sinimat

It's a matter of choice. God gives us freewill, so we have the choice to either use that in order to serve God and be happy, or we can serve ourselves and be miserable (the current state we are in). It is true that we have to suffer the results of our karma, but I don't consider God a big dictator. Rather, he is the most just and we have brought everything upon ourselves.

Dear Guest, I will try to answer these questions to the best of my ability. I wondered too about time and if a soul can be reborn in the past. I've concluded that since time is eternal, then I believe it is a possibility for one to be born in the past. However, this is just my humble opinion. However, it is up to the karma of the soul, but if that karma dictates that the soul be reborn in the past, then I believe it can happen. I don't think that Krishna would get bugged by us chanting too much. Just the other day, I read something that George Harrison said. He said that the sankirtan (chanting the Holy names of the Lord) is constantly going on, eternally. However, we only sometimes take part in that. Krishna is very pleased when we do though. I agree with theist's response regarding material science. Krishna wants us to get back to Him, and if by studying material science one comes back to devotion to Krishna, then that is good. Also, I am an engineer, and Krishna advises Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita, that one must perform his duty while surrendering the results to Him. Therefore, if material science is your duty, then yes, Krishna encourages that. However, He wants you to remember Him in the process. In the Introduction to the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, Srila Prabhupada says: What is material nature? This is also explained in Gītā as inferior prakṛti, inferior nature. The living entity is explained as the superior prakṛti. Prakṛti is always under control, whether inferior or superior. Prakṛti is female, and she is controlled by the Lord just as the activities of a wife are controlled by the husband. Prakṛti is always subordinate, predominated by the Lord, who is the predominator. The living entities and material nature are both predominated, controlled by the Supreme Lord. According to the Gītā, the living entities, although parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord, are to be considered prakṛti. This is clearly mentioned in the Seventh Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā. Apareyam itas tv anyāṃ prakṛtiṃ viddhi me parām/ jīva-bhūtām: "This material nature is My inferior prakṛti, but beyond this is another prakṛti — jīva-bhūtām, the living entity." We are the jivas and our enternal identitiy, or dimension we belong in, is purely spiritual. However, because we are superior prakrti, we are sort of stuck between two dimensions- the spiritual and the material. We have the choice to live in either one, and right now, we have chosen to be in the material dimension. However, this is not where we belong. We belong with Krishna, who is in the spiritual dimension. Although Krishna created the material dimension, he does not dwell in it. He is transcendental, or apart from it. As far as the next aga after Kali yuga goes, I think the cycle just repeated again, forever. Therefore, that age would be Satya-yuga. Haribol Prabhu!

In case you were wondering what Kriya Yoga is, I can explain to you what I learned. I studied Yogananda's book Autobiography of a Yogi and was interested enough to sign up for the lessons (which cost money, not much, but they still cost money). From what I gathered, Kriya Yoga is a process in which one undergoes various Kriyas, or purification techniques in order to re-establish your relationship with God. It's similar to Krishna Consciousness in the sense that one is trying to get back to God. However, the process seemed very complicated and difficult. For example, one has to sit and meditate on the sound vibration OM. Yogananda described the techniques as the jet engine of yoga, but I believe that in this day and age (Kali yuga), bhakti-yoga is the quickest, most direct route back to God. Yogananda was a very spiritual soul and even mentioned Hare Krishna's in his book. However, he said they were too loud and crazy, dancing all over the place and everything. He said he preferred to sit in silence and try to experience God that way. Anyway, I believe the people in charge of his teachings are somewhat cheaters. First of all, you have to pay money for the lessons. If the lessons were so good, why would one not want to distribute them freely? Second, since the lessons are all copyrighted, one promises not to disclose them to anyone else, not even one's spouse! I'm not trying to put them down at all, just give people an idea of my experience with it. I'm so glad that Kriya Yoga brought me to the highest from of Yoga, devotional service to Lord Sri Krishna! Haribol!!

Strange sounds? I don't think the maha-mantra is strange. Plus, she's heard it before. I'm not sitting up chanting directly in her ear. Plus, I don't think she'll wake up. She is very receptive to sound while sleeping. She used to listen to music CDs while sleeping and would somehow remember all of the lyrics the next day! I think this is a beautiful way to introduce her to Krishna Consciouness. Haribol

That post above was by me- I wasn't signed in.

Govindaram, That advice is great. I know that she felt happiness after hearing the chanting at the temple. This way, she will hear it daily and it will enter into her heart. I've thought about this before and I should give it a try! Thanks Prabhu! gHari, Thank you for your advice and encouragement. I know that Krishna brought us two together for a reason too, which I think I know what it is. The problem is that I have become weird on her, and as she says completely different. I am trying to revive some of that old part of me that she can relate to, but it's hard when I'm trying to develop my Krishna Consciousness. Thanks again Prabhu! Haribol Prabhus! Your servant, Matthew

Hare Krishna Prabhus. I have only been a devotee for about 3 months, but the more Krishna Conscious I become, the more my wife becomes unhappy. I want her to come to Krishna Consciousness so badly, but I understand that it cannot be forced upon anyone. She actually came to the temple with me Sunday night and I noticed she was happy afterwords. However, I don't want to abandon her, but is this some attachement I have that is holding me back from fully developing spiritually? On the other hand, I feel very strongly that it is my mission in life to not only become Krishna Conscious, but to help my wife become Krishna Conscious as well. I only desire for her to become a devotee with me. It's just so hard right now because she is trying to resist everything. I would really appreciate your input and advice on this issue. Thank you so much Prabhus. Haribol! Matthew

Hare Krishna Guest! I too, like many others here, have experienced what you are going through. It took me quite awhile to stop smoking pot. I still did it even when I didn't like what it did to me. I really don't understand why I kept doing anyway though. But, it did take some time for me to loose my taste for it completely. Thanks to Krishna's mercy and the Holy Names, I've experienced much better things by chanting. Just keep chanting Krishna's names and you will get through it. Let me know if I can do anything else for you. Haribol!

AGTSP, Hare Krishna! I used to swim in college too! Not any more though- I got burned out and found more important things in life! Haribol!!! Matt

I was just reading, I think it was in the book entitled "Krishna", that Krishna and Radahrani played chess. Therefore, it is a pastime of Krishna. I'm not sure if we should play it though. Haribol!

Could you give me a link where I can buy this movie? Thanks Prabhu! Haribol, Matt

I heard that there are these repellent that you plug into the wall and they emit a sonic signal that "pests" don't like (mice, spiders, etc.). I'm not sure if they work for bees, but it might be worth a try. You can find them at any store like Target. I've seen them for around $15 only, and they can cover an area like 1500 sq ft. I'm thinking about trying them for our apartment this winter because we always get mice then. Good luck! Haribol. Matt

Kulapavana, Yes I am Polish! My father's father was Polish and that's how I got the Polish name. However, I'm also Swedish, German and Scotish. Quite a mix, huh? Anyway, that's just the mix that Krishna gave me this time around. Haribol! Matt

This is from the book entitled "Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers". From this, it can be concluded that Shivambu is not to be practiced by the devotee of Krishna. Haribol! Srila Prabhupada: You are not Jesus Christ; you cannot imitate him. He has sacrificed his life for God. Can you do that? So why shall you imitate Jesus Christ? You are imitating Jesus Christ by eating meat. Why not imitate Jesus Christ and sacrifice your life for spreading God consciousness? What do you think? Yes, when you preach you can say what you think. They are so-called Christians--but what are they doing for God? Just consider the sun. The sun is absorbing urine. Can you drink urine? If you want to imitate the sun--"Oh, here is the sun absorbing urine. Let me drink urine"--can you? Jesus Christ is powerful; he can do everything. But we cannot imitate; we have to simply abide by his order. That is real Christianity. We cannot imitate a powerful man. That is wrong. In our Vedic literature, there was a poison ocean, so people could not find out what to do with it. Then Lord Siva said, "All right, I'll drink it." So he drank the whole poison ocean and kept it in his throat. Can you drink poison? Not the ocean--just one cup? So how can we imitate Lord Siva? Lord Siva never advised that we drink poison. So you have to abide by the advice, not imitate. These LSD and marijuana people say that Lord Siva used to smoke ganja. But Lord Siva drank the whole poisoned ocean. Can you do that? Lord Siva's instructions should be taken. He says that the best worship is worship of Visnu. Visnor aradhanam param. When he was asked by Parvati what method of worship is best, then he said, "The best worship is worship of Lord Visnu [Krsna]." There are many demigods, but he recommended Visnu worship as the best. And better than Visnu worship is worship of a Vaisnava. Tadiyanam--His servants, or those who are in relation to Him. For instance, we are worshiping this plant, tulasi. We are not worshiping all plants, but because this tulasi has a very intimate connection with Krsna, Visnu, we are therefore worshiping her. Similarly, if anything is intimately related with Krsna, worship of that thing is better than worship of Visnu.

Haridham, I understand your situation perfectly, as I myself am in a similar situation. I recently became a devotee, or tyring at least /images/graemlins/smile.gif, and my wife is not yet attracted to Krishna. Actually, she was quite repelled by it all at first because it was taking me away from her. However, I have been praying to Krishna, that this soul who is my wife be attracted to Him. Without a doubt, he is answering my prayers. Just this past week, my wife asked me a few questions about Krishna as a baby and I read some of the Gita to her. Then, she came inside the temple to pick me up from the kirtan on Sunday and met someone that she knows and really likes talking with from a philosophy class she took. It was very auspicious and Krishna is definately hearing my prayers. For me though, my wife has indirectly made me realize I have a lot of work on myself to do first. Although I am sacraficing some time that would otherwise be used for more Krishna Conscious things, I am trying to spend more time with her and show her that I really do care about her. I see know that I should try to attract her to Krishna though my actions, not words. If she sees changes in me and sees that I truely love her, then she will naturally be attracted to Krishna. It would not be good for our relationship, and her soul, if I continue to drift from her. So, I am trying to maintain connection with her, yet pursue Krishna. I feel that it is my duty to help her become attracted to Krishna. However, "you can bring a horse to water, but you can't make it drink". So, I'm not expecting her to come to Krishna, but I do pray that she will. If I don't expect it to happen and then if it doesn't happen, I won't be dissapointed and it won't strain our relationship. Anyway, just my two cents worth. I would really like to hear more from you. Feel free to email me (m-siniawski@northwestern.edu), if you wish. I hope we can help each other out. Haribol! Matt

Hare Krishna! In my opinion, I would not have high expectations of each other. In that way, you won't be dissapointed when the other person lets you done. Don't expect the other person to convert to the other religion- that would be a problem. The most important thing, is love. Love of God should be at the center of your marriage, and then it will be natural to love each other. It seems like you are both religious people, but don't let the customs of each religion keep you apart. Instead, draw on the similarity of the essence of each religion- love of God. That will allow each of you to develop spiritually, together.

Dear Gopaldas, I am sorry to hear about your situation with your wife. Unfortunately, I am having difficulties with my marriage too, as I am trying to be a devotee, but my wife says she is not really interested in Krishna. It is sad, but somewhat reassuring for us, that this is a very common thing. Divorce rates are so high and there are many devotees who experience problems with their marriages too. From my experiences, it seems that Krishna is definately testing us, and our wives too, with these problems. For me, the best thing I can do is just chant Hare Krishna and develop love in my heart. I try to extend that in my relationship with my wife by simply loving her. However, it's easy to say it, but hard to practice. Nonetheless, just love her and ask her to do the same with you. Ask her to have patience with you and pray for you. Also, you should pray as well. Good luck to you both. Haribol, Matt

I don't think seeing a counselor could necessarily hurt you. If you have a strong desire to do so, then maybe you should. Do you have a guru that you can talk with? Guru is the best counselor we have! Trust your intuition. Haribol

This is from the book entitled "Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers". From this, it can be concluded that Shivambu is not to be practiced by the devotee of Krishna. Haribol! Srila Prabhupada: You are not Jesus Christ; you cannot imitate him. He has sacrificed his life for God. Can you do that? So why shall you imitate Jesus Christ? You are imitating Jesus Christ by eating meat. Why not imitate Jesus Christ and sacrifice your life for spreading God consciousness? What do you think? Yes, when you preach you can say what you think. They are so-called Christians--but what are they doing for God? Just consider the sun. The sun is absorbing urine. Can you drink urine? If you want to imitate the sun--"Oh, here is the sun absorbing urine. Let me drink urine"--can you? Jesus Christ is powerful; he can do everything. But we cannot imitate; we have to simply abide by his order. That is real Christianity. We cannot imitate a powerful man. That is wrong. In our Vedic literature, there was a poison ocean, so people could not find out what to do with it. Then Lord Siva said, "All right, I'll drink it." So he drank the whole poison ocean and kept it in his throat. Can you drink poison? Not the ocean--just one cup? So how can we imitate Lord Siva? Lord Siva never advised that we drink poison. So you have to abide by the advice, not imitate. These LSD and marijuana people say that Lord Siva used to smoke ganja. But Lord Siva drank the whole poisoned ocean. Can you do that? Lord Siva's instructions should be taken. He says that the best worship is worship of Visnu. Visnor aradhanam param. When he was asked by Parvati what method of worship is best, then he said, "The best worship is worship of Lord Visnu [Krsna]." There are many demigods, but he recommended Visnu worship as the best. And better than Visnu worship is worship of a Vaisnava. Tadiyanam--His servants, or those who are in relation to Him. For instance, we are worshiping this plant, tulasi. We are not worshiping all plants, but because this tulasi has a very intimate connection with Krsna, Visnu, we are therefore worshiping her. Similarly, if anything is intimately related with Krsna, worship of that thing is better than worship of Visnu.

Yasodanandana, thank you so much for this link! It is the mother load of vaishnava mp3 files. Thanks again! Haribol!

Stonehearted, Thank you for the wonderful, consice description. Also, thank you for the warning as being an initiated devotee before obtaining a sila. For now, I'll just stick to chanting the holy names of the Lord. Haribol! Matt

Dear Nisha, Hare Krishna! Thank you for making these available. I am a new devotee and I have heard alot about Salagram Silas, but I am not sure what they are exactly. Can you (or someone else) please give me some information on them? I am interested in obtaining one and I would be forever grateful to you. My email address is: sinimat78@. Thank you and Haribol! Matt

I know how you feel! It's like I don't want to do any of the things I used to do. However, Krishna advises Arjuna that he still must perform his duty, while remembering Krishna. Therefore, you should continue with your plans of graduate school. As far as getting married, I would only marry a fellow devotee- rather than having your parents arrange a marriage. But, maybe it could work out that you introduce your future wife to Krishna too. Anyway, you still need to perform your duties in devotion to Krishna. Also, like Govindaram said, everyone is also looking for Krishna themselves, even if they don't know it, so help them out by talking about Him. Haribol!

Jesus or Kalki avatar, whoever is coming will come to clean the Earth of the demonic souls and bring the devotees of God back home. Jesus didn't fail to provide protection to his body, it was Krishna's will for him to be crucified to show other people the way. Jesus taught love of God and others and he lived this even while being killed. However, one should understand that Jesus didn't care about his material body at all, so why would he try to save it by protection?

I believe Aryan refers to an ancient civilization that followed the instructions of the Vedas as to how to live life properly. They were very advanced. The nazis stole the name Aryan, like they stole the swastika, which is an ancient sacred symbol. Haribol!