jeffster

Sonic Yogi, What kind of car is that ? jeffster/AMd

Sounds like pacifism to me. Why do we need their approval ? jeffster/AMd

Hello Theist, Isn't the meaning of religion for a Vaishnava to dovetail his desires with Krishna's desires so he can serve purely ? In other words, a Vaishnava has no separate desires from those of the Lord. If we look at the literal meaning of religion, it means to relink with Divinity. Yoga means to re-yoke or re-link, also. In our long history as baddha-jivas, we have maintained separate desire from that of the Lord, only to find ourselves frustrated repeatedly. Now it is time for us to willingly re-establish that connection. Bhaktatraveler and sanatan, I am a little amazed to find other motorheads here, but really it shouldn't be surprising. It's fun until you crash, then the pain and suffering start. I found this web-site after I crashed, and it has satisfied my desire to discuss bhakti yoga with like-minded individuals. Personally, I have less desire to be a "boy racer" since crashing, although I still have my moments, like yesterday over HWY 17. I have considered riding a bicycle again, although I must use a car for work. It has become apparent to me that use of automobiles is one of the factors that is making it tough on Mother Earth. We have had some tremendous karma to have had the opportunity to use these fantastic machines, the automobiles. Not even kings of yore would have dreamt of such things. But, after all, they are only machines, dead matter... jeffster/AMd

The book is Guru & Atma Nivedan by Raghav Chaitanya das. Who was Raghav Chaitanya das ? Must be one of the predecessor acharyas (?) What a great book. jeffster/AMd

Hello Theist, I find that humor helps me. When someone gets me to laugh or I get them to laugh, it seems to help all concerned, and lightens the load a bit. Also, from your photo in post # 1, it appears that either your head must be too large or your body is too small. I would recommend either a very good diet of whole foods, best if offered, or conversely, try putting your head in a toaster oven for two hours. Driving a sports car fast through heavy traffic can be lots of fun at times, but there is little margin for error in such endeavour. However, it is GUARANTEED to get you off the mental plane. But seriously, the best thing any of us can do to get free of the mental platform is to join a kirtan and just let go. I am facing many of the same issues as you are, and I do not feel prepared at all to die a truly noble death. But Krishna sees our heart, and He will make whatever arrangement is necessary for us to make further progress. Jeffster/AMd

Narasingh, Thanks for your blessing. Truthfully, I struggle to understand Chaitanya Lila. I am much more attracted to Krishna lila. For me personally, and I mean this quite literally and very personally, Chaitanya revealed Krishna. I am eternally indebted to Chaitanya and Prabhupad for this revelation, but I am most attracted to Krishna lila. I do accept Chaitanya as Krishna, but I do not understand him (Chaitanya). It is too high for me. Anyway, the gist of my last 2 posts is that we should spend our time listening to uplifting music rather than maintaining attraction to the mundane music of our past. I am not condemning anything of our past; after all, I have stated that it was a step on the journey. Post # 21 was actually meant to be a parody of the late night TV CD promotional sales that we have here in States. I was attempting to make a bit of a joke, but also attempting to hint at something sublime. Since it is not possible for one such as me to portray something sublime, I could be accused of speculation here or possibly even offensiveness. Are these posts offensive ? I don't mean offense here; I am just trying to encourage a subtle mood in a slightly comedic format. Actually, I am just nonsense. Don't pay any attention to my posts. However, if you like post # 21, here is another: If you liked Lord Krishna's Greatest Hits, the Cowherd Saga, Volume 2, you'll be pleased with the re-issue of Lord Krishna's Greatest Hits, Volume 1: Jiva Come Home. Included are these 12 great hits: Surround Yourself (With My Love) Yearning A Cloud Passes Cowherd Boy Chorus - uncut, extended version Spellbound Souls Dwarka Dream - the remix Come Home to Me Don't Be a Stranger to My Name The Butter & Yoghurt Song Tale of Two Kundas Long Lost Friend Don't Settle for a Pale Reflection This release is not available in stores ! It is found only in your heart of hearts !! jeffster/AMd

Here's an album that every aspiring Vaishnava MUST have: LORD KRISHNA'S GREATEST HITS: THE COWHERD SAGA, Volume 2 Includes these 12 great hits: Oh Radha ! Grateful Soul Gokula Morning No Time Soul Summons Enchanting Forest Delight Yamuna Breeze Flute Medley Laddus in the Lunch Box - dedicated to Mother Yasoda Palace of Pleasures 108 My Beloved Bonus cut - Evening Lila as sung by the Manjari Sisters (unedited version) Not available in stores ! Only available through direct perception of the self by realization !! jeffster/AMd

I don't renounce maya either; after all I am married to the Princess, and that is hardly a renounced position, but at the same time I don't want to wallow in maya because of some sentimental attachment to things I was attracted to in the past. Do you think that Krishna will play Iron Maiden songs on His flute for you when you reach Krishna loka ? I don't think so. Only a pure devotee can be a "friend " to maya, because maya is pure. I am impure and conditioned, thus I fear her kicks and I pray to Krishna and Prabhupad that I can become strong and sincere so I don't perform any further necscient acts that would necessitate more harsh kicks. As far as attaining our siddha swarup goes, it will be difficult unless we replace the clutter of our past with something more pure. In other words, you are correct, we do not renounce, but we must replace with a superior taste, i.e. kirtan, bhajans, etc. because it will be kirtans and bhajans that we will be chanting for Krishna, not Credence Clearwater Revival, etc. Regards, jeffster/AMd

Hello Lotusflower, Hari Bol !! Sorry, I forgot the name of it !! It is on my home computer. I am out travelling 'til late Sat. night, don't have access to it unless I look at your link again. Can let you know Sunday. Yes, must be Hinglish, but generally pretty good, just needs a bit of cleaning up. jeffster/AMd

In one sense, one could say that everything we come into contact with in the environment is a sign from Krishna, if only we could read the signs. Since everything is ultimately attributable to Krishna, then any standard we set must be O.K., right ? Or should I be looking to upgrade my standard ? Should I still attempt to derive pleasure from tamas and rajas and the broken glass of my past or is there any way that I can discern that there may be more subtle sound vibrations available on my way to finding a perfect diamond ? It is bad enough that I don't listen much to kirtan or bhajans, which should be the real standard, and I can accept that rock music may have been a step on the journey, but any attempt to defend it as being somehow still cool & viable amazes me. If we think real hard, we can discern what Prabhupad would want us to do here. Yes, it is all coming from Krishna, but there are gradations of sound vibration, and sound vibration shapes our consciousness, so I am only suggesting that we consider carefully what we plug into. Personally I aspire to ultimately serve Krishna directly and bypass maya altogether, regardless of her exalted status. She does a thankless task and although Vaishnavas should respect her, we are not her devotees. Hope this doesn't sound harsh. Hare Krishna! jeffster/AMd

"Now, in a twist of karmic destiny, Israel has become like the giant Goliath, and the Palestinians have become like the underdog David. As we know, often people feel sympathy for an underdog." quote, posted by jeffster Jeffster, with that kind of logic, perhaps we should root for the Taliban, since they are the underdog in their conflict with EVERYONE. jeffster/AMd

As a footnote to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I was listening to BBC some time ago; the Palestinians were discussing the issue in their own language and their word for Palestinian was "Philistine." So this is a very old issue, actually, noted in the Old Testament. Even then these two parties to the conflict had ongoing battles that were fought on and off for 100s of years. The Palestinians produced Goliath, the giant, and the Hebrews produced the lad David, who slew Goliath and later became the Hebrew king. So these are two regional powers, 1/2 brothers actually - Issac, who later became king of the Jews, born of Sarah, the wife of Abraham; Ishmael, the original Palestinian, born of Hagar, Abraham's "maid servant." They have been fighting over this tiny scrap of land for a long time. Strange how close the name "Abraham" is to "Brahma." And how close "Sarah" is to "Sarasvati." So here was the Hebraic religion that, in a veiled, allegorical manner, seems to have, at least possibly, acknowledged its descent from Lord Brahma. Later in the history of this religion some sage, or prophet, discovered, or revealed, a meditational symbol, "Aleph," that revealed Brahman to the serious seekers. Thereby was begun the first "monotheistic" religion, which we term on this forum "monism." Now, in a twist of karmic destiny, Israel has become like the giant Goliath, and the Palestinians have become like the underdog David. As we know, often people feel sympathy for an underdog. If only both sides would acknowledge the reality of Krishna, perhaps there could be found a common brotherhood with its resultant peace. AMd

I found 48 pgs. of lovely piccys and artwork when I googled Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati images, and I looked at all 48 pgs., but none of him w/scooter, although somehow a Piaggio or Vespa got in there. But that's O.K. I also read one of your download books already, very excellent. What a nice service. I will quote from it on another thread. But the books need a bit of editing and also diacritical marks for the Sanskrit. I am planning to learn how to put the diacritical marks on, for my own book, possibly. Also, some of the English is what I would term detectable non-native and some expressions could be put in slightly better syntax by native speakers. But the gist of the siddhanta is clearly there and that is the important part. I hope you don't take offense at my saying that !! Hari Bol !! jeffster/AMd

Slightly off topic but still related: http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14308&size=A jeffster/AMd

Yes, we must continue to chant regardless of what happens. Our body will meet its end one way or the other... Ultimately Krishna is the only shelter. From another point of view, is there no action that can be taken to check this terrorism ? Or is it that few are willing to take the issue head on ? jeffster/AMd

"I'm not sure if you should call them terrorists. It's more like a radical Islamist movement that violently tries to implement their specific brand of radicalism and Islamic law." Perhaps if the word "violently" weren't there, I might agree with you to some extent. But when coercion and violence reign, I can only call them terrorists. The population is terrorized into submission. That valley the article discusses is not some frontier part of Pakistan. It is a valley of 1.3 million people, only about 100 miles from the major Pakistani cities. It should be apparent that the Taliban are gaining strength and spreading through use of their violent methodology. If this continues unabated, they WILL eventually control Pakistan and they will then have access to nukes. Who will they use the nukes against ? India. That would be the start of WW3. I don't think that this is anything to be taken lightly. jeffster/AMd

Any pictures of him on it ? jeffster/AMd

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/world/asia/25swat.html?_r=partner=MOREOVERNEWS&ei=5040 jeffster/AMd

Is it true that Prabhupad called motorcycles "suicycles" ? For most riders, even those who have crashed: Once a rider, always a rider. I have even heard of one who had 3 major injuries and got back on again each time. Another had a leg amputated, but bought a trike (3 wheeler). But I now ride without bravado, actually with a sense of trepidation, knowing well what could easily happen. Sunday - time to wrench and ride !! Hari Bol !! jeffster/AMd

Daiva varnashram dharma is good. But how, where and who would institute it ? It might be instituted only on a small scale in rural ashrams that I see as increasingly necessary for survival in the coming upheaval. Personally I was never able to maintain a brahminical standard, even though I had 2nd initiation, apparently proving your point. I have still chanted gayatri all these years, however. In my life since leaving the temple, I have worked as a middling vaishya. Only now, in old age (60) I am attempting to get back to the degree of faith, enthusiasm and practice I had when I joined the movement. Cutting the tubes, I don't think your guru or Krishna would approve. You could have 100 wives if you maintained them all and made sure your progeny were taught KC. Or maybe just forget about it, if you can. From old rock song: "One's too many and a hundred aren't enough." jeffster/AMd

If the Mormoms can do this, why can't the Vaishnavas ? Or, in fact, do the Mormons actually follow their codes ? Or are they hypocrites ? Alternatively, if we don't have the 4 rules, what standard would you propose ? The standard must be there, and according to the sincerity or lack thereof of the practitioner, the codes will be followed, or not. As I said, these kids have free will, and, if in spite of having been exposed to KC, they prefer to become sensualists, what can you do ? They will get their lessons in due course, and may again find their way back to their KC roots later. I have truly never yet met a Mormon that I didn't like. That's why I say " Be a Mormon. Don't be a moron. " Maybe the KC kids should go to BYU. I can testify from personal experience that many Mormons love Bhagavat philosophy and are very receptive. The Mormons are generally very innocent souls. You can see it in their fresh faces. The other issue we can touch on is that of association. If the kids are allowed to go to public school, than no wonder that they nearly turn into animals. When I had 2 stepkids in a prior marriage, they were great until they hit middle school. Then they fell in with a rougher group of kids and never really recovered from the bad association. Now I am not in contact with them, but I have heard from others that they have had some problems as adults. 31 ? A relatively young man. Search your heart for the answer to this. No one can know it but your self. All we can do is testify to our own experience. jeffster/AMd

That is the standard. That doesn't mean everyone stays on that platform. Most don't. I didn't, either, but that doesn't mean that the standard should be watered down. Recreational sex does bear a reaction, I can testify to that. They can have their fun getting pregnant and she can pop out lots of little kiddies, whom hopefully, will become devotees. It is the parent's duty to assure that their offspring are at least exposed to K.C. Many of the children later leave, but that is natural, they have free will like everyone else. Yeah, us old folks worry if we'll be able to handle dyin'. It's coming - a sure thing - sooner than later - prepare now. jeffster/AMd

Yes, of course, Islam is not getting the full picture, which includes not only brahman, but Paramatma and Bhagavan, as well. Theirs is at best a partial conception of Divinity. jeffster/AMd

This is referring to brahman. Brahman, due to its impersonal nature, cannot have partners or sons. Only the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, the manifestation of divinity in complete fullness, can have partners and sons. Or Lord Shiva, also. jeffster/AMd

"I bet if you lived in Gaza you would see Israel's reaction to these rockets as a genocide." 1.) I am not a gambling man, as my gurudev has recommended that I follow 4 principles, one of which is not to gamble. 2.) Are you suggesting that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter ? I am not saying that the Israelis are completely right. No one is completely right in this conflict because they all have material motivations. But I can discriminate between the shades of evil. If someone openly and publicly avows to destroy your nation and push all your people into the sea, would you stand idly by and let them do so ? 3.) Let us also examine which side puts on explosive belts, goes to the land of the other and blows up the belts in the middle of crowded civilian areas. Only the Muslims do that, not the Israelis. Do the Indians invade Pakistani cities, blow up commuter trains, and open fire on civilians in hotels ? So there is a gradation of evil, and I hope you awake to it. jeffster/AMd