The World Should See Our Ugly Side–That Is the Best Way to Change It
The unity of the individual souls attempting to satisfy the Supreme Lord or rendering service to the Lord is real unity (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada SB 4.30.8)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Our unity is a representation of our purity; part of our love and acceptance is fake; part of our attitude is blocking good relationships amongst us. These are the main messages of this article. Where inside of us is forgiveness, freedom from doubt, control of the mind, fearlessness, equanimity, satisfaction, etc, which according to Bhagavad-gita 10.4-5 are created by Krishna alone? Rather we have qualities like distress, fear and infamy which , according to the same verse, are created by Krishna as well.
We appear to be frustrated about the unfulfilled desire to keep the real Srila Prabhupada’s words, about the desire to be understood, and about the desire to keep the order, which somehow falls apart. All that maters is living entity’s loving service to Krishna from within and selfless following of the instructions of the Spiritual master from without. These two factors are elevators instead of staircase. The staircase applies to fighting over different interpretations of Srila Prabhupada’s words – fighting without concern about Krishna inside of us; interpretations which some of our non-brahmanical minds sometimes do not even understand. Our elevator, Krishna, is not materially contaminated, but we are – contaminated by material appearance of something, by self determination to be acknowledged as ones who make sense and by determination to change others without changing ourselves.
Even bodies like ISKCON, GBC, BBT or Krishna.org are subjects to four main defects: making mistakes, being illusioned, having tendency to cheat and having imperfect perception. Today’s crises should be seen as an opportunity to overcome them in the wisest way, which apparently we don’t know, for we are without an effort to seek this way. This way already exists, but we are simply forgetful about it. It is an opportunity to walk out of any problem victorious, for all sides. Any problem is a great opportunity if it is handled properly. Out of pure devotion comes pure compassion, and out of pure compassion comes presenting of exact truth about others. If there is no pure devotion, then any compassion and indication of the mistakes of others will be fake and useless.
“First of all surrender. Then talk of mercy and this or that” (From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.19 Los Angeles, July 9, 1974). Over attachment to material problems of Hare Krishna movement shows that we are not fully surrendered. Surrendity is what maters as priority, leaving as secondary the importance of our material way. Where over concern about material problems is, there is bewilderment; bewilderment means blindness and forgetfulness. Where there is love for Krishna, there is love for Krishna in others, even if they perform against our material expectations. Mental fights are on material platform; therefore they should be given up. We will not evolve very much if our focus to the mistakes of others and to the proper material way will divert our attention from the inner focus to Krishna inside and from pleasing Srila Prabhupada. Would he be pleased, if he would see us fighting like we fight now. Spiritual master is pleased when he sees that his disciples get well together. If we are attached to our stage – non-acceptance, struggle to change or to get rid of others, “proper” understanding, separation, etc. – then only evolvement is possible through pain, struggle and repetition of the same problems as long as we don’t loose this attachments, main of which is attachment to name, fame and glory.
Everybody of us, every party, has his and it’s righteousness, but the experience shows that any righteous actions performed with lust, anger, greed, hate or pride have no excuse for sins committed. And one should be careful to say that his anger was for Krishna.
Often unnoticed misguidance of anyone, also of leader, unsatisfied critic or editor of any book, is when he believes in material change and in ability to purify others, forgetting that Krishna who is Supersoul is ultimate changer, ultimate problem solver and the supreme purifier. The more transcendental we will be the more perfect material change we will achieve.
Subordinates have doubt about the purity of authorities, authorities are fearful about subordinates; that is the reality. All parties of the conflicts in Hare Krishna movement have same problems; they commit same mistakes. One party indicates problems of the other not realising that it commits the same mistakes itself. There are no better ones or worse ones in these conflicts; one party is as good and ugly as another. People with same problems attract each other.
Ones who search live in questions (active state), not in answers (passive state). The reality, it seems, is proving, fighting, blaming, indicating, but not searching. It looks that we are swimming against the stream. In the case concerned, the stream is called cooperation, and the efforts involved in the swimming are called mental fights. The aim is to start, but not to discourage, a problem solution and relationship improvement process. A pure devotee is not interested in blaspheming others; all that he is interested in is spreading of Krishna consciousness all over the world.
ACCEPTANCE.
“…any activity which leads to devotional service to the Lord should be accepted” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 18.7). We create nonsense if we renounce activities of others, which are aimed at renunciation itself.
By good manner we can learn from each other very much about Krishna. Rather we want to be attached to our own stage and to our own material way, still indicating the mistakes of others. The biggest mistake is to talk about “this and that”, in another words, to try to change others without being pure in our own heart, character, thinking, intelligence, devotion, actions etc. We cannot change others without prayers about the change in ourselves. If the roots are watered the leaves will be nourished. All problems that we face are problems of incomplete surrender and desire to rule over the behaviour of others against their will. By being, not by proving, one can change others voluntarily. “What can repression accomplish” (Bhagavad-gita 3.33)?
Why mistakes of other devotees should be accepted? “No one should deride a devotee for some accidental falldown from the ideal path, for, as explained in the next verse, such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Krishna consciousness.” “No one should take advantage of this verse and commit nonsense and think that he is still a devotee. If he does not improve in his character by devotional service, then it is to be understood that he is not a high devotee” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 9.30). “If a devotee is not intelligent enough to make progress on the path of self-realisation but is sincere and devoted to the activities of devotional service, the Lord gives him a chance to make progress and ultimately attain to Him ” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 10.10).
A devotee of Krishna “is equal to friends and enemies” (Bg 12.18), or so-called enemies, as Srila Prabhupada puts it in his purport to verses 22-25, Chapter 14 of Bhagavad-gita. A devotee of Krishna never puts others into distress. “No one is put into difficulty, anxiety, fearfulness or dissatisfaction by such a devotee” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 12.15).
By seeing just a private experience of oneself one cannot understand the spirit of cooperation. If he wants to present his spiritual experience in the way that is most beneficial for others, he has to do it politely, without offences and with the respect towards free will, even if this will is contaminated by maya. Love your brother as you love yourself. Seeing material differences is tricky part of maya. If we all are spirit souls and if we know where we should go, then what material excuses can be there for not going together? How can we love God, if we don’t respect a friend? How can we surrender to God, if we don’t forgive misbehaviour of a friend?
“Among those who are trying to be victorious in some field of activity, the most victorious element is morality” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 10.38). Please, all parties, try to have a higher standard in relationship with each other – with the people who are trying their best in changing the face of the earth.
One of the bridges to God lies through others. Uncontaminated respect (Krishna morality) makes a change in others, on the street or in our movement, the most. Acceptance and forgiveness of incomplete surrender in this age of kali is needed more for ourselves, than for others. Forgiveness of friend’s bad qualities is needed for our own peace of mind and for Krishna consciousness inside of us.
“I envy none, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him” (Bg 9.29). Or, does one has to consider, which of the parties are better friends to Krishna and join them – today’s ISKCON or those who don’t want to have anything in common with it? While we fight we are all equal to Him. Are we here to participate in mental fights (these fights amongst devotees have nothing to do with surrender and devotional service) or are we here to achieve supreme abode of the Lord? Maybe rather I have to shave my head only then when I see that Hare Krishna movement is united. Or people will say: “Yeah, we know what Hare Krishnas are about; they can’t solve their own problems, but they come and talk about problems of others.” How can I advice people to visit www.asitis.com, if from there they can go to advertisement of the separation of Hare Krishna movement – advertisement which is done without patience? Nevertheless, one should not condition himself by these reasons. Conditioned opinions should not have an affect on determination to go back to Godhead and to invite others to do the same together.
We need each other. Oneness means being agreeable about these points: we are here to go back to Godhead and to be engaged in loving devotional service for Him. Family of forgetful children (Hare Krishna movement), if our Father has causeless mercy towards us, why can’t we be merciful towards our brothers (each other)? Are we sure that our Father will accept us, when we go back to Him, without our brothers who we have derided for their falldowns.
And, why to talk about secondary (differences and problems), if we cannot fulfil the priority (unity and helping in problem solution process)? Focusing on differences means focusing on gross and subtle elements which make these differences; focusing on them means not focusing fully on God and His will; His will is spreading of His consciousness; His consciousness means unity with Him and it brings unity amongst us. Therefore, if there is no unity amongst us, devotees, then it means that there is no God consciousness or love for God inside of us. “Pure love for Krishna, just like gold from the Jambu River, does not exist in human society. If it existed, there could not be separation [from Krishna]. If separation were there, one could not live.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, madhya-lila 2.43)
WAR.
We are contaminated by all the material problems of Hare Krishna movement. If this contamination pulls us more down then authorities of ISKCON can become Vatican, but one’s who separate can become so-called religious reformers, who only can bring a disturbance into the established order. Any relationship takes involvement and endeavour of both parties at the same time.
Both parties of any conflict (conflicts amongst devotees can be only material and Krishna unconscious) have to re-examine their points. If re-examination doesn’t take place in one of the parties, other party have to give the efforts for cooperation and it’s own change anyway. Mental fights and plane indication of mistakes are useless. What is useful is polite escape from mental fights, yet giving the example and leaving the required evidence on the hands of offenders as well as not participating in the nonsense committed by others. The real task is not to indicate mistakes of others, but to get rid of our own pride. Most practical way how to get rid of our pride is by correcting our own mistakes and, of course, by spreading of Srila Prabhupada’s books, not by statements that we are prideless. “when one is free from pride, he can begin the process of surrender” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 15.5). We can show surrender through endeavour changing ourselves, not through statements about others.
We might have strong arguments, but they, or better to say, the way in which they are represented (with mental violence), might cause confusion, misery, and rejection instead of acceptance and cooperation – cooperation for the benefit of whole human race. “The ultimate goal, Vishnu, can be attained only by this chant and devotional service, and not by mental speculation or argument” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada, Bg 10.11).
Why people take us as sectarians? Because in first place we tend and we are “happy” to show how different from them we are, instead of showing our similarities, the main source of which is in scriptures. In first place we tend to show how “ugly” somebody else, outside or inside our movement, is. We are more interested in what others did in the past, rather than what they are capable to do in the present or in the future. Apparently we just don’t know how to represent Krishna’s message in front of the world so that world (ones who search) notices us in good retrospective. If I want to give exact truth to somebody who searches I have to prepare him. This process of preparation is called politeness and acceptance.
“This enmity becomes more and more deep – between persons, then between families, then between SOCIETIES, and last between nations” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 16.16). We have to make wedding inside of our hearts before we go to people.
Many people (I also) think that they should act like Arjunas and fight. But Hare Krishna movement is not the battlefield of Kuruksetra. We, devotees are on the one side of the front. And, if we fight among each other, then it brings chaos in fighting against maya.
We act against ourselves; it is part of reaction to our past misdeeds like separation and not being able to face and deal Krishna consciously with dissatisfaction of other devotees. Dear ISKCON devotees, through dissatisfaction of other devotees, even if it manifests in anger or envy, Krishna speaks to us, thus giving us important messages about ourselves. We are damned by unwanted circumstances which are created by us according to our past desires and activities. “He (Supersoul) is engaging everyone in certain activities by reminding him of his past actions. And conscious acts done under his direction from within yield no reaction…” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 18.13). All the parties in these conflicts deserve this situation. “A living entities achieve higher or lower bodies and create enemies, friends or neutral parties only because of their different kinds of work” (Krishna book, Worshipping Govardan hill). Presence of friends and enemies represent the stage of purification and foolishness in our past works, thoughts and attitudes.
JOYFULNESS.
Our joyfulness is hampered by material problems that cover us. In one of the lectures (on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.8. in Hawaii, March 21, 1969) Srila Prabhupada on the one hand speaks about the transcendental joyfulness, on the other – about Krishna consciousness as serious matter. Getting out of maya is very serious, but if we start to create our own convictions about how to get out of it we create new maya and hamper our joyfulnes.
“…The very, I mean to, vivid example are yourself. Your contact with me is, utmost, for the last two years, but still you are taking it very serious interest in this Krishna consciousness movement. Why? Because it is the fundamental necessity. Anandamayo ‘bhyasat. Every living entity is by nature joyful, and because he is materially covered his joyfulness is hampered. That is the real position…”, “…If my father is black, then I am also black. If my mother is black, then I am also black. So our father, the supreme father Krishna, is joyful. Don’t you see Krishna’s attitude? Anywhere you see, Krishna is joyful…”
SURRENDER.
We have evolved, but still for the perfection something is missed. Complete surrender is missed, but what we have is association with different productions of material nature like ideas, convictions, conceptions, words, beautiful expressions, forms, excuses, comfortable circumstances, proper problem solutions, favourable people, rituals, life styles and the like. They help to evolve, but also they hold a danger of over attachment. “…These are the external subject matters of study in the Vedas, and therefore, I consider them as material. However, I consider surrender to the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu to be transcendental” (SB 7.6.26). “All other processes may be purifying and may lead to this process, but the last instruction of the Gita is the last word in all morality and religion: surrender unto Krishna” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 18.78).
Ones who search and we amongst them are more or less surrendered unto God, but not fully. Any so-called problem that we face in our movement comes from not being fully surrendered. According to verse 5, Chapter 15 in Bhagavad-gita there is knowledge of how to surrender – “…and who, unbewildered, know how to surrender unto the Supreme Person attain to that eternal kingdom.” Apparently we don’t care about this kind of knowledge. Krishna has a reason for giving this knowledge and taking it: “I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness” (Bg15.15); we never have to stop to search for this knowledge, which exists, but about which we are forgetful. “Always remember Krishna, and never forget Him” (Srila Prabhupada). Is it easy to remember Krishna, if we think in our impure minds about misbehaviour of others?
It is hard to surrender by order to an authority, especially, if I have doubt about this authority. When I sense the attitude of offer and politeness, it becomes easier. Krishna does the same to us – he does not order; by our free will we can do “this and that”; He is a friend who offers. Also it is very hard to forgive if there is no apology. That is why improvement of relationship takes effort of both parties. After relationship has improved, gained brightness of feelings makes it much more easier to be conscious of Krishna inside of our harts. As a result of surrender and free will, but not as a result of order, right actions of the subordinate come.
If one uses surrender of others for fulfilment of his own contaminated interests, he is not a friend; therefore he deserves to be shunned. If one demands something disrespectfully without offer of helping and without an effort to improve himself, then he deserves to be shunned as well. If I do not help in the solving of the problem then I do not deserve to take the fruits when this problem is solved.
PURITY OR HYPOCRISY.
“When one is freed from the influence of the modes of material nature, he enters into devotional service” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 14.20). We have uncovered for ourselves just a little portion of pure devotional service to Krishna. The symptoms of our behaviour show that most of the time our love to Krishna are fake. We choose to “love” misbehaviour of others instead.
Our material senses can perceive Krishna consciousness inside of us through the circumstances that we face. The question is only in how we decode, understand and recognise these circumstances. They might manifest in peace or struggle, in disharmony or unity, in chaos or order, satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Once we have recognised that these circumstances are not in favour of us, we have to give the top priority in our focus to Krishna inside of us.
“… devotional service, and nothing else, is the ultimate purpose of life” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 18.1). “There is no time limitation for a pure devotee. He is always, twenty-four hours a day, one hundred percent engaged in activities under the direction of the Supreme Lord” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 18.56). To the world and each other we show an example of “this and that” rather than an example of selfless devotion and purity. “Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world persues” (Bg 3.21)
Any religious movement have two reasons for existence: to preach and to become pure. What concerns the first, no doubt, Hare Krishna movement has the best quality of preaching in the world, but what concerns about being pure… we all are impure. Printing and spreading of nice books is top priority, and top priority is developing of pure hearts and loving relationships amongst us. We should be careful in saying that this second priority will come automatically. Nothing comes automatically but a circumstance in which one have to make a choice for further advancement in Krishna consciousness. Usually, due to wrong choices, further progress is missed.
Are we not tired of building the walls of passion and ignorance around us and of sitting on this banyan tree of illusion, which is based on desires that we don’t recognise? “… and anything done in ignorance and passion does not lead to spiritual advancement” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada Bg 10.4-5). And again, let’s be careful in saying that our passion was for Krishna.
Books are basis; preaching (spreading of Krishna’s message without interpretations contaminated by self-interest) is the essence; purity is the force… Unfortunately, our actions like fighting, proving, blaming, indicating, show that we are missing this force. Our mission of book distribution and preaching, no doubt, will go on, but to the perfection of purity is a far way to go. Facilities is the principle. When we will start to loose these facilities (Krishna temples), that might be the last call for unity.
DREAM.
My observation is that those who think that herein described goal of cooperation is idealistic and as such unachievable are not ready themselves for such cooperation. We have to be idealistic and fight for the ideal of cooperation. Ones who have conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure. Unfortunately, for many of us it is easier to be doubtful about the ideal future and to continue to push the face of the opposite party down in the dirt. Obstacles are for those who forget the Goal. Unfortunately, no one of us know the art of seeing the problems without negativeness and material (mental) participation in them.
The dream about unity still remains unfulfilled. “Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment, of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built… The greatest achievements was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities” (“As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen).
Only if we give our efforts constantly to the cooperation, the mistakes committed would be history; the future would be increased spreading of Krishna consciousness, but the present would be a gift, in which different groups of Hare Krishna movement would be able to work in the spirit of cooperation. If we loose Krishna consciousness in the present, then there is no use of dreaming about Krishna consciousness in the future. We might loose this gift of present, and then the future would remain mystery, for we would remain bewildered by all these unnecessary mental fights and worshipping without practical endeavour. Worshipping without helping and cooperation is not best worshipping. What use is to worshipping Srila Prabhupada, if we don’t follow His prescribed duties – duty to cooperate – to cooperate with each other and with Krishna inside of us constantly.
THERE IS SOMETHING MORE NEEDED THAN COOPERATION AND COMPROMISE.
If we talk about mistakes committed, then it means that we are attached to the matter, which causes these mistakes; if we talk about forgiveness and cooperation, then it means that we want to get rid of these mistakes, of their repetition, and of this attachment. On the spiritual platform there are no compromises. On the material platform the meaning of compromise is the loss of that attachment, which disturbs the advancement.
Why there should be forgiveness and cooperation? Because all parties are sincere to work for Krishna, to advance spiritually and to renounce bad qualities sitting inside of them. We know, but we are just simply forgetful (“…and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness” Bg 15.15) about concepts of Vedic philosophy and about qualities that characterise a pure devotee. In Bhagavad-gita 14.22-25 and 16.1-3 positive qualities of a pure devotee are mentioned. Among them are neutrality, even-mindedness, fearlessness, freedom from anger, tranquillity, aversion to faultfinding, gentleness, and forgiveness. If we look at them, then we can find out which of them from time to time we are missing, and then we will find out how from time to time we abuse Krishna consciousness and acquired positions.
How can we change this forgetfulness? By forgiveness in cooperation. By forgiveness we can disintegrate our bad karmas and unite our good karmas for the ultimate Goal. Actually we are not the ones who forgive… God forgives. All answers applying to material way come to one conclusion – forgive and be united. Only way how to bring out this world, which searches, from it’s darkness is by united efforts – united hearts in united loving service.
Problem of us and of institutions where we are engaged in is over accusing, contra accusing, misinterpreted conservatism, forgetting from time to time the basics (spreading of Srila Prabhupada’s books), keeping contaminated secrets, misused independence, rebellious nature and attachment to material excuses, as well as conditioning oneself by feeling that he is more advanced, better and purer than others. The wise say that knowledge is studying, but self-realisation is practising. If self-realisation is practising, then it is obvious that we have to practice without hypocrisy good relationships amongst us, and the strength of this effort will be a measure of the result.
If one wants to cooperate, one has to make compromises that do not go against instructions of Krishna and acaryas. On the spiritual platform no compromises – love for Krishna. For the sake of this goal there are compromises needed on a material platform among people whose nature is not brahmanical through the means of cooperation, standards of which are set by true brahmanas. Every compromise is temporary and it will have temporary effect. If the compromise was wrong, the things will go down. If it was right, then it will help to advance.
Even if I am not qualified (I don’t have full information and I am not brahmanical), I would like to rise same old doubts in same old questions. Aren’t GBC, BBT, and Krishna.org guided by people whose characteristics do not meet the qualities of brahmanas (mentioned in Bg 18.43) and divine people (mentioned in Bg 16.1-3)? Aren’t they under false ego, which might come from attachment to their name, fame and glory? Don’t they estimate their personalities too high? Are they willing to give up their positions if the situation would require it? Isn’t system of Hare Krishna movement sick because fake brahmnanas are introduced into it? If the symptoms of disharmony would not be there constantly, such questions would not arise. Hare Krishna movement may become not the movement of Krishna consciousness, but the movement of empty bell ringers. Please, accept my criticism.
Cleansing process is needed. I cannot see other way rather than that where those guiding brahmanmas who admit that their nature is not brahminical would walk out of guiding positions and would stop giving initiation to others, thus showing example to impurities which is or is not under their guidance. Only by free will one can do this, for there is no other authority than Krishna who can stop them by force. “Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows the nature he has acquired from the three modes. What can repression accomplish” (Bg 3.33)? And only action can change things, not just admitting and statement making.
From the point of view of materialist (me, first of all ), there might be doubt about purity of others (GBC authorities, brahmanas by initiation, temple presidents and others) because materialist sees them as ordinary beeings, and he sees their actions performed under modes of material nature. On the other hand, from the point of view of a Vaisnava, everything is considered to be spiritual, even the worst demon and worst hellish conditions on his way, for it is an arrangement of Supersoul. Therefore I consider not to go deeper into this matter, for I see GBC, BBT and Krishna.org authorities, and situation around us, as an ordinary circumstance. I am not humble enough to see these arrangements as spiritual and everybody as a high devotee. Definitely I am in lack of further advancement and I don’t know whether others feel about themselves in the same way.
Time, patience and silence, as well as being idealistic about ideal of morality is beneficial. “Of secret things I am silence”; “Among subduers I am time”; “Of those who seek victory I am morality” (Bg 10.30 and 10.38). Out of old ISKCON should grow a new one – ISKCON united efforts by honest people.
No doubt, the external improvement of our system in many fields is needed. At the same time any external change of system will not give benefit by itself, for Krishna is ultimate changer of everything. Only Krishna, who is Supersoul and friend of everyone, has an ultimate monopoly in sending people to Krishna temples and in purifying us who meet them there.
Making EFFECTIVE facilities (website or council of all unsatisfied groups in Hare Krishna movement) for debating, working together, or other kinds of participation is very necessary. Saving time and immediate making of decisions, concerning the strategy of our movement, is not a priority.
It is necessary for GBC, BBT and other establishments to be hundred percent opened. It means that information about finances, correspondence and mutual agreements should be accessed by everybody. These establishments are not commercial enterprises with their commercial secrets. World should see our ugly side, for that is the best way how to change it. If there is a lack of strong contra arguments, one has to get over his pride and to admit his mistakes by correcting them. Admitting and correcting of mistakes is most practical way how to get rid of one’s own pride. There is no use in just admitting if this admitting is without concrete action. There are many sincere outsiders, newcomers, observers, etc., whose maya of “joining or not”, “following or not” would become less, if the fog outside of them, which is created by Hare Krishna movement’s problems, would diminish. Why Krishna does not send people to our temples? Not because of age of kali – that is good excuse for week ones, but because of… us.
Regarding BBT and it’s book change critics, there is a great need for setting a point zero – no new changes, no criticism. Even if there is evidence and arguments for making any new book changes, they have to be stopped at once, no mater what, because such actions are not worth of new struggle, new war of arguments and similar troubles like separation etc., in another words, it is not worth of new needless karma. Old books were OK (they were Krishna conscious) and new books are OK (they are Krishna conscious as well), but what is not OK is this struggle “to change or not to change”. For me the feeling of Krishna consciousness, while thinking about this matter, somehow fades away.
My beginning in God consciousness was based on second edition of Bhagavad-gita. Srila Prabhupada’s purports of Bhagavad-gita (second ed.) opened spiritual understanding for me considerably. For I don’t know the real intentions of the editors and distributors in BBT, it seems to me that they have done a good job in giving me an opportunity to read this book. The biggest value of any book and anyone’s words, edited or not, is then, if the point is clearly stated: all that maters is love for Krishna. Fortunately, this point in second edition of Bhagavad-gita is not missed.
It would be wise for Krishna.org to get rid of great number of articles except Srila Prabhupada’s. A nice example is the article ‘ISKCON: Salaries for Sadhus?’ by Mahesh (09-25-00) where 99% of the text is conversation with Srila Prabhupada. On the other hand, there are many articles, which are full of hidden passionate emotions. A new person who visits these articles is brainstormed in a bad manner. By visiting Srila Prabhupada’s articles, lectures and letters one who searches doesn’t feel this bad manner, rather one feels that he would like to be assimilated by good manner of Srila Prabhupada. If Krishna.org wants to return to the real words of Srila Prabhupada, it has to get rid of it’s own interpretations. Unkind truth and truth with bad intentions is not complete truth. For instance, we might consider example of religion web page in Krishna.org. Truth cannot be complicated. Even Krishna.org does not and will not escape misguided interpretations of Srila Prabhupada’s words.
There is still a hope that we will not repeat the history of “followers” of Jesus. History shows that any movement in course of time is overtaken by demoniac power, which sits inside of us, until somebody who is elevated, like Jesus, comes. After the spirit of his message is gone due to misinterpreted conservatism, demonic power takes over again unless somebody who is liberated comes again with the same old message: all that maters is love for God, not our material understanding. God and karma can be understood completely only by surrender, not by intelligence. Nevertheless, we deserve this reality, for “All this is rightly done” (Bhagavad-gita 10.36). All problems that we face are according to God’s plan. Any problem we should see as an opportunity to pass the test.
Can we change this repetition of history by ourselves? Can we change our demons without somebody who is elevated like Srila Prabhupada by our side? Actual question is not “can we?” for we can, but “how to?” for we forgot. Are we sure that the stage where we are at or position what we have is not abused by us? It is easy to see dust in the eyes of Christians, but not a log in ours. We should be careful, for by thinking about improper ways of others we might become a slaves of our own expectations, pretendings and sarcasm.
What use is to the Srila Prabhupada’s picture standing on the altar, if we neglect his instructions? “Your love for me will be shown by how you cooperate together to keep this institution together after I am gone”. This message does not apply only to those who have separated from ISKCON, but also to those who have stayed in it.
“The unity of the individual souls attempting to satisfy the Supreme Lord or rendering service to the Lord is real unity… Disunity between individual souls is so strong within this material world that even in a society of Krishna consciousness, members sometimes appear disunited due to their having different opinions and leaning toward material things. Actually, in Krishna consciousness there cannot be two opinions. There is only one goal: to serve Krishna to one’s best ability. If there is some disagreement over service, such disagreement is to be taken as spiritual. Those who are actually engaged in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be disunited in any circumstance. This makes the Supreme Personality of Godhead very happy and willing to award all kinds of benediction to His devotees, as indicated in this verse.” (From the purport by Srila Prabhupada SB 4.30.8).
BACK TO BALANCE AND BASICS. THE TRUTH CANNOT BE COMPLICATED.
“It is not that Krishna needs a flower or leaf; He is full. He does not need you. But He wants you to come to Him in love. Therefore Krishna says, ‘Just stop your nonsense and surrender to Me.'”
“They are torn down and rebuilt – so many strong buildings. There is no pleasure in it either way . Either in building them or tearing them down, nobody is happy. It is like with a small child: he is happy to get a toy and then is happy to break it – but there is no real happiness. Or just like a boy and girl: they come together in union, and then they separate, divorce. There is no real happiness either in the union or in the separation. Real happiness is in union with Krishna and separation from maya [illusion].”
“So one who is actually making progress in Krishna consciosness can see Krishna everywhere. At every stage of life, who can avoid the sunlight, the moonlight, the fragrance of the flower, the taste of water? But one has to learn that Krishna is in all these varieties of existence. Without Krishna there is nothing. It simply by the influence of maya that we forget the relationship of Krishna with everything that be.”
“But because everyone is independent, Krishna responds according to our mentality. If one voluntarily cooperates with Krishna’s desire, Krishna responds to one’s call very eagerly. Krishna descends to teach us Bhagavad-gita, begging our cooperation, and anyone who cooperates with Him is blessed.” Srila Prabhupada
by HK, whose behaviour is not surrendered and who asks forgiveness for offences committed in this article.
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