Dear friends of Goloka Dhama,

As I write this newsletter, the new year is just a few days old and the impressions of the turn of the year are still so fresh that I would like to share them with you.

From 28 December to 1 January 2025, we hosted the Sanga Mela in the temple. Sanga means gathering or community, mela means "festival" and just as people celebrate at the end of the year, at least in the Christian and Jewish cultures, a few years ago Goloka Dhama thought of offering a spiritual alternative. That's how the said "holy festival" came about, so to speak, a festival where you can have spiritual fellowship.

Around 220 guests came to chant the Holy Name together and let the words of Sacinandana Swami inspire their hearts and minds. A festival like this is always food for the soul. And it is simply the most beautiful way to enter the New Year, away from the hustle and bustle of the streets, chanting together and welcoming Sri Sri Madana Mohana at midnight. These are such important impressions that characterise the new year. This is the essence that we can remember again and again, every day.

Srila Prabhupada once said: "Every day is the beginning of a year. The more we immerse ourselves in Krishna consciousness, the more everything appears new again and again!" There is nothing old as long as we keep Krishna alive in our lives and keep looking for him when we don't see him.

In his New Year's address, Sacinandana Swami posed the question: What is it that the world needs most? And what do we need most urgently?

"My answer is twofold," he said: "Firstly, the world desperately needs compassionate citizens who care about the planet. Second, each of us needs to cultivate compassion within ourselves - not just to "save the world" but to save ourselves from a narrow, self-centred life. Compassion harmonises our personal needs with the collective needs of humanity, creating a joyful dance that can uplift all who encounter it."

He told a story about a group of children in Africa who were invited to an "orange race" in which the winner received a whole basket of oranges. The children did something completely unexpected: they joined hands, ran to the basket together and divided the oranges equally! When asked why they didn't compete for the prize so that the winner could get all the oranges, they smiled and said: "Ubuntu! How can we be happy when our friends are sad?"

A Western anthropologist studying the tribe found that Ubuntu means "I am because we are". In other words: We are all connected and need each other. Fulfilment and happiness are never a task for one person alone. They are out of the hands of selfish people who try to grab and hold on to them.

The attitude of a devotee is always to be concerned about the well-being of the whole universe. How can I be well if even one being around me is not well? But if I can do something so that this being is also well, then we can all be happy and this happiness knows no bounds.

When God manifests Himself in the world, He manifests Himself in the form of compassion. Krishna is love and we too - me, you, everyone - have Krishna and thus pure love in our hearts. Of course, we are covered beings and therefore our love is also covered, just as fire is covered by smoke. But I can purify my heart and thus reawaken the love that expresses itself in compassion for other beings. We are called to place this year under the sign of "courageous compassion". Why courageous?

Compassion means putting myself in the other person's shoes with the question: Why is he/she acting like this? Can I understand the other person's perspective? That doesn't mean I have to approve, but seeing the other person without judgement... that is compassion. Understanding that the other person has their reasons and points of view - as a result of their story. I simply ask: What is the other person thinking? What is the other person experiencing right now? What does the other person need right now? How can I help? Seeing the other person without judging them. It's not about how I see the situation. All too often I put myself at the centre and assume that my perspective is the right one.

So I have to step out of my usual comfort zone, and that also requires a certain amount of courage. At this moment, it's about the other person, not about me.

• Am I really listening to the other person? Or am I already formulating my answer in my mind?Can I give myself to the other person, recognise their feelings and needs? Or do I only have my similar experiences in mind and assume that the other person is experiencing the same or similar things?
• Can I see whether and what help the other person needs right now? Or do I have no time or enough work of my own to take care of the other person right now?

Who doesn't recognise these situations? I don't want to judge myself or anyone else, but rather start with myself and be empathetic towards myself. Only when I allow myself to feel, sense and regulate myself can I also be empathetic towards others.

We often want to take care of others, but are then overwhelmed by our own needs or circumstances. We then feel victimised and can no longer care for others. The world needs compassion the most, but so do I! As devotees, we can learn to give and trust that what I give will come back!

• Compassion has a great transformational power. As we can see in the scriptures, compassion is a very important element in unfolding our spiritual potential. What happens when you act with compassion?
• Compassion makes me less selfish. It loosens the hard knots of the false ego in my heart and frees me.
• Compassion broadens my perspective. It helps me to see the equality of all beings and fills me with happiness and spiritual insight.
• Compassion pleases Krishna. The Lord is pleased when I take care of His creatures.
• Compassion empowers me. It frees me from my helplessness in the face of the hurts and problems of the world.

• 28th December 2024 - 1st January 2025 Sangamela with H.H. Sacinandana Swami
• 1st - 6th January Be a monk challenge - digital detox with Rama Gopala and Divya Nama
• 2nd - 17th January Bhakti Vibe with EU volunteers
• 10th - 12th January 12 months - 12 teachers: Pranayama, Advaita Simha
• 7th - 12th February Sri Nityananda Trayodasi and Vyasa Puja Festival of HH Sacinandana Swami
• 21st - 23rd February 12 months - 12 teachers: Cooking for Krishna with Analakshita and Elias
• 14th - 16th March 12 Months - 12 Teachers: Energy Medicine - Healing in the 21st Century, Janajanmadi Wloka
• 11th - 13th April 12 months - 12 teachers: Exploring the Sacred Ramayana: The Heart of Hanuman - Courage and Selfless Service, Jaya Sacinandana
• 17th - 21st April Bhakti Immersion Retreat with HH Sacinandana Swami and Hari Parsad Prabhu
• 23rd - 27th April Be a monk challenge - digital detox with Rama Gopala and Divya Nama
• 1st May Open day
• 2nd - 4th May Bhakti Circle and Yin Yoga with Rama Gopala and Divya Nama
• 23rd - 25th May 12 months - 12 teachers: Japa Retreat with Gaurahari and Vaijayanti
• 30th May - 1st June Steps to Kirtan with Priya Manjari