As you can probably guess from the image I'm a big United fan. Most of you are probably thinking he's one of them...but NO! I'm not one of those glory hunters, I was actually at the Nou Camp when United won the treble (jealous aren't you?). Anyway Recently one of my mates from University went to watch the Arsenal Vs. Newcastle game and was telling me what an exciting mtach it was, the atmosphere, the live game, the intensity and from there I realised how similar it was to what I usually do....but at the temple.

Football fans have a place of worship..their stadium like Old Trafford, The Emirates etc and we have our place of worship...the temple! Football fans wear the colours of their team to show their support and show pride in their tradition..we wear dhotis, sari's(for the girls) and tilak to please their Lordships and represent our practices, beliefs and culture. Football fans chant the names of their players, victory songs, chants for when they score to boost their teams moral and show their support..we chant the holy names of Krsna! Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!

We can notice here that the same process is used to try to make us happy, the difference is one has Krsna in the centre. All we have to do is place Krsna in the centre of our activities and our lives will be come successful. When discussing this analogy in a boys sangha, Nanda Gopa Prabhu also added a very nice point, that box seats, to get up close to the sports stars that you love are not cheap and supporters pay a hefty sum for these locations. Similarly, spiritual advancement and realisation is not cheap and we must take to Krsna Consciousness sincerely and seriously and Krsna will reciprocate unlimitedly...and you will be a winner..your team could lose on any day.

Free Running - Overcoming Obstacles

'Free running' is one of the fastest growing physical arts in which participants (free-runners) use the urban and rural areas to perform movements through its structures focused on freedom and beauty. Jumping, leaping, diving and surviving, they travel rapidly using modern acrobatics and street stunts over what would seem to the untrained eye an obstacle or blockage in the normal path. I did something very similar recently, not on the streets but in the mind.

It's been a long time since my last blog. Maybe because a lot has happened since then. Krishna's blessings and tests come in all shapes and sizes (like buildings and walls) but the defining factor is the way in which we deal with them. Through innovative techniques, stable discipline and positive focus the 'Free runners' overcome such dangerous obstacles. Our attitude is more important than we think and with it we can change something we feel is negative into something incredibly positive. If we see all good and bad things happening as a reason to take more shelter of Krishna then our life can be successful. No matter wether something looks simple or difficult the 'Free runners' find a way of overcoming the scenario intelligently. Summer is nearly coming to an end but it's usually a time when everyone's smiling, happy and enjoying life..well usually. And in these times we often get so carried away we don't think about God, Krishna or anything else for that matter. If instead we took out some time to thank Krishna and try to understand that everything going well is only due to Krishna's will and not our own doing then we can please Krishna. Because we all know that no matter how hard we try to make things right in life most of the time they just don't work out which shows us that someone else is in control. But if we acknowledge and appreciate the person in control, Krishna the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our dearest, closest and best friend then he is pleased and we are also happy because we have pleased him. When put up against a slightly more difficult situation we may not be able to see a way over it or reasoning behind it but once again by taking more shelter of Krishna we are able to cleverly tackle the situation at hand.

So how to take more shelter of Krishna you may ask? The best way is through the ABCD of Krisna Consciousness. ASSOCIATION - Spending more time with devotees, discussing Krishna Consciousness topics and regular conversations about life and how to improve. BOOKS - Srila Prabhupada has given us an abundance of Krishna through his books with philosophy, pastimes and prayers. CHANTING - "If one chants the holy name of the Lord, 'even in a helpless condition or without desiring to do so, all the reactions of his sinful life depart, just as when a lion roars, all the small animals flee in fear.'' DIET - Eating Krishna Prashadam (food offered to Krishna) purifies us immensely as it is Karma free and non-different from the Lord himself.

Any major sports star, celebrity or free runner will state that in terms of their career discipline is very important. If we maintain regular chating, reading and association with devotees we are developing our relationship with Krishna and this will help us in all obstacles, education, work, relationships, spiritual, EVERYTHING!

Keep CHANTING and a positive attitude because KRISHNA is the supreme controller and he has given us his DIVINE holy names.