Comments on: One overly pampered bhakta's view of the cracker's barrel

By: Vamsi Vadana Dasa

Vamsi Vadana Dasa — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:32:36 +0000

I really appreciate your attitude, Eric. I think it´s better to be honest and straight forward when you can´t agree with some things. I think our faith is not genuine if we only follow outwardly when still have doubts and questions regarding the philosophy and teachings of Srila Prabhupada and our other acharyas.
Before I got initiated my Gurudeva told me “First you have to check if I am really worthy to be a Guru. Don´t follow blindly.” We can´t have a discussion with the authors who have already left this world, but we can direct our questions to those who are with us on this planet and let them clarify our doubts.
In my case my Gurudeva was able to anwer each and every question I have had profoundly (and every day new questions come up). Only by reading the books I could have never understand their content. I realized it was necessary for me to have a living guide who I could talk to. My Gurudeva is aware that there are editing mistakes in his own published books. How could it not be? There are so many conditioned souls involved in that process.

So, it´s not bad to question everything when we have a inquisitive mood and want to find out what this Bhakti is all about.

By: eric

eric — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:02:48 +0000

I think you’re right. You should study a bit more about that. Just try to have a rational conversation (in person) with a woman into womens rights, etc. If everyone remains calm, an understanding can usually be reached.

And you’re right. Nobody should rule anybody else. We have freewill and intelligence.

A good rule to keep in mind is that golden rule (as spoken in the Mahabharata by Brihaspati: “One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one’s own self. This, in brief, is the rule of dharma. Other behavior is due to selfish desires.”

Also, in the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna says: One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contamination, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn’t care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and engaged in devotional service, is very dear to Me. (Bg 12.18-19).

Good things to keep in mind.

By: Suresh das

Suresh das — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:55:12 +0000

I like the Vaishnava history, art, and culture the best. I really don’t like the ISKCON or devotee bashing that goes on. Of course my article isn’t that nice, but it is what it is, because that’s how I felt yesterday, and today is today. The wierd thing is I felt so right on when I wrote it, but now I wonder if I am wrong?

I realized today that I need to study more to try to understand what devotees like Vrajabhumi are feeling. I don’t really understand women’s issues and haven’t studied or listened to anything about it.

The main thing I am afraid of is being somebody’s slave, and being under someone elses control. As much as she doesn’t want me to tell her what to do, I don’t want her to rule me either. I don’t like it when women push me around and tell me what to do. I am sure they don’t like the same from me either.

By: eric

eric — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:57:42 +0000

Hm. well, I hope it’s well received. I’ve figured out that I read SS when people tell me about something on there. Or I read something referencing something on there.

I do really appreciate the “Changes” series though. That’s pretty cool.

By: Suresh das

Suresh das — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:54:02 +0000

I just posted a new article at Sampradaya Sun. I was going to mention you in it Eric, so that maybe you might actually go and read it. It is pretty cool. I was writing it until 2:00 in the morning last night. I’ll let you know if they actually print it.

By: eric

eric — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:24:59 +0000

So nice you said it twice!

By: Rati

Rati — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:01:30 +0000

“This, to me, is the essence of the sankirtana movement. It is for everybody. This, to me, is the essence of the sankirtana movement. It is for everybody.”

absolutely!

By: Rati

Rati — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:59:43 +0000

hahahahhaha!!! quite a few did hop that bus. “it’s the same message but in new dress.”

By: eric

eric — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:51:59 +0000

You could, sure, I mean some folks are easily offended. But I think most smart folks would realize that in these times, and in many cultures, the religious stuff was left to the men. Here is a philosophy that is for everybody.

This, to me, is the essence of the sankirtana movement. It is for everybody.

It’s really easy to see the difference between the two verses if you read both of Srila Prabhupada’s translations.

By: eric

eric — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:49:21 +0000

What?! Noooo. Are you trying to say that after Bhaktipada went south that they just hopped onto the nearest guru? Nooooooo…