Tattva-viveka

Thanks God!

Madhavendra Puri Dasa - July 15, 2007 9:38 pm

I wanted to share small experience of mine. Today I had a day off from work, and I decided to go to the temple (iskcon) for Sunday program, first time since half year or more. It takes me about one hour to get there, and all the way I was listening to Swami's lecture on my mp3 player. When I got there, I chanted few rounds, and then the lecture started. It was given by temple president from Bombay, Indian devotee. The difference between his presentation and Swami's lecture was so huge! :blush: It reminded me what discouraged me in Iskcon so much. All the lecture was based on idea of falling to animal form of life if we are not enough careful in the human form of life. More then one hour of making horror story, which is suppose to make you Krsna conscious...how? It was so discouraging. Just maybe one word about Krsna, and not at all about Guru Tattva. It reminded me hundreds of lectures like this one, when I was just dying inside, drying up from all my inspiration.

I don't want to sound like only complaining- they are nice devotees, trying their best, with sincerity, but I had impression that they are missing the point so much. I felt very sorry for them, and in the same time very grateful that Krsna has made me to get in touch with Swami and his disciples. :blush:

Philip Breakenridge - July 16, 2007 1:02 am

I relate to what you're saying, Madhavendra Puri dasa. I really like the devotees here at the Vancouver temple, and Radha Madana Mohana are exquisitely beautiful, but I rarely attend nowadays. I just couldn't take the fear tactics and rigid thinking anymore.

We are so lucky. :blush:

Syamasundara - July 16, 2007 7:10 am

We are indeed so lucky, but then again, our GM is "just" doing to perfection what anyone of them could be doing, seen the books available and the inheritance. The results of aparadha are a very tangible thing.

I am always in denial when I listen to those classes, telling myself it's an isolated case.

Citta Hari Dasa - July 16, 2007 6:08 pm

but I had impression that they are missing the point so much.

Exactly! The point is learning how to love Krsna. Of course this entails using our human birth properly, and we should be aware of what the consequences for not doing that could be, but that must not be the major focus. All negative impetus--what we should move away from--but what about the beauty, sweetness, charm, and mercy of Krsna? That's what attracted me (and I would be willing to wager, most devotees) to get involved in this path, not a bunch of rules or fire and brimstone. What a sad state when the things to avoid in the culture of love of God overshadow the primary purpose of loving God.

Madhavendra Puri Dasa - July 16, 2007 6:32 pm

Exactly! The point is learning how to love Krsna.

I remember my first encounter with devotees: it was some rock festival, and devotees had their place there. I was very lost and frustrated (like many 20 years old "kids" ), and then for me it was like discovery: to love God, that's solution, and I was so charmed by this idea. I saw all devotees as angels or demigods, who are send to bring me close to the most perfect relationship in the Universe. Then I joined, and I realised there is so many rules, and regulations, and it was ok- I understand you can not do anything without purifing yourself, but then year, after year it was still the same: just focus on negativity of material world, fighting with contamination, but nothing about Krsna's beauty, about loving Him etc. "First work then samadhi". i feel now that yes; this is truth, but there should be balance, which I can not find in Iskcon preaching. I'm not able to fight with my anarthas just with negative impetus- I need positive kick.

Madan Gopal Das - July 16, 2007 7:54 pm

I'm not able to fight with my anarthas just with negative impetus- I need positive kick.

Good realization, and I hope and pray for more of this realization to dawn in ISKCON-loka. You are confirming what Krsna says in Gita. Verse 2.59 speaks of losing the taste for sense objects by param drstva - seeing God, or as Prabhupada called it - the "higher taste." A great quote from GM's commentary on that verse:

One drop of such experience is more confirming than an ocean of scriptural mandates

That is the way to develop freedom from "contamination", win the war with the senses, get free from the cycle of birth and death and all that other negative stuff that is constantly preached about. Love Krsna! And how to develop that love? Hear about him from one who is his intimate devotee and you will be attracted. It is contagious! We want that illness, and the best way to get it is through the ears. Funny way for disease to travel.

There is a place for preaching some jnana, but there is a huge risk of jnana being emphasized over bhakti. I have noted GM's stress in recent classes on the supremacy of bhakti. He speaks about Rupa Goswami saying in Bhakti Rasamrta Sindu that a little jnana may be helpful in the beginning of cultivation of bhakti, but there is a danger of it spoiling the "milk" of bhakti if not given up. Make sure bhakti is the emphasis in your life, and become contagious to others. Spread the disease!