page 192 "If our acara or our own practices are well, only then can we have some qualification for preaching to others. How can one who is not in normal position try to bring others to a normal position?" - so much for preaching ideas. At the same time Mahaprabhu said "yare tako tare kaho krishna upadesh amar agya guru haya..." on my order become guru and spread Krishna consciousness. So I guess Guru Maharaj is speaking of qualifications to become a Guru.
2/16/11
Fleshy eyes
In "Cuckoo nest" one example of apparent insanity is given. If you look at my hand how many fingers will you see? The immediate answer is five. But this is incorrect. If you look beyond the hand to see things behind the hand you and widen your perception you will see background very clearly and in foreground hand with ten fingers.
Those who cannot see beyond the body cannot see who is a devotee. Their perception is not developed. They will make judgment based on their standard of purity. They will neglect seeing the simple fact that devotee can recognize a devotee. A devotee may follow his own routine or life style not concerned by public opinion. But those with fleshy eyes, like critics, may avoid him to protect themselves or whatever they hold onto that gives them an impression of spirituality. They mistakenly consider vaidhy marg (scripturally regulated life style) as the only standard to estimate others' advancement. Srila Bhaktivinode in his Chaitanya Shikshamrita explains that vaidhy is generally followed out of fear for scriptural injunctions, not to disrespect shastra. Attachment to vaidhy bhakti is for those who where associating with vaidhy followers in their previous life. This is however not a bhakti proper or the way of attaining ones own object of life, the essence of bhakti. Bhakti through vaidhi may take very long time before it brings desirable goal as Bhaktivinoda explains. Raganuga bhakti, however, is a faster and natural way -he continues. Raganuga is explained as a greed for ones object of desire. The term raganuga has been mistaken by iskcon teachings as ragatmika bhakti. Both deal with two different matters. [My Last Conversation with Aindra Prabhu] These two shouldn't be equated. So our gurus in Sri Chaitanya Sarasvat line, without naming it, teach raganuga marg. If those immature devotees understand the teachings of Srila Govinda Maharaj and of course Srila Sridhara Maharaj, they will see it very easily and will be able to give up their attachment to vaidhy and move on forward in a way kind to themselves and to a wider range of vaishnavas.
Om Tat Sat
Those who cannot see beyond the body cannot see who is a devotee. Their perception is not developed. They will make judgment based on their standard of purity. They will neglect seeing the simple fact that devotee can recognize a devotee. A devotee may follow his own routine or life style not concerned by public opinion. But those with fleshy eyes, like critics, may avoid him to protect themselves or whatever they hold onto that gives them an impression of spirituality. They mistakenly consider vaidhy marg (scripturally regulated life style) as the only standard to estimate others' advancement. Srila Bhaktivinode in his Chaitanya Shikshamrita explains that vaidhy is generally followed out of fear for scriptural injunctions, not to disrespect shastra. Attachment to vaidhy bhakti is for those who where associating with vaidhy followers in their previous life. This is however not a bhakti proper or the way of attaining ones own object of life, the essence of bhakti. Bhakti through vaidhi may take very long time before it brings desirable goal as Bhaktivinoda explains. Raganuga bhakti, however, is a faster and natural way -he continues. Raganuga is explained as a greed for ones object of desire. The term raganuga has been mistaken by iskcon teachings as ragatmika bhakti. Both deal with two different matters. [My Last Conversation with Aindra Prabhu] These two shouldn't be equated. So our gurus in Sri Chaitanya Sarasvat line, without naming it, teach raganuga marg. If those immature devotees understand the teachings of Srila Govinda Maharaj and of course Srila Sridhara Maharaj, they will see it very easily and will be able to give up their attachment to vaidhy and move on forward in a way kind to themselves and to a wider range of vaishnavas.
Om Tat Sat
11/11/10
Sadhu ninda v.s. disturbance coming from devotees
If I am careful to avoid offenses against practicing devotees, I will be seeing disturbance coming from them as Grace of the Lord. But how far should we tolerate injustice, intimidation and unkindness before we start objecting? Shell we object, talk to those devotees or try to correct their misbehavior? Or just let it go on hoping that Krishna and Gurudev will correct it?
It is easy to choose the last option, especially dealing with young or unexperienced devotees but when problem is caused by a senior ... how should we behave?
Very respectful dandavats from a distance. Then consult with higher vaishnavas.
Vidya
It is easy to choose the last option, especially dealing with young or unexperienced devotees but when problem is caused by a senior ... how should we behave?
Very respectful dandavats from a distance. Then consult with higher vaishnavas.
Vidya
10/10/10
Just another thought about Hari Nam
(Written for practicing devotees of Sri Chaitanaya Sarasvat Math)
The sound of Name is not Name proper. But is it useless?
The feeling of chanting Hari Nam desperately has arisen from necessity for positive engagement fueled by frustration and luck of purpose. Hari Nam gives hope and refreshment to the mind and... (as saints say) the soul. (I have no such realization). I only know that by chanting hari nam I get refreshed, calm and can see things more clear. Of course this is a mundane effect of Hari Nam on the condition soul. Nevertheless this tells me that Hari Nam is very powerful. When coming to Sri Chaitanya Sarasvat Math we learn from Srila BR Sridhar Maharaj that the name of the Lord descends to the tong of a chanter when the call is devoid of selflessness and heart is empty of any other shelter but Krisha. That is very high profile. Srila Sridhar Maharaj, quoting Jagadananda Pundit and Vasudev Gosh Thakur, shows us that the syllabus "Ha-re", "Krish-na", "Ra-ma" are not the Name proper. He proves us that the holy name or divine sound vibration is independent yet no-different from its source, bhinnatvan nama namino. It (or it is proper to say He) can do anything through Its (His own) power to make someone's heart melt or not.
Accepting such high standard we tend to minimize our own chanting. We sometimes reduce our chanting or even stop chanting altogether. We may develop thinking that since our chanting in our present position is almost useless and not-effective, and that we chant it out of duty as a promise to our diksha guru and that we are not sadhakas who do their routine to attain prema bhakti, we are worthless and unqualified to properly chant the Hari Nam. So we stop, reduce or undermine our chanting. We forget that Nama Acharyya Srila Haridas Thakur declared that chanting of Nam on the stage of Namaabhas (imperfect) can bring one to the gates of Vaikuntha. Yes, I know, we are not heading there, but this is to show the power of the Hari Nam.
Are we loosers?
Yes we are, but in a particular way. We are beggars for the almighty mercy but should we feel incompetent and disconnected? I would say, no. As much as we desire desperately the gift of saranagati (heartfelt surrender), we should desire happy effect to our practice. To think that because we are not chanting on a highest level of Krishna Consciousenss we are not getting the glimpse of an infinite mercy, is to deny Infinite its infinity. If the Sweet Absolute is Infinite then what is not within His unlimited possibilities? Sri Rupagoswamipada sais na krishti krita chetasam sumanasam... na diksha na cha sat kriya mana... the Name is divine and it can do wanders. It can make someone blessed with Its beauty randomly, despite no qualifications on the part of a chanter . So why not us who has committed ourselves to Its Divine Cause? Are we a looser? Certainly not. We are benefited by each heartfelt offering to our Divine Master and Lord. Sri Krishna is called Sweetness Personified and His devotee is very kind, so why aren't we happily chanting His names every day with enthusiasm? I think we should, even-though we are told that on our platform our "chanting is a duty to our Gurudeva."
Self-deception is our friend
No way! But if we think for a while... Anything can be used for the service to my Master. My self-deceit can lead me to the realization that I am actually making harm to myself. Being retrospective helps and this is what Srila Guru Maharaj calls, atma nikshepa, or self-analysis. Omitting this point, this paragraph has no meaning.
I can bring down my deceitful tendencies by sincere reading books of Srila BR Sridhar Maharaj. Prapanna Jivamrita and Sermons part I, II, III & IV are perfect books for disease of self-deceitfulness. Śrila Govinda Maharaj told me once "read all books of Guru Maharaj regularly, our life is very short." The bhakti jnan coming from his books will unveil the masquerade of deceit in our mind and heart. Just keep reading with full attention and share what you have read with other devotees. We are all on the same boat. So keep sharing.
The sound of Name is not Name proper. But is it useless?
The feeling of chanting Hari Nam desperately has arisen from necessity for positive engagement fueled by frustration and luck of purpose. Hari Nam gives hope and refreshment to the mind and... (as saints say) the soul. (I have no such realization). I only know that by chanting hari nam I get refreshed, calm and can see things more clear. Of course this is a mundane effect of Hari Nam on the condition soul. Nevertheless this tells me that Hari Nam is very powerful. When coming to Sri Chaitanya Sarasvat Math we learn from Srila BR Sridhar Maharaj that the name of the Lord descends to the tong of a chanter when the call is devoid of selflessness and heart is empty of any other shelter but Krisha. That is very high profile. Srila Sridhar Maharaj, quoting Jagadananda Pundit and Vasudev Gosh Thakur, shows us that the syllabus "Ha-re", "Krish-na", "Ra-ma" are not the Name proper. He proves us that the holy name or divine sound vibration is independent yet no-different from its source, bhinnatvan nama namino. It (or it is proper to say He) can do anything through Its (His own) power to make someone's heart melt or not.
Accepting such high standard we tend to minimize our own chanting. We sometimes reduce our chanting or even stop chanting altogether. We may develop thinking that since our chanting in our present position is almost useless and not-effective, and that we chant it out of duty as a promise to our diksha guru and that we are not sadhakas who do their routine to attain prema bhakti, we are worthless and unqualified to properly chant the Hari Nam. So we stop, reduce or undermine our chanting. We forget that Nama Acharyya Srila Haridas Thakur declared that chanting of Nam on the stage of Namaabhas (imperfect) can bring one to the gates of Vaikuntha. Yes, I know, we are not heading there, but this is to show the power of the Hari Nam.
Are we loosers?
Yes we are, but in a particular way. We are beggars for the almighty mercy but should we feel incompetent and disconnected? I would say, no. As much as we desire desperately the gift of saranagati (heartfelt surrender), we should desire happy effect to our practice. To think that because we are not chanting on a highest level of Krishna Consciousenss we are not getting the glimpse of an infinite mercy, is to deny Infinite its infinity. If the Sweet Absolute is Infinite then what is not within His unlimited possibilities? Sri Rupagoswamipada sais na krishti krita chetasam sumanasam... na diksha na cha sat kriya mana... the Name is divine and it can do wanders. It can make someone blessed with Its beauty randomly, despite no qualifications on the part of a chanter . So why not us who has committed ourselves to Its Divine Cause? Are we a looser? Certainly not. We are benefited by each heartfelt offering to our Divine Master and Lord. Sri Krishna is called Sweetness Personified and His devotee is very kind, so why aren't we happily chanting His names every day with enthusiasm? I think we should, even-though we are told that on our platform our "chanting is a duty to our Gurudeva."
Self-deception is our friend
No way! But if we think for a while... Anything can be used for the service to my Master. My self-deceit can lead me to the realization that I am actually making harm to myself. Being retrospective helps and this is what Srila Guru Maharaj calls, atma nikshepa, or self-analysis. Omitting this point, this paragraph has no meaning.
I can bring down my deceitful tendencies by sincere reading books of Srila BR Sridhar Maharaj. Prapanna Jivamrita and Sermons part I, II, III & IV are perfect books for disease of self-deceitfulness. Śrila Govinda Maharaj told me once "read all books of Guru Maharaj regularly, our life is very short." The bhakti jnan coming from his books will unveil the masquerade of deceit in our mind and heart. Just keep reading with full attention and share what you have read with other devotees. We are all on the same boat. So keep sharing.
10/5/10
Sermons, part II, chapter 12 - Earnestness
A blind man, with no experience of form or color, could see by His will. So if His position is such then what our attitude should be in approaching Him? "How much earnestness should we have to approach that land? It is easy - it is difficult. Easy, because it is our inborn tendency. It is our home. But now we are far away from home. It is home, my own, so there is hope that I may reach there one day."
Now I am hopeful.
This is what is to be considered as knowledge. All knowledge is with Him. What I know is nonsense. My experience and calculation is not a real knowledge through which I can know Him. More I know of this world the more I am filled with poison. Because any amount of information cannot grasp His infinite state of art. If I ma ready to admit this I will have a chance to know Him to the point He wants me to know. Then I will consider to be fully knowledgeable. Like a cup that was filled with ocean water. He himself said "the knowledge of this world is just an insignificant spark of the whole manifestation of Him." Not knowing this we are deceiving ourselves. Why? Because the so-called education will create a sense of pride that is very difficult to remove. It it somewhat better to deal with an ignorant man of the street then a scholar. But also a religious man who has the ego of a religious man is difficult to convince to be a man of a real faith. Both are proud of their position thinking they know.
vedasraya nastikya vada baudhake adhika (CC. Madhya 6.168) Half truth is more dangerous than a falsehood.
It is better to be ignorant at the front of the Lord. That's why when we go to see the Lord in the temple we are there to be seen by Him.
"(...)If we have to admit God, then we have nothing. If we are His created objects, play dolls, we have nothing. As soon as we have admitted God, then we are dispossessed of everything! So much renunciation is impossible. To hold that 'I am the absolute authority' means that I am nowhere. Such self-abnegation is not so cheap!"
Now I am hopeful.
This is what is to be considered as knowledge. All knowledge is with Him. What I know is nonsense. My experience and calculation is not a real knowledge through which I can know Him. More I know of this world the more I am filled with poison. Because any amount of information cannot grasp His infinite state of art. If I ma ready to admit this I will have a chance to know Him to the point He wants me to know. Then I will consider to be fully knowledgeable. Like a cup that was filled with ocean water. He himself said "the knowledge of this world is just an insignificant spark of the whole manifestation of Him." Not knowing this we are deceiving ourselves. Why? Because the so-called education will create a sense of pride that is very difficult to remove. It it somewhat better to deal with an ignorant man of the street then a scholar. But also a religious man who has the ego of a religious man is difficult to convince to be a man of a real faith. Both are proud of their position thinking they know.
vedasraya nastikya vada baudhake adhika (CC. Madhya 6.168) Half truth is more dangerous than a falsehood.
It is better to be ignorant at the front of the Lord. That's why when we go to see the Lord in the temple we are there to be seen by Him.
"(...)If we have to admit God, then we have nothing. If we are His created objects, play dolls, we have nothing. As soon as we have admitted God, then we are dispossessed of everything! So much renunciation is impossible. To hold that 'I am the absolute authority' means that I am nowhere. Such self-abnegation is not so cheap!"
9/28/10
Sermons, Part II, Chapter 11.
What I know is nothing. What He knows is everything.
If this is the case then what is the chance to know Him? By chance.
My greatest obstacle is to always refer to my experience and knowledge of which I am so proud. "I know I have been around long enough to have some say to consult others...I am a preacher." The fact of the matter is that to know something about something and to know the thing are two different things. Śrila Govinda Maharaj used to say "everyone thinks he is a teacher, but not every one is."
Here Śrila Guru Maharaj mentioned Rupa Goswami's śloka: kleśagni śubhada moksa laghuta krit, sudurlabha.... in our devotional journey to the land of service we will experience removal of disturbances from inside and manifestation of auspiciousness around, then sense of liberation will easily appear on the horizon like a hope but actually it will be so insignificant against the prospect of devotion to Śri Krishna. And then we will realize that it is very difficult to achieve, almost unattainable. But subhada viśesaatma,"if some how we have a chance to get in connection with that supreme reality, we will find some fundamental awakenment that infinite happiness is approaching us."
Let me repeat - 'a chance'. So we are hoping for that chance. Our all life is focused on that chance which may or may not come. The Grace. We will sacrify all our life for that unknown Infinite Affection of the Autocrat. We are still to understand the nature of that independent Grace. But we will never stop because śri krisna kaśinicha sah - "He is embodiment of all types of ecstasy." Then if we properly proceed further "He will come to us in the conception of Krishna consciousness."
Have I realized the magnitude of this process yet? If I did I can start diving deep in to reality, thinking out of the box beyond time, space & any dimension.
If this is the case then what is the chance to know Him? By chance.
My greatest obstacle is to always refer to my experience and knowledge of which I am so proud. "I know I have been around long enough to have some say to consult others...I am a preacher." The fact of the matter is that to know something about something and to know the thing are two different things. Śrila Govinda Maharaj used to say "everyone thinks he is a teacher, but not every one is."
Here Śrila Guru Maharaj mentioned Rupa Goswami's śloka: kleśagni śubhada moksa laghuta krit, sudurlabha.... in our devotional journey to the land of service we will experience removal of disturbances from inside and manifestation of auspiciousness around, then sense of liberation will easily appear on the horizon like a hope but actually it will be so insignificant against the prospect of devotion to Śri Krishna. And then we will realize that it is very difficult to achieve, almost unattainable. But subhada viśesaatma,"if some how we have a chance to get in connection with that supreme reality, we will find some fundamental awakenment that infinite happiness is approaching us."
Let me repeat - 'a chance'. So we are hoping for that chance. Our all life is focused on that chance which may or may not come. The Grace. We will sacrify all our life for that unknown Infinite Affection of the Autocrat. We are still to understand the nature of that independent Grace. But we will never stop because śri krisna kaśinicha sah - "He is embodiment of all types of ecstasy." Then if we properly proceed further "He will come to us in the conception of Krishna consciousness."
Have I realized the magnitude of this process yet? If I did I can start diving deep in to reality, thinking out of the box beyond time, space & any dimension.
9/19/10
Sermons, Part II, Chapter 10
I am standing naked at the front of the Lord. He sees me. I accept His glance that washes my mind and body. I came to be enjoyed by Him. I have nothing against this. Now my mind is not searching for defects in others. I hope this will last at least few seconds or three, then I will be happy. I will stand at the vast shore of this devastating ocean of life patiently waiting for a boat sent from the other side by those great white souls. They are my hope and teachers. I am nothing. I no longer fear. That is my dream.
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