In late October, the college students and Radhadesh devotees had a magnificent opportunity to hear about Srila Prabhupada from two senior devotees, Dhananjaya Prabhu and Vishakha Mataji. They both related their personal experiences of joining the Hare Krishna movement and performing services for Srila Prabhupada. They also spoke about famous pastimes they were involved in.Dhananjaya joined ISKCON in London in 1969. He had practiced devotional service for only a short time before Prabhupada visited London. When Srila Prabhupada gave an arrival address and then asked for questions, Dhananjaya had a burning question on his mind and was the first to raise his hand.

Kirtan plays a central role in the spiritual practices of the students. Many students have naturally developed expertise in playing instruments and singing by growing up in an atmosphere of dedication to spiritual life and inner growth.

Looking for an opportunity to enhance and enliven your spiritual life? Eager for a retreat in a remote and calmer environment? This three-week introductory course provides you with an opportunity to improve your meditation (japa), hear about the bhakti tradition, and learn about yoga postures.In this retreat you will learn more about the bhakti-sastras, especially Bhagavad-gita As It Is, deepen your knowledge of bhakti-yoga, and discuss philosophical topics. There will be ample time to experience simple living and high thinking with an emphasis on a balanced life and spiritual well-being. Allow yourself the time to retreat into more reflective rhythms and join other devotees in their learning, creativity, and other expressions of devotion to Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. After completing this bhakti-yoga retreat, you will be better prepared to further advance in your regular surroundings. Please join us!Course Contents Discussions on philosophical topics in the bhakti tradition Reflections on bhagavad-gita in the light of western thought Japa meditation and reception Yoga sessions and field trips Bhakti-yoga in practice Course Fee€ 195, including accommodation and prasadam. More information and registrationMangala Candrika Dasi, Bhaktivedanta College SecretaryTel.: +32 (0)86 32 32 77Email: college@pamho.netwww.bhaktivedantacollege.comBhaktivedanta CollegePetite Somme 56940 Septon (Durbuy)Belgium

Some may say that learning is about academic knowledge, while for others it is about building relationships. Both types of learning help produce the well-rounded Vaishnava graduates of Bhaktivedanta College, and the eighth freshman class is being given all resources to achieve this goal. At the inauguration ceremony, the college students and the Radhadesh community members sang and ate, laughed and applauded, and reflected upon and appreciated the Hare Krishna movement together. Some were there to be formally introduced to the community, and others were there to offer support, but all relished the event in the same mood: how to further Srila Prabhupada's mission.The college has seven new students (I am one), a new building in the middle stage of being completed, and is coming up with a new Bachelor's degree specialization. Yadunandana Swami, the Principal, is eager for these developments.

The eighth class of first-year students was warmly greeted during Orientation Week. Seven students, from all parts of the world, were welcomed to their new home for the next nine months. Introductions, bhajans, and prasada were highlights of the week, as was a self-development aspect of the college: the Introspection Course, held by Anuradha Dasi, a visiting lecturer from Oxford."The group exercises and the lifelines we constructed of what it took to get us to Radhadesh," said Tivra Bhakti Dasi, a first-year student from Finland, were her "favorite parts."

Bhaktivedanta College's first term courses for the academic year 2009/10:Bhagavata Purana: September 14 - September 25, 2009.Science and Religion: September 15 - September 19, 2009.Vaisnava Acaryas: September 21 - October 2, 2009.Teacher Training 1: September 21 - September 26, 2009.Vaisnava Vedanta: September 28 - October 9, 2009.Vastu/jotish Weekend: October 10 - October 11, 2009.Bhakti-yoga Retreat: October 24 - November 14, 2009.Prabhupada Retreat: October 26 - October 29, 2009.History of ISKCON: November 2 - November 6, 2009.ISKCON and Society: November 2 - November 13, 2009.Systemic Counseling: November 25 - November 29, 2009.Introduction to Sanskrit: November 30 - December 4, 2009.Sad Sandarbhas: December 7 - December 11, 2009.

"We would be very happy if we would have your support and experience in order to make the project successful." This was the note I received from Jaya Krsna Dasa, the Administrative Director of Bhaktivedanta College, who was wooing me into participating in the college's newest undertaking: prasadam distribution at a summer rock festival in Germany.I anticipated a great adventure, and I also looked forward to seeing how the college had developed in the two years since I had been a student.

The best way to see Bhaktivedanta College and Radhadesh is in three dimensions, in person. But the pictures here will give you a taste how it is to live and study there.

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What's been your experience of teaching at the college?Srila Prabhupada often said that the perfection of one's education is to use it in Lord Krishna's service. I felt satisfied, because teaching gave me a wonderful opportunity to use my studies in Krishna's service. Although many courses at Bhaktivedanta College are academic, they contain krsna-katha. I taught Readings from Vaisnava Acharyas. In the process of preparing and teaching this course, I absorbed myself in studying Vaisnava acharyas. The students, unlike those at other universities where I have taught, were enthusiastic and interested. This made the course especially enjoyable. Certainly the Vaisnava acharyas uplifted and enlivened us all.