 The highest prayer is the prayer to become a selfless instrument in God’s hands. As Saint Francis prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.” He prayed not to receive, but to give.  Jose Mujica, dubbed the "world's poorest president" for his significant contributions to the needy, considers himself anything but.  From the album "Prayers by Women" by Karnamrita Dasi.  It's quite natural for those of faith to turn towards God during difficult times. Even if one has a regular spiritual practice, their practice can increase and improve during times of difficulty.  Every year, ISKCON's European Governing Commission choses and awards the best performing devotees in many different fields, including book distribution, outreach, pujari service end event organizing.  Construction Company Gammon India and chairman Ambarisa Das (Alfred B. Ford) have addressed concerns raised by a former employee about the structural stability of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, India.  ISKCON of Alachua, Florida -- the largest Vaishnava community in North America with nearly 500 congregational families -- has began work on a new Master Plan for its future development. For many years, the community simply grew organically. But when its board recently discovered that they could no longer expand due to county agricultural zoning rules, they met with a civil engineer to discuss the process of changing their zoning and developing a Master Plan.  Aniruddha dasa, a second-generation devotee leader from Nigeria died as a result of a car accident a few days ago. His passing is a great loss for the Vaishnava community and especially for the Hare Krishna devotees in West Africa and the Communications Ministry world-wide. Born in a Vaishnava family and University trained, Aniruddha was all that we could hope for in our next generation of ISKCON leaders.  The rioters were incensed over an issue arguably as old as India itself: the eating of beef.  One in three Americans, including many with no little children and those with no religious identity, say they pretend Santa will visit their house on Christmas Eve.  Parsley is a well-know herb that most people think of as just a garnish. But there is more to parsley than meets the eye.  A 1.8 million-year-old skull found in Georgia could turn current understanding of evolution on its head.  Radhanath Swami has been a member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) since 1996. For the past twenty-five years, besides guiding the development of the ISKCON Chowpatty community in Mumbai, Radhanath Swami has directed a number of acclaimed social action projects including Midday Meals, daily serving over 250,000 plates of pure vegetarian food to the children in the slums of Mumbai. He has also worked to establish missionary hospitals and eye camps, eco-friendly farms, schools and ashrams, an orphanage, and a number of emergency relief programs throughout India. A valuable member of the Strategic Planning Initiatives, he is a part of the Devotee Care Committee. Hear what Radhanath Swami has to say about the Strategic Planning Meetings and how it brings leaders together from around the world to come up with solutions for real issues in our society.  "Madiba, you had a unique ability to rise above all political, ethnic, tribal and religious barriers to help the citizens of this country identify as one people, as South Africans."  Anuttama Dasa has been a member of ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) since 2000 and is also the Minister for ISKCON Communications. His vision for the future of ISKCON is that it will mature and grow to be a respected and influential culture and religion around the world. A valuable member of the Strategic Planning Initiatives, he is involved in both the Communications and Succession Committees  Nelson Mandela gives an historic address at Riverside Church in New York City as part of an interfaith "Service of Thanksgiving for Nelson Mandela" on July 2nd, 1990. Odyssey Networks (VISN at the time) recorded his remarks that were broadcast across major networks at the time. | 
