by HG Kripamoya prabhu
Srila Prabhupada consistently stressed how important it is to
understand the gifts of nature and of God’s plan for humans – who
would think that cow-dung is an important part of it all?
Today I learned of how a small amount of traditional guidance saved
the lives of many children in Africa. It was a fascinating story told
to me by a visiting old friend and I thought I’d share it with you.
Vidura das, an Irish devotee of Krishna, lived in Kisumu, Kenya for
many years. He and his African wife Esther set up a large-scale food
distribution programme for needy people. And in northern Kenya there
were plenty of needy people. What concerned him most was that there
were many children who died young. “We discovered that the very area
where we were living had the highest infant mortality rate in the
world,” he explained.
To distribute food as a religious act, and yet to watch parents grieve
over their dead children was an intolerable situation for a
compassionate devotee like Vidura, so he started to ask questions
around the area. Dirty drinking water was the obvious culprit, but
when he enquired of the mothers why they did not boil the water they
replied that they did not have the money to buy charcoal, the commonly
used fuel.
Remembering that the guru of the Hare Krishna movement had always
praised the cow for providing, amongst many other gifts, the
sustainable fuel of dung, he explained to the women that Indians have
for centuries mixed dung with straw and dried it to create an
everlasting supply of good quality fuel. But the local Africans needed
to be encouraged to refrain from slaughtering their cows if they were
going to create a sustainable fuel source. They also had to overcome
the prejudice – given to their tribe decades ago by Christian
missionaries – that dung was dirty and never to be touched.
After some period of encouragement, mainly to women who already
trusted him as ‘Father Vidura,’ some families complied followed by
many more. “Eventually health workers were coming up from Nairobi to
see why children in our area were living longer than children
throughout Kenya,” Vidura said. The project was an overwhelming
success, and received endorsement by the tribal patriarchs, who, as
children, remembered their mothers talking of cow-dung as fuel in
their village but who had switched to the more expensive wood after
the missionaries had persuaded them to change. It was only a small
change to revert back to a more traditional fuel – and dung has to be
the cheapest and most abundant thing in the world – but it made a
world of difference.
Vidura went on to introduce the spinning wheel and the loom, and is
now in dialogue with President Musoveni of Uganda to introduce hemp as
a major crop for the villagers who live around Lake Victoria.
# – Prahladananda Swami – 22/7/07
Ayurvedic Seminar – Dallas 2007
HH Prahladananda Swami’s Ayurvedic Seminar
June 11–12, 2007
Presented by His Holiness Prahladananda Swami
Minister for Health
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Dallas, Texas USA
This workshop will explore Ayurveda, an ancient form of natural medicine coming from India. Participants will gain a basic understanding of Ayurvedic principles and how to develop a personal routine which will promote health, vitality, and peace of mind.
Monday, June 11
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Introduction to Mantra Meditation
Determining Your Dosha (Body Type)
Overview of Ayurvedic Principles
Tuesday, June 12
7:00 –9:00 PM
Mantra Meditation Practice
Ayurvedic Principles Continued
How to Develop a Personal Routine
His Holiness Prahladananda Swami began his training in Ayurveda in 1987 in India under Dr. Liladhar Gupta
and Dr. Sri Krishna Caitanya. In addition to giving instruction on Ayurveda, Jyotish astrology, and Iyengar
yoga His Holiness’ true ardor lies with sharing the wisdom of Vedic literature such as the Bhagavad-gita and
Srimad Bhagavatam. Over the past fifteen years his travels have brought him around the globe, where he has
had the opportunity to teach classes on Vedic health and science to audiences in Australia, New Zealand,
Hong Kong, Russia, Belgium, Spain, and Peru (to name just a few locations).
The course fee includes course materials and refreshments from Kalachandji’s, Dallas’ award winning vegetarian
restaurant. For participants who complete registration by May 30 the cost is 40 dollars and will be 50
dollars thereafter. For more details, and to register please contact Nityananda Ram das, Tel: (214) 669-3369.
www.radhakalachandji.com
ayurveda@ radhakalachandji.com
Hearing Loss
Hare Krsna !
Our process of attaining perfection is largely via the sense of hearing. Communications are very important to all of us. Hearing losses can be caused by a veiety of agents, including aging, noise exposure, and disease processes. For example, diabetics and those with a thyroid condition almost always suffer hearing loss of varying degrees.^M
As these bodies age, some of us, not all, are subject to a diminished ability to sense or process sounds due to either a degradation in functions specific to the cochlea, also called the inner ear, or due to an overall diminishing function of the nervous system in general. These are nerve-type hearing losses, known as presbycusis, and best compensated by use of hearing aids, being otherwise currently untreatable by allopathic (Western scientific) medecine or surgery.
Hearing aids nowadays are digital computors, and have the capacity to reduce interfering background noise, and to keep all amplified sounds within a comfortable range for the individual. These aidas are programmed to the individual by computor program, and can be altered immensely in functions as may be required. They take a little effort to become familiar with, especially in the case of long-standing hearing loss which has gone untreated. The sooner the hearing loss is addressed, the better the likely outcome.
The prices of hearing aids range from about 1000 to as much as 3000 dollars each! Many provinces and states have funding to help seniors attain these products; in this regard, contact local audiologists or hearing aid dealers for advice as to whom to contact to apply for this help. If your income is very low, then full funding may be available.
Otherwise, most insurance programs cover only a portion of the costs involved. The cost, while prohibitive for some, is well worth it for most.
Hearing aids nowadays sound better than ever, and it is possible to fit almost any type of hearing loss to provide greater clarity, and thus relieve communications strain. Those with milder degress of hearing loss have problems in less-than-optimal listening situations, such as in groups, across a distance, in noisy places, or when feeling fatigued and inattentive. Symptoms of hearing loss include denial of the problem, important others mentioning that we are not hearing well, playing TV or other common devices at a loudness which is annoying to others, speaking extra loudly, withdrawal from social interaction, strain of listening, asking people to repeat themselves too often, and even depression and anxiety.
There are two main service providers; hearing aid dealers, and audiologists. The latter have an advanced degree, and will also provide thorough diagnosis and referral, as necessary, to physicians or EarNoseThroat specialists. Obtaining a diagnosis is the first order of business in rehabilitating any hearing disorder. Hearing aid dealers have relatively little advanced education, but the fact remains that that service provider who is experienced and takes a genuine interest in helping you to hear better, is the best provider. Prices of aids can vary, however, so a little shopping around can save Krsna’s money. Some hearing aid providers try to sell the most expensive products possible, so choose someone with an honest reputation.
I have been fitting hearing aids for many years, and am currently providing services at a Costco store in Canada. Surveys, and my own experience, suggest that Costco actually has the best value among those currently fitting hearing aids. The prices are much better than average, there is an extended waranty, and free loss and damage insurance worth hundreds of dollars at no additional charge. You should be a Costco member to acquire the free hearing screening provided at Costco for members. The ability of the hearing aid fitters here varies, but competency is high overall. Otherwise, a private practive audiologist is most likely to provide excellent service.
I will be happy to advise as to which products may be best for those who contact me, especially if they provide an audiogram or other specific information about the hearing losses involved.
I will provide more information on hearing in times to come,or as requested by the devotees.
Hoping this meets you in best of health and spirits! Gauraharibol!
Tom Garden, Tamoharadasa M.S., Aud.(C), R. Aud., (ACBSP)
Tamoharadasa@yahoo.ca
403-516-3711 at work
305-309 4th. st. NE
Calgary, alberta, Canada
T2E 3S3
# – Prahladananda Swami – 14/9/06;
Temporary Vrindavan Hospice Update
While Priya Sakhi devi dasi has been assisting many devotees in the Vrindavan area for some time with various medical needs, she recently assisted in the passing on of a Vraj resident – a first for her at the Temporary Vrindavan Hospice. The devotee, Vani Seva devi dasi, had been residing in Vrindavan for about 6 or 7 years and had just returned home a few days prior from a trip abroad when she suffered a massive heart attack. Doctors at the local hospital confirmed the heart attack and encouraged her to rest and sleep, but she stayed awake instead and prepared to leave her body. A tape of Srila Prabhupada chanting japa was playing while Priya Sakhi dasi and others talked to her about Srimati Radharani. After about 5 hours, she opened her eyes and mouth wide, not in fear, but as though surprised. Priya Sakhi dasi placed tulasi and Nrsimhadeva oil from Mayapur on her, and she exhaled her last breath as Sri Radha’s name was being chanted loudly. She was later cremated and a feast was held in her honor, sponsored by another local devotee.
Though Krishna Kumari dd, who helped prepare for the cremation, advised Priya Sakhi dasi to rest for two days afterwards, it is the season for fevers, infections, and the flu, and our dedicated Priya Sakhi dasi continued on with her service of tending to the needs of devotees in Vrindavan. May Krishna bless her for her dedicated service as He has certainly blessed Vani Seva, who left her body so peacefully in His holy land on His beloved Srimati Radharani’s Appearance Day.
# – Prahladananda Swami – 14/9/06;
Operation Successful
Dear devotees,
Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
According to Mahadevi dasi, by Lord Krishna’s mercy and His devotee’s prayers, the operation that Parvati devi dasi underwent was successful.
Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Prahladananda Swami
# – Prahladananda Swami – 4/5/06