DURING MEXICAN FEAST OLD BULLS ARE TORTURED

IN MEXICO ANIMALS ARE DRAGGED 
THROUGH A RIVER AND BEATEN BY LOCALS

http://elpais.com - In Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, local ranchers donate their working bulls for a religious festival. The animals are first dragged through a nearby river and afterwards beaten by local residents - many of whom are inebriated - as they climb back on to the riverbank. The bulls in Tlacotalpan are not raised to fight or run - they live peacefully in the fields, and when the time comes their meat is used to feed the hungry. 
But every year six elderly, tired bulls, donated by their owners, are sacrificed during during the celebrations of the feast of the Vírgen de La Candelaria. The popular annual event in this town of 8,000 residents has angered many animal rights groups.

The bulls are forced to cross the river before being beaten by spectators. At the other side of the river the townspeople wait for them. Hundreds pull the bulls out of the water using a rope. They expect the massive animals to run after the spectators, but the bulls can’t or won’t. Unlike fighting bulls, the breed in question is docile and, they are usually already exhausted and can hardly move by the time they arrive at the festivities. Some of the bulls arrive on the riverbank bleeding from the nose. In past years, some of them have drowned in the river. 
But animal rights organizations believe that these rules do not go far enough. “[The cruelty] should be prohibited and eradicated from our society, especially from religious festivals, which should instead focus on teaching people positive values,” reads a joint statement issued by AnimaNaturalis México, PATAS, and Project ARPA.

This violent tradition takes place in the state of Veracruz, Mexico; the article is written by Elena Reina Muñoz. Many voices from protectionist groups have risen to condemn these traditions. Since 2014, municipality of Tlacotalpan had to enact a regulation under pressure from animal rights organizations and the Ministry of Environment for the abuse were not so blatant. But unfortunately things remain the same. The mayor, Homero Gamboa, has acknowledged: “Despite awareness campaigns about the care of the bull, many attendees flout the rules and try to hit the animals.” This is another example of man's cruelty to animals, but why are there people who enjoy torturing the defenseless? Our spiritual masters have taught us that is due to a greater or lesser degree the consciousness is covered. As their consciousness is said to be retracted, animals can not search to find God. Only conditioned souls in human bodies can search and love God. Among people there are different stages: those who are in the stage of budding consciousness; those who practice devotional service (sadhana-bhakti), situated in the stage of blossoming consciousness; and those who have already reached the love of God (bhava-bhakti), situated in the stage of fully blossomed consciousness. As human beings we have already reached an auspicious condition of life, so we should act accordingly protecting our younger siblings (the animals). We should improve our state of consciousness, change our materialistic view of life and help our neighbors to do the same. We should be concerned, not only in our individual advancement, but also be ready to collaborate in the task of raising consciousness in others and walk with them along the path of goodness. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

[...] We must constantly work to raise our consciousness, which is the potential that God gave rational beings like us. The initial and most basic step to enter into this platform is to stop harming others for personal benefit or gain. And for this, it is essential to become sensitive to animals and stop mistreating them only for our sense gratification. At that time we will be able to enter into the area of universal respect and love between beings. A feature of those who want to change the world is that they feel constantly that life is a bliss [...]. Those who possess this ability should share it with others and educate people in such values, because when consciousness is shared, it is possible together to begin to understand the philosophy of love: then it becomes an endless bliss.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
"Love Activists, Activists of Consciousness"
http://voces.huffingtonpost.com/b-a-paramadvaiti-swami/activistas-del-amor-activas-de-la-conciencia_b_2089259.html
http://gurumaharaj.net/
http://vrindaportal.com/
http://vrindanews.com/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

THE BENEFITS OF A PLANT-BASED DIET

THE HEALTH BENEFITS 
OF A PLANT-BASED DIET

http://news.yahoo.com - When you consider Bill Clinton’s svelte physique post-heart surgery and Paul McCartney’s on-stage energy, it may seem that vegetarianism is a fountain of youth. And a strong body of research supports the idea that a plant-based diet can boost your health, decreasing the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, and helping you stay at a healthy weight. It can even lengthen your life, according to a recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine that tracked more than 70,000 people. 
But for many, life without steak, barbecued chicken, or pork tacos doesn’t sound so appealing. Fortunately, you don’t have to make an either/or choice. “Just making a shift to a more plant-based diet can offer significant health benefits,” says Reed Mangels, Ph.D., R.D., an adjunct associate professor of nutrition at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The main advantages of a plant-based diet seem to be more related to the foods you’re eating lots of (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts) rather than those you’re eating less of (meat). “When you base your meals on plant foods, you’re packing your diet with the fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that most Americans don’t get enough of,” says Sharon Palmer, R.D.N., editor of Environmental Nutrition.
Plant-based diets are also full of phytochemicals, compounds that help keep many of your body’s systems running smoothly. For instance, the anthocyanins in berries help protect vision; carotenoids in carrots and cantaloupe, and the isothiocyanates in brussels sprouts neutralize the free radicals that cause cell damage; and flavonoids in apples help control inflammation.

This article is written by Rachel Meltzer Warren to Consumer Reports. Despite all the evidence which proves that the adoption of plant-based diets is a way to improve individual and public health, many people still consider that humans have evolved as carnivores, and they do not want to live without eating meat. However, one thing is clear: the more unprocessed plant based foods you eat, the better your overall health. So regardless of what diet you choose - vegetarian, vegan, paleo - avoid processed foods. If you became vegetarian or vegan, you will never worry about your cholesterol or blood pressure levels. Another thing to take into account is that eating beef has daunting environmental impacts. We should also be aware of the fact that eating vegetarian or vegan foods helps combat climate change and other environmental problems. Because of the amount of grain and land used to produce a pound of beef, as well as the volume of methane the animals produce, the world’s intake of beef has significant environmental ramifications, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, the environmental impacts from beef production dwarf those of other animal foods such as dairy products, pork and poultry.  Apart from all that, did you know that each vegetarian or vegan person spares more than 100 animals from dreadful anguish, suffering and pain every year? So, why not try to put more vegetables on your plate and gradually eliminate meat consumption? (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The word “vegetarian,” first used by the founders of the British Vegetarian Society in 1842, comes from the Latin word “vegetus” meaning “whole, sound, fresh, or vigorous”. The original meaning of the word implies a balanced philosophy and moral sense of life, much more than a diet of fruits and vegetables. In 1961 the Journal of the American Medical Association said: “Between 90% and 97% of heart disease can be prevented by a vegetarian diet.” Since then it is known scientifically that after snuff and alcohol, meat consumption is a major cause of mortality in Western Europe, USA, Australia and other regions. A report by the British medical journal, The Lancet, DCR Sirtori concluded that people with high levels of cholesterol associated with heart disease “may benefit from a diet in which protein comes only from vegetables.” 

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Vegetarianism as a lifestyle”
http://gurumaharaj.net/
http://vrindaportal.com/category/english/
http://vrindanews.com/category/acharyas-2/swami-b-a-paramadvaiti/
http://vrindanews.com/acharyas-2/swami-b-a-paramadvaiti/vegetarianism-as-a-lifestyle-srila-guru-maharaj/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

TEENAGER GANG-RAPED IN GORY EXORCISM RITUAL

GIRL GANG RAPED AND HER EYES 
GOUGED OUT IN EXORCISM RITUAL

www.torontosun.com - An Argentinian 16-year-old girl was gang-raped and had her eyes gouged out by her older sister to free her from demons. The girl is reportedly clinging to life in hospital in the town of General Pinedo. Her older sister, 22, is the only one charged in the gruesome exorcism ritual so far. 
Argentinian police said she told her parents she was worried about bizarre visions her little sister had been having. "The girl said that she was possessed by a demon and evil beings, saw bugs and animals (that weren't there)," police commissioner Paul Almiron told Buenos Aires newspaper the Cronica. "So the parents went to seek help from (the pastor)." Almiron said the pastor told the family to cut her eyes out to exorcise the demons.

It's unknown if the alleged gang rape that apparently took place beforehand was part of the ritual, but police say rape charges are pending. Local media have published gruesome photos of the teen in hospital. Police said it appears the older sister used a sharp instrument for the terrible deed. 
The teen is also suffering from severe injuries in her genital area. Spanish online portal Terra reported police found a Bible covered in blood and pieces of the girl's eyes at her home, the scene of the crime. "It is the first time in 22 years of policing that I've seen something like this," Almiron told the Cronica, adding the attack is "very hard to explain."

A brutal exorcism ritual happened in the town of General Pinedo, in the north Argentine province of Chaco. A teenager was brutally gang-raped then had her eyes gouged out by her sister in a horrific ritual that the rapists claim was ordered by a local pastor. The victim's sister claimed that the religious centre even gave her the sharp knife used in the attack and said that she must personally carry out the brutal act in order to cure her younger sister. The teenager was pinned down and her elder sister cut both of her eyes out. The victim, aged just 16, is now fighting for her life in hospital after the horrific ordeal, which her family said they orchestrated because the teenager was having visions and they believed she was possessed by the devil. Doctors reported that the victim had also suffered several injuries in the genital area and it is understood that police are about to arrest a group of men who took part in the twisted ritual. Throughout Latin America, belief in possession and exorcism predates the arrival of the Spanish. Aztec healers burned herbs and prayed to ward off spirits. In many occasions, subtle materialism tries to disguise as spiritual processes, and they are known under names such as occultism, magic, witchcraft, voodoo, witchcraft, macumba, camdombé, etc. To accept advice from spirits it is like accepting foolishly be advised by someone who in his last embodiment has not done things very well and instead of moving towards spiritual enlightenment he still is wandering around these places. We must move away from the influence of the occultists, because they are defying and denying the authority of the Supreme Lord, replacing it with the dark force of the fallen souls. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The spirits [...] can speak our minds and bad Invisible Counselors "kill yourself, inject drugs yourself, have sex, consume drugs, gamble, inflict torture to others"; these are the kinds of tips they try to give us and unfortunately there are listeners. The sacrifices of the poor animals in voodoo or human sacrifices in African tribes, groups of black magic in Brazil or the Incas in Machu Pichu, have all demonic spirits behind. [...] Do not be fooled !, sorcerers use the word God as the bakers use the word bread, but be certain they do not even know who God is; nor they are abide by the will of Him. They only use the natural piety of people talking about God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. In Brazil, on the places where spiritualists work there are statuettes of Jesus Christ to mislead the church and disguise their true intentions.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Occultism” - http://gurumaharaj.net/
http://bhaktipedia.org/espanol/index.php?n=sabidurias_vedicas.ocultismo
http://www.sabiduriavedica.org/c39-espiritualidad/ocultismo/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

"CHARLIE, CHARLIE, ARE YOU THERE?"

DON’T PLAY ‘CHARLIE, CHARLIE’
ARE TEENS SUMMONING DEMONS?

www.vox.com - "Charlie, Charlie, are you there?" This incantation is sweeping the nation: teens everywhere are stacking pencils, calling to a demon named Charlie, and entrusting their fates to the predictive powers of leftover loose-leaf paper and graphite. But where did this trend come from, and what does it say about superstition? 
To find the answers, I consulted experts on the psychology of superstition and the Ouija board. What they revealed will help you understand the origins and appeal of this newly popular game. It's played by dividing a piece of paper into four quadrants, each labeled with either a "yes" or "no." If you like, you can also switch out the "yes" or "no" for your favorite member of One Direction, or some other interesting subject.

Then you place one pencil on one line and balance another perpendicularly on top of it. Say, "Charlie, Charlie, are you there?" If Charlie "responds" by rotating the upper pencil towards one of the answers, sort of like a compass, you can proceed to ask more questions. Examples include "Charlie, will I get an A?" or "Charlie, will I get married to my homecoming date?" 
For her article about the phenomenon, Washington Post reporter Caitlin Dewey did some great research. She found that it may be related to an old game from Spain called "Juego de la Lapicera," but we don't know how or when the crossover happened. There is another game called Charlie Charlie that's been played for a while, but it's different and involves pencils held together instead of being placed on a paper grid. At some point, the two games became the phenomenon we know today.

Charlie Charlie is a new teenage craze that's somewhere between a Ouija board and cootie catcher. It's gone viral with the hashtag-friendly name #CharlieCharlieChallenge. As it continues to fascinate the minds and souls of more and more teens via uploaded social media videos, the most important religious representatives warn people of the dangers of inviting evil spirits to get answers. The iconic world evangelist Billy Graham reminds parents that Satan is up to his same old tricks, as everything from cultish films to board games introduce teens to various nuances of contacting demonic spirits. "Curiosity about ghosts and demonic spirits is no new phenomenon," Graham's BGEA reminds Americans. "From horror movies like Candy Man to Ouija boards and the folklore legend of Bloody Mary generations have experimented with occult practices and it doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon." The renowned televangelist Pat Robertson asserted, “Demons are real. They are not playthings and they are certainly not parlor games. For any little kids to begin to play these games and think it’s cool, it’s not,” Robertson said. “They are real. They desire to destroy human beings.” Roman Catholic experts in demonology are also sounding the alarm. “Some spirits who are at the root of that practice will harass some of those who play the game,” said José Antonio Fortea, a Madrid-based and Vatican-approved exorcist for the Catholic Church. Demon possession is unlikely, he said, but participation in the game “will result in other spirits beginning to enter into even more frequent communication. Then the person really can suffer much worse consequences from the demons.” Vedic culture teaches us that those who have died in certain ways may do not receive again a physical body; rather it is difficult for them to promptly take again a physical body. These creatures roam in search of unwary who wish to communicate with them. We must guard a lot of it, not only do not invoke spirits but take refuge in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is in our hearts as internal master; and remember that if we take refuge in the Supreme Lord at the time of death, we can escape from repeated birth and death, and we will receive a spiritual body to live eternally in the transcendental world. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

In the history of humanity there have spread different methods by which people have tried to communicate with ghosts. Under names such as spiritualism, macumba, reading snuff, Ouija board and many other similar invocations or methods of divination. Some others experience with shamanic plants, which facilitate to contact with spirits. These processes have serious consequences for those who perform it, and of course, create a lot of curiosity, especially to those who have no information of the eternal significance of the soul and not know the difference between the subtle body and the gross body. Goethe's famous quote was: "I can not get rid of the ghosts I called." Who used to invoke ghosts, it's likely to be recruited by them to the ghostly world. At the time of his death, he or she will think on the same ghosts with whom he had previous contact and consequently will enter into this ghostly area and could not incarnate again to continue the evolution of spiritual consciousness.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
"The Dangers of Communicating with Ghosts"
http://vwonline.blogspot.com.ar/2006/03/vedic-wisdom-online.html
http://www.sabiduriavedica.org/c39-espiritualidad/el-peligro-de-comunicarse-con-fantasmas/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

CLIFF JUMPER DIED IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

EXTREME ATHLETE DEAN POTTER
DIES IN BASE JUMPING ACCIDENT

www.sltrib.com - Two wingsuit fliers who leaped to their deaths from a cliff in Yosemite National Park were trying to zoom through a notch in a ridgeline and were airborne for about 15 seconds when they slammed into a rocky outcropping, a friend said Monday. Dean Potter, 43, and his partner Graham Hunt, 29, were both experienced at flying in wingsuits — the most extreme form of BASE jumping, which is a sport so dangerous that enthusiasts keep lists of the dead. 
Dressed like flying squirrels, with flaps between their outstretched arms and legs to keep them aloft, they leaped off Taft Point, 3,500 feet above the valley floor, and would have been traveling at speeds close to 100 mph as they aimed for the narrow gap in the ridge.

Potter thought he had found ways of safely enjoying some of the world's riskiest endeavors. He scaled the toughest vertical faces without rope, and walked barefoot across lines suspended between cliffs. If he fell or became exhausted, he would deploy a parachute. As if that didn't provide enough adrenaline, Potter wanted to fly. 
BASE jumping — renegade parachuting off buildings, antenna, spans (such as bridges) and Earth — is illegal in national parks. Doing it in a wingsuit is even more dangerous, particularly the form Potter practiced, gliding frighteningly close to cliffs and trees before deploying his chute. The park service celebrates Yosemite's role as a climbing mecca, but struggles to stop people from illegally leaping off the cliffs.

From the moment of his death, Dean Potter earned legendary status. One of the most popular extreme sports in the United States and the world, failed in one of his attempts to base jumping in Yosemite park in California. Dean Potter is remembered as free spirit, risk-taker; “He was all about getting the most out of life, and doing what you love and not being afraid to take those chances,” a friend recalled. “Dean was part of this community and had a great impact on the climb. He was a luminaire in the pantheon of the gods of the rally,” said the director of Yosemite, Mike Gauthier, at the Times. Yes, the man took risks without fear. But we do not believe it is something worthwhile to do that. If you put at risk your precious life to enjoy the feeling of adrenaline running in your veins, what you do is not to applaud and celebrate. At least five people have died in BASE jumping accidents in U.S. national parks since January 2014, including the most recent deaths at Yosemite, said Jeffrey Olson, a National Park Service spokesman. It is illegal do this in all U.S. national parks, and jumpers who are caught are fined and have their equipment confiscated, however people continue doing these nonsense. People who lack true spiritual knowledge enjoy maintaining a defiant attitude towards the laws of man and God, laws designed to protect them, yet risk their lives. Our spiritual teachers have already taught us that human life is invaluable, because it is an opportunity to know and love God, and it is completely silly to jeopardize our lives just to take dangerous risks in these so-called extreme sports. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Currently, it is imposed the general idea that “You have to enjoy the world.”  But the concept of enjoyment is dangerous, self-destructive and, in turn, it makes people to put their lives at risk.  More and more people spend large amounts of money on distractions that have no importance, just to satisfy their desires.  Some are poisoned themselves with drugs and alcohol, while others engage in activities that are constantly exposed their health and welfare.  In the rush to meet happiness artificially, man does foolish things, knowing from experience that is wrong and that ultimately end up disappointed. ... However, this type of activity sooner or later, discouraged artificially them, it is a pleasure so brief that fails to meet the expectations of enjoyment. ... We invite you to learn more about the spiritual life, which delivers a superior taste.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Dangerous Fun” - “Fictitious Happiness”
http://bhaktipedia.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php
http://bhaktipedia.org/espanol/index.php?n=sabidurias_vedicas.diversiones_peligrosas

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

NEBRASKA WOMAN SUING “ALL GAYS ON EARTH”

NEBRASKA WOMAN FILES SUIT 
AGAINST ALL HOMOSEXUALS

www.nbcnews.com - A Nebraska woman identifying herself as the “ambassador” for plaintiffs “God and His Son, Jesus Christ,” is suing all homosexuals on Earth for breaking “religious and moral laws,” according to court records filed Tuesday. 
In the suit, entered into the docket as Driskell v. Homosexuals, Sylvia Ann Driskell, 66, of Auburn, Nebraska, asks in a seven-page, neatly handwritten petition (PDF) that U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard decide once and for all whether homosexuality is or isn't a sin. The suit doesn't cite any case law under which a judge could make such a determination.

In fact, it cites no court cases at all, quoting Webster's Dictionary and numerous Bible verses, instead, to bolster Driskell's central contention, which is: “That homosexuality is a sin and that they the homosexuals know it is a sin to live a life of homosexuality. Why else would they have been hiding in the closet.” Driskell writes, "I'm sixty six years old, an [sic] I never thought that I would see the day in which our Great Nation or Our Great State of Nebraska would become so compliant to the complicity of some peoples [sic] lewd behavior." 
The suit was noticed by several gay activists and writers. Driskell, who's representing herself, didn't answer a call for comment. The court noted dryly that, regarding to the defendants, “No summons [was] issued.”

A 66-year-old Nebraska (USA) woman recently filed a lawsuit against all homosexuals. Sylvia Driskell's case is called “Driskell v. Homosexuals.” She is suing all homosexuals on Earth for breaking "religious and moral laws." She is representing herself as the 'ambassador' for 'plaintiffs God and His Son, Jesus Christ'. Last Thursday, a federal judge dismissed this woman's lawsuit against all "homosexuals" on the grounds that it failed to request a specific remedy and relied on biblical verses in a secular court. Indeed, Driskell's filing "consists of seven pages of her personal and religious views on the subject of homosexuality," the court explained. Because of these fundamental flaws in the filing, the court dismissed the case. With regard to homosexuality our teachers have already inquired, “What is this phenomenon? How do you face this problem? What it is and what is not? What happens inside a person to be inclined towards homosexuality? Is it organic? Is it karmic, ie by reactions of his activities in past lives? Is it hereditary?” In truth, we do not know well. What we do know is that homosexuality is not something demonic but there are men and women with homosexual tendencies or preferences. We must broaden our vision, open our hearts and live with it. To achieve this we must begin to improve ourselves, purify and qualify us more and more to serve more and more to all, without exception. Everyone should be qualified. ¿Qualify for? To love and to serve others. We should love people as they are, not as you want them to be. Would you love only the people who perfectly fit your ideal man and woman? Well, if you think so then you are staying without giving or receiving love because nobody is perfect. We must put aside fundamentalisms, eradicating our prejudices, change mindsets and expand our capacity to love and achieve real progress in our spiritual life. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

I have had homosexual people who want to join my temple and in fact there are devotees who have undergone sex reassignment surgeries, and are doing important services. Can you condemn it? It is a complicated issue because they also want to be with Krishna. In one way or another they have an issue with their gender identity, and want to dress like the opposite sex and What to do? So life is not easy, in my service I deal with everything. […] It is something that exists, it can also be by psychological repression. There is not a proper way I know to handle this but what I do know is that love should not be excluded. Perhaps even more love in these situations are required. Difficult situations have their reason and devotees in general are not homophobic. They are not hateful towards anyone.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
Vrinda Sunday Chats
Conscious Marriages 3/29/15 Part 1 of Chat
http://vrindachats.blogspot.com.ar/
http://vrindachats.blogspot.com.ar/2015/03/conscious-marriages-32915-part-1-of-chat.html

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

PRODUCTS OF MAGIC AND SPIRITUAL RITUALS

STORE IN PENNSYLVANIA SELLS
SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

http://thetimes-tribune.com - (USA) Colorful rosary beads dangled above an assortment of African canes, near a bookshelf stocked with everything from witchcraft books to holy water. Spiritual candles lined wood shelves beneath a row of saint statues, led by St. Michael the Archangel pointing his sword at Satan. About two months since Centro Espiritual Botanica Santa Ana opened in a small South Scranton shop, store officials continue to add the variety of spiritual and religious products that have drawn consumers from across the region to its other location in Stroudsburg. 
“We have a lot of customers that used to travel from up here to go down to Stroudsburg because they didn’t have one here,” said Geisa Ceballos, owner of the store at 612 Cedar Ave., via a translator.

“With this type of business, you have to be knowledgeable, you have to be able to communicate with the spirits.” Though it’s still relatively new, the store offers products that represent dozens of different religions and practices. A pink Buddha candle sits just two rows beneath a “21 Division” candle. Some candles are used to get rid of bad spirits, while others are meant to attract love. A Roman Catholic cross hangs on the wall, across the room from a Santa Muerte statue. Nearby, a stack of books tackles topics ranging from voodoo to crafting spells. 
“As a botanica we have to sell everything, from baths to candles to incense — anything that has to do with religions,” she said. “Different cultures have their different saints and different beliefs. We need to offer it all.”

This article is about a spiritual and religious shop in Scranton city (Pennsylvania, USA). This is just an example, because there are many similar to it. This shops, sometimes called "Botanica" or "Yerberia", sell everywhere lot of metaphysical items for santeria and voodoo, occult and pagan rituals, witchcraft and wiccan ceremonies. It is assumed that these products, some of which are somewhat expensive, can remove negative energies that cause spiritual disturbances, depression, negative thinking & feelings, hopelessness, anger, resentment, unhealthy relationships. These shops announce their spiritual products saying: "Remove a jinx that someone has put on you or a loved one. Need more love in your life? Looking for more money to come your way? Try these products and build your fortune." In order to achieve this goal, they offer a variety of things, from altar tools and supplies, ritual and saint candles, tarot cards and crystal balls, runes, metaphysical and self-help books, aromatherapy products, bulk herbs, incense, t-shirts, bumper stickers, celtic cloaks, statuary, swords, CDs of spiritual music, jewelry, sabbat cards, and all kind of rocks. There are many studies and ancient practices that demonstrate the desire of man to control his destiny without giving up their materialistic desires and embark on different processes, such as the occult, magic, witchcraft, voodoo, witchcraft, macumba, camdombe, etc., speak transcendental and spiritual, but in reality are only different forms of materialism, though subtle, they still will keep us anchored into the ocean of happiness and distress in this wheel of birth and death. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

One of the biggest problems of superficial men is that they confuse the occultism with transcendence. As the occultism try to handle areas of life that are subtle - usually invisible to our eyes - but the invisible has nothing to do with the transcendental and spiritual. The Vedic cosmology divides the existence of every being in their physical existence, which is composed of the body made of earth, water, fire, air and ether, and another part that is the subtle astral body set up by the mind, intelligence and false ego. Beyond the subtle body is our spiritual soul, which is transcendental in nature and can - after being freed from illusion - leave the confines of the gross and subtle bodies, and receive by grace of God a spiritual body in the world eternal God. That is called the perfection of yoga, and is the only area where the pure love manifests.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Occultism”
http://gurumaharaj.net/
http://bhaktipedia.org/espanol/index.php?n=sabidurias_vedicas.ocultismo
http://www.sabiduriavedica.org/c39-espiritualidad/ocultismo/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

ISIS EXECUTIONS CONTINUE

ISIS EXECUTES GAYS, THIEVES,
WOMAN CHARGED FOR ADULTERY

www.ynetnews.com - The Islamic State group currently ravaging Iraq and Syria has shocked the world again with its horrific execution videos – this time by allegedly throwing blindfolded men off a roof as punishment for their sexual orientation. Images of the execution surfaced two days ago on jihadist websites, and claimed the men were found "convicted" of homosexual acts. The group's radical interpretation of Islamic law, "engaging in homosexual activities" is a capital crime. 
One of the images shows a large crowd gathering at the bottom of a large tower to witness the execution of two men. The masked Islamic State executioner details their crimes, declares them guilty of homosexuality and sentences them to death.

The two men are seen with blindfolds at the top of a building being held by two ISIS members before being thrown off the building, after having been “convicted” of being homosexual. The “sentence” was imposed under a provision of the law that requires “execution of prescribed penalties against all those who commit an act against Lot’s nation,” according to the ISIS website. 
Another photograph posted on ISIS’s official website shows two men being crucified on charges of being thieves. An ISIS member reads the charges against the two alleged thieves out loud before they are then shot by other ISIS militants in the head. ISIS also published a photo showing a woman draped in an all-black niqab standing in front of an ISIS member, about to be stoned to death on an accusation of infidelity.

The so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has posted graphic photographs showing the brutal execution of four men and one woman on charges of homosexuality, theft, and infidelity to Islam. These images, circulating on jihadist websites, show Islamic State group terrorists executing gay men by throwing them off roof with large crowd watching. Isis has recently published a penal code listing crimes punishable by amputation, stoning and crucifixion, along with a chilling vow to ensure the code is vigilantly enforced in areas under its control. Since ISIS proclaimed itself the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, it has committed numerous crimes and human rights abuses which have been condemned by the world, precipitating a military response against the self-proclaimed state by several countries including the United States and Morocco. In Kali-yuga all people quickly have become degraded. We must be very careful because Aghasura (the snake demon) who represents cruelty and violence, is back among us. Today most people perform inferior activities for sense enjoyment and enjoy doing or seeing cruelty done to defenseless living things. Even the priestly class is degraded. Giving up brahminical behavior, many brahmanas take pleasure in malice and envy, others develop desire of pecuniary gain and many others want their own worldly honour or fame; so if they do wrong, then why mention the other members of different sections of this multiple and varied modern society. Our spiritual masters have taught us that we have to make changes in this corrupt society, and “we have to start with ourselves, because it is almost impossible to change others. One person or the whole world would change if we were capable to inspire them with our own example.” We must become loving toward other living beings and try to serve God in the company of selfless devotees, regardless of what section of society they come from. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

We have to become activists of the good. There is so much garbage, so much cruelty that has to stop. Modern man has become insensible; anaesthetised by intoxication and consumption, the "human being" prefers the bad, so that he even forgets his own best and directly or indirectly becomes responsible for the corrupt society. ... With the help from each and everyone, we will make progress. Let us conquer land here in this crazy world, soul by soul, consciousness by consciousness. Let us be compromised with the truth. Let us respect the faith of everyone, as long as they do not harm others. Truth is love, and one has to produce more love; love for God and all His creation; love and gratefulness to Mother Earth; love for the animals; goodness and compassion for the defenseless. It just takes conscience, which actually does not even pain anymore.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Conscience - Even If It Pains”
“Vedic Wisdom Collection”
http://vedicwisdom.weebly.com/
http://vedicwisdom.weebly.com/concience-even-if-it-hurts.html

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

HAPPY RADHASTAMI 2014!

TOMORROW, IS RADHASTAMI
APPEARANCE OF SRIMATI RADHARANI

www.indoamerican-news.com - The divine counterpart of Sri Krishna is known as Sri Radha. Together, according to the ancient Vaishnava tradition, this dual-gendered divinity is God-male and female dimensions of the Absolute Truth. Sri Radha is the complete energy, and Sri Krishna is the complete energetic source. They are non-different from each other, just as musk and its scent are forever merged, or as fire and heat are inseparable. Radha and Krishna are one, yet They have assumed two separate forms to enjoy loving pastimes.
Numerous theological texts explain how this is so, but most thorough are the writings of Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami, great masters in the Vaishnava tradition whose books have been translated and commented upon by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. To understand Sri Radha, then, English readers would do well to turn to Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Srimati Radharani(or Radha, as most people affectionately call her) has a unique position: She is actually the controller of Krishna (who is in fact the Supreme Controller and who cannot be controlled by anyone) because of Her absolute and unalloyed love, devotion, service, and surrender to Him. Being His closest and most intimate companion She has the ability to recommend the most fallen souls for liberation at His merciful feet. 
Lord Krishna is generally hard to approach directly even by the most accomplished of sages as evidenced by verse 7.3 in the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna says “Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” Luckily for us Srimati Radharani makes it very easy because Her infinite capacity for compassion for the worst of sinners helps ease the path. Therefore, it is sometimes said that Radharani is even more merciful than the Lord Himself.

Tomorrow, September 2, 2014 (Tuesday) is Radhastami. The appearance anniversary of Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Krsna. This article written by Indo American News reminds us the importance of this special day, “It is our duty to fall at Her lotus feet and seek the mercy of Her sublime and healing gaze. It also happens to be the only day of the year where Srimati Radharani’s feet are visible (all other days they are completely covered). This makes it all the more important that devotees make the trip to the temple and sing Her glories and enjoy the ecstasy that comes with worshipping the feet of the most munificent form of the Lord’s internal potency.” IAN further explains: “Of the many, many prayers offered to Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, one goes thus: tapta-kancana-gaurangi radhe vrndavanesvari / vrsabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priye - I offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vrndavana. You are the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krsna.” Vedic Sages have explained that Radha and Krishna are one, as Sweetness cannot be separated from the Sugar or Fragrance from Flower, or Light from Sun; in the same way, they cannot be separated from each other. In this age of kali Lord Krishna’s eternal wish to understand Radha’s love for Him came true when He appeared as Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is none other than Krishna Himself but in the mood of Radharani. Our spiritual masters have taught us that Radharani’s special qualification is that She is the best devotee of Krishna, and thus, Krishna loves Her the most. It has also been taught that, without the mercy of Radha, we can not reach Krishna. But we must take a step forward and not worry so much about asking the grace of Srimati Radharani to "reach" our liberation or the final goal in our lives. But rather, ask Her to help us work harder every day to make other people be engaged in this spiritual path, underpin the progress of others who are reeling and give new vigor and energy to those who are weakening. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Today we are celebrating the most important day of the universe, the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. Since yesterday we meditate on this supreme love, to be in love with bringing Krishna happiness, to make everyone happy in Krishna consciousness. This meditation leads us to understand who Srimati Radharani is in our life. Who is Krishna? Who are we?  [...] Srimati Radharani does everything to make Krishna supremely happy. I renounced my liberation to help others. In Krishna consciousness we need to understand that the most valuable things are to make others aware of Krishna. Do you want to enter the camp of Srimati Radharani?  Do you want to be part of the intimate group of Srimati Radharani? Then you must want to run to help others. A devotee of Radharani is someone with a strong desire to show others the path of spiritual love to stop suffering. Your task is to work on the spirituality of others. An intimate servant of Radharani is one that is fully committed to the urgent needs of this world.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Sunday Chat, Radhastam”
September 23 2012 (Sri Radhastami), Colombia
http://www.vrindanews.com/
http://vrindanews.com/category/swami-b-a-paramadvaiti/
http://nimaihuset.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/srila-ba-paramadvaiti-maharaj-sunday.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/