Institute for Vaishnava Studies

The Srimad Bhagavatam, or Bhagavata Purana, described as containing the distilled knowledge of all the ancient Vedas combined, is one of the primary scriptures included in the curriculum at the Institute for Vaishnava Studies (IVS) .  The intention of the Srimad Bhagavatam is to invoke a revolution in the hearts of a misdirected civilization.  The philosophy and history contained within offer us a profound cultural presentation for the respiritualization of human society.  It is said that by regular attendance in classes on the Srimad Bhagavatam, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed.

Anxiously anticipating the arrival of this year’s residents, we are hopeful that, as instructors, we can thoroughly convey the meaning and significance of these literatures, commonly classified as the bhakti-sastris (ie. Bhagavad-gita, Sri Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion, and Nectar of Instruction).  Bhakti-sastri refers to those those Vedic literatures specifically describing the processes of bhakti yoga.  It is understood that all religions practice yoga, defined as various processes of remembering our relationship with the Absolute Truth.  Bhakti yoga is a unique path in that it stresses devotional service as the primary means of attaining self-realization, inner-peace, happiness, and the culmination of religion itself. 

As a recognized student center within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Krishna House strives to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalances of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace throughout the world.  We warmly invite you to join us at Krishna House this year and enroll in the many yoga classes we have to offer.   

On April 19th, we celebrated our first Institute for Vaishnava Studies (IVS) graduation ceremony.  Held at the historic Thomas Center in downtown Gainesville, the ceremony was attended by all of our students, teachers, staff members, friends & family.  After receiving their certificates, each student shared their appreciation and gratitude for IVS.  How proud we were to watch these amazing young people dedicate their year towards inquiring, personally defining, and practicing bhakti yoga!

Applications have been pouring in and we are pleased to announce a full roster for next year’s class.  Because the program is steadily growing in both interest and participation, next year’s program will include more classes, retreats, recreation activities, and applied learning experiences.  Thank you to the IVS family for continuing to support and provide for this exciting opportunity for young students to maximize their college experience, prepare for a dynamic future, and fulfill their life-long dreams.

This year’s IVS alternative spring break featured a special opportunity to volunteer at the ISKCON Atlanta temple, where we helped the ISKCON community prepare for Gaura Purnima, one of the biggest festivals celebrated annually on the Vaishnava calendar.  Because our days were mostly spent in the kitchen, cleaning the temple, and organizing the temple grounds, morning and evening Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita classes were especially relishable.  Lots of chanting, lots of association with saintly people, a day of fasting, subsequent feasting, and a weekend spent camping and hiking at Vogel State Park, turned out to be a perfect recipe for a rejuvenating spring break. 

Next year, IVS students will partake in one spiritual retreat per month during the academic school year.  This year’s retreat sites included Rainbow Springs, Goldhead Branch State Park, and Ocala National Forest.  In addition to a week-long alternative spring break, students will have an opportunity to travel to India during the winter break. 

 As a recognized students center within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Krishna House strives to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and and peace throughout the world.  If you share these same goals and are seeking something fresh in the fall, the IVS experience may be exactly what you are looking for. 

The Bhagavad-gita defines intelligence as the ability to differentiate between spirit and matter, that which is temporary and that which is eternal.  Krishna explains as one changes clothes similarly we change bodies that the end of live, in that our bodies are temporary whereas our souls remain eternal.  New bodies are awarded according to the desires and activities of one’s previous birth.  We can see that in the absence of this knowledge, our society has become obsessed by the pursuit of temporary gains, such as better bodies, nicer cars, bigger houses, more clothes, larger incomes, etc.  But where can one go to learn about the real meaning of life, far beyond the demands of materialism and comsumer culture?

At the Institute for Vaishnava Studies, we provide education to students who are interested in discovering an alternative way of living.  By studying ancient books of knowledge like the Bhagavad-gita, we learn that the highest degree of freedom is found when we do not identify ourselves according to gender, ethnicity, color, creed, economic class, IQ, etc.  But what is the alternative?

We extend an open invitation to anyone in the community to attend our classes for further discussion and explanation of these ideas.  Our morning class is a continuous study of the Srimad Bhagavatam, an Indo-European scripture over 5,000 years old.  Srila Prabhupada explains in the introduction of this text that it is a “transcendental creation meant to bring about a revolution in the impious life of a misdirected civilization.”  Do you have a need for knowledge?

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

With the beginning of a new presidential term and an impregnating sense of hope for the future, we at the Institute for Vaishnava Studies (IVS) would like to recognize the historical precedence of mantra meditation as a practical means of effecting change in global consciousness.  Think globally, chant locally.

Mohandas Gandhi, who served as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s most influential mentor, also recognized the power of mantra.  The understanding is that sustainable change must begin in the consciousness and hearts of the individuals within every community.  By chanting, we can purify our own hearts and minds and together become liberated from the actions of anger, greed, and selfishness.  But until this happens, we will be victims of our own false ego and self-inflicted violence.

At IVS, students take classes in mantra meditation, studying its historical infuence and importance in today’s world, along with learning different styles and techniques of chanting.  Mantra meditation is limited neither by time, place, nor circumstance, and can be softly whispered or sung aloud, practiced alone or together in a group.  If you are interested in learning how to chant for change, please visit us at Krishna House for one of our morning or evening classes.  

With the spring semester just around the corner, we would like to remind everyone who is interested in enrolling in the Institute for Vaishnava Studies that now is the time to contact us and arrange for a visit, interview, and application.  While preference is given to local students and residents of Gainesville, there are a number of additional spaces available for national and international students. 

For further information, please contact Ali Krsna dd at raddera@gmail.com. 

This past November, a new phenomena has been sighted throughout downtown Gainesville.  It’s called Metro Yoga and can only be found in select cosmopolitan centers like Paris, New York, London, and Rome.  But thanks to Krishna House, Metro Yoga is now in Gainesville. 

Metro Yoga is the simplest and most sublime form of meditation that yoga has to offer today’s modern world.  The technique and theory can be described in the following words- Just Dance, Chant, & Be Happy!- it’s that simple.  If you can walk, you can dance.  If you can talk, you can sing.  Feed your soul, stay in shape, and have a blast doing both at the same time.

Thanks to Krishna House, downtown Gainesville has a lot more to offer its residents on Friday nights.  If you would like to participate or find out more information, please e-mail Ali at raddera@gmail.com or come meet us on Fridays in front of Krishna House @ 9 PM.  Bring instruments and comfortable shoes for dancing.  Free event.

Welcome to the new homepage of the Institute for Vaishnava Studies (IVS).  Located in Gainesville, Florida, the IVS is an extension of services offered to the community through the Krishna House, a non-for-profit educational center widely known for serving Krishna Lunch on the UF campus for over 30 years. Please browse through our new homepage and take advantage of the new classes and enhanced educational opportunities currently being offered to the larger Gainesville community.