European Convention, Radhadesh 1999

[Guest guest]

ISKCON CONVENTION EUROPE 1999

Radhadesh June 29th - July 3rd

 

 

THIS YEAR we celebrate the Tenth Radhadesh Seminar. This seminars were

established to develop a European sanga for devotees and preachers and to

develop a culture of education and open discussion among devotees. So far we

have been successful in our aims. For instance the VTE was born at Radhadesh

in 1992, as were other initiatives such as preaching campaigns to protect

the sankirtan movement in Germany, Russia and Poland. The VIHE merged their

courses with these seminars in 1994.

In our present circumstance in Europe we may need to consider consolidating

our opportunities to inspire the devotees in preaching. Practical and

co-operative spiritual sharing will go a long way towards helping our

yatras, temples and devotees learn how to work together; how to plan

preaching together; how to avoid local distortions of philosophy and

practice; how to broaden minds, sustain spiritual education and develop a

culture of caring and concern among devotees.

All of us have a responsibility to help develop this culture in ISKCON and

the tradition of the Radhadesh Seminars serve this need well. We depend on

your sanga to make it work. Every year we offer the opportunity for deep

association, a refreshing devotional atmosphere, great prasadam and of

course, our seminars and classes.

This year we would like to serve you by offering the following courses and

lectures:

 

The Tenth Radhadesh Seminar Courses

 

(Each course will consist of five daily ninety-minute classes)

 

Issues of Reform in ISKCON since 1977

Ravindra Svarupa Dasa

 

The subtitle to this seminar could be "The hidden history of the Hare Krsna

Movement". This seminar tells the inside story of the perils of idealism,

and deals with institutional failure, the relationship between individual

spiritual progress and institutional spiritual progress and where reform

must go from here.

 

The Many Faces of ISKCON

Dr. Kim Knott

 

In this seminar Dr. Knott will discuss how ISKCON is perceived by various

external bodies, and how these perceptions arise and are fuelled. We will

consider how deep the differences of perception go: Is there one ISKCON with

many faces, or does ISKCON have a number of different identities which it

skillfully shifts between? How do these many facets or identities relate to

the debate about innovation and change within ISKCON? Are these many facets

and identities a sign of strength or weakness?

 

Sudrdha Visvasa - Firm Faith

Kadamba Kanana Swami

 

Kadamba Kanana Swami will approach the important subjects of spiritual

growth, doubt, lust and envy, love and trust and many other topics affecting

our ability to profess firm faith in the Lord.

 

Empowerment and Protection through Spiritual Sound

Suhotra Swami

 

This seminar will examine the kinds of empowerment and protection imparted

by the Vedic sound vibration that emanates from guru, sastra, sadhu and God.

In some cases, empowerment (to accomplish great deeds) and protection (from

the fear of falling down) seem to be incompatible; in other cases they are

simultaneous blessings in concert with each other. These cases offer lessons

for our own utilisation of transcendental sound.

 

 

Spiritual Abuse: Symptoms, Prevention & Healing

Bhaktavatsala Dasa and Dhyanakunda Devi Dasi

 

This interesting seminar examines the areas of spirituality, morality,

ethics, rights and responsibilities in the Krsna consciousness movement.

Issues discussed will include abuses that have occurred in the name of

spiritual experience. This seminar is intended to help devotees come to

terms with possible negative experiences and foster their confidence as

individuals and as members of ISKCON. It will also offer an opportunity for

participants to be introspective and to identify possible symptoms and

consequences of being involved in spiritual abuse in the role of victim

and/or perpetrator.

 

Sraddha to Prema

Prahladananda Swami

 

This seminar explains the process by which a devotee progresses from the

neophyte level to the perfectional level of Krsna prema. The systematic

understanding of the process of Krishna consciousness will help the devotee

understand his own level of advancement as well as that of others. It will

also encourage devotees as they understand more clearly the wonderful future

that awaits the sincere practitioner of Krishna consciousness.

 

The Temple of the Heart: Contemplation in Krishna Consciousness

Sacinandana Swami

 

Sacinandana Swami wants us to become qualified spiritual architects and

engineers in order to build a Temple of Krishna in our minds. He wants to

discuss with devotees the techniques of constructing such a wonderful

meditation and how we can maintain such remembrance of Krishna. His course

will also show us what qualifications we will need to begin our foundational

work.

 

Spiritual Archaeology: Retreat Workshop

Anuradha Devi Dasi

 

In this workshop Anuradha will help us to dig deeply into ourselves and find

our hidden treasures. The workshop will enable us to go beyond our daily

concerns in order to deeply consider where we may be going in our lives. It

will also prepare us to sink our deeper selves into life, scripture and the

Holy Name each day.

 

Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas

Krishna Ksetra das

 

Of the literally thousands of Vaishnava songs in Bengali language, we will

sing a few to sooth the soul and rest the brain at the end of each day of

seminars. As few devotees have heard most of these devotional songs before,

Krishna Ksetra will explain them and talk a little about their meaning.

 

Let's Get Spiritual: Applying the Five Potent Items of Devotional Service in

the Grhasta Ashram

Braja Bihari Dasa

 

Life's tough. We know the ideals of Krishna Conscious life, yet we live in a

hectic world with many responsibilities outside of our practice of spiritual

life. A solution is found in proper practice of the the five most potent

items of Bhakti. Proper attention to these items will keep us on the path of

advancing in Krishna Conscious regardless of what the material energy throws

at us.We will discuss both the theoretical understanding and practical

application of the spiritual principles in our lives.

 

Unzipping the Purports: The Hidden Voices of the Previous Acaryas in Srila

Prabhupada's Books

Ekanatha Dasa

 

The acaryas, in their commentaries, after giving elaborate or concise

illustrations to "significant" words, very often end their explanations with

the phrase, "iti bh?va", or "This is the simple meaning". This leaves the

reader startled and impressed with their devotional genius. Most ISKCON

devotees do not know how the Bhaktivedanta purports were written, and how

the vast storehouse of spiritual realization of our previous acaryas flowed

directly into Srila Prabhupada's dictations. Ekanatha Prabhu will reveal for

us the "simple meaning" of Prabhupada's writings.

 

PS. If you like to see the poster then you can download the attached file.

 

The Radhadesh Lectures

 

This year, in celebration of our Tenth Anniversary, we are launching a

series of three, one hour lectures on topics relevant to ISKCON's

development in the areas of mission, administration, social development and

education. These lectures will be delivered by specially invited speakers

and this forum will provide a free space for devotees to comment upon and

analyze ISKCON's performance, opportunities and challenges.

This years lectures are:

 

Dambha Yajna & Kaitava Dharma

Forms of Bad Faith within the Krsna Consciousness Movement

Ravindra Svarupa Dasa

 

Ravindra discusses how ISKCON and gurus within ISKCON can become idolized.

Devotees are taught to surrender to Krishna and guru but there are forms of

surrender which are counterproductive to spiritual advancement.

 

ISKCON's Changing Boundaries

Dr. Kim Knott

 

Dr. Knott will comment on the topics of schism, congregationalism and

householders in ISKCON. These areas, which include difficult subjects such

as splinter groups, cultural differences, asrama norms and values, stretch

the boundaries of who we call a devotee and who we call a member of ISKCON.

Dr. Knott will talk about the management challenges of these changes.

 

The Challenges of Education

Saunaka Rsi Dasa

 

For many devotees education has come to be seen as an essential ingredient

in ISKCON's future. As ISKCON begins to embrace the obvious need for

systematic education, Saunaka Rsi asks if ISKCON is aware of the fundamental

changes educational culture will bring. He examines proposed educational

projects and the challenges they will pose to the norms which we have

accepted for thirty-five years.

 

 

 

Registration and further details for the convention are available from:

Bhakta Lyall, Brooklands, 140 Upper Dunmurray Lane, BT17 OHE, BELFAST,

NORTHERN IRELAND ·

e-mail: lyall.ward (AT) com (DOT) bbt.se · Telephone no: (+44-1232-287590).

 

All travel and accomodation inquiries should be send to Radhadesh.

e-mail: radhadesh (AT) com (DOT) bbt.se · Telephone no: +32-(0)86 322926 ·

Fax: +32 (0)86 322929 · mail: Château de Petite Somme 5, 6940 Septon

 

Please register by June 15th

 

 

 

How do you reach Radhadesh ?

 

By car

>From Brussels: Highway direction Namen(Namur)-Arlon, exit to Marche. In

Marche follow N63 and follow direction Luik (Liege). Exit in Somme-Leuze /

Namur, then Petite Somme then 'Château de Petite Somme' (Radhadesh).

>From Maastricht: follow N 63 Luik (Liege)-Marche, follow till the exit to

Somme-Leuze. Follow sign Somme Leuze and Château de Petite Somme or Petite

Somme.

 

>From Durbuy or Barvaux: drive direction Durbuy from Barvaux. Drive direction

Barvaux from Durbuy. follow Petite Somme and Château de Petite Somme. Over

the river "Ourthe" continue always to your right and you will find the

castle (on your right). Take the first small road to your right.

 

By train:

>From Brussels or from Luxembourg

Ø From Brussels there is a train to Luxembourg every hour. This train stops

in Marloie.

This is where you have to step off. (Price +/- 500 Bfr).

Ø From Marloie you can phone the temple (086-32 29 26) and ask to be picked

up from the train station.

(payment 350 Bfr for the car).

 

Being picked up by the temple car

Our temple car has 9 sitting places. You can be picked up from:

 

Brussels Airport (125 x 8 Bfr)= 2,000 Bfr

Luxembourg Airport (150 x 8 Bfr)= 2,400 Bfr

Liege (45 x 8 Bfr)= 700 Bfr

Barvaux (8 x 8 Bfr)= 130 Bfr

>From Liege there is a train every 2 hours to Barvaux. From Barvaux you can

phone: 32 29 26.

 

Ø Best is to confirm your arrival by fax 00 32 (0) 86 / 32 29 29, or via

e-mail: radhadesh (AT) com (DOT) bbt.se

Mention the time and place of your arrival

 

Accommodations upon arriving

 

Ø If you have your own facility (a caravan or a tent), you will get 10%

reduction on the prices of the seminar.

Otherwise fees are:

Children under 5 years old Free

Children between 5-12 years old 200 Bfr a day

Above 12 years 400 Bfr a day

Adults (not seminar participants) 500 Bfr a day

 

Fees for devotee/guests who stay in Radhadesh, but are not following the

courses:

Adults 500 Bfr a day

Children under 5 years old who need no mattress Free

Children between 5-12 years old 250 Bfr a day

Children above 12 years 500 Bfr a day

 

Nursery for children

During the morning classes 100 Bfr

During the afternoon classes 100 Bfr

 

If you have any questions please ask for Bhakta Rick.

Tel: 00 (32) (0) 86 / 32 29 26