Sridas

Dear Indhulekha dd, Kindly accept my respects and sympathy for your condition. It is a little difficult to diagnose another's condition without knowing all of their circumstances, and far from being a qualified kaviraj, which is rare these days, I can only offer my meagre understanding of your problem, having experienced similar condition in my younger days. While traveling in the east extensively I contracted Amoebic dysentry which did the same damage, stripping my body to a mere shell. At the time I was young and ignorant thinking it was just a natural process of toxic elimination, which it was also, so I tried to ride it out, by observing a cleansing diet of mainly fruit. Unfortunately when travelling in the East in the early days, before bottled water, everything including the water could be contaminated. Anyway it got progressively worse, far beyond diarrea to the point of regular bleeding from the bowell due to the amoeba eating into the lining of the colon, which eventually developed into amoebic colitis. And later was to cause haemeroidal problems Due to the ravenous appetite of these little trouble makers most nutritious substance I fed my body was very quickly evacuated from my system. Leaving me depleted and chronicly fatigued, somehow or other the spirit continues to go on thru sheer will power to survive at times. But there was times when i felt extremely hopeless and felt like giving up the ghost so to speak. It was in the course of this condition that i took to eating yoghurt also sometimes almost a mono diet of it, by the bucket load, as it was the only food that gave soothing relief to a now inflamed colon, that instantly rejected most everything, this can be quite a dilemna in the Indian environment as it was difficult to even get unspiced bland vegetables. So i had to start preparing everything myself as I was starting to crave steamed vegetables. At the same time I discovered the magic Bael fruit. which is very effective in slowing up most forms of diarrea. It was miraculous for me, both raw and preserved. Depending on what kind of bugs you have as to what kind of treatment may be effective, we're all individuls with diverse conditioning, so one man's medicine may be another's poison. I tried virtually everything and eventually resorted to alipathic anti-biotics which I was fanaticly opposed too, untill I was almost on my deathbed, but low and behold it did help start to stabilize my condition, and gave me some strength and energy to repair the damage. Gradually with time and experiment I managed to bring everything back to balance over a course of many years, and I'm happy to say 30 years down the track By the grace of God I'm still here with my vivid memories of a number of near death experiences all over India. I never resorted to surgery other than for the haemeroids, but do have some scar tissue on the inner lining of the colon that prevents me eating certain foods still, perhaps to my benefit. Fortunately now I'm living from our own biodynamic fully organic garden and I've learned to grow most herbs, fruit, and vegetable produce we need. In hindsight had I known I would have taken the alipathic option earlier and then rebuilt any damage anti biotics may do at a later date with probiotics. Mind you i rarely use any alipathic medicine other than in extreme circumstance, as i have done with any sign of dysentry while on later pilrimages. But it definately puts this mind at rest. I know there are many who would never consider this option, but I've seen devotees and their children die from this condition, before they would change their beliefs. I sincerely hope and pray you find relief from this condition as I know how much anxiety it can cause. All my very best wishes in the Lord directing you to a happy and healing solution.

So Theist Prabhu does this mean that Srila Prabhupad wasn't a true vegetarian nor all the other vaisnavas the world over who are partaking of milk products, that perhaps they're missing something by being lacto-vegetarian and that the Lord is not giving them any finer intelligence to discern the difference, due to their sinful activities of indirectly aiding and abetting the slaughter of cows or consumption of animal by-products, whether it is in the west or east? If you accept the directives or habit of all the vaisnava acharyas in the Gaudiya guru varga up to the present day, or perhaps other vaisnava lines, whilst simultaneously considering that perhaps they're missing the point with milk. Where does that place them or yourself for that matter? There are acharyas travelling the world all the time having to take these products, but I'm sure the devotees service far outweighs these karmic reactions, not that they would use it to justify their actions. Srila Guru Maharaj used to say, "we have to make the best of a bad bargain, everything is deficient in these times." so long as what you do makes you a better jiva, and helps one to advance in their Krsna consciousness then by all means do that. Of course one can always argue that no one knows what is good for them these days. I'd say at a guess that the whole mission of Srila Prabhupad was suckled on this milk, preparing millions of feasts of prasadam that changed the world as we know it, and I've no doubt the Lord accepted those offerings. If anything it flourished more earlier, before veganism was even heard of. Are you thinking all devotees in the west should embrace veganism for a better adjusted understanding of Krsna consciouness? I'm also curious to know if you would convert from veganism if you could aquire milk derived from lovingly cared-for cows in a proper environment or is this your stand for good. I do agree that a diet too rich in milk products can become detrimental to ones health, but I've found on the other hand most vegans I know to be rather emaciated, and from my experience quite intolerant even of vegetarians, which immediately turns me off whatever they have to offer. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule as with all herbivores and carnivores too. My personal feeling is that it is more important to support those who do literally look after the cows, like in Vrndavan or Navadwip where they are tangibly protected, bathed, fed, pastured, loved and nursed till they die. This kind of go-seva will qualify such souls to join their Lord in His nitya lila pastimes ultimately feasting in a banquet of ras-malai, lassie, panir subji, ras-gula and a host of other delicacies the Lord loves his loved ones preparing for him and His mates every day. I've no doubt Krishna will accept a soyaburger over a panir-burger if the magic ingredient of love and devotion is in it, but we also know, thanks to the acharyas, what His favourite preps are. And we are so fortunate that this archtypal design comes out to us from the centre, to help prepare us for that service in our nitya swarup. They probably won't even have such a word as vegetarian or vegan in that world, just cowherds and milk maids. All glories to them and all the aspiring vaisnavas. May we always serve the will of the honorable devotees. Gaura Hari bol Mr. das

This is a prime example of a pukka Vaisnava community intergrated within the larger society to show Gaudiya vaisnavas are not just a bunch of fringe loopies, the Mauritian devotees are very fortunate to have such a sweet and simple sanga of souls attracted to the true dignified currrant of Mahaprabhu that Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Thakur propagated and upheld. I'm in awe of their dedication. I think it was Srila Prabhupad ACBS who stated the Mauritian government would be the first in the world to become Krsna Conscious. When they send their representitives to greet Srila Gurudev at the airport it is a good step in that direction. All glories to their exemplary service

Unless one is a cent per cent pure lover of God 'The poison you chew in others will most definately come to you' There are none so blind and ignorant as those who will not see.

What!!! "This is not my beautiful wife, this is not my beautiful home. watching the days go by Water flowing under me Once in a lifetime"

It's the company of madness we keep that counts. Maybe on a deeper level this vortex of the Holy Name is trying to draw all souls back to the heart of their hearts, unbeknown to us. All this could cause some conflict with our own independent will. Causing some rather irrational behaviour in the jivas perhaps:eek:. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "'Though the hearts of the gopīs are like high-standing hills, they are inundated by the waves of the nectarean ocean of Kṛṣṇa's beauty. His sweet voice enters their ears and gives them transcendental bliss, the touch of His body is cooler than millions and millions of moons together, and the nectar of His bodily fragrance overfloods the entire world. O My dear friend, that Kṛṣṇa, who is the son of Nanda Mahārāja and whose lips are exactly like nectar, is attracting My five senses by force.'CC Antya 15.15: "Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa's beauty, the sound of His words and the vibration of His flute, His touch, His fragrance and the taste of His lips are full of an indescribable sweetness. When all these features attract My five senses at once, My senses all ride together on the single horse of My mind but want to go in five different directions. CC Antya 15.16: "O My dear friend, please hear the cause of My misery. My five senses are actually extravagant rogues. They know very well that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but they still want to plunder Kṛṣṇa's property. CC Antya 15.17: "My mind is just like a single horse being ridden by the five senses of perception, headed by sight. Each of My senses wants to ride that horse, and thus they pull My mind in five directions simultaneously. In what direction will it go? If they all pull at one time, certainly the horse will lose its life. How can I tolerate this atrocity? CC Antya 15.18: "My dear friend, if you say, 'Just try to control Your senses,' what shall I say? I cannot become angry at My senses. Is it their fault? Kṛṣṇa's beauty, sound, touch, fragrance and taste are by nature extremely attractive. These five features are attracting My senses, and each wants to drag My mind in a different direction. In this way the life of My mind is in great danger, just like a horse ridden in five directions at once. Thus I am also in danger of dying. CC Antya 15.19: "The consciousness of each woman within the three worlds is certainly like a high hill, but the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa's beauty is like an ocean. Even a drop of water from that ocean can flood the entire world and submerge all the high hills of consciousness. CC Antya 15.20: "The sweetness of Kṛṣṇa's joking words plays indescribable havoc with the hearts of all women. His words bind a woman's ear to the qualities of their sweetness. Thus there is a tug-of-war, and the life of the ear departs. CC Antya 15.21: "Kṛṣṇa's transcendental body is so cool that it cannot be compared even to sandalwood pulp or to millions upon millions of moons. It expertly attracts the breasts of all women, which resemble high hills. Indeed, the transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa attracts the minds of all women within the three worlds. CC Antya 15.22: "The fragrance of Kṛṣṇa's body is more maddening than the aroma of musk, and it surpasses the fragrance of the bluish lotus flower. It enters the nostrils of all the women of the world and, making a nest there, thus attracts them. CC Antya 15.23: "Kṛṣṇa's lips are so sweet when combined with the camphor of His gentle smile that they attract the minds of all women, forcing them to give up all other attractions. If the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa's smile is unobtainable, great mental difficulties and lamentation result. That sweetness is the only wealth of the gopīs of Vṛndāvana." CC Antya 15.24: After speaking in this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu caught hold of the necks of Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara. Then the Lord said, "My dear friends, please listen to Me. What shall I do? Where shall I go? Where can I go to get Kṛṣṇa? Please, both of you, tell Me how I can find Him." CC Antya 15.25: Thus absorbed in transcendental pain, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu lamented day after day in the company of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Rāya. CC Antya 15.26: To enhance the ecstatic mood of the Lord, Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī would sing appropriate songs and Rāmānanda Rāya would recite suitable verses. In this way they were able to pacify Him.

My dandavat pranams and heartfelt well wishes to another of Srila Prabhupad's flock of dedicated servitors he is calling to the home sweet home he has with His beloved Lordships. I can kind of relate to almost parting with my own daughter long ago in Vrndavan fortunately for us she was spared. Also growing around this New Govardhan area watching all these kids joyfully practicing their Krsna Consciousness. But my heart and soul go out to the family members who must be grappling with this senseless insanity, only reminding us all that there is always danger at every step in this madhouse material world. May you all dive deep into the plane of reality the beautiful. Drawing on stronger faith, understanding and solace to guide you thru these heart-rending difficult times. Guru and Gauranga be with you:pray: Madhura Krsna dasanudas

Yes Prabhu to me these 3 prominent acharyas are like the sambanda, abhideha and prayojana vani of Srila Sanatan, Rupa and Raghunath Goswamis. Delivering all the complete and perfect conclusions we jivas could possibly need. the full extention of Sri Sri Gaur-Nitai's grace for the times we live in . If only we can catch it and practically apply it to our spiritual evolution and development. You are doing a nice service Murali just letting the readers know of this imminent world tour, to give all the wandering souls an opportunity to meet Srila Gurudev, as you say we can't conceive what is being extended to us, by Sri Radha and Krsnas kindness. The waves of Prema bhakti continue to wash upon our shores, for how long we just don't know we just have to seize these golden moments when we can. I hear time and again how people come to various forums including this one and ask where to find a genuine teacher, guru, guardian or if it is even nessacary, when we have the Lord and chaita guru in the heart, but we can never be the loser for taking the divya dharsan of a living sadhu, who has been given such glorious references from our previous acharyas. So even if we were not so sure who is who in the spiritual arena, I'm sure they have a clearer picture of the maha bhagavat pure devotees of Lord Krsna, to help clarify our own sometimes hazy vision of the higher agents. Srila Gurudev is one of those enigmatic personalities that one could never understand with common vision, but there is no doubt what most everyone feels in his company even if he didn't speak a word, then there is the added bonus of so many wonderful vaisnavas that he attracts in the entourage around him. I once wrote that his presence is like 'a continual sankirtan festival' both tangible and invisible to these material eyes. Like a kalpa vrksa tree even the little branches extending from him, are giving so much spiritual sustainance, fullfilling the souls genuine desires. It always reminds me of Guru Maharaj's vision of Mahaprabhu as the 'golden volcano' erupting streams of divine love in all directions. There are some very beautiful souls helping him fullfill Srila Guru Maharaj's wishes and they seem to keep expanding in ever new waves, on every continent. I was fortunate to be at Gaura Purnima this year where there was about 5-10,000 people getting the grace, it was very heartening and encouraging to be part of even tho it was especially intimate in the early days, still it is nice to see so many new bhaktas getting full blown mercy afresh. It never ceases to amaze me the different variety of people he is attracting in the service of Sri Guru and Gauranga. Let us hope and pray that the obstacles to this tour are removed, so more jivas can have access to his infectious spirit.

Dandavats to all appreciators of Srila Sridhara Maharaj's maganimous gift of pure Hari katha. Just a few thoughts regarding the merciful vani of Srila Guru Maharaj and it's munificent dipensation to the world at large. One thing is that these recordings are and have been available to those who want them since their initial recording, thru various chanells they never dissapeared nor were they inaccesable, just the original masters were. In hindsight Goswami Maharaj may regret the decision to sell some precious recordings etc. but all's well that continues well as he now has most of the recordings again which he has painstakingly archived into a database for quick reference. I'd say it is beffitting they came back to him as he was one of the main distributors of this vast treasure trove to start with. What isn't exactly clear is just how much other than what was officially recorded, is still out there, say for instance in the possession of Bhadrinarayan, Guru Maharaj's personal secretary the whole time. As he was present with GM most of the time when others were not. Bhadri now lives in South America with his own following. But little is heard from him these days. I think we would have to conclude that the dhara usually is alive and well in the heart of the devotee, Guru Maharaj is a living tangible reality in those who are doing his will and following his instructions. And this is so obvious in the presence of Srila Govinda Maharaj . Not only do we find all of Guru Maharaj's wisdom, but his love and continual grace that flows down from the adhoksaja plane here and now. And then so many insights into Gm and Srila Swami Maharaj that only he has, thru long personal association, dharsan and favourable transmission, that come thru a life of guru and sadhu seva, so many precious exchanges that he shares with his intimate friends and associates who continually give their lives to his lotus feet. For this is and always has been where the living nectar is to be relished in every moment. As a disciple of Srila Guru Maharaj I find myself always getting fresh nourishment and inspiration and many extraordinary revelations of Guru Maharaj thru many of these dedicated disciples of Srila Govinda Maharaj, like Murali prabhu and others here, what to speak of thru him personally. Then there is his own personal realizations and observations that he sometimes shares in the present development on the world stage as new waves of souls are sent to receive his grace. All seemingly thru some divine mystic arrangement. So anyway I've no doubt both Srila Swami Prabhupad and Srila Sridhara Maharaj are constantly present in his conciousness as he fullfills their wishes to extend Sri Sri Gaura Nitai's affectionate mercy far and wide. Thereby giving hope and ever-fresh encouragement to the floundering souls of this world. Guruvani one of the reasons those tapes are a little controversial is the fact that others have propheted from those darsans by selling the books and tapes with very little of the proceeds going to the Math for propagation. It is true that The Math doesn't nessacarily have copyright on GM's message. But GM on innumerable occasions asked most of his disciples to help the central mission of SCSM and support Srila Govinda Maharaj on every level. He accepted that some of his disciples would choose the Mahamandal over SCSM but it wasn't his expess wish. First and foremost was his desire to see all, even those who had their own disciples to support Srila Guru dev Govinda maharaj in the math or at least in heart and the spirit of harmonious co-operation. But we can still understand that competition can draw out some higher synthesis and service all around hopefully.

Acintya abedha bhed simultaneousy we must try accomodate but at the same time discern our highest prospect and company and gravitate in that direction towards the centre, and the centre will reaval it's design according to our saranagati. It's all a matter of taste and the anandam derived from our choice of existence.

Seeing with equal vision doesn't mean we negate the gradation of Divine Love. Otherwise we run the risk of equating Srimati Thakurani's dedication with that of an impersonalist. There are varying degrees of Theistic yagna, saranagati and bhakti. If one is an ananya bhakta, exclusive devotee, that doesn't mean their heart isn't all-inclusive. The more surrendered to the reservoir of life, the more one has love for all life, but let us not loose our definition of Akhila rasamrta murti by equalizing all regious conceptions. Respect or honor must be there or humility will morph into arrogance. What Srila Govinda Maharaj is saying is that Sri Chaitanya Maha prabhu came with a new installment like no other before Him, and that is why he is referred to as the most munificent or merciful incarnation of Godhead because his karuna extends to all irregardless of their religious persuasion. patrapatra-vicara nahi, nahi sthanasthana<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> yei yanha paya, tanha kare prema-dana<o:p></o:p> lutiya, khaiya, diya, bhandara ujade<o:p></o:p> ascarya bhandara, prema sata-guna bade Here He is merely saying that Lord Caitanya distributed love of God without consideration who it was given to. His desire was to distribute it to the whole creation. Not that he was forcing it on those who didn't wish to take it, and for that He happily entered temples everywhere. In India we will find in some sampredayas a vast difference between the Vishnu Vaisnavas and the Shivites but Lord Chaitanyas' movement is for all souls. This is very nicely expressed in a very sweet new book by Srila Govinda Maharaj called 'The Religion of the Heart.' It's a nice thread and nice thoughts Bija Prabhu keep it flowing. <o:p> </o:p>

Hari bol souls, Well no doubt the wonder of the soul will for ever produce more and more everfresh wonder. It seems we tend to try and localize the soul or pigeonhole it into a limited definition. When that which is covered by material conception or vision is illuminated with realization of itself, then that which was hidden deep in matter and perceived as matter is brought out to be seen as a luminous devotee of God in the full fledged real vision of the soul or that seers consciousness becomes itself within... living in its swarup and also seeing the full potential of all other souls.So we can't really restrict anyone from seeing the form of a gopi in others because ultimately that is what they are or have the potential to be, and seeing their real identity is seeing their soul proper and by the grace of Guru and God we might all be seeing that some time in eternity. But if our vision is limited to a point of light in the heart where is the heart of a blade of grass, or an amoeba and other such souls, and then what form are they taking . It seems it depends on the seer of those souls. So to the fully realized souls they perceive the water, the wind, the fire, the earth all as conscious servitors of the Lord. Pinpointing the soul of the wind is like trying to wrap fire in paper, not that it's nessacarily invisible, but some souls have the desire to be in different places at once and others may shapeshift . It seems a self realized soul becomes its form. and that soul completely pervades the form.Just as Mahaprabhu is seeing Krishna in Lord Jagganaths' form and sees all His transcendental associates simultaneously as Krsnas' associates. We have to try to also, always dive deeper to see with honor the higher identity of those sent to associate with us or all souls for that matter.. I think Srila Sridhara Maharaj is alluding to that in this little snippit. Angles of Vision<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p>Disciple: So what is the form of the soul in conditioned material existence?<o:p></o:p> Srila Sridhara Maharaj: That is known according to the dress. The man sometimes to be fully recognized is known only by his dress, the representation of a thing to the ignorant section is of a particular type, it may not be the real thing, but something from their lesser position. Every unit is a slave to the Absolute vision, but to the ignorant there are so many different conceptions of things. <o:p></o:p> Only He knows what is the purpose of every atom, every atom has got its utility and He is the only one who knows that purpose and He sees the divine luminous form of all. He is conscious of the purpose of all existence and He is independent, not responsible to explain to anyone. Every atom’s purpose in life is to satisfy him, this is Hegel’s theory. Reality by Himself and for Himself “Every wave and every movement is to fulfill My purpose, you are also Mine, belonging to me wholesale, but now you have put yourself in such a position that you have to search for me.” <o:p></o:p> Sometimes a man, a beast, tree, bird, creeper, the external understanding is according to the person who is relating to the object, the estimation is different according to the seer, the vision of the seer, the world is in the mind. The classification will be different according to the estimation of the reader how refined their vision may be. Like when ffice:smarttags" /> entered the arena of Kamsa. <o:p></o:p> mallanam-asa-nirnrnam naravarh srina<o:p></o:p> smaro murtiman .<o:p></o:p> gopanam svajano satamksiti-bhujam santa svapriroh sisuh<o:p></o:p> mrtyur-bhoja-pater-virada-vidusam tattvam param yoginam<o:p></o:p> vrisninam paradevitetividito rangam gatah sagrajah <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> According to their vision, everyone saw him with a different estimation, he was viewed according to the respective mentality of every spectator. The people saw him as a divine super human being, while the ladies saw him as the Lord of love and the cowherds as their kinsman while Kamsa saw him as death personified. Relative and Absolute The Nature of the Soul<o:p></o:p> Sat-chit-anandam these three things - first existence, then the 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Knowledge of our own existence, then the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> is the fulfillment of our existence.<o:p></o:p> The figure of existence, the figure of consciousness, and the object of the search of the figure. Whoever is conceiving, when searching for something that is the soul. What the soul wants to feel is higher, and what it is feeling at present is lower, and chit is in between. The level below is matter so it is not satisfactory, therefore we desire anandam, fulfillment, harmony and beauty from the higher level, without anandam existence is empty and chit- knowledge is dry, also unsatisfactory. Three kinds of existence sat-chit-anandam, Satyam-Sivam-Sundaram. Siva is generally represented by consciousness and sakti-potency by matter, and consciousness of the potency is Siva- the figure, the person, and then who can fulfill the search of the person. that is anandam- sundaram, who is beauty, harmony, love. Andanam is complete, full in Itself, both existence and the person you will find in anandam, but not in sat or chit, So existence and the figure of existence both need something more, so with beauty, love and ecstasy, that is perfect existence. Anandam is the Queen, and existence is the servant, the figure of our existence is to serve that ecstasy or bliss and who is the reservoir of that ananda? Govindasundara the beautiful. So what ya see is what ya got! Also if one were to experience a real vision of Krsna then simultaneously ones self would be realized, as self realization is no doubt included in God realization, but it seems most souls from this side are aspiring back to Godhead and i would assume self realization would proceed God realization, so in most cases we should be cautious of such visions and where we actually are in reality. Still I appreciate Srimati Radhas' partition to Time it is truly wonderful, we all need Timeji's friendship. i.e. to give us a little more, I'd love it to stand still awhile when I have my more inspired moments as they are so far and few between. I can just hear Theist movin' me on to another thread.

It's how ya lose the game that counts! And of course win the Lord in your heart. But can you win the Lord in all the other hearts, now that is the question if He's the same Lord?.

Everything is accomodated in the Absolute, if anything were outside then He wouldn't be Absolute. If He is simultaneously one and different, then He can inconceivably lift and not lift, but don't ask me how, it's a half unanswerable question. I bet He can play Karatals with one Karatal too.

This translation of the sloka in Vishvanath Cakravati Thakur's Gurvastakam is interesting we've always heard that yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam vande guroh sri-caranaravindam Means "By the grace of Krsna one gets guru, then by the grace of guru one gets Krsna." And it definately always sounded perfect, and I still appreciate this but i have heard various different translations of this song. One from Chaitanya Saraswat Math goes like this: "I worship the lotus feet of the divine master, ever singing his glories and meditating upon him at the three junctions of the day. By his grace alone does one gain grace of the Lord, and if he is displeased the soul has no shelter anywhere." Therefore I feel this keeps us focussed regularly each morning that we may chant these prayers in trying to somehow please the sadhu (our gurudev) with our daily or even constant seva for our ever on going eternal benefit. And then our guru reciprocates bestowing increased service and insight, inspiring us to serve that pleasing potency in innumerable practical ways, and by bhajana kriya our anathas are dissolved. I can truly empathise with this statement that without the grace of guru there is no chance of making spiritual advancement. Which is really our ongoing eternal concern, having first received some introduction to the Holy Names thru our Guru. We need constant feeding and nourishment. As I understand we get a hazy conception of the Name first thru conscious sukriti or unconconscious sukriti but only thru the uttama guru do we get the Name proper. and according to how we act on the instructions we are given will our serving propensity increase... Like Bhakti begets more refined divya bhakti, like compacting interest. I think I can understand what Theist is saying about us never being independant in the sense of how can the Lord be taken from our heart, but independance is a reality, perhaps an illusionary one, but it is the disease that keeps us from Him and we really need to acknowledge this state of separation with all honesty to further attract His Loving servitors Grace. That never ceases. Some devotees just seem to have the capacity to be on call 24/7 to their Gurus wishes, a very nice position for one's consciousness to be in. Excuse me if this is an extention of something you didn't wish to continue but it is interesting to understand the inner purport to these deep bhajans. It also has made me wonder where these daily programs of bhajan thru the different times of the day were inaugerated, and what songs Mahaprabhu sang whilst He was present. That's another topic.

<CENTER>madhuram madhuram vapur asya vibhor madhuram madhuram vadanam madhuram madhu gandhi mrdu smitam etad aho madhuram madhuram madhuram madhuram </CENTER> "O, Lord Krsna! The beauty of your transcendental form is sweet, but your beautiful face is even sweeter. The sweet smile on your face, which is like the sweet aroma of honey, is sweeter still."

As far as we understand the original vedic planetarium that was supposed to be in Mayapur was the express wish of Srila Prabhupad to have it built under the guidance of Srila Sridhara Maharaj when he was present, who had shared his vision with Srila Prabhupad based mostly on Sanatan's Sri Brhad Bhagavatamrtam. Not so much emphasis on the cosmology side as the levels of God realization and sacrifice. It sounds like this latest version is a hybrid with some add ons to the original concept and could well create more confusion without God realized souls to give insight into the deeper conceptions. Again it's like the book Bhagavatam itself without the living bhagavat representitive, it's possible it could be interpreted innumerable misconceived ways. Still those given spiritual vision will see all in perspective, the scientists and possibly many of the devotees may just miss the boat again. Sound familiar!

So Absolute Truth is not to be understood by the help of any other knowledge. Only through scripture, the saints and the Lord within the heart, Paramatma, but only God can make Himself known if He wishes. The sun is known only by its light and not with the help of candlelight or any other light. So the source of all knowledge, real knowledge, real love, that can be seen by the ray of that thing, not by anything else. It is self-evident, not dependent on anything else. This is the characteristic of the Absolute. When you naturally come to the sun you will know the sun. From the darkness, you cannot conceive of the sun. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> In Kuruksetra, Drtarastra told, "They are seeing you in a very noble figure, but I am blind, I cannot see. Please remove my blindness for the time being, I want to see you, then again you can make me blind" Krsna stated, “No, it isn’t necessary to remove your blindness to see Me, you remain blind. If I say you will see Me, so it will be.” And Drtarastra, a blind man could see Him. So our only capital is saranagati, surrender, to increase the humble negative side of us. Depending totally, extreme intensified dependence on Him. If we can move His heart, then He will come before us, so no positive attempt may be successful. Actually in reality we are to go to the temple not to see the deity, as Prabhupad (Saraswati Thakur) would say, just to do eye exercises, rather we are to try and make ourselves seen by the deity. We have to excite His sweet will, appeal to His sweet will by sacrifice, and surrendering yourself. “I cannot see You but You can make Yourself visible to me.” This is the position. So what am I to do? Increase my sincere negative, humble, appealing side. By increasing that we can attract His heart and when He wills, He will reveal Himself, otherwise not. <o:p></o:p> I cannot be a subject and make Him the object of my sight. He is the subjective reality and we are to make ourselves the object of his vision through devotion.<o:p></o:p> Whatever is recommended by guru and vaisnava, that is necessary for our service, that is most important. Try to understand the real inner meaning of surrender, saranagati, preparedness to do anything to satisfy Him and His devotee. We have to weigh the dictation from on high, so much so, our Guru Maharaj once told, “If the sadhu asks for some flour , then we take flour, but then he changes his mind, ‘No, No, I now want some water.’ One can’t object, ‘Oh, you wanted flour, now take it.’ That would be aparadhe. What order he has given previously, he has his freedom to change. He has the right to cancel that. And from our side whatever comes down to me from above, I am to surrender to that without hesitation. That can promote my position to a higher service, that will be more acceptable to the Supreme Lord. Otherwise our positive self-confident, independent attitude will always keep us at a distance from Him. Srila Sridhara Maharaj<o:p></o:p>

In the bible it states Krsna (God) knows us far better than we know ourselves, He and those who check our data base of progress ...activities, thoughts, actions, prayers, demands, aspirations, desires, tendencies, inclinations etc. are monitoring the soul just as a computer keeps a record of your sufing history only that original system is far more refined. what keeps us from accessing the Super subjective world is the ahanka ?(false ego ) it is controlled, we are controlled even tho we want to control it/Him, the reality is we have very little power to control. To fit into his divine dimention we need cent percent adjustment to His will which is saranagati and that played out thru his Agents of divinity, as the adjustment is made and the conditioned black box of the false ego is dissolved, they will allow us entrance to the higher domain. The system is perfect and ether-tight, foolproof, to keep us imposters from super imposing our virus ridden consciousness on the Lords sweet play. You wll find a hint of this in Srila Sridhara Maharaj's prayers to Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur whereby he expresses how there are guardians who protect that holy domain from misrepresentation and how there was/is a screening process like a water purifier that Srila Swarup Damodar and others would protect any offering or eulogy etc. that was discordant from entering the ears and heart of Mahaprabhu. Similarly we see how Mahadev protects the holy dham from imposters. Otherwise the whole play of divinity could become chaotic anarchy. We can only enter that realm by the graceful grant of the Sweet Absolute thru pleasing those dear to Him/Them. Then they will shift our consciousness when they see us fit to fit into the divine play. Then experience will grace the soul, with undeniable, irressitable attraction. Untill that time we live in the world of anxiety, bound up in our conditioned patterns of maladjusment . How to correct it? Listen to the sadhu and follow their advice, do sadhu seva and when their video surveilance cameras are satisfied the heart is changing some small glimpse and incentive may dawn in our consciousness bringing satisfaction and inner fullfillment!!! For a while at least untill we are subjected to the next level of inner service devopment and if we come up to the mark then we may metriculate to an even sweeter form of service .

At your service Hannah. I hope y' class is pleased and a little enlightened with the devotees perspective on things spiritual. Feel free t come an visit us some more. No problem with school, if only my projects were so interesting whenever I went.... maybe I would have stayed longer. If they taught these ideals in school we'd all be on our way Home. Hmmm maybe you can introduce a class of joyous spiritual practice that you just can't get enough of.

Ok it feels a little like school but lets hope it educates someone<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> What does your faith mean to you personally? Socially? Culturally?<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Faith is a deep ocean, some are just touching their toes at the shore while others are sailing, swimming, playing in various depths of that divine infinite shining sea. Hindhuism like Christianity, Islam or Buddhism may act as navigational instruments but when it comes to Reality the Beautiful Lord they limit the everfresh, evernew revelations of the Lords glorious pastimes.<o:p></o:p> And if not seen thru the eyes and faith of a pure lover of God they may well even be a stumbling block. So faith by definition means that if you get Him You get everything. If you serve Him you serve everyone and if you know Him all substantial knowledge will be revealed to you. By loving the centre everyone is automatically loved.<o:p></o:p> Socially? We may well feel one with the organic whole but that doesn't mean they will accept us as one with them if they are not developed enough. That's why we are all seeking out like hearted souls with more accomodating consciousness.<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape id=_x0000_i1025 style="WIDTH: 12pt; HEIGHT: 12pt" alt="0" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/images/smilies/wink.gif" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\CHINTA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape><v:shape id=_x0000_i1026 style="WIDTH: 13.5pt; HEIGHT: 13.5pt" alt="0" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:href="http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/images/smilies/praying.gif" src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\CHINTA~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image002.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p> Culturally I see it as the highest culture of the Soul. The refined essence of Hindhuism is this Sanatan Vaisnavism. And although it is a culture rarely ever seen or experienced in this world you will find the sweetest fullfilment therein.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> How do you live your faith day-to-day?<o:p></o:p> By the Grace of my spiritual master, the vaisnavas (servants of God ) and God Himself. there is no life without them.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> How easy or difficult is it to practice your faith in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1:place>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>?<o:p></o:p> Very difficult....seeing as I don't live there, but in Australia it is probably the same as America if we are insincere we won't be able to practice anywhere, whereby if we are genuinely wanting to do God's will then no environment will stop us. Yet to start with the environment will definitly help remind us what we should be doing, so it is better to live in the company of more advanced souls than ourself if possible, it's easy for me.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Which portion of your sacred scriptures is most meaningful to you and why? Which is most challenging?<o:p></o:p> Service to my Guru, mercy to all living entities, and love for God appeals to my heart most because everything else comes from that. Also the wonder of the soul who we are and the supersoul hold some interest. They are all challenging because I have a conditioned nature to do the opposite. I also have a special place in my heart for the siksastakam prayers of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, as they are the sweetest condensed essence of all scripture. <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> What holy places are especially significant to your faith? Why?<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> As Gaudiya Vaisnavas we especially treasure the Holy trinity of Hallowed grounds known as Vrindavan- Navadwip and Jagganath Puri, all are in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and all are also in the holy persons heart so let's add that to the list. A few more are Kurukshetra where Srimati Radhika was reunited with Krsna and Badrikasram in the <st1:place>Himalayas</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p> They are extremely wonderful places to remember and serve God in because you will hear His Holy Names being chanted by countless streams of pilgrims 24/7/365 and literally thousands of saints have walked, rolled, danced and served in these unique places having revelations of Krishna- Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and many other Avatars of Godhead. So they have a certain sacred potency you won't find in the mundane environment. Places like Vrndavan are almost 100% vegetarian so there is a mutual respect for the whole divine animation there.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Have you ever been on a pilgrimage to a holy place or sacred site? What was it like? Are you planning to go in the future? How important is it for you to go?<o:p></o:p> I personally have been to many holy places from the tip of Kanyakumari in the extreme south of India to the source of the <st1:place>Ganges</st1:place> on the roof of the world in the <st1:place>Himalayas</st1:place> to the north, close to the borders of <st1:country-region><st1:place>Tibet</st1:place></st1:country-region> they all have a unique individual charm to them, according to the pastime that might have manifest there. <o:p></o:p> It's a subjective experience you have to go to find out for yourself why you were directed there. <o:p></o:p> My feet are about to go there in a few days so I'm gonna go with 'em. <o:p></o:p> It always helps to inspire devotional activity in me, hearing from many of the wonderful souls who live in the Holy places. It's also recommended in our scriptures to visit the holy places and persons residing there. But we must always remember we can't just purchase a ticket to the holy places as they are transcendental and can only be truly entered by The Lords Grace<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> What role does your family play in the practice and living out of your faith?<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Sometimes they help, sometimes they hinder, some are more inclined to the devotional path than others, but at least all are sympathetic and not anti.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> How do you view Christianity and the Christian church? Real Christianity you will probably find amongst the devotees of Krsna but the large sect that has proliferated around the Name of Jesus rarely meets the standard of divinity He came to distribute. In those days He preached, "many things I can tell you about the Kingdom of my Father but you are not ready for them" That still stands 2000 years down the track! One must be cultivated with lifetimes of pious practice observing the will of God strictly following spiritual principles before we are ready to receive the Absolute Truth. Many of the devotees here in this forum, I included, came to Krsna thru Jesus teachings. We understand Jesus loves Krsna and Krsna loves Jesus, and anyone who disagrees with this will be stuck in their sectarian spirit untill Krsna reveals otherwise. What is your general impression of Christians?<o:p></o:p> Overall it is better to have some faith in theism than be an atheist, but blind faith in a static conception of Divinity that isn't open to the dynamic constant miracles of Gods presence everywhere can be detrimental and even dangerous to our spiritual development and evolution. What do you think of Jesus?<o:p></o:p> He's a nice devotee. and He is our very dear well wisher, like all genuine spiritual masters he wants us to meet the one who sent him and go to that place where all speech is a song and all movement a dance, where the trees are wish fullfilling and yield anything you want, water is nectar and the whole animation is a madhouse of Divine Love for every other part of that environment, where each and every atom inspires every other to further love and serve Their beautiful Lordships at the centre of everyones life there, so that we will stop suffering in this material world of misconception.

A little more explainining what sahajiyaism is from Srila Sridhara Maharaj. Forget the politics.... just try to guide sincere souls thru the quagmire of these hybrid misconceptions that pose in the spiritual cloth of love and devotion to Krsna, but underrneath are really in the business of exploitation to attract and cheat the vulnerable. So many classes of imitation are there, it is very difficult to understand from this jungle of different conceptions of imitationists. So to find the genuine thing is very difficult, hence the process, the steps of progress should not be omitted. It is given to us as to how we are to enquire, as to how we have to serve the method by a scientific investigation. Step by step we come to a conclusion, but if we take short cuts, the answer may be wrong.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> A bona-fide student will avoid all kinds of imitation, sahajiyism. We have to cross through Bhu, Bhuvah, Maha, Jana, Tapa, Viraja, Brahmaloka, to Vaikuntha and ultimately Goloka, step by step. <o:p></o:p> Anuraga, our affinity for the Supreme Personality is not a very cheap thing. We have to understand who Krishna really is. <o:p></o:p> Those without dedication should not deceive themselves into thinking they can find Him in the area of the material zone.<o:p></o:p> Madhvacaryya gave one hundred points against mayavadism - mere renunciation. And our Guru Maharaj gave prakrita-rasa-sata-dusani one hundred points against this sahajiyism to guard against imitating Krishna-bhajan in our material life. So many ways, at every step we have to make decisions to go this way or that. Every moment we are at the crossing, but on the whole my sincerity will guide me. Deception and illusion are there, but the grace of the Lord is also there in the background. But He won’t allow these agents of deception to misguide me if I don’t associate with them.<o:p></o:p> Srila Rupa Goswami says we must observe vaidhi bhakti (regulative practice) for as long as we can’t get admission into the level of raga bhakti (spontaneous affection). Das Goswami also says we shall show reverence to raga bhakti, but we shall try to live within vaidhi bhakti, rules and regulations, shastra regulated devotion. But the arrogant do not care for this instruction of the followers of Sri Chaitanya Maharapbhu. There was a party of Hari Vamsa in Vrindavan who took the name Radha-Vallabha. They do not admit the necessity for formal devotion. Many others you will find in Vrindavan also. This party say they have connection with the Gopal Bhatta Gaudiya Sampradaya - vaisnavism with a little deviation. They want to begin with raga bhakti, anu raga.<o:p></o:p> Disciple: If they don’t have regard for vaidhi bhakti (regulated devotion )and go directly to raga-nuga bhakti, (spontaneous devotion) isn’t this something like sahajiyism?<o:p></o:p> Srila Sridhara Maharaj: Worse than sahajiyism. Sahajiyism formerly accepts everything, but they want easy entrance to do only what comes naturally without work, and they don’t admit the necessity for formal devotion. They are lazy in their practice, preferring the enjoying mood to the serving mood, but service means sacrifice. So the atmosphere is dangerous and any theistic awakening we should mark with all attention and care so that we may not go down again to the depths of nescience. Very carefully we shall try to collect our wealth. Real progress towards the Infinite gives the idea, “That I am nothing, I am in great danger.” Progress towards the Infinite is like that. “Thinking I have it, I am above.” This is a foolish feeling, foolish statement. The very nature of advancement is that, “I am low, I am undone, I am the most helpless.” The closer we are the further away we will feel, whereas the further away we actually are from divinity, we may complacently feel we are close. As much as we come into the relativity of the Infinite, we cannot but conceive ourselves to be the lowest of the low. That is the criteria... humility.<o:p></o:p> The very sign of real progress will show I am nothing, I am the most needy, the most wretched and the most helpless. The negative aspect must be improved to attract the positive. If one point of the negative will say, “I am positive” then immediately it will be rejected, you are under the false control of maya. Rather to think, “I am the meanest of the mean,” that will attract the attention of the high. This is the science of devotion proper.<o:p></o:p> <FONT size=3>When I first came here to Nabadwip, one boy used to dress as a woman. He would tell, “Oh, I have seen <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comKrishna</st1:place><font color=" /><st1:place><FONT color=black><FONT face="Arial Narrow">Krishna</st1:place><FONT color=black><FONT face="Arial Narrow"> and I have shown so many.” When he came to me, I said, “No, no, no, we know a little of what is <st1:place><FONT color=black><FONT face="Arial Narrow">Krishna</st1:place><FONT color=black><FONT face="Arial Narrow"> and how to see Him, also who can see Him. Some knowledge we have gathered from different scriptures and saints.” So I related some of it. Then he persisted, “I have shown <st1:place><FONT color=black><FONT face="Arial Narrow">Krishna</st1:place><FONT color=black><FONT face="Arial Narrow"> on the branch of this tamarind tree, so many have witnessed that.” I said, “In spite of your statement that you have shown <st1:place><FONT color=black><FONT face="Arial Narrow">Krishna</st1:place><FONT color=black><FONT face="Arial Narrow"> to so many, I disregard that.” Summarily this is all bogus. “Why are you cheating yourself”? I asked. “You are cheating the public and yourself, so be careful of that.” Then after some months that man came back to me and said, “What you say is all true.”<FONT color=black><FONT face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p>

After serious & cautious consideration.....your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2007! Altho it was a very hard decision to make we'll do what we can from our side. So try not to screw it up!!! Our Wish for You in 2007 May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts, your misery, offenses and anarthas. May you crack the vaults of prema bhakti, then plunder and distribute the contents to one and all May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $200 bills. May love stick to your face like gulub jamuns and may laughter and hari katha assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires, happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be those of joy. May Bhakti devi invade your soul regardless of all your fierce resistence. May the honorable vaisnavas drop hand grenades of grace upon you, filling your heart with the love of god that you seek. May the problems you had forget your home and email address! In simple words ............ May 2007 be the best year of your life!!! One more thing may we be the beneficiary of all your newly aquired wealth. Please distribute it freely or we'll be coming after you! Yours affectionately Nityananda Prabhu and the loving search party.

All of us here may or may not know the difference of these personalities, we can only truly go on what those who do are saying, and that choice of the currant of advice we have to decide for ourselves which will ultimately determine our faith and serving perspective. The ones I understand that have been and are still being empowered by Srimati Thakurani, Srila Rupa Goswamipad, Srila Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati Thakure and Srila Sridhara Maharaj are not fainting. There is definately a difference, but it isn't one that makes them faint, at times i personally feel ill over it, but I wouldn't say faint, but I'm an insensitive type in these subtle affairs. Not that I'm familiar with such consciousness, obviously we are just repeating what we think we've heard the higher vaisnavas have realized they may not be our own perceptions, but by meditating on the words of the acharyas some pennies from above may just drop to us. By the way it is this plane that you will faint in, from what i understand , I could be wrong. I'm just a neophyte, babe in the woods, but when the adhoksaja plane descends we wake in that plane, while passing out of this plane. Meaning we can't maintain our material consciousness when coming into contact with the transcendental. Guru Maharaj's speaking was like that..... alive with Hladini shakti. Perhaps that's why our dear Shakti Fan has so much attraction to him! When sitting at Srila Guru Maharaj's lotus feet this would happen to various fortunate souls, whose sincerity opened them up with sufficient receiving capacity to catch what he was throwing from his extraordinary position. I'm just wondering how much Prabhu Shakti truly accepts Srila Govinda Maharajs' perspective of this issue seeing as I've noticed you give respect addressing him as 'Srila' which is really only meant for those we see as our guru. I'm sure you are a mature vaisnava that is fully familiar with the ettiquette of vaisnavism. This may appear to be cutting hairs but there is a big difference between those we accept as our specific instructing guru and the other vaisnavas. Apart from the 'Universal concept' and the 'land of Gurus' we are familiar with. Maybe you can help me with my curiosity. Maybe it's because there appears to be a line in the sand on the bankes of the Viraja when it comes to certain philosophical conceptions and there are a whole lot a ' devotees wondering who is where, for their ultimate welfare? Shakti on the contrary I've heard NM tell people on first meeting that they are Gopis and also that he knows Srila Sridhara Maharaj better than anyone else. Which i wholeheartedly dispute. I'm not nessacarily comparing, just listening to what my guru has told to give me discerning power to understand these differences, after all he is 'The guardian of Devotion'. And he has given perfect advice to stear me and all others, including NM thru the minefield of deception... if we can catch it. Personally I agree, to a degree, with what you are saying, no problem with our Rupa Radha-dasyam aspiration, Guru Maharaj has always taught such. But what i was trying to emphasize with limited time, as I stated that if we are thinking we are in such a position without being there it translates as arrogance not humility.. It is most confusing for the general populous of neophyte aspirants to be told of such subtle deep arrangments in the Divine arena. If one is instructing fron Ujjvala nila mani for instance, that was warned against by our param Gurudev and Srila Guru Maharaj to not enter, and then give these things to young devotees still on the bodily platform it is bound to cause some conflict. I know innumerable devotees who are spun out with the information they've had implanted in their consciousness, unable to deal with it they find themselves in limboland afraid to even associate with devotees any more. I am talking about attracting the mercy and grace of the agents of divinity to help us engage in that seva thru those agents on this tangible level, not direct to Krsna Himself. In a safe methodical process. But first we need to align ourselves with the will of those agents we can trust, who may be serving in different capacities, some may side with Krsna some in our line are siding with Srimati Thakurani. In other lines they will side with Chandravalli and yet others may serve in the group of Krsna's boyfriends, parents or neutral positions and all have varying degrees of selfless sacrifice. It's not that all servitors are serving in Sri Radhika's entourage, but we are aspiring to, by the grace of our gurus.. I also tend to feel that in serving that higher plane we are to try to understand what the pangs of separation and the service needs of our masters or mistreses are, and we do get some hint of this thru our own experience and realizations. So Srila Narayana Maharaja is not discussing our potential separation or union with Krsna. And that is the subtlety that is transpiring here. He is discussing the separation and union of Sri Sri Radha Krsna. Maybe not as much these days, but when we first heard many years back we heard so many things which i don't really don't wish to repeat here, even in this particular thread you will find such allusions. I was given tapes from people trying to draw me to that conception that were actually rather embarrassing in the light of what Srila Sridhara Maharaj was saying, since then a number of Sridhara Maharaj sisyas went that way and many of those original statements changed. But there are many references to our personal union with Krsna. I just don't wish to go dredging up all this ancient history

The danger of propagating Union over separation is that feeling oneself in union with Krsna can cultivate arrogance and false pride, which is the opposite of the Gaudiya vaisnavas' mood of vipralamba, that Srila Sridhara Maharaj and all of those in the Rupanuga guru varga back to Lord Chaitanya and ultimately back to Srimati Thakurani herself live in, what Guru Maharaj calls the super negative mood (of humility) that attracts the Supreme positive. "I don't have a drop of love for Krsna" is the mood that comes from separation and this is the line we follow. Everything else is like the Christian evangelists or other such religionists who beleive they are saved and can save others because they are chosen by God or 'in union' with God. Behind those with this union mentality you will ultimately find some subtle or gross material discrepancies, that don't always become evident immediately it is actually the very essence of sahajiyaism. So real union will always be feeling separation, and it will be supported by all of those that are one with such conclusions. And actual disconection from Gods grace will come about in those who feel they have Him. It's one of those day-night things, diametricly opposite to what it appears on the surface but according to who's authority we accept we will find ourselves aligned to that vision. But sahajiyaism can always be corrected by the Lord Himself even as He will dismantle the false pride of the gopis, likewise He may adjust that attitude on these lower worldly levels of imitation and misconception if we allow some dainya into our heart, it's a very deep disease that tries to imitate the Lords position and may take innumerable lifetimes to correct, but by the grace of Guru and Gauranga we have at least a seed of a clue how to start the journey back home to our position as dasanudas. Even to think we have the right conception over misconception can have it's subtle falls that can lead to aparadhe and hence a fall from grace, so as aspiring servitors our advice is to be ever vigilant..