FAQ
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask a volunteer at Krishna House.
What is Krishna Consciousness?
Krishna consciousness means making one’s entire life karma-free by doing everything for God’s pleasure. We in the Krishna consciousness movement are presenting the teachings of Bhagavad-gita that there is one God, who we happen to call Krishna. Krishna means “all-attractive,” as is any concept of the Divine. In Krishna consciousness, everything and anything can become a devotional meditation. Striving for Krishna consciousness, or God consciousness, opens the door to a life of purpose, value, happiness, and satisfaction.
Why Vegetarian?
Meat production devastates the Earth. Animals are fellow living entities. Eating meat degrades both the body and the spirit. Why not vegetarian? It is healthy, inexpensive, sustainable, and sumptuously delicious when properly prepared. Along with its other benefits, Krishna Lunch demonstrates how one can live a healthier life for oneself, others, and the planet without meat.
Why chant Hare Krishna?
There are many ways to answer this question as the chanting of Hare Krishna is a simple yet dynamic process.
Chanting Hare Krishna is a sacred sound meditation. What we chant is called the Hare Krishna mahamantra. There are many mantras found in the ancient texts, and all mantras have the power to transform. ‘Maha’ means great. In the word mantra, ‘man’ means mind and ‘tra’ means to free or to deliver. In sum total, the Hare Krishna mahamantra is the great mantra to help free the mind. In this day in age especially, the mind seems to be wandering constantly. Simply by chanting Hare Krishna, we can limit the mind’s chatter and focus on what is really important.
Through the power of sound vibration, which scientifically has subtle effects in all arenas of life, the mahamantra is purifying. Leading to a decrease in stress and an increase in happiness, chanting is a natural meditation that engages the senses and the mind and helps reveal our true spiritual identity.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
The revealed texts from the world traditions describe the chanting of God’s names. Hare, Krishna, and Rama are all names for the same Source.
Hare: Divine compassion
Krishna: all-attractive
Rama: the source of all spiritual happiness
The unlimited nature of the Divine also means Divine names are unlimited. Chanting Hare Krishna is a non-sectarian practice. Whether chanting Allah, Buddha, Jesus, Jehovah, Yahweh, Rama, or Krishna, the purpose is to develop love and connection. We find connection in chanting Hare Krishna and wish to share that with all.