Sridas

What like this: "One should not proudly think that one can understand the transcendental loving service of the Lord simply by reading books... One must accept a Vaisnava guru (adau gurv-asrayam), and then by questions and answers one should gradually learn what pure devotional service to Krsna is. That is called the parampara system." (Cc. Antya-lila 7.53, purp.) — AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

This nirjala ekadashi can be misused. We are asked to obstain from everything on it, not a drop of water, but I've known devotees who think it is okay to miss other ekadashis because they'll just do nirjala, then when it comes around they even forget that. Better to observe all that you can, then nirjala is an extra special bonus. I've found that when you observe regularly your body clock sends messages of rememberance when they are coming round. And vice versa forgetfulness also when we fall out of rythem with Krsnas system. In this busy stressed out world it is easy to forget.

Excuse us. Forgot to sign into post 51. seeing as some are touchy about who is saying what.

I don't have anything against difference Bija the spiritual world is full of variegatedness acintya bheda-bhed and in familiarity those players can even insult each other in fun and it is all beautiful. It's just when it continually reverts to vaisnava aparadhe in these exchanges. I feel it is extremely distastastful to visitors and probably turns many prospective participants away, as most see it as immature and then they may just move on to some other arena that offers sweeter co-operative harmony, where the play is more fun. Something else I've noticed in all this macho spirit is that it's a turn off to the Vaisnavis..... the dasis who often have a substantial contribution also. Once upon a time the forums used to have more interest for all when the ladies could express their views and sentiments also. Don't be sorry mate, the shoe doesn't fit you. I get rather arrogant myself at times but I try to remember Guru Maharajs' view of us as 'Sons and daughters of the Ocean of nectar', that doesn't mean that's just me, it means the vision I have of you too. The asuras stirred the poison and the devotees churned the nectar We can aspire for the path of Prahlad Maharaj or maybe Hannibal Lekta

. When we can disconnect from all phases of perceptual experience, we can live in faith alone. When all the wealth of our experience deceives us and makes treachery with us, our faith will save us. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> The whole world of our experience will vanish one day with the final wholesale dissolution.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha- dosanudarsanam Bg. 13.9. <o:p></o:p> But faith will remain, faithfully attending us, that is the innate thing with our soul. And with the wholesale dissolution of our body, mind and senses, the whole world of our experience will go where? No one knows. The sun, the moon, the ether, the air, everything will vanish in wholesale dissolution. Only faith will live, even at that stage. Faith is eternal substance within us and we are told that with the favorable circumstances of faith we can go back to God, back home. Back to home sweet home! Such highest prospect is given to us who are in this world of mortality, which is a burial and cremation ground. Here everything is bound to be buried. <o:p></o:p> “The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, <o:p></o:p> All that beauty, all that wealth e’re gave, <o:p></o:p> Awaits like the inevitable hour; <o:p></o:p> The paths of glory lead but to the grave.” <o:p></o:p> - Gray’s Elegy <o:p></o:p> This is the world of experience, everything leads but to the grave. But faith is not treacherous, it will remain within, with the soul and grant hope, prospect and sustenance. And what kind of sustenance? Home comfort. When there is the proposal of such an alternative, who would be such a fool to run after the experiences of this so called ‘civilized’ atomic world? Sense experience and material science are all merely the jaws of death. Srila BRSM <o:p></o:p>

Well Dharmapurusha dandavats, It doesn't look like you are going to get much help here, Too much engagement in defeating each other, may i remind all Gaudiya Vaisnavas that the battle is against Maya not each other. Anyway Dp I think you may be pushing up hill if you engage on some of these other forums that don't even have basic vedic education, as they will simply lock horns on a gnani type level, and won't really understand the beauty of bhakti and transcendence. Here is a little talk by Srila Sridhara Maharaj that would mostly go way over their head, nevertheless it may help a little. <TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="50%"> Student: In the Bhagavad-gita 7.19, Krishna says: bahunam janmanam ante, jnanavan mam prapadyate vasudevah sarvam iti, sa mahatma sudurlabhah (“After many, many births, the jnani, person in knowledge (who happens to achieve the association of My pure devotee) finally comes to understand that the whole universe of moving and stationary beings is of the nature of Vasudeva, alone, therefore all are subordinate to Vasudeva. (I, as Vasudeva am the source and substance of all that be.) Having grasped this conception, he surrenders unto Me. Know such a great soul to be extremely rare.”) What exactly is the meaning, here? </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Srila Sridhar Maharaj: From ‘brahma’ conception, the different instalments follow. In brahma realisation, there is a ‘mass’ of consciousness: ‘all-consciousness’. Then, the next step will come: the consciousness is of individual character – with deeper vision, individuality is added to consciousness. There is consciousness plus individuality. In fact, no consciousness can exist without individuality, without personality. So, the consciousness is personal: personality and consciousness, they cannot be separated, one from the other. What is differentiated from personality, that is only the halo of the personality – it is something like that. And that ‘halo’ that brahma – is also the combination of minutest personality, of souls. Substance is of two kinds: ksara, or changing, perishable; and aksara, unchanging, eternal. In the Bhagavad-gita (15.16) Lord Krishna says: ksarah sarvani bhutani – whatever we see in the changing aspect of the world, that is called ksara. And what is unchangeable is called aksara. Then, He says: yasmat ksaram atito ‘ham aksarad api cottamah ato ‘smi like vede ca, prathitah purusottamah (Bhagavad-gita 15.18) “My existence transcends both of these two substances, ksara – aksara. So, I am purusottamah – My name is ‘Purussottama’. My glories are sung in the world and in the scriptures, as Purusottama, the Supreme Person.” ‘Purusottama’ means Vasudeva. So, bahunam janmanam ante…; after many births, when the jnanis, those of the impersonal school, come to understand that the Prime Cause of the consciousness of their quest is a personal one, then they come to conceive of Vasudeva. But such jnanis are very rarely to be found. Mostly, jnanis cannot cross this line. They are lost there: ye ‘nye’ ravindaksa vimukta-maninas tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha buddhayah aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah patanty adho ‘nadrta-yusmad anghrayah (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.32) “O lotus-eyed Lord, although non-devotees who accept severe penances and austerities to achieve the highest position may think themselves liberated, their intelligence remains impure. They simply speculate in various ways and do not seek the means to take shelter of You. Because they have no regard for Your lotus feet, they simply fall down from their position of imagined superiority into material existence again". Generally, it is the fate of the jnanis to climb up to the highest position with great effort, and then, when they cannot grasp that “consciousness means ‘person’” – they cannot cross that understanding – they have to revert back. They have to come back, fall back. And for those who can cross this line, who can understand that: “Yes, consciousness means person – a Big Personality, I am small ….”, bhakti begins there. The relation of subordination of the lower to the Higher, that comes into effect. And, sa mahatma sudurlabhah – such a person among the jnanis is very rarely to be found, who can take the positive connection of the higher aspect of life. Mostly they come back, they have to come back from there. After much penance, they climb up to that high mark, but they cannot accommodate that “the higher Entity must be dealt with devotion”, so they have to come back. But those who realise: vasudevah sarvam iti, that Vasudeva – Purusottama – is personal, they can ‘cross the line’ and enter Vaikuntha, the service area proper. And there, we are told, gradually as their vision grows more and more, they can find potency on the side of the personal God. Then they become the devotee of Laksmi-Narayana, and enter completely into Vaikuntha-seva. And in that service, we find awe, reverence; there are sastric (scriptural) rules, and also examples of the higher-realised souls, to guide them. And in that Vaikuntha-seva, if the soul does not find the whole of his innate nature having full engagement, there will be some sort of thirst, some inner tendency which cannot find any corresponding relation to satisfy itself. And when he feels this kind of urge from within, he has to search after another rasa (a soul’s specific service mood/relationship with the Lord, and the ‘taste’ derived therefrom.), for a purer, more friendly service than the filial service (dasya-rasa). And ultimately the madhura-rasa service – the sweetheart’s service, in consorthood – urges him to go up. It urges him to go up, and to go deeper. And gradually, by coming in contact with such (madhura rasa) agents, he finds his own heart blossoming. And blossoming to its fullest extent, his heart takes him gradually towards Goloka Vrndavana (the supreme spiritual planet, abode of Lord Krishna)…… The Service of Reality the Beautiful Then he can see that what was (initially realised as) ‘brahma’; then Paramatma, or Vasudeva; then Laksmi-Narayana – that has gradually come to him as Krishna consciousness, not Narayana consciousness. Superceding Narayana consciousness, he comes in contact with Krishna consciousness of the Reality. He is awakened – he finds himself awakened in a plane where he see the all-connecting, all-harmonising principle is no longer Narayana, but Krishna – He is showing Himself as Krishna. Then he is fully awakened. His heart is fully awakened, and at the same time he sees that the environment, and the object of his search, is also fully equipped. This is full-fledged theism. Full-fledged theism – where the theistic conviction receives its satisfaction in the fullest way. Just as, with the opening of the eye we can see the world, and according to the degree of our sight we come to see the subtlest thing of the environment, so also, by our inner awakenment of the fullest type, we come to a particular world, environment, and that is Vrindavana – Goloka Vrindavana, the land of love. And movement there is spontaneous; and all around, we find the environment only friendly. It is so simple, so friendly; and the dealing of all who are there are filled with so much intimacy. And in Vrindavana we will find that our thirst for any higher change of environment, of association, no longer needs to be quenched; but there is thirst, eternal thirst, for coming in closer relation with them, closer connection with them. There is no possibility of any higher change of environment – where he has reached is almost final – and now the only remaining thing, is how to come into a more and more close connection with the environment. And that becomes the initiative of our movement there: more and more intimate connection with the environment. The environment is eternal, but in the intimacy of connection – the ‘competition’ (in loving service), the movement, is there. And the guidance is given according to that. In this way, there is progress. There is some sort of ‘necessity’, by which the service is moving. And, there is repetition – a kind of ‘repetition’, but it is ever-fresh, ever-new! It is ever-new, and it is only a question of the time. For example, every day when I am hungry, in the morning, food is tasteful to me, and not always – by the movement of the time, it is like that. In this way, everything is palatable, not stale. In that plane, there is movement of time, but it is eternal. It is managed by yogamaya (the internal potency of Lord Krishna, who arranges and conducts His lila) in such a way. And finally, there we will attain the fullest satisfaction of all the inner parts of our system, the wholesale satisfaction of every atom of every constituent part of our spiritual body: priti anga lage kale, priti anga mora – “Every part of my every limb, cries for union with the corresponding part of every limb of the other side”. Sambandha – relationship with the environment – may come to such a stage, that every atom constituting my spiritual body and mind, will aspire after union with every corresponding part of the environment. In this way, in such a friendly way, so many are moving there, and it is adjusted accordingly by yogamaya. And this is the highest conception. Priti anga lage kale, priti anga mora – “Every atom of my existence is in loving aspiration with the environment, and that is Krishna. Krishna consciousness has surrounded me.” ‘Surrounded me’ means, “From all sides it has embraced me; I am lost in the thought of Krishna consciousness, with its detailed, elaborate acquaintance. I am merged, merged in the deepest part of Krishna consciousness, where I shall find “Krishna has captured every atom of my existence. Every atom is feeling as if it is experiencing separate pleasure by His embracing….” This is possible only in consorthood relationship, where every atom has been embraced, captured, by coming into the most intimate connection with Him. It is called adi-rasa, or mukhya-rasa. The name of madhurya-rasa is adi-rasa, that is, it is the most original, it is the source of all other rasas, and all other rasas are dependent on it. So it is called ‘adi-rasa’. And, mukhya-rasa: the sum total of all ‘rasas’ – their gist, their essence, is represented there. We are told like that. And Mahaprabhu came with this gift – madhurya-rasa. It is anarpita carim cirat, “that which was never distributed before” – that of which, it is considered, any distribution was not possible previously, before Him. In Bhaktivinod Thakur’s book Jaiva Dharma, we find that one Vaisnava is asking his Gurudeva, “Devotion, it is eternal; but why do you say that it came from Mahaprabhu?” Then his Guru, Paramahamsa Babaji, is saying, “I visited Vrindavana and asked the eternal servitor of Sri Caitanyadeva, Sanatana Goswami: “This anarpita carim cirat – “which has never been dealt with before” – what is the meaning underlying it?” Then Sanatana Goswami replied: “Bhakti is eternal; in ‘Narada-bhakti-sutra’, ‘Sandilya-sutra’, all such scriptures, this has been given – but the type of devotion which Mahaprabhu came with, which we meet after the advent of Mahaprabhu Sri Caitanyadeva, that was not previously at any time open to the ordinary person. So, it is called ‘anarpita carim’. And what is that standard of devotion? It is this: complete surrender to Krishna in consorthood, where every atom of the jiva-soul gets welcomed and embraced by the corresponding atom of Krishna consciousness – madhura-rasa. That was not open to the public before. This is my finding, my faith. You may accept, or not accept …” Sanatana Goswami told like this to that Vaisnava: “This is my private conception – you may take it, or not”. This was his reply. So devotion has its beginning; the beginning of devotional life is here, where Krishna says ‘vasudevah sarvam iti ….’ (Bhagavad-gita 7.19) (“I, Vasudeva, am the soruce and substance of all that be”). Then, the beginning of bhakti, the primary admission into the devotional school above ‘jnana’ – knowledge - and vairagya – renunciation, that is santa-rasa (‘passive’ relationship with the Lord.) And from there the gradation: dasya-rasa (servitude); then sakhya-rasa (fraternity); then vatsalya-rasa (parenthood); then madhura-rasa (conjugal). All this is given in details in ‘ramananda-samvada’. In this way, bhakti is going up. Systematically, we are to understand, and digest, digest what is ‘bhakti’. But, in the beginning, we are to have a broad conception of the positive world, the world of dedication.

Hey Ana , You might also get something from Kula Shaker for more upbeat sound or Pia for similar RASA mood. If you want to go down memory lane try to get a hold of the old 'Benediction Moon' album or 'Mantra Electric' and 'A very Gentle Force' by Siddha Swarupananda, give 'em a spin.

Try Karnamrta she sings like a gandarva, very sweet and easy to listen to. Also you may just find some others here at White swan music that fit the bill. http://www.whiteswanmusic.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/product_id/430 My personal favs are Prem Joshua and also Nitin Sawhney for sheer brilliant musical ability in the World fusion genre altho not your traditional bhajan they really are contemporary fusion geniuses, while still keeping Indian roots. I listen to these guys as much as bhajan for inspiration, as they seem to tap into and play on the ancient genetic code in a contemporary way, that opens one's soul to other dimentions, very cool minstrels, very inspirational. Also Krsna das may be suitable at: www.krishnadas.com/ www.nitinsawhney.com http://www.premjoshua.com/index.htm hope these help ys Sridas

Peter Garret the lead singer from the Oils is now quite a popular politician 'down under'. He decided to eventually try to make a difference after his conscience got the better of him. Any way even tho he's in there he's still finding it hard to shift many die hard attitudes, his main front is on the environment, and indiginous rights but progress is slow when you're in opposition. He's always been one of those outspoken intense characters.He's not afraid to tell it like it is. The younger gens love his clout, but the elders don't trust his rockstar credentials. I went to school with him way back before before.

I don't know what's happening Ayodhya methinks theres some ghost in the forums I didn't post that empty post, don't know how it got there. It's a little difficult with some of the demigods they do administer things like the weather in Indra's case and having a property in Australia with lots of gardens, vegetables etc we need their co-operation for at present we're going thru a very severe drought totally dependent on rainfall as the rest of the world is starting to experience also. This leads to extreme conditions destoying the fertility and soil balance casing bushfires which threaten our livlihood, bump up the cost of living to buy just about everything, so no doubt Indra or his reps play a role in the environment, and effect just about everyone on the planet. So altho I worship Lord Krsna and try to see that by serving the centre everyone else is served, still i think the roles of the devas have to be respected and appreciated, that is I don't want be on the wrong side of them. Because if they are not appeased they can make it very difficult for every one of us. But still it's not that I give my highest priority, that has to be reserved for the Lord of Lords, the cause of all causes.and we will wait for that to filter down to the devas. Just so long as they don't go on strike for not getting any attention.

I can taste the eternal reality I'm experiencing, it may not nessacarily be transferrable to you if you can't accept it as real, as Shakti is pointing out, but my experience is confirmed by previous saints, sastra and my own heart and they offer a far better, sweeter prospect, solution and conclusions than the dry logic of the so called scientists. Now if you even like to call that auto-suggestion or that I've been re-programmed, I don't mind, I'm free to choose who's account of reality I embrace, in my case the higher taste of Anandam is coming from my Master, and the more I surrender to that account which is considered transcendental, the deeper and clearer that reality crystalizes in my consciousness, the further east we go the more west is left behind. In this case the tasteless relative truths of most scientists. Our beliefs can change just as one changes clothes. Whereas knowledge descending thru the agents of divinity remains consistent and has done for thousands of years, and it is not just theoretical it is practical, tangible and offers the taste of anandam that can't be denied. This is ultimately the measuring stick! How free from suffering will these discoveries make us? What degree of blissfullness and inner fullfillment will we taste from our objective and your trust in them. Certain scientists may be able to eventually manipulate the brain or central nervous system to feel relatively good, but what about when the person goes back out and performs sinful activity or commits crimes, using human embryos for stem cell research or killing animals for their experiments and the populous followers their example, condoning their ignorance because they can't see or realize what life is, will the scientists then also manipulate their conscience to not feel remorse, beyond the reactionary world of Karma. The scientists can't control all the other aspects of what rests in our consciouness, nor can they conquer death, only the transcendentalist can help us in these areas. All the scientist can do at best is imitate that which already exists but they can't create existence. It will remain a mystery to them untill grace allows them to recognize their own existance and where it springs from, then they'll become a spiritualist, some are actually making this true quantum leap, others are wavering and yet others may be stuck in the mud with the amoebas for thousands of years, or swinging from one misconceived tree of knowledge to another. By manipulating the material elements many scientists appear to be performing some miraculous wonders to the uninitiated, but it is very much down in the pits lower end of mystic perfection. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> Doubts can be healthy in spiritual life just as they can in material life up to a certain point where Faith, Knowledge then revelation or realization take their place. To start with Faith can extend along way in the infinite, not that mature faith ever withdraws from us just that it becomes more tangible, more real, not just blind or a show to convince others. At that stage we need the help of the sadhus who stand as lighthouses on our treachurous journey thru dark and uncertain waters. <o:p></o:p> Thru vapu or vani or both if possible meaning their affectionate presence or their instruction and guidance. It's a methodical process we follow. By being in their company.... sadhu sanga and serving the sadhu according to ones capacity or by merely following the instructions that are given as guideposts on the path our heart slowly becomes cleansed, and when that stage is reached then the Lord within plus his wondrous ways start to become more visible in various forms according to the individual. By getting the Creator you also get the creation. Everything doesn't usually jump out at you instantly, it's gradual but progressive, like mountain climbing one step at a time you just have to be patient. I don't know how old you are but if you want it enough you'll find the strength to perservere and He will respond to your call, in His time. <o:p></o:p> By calling for the help and strength of Nityananda Prabhu in kirtan and prayer, appealing with sincere humility the Truth won't be denied. Mind you there are a lot of jivas these days knocking on heavens door so you still may have to stand in line. But if you want in to the party enough you may have to wait awhile, so what will you do? go away.! <o:p></o:p> My spiritual master had A personal visitation of Nityananda Prabhu after many years practice from birth, telling him to get out and give the mercy to others in need, and thereby you will increase your capitol. So it comes down to give and get. If we are generous with what we have received so much conviction will come you'll be rolling on the ground in ecstacy you won't be needing a sign to convince you.<o:p></o:p> Distribute prasadam or holy literature, talk to all about that great mesiah Sri Chaitanya. Chant Dayal Nitai.... Bhaja Gauranga Kaha Gauranga Laha Gauranga Nama and They will soon increase your confidence. Let go of the mind and replace your thoughts with Nitai-Gauranga-Jaya Satchinandana Gaura Hari, visit the holly places.... do parikram in the foot steppes of the saints, be charitable and kind to little old ladies. It'll all help to dissipate the clouds of depression. Regarding the drug induced experiences the Vedas talk of soma revealing certain dimentions especially on the subtle astral plains, that may well bring new experience to ones consciousness but once again what value is it to our eternal wellfare, we may well be attracted to wanting it just as we want objects of the senses and mind in this gross physical world, but does that mean we really need it. If we accept Krsna 's word He says it's all indirect or misdirected worship of Him. And really a waste of the precious time we have in our hand. Excuse me if I'm breaking the interesting flow of some of the other contributions on this thread but I had to respond to your question further back.

Hmmm I thought we had the numbers and we were on the winning party. Man there is still a lot of work to do huh? Did we poll in Manipur? I reckon it was rigged by the meat industry. Guess that explains why all the other living entities on the planet are in anxiety. You mean that's only about 300 million, I'm feeling lonely:rolleyes: Did they mention how many nectarians there are?

You'll be ostrasized from Iskcon, banned, excommunicated, exiled. No I'm pretty sure Srila Prabhupad will make room for you even if you like Lord Rama.

Yeah they left out Michael Jackson and Elvis and a few other worshippable idols of the silver screen, where were all the millions of Hindu Demigods? What about the Supreme dude from central west Asia they call Buga. Maybe when they were'nt too pleased with the way things were going they could blame it on that Buga. He's the cause of all our woes. No offence but i hope they're not into voodoo. Ahh call me a fanatic, but they're all upstarts compared to the butter thief. Even today you have tribal chiefs with hundreds of concubines seen as the Big Buwaana, but never 16,000 wives, that's a hard act to compete with. No wonda Jehova wanted to do away with all the false idols. He could probably see them all across the face of the earth.

Ghari dandavats, All of us are initiated by HariNam for it is the Name that gives Himself no other, and great personalities like Srila Haridas Thakur, the Nam acharya was/is an exceptional case they are fully empowered, in the living presence of Mahaprabhu who would visit him daily to feed him with His very own hands. Are we in that position/ I think not. But there are various precedents in our Guru varga to show anything is possible, The most recent examples show the process of aproaching another acharya to take the Name from their trusted heart and hand. I'd say the reason for that in this crazy mixed up time is that if everyone claims to have the Name by direct method, then it will all end up even crazier, because no one will trust anyone else, unless it is real and that is what krsna wants. I mean after all Krsna came directly to me and gave me His Name, so why should I listen to all these others who claim the same. You see the difference is Mahaprabhu himself gave recognition to Srila Haridas, and also empowered him to be Namacharya. In vapu form. But that is part of the age we are living in now, everyone isn't empowered or suficiently purified to take direct connection. Personally I'd say the better focus would be on Mahaprabhu's example. The fact that i may only chant 2 rounds a week when I feel like, and Mahaprabhu isn't going to dance with my body when I leave it, with tears gliding from my eyes as I actually gaze into His beautiful face, His lotus lips glorifying me as I depart. That's of little relevance. BUT ....and that's a big but it's all possible depending on the devotee and the will of the Lord.There may well be souls even on this forum that Krsna will send His private flowerplane when the time is right, to bring them back to His loving greeting party. If we're truly doing what he wants...why not? The beauty of Krsna's Consciousness is that everything is possible.

Krsna Prabhu, Even tho every person on the planet may appear less than perfect, still the Lord recommends taking shelter of His devotee Acharayam mam vijaniyam. Of course that can be deciphered in so many ways according to the individuals faith. If we see fault or inconsistency in a potential spiritual master it doesn't always stand that this is the case, as what we see may be a product of our own conditioned suspicion. Srila Sridara Maharaj would say, "Suspicion leads to suspention". The lack is generally far more in us than the acharya. The faulty vision is in the seer, that doesn't mean we embrace any 3 dollar bill parading as the guru. But we may not know who is best for us from our present position, but does that mean we give up the whole quest. Maybe you should ask yourself how much you have truly endeavoured to approach any of the prospective acharya's available. Because it is a part of the process recomended, to make a personal connection to a guru, it may well appear daunting but most disciples I've known have always felt the better for it. Trust Krsna that this arrangment truly helps us become who we are even tho we may not tranform into our eternal internal swarup immediately it's a big step in the right direction. Not that, oh no Iv'e really blown it. I remember Srila Govinda Maharaj saying that those who approach him for initiation are of two types.... emotional and devotional, some are swept up in just wanting a guru because it's the groovy thing to do and all these others are doing it, and then when they've taken, geez I don't feel any different, Ithought the sky was going to open up and Krsna would appear on his chariot and take me on a gi\uided tour of His kingdom. And then there are those who genuinely want to be devotees who come to do any service they can, like a full time job. That is they don't come to take, but to give their life, unconditionally. As was Srila Prabhupad 's approach to his guru the only question he asked was, "How can I serve you?" Am i afraid of committment? Like the step into marriage. Will I choose the wrong partner? Try and have some confidence in what your heart is telling you, then check it with sastra, and if it still all comes up doubtful or unsatisfactory then maybe you arn't ready to take that step at present. But don't be dissappointed or discouraged there are many here among us who try to simply follow the good shelter of the instructions given by many reputable gaurdians. My guess is that you are already taking some shelter in your sincere enquiry, most people don't even make it that far.

Wonder of Wonders Srila BR Sridhara Maharaj<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:p></o:p> Just the realization of your own soul, can suffice to create a sensation of wonder in your mental plane for real spiritual life, enough to outweigh all the immeasurable so called wonders of this material world, like going to the moon, or any such aspiration within this material sphere. By the help of your pure intelligence you can rise up to the level where your very soul exists, and it alone will sufficiently purify. That can give a glimpse of a new world, whose comparison can never be compared within this scientific world of trash, however astonishing it may be.<o:p></o:p> Without proper attention to learning the alphabet from abcd, we cannot hope to have the pleasure of reading a full novel and entering the story. <o:p></o:p> atmaramas ca munayo<o:p></o:p> nirgrantha apy urukrame<o:p></o:p> kuruanty-ahaitukam bhaktim<o:p></o:p> itham-bhua-guno harih<o:p></o:p> So many experts have labored hard to understand their soul. Even with self realization it is still difficult to go up. Even they are captured by the charm of their own existence, as we are charmed by this body and its food, the liberated souls are also charmed by their own souls’ position and do not want anything else, atmaram. But there is a superior world made of stuff far finer than that which we are composed. Generally that so-called spiritualist is thinking there can’t be anything higher than this position we’re in, it is all imaginary and speculation. But those who are really from that land, when they come here as agents, with their help we can pass to that other world. We should always try to keep in front of us the model of our great master and Lord Mahaprabhu and those others who are showing us the way. How all those highly qualified stalwarts are approaching towards Vrndavan with such heartfelt reverence and respect. We can’t touch how wonderful it is. <o:p></o:p> ascaryavat pasyati kascid enam ascaryavad vadati tathaiva canyah ascaryavac cainam anyah srinoti srutvapy enam veda na caiva kascit (Bg. 2.29)<o:p></o:p> The unintelligible, charming conception of that high plane will give some particular divine type of prospect that will at once turn all your material prospects into trash. Even if you come back, it still won't have any real influence upon you. Such is the realization of the atma; what to speak of Paramatma: that is more and more laudable and desirable. Evam buddheh param . is the atma. In the beginning, with the help of your reason concentrate even for a second there. Your inquisitive ego may even for a second meet with your real self- jahi satrum. maha-baho, kama-rupam durasadam - then all the charm for material pleasure, both gross and subtle, will bid you adieu for ever.

What is being missed here is that the Supreme Lord who can give the ultimate mystic telepathic exchange, does so at his own sweet will. If he chooses he will give according to your faith it is all in His control, the scientists trying to artificially induce some mystical revelation is like trying to milk a bull to get milk, it's not going to happen because there is a person at the centre of the adhoksaja plane who only responds to honest devotion not those that are trying to be Him or prove He doesn't exist, so they can pretend they are in control. What make them think he will reveal Himself to them or His treasure house of mystical ways that He awards to those who have faith in Him. A real bhakta yogi lives in a wondrous world of reality far beyond the reaches of atheists, and the only entrance to that Kingdom is thru surrender and dedication to the King in that centre. He gives the so called scientists a big brain to spend their whole life mentally speculating and chewing the chewed, untill one of them comes up with another theory they can all delude the blind laymen with for another 30 years. By the time it gets debunked they're usually senile from brain burnout, and everyone has forgotten them and moved on, just as they have forgetten everything, thru old age wearing down their false egos.. Not untill they research the real science of the Absolute Truth will they understand some of the deeper mysteries of this thing we call life and those telepathic chanells that connect individuals in this world. Some mystic powers you may find connected to the brain but real revelation will be found in the sweet heart of His devotee.

There are zillions of impressions frozen in hard copy just on the WWW alone which just represents one small flickering moment in eternal time. A point on a line. The wise will decipher useful impressions that assist in sravanam kirtanam Krsna smaranam. The transcendental vibrations of Sri Chaitanya's Sankirtan search party probing deep into the layers of the mental atmosphere to retrieve and rescue us from intruding influences. Real favourable psychic radar will detect that original form in the jungle of impressions. That form that all other vibrations come from and try to serve a wave in that movement.

Even the Vraja gopis worship demigods such as Katyayani.That doesn't mean they give priority to those assisting in their worship just due respect to all in a system created by The Lord who is always centre stage. The band in the background may enhance the lila, but the Divine flute player still steals the show. <TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 504pt; mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt" cellPadding=0 width=672 border=0><TBODY><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 294pt; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=392> The Spirit of the Name O Holy Name! The tips of the toes of your lotus feet are eternally worshipped by the glowing effulgence of the Upanisads, the crest jewels of the Vedas. You are eternally adored and chanted by great liberated souls like Narada and Sukadeva Goswami. </TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; PADDING-RIGHT: 0.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 0.75pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.75pt; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 202.5pt; PADDING-TOP: 0.75pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=270> <?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><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" /><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> O Harinama! Clearing myself of all offences, I take complete shelter of You. Rupa Goswami says that so many liberated souls worship the Holy Name of Krsna, offering their respects from all sides. He explained that the greatness of the Holy Name may not be found in the ordinary scriptures, but if you study all of them as a whole, you will find the very spirit of the Holy Name. Ordinary people may not find this in their study but there are those who can collect the real substance, the real purpose from those vast writings and detect the greatness of the Holy Name as the whole purpose of all the main Vedic scriptures. The principal codes in the Sruti, the Vedas, are giving hints about the Holy Name of Krsna. Sruti means sabda: that which can be grasped by the ear, the sound form of the revealed truth which has descended from above. The Vedas naturally tell us that we can approach the supreme reality only through sound. Otherwise they would be suicidal. If they do not say that by sound only we will attain the truth, then what is the necessity of the Vedas which are only embodied sounds? So if we can trace their real characteristic we shall find that the principal Vedas say that by the cultivation of sound we can attain the Lord. So we can come to understand this only through sound. Sound alone can deliver reality. The Vedas must say so, otherwise they will only be an ineffective jungle of sounds. Sruti means that which can be received through the ear and that sound is Absolute. The Srutis have come to declare to us that through sound alone we can attain the highest end. The main codes of the Sruti inform us: nikhila sruti mauli ratna mala. Mauli means the principal scriptures. They are like so many gems or jewels, forming a necklace. Just as while performing arati, we offer a lamp to show the Deity form of the Lord more clearly to the ordinary people, the principle Srutis are helping us to have this perception: by sound only we can have the Supreme Lord. Rupa Goswami says that if we are more attentive to their meaning, we will find that the principal Srutis are only trying to show us the lotus feet of the Holy Name, just as during arati the ghee lamp helps us to see the figure of the Lord. We may have a general view of the Deity, but with the help of the lamp, we can have a particular conception of the different parts of the body of the Lord. Similarly, we find that the principal Srutis with their light are trying to show us the lower portion of the Holy Name of Krsna. They are leading us and helping us to have a conception that the Name is everything. Rupa Goswami says that those who are really liberated are all surrounding the Holy Name and offering praise and adoration. And he prays, In this spirit, I take refure in the Holy Name of Krsna. Rupa Goswami says that only a superficial study of the Vedas will frustrate us. But if we search with a positive mind, by the grace of the Sadhus, the Acharyyas, and the Mahajanas, we will find that the principal Srutis are leading us towards the conception that the whole object of all the Vedic sounds is that central sound: the Holy Name of Krsna. There are so many sections of the Vedas that have come to distribute the tidings of the Absolute realm, but there must be a centre. So, the principal sounds are all emitting light like a torch, to show us that they have a central sound which represents the supreme whole, and that is Krsna. Srila B. R Sridara Maharaj

Hey yeah.... come to think of it I thought the philosophy we were following was that I 'm the only one that is fallen and everyone else is above me. Something about the Land of gurus, giving honor and humility, being generous with our respect, where we walk on our heads, not everyone elses. Like those sentiments expressed by Srila Krsna das Kaviraj, or our Prayojana Acharya.... (oops there's that word again) Srila Raghunath das, or perhaps the Nam acharya Srila Haridas Thakur.