The Spirit of Giving: Making a Positive Impact Beyond Beliefs

At TH3 LOT, we want to see the world at its best. This project exists for this purpose, because we are all in this human experience together, the lot of us! Our project is based on Seva and Harinama Sankirtan (kirtan) principles, which aim to inspire kindness and love and ultimately kindle the brilliantly shining spiritual aspirations of the living being. In this article, we will briefly break down our project, its meaning, what is prasadam and Harinama, and the impact we hope to have on YOU and the rest of the world.

Seva: Selfless service

At TH3 LOT, we understand that serving others is an act of kindness and a way to connect with our spiritual selves. Our mission is to distribute freshly cooked, nutritious, sanctified vegetarian food offered in love and devotion to the divine (Krishna prasadam) to villages in and around Sri Dham Mayapur, ultimately building kinder, more connected communities. And the best part is, we become so peaceful and joyful!

We started this project to improve the world (starting with ourselves!). Our approach is simple yet profound – prasadam and Harinama. Through prasadam and the Holy Names, we hope to create a powerful impact and demonstrate how this simple process can create loving exchanges and a deep sense of community among all beings.

How will we do it? One meal at a time.

What is prasad?

Why do we do this service? For us, it's not just about providing food to those who need it most but also about spreading joy and happiness. We believe food offered to Krishna becomes prasad or a sacred offering, and by sharing it with others, we are spreading divine blessings and love. This act of service is not just about providing physical nourishment, which is essential, but also about nourishing the soul and uplifting the spirits of those we serve.

It's not just about how this service makes us feel but also how it makes others feel. We have seen firsthand the impact of a simple meal on someone's day and life. The gratitude and happiness we receive from those we serve are truly humbling and inspiring. We believe that this service can make a real difference in the lives of those we reach by providing a sense of community and connection and giving them hope and support in times of need.

One of this project's most powerful aspects is the joy it brings to both the giver and the receiver. When we serve Prasad, we provide physical nourishment and spiritual upliftment. Seeing the smiles of those who receive the Prasad is a reminder of the power of kindness and generosity. Moreover, giving can be deeply fulfilling and transformative for those who serve.

We understand that not everyone may be interested in the religious aspect of our work, but we believe that anyone can appreciate the joy of serving others. It is a way to connect with others deeper, show empathy and compassion, and make the world better, one small act at a time. We want to encourage all of you, whether you are a Hare Krishna devotee or not, to get involved in our mission, spread kindness and love, and positively impact your communities.

The beating heart of this project

At the heart of our project is two facets:

1. The idea of seva, or selfless service.
2. Harinama sankirtan or “Kirtan” – musical mantra meditation.

Seva is a Sanskrit word that means service. By serving prasad with a spirit of love and devotion, we hope to inspire others to join us in serving humanity. We believe that through the act of service, we can cultivate a sense of compassion and empathy towards others, which can lead to a more connected and harmonious world.

Hare Krishna kirtan is a form of devotional sound meditation. It involves singing and chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, a sacred prayer understood to bring material and especially spiritual benefits to those who chant it. The mantra goes like this: "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare."

Kirtan is usually performed in a group setting, with participants sitting or standing, often in a circle, and singing the mantra together in a call-and-response style. The kirtan is often accompanied by traditional Indian instruments like the mridanga (a type of drum) and the harmonium (a type of keyboard).

Even for someone not religious, kirtan is a powerful and uplifting experience. The music is typically joyful and energetic, and the repetition of the mantra is a powerful form of meditation that helps calm and purify the mind and consciousness and brings a sense of inner peace and divine connection. Many people also find that the sense of community and togetherness that comes with singing, dancing, and chanting in a group is a positive and uplifting experience. Kirtan also creates a joyful and uplifting atmosphere, even after finishing the kirtan.

Beyond Religious Boundaries

While our project is rooted in the spiritual tradition of Gaudia Vaisnavism, we believe that serving others transcends any particular religious or cultural boundary. We aim to create a more inclusive and compassionate world where everyone feels valued and supported. Whether you are a devotee of Krishna or simply someone who wants to make a positive impact, we invite you to join us in this mission of love and service.

This project has universal aspects that people from all backgrounds and religions can appreciate. Practically we are experiencing the transformative effect of this service on the mind and consciousness, leaving us excited and uplifted.

Is it not a universal principle to connect to a higher power, regardless of religious or cultural background? We are not confined to any particular belief system or dogma; anyone can experience what we describe. Actually, we dream of inspiring YOU to do a similar project, wherever you are, to see the world as a better place.

One of the main benefits of seva and kirtan is the ability to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety. In today's fast-paced world, where many people struggle with mental health issues, TH3 LOT can provide peace and inner calm.

Kirtan is also a powerful form of meditation that can help individuals focus their minds and connect with their inner selves. By chanting with devotion and sincerity, individuals can develop a deeper connection to their spiritual nature, leading to greater self-awareness and a sense of purpose in life.

Another aspect of TH3 LOT is the sense of community and togetherness that it fosters. We are experiencing a great sense of unity and connection among the participants. Not just the team that cooks, sings and distributes but the local village people who honor us by accepting our offerings. This communal sense creates a powerful energy that everyone can feel, regardless of their spiritual beliefs.

We found that what we do at TH3 LOT can also benefit everyday life. By cultivating a sense of inner peace and connection to a higher power, we can approach our daily tasks with greater clarity and focus, increasing productivity and success in our endeavors.
The universality of TH3 LOT lies in its ability to connect individuals, regardless of their religious or cultural background. By serving with dedication and sincerity, we are experiencing a sense of inner peace and purpose. We want you to be a part of it too.

Summary

We wanted to leave a few dot points here to summarise what we spoke about

Seva and prasad

• Seva is the act of selfless service, which cultivates compassion and empathy towards others.
• Serving Prasad with a spirit of love and devotion inspires others to join the mission of serving humanity.
• Through the act of service, a more connected and harmonious world can be achieved.
• Serving Prasad provides both physical nourishment and spiritual upliftment.
• Giving can be deeply fulfilling and transformative for those who serve.
• Our project transcends any particular religious or cultural boundary, creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Kirtan

• Harinama Sankirtan, or "Kirtan," is a form of devotional sound meditation.
• The repetition of the Hare Krishna mantra is a powerful form of meditation that helps to calm and purify the mind and consciousness.
• Kirtan creates a joyful and uplifting atmosphere that brings people together.

Conclusion and future goals

We want to buy land and grow a lot of food for our cooking. We would also want an industrial-grade kitchen, and within a 10-mile radius of Mayapur, we would not want one living being to go hungry every day. We also dream of TH3 LOT as a place where people can come and stay together, share their skills, and have a community of like-minded, genuine, loving, and sweet humans. We would want TH3 LOT to be a model to the rest of the world on how to live. Perhaps we are just dreaming, and that’s okay. It’s nice to dream sometimes. We know however far we get along the pipeline of our dream, every step is positive and wonderful.

Ultimately, we hope our project can create a ripple effect of goodness and kindness, inspiring others to serve in their communities. We may not be able to solve all the world's problems, but we believe that we can make a real difference by starting small and serving with love. So let us unite and serve with open hearts and a spirit of generosity.