JRdd

This one all the funding goes to help build an ashrama for Indian widows and orphan girls. One is advised on the sleeve, therefore, to please not copy it but buy more to give to friends and relatives as a spiritual gift. What is the name of the video you are talking about, do you remember? I would be interested. Jayaradhe

Atmarama, self-satisfied. That state where one hankers for what one already has. How inconceivably different from the type of hankering I know.

I highly recommend the 90-minute video Guide to the Spiritual World: VRINDAVANA INDIA. It is simply packed with nectar, film footage of intimate forests and Deities and other holy places, as well as very exquisite paintings and other temple decor. It is narrated beautifully, with explanations, stories including Krsna Book quotes, and is put together so artistically that it is a visual delight at every moment. Paramaradhya devi dasi put this together, and plans to do more. I am impressed with the quality and sublimeness of this presentation! ys, JR

Had to share this, from another place: Fri Sep 7, 2001 2:32 am Universal laws of leadership Dear prabhus, Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada! Since we have been discussing lately the topic of how to implement our vision of a genuine Krsna Conscious society, I'd like to share with you a very good article I found recently in the Detroit Free Press titled "Rules of leadership include good and bad." Since every group needs leaders, I think it's important to meditate deeply on what exactly constitutes good leadership qualities and also what is to be avoided. This article provides good food for thought on this subject, and I was amazed at how accurately it describes the disastrous leadership style we see in pseudo-ISKCON in the negative items. Most of the items are very positive, though, and these are points we should ponder quite deeply and think how we can implement them. Your servant and godsister, XXXXXXXXXX dasi ------------------ Here are the universal laws of leadership: The law of authoritarian style: Authoritarian leaders lead by control and fear. It's a "my way or the highway" approach. They believe their right to leadership comes with their title. This style works in the short term because those weaker than the leader will obey. The problem is this style guarantees rebellion and therefore falls apart in the long term.[ The law of authoritative style: Authoritative leaders lead by example, respect and trust. Their position of leadership is earned. An authoritative leader is not interested in control. An authoritative leader is clearly and simply in charge. [srila Prabhupada ki jaya!] The law of example: Leaders know they are watched, imitated and modeled. Everything they do is an example to those they are leading, and so they think and behave accordingly. The law of vision: "Without a vision, the people perish." Visionary leaders think long term. Because they know where they are going, everything they do has a clear purpose. Their vision guides their leadership. The law of dictators: Dictators are impostors trying to look like leaders. Dictators foster blind, fearful and dependent followers. Dictators lord their power over their followers. The law of leaders: Genuine leaders create not disciples, but other effective leaders. This is because leaders teach, even mentor, those whom they are called to lead. The law of listening: Without the ability to listen, leaders are only capable of responding to what is going on inside their own heads and hearts. That's a dangerous thing, even for the best and wisest of leaders. When listening, leaders can respond to what is going on inside the heads and hearts of those being led. An effective leader needs both sources of information. The law of understanding: "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." Most leaders -- most people for that matter -- seek first to be understood. "If only I could get them to understand, then they would follow me." From that misguided notion comes tremendous effort to make people understand. There is an agenda, and it will be pushed. Like many other paradoxes of life, just the opposite is true. Once you seek to understand first, your chance to be understood skyrockets. So does your chance to lead.

MC wrote: "If you want to be compassionate and accept people for what they are, then accept them as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. Anything less is an insult to any living being". This is a classic. Really. Needs to go in my book of quotes anyway. Can I use it on my website MC? Atma wrote: "So true. To identify ourselves as men, women, homosex, etc, is so much in the bodily conciousness. MC, isn't there a letter from Srila Prabhupada to one mataji where he tells her that her problem was that she was identifying herself as a woman?" (gulp) I don't know if I am ready to hear that. Just give me service and I'll forget my bodily id better. But wait a minute. Aren't we supposed to be aware of everything in our surroundings, and use it in Krsna's service? That would include not only our actions, and words, and thoughts, but also the mentality and particular feelings that come with our genders. I really think that there is no point in pep talking ourselves out of identifying with our bodies. All attachments, all anarthas, fall away automatically, or naturally, as we gain more and more attachment to Radha and Krsna and serving Them. I think this is an EXTREMELY important point, simple as it sounds, because when we get into endeavouring in artificial or showy (even showy to ourselves) attempts to behave as if we are detached we simply degrade into impersonalism, because this detachment is not linked with the Supreme Person, but more with our own efforts and motives--our desires to be free from miseries, or to appear as renounced for the sake of prestige, or for what ever reasons that are not connected with Krsna. If we keep ourselves busy, both when alone and with each other, in engaging in activities related with Krsna consciousness, then isn't that far more conducive for spiritual growth than straining separately (and thus always meditating on) to avoid that which draws us mundanely? JR

No, no, GOOD brain syndrome! Thank you for this amazingly simple but beautiful response, Maitreya. To see ourselves spiritual in relation to the Lord--and DESPITE those bodily things--not BECAUSE of them!? That is what really bugges me the most when I heard about these discussions, here and over at the Mela: that some were attaching a mundane (and topsy turvy!) PRESTIGE to their third-gender (more renounced) claims. And about "true self-esteem", as you mentioned, it is true that I never feel more confident that when I am engaging in devotional service, in the association of the devotees. I just realized that about my self-esteem. Seems that in this lifetime I can not get away with enjoying much, not even confidence, unless it is in relation to bhakti, or developing bhakti. I guess that's what is troubling the ones who call themselves "third gender", too. We are all so anxious to find a way to disengage ourselves from our material attachments so that we can be done with this ridiculous business once and for all, that we often fall into justifying those things we do that are contrary to our real aim (of loving Krsna), in hopes of fooling ourselves into believing ourselves in a higher degree of attachment for Krsna than we actually have. I can not wait for the mundane attachments to drain out and leave more room for devotional attachments. I feel attachments to the devotees, fairly strongly--have no interest to be with anyone else--and after all any Vaisnava is very very special, whatever the mundane tricks they can get up to. (That doesn't mean the rest of us might not want to take them and bash them over the head with the truth, or send them to the corner to think.) JR

Oh now let me think.... Yes it went bye bye. Maybe Bhutabhavana took it with him. (I didn't dare open that other thread for fear of what I would learn there)

Kinda interested to see what anyone has to say about the post below, which I lifted off the Mela. The first part is a quote by jndas from here, which I posted there days ago. The response to that quote follows, by Madhusudani, who posted there today. > In modern usage Eunuch refers to one who was castrated (according to my dictionary - maybe there are different meanings in other areas). The Eunuchs described in the Puranas were born castrated so to speak. > There are eunuchs (or hijras as they're often called in India), who were born with ambiguous genitals, like the people we call "hemaphrodites" here. There are also eunuchs/hijras who have been castrated in their teens, or as adults. The first type are very rare and definitely seen as having special powers (being able to provide both blessings and curses). Both types (as well as pre-op "hijras" who still have their genitals) typically live in communal households with a "guru". They used to make a living attending weddings and other ceremonies, but these days those opportunities are fewer. So instead, many have turned to sex work, putting them at great risk for HIV and other STIs. The ones I have spoken with are quite proud of the description in the Mahabharata where Arjuna pretends to be a eunuch for a year (while in exile). They feel this justifies their existence and even makes it spiritual. It is true that "eunuch" does not typically equal "homosexual". However, many eunuchs do have sex with other men, sometimes acting out the role of a wife. In general, India and Indians have a much more fluid concept of both gender and sexuality than we are used to here in the West and our attempts to put everyone into neat little boxes doesn't really work there. I think that's one of the reasons for "the third sex". Madhu

Great, well, you have come to one of the right places, anyway. I got distracted before and meant to say that As It Is means the teachings are being presented intact, without change, as they were originally spoken by Krsna and Arjuna. This is historical, not some mythology. I'm glad you have this Bhagavad-gita already. best wishes, Jayaradhe

Welcome, Chris! I am sure that besides the responses you get here, you will also find a lot on this website. And look at Bhagavad-gita As It Is, as soon as you can. As It Is means that it has been presented by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The url for this is, I think, http://www.asitis.com/ You can read the whole thing online! Also, I invite you to view the beautiful photos and paintings, from various sources, on my website, which also has a few smaplings of Vaisnava writings (Vaisnavas are devotees of God, or Visnu). The url is: http://www.geocities.com/theopenheart Last of all, there is also the entire Krsna Book online, which tells the pastimes of Lord Krishna, which are most enjoyable and spiritually enlivening: http://www.krsnabook.com/ Hare Krsna, Jayaradhe dasi (edited for urls) [This message has been edited by JRdd (edited 09-06-2001).]

The State is really trying to come down hard on charter schools. In July there was urgent action called for in Sacramento when they were trying their best to take more control. We had some victories, but our budgets are definitely affected. Still, today my daughter got to choose $100 worth of art supplies from a school approved supplier's catalogue (ridiculous as I can get my ownsupplies at a fraction of the cost, and with all this budgeting you'd think they could find better sources, but that's bureau-crazy--doesn't usually make a lot of sense). I'll see if there are any interesting reads about State changes and proposals in my mailbox; I've saved most of it. JR

(tee hee) Is that what some call dovetailing?

Hari bol, Krsnachandra prabhu, nice to see you around again; as I mentioned earlier on the Mela I too enjoyed this photoessay very much. It would be wonderful if more were able to do this on special events. You described everything so blissfully too. Sudevi prabhu, I sent out some batches of Jagannath turban pieces this week, but still haven't heard from you as to where to send them. Perhaps you missed my email? Let me know and I will send another email. thanks, ys, Jayaradhe dasi

Hari bol, Krsnachandra prabhu, nice to see you around again; as I mentioned earlier on the Mela I too enjoyed this photoessay very much. It would be wonderful if more were able to do this on special events. You described everything so blissfully too. Sudevi prabhu, I sent out some batches of Jagannath turban pieces this week, but still haven't heard from you as to where to send them. Perhaps you missed my email? Let me know and I will send another email. thanks, ys, Jayaradhe dasi

Oh, I read that as lugdoos to dub ya. I better go see about lunch. If I'm humgry, what to speak of the Supreme Butter Thief.

Nice relevance too.

I am the same way, actually. I do not want to go out of my way to make myself distinguishable in case of government takeover. I think my paranoia comes from my dreams. Once I was flying and when I landed at home they were in my house, capturing me for lab studies, for use in defense strategies. Another time they rounded me up after they'd got everyone else in England but me, and as they came toward me with the injection needle, I thought, just before I woke up, "They can take my body but they can't take my soul" and I woke up chanting Hare Krsna. But it was intense. Valaya prabhu, I would like to respond to your posts but I can not think or write very analytically right now. consider the post on the gay thread a painting as I want it to jsut sit there like that for awhile and not elaborate, although I'm building up to it. ys, JR

I have always been fascinated by tattoes, and did a study on them for my English folklore class. The other day while waiting at the Greyhound station I just had to pore over the photos in a tattoo magazine of a feloow passenger. It is always so stunning to me, horrifying and occasionally wondrous too. I kneow some elderly Gujerati women who got tattoes on their arms so that if they were kidnapped by the Muslims of that time, when they finally made it back home they would be recognised and accepted back into their families. I have friends with mantras tattoed on their arms. I have often wondered, if not for my innate fear of and disbelief in needles and other invasions on the body (what do devotees think of acupuncture?) if I would not also like to have such on my body when I died, the mahamantra I mean. I know what you mean about vanity, Valaya. However I also think that it is good to be neat and a little prideful of one's appearance, especially when taking darshan of the Deities. And women--well, women like to decorate their bodies. This natural and there is no point in denying it if one in so inclined. I like to put on nice things even if I know I am not going to see anybody at all (which is the general norm in my lifestyle). Part of it is my artistic nature, liking to make things look nice (in my surroundings too, and on my altar, alwways changing things or making new things), but part of it is being a woman. And I really don't care if anyone frowns on me for that. Until I make further progress, this is what I am like. gently, Jayaradhe

Thank you, audaryalila for voicing what I too was wondering about jndas' qords about the sthampakacarya. I look forward to his reply. What I would like to address now is something else you said: I for one agree with the words of another devotee which I would like to post here, speaking of the position of those who admittedly spend a good deal of their energy fighting off lust, which is in itself a kind of pretense when coupled with the idea that not acting on it (though the thoughts dwell on it) is a solution, instead of dovetailing it as is suggested herein (bold is my own addition): "...substituting the valid association of a woman in devotional service with mindless anarthas which will drag one down, instead of like SP said about associating with his women..." I think there is a lot in these few words and that if one examines them thoughtfully will see profound connections to the issue under discussion, as well as some answers to major reasons for the weakness of the Vaisnava community. your servant, Jayaradhe (edited for typos) [This message has been edited by JRdd (edited 09-04-2001).]

Oh this is just the kind of website I was looking for. Full of information, including dietary and supplement advice. living entity, you should check out this site if you haven't already. I think it is just what you want too. Thanks heaps, MC!

Thanks! I just wanted to say that I fixed some links and added more on the "Cool Websites" page, and did everyone know that the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, in its original unedited form, is now available! It's $15 for the hardback. If anyone has any websites they would like me to link from my site, bring them on. ys, Jayaradhe

Thanks! I'll check it out. How many points are we allowed before we pass out? ')

Well, I took it that you were angry only at those individuals who you felt were participating in the Chakra thing, not that you were targeting homosexual devotees. But I would also like to take this opportunity to make sure that no one has been offended by anything I or my alterego Ducky has said here or on the Mela. When I speak against any of the issues raised by GALVA I am not speaking against any devotee or aspirant devotee. I may disagree with some of the points made, which mainly I do not want to see Prabhupada's teachings misrepresented, by anyone, no matter who they are, but I do not close my heart to any devotee. ys, Jayaradhe

Ummm, what's this got to do with tattoes?