jeffster

This link is the latest news on the Pakistani terrorist situation. Where are they getting their American-made weapons ? Captured battlefield weapons ? Or purchased by the Taliban from a country such as Saudi Arabia or Pakistan itself ? Don't some of the Islamic states receive some training and weaponry from the U.S. as part of an "aid" package ? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/world/asia/31pstan.html?partner=MOREOVERNEWS&ei=5040 jeffster/AMd

You can achieve that by chanting His Holy Names. jeffster/AMd

There is a layer of love and bliss that surrounds Him. When you approach Him closely, you become immersed within that same layer. jeffster/AMd

AM, I am pretty much with you on this thread. One thing is for sure, they are simply printing more money in an attempt to finance the huge deficit, which is just handing over practically the entire U.S. Treasury to the fat pig bankers. But the Chinese are now onto this and may not keep propping up the American facade through buying the t-bills. The Federal Reserve, NOT a part of the government, used to report to an international agency how much they printed every year, but now they don't even do that. One thing is for sure by the law of simple economics: more $ chasing the same amount of goods will produce hyperinflation. The moment this economy turns around there will immediately begin hyper-inflation, which means that the U.S. $ will deflate, possibly to bankruptcy level or to perhaps 20% of its current value, which is already highly deflated since the U.S. went off the gold standard in the 30s and the silver standard in the 60s. Americans need to wake up and throw these bums out, starting with Barry "Giggles" Obama, an unqualified and naive buffoon, although likely he is well-meaning, but too simple to understand the complexity of the situation, let alone find a way out. So he is just attempting to spend his way out, rather than fix a corrupt system based on artificial economic ideas such as derivitives and short sales, ideas that don't even show any common sense. But if you suggest an entirely new government or mode of government, it is considered sedition, so of course, I am suggesting no such thing, just a cleaning up of the present economic system. However, I think it is becoming plain to see that the U.S. government is simply another kali-yuga government, bent on the exploitation of its own citizenry, rather than on caring for the citizens and attempting to lead them forward on the path of self-realization. It uses certain platitudes, such as "democracy," which doesn't even work in America, as a smokescreen to hide its real agenda of economic aggrandizement. jeffster/AMd

Ugrakarma, industrialization, continues in India, displacing thousands from their land. http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?FSectionID=751&fSetID=3818fArticleId=4292121 See article "Tata pins hopes on world's cheapest car." Under that click on "Indian villagers paying high price for cheap Nano." jeffster/AMd

It appears that the terrorists are actually just Kali yuga thugs, but then earth during Kali yuga basically fills up with thug-like two-legged animals until Kalki Avatar shows up to set things right again: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/21/AR2009032101969.html jeffster/AMD "Adore 'ya, fellowship !!"

Hello Smiley, Yes, it sounds like your brother has been brainwashed by the SDA, which has: 1.) misconceptions about Hinduism & Buddhism which are not likely not innocent, but contrived. 2.) SDA, by ascribing "demonism" to Hinduism and Buddhism, is purposefully attempting to demean them in order to make their own teachings look superior. Actually, when things are done with ill motives, paradoxically, the opposite occurs; that is, SDA actually becomes demonic themselves. However, he is your brother, and you therefore have a good preaching field. If your brother is at all sincere and open to the truth, you may be able to convince him that he is being misled by his church and you may be able to teach him the truth of Sanatana Dharma. jeffster/AMd You could also change SDA to "Sanatana Dharma Association."

Hello Narasingh, Yes, time and circumstance favored Gandhi at that point in time, as the British were quite exhausted. jeffster/AMd

Did non-violence lead Gandhi to God or just to rebirth ? Supposedly he died with the name of Rama on his lips. Was it the real Ram ? Or shadow name ? Does anyone know Gandhis next destination ? I certainly can't answer that. What I can say conclusively, though, is that violence, as a defensive measure, is not only justifiable but sometimes necessary. Violence and non-violence both exist within the realm of duality. Both are coming just like the coming and going of the winter and summer seasons. One who knows when and how to apply violence, for defensive measures, is acting appropriately according to time and circumstance. Failure to apply violence, as a defensive measure, when appropriate, could be considered sinful. In other words, a pacifistic response, when violence is called for, is inappropriate. jeffster/AMd

Here is a link to a post by Patita Pavana das in Dandavats of a letter Prabhupad wrote to Gandhi on 7 July 1947. The letter speaks for itself: www.dandavats.com/?p=7007#more-7007 jeffster/AMd

The death of Gandhi at the hands of a gunman demonstrates the limits of a non-violent approach towards people with guns. He should have gone to the meeting with at least a bodyguard. Of course, that would have been likely contrary to his personal belief system, so he became a "martyr" instead. But real defense means ability to use arms; yes, we may be defeated and suffer at the hands of the foe, or we may win... jeffster/AMd

Arun Gandhi is suggesting that his grandfather did not believe that there were any perfect humans, and that humans, being imperfect, were interpreting shastra. We do not accept this, and Prabhupad was the prime example of a perfected human being, who did not interpret shastra. The Gandhis are interpreting shastra according to their imperfect understanding. Gandhi is just one more fallible soldier. He was warned not to go to the meeting (where he was assassinated), but still he went anyway. Non-violence can only be used against a reasonable foe; as Sepiroth suggested, the British had some degree of honor. But in this case we are dealing with a foe of subhuman mentality. Therefore, we accept that we have a right to self-defense against this arrogant, misguided foe. At some point we must defend ourselves, and that defense must be with full arms. Ksatriyas are the arms of the social body; therefore the social body must be defended by people with ksatriya intelligence using full armament (sp). If our motivation is correct like this, then what reaction can come to us ? Hare Krishna. jeffster/AMd

Yes, ultimately this is Krishna's show, and the more we can harmonize with His desire, the better off we'll be, and better able to give real aid to others by spreading the Holy Names. jeffster/AMd

The wife and I went for kirtan, class & prasad at the Lumpini Park, Bangkok, program today. Before we arrived, some Jehovahs Witnesses came up and they preached to me and I preached to them. They quoted the verse that man cannot live by bread alone, which I felt was appropriate. I told them to tell that to my wife, and they laughed. They were surprised when I told them that God has many names, actually more than 1000, but they were pretty cool with that, although they apparently favor the name Jehovah. They did not have the common Christian misconception that Jesus is God; they understood that Jesus is the son of God. They are obviously pious to come out in public and preach like that. Anyway, this Lumpini Pavillion program been run by RamLakshman das for a long time. It isn't exactly officially Iskcon, but it is fairly close to Iskcon, I believe. Anyway, some kirtan is better than no kirtan. In Thailand right now, there are a lot of devotees from Nepal, some from Burma, but only a few Thai devotees. I'll just chant my rounds then, hoping that eventually I will be able to become pure and then actually be able to do some good for people: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. jeffster/AMd

"Just chant my rounds and observe the show.." That is good advice, but should I add that I must remain a passive spectator hoping not to get caught in the cross-fire ? We are not the doer, but is there not something that we could do (purely) for Krishna here ? What is His desire ? Yes, at least the fundamentalists are some kind of theists, so they are better than atheists at least. But they give religion in general a bad rap because of their ignorant acts. But that has given me a preaching field anyway. So is the cup at least 10% full here ? Sorry Sepiroth, I forgot to answer your post # 116. It is "Tomorrow the world." Although it is more likely - Tomorrow a big chunk of Pakistan. jeffster/AMd

AM, Thanks for your subtle analysis of this most complicated issue. And telling us to "stick it where the sun don't shine," will certainly endear us to you and impel us to accept your lofty thoughts on the issue. No doubt there is some merit to your thesis, but unfortunately, we'll never know for sure. However, the fact remains that these demoniac individuals and groups are all too eager to cut off the head of the infidel. And you, sir, are an infidel worshipping some blue Personality of Godhead, which is against the highest siddhanta of Islam, because God, to them, is just an invisible, impersonal force. Right now I'm in Bangkok and, as you know, there has been trouble with Muslim extremists here for the last 4 or 5 years, because the southern 3 Thai provinces used to be part of an Islamic caliphate until about 100 yrs ago. And of course, those people would like to turn the clock back and attempt to reclaim their caliphate, so they have been busy beheading Buddhists for the last while. Of course when the Buddhists retailiate and torture some Muslims, the Muslims cry out about this inhumane treatment, as usual attempting to be seen as innocent victims. A westerner was beheaded here the other day and his head was hung from a bridge. The local press wanted us to believe that it may have been a suicide, because they don't want bad press to get out and ruin the big tourist dollars that flow into this country. Because of this greed, no one here would even admit the possibility that this was a terrorist act, but it has all the earmarks of a Muslim-instigated beheading. Frankly I think that this issue is bigger than anyone on this forum is capable of handling. I would like to ask a pure devotee how it should be handled. Unfortunately, I don't currently know any pure devotees, but if any of you do, please ask and report back. Regards, jeffster/AMd

Thank you Mr. Pathak for your astute economic analysis. That also helped me understand some things in my life that I could only feel, but not put my finger on, since I have a lot of Jupiter influence in my chart. Regards, jeffster/AMd

Now the Pakistani government is appeasing the Taliban: www.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/world/asia/17pstan.html?_r=1&partner=MOREOVERNEWS&ei=5040 Today, the Swat valley, tomorrow the ? jeffster/AMd

If we must fly one flag it should be that of Garuda, yes? jeffster/AMd

Perhaps for Bhismadev, it must have been lila, since he was already perfected. For us, we have pledged allegiance to family, society, village, tribe, country, flag, race, religion, etc. for many births. Now time for us to get over it. "Freedom from duality and designation..." jeffster/AMd

Suffering and enjoyment are both coming as resultant reactions to prior deeds. We must not be reactionary. We must proceed to the spiritual plane of suddha sattva immediately. We need to jump off the samsara wheel altogether, not hang out here hoping to enjoy our positive karma. This is because both good & bad karma bind us to the wheel. Jiv jago !! jeffster/AMd

Action and reaction in karma goes on ceaselessly. We are all faulty, with many anarthas, so we are just students learning to follow Sanatana Dharma. But bhakti is so strong that even though we have defects, and often have bhakti mixed with karma or jnana, bhakti will gradually purify us. I just read this today in Madhurya Kadambini, which is much superior to a Lamborghini. It says "Like a touchstone, the very presence of bhakti makes the heart and senses gradually lose their iron-like material qualities and acquire pure golden spiritual qualities." Therefore, Vaishnavas must base their actions on the following of sanatana-dharma. Unfortunately, this is not the case with human beings in general. It is up to us to educate them. jeffster/AMd

Narada Muni could expedite because of his pure vision. I don't have that level of vision. I could propose something, but I would immediately become implicated in cause and effect. It would be faulty, also. After some of my earlier, more forceful posts, I had some bad dreams. This indicated that Krishna was not pleased with my comments. Since I cannot see the proper course of action in this, it is therefore wiser for me to refrain from proposing action that would be faulty. Some of Narasingh's earlier posts on this thread and/or a similar thread commented in that same vein. I do not wish for this either, but I feel nearly powerless to do anything to prevent it, due to my own extensive conditioning. I do feel, however, that in Kali, truly spiritual people will continue to remain a very small % of the overall population. Hare Krishna. jeffster/AMd

Expediting WW3 would be demonic. Responding to demonism with similar demonic deeds is not fit action for a Vaishnava. Whatever I do, I want there to be the least negative and/or positive karmic implications for both me personally and society in general. I don't have the requisite wisdom it takes to deal with this issue, so from now on, I will comment little on it. To curtail this seemingly inevitable outcome, I can only do my very small part by attempting to follow Prabhupad's instructions by attempting to do some sadhana daily and preach Bhagavat philosophy to whomever will listen. Some of our non-devotee friends may want to join us in going to temple for Gaura Purnim. So I can preach in a small way like that. I am a small fry without much realization, and little influence, but I keep slowly chipping away at mayic misconception. The more people who become influenced by Bhagavat philosophy, the better chance we have at averting a nuclear holocaust. Nothing is written in stone since we have free will, although it certainly looks like we are sliding ever closer to the precipice. I agree with Narasingh that for Vaishnavas the issue is more of a personal struggle than a societal one. Since contemporary societies around the world are gradually becoming demonic, all we as Vaishnavas can do is attempt to maintain our punya and sadhana and sidestep the mutually assured destruction (MAD). Some of us will physically perish in it, some will survive it. For us it is about survival and maturation of spirit, not about survival of our body. In prior ages, this wouldn't happen on such a scale, and the scale it would happen on would be rapidly curtailed by kshatriyas. But in Kali, there is no stricture on human conduct, so we see increasing madness, delusion, born of tamo-guna. jeffster/AMd

Very touchy issue. I could tell you something that could conceivably be accomplished, but it would provoke World War 3, so I won't tell you. I now favor discrimination through intelligence as a means for me to see my way through this, which is more subtle than my baser gut-level instincts. WW3 is coming soon enough anyway, no need to hasten it. The Taliban do not need to get control of the whole of Pakistan, they only need to get control of one (1) nuke; they will then likely fire it at India, and that will be the actual beginning of WW3. Most of that war will be over within 72 hours or less, but the suffering will go on for months and years, likely decades. Here is a quote from Guru and Atma Nivedan; you can get this book through the links posted by LotusFlower: "The shastras, though they forbid us to associate with evil persons, in any way, never encourage us to speak ill of anyone, including these evil persons, at any time. By speaking ill of others we degrade ourselves." jeffster/AMd