tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307394322011-07-30T20:43:46.205-04:00… he told me that perfection could be learned from nature. be more humble than a blade of grass; more tolerant than a tree. give respect to others freely, without expectation or motive. in such a state of mind, stripped bare of your false pretenses, call out to your Lord eternally. i’m still working on it …Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.comBlogger941100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-16788271934965834742009-06-11T15:05:00.001-04:002009-06-11T15:08:41.002-04:00

Radha Murlidhar Reunion Festival

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-86960999241587554072008-04-01T22:44:00.003-04:002008-04-01T23:09:26.801-04:00

Haribol and Happy April Fool's Day!The other day, a dear friend and godbrother (who also happens to be an executive at one of the largest corporations in the world -- I'm not one to drop names, but "don't leave home without it" if you catch my meaning) called me (from work!) just to tell me that he misses reading my "Vaisnava Joke of the Week" -- a bit of Hare Krishna humor I used to send out to

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-75555172564830547042008-03-28T16:54:00.004-04:002008-03-28T18:00:26.405-04:00

Two days ago, on a sudden inspiration, I started re-reading one of my favorite books, Memories by Satsvarupa das Goswami. Its amazing... an honest, bittersweet, struggling, comforting, challenging, collection of insights into a sadhaka's world, seen through the lens of his remembrances.In a chapter where Sdg remembers listening to Coltrane's "A Love Supreme", he ponders the criticism that may

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-46729485259076664572008-03-27T18:06:00.005-04:002008-03-27T18:20:16.937-04:00

Today is Thursday, which means that for most of the day my consciousness is absorbed in the Rutgers Bhakti Club, our program to share the treasure of Bhakti Yoga with students at the largest university in New Jersey. Its funny, actually, because Thursdays used to be the day that Krsangi and I offered deity seva at the temple. A few months ago, we found that it was too much and that we needed some

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-90268509090485199692008-03-26T15:01:00.004-04:002008-03-26T15:10:42.610-04:00

A devotee forwarded this news item about Saudi King Abdullah's call for interfaith dialogue to me, wondering if there were a place for devotees of Krishna (Vaisnavas) at such a dialogue. It doesn't seem like it. Despite the Saudi monarch's noble intentions to bring members of different faiths together, it seems that he may fallen prey to a common misconception, rooted in ignorance or

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-62196490772028953532008-03-25T14:00:00.005-04:002008-03-25T14:46:29.148-04:00

The great Vaisnava saint Parasara Bhattar* was told the story of a hunter in the forest who had caught a rabbit. The hunter was about to kill it, but it kept circling around him and it finally placed its head at the hunter's feet. The hunter's heart melted, and rather than kill it he offered it protection.When Parasara Bhattar heard this, tears began to flow from his eyes, his hairs stood on end,

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-26993961769668031642008-03-11T17:48:00.004-04:002008-03-25T13:59:18.023-04:00

Madhavi said whatever happened to your New Year's resolution to get back to blogging?So here I am (again).Oh come on, stop rolling your eyes. Stranger things have happened. :-)

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-10573706798992597262007-12-21T09:37:00.000-05:002007-12-21T09:56:12.607-05:00

Haribol! I feel somewhat embarrassed to be blogging again -- not because I don't want to -- but because the thing that has brought me back to a blade of grass is some shameless self-promotion.Yesterday afternoon, I got a call from a producer at CNN. She asked me to be a guest on a live Holiday Show, hosted by Christian speaker and journalist Roland Martin, on the subject of Christmas and the

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-22211094020374401172007-11-02T09:27:00.000-04:002007-11-02T10:20:01.358-04:00

For the last three and a half months, I've been using someone else's phone.My godbrother Shyama Vallabh Prabhu is a doctor by profession and is serving as the executive director of the new Vrindavana Hospice. He and his wife spent some time in the United States to undergo some training this past year, and paid us a visit. We took them around New York a bit and helped them do some last minute

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-47044648299182572472007-10-24T13:00:00.000-04:002007-10-24T13:31:42.142-04:00

I read this article from the Asian Age, a big ethnic newspaper in the U.K., about the Kazakhstan Campaign there. Having worked on the campaign myself, I was quite interested to see what they had to say.But what ended up catching my eye (and emotions), was the comment a reader posted. Someone named Mohsin wrote:I think this is strikingly similar to the way lots of Muslims are being treated in

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-72919395470724685412007-10-23T11:50:00.000-04:002007-10-25T10:40:23.652-04:00

I was surfing around on my friend Madhavi's blog, and hit upon her post about "evolution", a thought-provoking film made by the Dove corporation as part of their self esteem focused campaign for real beauty. I am tempted to be cynical about Dove's motives here, but the fact is that -- whether they use it to sell their own beauty products or not -- the short makes an interesting point about how

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-52095249437833635102007-10-22T11:37:00.000-04:002007-10-22T12:47:26.840-04:00

Ekadasi today, which means that I have to confront my inherent (or conditioned?) distaste for austerity and sacrifice. My mind is rebelling; hopefully the antidote is chanting, preparing for an upcoming Holy Name retreat that I am helping to facilitate, and self-medicating with sour-cream smothered potatoes. We'll see. In other news, despite the uncharacteristically warm weather, I can

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-83087894348294400302007-10-19T15:17:00.000-04:002007-10-19T15:28:35.933-04:00

In honor of the last few posts, and my recent bold confessional about being a Wonder Years fan, I thought I'd give Kevin Arnold and friends some time as the featured Video of the Week. Hope you enjoy this documentary which aired on A&E as part of their TV'ography series.Incidentally, I'd always secretly hoped (and simultaneously feared) that they'd run an episode where the sister (Karen) became a

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-61972487928864868682007-10-18T11:42:00.000-04:002007-10-18T20:15:47.670-04:00

I stumbled across this blog post by devotee writer Vasu Murti, and am glad that I did. Although we've since lost touch, Vasu and I wrote to another for several years when I was a teenager in the mid 1990s. I'm not quite sure how we started pen-paling, but in those pre-email days, there were a few devotees I regularly corresponded with and Vasu was one of my favorites. Among other things, he

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-5727616105289613202007-10-17T10:58:00.000-04:002007-10-17T12:26:54.340-04:00

I want to thank everyone who left helpful comments and words of encouragement on my last post. It really does mean a lot. Coming to grips with one's own limitations can be frightening, and it is still something that I (we) contsantly struggle with. So just knowing that others are feeling it too keeps me in perspective and helps.Some devotees suggested that I keep two blogs. I've actually

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-49662311471836724222007-10-13T00:29:00.000-04:002007-10-13T01:05:45.787-04:00

Haribol. Not sure how to begin this post, or even if it really is a post or not. I've been wrestling with this for a little while, going back and forth, writing and then deleting (only to write almost the exact same thing, only to delete it all again).Here's the problem in a nutshell: I don't feel Krishna conscious right now. No, I don't mean that I'm losing my religion (cue classic REM song

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-6286007566627683242007-10-11T12:54:00.000-04:002007-10-11T13:49:38.457-04:00

Overslept and woke up late this morning... only to greeted by a grey, drizzly, uninviting day. As if that wasn't bad enough, I woke up with a headache again. I'm not sure what's going on, but after a 5-day migraine, just when I thought I was free of them, one returns with a vengeance.(I have chronic headaches. I don't how exactly how long it has been, but I know that in recent years -- 2000 and

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-69828272591928142902007-10-10T11:18:00.000-04:002007-10-10T12:02:20.921-04:00

Why do bad things happen to good people? If God is all-good, all-just, and all-powerful why does He allow suffering? How could He sit by and do nothing while terrorists and madmen take innocent lives, or while tsunamis and earthquakes leave children orphaned and helpless?This is usually called the problem of pain, or the problem of evil.Inspired by my reading of C.S. Lewis (one of my favorites),

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-20089651978679835222007-10-09T09:36:00.001-04:002007-10-09T11:34:53.627-04:00

Just got through reading Joel Stein's brilliant piece "You Are Not My Friend" on friend-based websites like Facebook or My Space or Friendster. In his usual sarcastic cheeky style, Stein points out how these sites have changed the way we look at ourselves and our relationships.I've been thinking about this stuff lately because -- deep breath -- about a month ago I bit the bullet and actually

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-53941828445056932862007-09-28T10:33:00.000-04:002007-09-28T11:11:02.801-04:00

What could possibly bring me -- perhaps the world's most inconsistent blogger, arguably the slackest slacker in all of ISKCON -- back to the blog? How about staying at a haunted hotel?Okay, allow me to back up and catch all my regular BOG readers up to speed. After Italy (which was amazing), I returned to a pile of things to do on my desk higher than the leaning tower of pisa (which, by the way

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-11005668848811919822007-08-09T17:59:00.000-04:002007-08-09T18:34:45.182-04:00

10th August, 2007MidnightAdministrative Office, Villa Vrindavan (outside of Florence, Italy)Being on a spiritual path is supposed to make you more attuned to what a Higher Intelligence is trying to communicate to you. Yogis can pick up on the subtlest of messages; they can read the signs and sense the shift in cosmic winds. So, after almost 17 years of chanting Hare Krishna, one might think that

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-6702588956311372162007-07-31T18:38:00.001-04:002007-07-31T19:14:47.550-04:00

Haribol,One of the trickiest things about keeping a travel journal is traveling and keeping a journal. On the one hand, you have experiences that are just the sort of thing you should be writing about -- exciting, meaningful, and (perhaps) spiritually moving experiences. On the other hand, having those experiences doesn't always leave so much time for writing about them. Factor in the character

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-90365902689229704202007-07-28T17:30:00.000-04:002007-07-28T19:10:26.805-04:00

7/25 - 7/26 JFK Airport to Prabhupada DeshBonjourno! I am typing this from the quiet solitude of the area I've nicknamed Tatastha at the top of the stairs in Prabhupada Desh. I call it Tatastha, because it is a foyer which is basically the dividing point between where the ladies' and mens' guestrooms are. Krsangi and I say our goodnights and Haribols here. It is also the place to catch the

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-80368869699663125802007-07-28T02:08:00.000-04:002007-07-29T18:09:30.075-04:00

Final in the Texas trip series... Sorry for the delay!Don't Mess With Texas Day 4:"Entourage" (7/8/07)Every day of my trip to Texas, I was awakened by the sensation of mosquitoes feasting on my body (the same body that I am supposed to know that I am not). Sunday morning, however, the bites were even more stinging because they were accompanied by the realization that this would be my last full

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-44651808372825502862007-07-22T02:03:00.000-04:002007-07-22T23:26:45.533-04:00

Continuing to back-post...Don't Mess with Texas Day 3: "Lucky 7s in Houston" (7/7/07)I awoke this morning to find the vast majority of my left arm had been devoured by what must be the hungriest, ugliest mosquitoes in Dallas. I lay in bed, staring up at the whirling ceiling fan, trying to figure out if I was dreaming or awake. It was one of those "Where am I? What am I doing here? Why is my

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-84506502924954030542007-07-18T12:37:00.000-04:002007-07-18T12:47:37.000-04:00

Trip to Washington, D.C. yesterday– and thanks to the overpriced but convenient Amtrak shuttle from NY to DC, I was in an out of the nation’s capitol in a day. I was there to attend a briefing on the state of human rights and religious freedom in South Asia… and, of course, to network with the officials there, especially in regards to the Kazakhstan situation.Anuttama Prabhu was out of town, so

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-38149940076173533422007-07-11T13:33:00.000-04:002007-07-11T19:05:53.738-04:00

Don't Mess with Texas Day 2:"Upgrade to First Class" (7/6/07) TKG's Quarters, Dallas – There is something about these rooms that just seem inhabited by TKG’s spirit. I don’t mean that in a "haunted house" sort of way; I mean that his essence and his mood waft through each of these rooms like the lingering fragrance of really good incense. The quarters are actually more than just a bedroom – an

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-3242489246957029662007-07-09T07:13:00.000-04:002007-07-16T17:37:55.173-04:00

Right now it is almost 1:30 am in Houston, Texas -- For the past four days, I've been here in Texas, trying to assist B.B. Govinda Swami's awareness and fundraising campaign for the crisis in Kazakhstan. Despite the fact that it has meant being away from home, and that I have had to tolerate the meanest, hungriest mosquitoes I've tangled with in a long time, I've really loved my time here. No

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-46851543530005274822007-07-08T14:52:00.000-04:002007-07-08T15:57:37.474-04:00

. . . U P D A T E S . . .Since I haven't been so active on blade of grass lately (okay, okay... I've been downright negligent), I thought I'd share some of what I've been posting up at the ISKCON Communications blog.New York Ratha Yatra coverage: A nice article from the India Post (manifested from my press release, btw) and a cool photo montage from a NYC photo blog.Bread and Water: An Indian

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-38797351798016303482007-06-15T09:57:00.000-04:002007-06-15T10:18:24.071-04:00

All the photos -- including photos of the demolition in November, which left Krishna families homeless in freezing winter snow -- can be found here.Video can be found here. Bulldoze now, ask questions later. Is this how an "oasis of religious accord" deals with religious minorities? Police officers (government thugs) brought in by the busload to make sure that the job gets done.Homes reduced to

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-52912958045683688262007-06-15T09:20:00.000-04:002007-06-15T09:39:36.120-04:00

Devastating news from Kazakhstan. It is hard for me to express exactly how I am feeling, except to say that my head is reeling and I feel like I have just been kicked in the stomach. Suddenly, the reality of what has been going on there is hitting home. Hard. Please pray for these innocent devotees, that they may manifest the strength to overcome this ordeal and that they may be blessed with

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1487940050362186522007-06-13T14:39:00.000-04:002007-06-13T14:41:48.911-04:00

No, I wasn't at the GBC Meetings held in New Vrindaban a couple of weekends ago. Contrary to popular rumour, I'm not quite that high up on the rungs of the ISKCON leadership ladder yet. But, here are some cool photos from that "who's who" event. Enjoy!GBC meetings@NV

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-64390946019376505722007-06-12T13:00:00.000-04:002007-06-12T13:53:00.035-04:00

Dear Friends,I'm sorry for still not back-posting on here. Ratha Yatra (which was fantastic by the way) took its toll on my health, work and sadhana, so I am struggling to recover. I promise to be back as soon as I can.One of the highlights of this "busy time" has been hosting His Holiness BB Govinda Swami at our place for the last few days. Thanks to Yasoda-dulal and Sri Radhika Prabhus,

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-8627258791012848652007-06-07T08:36:00.000-04:002007-06-07T09:00:47.100-04:00

Hare Krishna! A small note of apology... I know that some of you have been eagerly awaiting more entries on Radhanath Swami's visit to NY and DC.With New York Ratha Yatra right around the corner, and with Krsangi and I hosting B.B. Govinda Swami, I don't anticipate having a lot of blogging time. But I pledge to get caught up with back-posting in the coming weeks. Krishna willing, I can share

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-41001161729353399552007-06-06T15:09:00.000-04:002007-06-07T09:05:59.736-04:00

It is katha season in Towaco, New Jersey.... Radha Raman Swami, Lokanath Swami, and then Radha Govinda Swami. It is one of the nicest things about the community of devotees here -- they are eager to come together and hear Srimad Bhagavatam.I wrote these last year, after hearing Radha Govinda Swami’s 7-day narrations of the pastimes of Lord Krishna Stealing the Garments of the Unmarried Gopi

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-24698878777706151752007-06-05T14:05:00.001-04:002007-06-05T14:27:47.351-04:00

If you've ever been in an India taxi (or just wanted to), please check out this hilarious, touching, and excellently made claymation short called "Horn Okay Please." It will give you an unforgettable glimpse into the life and adventures of a Mumbai taxi-wallah.Watching this brought me back to my visits to that charming smog-filled paradise of contradictions formerly known as Bombay. I remember

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-11376653465816174932007-06-04T12:56:00.000-04:002007-06-04T14:10:12.785-04:00

A comment on my previous blog post about what it means to have a relationship with a spiritual master, raised some interesting challenges. Calling him or herself "Shunyavadin" (transl.: "voidist" or, literally, "follower of zero"), a commenter felt the need to call me out on my "childish" worship of "an imaginary friend."I have no interest in turning a blade of grass into some online debate

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-68219355015796529042007-05-31T14:09:00.000-04:002007-06-03T16:36:32.231-04:00

Okay, okay... you got me. It's been a week since my last blog post. But, WOW -- what a week it has been! Where to begin?Friday: Radhanath Swami at the Radha Govinda Mandir in Brooklyn, NYC. Orginally scheduled to be at the Astanga Yoga studio in SoHo, it was changed at the landolord's polite but firm request -- it turns out that when they say "maximum occupancy 80", they don't actually mean

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-61694213052483711212007-05-24T14:04:00.001-04:002007-05-24T23:57:31.240-04:00

A spiritual master is not a fashion, that "Oh, I should have a spiritual master." People after fashion. No. One must be very much inquisitive to know what is the highest perfection of life. If one is actually inquisitive to understand about the highest perfectional stage of our life, then he should search after a spiritual master. ~ His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada;lecture in

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-46301910690492154912007-05-23T08:35:00.000-04:002007-05-23T09:22:22.511-04:00

Krishna Cares @ the AIDS Walk on Sunday, May 20th~ a photo essay ~ Krishna Cares co-founder Bhaktin Nicole with her mom, Nancy. From the moment she proposed the idea of a Krishna Cares team to the very last step we took, Nicole has been instrumental in leading the project. Thanks Nicole!Looking for a good grihasta activity? Forget the movies, consider an AIDS Walk instead.Brahmacaris can have

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-31804006227881279392007-05-22T00:17:00.000-04:002007-05-22T11:03:06.579-04:00

Thanks to a delay on the F train, we are running late. By the time we arrive at Central Park, the crowds are swelling -- we started to see people wearing AIDS Walk NY t-shirts even on the train -- and I worry that we won't be able t0 find the rest of our team. My apprehension is unnecessary: our teammates are already wearing their bright orange Krishna Cares t-shirts, and are pretty hard to miss

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-74416759803459461732007-05-21T22:38:00.000-04:002007-05-21T23:34:23.393-04:00

I can hardly believe that my spiritual master, His Holiness Radhanath Swami, is twenty minutes away from me right now, staying at the home of one of my favorite godbrothers as he often does. I will see him tomorrow at the Ashtanga Yoga Center, where he will give talks on spirituality in the modern age.Radhanath Swami is an amazing personality. In the 15 or so years that I've "known" him , he has

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-65513317203790986492007-05-16T13:27:00.000-04:002007-05-16T12:54:54.776-04:00

Criticism: Religious people love to "talk the talk" but rarely "walk the walk."Response: Pull on sneakers, grab a bottle of water, and hit the road.Bhaktin Nicole, an enthusiastic member of the Krishna NYC community based at 26 2nd Ave. has put together "Krishna Cares," a team of ISKCON devotees and friends who want to apply their faith by reaching out to others for a good cause.This Sunday, May

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-77729749354000392202007-05-15T11:21:00.000-04:002007-05-16T12:16:55.505-04:00

10 Things that Rocked My World During the Festival of Inspiration '07:Mahatma Prabhu's powerful presentation on keeping commitments and honoring vows. As a result, I have decided to get "re-initiated" (by the same Guru!) and re-new myself at the lotus feet of my Gurudeva. Oh, and I still can't shake that image of finally being face to face with Lord Krishna and Him saying "I don't know if I can

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-84986233393601093252007-05-13T22:37:00.000-04:002007-05-16T10:42:52.724-04:00

"twenty-nine years and my life is stilltrying to get up that great big hillof hopefor a destination..."(slightly paraphrased, 4 Non Blondes - "What's Going On?")Happy Birthday to me! So this year's "big day" is bittersweet: sweet because I'm in New Vrindaban with my family, getting blessings from wonderful devotees, constantly being reminded of the important things in life; bitter because I

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-60825491193331752622007-05-11T07:00:00.000-04:002007-05-14T16:41:41.028-04:00

Today, the Festival of Inspiration begins. I think it is one of the most exciting and, well, inspiring events I get to attend all year. This year, the roster is intentionally full of devotees who are usually not given "top billing." Some may find that a turn-off, and there may be some grumblings about "second-tier" speakers or "not having enough sannyasis" there.Personally, I think that this a

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-90700164427029143542007-05-06T22:36:00.000-04:002007-05-07T10:42:07.403-04:00

The driver of the car is always important, either in the car or without the car, but people in general are giving importance to the car only. They have no knowledge of the driver. The car requires petrol and the driver requires nice food. So people in general, when they see that we are not giving petrol to the driver, they are surprised... (His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada,

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-50132109034449399692007-05-03T11:39:00.000-04:002007-05-03T12:02:17.124-04:00

About a year ago, Children's Pressline (a "by kids, for kids" news agency) contacted me about doing a story on youth who mission (i.e. preach). I helped to set up interviews with two of our Pandava Sena all-stars -- Mohit and Gopika.The interviews were done and the story was eventually written. While googling something the other day, though, I discovered that somehow the story made

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-35468926832680550922007-05-02T10:28:00.000-04:002007-05-02T17:42:48.418-04:00

Happy May! Returning to the blog... feeling vaguely foolish for having ignored it for so many weeks, but old friends tend to be welcoming even when you've been gone for way too long.For some reason, April ends up being my busiest month of the year. With every trip, meeting, and conference that takes me away from home, I fall off the face of the Earth a little bit more.Some highlights of the month

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-19589617967559777082007-05-01T12:53:00.000-04:002007-05-08T12:55:23.311-04:00

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-17060422929954998442007-03-15T11:28:00.000-04:002007-03-15T12:53:16.667-04:00

Went to see the Namesake last night, Mira Nair's well-made film adaptation of Juhmpa Lahiri's superbly written novel.The film chronicles the Ganguli family, tracing their journeys from the arranged marriage of Ashima and Ashok to the relationship issues that haunt their son Gogol. Tabu was amazing as Ashima, Irfan Khan played a subtle and admirable Ashok, and Kalpen Modi (Harold and Kumar's Kal

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-48190757954074377882007-03-14T15:44:00.000-04:002007-03-26T12:48:38.796-04:00

"Of seasons I am flower-bearing Spring."(Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita, 10.35)Not many flowers yet. Still, today feels oddly, surprisingly, and wonderfully like Spring. The sun is out, the air is warm, and I can't help but feel up-beat.Strange how something like the weather can affect my mood so strongly. It brings to mind another allusion that Krishna makes to seasons in the Gita:"Oh son of

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-66711020604912764362007-03-09T10:09:00.000-05:002007-03-09T10:22:46.706-05:00

What is envy? Envy means, "I want to be seen as important and great and if anyone is a threat to my own egoistic idea, then there is negativity towards that person, perhaps in my thoughts, in my words, in my actions." But if devotees put as their goal -- as their aspiration -- humility, then there is no question of envy. Therefore the cardinal principle of Sri Caitanya's teachings is this verse

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-40707770192858764412007-03-07T14:25:00.000-05:002007-03-07T15:17:59.803-05:00

It took an army to do it, but I've finally been driven from my office. Okay, so it was an army of ants, but still... it was pretty traumatizing to have to flee with my laptop under my arm and my tail (or was that the adaptor cord?) between my legs.While googling ways to launch a humane counter-strike, I am also trying to meditate on whatever lessons Lord Krishna wants me to learn from all of

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1920559598630133182007-02-22T05:20:00.000-05:002007-02-22T07:16:32.686-05:00

The latest news: Britney Spears checks herself out of rehab (again) a few hours after she checked in (again). This, a week after she caused the world to collectively gasp by shaving her head.I'm concerned. No, not about Brit's career or reputation or even mental health. What's gotten me worried is the bad PR this brings to shaving one's head.To most people, if someone voluntarily shaves their

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-44455478282411205422007-02-13T10:30:00.000-05:002007-02-13T10:37:33.784-05:00

"I would say inter-religious communication by 6-year-old little girls is more significant than interfaith committees set up by the Vatican. Because there are many more little girls than there are theology professors."(Peter Berger; Professor of Sociology and Theology, Boston University)

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-80616456191819172222007-02-08T05:11:00.000-05:002007-02-08T14:50:15.398-05:00

One who seeks pleasure externally, he is materialist, and one who seeks pleasure internally, he is spiritualist.(Srila Prabhupada: Lecture, Los Angeles, February 8, 1969)Krishnadasa Kaviraja, a 16th century poet and biographer of Lord Caitanya, defines eloquence: "truth spoken concisely." Here, Srila Prabhupada cuts through hype and lays bare the dividing line between the materialist and

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-4537337090562415732007-01-31T12:47:00.000-05:002007-01-31T13:15:46.123-05:00

I admit it... I'm a bit obsessed with the notion of changing paradigms. As any one who has ever heard me give a Bhagavad-gita class knows, I invariably refer to buddhi yoga as the "yoga of shifting paradigms." So, when I saw that Religion News Service was carrying an essay entitled The End of Modern Paradigms by Episcopal priest and inspirational writer Tom Ehrich, I was intrigued and decided

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-72873313449002191632007-01-29T22:19:00.000-05:002007-01-29T22:43:58.384-05:00

Krsangi and I were determined to wake up early and start off the working week with a 16 round morning. Responsibly, we went to bed fairly early for us (before 11pm) and set the iHome alarm clock. And to get us into the right mood we set it to wake us up to the wonderful Morning Program sung by Sacinandana Swami and the other devotees from Govinda Verlag. If you don't already have this CD,

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-56077054980661122312007-01-26T09:28:00.000-05:002007-01-26T11:55:12.899-05:00

Well, its official: I am ill. No, not ill as in the seminal Beastie Boys lp Licensed to Ill (by the way, in the Fight for Your Right video, Adam Horovitz wears a phys. ed. shirt from my high school). I mean, I am seriously sick. No, not Sikh as in a member of the faith tradition founded by Guru Nanak in the 16th century. Whatever, you get my point.It started the day before yesterday with a

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1169673229958127342007-01-24T15:14:00.000-05:002007-01-24T16:13:49.976-05:00

Five plus five is equal to ten. Two plus two is equal to four. So Krishna plus everything is Vrndavana. Do not forget Krishna, and you shall always be in Vrndavana.(Srila Prabhupada: Letter to Ekendra, January 24, 1970)Srila Prabhupada has this charming way of making everything seem so simple, so utterly do-able. Just when the goal seems beyond reach; when Vrndavana (the Kingdom of God) seems

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1169615337751379382007-01-24T00:00:00.000-05:002007-01-24T00:08:57.756-05:00

Things I will miss about being in Dallas:Amazing prasadam.The breathtaking temple room, blue sky ceiling, and BG Sharma.Radha Kalachandji in Their night dress.Kalachandji’s salad bar, tamarind cooler drink, and cinnamon flavored sweet rice.Hanging out in TKG’s VIP room.Walking down the neat and orderly hallway in front of the temple.Reading the “Wall of Fame” articles.Bhaktimarga Swami and his

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1169614331782435872007-01-23T23:50:00.000-05:002007-01-23T23:59:21.700-05:00

I’m not sure exactly when I first read Animal Farm but I do know that my older sister brought it home from school as assigned reading. I devoured the small paperback – partly because it was good, mainly because reading my sister’s books made me feel like I was at least as smart as she. It was only several years later that I would truly appreciate how profound and insightful Orwell’s “fairy tale”

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1168656157036764542007-01-12T21:42:00.000-05:002007-01-12T21:42:38.286-05:00

Eat Your Damn OnionsHave you ever wondered why it is so hard to find onion-free snacks these days? The World Onion Council is at it again!

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1168621675543736782007-01-12T11:59:00.000-05:002007-01-12T12:07:55.546-05:00

I've been blogging (or trying to anyway), but I think a corrupted file (the Mahabharata video for anyone who tried to tune in) caused the site to freeze and my posts to be lost. So, back to the drawing board.I will re-consider the Vid of the Week category, and will get back to posting soon. In the mean time, please amuse yourself by reading this again.

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1167913799589439832007-01-04T05:10:00.000-05:002007-01-04T07:37:00.940-05:00

New Year's celebrations have always been a let-down for me. The dinner parties my parents sometimes hosted in my childhood -- which ended with us kids sipping cheap champagne, getting tipsy but generic blessings from uncles and aunties, and then spending the first few hours of the new year cleaning up after everyone -- could not hope to satisfy. As I grew older I developed my own tastes; the

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1167327922963870632006-12-28T12:30:00.000-05:002006-12-28T12:46:34.686-05:00

I just got off of the phone with Anuttama Prabhu, ISKCON's International Director of Communications (i.e. - my boss) and a dedicated disciple of Srila Prabhupada. It was an "ordinary" call -- the sort we have all the time -- where we touch base about ongoing projects and check in on tasks completed or those that need to be followed-up on. As we said our goodbyes, promising to talk again "sometime

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1167109247071458092006-12-26T00:00:00.000-05:002006-12-26T00:00:47.166-05:00

Chinese Food on ChristmasChristmas 2006: We had dinner at Veggie Heaven, our favorite Chinese vegetarian restaurant in Teaneck, NJ, and then went to the nearby movie theater to watch "Fast Food Nation." Teaneck is a very Jewish neighborhood, and both the restaurant and theater were quite busy. I guess the stereotype is pretty accurate! Yet something else that Jews and Hindus have in common!

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1167077995477125292006-12-25T15:19:00.000-05:002006-12-25T15:19:55.483-05:00

The 12 Days of Christmas... Indian StyleNeedless to say, the fourth day is my favorite. :-) Merry Christmas everyone!

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1167077636516221332006-12-25T14:56:00.000-05:002006-12-25T15:15:05.516-05:00

An early New Year's Resolution: to get back to blogging, to become disciplined in my writing, to use this technology to stay connected with myself and those closest to me, to avoid the temptation to start big and then fizzle out.So here I am. It is always difficult for me to return to the keyboard and blank screen after a period of inactivity. The screen and blinking cursor seem to demand a lot,

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1164930504399111842006-11-30T18:31:00.000-05:002006-11-30T18:48:24.666-05:00

"So what's up with the whole 'no onion and garlic' thing?" Read below and find out...From Kurma Prabhu: You may know that onions and garlic are botanical members of the Allium family - along with leeks, chives and shallots. According to Ayurveda, India's classic medical science, foods are grouped into three categories - sattvic, rajasic and tamasic - foods in the modes of goodness, passion and

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1161111460420850882006-10-17T14:47:00.000-04:002006-10-17T15:00:01.376-04:00

In response to From Hinduism to Krishna Consciousness: Steven J. Rosen’s New Book Bridges the Gap ... It would be interesting to know whether Steven Rosen included in his book, all the remarks that Srila Prabhupada made about Hinduism. The Krishna Consciousness Movement is not a Hindu movement; that’s clearly the message we get from Srila Prabhupada’s various statements on the subject. What is

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1160886316674214862006-10-15T00:22:00.000-04:002006-10-15T00:27:23.493-04:00

Right now in Vrindavan

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1159884629544699082006-10-03T10:04:00.000-04:002006-10-03T10:10:29.643-04:00

H.H. Radhanath SwamiSri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir (Brooklyn, NY)Sunday Feast Lecture – September 10, 2006 The Essence of Religion:Living up to Srila Prabhupada’s Expectations (Please note: To retain the mood of the class, I have presented it in the first person. However, this is a summary re-telling of Radhanath Swami's class, based on notes I took while Maharaj was speaking. It is not a

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1158865994400642592006-09-21T15:08:00.000-04:002006-09-21T15:13:14.420-04:00

H.H. Radhanath SwamiSri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir (Brooklyn, NY)Sunday Feast Lecture – September 10, 2006The Essence of Religion: Defeating the terrorists within the heart(Please note: To retain the mood of the class, I have presented it in the first person. However, this is a summary re-telling of Radhanath Swami's class, based on notes I took while Maharaj was speaking. It is not a verbatim

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1158612285270282052006-09-18T16:41:00.000-04:002006-09-18T16:44:45.276-04:00

read this today and it hit me like a brick wall... Tomorrow never comes. The present moment is the only reality. Now is the time for God consciousness. It doesn’t mean becoming a devotee. It means, sincerely and intensely, as a devotee, calling out for Krishna, putting Krishna first in our life, first in our family, first in our business, first in everything. It means that there is nothing else

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1158611025313092812006-09-18T16:20:00.000-04:002006-09-18T16:24:35.850-04:00

What in the world is going on in Vrindavan? Amul or Chaitanya... please comment with some accurate info... from DNA - India: Protests over dressing up of Krishna idol VRINDAVAN: Shopkeepers downed shutters as protests, against the alleged dressing up of Lord Krishna idol in the famous Banke Bihari temple here in T-shirt, jeans and holding a mobile phone in his hand instead of a flute, spilled

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1157783152982967932006-09-09T02:12:00.000-04:002006-09-09T02:25:52.993-04:00

A Letter to Bhakti-tirtha SwamiKyoto, JapanAugust 2006Dear Bhakti-tirtha Maharaj,Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Your Holiness.I’ve been thinking of you a lot here, Maharaj, and so I decided to write. I’m at the World Assembly of Religions for Peace, being held in Kyoto, Japan. It is going well so far, but I admit that I am still very new to

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1157781828829806662006-09-09T01:10:00.000-04:002006-09-09T02:03:49.766-04:00

more backposting...The World AssemblyBack in June, when Anuttama Prabhu and I were discussing the possibility of me attending this event, I had voiced some concern as to whether it would justify the cost and effort involved to send me. I felt flattered to have been selected as a delegate, and eager to represent ISKCON in a positive and cooperative forum, but I also worried that this would end up

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1157388641737324452006-09-04T12:30:00.000-04:002006-09-04T12:50:41.756-04:00

The Best Meal I Never AteThis story is of the best meal I never ate. If that sounds confusing, I will ask your indulgence and patience – I hope to explain everything soon enough. But, first let me assure you that what is written about here is true. The photographic evidence is true. The names have been changed to protect the guilty. The experience was real. And, yes, it was funny. Our story

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1157143734462371162006-09-01T16:15:00.000-04:002006-09-01T17:08:02.063-04:00

I'm back in the States, but backposting old posts from my journal in Japan. Hope you like them....vbd.Our last day in Hiroshima – filled with an odd but fitting mixture of emotions. First, we received a sober reminder of war. After hearing a survivor’s first-hand account, we toured the Hiroshima museum, which offered a fascinating and well-crafted history of the city and its infamous bombing.

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156784919959085602006-08-28T13:08:00.000-04:002006-08-28T13:08:39.963-04:00

My Hotel Room in Kyoto Episode 3 of 3Here is the shocking conclusion... not to be missed. And in case you haven't figured it out, this is episode 3 of 3 (please please please watch them IN ORDER)...

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156784580984937202006-08-28T13:03:00.000-04:002006-08-28T13:03:00.986-04:00

My Hotel Room in Kyoto Episode 2 of 3Just when you thought it was safe... here's episode 2 of 3 (please watch them IN ORDER)...

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156784449764696302006-08-28T13:00:00.000-04:002006-08-28T13:00:50.040-04:00

My Hotel Room in Kyoto - episode 1This video is from a few days ago, but I couldn't get it uploaded until just now. Anyway, enjoy. This is episode 1 of 3 (watch them IN ORDER)...

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156501392923406202006-08-25T06:23:00.000-04:002006-08-25T06:23:14.303-04:00

Japanese Bhangara?What happens when a Sikh guy gets invited to join into a traditional Hiroshima folk dance? Japanese Bhangara, thats what! Props to Ipninder Singh and the RFP NA Youth Crew.

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156293427994605142006-08-22T20:00:00.000-04:002006-08-22T20:37:08.006-04:00

I usually have a hard time explaining to friends and family precisely what it is that I do. When I was at the D.A.'s office it was a bit easier... most people are somewhat familiar with what prosecutors do (thanks to Law and Order mostly). But what exactly does a communications director do? And once we figure that out, what does a communications director for ISKCON do?Some think that I'm a P.R

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156286988867880652006-08-22T13:37:00.000-04:002006-08-22T18:51:22.746-04:00

This evening, I was honored to deliver the Hindu prayer during the Prayers for Peace Ceremony, in memory of the people killed by the atomic bomb 61 years ago, at the Peace Park in Hiroshima.The prayers I recited were as follows:harih om purnam adah purnam idam purnat purnam udacyate purnasya purnam adaya purnam evavasisyate harih om svasty astu vishvasya, khalah prasidatam dhyayantu bhutani,

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156291048338836202006-08-21T19:57:00.000-04:002006-08-22T19:59:39.236-04:00

Sarkar TrailerFor those who haven't seen it yet, here's a glimpse.

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156288850048484132006-08-21T18:51:00.000-04:002006-08-22T19:20:50.060-04:00

Diary of a Traveling VBD - The Japan FilesDay 2: HiroshimaWe got into Hiroshima last night via bullet train, a very fast ride that I mainly slept through. Sleepily wandering into the hotel lobby, I was stunned to see that I would be staying in a virtual palace. My service with ISKCON Commnications has allowed me to stay in various grades of hotels from time to time. But this is perhaps the

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156244479339104342006-08-21T06:57:00.000-04:002006-08-22T19:52:17.676-04:00

Traveling a lot, I'm beginning to find, means going to sleep in different beds and at different times. One particularly disturbing feling is waking up in a hotel room and not knowing where -- what country, city, or room -- you are in. Its happened to me more than once.Still, sometimes I have little problem with this, sleeping like a log wherever I happen to lay down. Other times, I toss and

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156140151320185292006-08-21T01:53:00.000-04:002006-08-21T02:02:31.323-04:00

At a music instrument store, I got to sample the latest DJ equipment, including an amazing Technics CD turntable. I spent 30 minutes scratching, looping, and re-living my DJ college days. Because the Japanese are unbelievably polite, nobody bothered me, and a small crowd of Japanese children even gathered around me like I was a superstar!But all that Dj'ing made me hungry. So, I head to the

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156139557655605662006-08-21T01:46:00.000-04:002006-08-21T01:52:37.656-04:00

A lot of Japanese people wear funky t-shirts that say random English phrases. For a people who don’t speak English much, they sure do love to wear it! Here are some gems I was able to snap some shots of. (Click on each one for a better view)

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156138735006065032006-08-20T01:13:00.000-04:002006-08-21T01:42:25.996-04:00

Diary of a Traveling VBD: Day 1 in Japan While I am on a 10-day business trip to Japan, attending the World Assembly organized by Religions for Peace, a powerful interreligious NGO.I’m writing this from the famous Japan “bullet train,” which is carrying me and my Religions for Peace colleagues from Osaka to Hiroshima. A 5 hour drive, the “super-express” (which is what the Japanese call the

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739432.post-1156057268682206792006-08-19T03:00:00.000-04:002006-08-21T01:45:47.583-04:00

Haribol! After a brief stay on the darkside, I've relocated to Blogspot. Welcome me to the nighborhood, and look out for me here.love,VPS: If anyone knows how to do categories on here, please let me know.

Vineethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08141859095313185700noreply@blogger.com3