stonehearted

This list reminds me of a book out in the late '70. It described the 100 most famous (most widely known) personalities in the world. Mohammed came in at #1, Mickey Mouse at #2.

Dear Faithful Sanjay, I want to echo Maitreya's advice. Pay attention to the signal, not the noise. If some misunderstanding came up between valaya and talasiga, I think it would have been better to take their discussion private or to another thread. Don't let our occasional silliness discourage you. Babhru das

Melvin, I want to join dasanudas in congratulating and thanking you for being so inspired by Lord Chaitanya's teachings that you have been trying to share the message of the sankirtan movement with your neighbors. By sincerely following Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's request, you have given them the greatest gift, and you will be rewarded accordingly. I'm confident that your efforts have been noted by Sriman Mahaprabhuand Nityananda Prabhu, as well as Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and Srila B. R. Shridaradeva Goswami. We should all be grateful enough for the example you have set to follow suit. Babhru das

Y'all seem to have stated more clearly than I what I intended: that we teach them basic spiritual truths, beginning with the understanding that we're spiritual beings out of our element, and that all our behavior carries natural consequences. pardon me if I was a little oblique--I was trying to finish and rush to class. I'm not so sure, though about the vibrators, though. I mean, hitting them over the head with vibrators would certainly have more effect than hitting them over the head with condoms, but what about the next time they feel the urge to sin. We can't be there all the time, so they'll eventually have to take responsibity for themselves. How about we hit them upside the head with deluxe volumes of Bhagavad-gita As It Is? Or how about vibrating massage chairs, so everyone can just mellow out?

The first thing I did when I read your post was scratch my head and that's what I've bin doing for 18 years since I left. They shut the door on us, what can I do prabhu? Stoney: I hear ya, prabhu. I've heard that when devotees come to their programs, the newer followers are warned away. And while many of the devotees on this island get together for kirtan, katha, and prasad, Siddha's folks remain aloof, preferring their own programs and company. When I went last week, I was treated well, perhaps largely because the leading devotees are old friends and see me as a non-threat. At least so far. And I certainly understand the difficulty you experience in company that doesn't respect Srila Sridhar Maharaj. I'm quite happy, so far, to be living here where I don't have to deal with that sort of exclusive mentality. Dasanudas: So who can bring them all into the one Kirtan, where there is true affection and respect all round for each others contribution to the centre. Does anyone really want that or would they all just as soon do it their own way and take their followers in that direction with them? Stone: I sure can't speak for everyone, but I do remeber Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati's admonition that only the kirtan that includes all can really be called sankirtan. I would like a world in which devotees can serve according to their understanding and capacity and come together on certain occasions for big kirtans and sharing the infinite variety of ways to serve Krishna. And I have stories . . . Kindly convey my regards to V.M.Prabhu. Would he recognize you as dasanudas? I just saw him last night. BTW, he and some of the Golden Volcano devotees also attend the Sunday programs Siddha's devotees have. VM had great respect and affection for Tusta Krishna.

Oh, I also wanted to add that last night I also shared a recent post from Tripurari Maharaj in which he pointed out that marriage teaches two important and connected values: love and sacrifice.

I haven't responded before because for now I canonly log on in my office at work. I was quite moved by your essay, Jayaradhe (one word; see? I remembered!). Last night I was in a conversation with Raghunath Anudas and another devotee, who has never been married. Something came up about women, and this never-married devotee's "old-school" colors showed (he's more closely associated with a Gaudiya Math misson than with ISKCON). Raghu said he had seen a survey regarding how to improve marriages; the bottom line was, "Listen to the woman." The old brahmacari rather blanched,and Raghu and I just smiled. "How many times have you been married?" we asked. "Well, never." I replied, that in my experience the only way to make a marriage work is that you become each other's best friend and best association, that the partners become partners. That's what has made our marriage last almost 29 years, so far. I have more to say, but I have to prepare for a class. Thanks for introducing this thread. It won't be ignored, and I'll be back.

Stone: A devotee who lives here and who also took shelter of Srila Sridhar Maharaj 20 years ago told me that,of the devotees who came to hear from Maharaj, those who listened best included many of Siddha's followers from Australia and NZ. It is certainly a shame that we end up losing the company of old friends when we choose to associate more closely with one group. The same thing has happened in my life. I wonder if we can find ways to minimize this occurence. Any ideas?

Naw--it's probably the only 'net thing I know--since I teach writing, I must have seen it in some handbook on things that work in email. I don't think they'd include ROTFLMAO, but I think they probably should. Thanks.

Huh? Pardon my not being adept at online lingo. I was just getting into the love fest mood and then . . . BTW, RandOM, I want to join the chorus thanking you for the cartoons and urge you to send more as you find them. They're gre-e-e-eat!

Boy, aren't our faces red?!? Well, good night, and over and out. You're going to India soon? Have a great trip.