialistic person the prospect of death is frightening. Why? For the simple reason that they have little or no understanding of what transpires at death. It’s understood that people are afraid of what they don’t know. Many people are afraid of the dark because they can’t see what’s happening around them when the lights are off. In the same way, they are afraid of death because they are in the dark about what happens.

But devotees of the Lord aren’t in the dark—they know what happens at death. The Lord explains in the Bhagavad-gita:

dehino ’smin yatha dehe

kaumaramh yauvanam jara

tatha dehantara-praptir

dhiras tatra na muhyati

“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.” (Bg 2.13)

Death is only a change of body. Life continues, so essentially there is nothing to lament. Even if one doesn’t go back to Godhead, if one has lived piously one gets a much better birth. Krsna says to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kuruksetra:

yadr-cchaya copa-nam

svarga dvaram apa-vritam

sukhinah ksatriyah partha

labhante yuddham idrsam

“O Partha, happy are the ksatriyas to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for them the doors of the heavenly planets.” (Bg 2.32)

In Jagannatha Puri the cremation ground near the beach is called svarga-ganj, the gateway to heaven. It is understood that a pious person may be elevated there after death. A devotee who has not yet fully awakened his Krsna consciousness may also go there.

In May 1977, Srila Prabhupada wrote posthumously to his disciple Jayananda Prabhu, “I so hope at the time of your death you were remembering Krsna and as such, you have been promoted to the eternal association of Krsna. If not, if you had any tinge of material desire, you have gone to the celestial kingdom to live with the demigods for many thousands of years and enjoy the most opulent life of material existence. From there you can promote yourself to the spiritual world—but as you were hearing krsna-kirtana, I am sure that you were directly promoted to Krsnaloka.”

Going back to Godhead is the desire of every devotee. In order to achieve that, a devotee knows he has to practice Krsna consciousness seriously, so the Lord can be remembered at death. You could say that the most important moment in one’s life is the moment of death. That may sound odd, but it’s a fact because our consciousness at death determines if we take birth again or go back to Godhead.

yam yam vapi smaram bhavam

tyajaty ante kalevaram

tam tam evaiti kaunteya

sada tad bhava bhavitah

“Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that state he will attain without fail.” (Bg 8.6)

More Lectures

Deity Meditations
Submitted May 3, 2008

Sri Manohara
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

If you have a photo of the Deities in your temple or home that you would like to share with our readers, please send it to: jusaniya@vaisnavascare.com. Please include your name and where the Deities reside.

More pictures...

What is

Do you need help as a caregiver to a loved one and you need it now?

Caregiving.com is a very helpful website for those of you placed in the position of caring for a loved one in your family. It guides you through managing the stress involved in caring for someone who is chronically or terminally ill. It will guide you through making various decisions for you and your loved one.

When caring for an aging relative, you may feel life has turned upside down.

You may find yourself asking:
Why me? Why now? What now?

At Caregiving.com, you may find many of your answers.

Caregiving may be one of the hardest roles you'll ever have; this website tries to help you play your part with dignity, graciousness and wisdom by providing an online support group, a caregiving forum where you can reveal your emotions to others who may feel the same way, as well as joining a book club.

Among other helpful tips, Caregiving.com will help you to care for yourself.

We help you take care of you with tips, ideas and suggestions.

Visit www.caregiving.com to see if it can offer you some help in your role as a caregiver to your relative or dear friend.

Memoriam
Mitravinda dasi

On Tuesday, April 22, 2008, Mitravinda dasi left this world in the association of devotees and the holy names of Lord Krsna in Alachua, Florida (U.S.). We at Vaisnavas CARE pray she is at eternal peace seated at the lotus feet of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. We pray she is guided by Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha and Krsna forever. We wish that Her Grace Mitravinda dasi is at peace serving her spiritual master eternally. Please pray for her family and close friends who are now feeling thoughts of detachment at this time.

On behalf of the worldwide volunteers of Vaisnavas C.A.R.E.,

The Board of Directors of V-C.A.R.E.,

Jagarini devi dasi
Jusaniya devi dasi
Kaulini devi
Nirakula devi dasi
Sangita devi dasi

More Memoriams...

Congratulations

April, 2008

Congratulations to Ramsharan dasa (Rajesh Anant Kadam), a disciple of HH Radhanath Swami from the Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai, for successfully completing the Vaisnavas C.A.R.E. distance learning course. Ramsharan Prabhu works in the Spiritual Care Department at the Bhaktivedanta Hospital and is active in many aspects of devotional service to his Guru Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada. The list includes:

*Writes the Nursing School Spiritual Care curriculum

*Lectures to all three levels of nursing students on "Spiritual Care in Nursing."

*Organizes and serves at the Eye Camp in Barsana

*Serves the patients within the hospital as well as in the Community Health Care Department.

*Serves within the newly developed Palliative Care Department as a Palliative Care Counselor.

We are very honored to add Ramsharan Prabhu to the list of worldwide devotees who have completed the VCARE online distance learning course. We pray it helps him in his wonderful service to Guru and Krsna and that one day we can do more to assist him.

We wish Ramsharan Prabhu our best wishes and prayers in his divine devotional service-- now and forever.

On behalf of the Vaisnavas CARE Board of Directors

Sangita devi dasi
President, Vaisnavas C.A.R.E.

Inspirational Artwork

By: Annapurna devi dasi, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (U.S.)

May 4, 2008

During Lord Krishna's time on this Earth over 5,000 years ago, He performed many incredible pastimes to protect and impress His friends, the gopas (cowherd boys) and the other residents of Vrindavana. He was the killer of the demons and the protector of His devotees.

More poems and painting by Annapurna devi dasi

Newest Update on
Bhakti Rasa Prabhu
4/5/08

Dear Readers,

This is an excerpt from the latest letter from Bhakti rasa Prabhu's sister, Hari Priya dasi, from New Zealand. She very kindly sent me an update on her brother's condition. Please continue to send in your prayers for this wonderful devotee and his dedicated sister and family. By Bhakti rasa Prabhu's example, he is showing our entire society of devotees how to leave this material world with dignity and in a Krsna conscious mood. His sister is teaching us all how to remain close and dedicated to one who is on his or her final journey. We thank them both for all they are showing us.

Your servant,
Sangita devi dasi

Bhakti rasa Prabhu and his devoted sister, Hari Priya dasi from New Zealand

Dear Sangita didi,

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga.

Just letting you know that Bhakti rasa is still doing well, he still isn't eating but his conscousness is quite fixed. He can still walk around a little but with his walking stick. He isn't afraid and is quite happy. We are both concentrating on our spiritual life. I have everything that is needed for him and are more or less ready. I love being with him. He looks quite effulgent these days although his body is getting smaller.

He takes his rounds very seriously and avoids any mundane talking, even our parents now sit and watch a Krsna conscious DVD with him as they want to do what ever he needs, to help him. They aren't devotees but they have respect for what we follow, it also goes for our other brother and sister.

There are also a number of devotees who are regular visiters who come to support him. They may only be able to come for one hour a week to read for him but they are doing what they can. Candravali, his daughter, and her Mum, Sri Kari visit him every day and read to him, plus there are the two devotees, Madhu Pandit prabhu and Harsarani didi have been of great support to him and still are. My husband Vanamali is also here now and visiting every day spending a few hours with him.

Your servant,
Hari Priya dasi

Beautiful painting by Hari Priya dasi

Momji's Devotional Painting

Momji, affectionately called by the devotees, is the dear mother of Padmapani dasa who runs the Prabhupada Connect website.

Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version of the painting and others by Momji.

A note from Momji

I wish to thank all the devotees of Vaishnavas Care for all the help and support in every respect. I cannot express my gratitude enough.

I also thank you for helping others in need. I'm sure that Prabhupada is very proud of you.

Best regards to you all.

Hare Krishna.

Love,
Momji

To our readers at Vaisnavas C.A.R.E.,

I was given this poem on the subject of listening. It was written by Ralph Roughton, a man I never met, but one who obviously knows the true meaning of being a good listener. Being a good listener is a large part of being a good caregiver to a patient. It is also a skill to be used everyday with every person we speak with. I hope this helps you the next time you are asked to listen to someone who really needs you to hear what they are saying.

Your servant,
Sangita devi dasi

On Listening
By Ralph Roughton

When I ask you to listen to me and you start by giving advice, you have not done what I asked.

When I ask you to listen to me and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way, you are trampling on my feelings.

When I ask you to listen to me and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem, you have failed me, strange as it may seem.

Listen! All I ask is that you listen, not talk or do...just hear me.

When you do something for me that I can and need to do for myself, you contribute to my fear and inadequacy.

And I can do for myself. I'm not helpless. Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.

But when you accept as simple fact that I do feel what I feel, no matter how irrational, then I can quit trying to convince you and get about the business of understanding what's behind this irrational feeling. And when that's clear, the answers are obvious and I don't need advice.

Irrational feelings make sense when we understand what's behind them.

So, please listen and just hear me. And if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn, and I will listen to you.

Comments by our readers

A disciple of Srila Prabhupada Needs Assistance
By Dr. Murari Gupta,
Miami, Florida (U.S.)

Hare Krsna Prabhus,
Please accept my dandavats. All glories to your service. All glories to Guru and Gauranga!

Hope you are well in Krishna's service.

I am writing this letter because there is a devotee who is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who is incapacitated by an advanced case of disease known as Parkinson's disease.
He attends every program at the Miami temple, everyday of the year. This devotee is 61 years old, is not in a wheelchair, but currently has partial right-sided paralysis. He lives on the same block as the Miami temple, perhaps 50 meters away, and limps over to every morning and evening program. He has very advanced Parkinson's disease that is not responding to any medication. He needs assistance dressing, bathing,etc.

We have the funds to pay for a devotee to be his servant/assistant, and assist him in these difficult times. We are only interested in a devotee, as a companion and servant, and one who is interested in attending every morning program. The weekends will be free, and the salary is negotiable, but we can pay up to 400 dollars per week.

If you would like further information, please contact me by calling 1-305-281-3633. Kindly ask for Murari Gupta das.

If anyone is willing to take on this great service, I will be eternally indebted to this great soul.

Please write to me at dr.murarigupta@hotmail.com

Your servant,
Murari Gupta das

Complementary Therapies

Ayurvedic Health Practice
by Dauji Krsna devi dasi
(Dhyana Strayhorn)
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Ayurveda, which literally means the knowledge and wisdom of life, is the traditional healing system of India. Often called the mother of all healing, it originated in India over Five thousand years ago. Being a completely holistic healing system Ayurveda treats the whole person and not just the symptoms. It targets the root cause of disease and when that is removed health is restored.

Ayurveda views health and disease as the end result of how we relate to the world, in terms of our beliefs, perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. These cognitive and sensual modes ultimately determine our actions. Actions in harmony with our inner nature create health, while those inharmonious with our inner nature create disease. Ayurveda is the science of developing greater harmony with our environment through all of our senses, which are our door ways to the outside world.

Ayurveda assists us in journeying back to optimal health by balancing the five elements in the body and mind through the use of herbs, diet, colors, aromas, lifestyle adjustments, yoga, and meditation. Along with other five-sense, rejuvenative, and cleansing therapies, Ayurveda helps nourish our bodies while calming our minds from the stresses of modern daily life.

Ayurveda holds that we as human beings actually have the inner wisdom of self healing within us, and that by nature we are healthy. This state of being can be attained again by living in tune with nature. Our inner nature is called our constitution or prakruti (mind/body type), and is an individual blend of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The unique balance of these three energies within us was determined at the moment of conception, and remains with us the rest of our lives. This constitution determines what is in harmony with our individual natures, and what will cause us to become out of balance and diseased. Knowledge of our constitution determines how we react to various foods, colors, aromas, and general life habits.

Ayurveda is considered the healing side of Yoga. In turn, Yoga is the spiritual side of Ayurveda. Both Ayurveda and Yoga strive to help a person reconnect to their true nature. Together, they encompass a complete approach to the well being of the body, the mind, and the spirit. It is said that the highest Goal of Ayurveda is to keep people healthy while pursuing their spiritual goals.

THE FOUNDATION OF AYURVEDA

According to Vedic cosmology, the world is made of five elements: Air, Ether, Fire, Water and Earth. These are also the elements of which our bodies are composed. Your constitution (mind/body type) is a fundamental and unique balance of these elements, and is broken down into three basic energies called Doshas. These energies are named Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The balance in each individual is different; hence, each individual has his or her own special set of challenges and gifts. For this reason no two programs are identical, and each person's path toward optimal health is unique.

Vata
The Vata dosha is composed of the air and ether elements. This means that it possesses qualities that are similar to both these elements. Vata is very much like the wind: It is light, cool, dry and mobile. In the body, those people with a Vata nature experience more of these qualities. Their bodies tend to be light, their bones thin, and their skin and hair dry. They often move and speak quickly. When out of balance, they may lose weight, become constipated, and have weakness in their immune and nervous systems.

These same qualities of Vata are also reflected in the personality. Those with a Vata nature tend to be talkative, enthusiastic, creative, flexible, and energetic. Yet when out of balance, they may also become easily confused and overwhelmed, have difficulty focusing or making decisions, and have trouble sleeping. This becomes more apparent when they are under stress. They are challenged by cool emotions like worry, fear and anxiety.

In order to bring Vata into balance, programs are designed that emphasize the opposing qualities of warmth, heaviness (nourishment), moistness and stability. In the diet, this is reflected in the consumption of cooked grains such as rice and cooked vegetables as well as the intake of warm milk with spices. Pungent herbs like ginger that increase internal heat and nourishing herbs like ashwagandha bring balance to Vata.

Pitta
The Pitta dosha is composed of the fire and water elements. Fire is more predominant, and those people with a predominant Pitta nature have many of the qualities of fire within them. Pitta tends to be hot, sharp and penetrating. It is also somewhat volatile and oily. The oily nature of Pitta is related to the secondary component of water. People with a Pitta nature reflect these qualities. They tend to feel warm, have somewhat oily skin, penetrating eyes, and sharp features. They tend to have moderate weight and good musculature. When out of balance, they tend toward diarrhea, infections, skin rashes, and weakness in the liver, spleen, and blood.

These qualities are also reflected in their personalities. Pitta people tend to be highly focused, competitive, capable, courageous, energetic, and clear communicators, who get right to the point. They like to solve problems, and, when under stress, they dig in their heels. However, they can also become overly intense and speak with a sharp tongue. They make great friends but feared enemies. Emotionally, they are challenged by the heated emotions of anger, resentment, and jealousy.

In order to bring balance to Pitta, programs are designed to emphasize the opposing qualities of coolness, heaviness (nourishing) and dryness. Cool spices like fennel are recommended in the diet along with foods such as raw vegetables, cooked rice, wheat, and most beans. Sweet herbs like shatavari are used to nourish the body, while bitters like dandelion root temper the fire.

Kapha
Within the Kapha dosha there is a predominance of the water and earth elements. Like these elements, Kapha tends to be cool, moist, stable, and heavy. In the body these qualities manifest as dense, heavy bones; lustrous, supple skin; low metabolism; and large, stocky frames. In addition, those with a Kapha nature tend to feel cool. When out of balance, Kapha individuals are prone to gaining weight and tend to have weaknesses in their lungs and sinuses-- where there is an accumulation of mucous. Those of Kapha nature are also very prone to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The elements of water and earth are also manifested in the personality. The heavy, stable nature of Kapha is reflected in a steady personality that is not prone to quick fluctuations. Those with a Kapha nature handle stress very well, often not even noticing that it exists. They don't like change, are generally conservative, and would prefer to keep things just the way they are. Those with a Kapha nature are also comfort seekers. This relates to the soft, watery nature of Kapha. Too much comfort, however, can lead to a lack of motivation and a feeling of becoming stuck. When Kapha is out of balance, the heavy emotions of depression and lethargy result.

In order to bring balance to a Kapha nature, the opposing qualities of lightness, dryness, and warmth are recommended. Grains such as quinoa and amaranth are recommended, as well as hot spices like cayenne pepper. Lots of vegetables and very little nuts or dairy are prescribed. Cleansing herbs like guggul, and pungent herbs like clove bring balance to Kapha.

In brief, Ayurveda uses the principal of Curing that like increases like and opposite increases opposite. So by using the opposite qualities in Nature-- such as a cold disease with hot foods, herbs, oils, heat producing yoga asanas etc.-- healing will take place.

To contact Dauji Krsna go to:
http://satvaayurveda.com/

More Complementary Therapies

Newest Prayer Requests

Two New Prayer Requests

May 9, 2008

Dearest Devotees,

I am humbly asking for your prayers and blessings for our dear Mother Sangita (co-founder of Vaisnavas C.A.R.E. and author of The Final Journey Complete Hospice Care for the Departing Vaisnava). She has given so much of herself to help others who are suffering despite her failing health. Sangita devi dasi is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada and has a great love for him and is always thinking of how to please him be serving the devotees. Please pray that the Lord will help her to always focus on Him and to take away or lessen the immense pain she is feeling. Please pray for strength and peace for her.

Your servant,
Jusaniya devi dasi
Phoenix, Arizona (U.S.)

Offer a prayer for Sangita

May 9, 2008

Dear Vaisnavas,

I am humbly asking all of you to kindly pray for Kalindi devi dasi, a beloved disciple of HH Bhakti Caru Swami. Kalindi, who lives in Houston, Texas (U.S.) just went through a very serious open heart surgery. Her husband phoned me to tell me she came out of the surgery just fine. Now comes the most difficult time--recovery. Please pray to our dear Lord Krsna to give her the strength to do what is needed to recover from such an ordeal. Please let her know that she has a large, extended family of devotees around the world who care about her. Please ask the Lord to help her spiritually, physically, and emotionally so she may continue her service to her Guru and Lord Krsna.

Your servant,
Sangita devi dasi
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (U.S.)

Offer a prayer for Kalindi

More Prayer Requests...

Update
Gopi Lila devi dasi

Dearest devotees, friends and family,

Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I just received a late night call from HG Malati prabhu. As many of you know Gopilila Devi has been suffering from Cancer for the passed several months…

Malati has just told me the most sad news that our beloved god sister Gopilila Devi, (disciple of HH Radhanath Swami) has left her body. As I have heard she was in the company of her family and many devotees from the Boston Temple community at the time of her passing.

Gopilila Devi, wife of HariBhakti and mother to Gopal Bhatta das (age 9) and Vrinda Devi (age 5), was a very special member of our very own Columbus community for about 2 ½ years before moving with her family to china. Before coming to Columbus, Gopilila and family lived in New Vrindavan for many years serving their lordships Sri-Sri Vrindavan Chandra and the entire New Vrindavan community. Gopilila Devi was especially fond of the cows and did lots of service for Vrindavan Chandra’s cows in New Vrindavan. Gopal Bhatta, was born in a small house right across the street from Sri-Sri Radha Vrindavan Chandra’s temple and Vrinda devi was born in a house 1 block away from Sri-Sri Radha-Natabara’s temple here in Columbus.

There is so many wonderful memories I am now flooded with hearing of her passing. I am shocked and sad to think of being separated from her in this world, my heart and deepest concern go out to her family, Husband HariBhakti and young children at this difficult time.

I humbly request that all the devotees please offer your loving prayers that lord Krishna Protects Gopilila’s loved ones and quickly carries her back to the shelter of his lotus feet.

Your Aspiring Servant,
Rasa Vilasini d.d.

Offer a prayer for Gopi Lila...

Lighting One Candle at a Time...

Submitted by Sangita devi dasi, RN, CHPN on May 8, 2008

In a recent issue of Oncology Times (www.oncology-times.com), a journal for those working in the field of caring for patients with cancer, they explained, "The world of poetry is a means of expression and source of comfort for many who care for cancer patients."

This sparked an idea which may assist some of our readers who have survived cancer or have cared for someone who passed away due to a diagnosis of cancer. If you would like to submit your writings about your experience surviving cancer or being a caregiver to a loved one who passed away from cancer, we are asking you to send your realizations to:
jusaniya@vaisnavascare.com. Your deep feelings and spiritual awareness may help spark someone else's similar emotions and spiritual realizations. Through connecting with one person, you may then connect with another person, and one more after that. It is like lighting a candle, then lighting another one with that flame, and then, using the same flame to light a candle for someone else, in order for many people to open up and see further inside themselves. You need not express your experience in poetry form, but through any genre you choose. .

To write about your experience, you need to truly get in touch with your own experience. It may help to keep a journal or write short notes or just a sentence or two about what you are going through now or went through in the past. This is your beginning. As you start to better understand yourself, it will become easier to understand others. It is as simple as that! Look inside your own heart, then try to look inside someone else. You will soon see how much easier it is to touch the emotional and spiritual part of even a stranger.

Someone you have never met, possibly living across the globe, will read your heartfelt message, and thank you somehow for sharing it with him.

Would any others like to help start a Cancer Support Group on V-CARE?

May, 2008

Dear Readers,
Hare Krsna. We ask you to kindly read the letter below from Bhakta Wil and to hear his story of how he just went through chemotherapy to fight his cancer. He is looking for others who also went through fighting cancer, even if it was done using other methods than chemotherapy, or those who are going through fighting cancer right now. In this way, all of you can form a support group to share stories, get to know one another, give one another guidance and help, etc. Please read his article and if you desire to be one of the first on the list to start this group with Bhakt Wil, please write to jusaniya@msn.com. Thank you so much. This group will help so many who need the courage and strength from others who understand.

Your servants at Vaisnavas C.A.R.E.

Hare Krsna!

My dear Prabhus, Matajis, didis,

Recently I completed treatment for cancer. It was very arduous time for me
and my caregiver. I only wish I knew of this website during my treatment.
But the Lord has brought me to it now; perhaps it's now I need it the
most.

As I said I completed treatment, but now that it's all over I have been
feeling very stressed out and depressed. I try to do japa, but my concentration is very low. I seem to be getting stressed out over that as well. Is there anyone who has experienced this as well? I would like some advice to get back on the ball as they say.

I should mention that I'm a social worker and am very interested in
working with the terminally-ill and families. So if there is some sort of volunteer work I could offer, please let me know.

Thank you for this service,
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Yours in service,
Bhakta Wil.

Please send discussions here and they will be posted.

Transcendental Nectar

Submitted on May 6, 2008

"This Krsna consciousnesss movement is meant for the purpose of understanding God. The spiritual master is the living representative of Krishna who helps externally, and Krishna as Supersoul helps internally. The living entity can take advantage of such guidanc