Murali_Mohan_das

Hey!! This is supposed to be one of those serious threads!! Cut out the joking!

The worst depression of my life came shortly after I felt I had attained some mystic potencies. Beware indeed!!

Woof!! Woof!! [scratches behind the ear; licks Beggar's hand]

At one point, Prabhu describes how, when he is engaged in dialog with "New Age" type folks, their Universalist tendencies irk him. I have to confess that I share many of those Universalist tendencies. I don't feel that Gaudiya Vaishnavism is inherently "better" than any other tradition, though, it can certainly be argued that the Gaudiya conception is the most fully-fledged theistic conception. I've met people that just don't seem to be able to accept a personal God (at least not yet). I see no reason why they ought not to be content with practicing their Buddhism. For me, personally, it is as question of taste. I find the most flavor and sweetness in the company of the Vaishnavas. That is my criterion for discernment.

I've been thinking about the Lord's Prayer lately. I'm realizing that it's more of an acknowledgement or reminder regarding the nature of reality than an actual petition. The Lord's Will *is* done regardless of whether we are willing instruments of Divine Will. The Lord *does* give us our daily bread (or not) regardless of whether we acknowledge Him as the source.

Really? You know of a lot of homeless former ISKCON devotees?

Very interesting! I let my kids "eat dirt", but maybe I ought to get a cow to help ensure their health. Of course, I need a place to keep the cow first.

This reminds me of a joke: Knock, Knock. Who's there. Knock, Knock. Who's there. Knock, Knock. Who's there. Knock, Knock. Who's there. Phillip Glass *** But seriously. This looks like an interesting essay. Of course, I'll have to run to my dictionary to look up "teleology" (I've looked it up before, but I still can't remember what it means). Maybe I'll come back to this and try to slog through it. Is there an "executive summary"?

A relatively recent college graduate, Kamal Krishna Prabhu began, during his college years, increasingly dedicating his life to serving Srila Gurudev and studying and distributing Krishna Consciousness. He is now a full-time resident of the Seva Ashram, engaged in service, study, and spiritual practice. In this discourse (presented in two parts due to an equipment "crash"), Prabhu discusses how, often, Sri Guru brings us somewhere other than what our preconceived notions of Krishna Consciousness were. Part 1, Embedded: <embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-165185734610225877&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed> Link: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-165185734610225877&hl=en Part 2, Embedded: <embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-3290496284228353207&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed> Link: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3290496284228353207&hl=en

Great discussion! As has been pointed out, plants are very sensitive as well. Of course, the equipment used to detect plant sensitivity is very sensitive equipment. It is a safe assumption (but an assumption, nonetheless) that, not possessing a nervous system, plants do not feel pain in the same manner that humans and other animals do. Still, unless we are offering bhoga to the Lord and He is accepting our offering, we are still accruing karma when we kill plants to eat them.

This a key point. By far, most of the grain in the U.S. goes to feed livestock--not people. There are tremendous inefficiencies involved in meat production (according to John Robbins' research, 90% of the protein, 99% of the carbohydrates, and 100% of the fiber from the feed grain are lost when cycling it through livestock). If everybody became vegan, or at least vegetarian, there would be a lot more grain both to feed people and to make into fuel.

I chanted my rounds yesterday (well, the bare minimum). It was the first time in a few weeks. Of course, most of the time my mind was wandering.

So much for "Don't Tread on Me"!!

Ruff!!! Ruffff!!! Scratch, scratch. Sniff butt. Do you also claim that Srila Prabhupada was a mental speculator? It's a shame you are not more taken by Vaishnavism, raghu. It's a shame you act like just another gunda.

Thanks for the thoughtful and informative replies to my question. Truly, all credit and thanks are due to Sri Guru for whatever fortune we receive and whatever service we are able to perform. Jai Gurudev!!

I wasn't referring to the Srila Prabhupada giving sannyasa to young men issue, though I've stated my view (Srila Prabhupada as general taking losses in battle to further the campaign) more than once. I was referring to GBC's theological position papers (like *their* criteria for taking sannyas) that I've seen quoted here on Audarya (usually by Suchandra). In their attempt to be equivocal yet authoritative, they come across as comical.

Thanks, Beggar, for the scriptural citation!!

Great discussion! All I have to add is that it's dangerous, isn't it, to think oneself "senior" to anybody, either by years of experience or qualification? A Vaishnava, so I am told, will never take personal offense, though they might come to the defense of another Vaishnava who is being attacked.

Unfortunately, I stopped the video recording a bit prematurely, since a Godbrother subsequently asked Maharaja the classic question: I'm trying to follow this spiritual path and yet I'm still plagued by so many doubts and sufferings, what does this mean? In reply, Maharaja told of the incident where some of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur's disciples asked him the same question, saying, "We feel we are making no progress". Saraswati Thakur replied, "None at all? That is actually very good. If you had felt that you had made some progress, I would be concerned."

I'm glad you approve, Prabhu. It was a lot of fun to do. The words, and your sincerity, inspired me. I'll have to check out the twinkile brothers. However, I might keep working on Fury of Puri. The flute player is coming over tonight to work on our band's demo, so I might ask her to lay down some flute on Fury of Puri. Also, I'd like to try playing some live drums to it. I don't want to overdo it, but...

Hmmmm...no Mahaksa Prabhu? Perhaps you're avoiding the forums (as I should be doing).

What was Srila Prabhupada's mood? Did *he* take credit for his surrender and is enormous preaching success?

This is a very insightful comment, raghu. With regards to simultaneous oneness and differentiation, I like the example of light--it is both a wave and a particle (though some like to argue that it is a third thing exhibiting the poperties of both a wave and a particle--no analogy is perfect).

At least a C average? No degree for me, I suppose.

Very interesting thread!! I too see the "fallen" gurus as unwitting victims of their own minds as much as victimizers of those who faithfully followed them. As for checks and balances, those are a good idea with regards to institutional management, but, in the spiritual realm, can lead to comedy (or tragedy), as evidenced by some of the GBC theology by committee. Guru, sadhu, and shastra are the basis for spiritual authority, but it sure helps to have an ultimate arbiter--Sri Guru.