Priitaa

You know madhav, if you thought about love of Krishna, as much as you think about hate of Muslims, you'd be a pure devotee.

Haribol prabhus, This question, or confusion, often arises. Hindu's believe Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu. Prabhupada taught us this is a misunderstanding and that Vishnu comes from Krishna. Now of course I accept the word of the pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada. But do any Hare Krishna devotees out there have any quotes from his books to give evidence? I could really use some for preaching work. Thanks.

Haribol prabhus, This question, or confusion, often arises. Hindu's believe Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu. Prabhupada taught us this is a misunderstanding and that Vishnu comes from Krishna. Now of course I accept the word of the pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada. But do any Hare Krishna devotees out there have any quotes from his books to give evidence? I could really use some for preaching work. Thanks.

Avinsh prabhu, Thats a problem for sure. One thing you should consider is that the chances are high she does not love you, but probably is not lying to you either. She 'thinks' she loves you. Verbal & physical abuse can cause someone to fall out of love with their spouse. Its common that after such treatment, anyone who is the slightesst bit nice to them, they think they love. Without spending significant time to get to know them, and not at the work place but to discover 'who they are', then how can they claim they know the person well enough to love them? Often, over a period of time together, such a couple has thier set of problems too. And I realize you are not a couple! Was just speaking in general. Also, she is looking to be rescued. Wants someone to take her out of her bad situation, which I can understand and have compassion for, but that is not the way. She has a job, so it appears she can take care of herself. Therefore what is she afraid of? The possible answer may be that her husband would become violent if she left. Or she could just be insecure about taking care of herself even tho she has employment. Nevertheless, this is a mess and you are wise for staying out of it. And after a rescue takes place, it is common that things do not to work out anyway. It was nice tho, that you gave her something Krishna conscious. Since she is looking to be rescued, this is one reason why They would not take away her attraction to you. It's all a matter of desire, and she doesn't want it to. She has a specific goal in mind. However, its still good you gave her this. But now, don't give her anything else or she may view it as a "gift," which will make her think it 'must' be romantic at some level. I find it weird, and controlling, that she says she does not 'agree' that you can not marry her. Its not up to her to make your choice, and the fact that she can't accept your 'no' is something I would watch out for. It just sounds tooooooooo controlling. Good luck, and try to avoid working with her as much as possible. Really, you need to get real strict about this, even if it hurts her feelings. Thats the only way she will get the message. If she complains you could try telling her its nothing personal and you are just following rules of dharma. But if she still balks, you have to do whats right and avoid her association as much as possible. And when you start to make that change, it usually gets worse before it gets better, because she will feel it as a threat. But if you remain strong, she will back off. Also, you can suggest she go to a marriage counselor. You dont need to get in the middle of a marriage. These are just suggestions and I dont mean it to sound like instructions. Only you know the details and specifics of the situation and what needs to be done. I wish you well in this. Hare Krishna. (P.S. I suspect what the other devotess said is true - that the person who started this thread was pulling a prank, may not be without a girlfriend, or is not sincere in his inquirey. So don't worry about him.)

Avinsh prabhu, Thats a problem for sure. One thing you should consider is that the chances are high she does not love you, but probably is not lying to you either. She 'thinks' she loves you. Verbal & physical abuse can cause someone to fall out of love with their spouse. Its common that after such treatment, anyone who is the slightesst bit nice to them, they think they love. Without spending significant time to get to know them, and not at the work place but to discover 'who they are', then how can they claim they know the person well enough to love them? Often, over a period of time together, such a couple has thier set of problems too. And I realize you are not a couple! Was just speaking in general. Also, she is looking to be rescued. Wants someone to take her out of her bad situation, which I can understand and have compassion for, but that is not the way. She has a job, so it appears she can take care of herself. Therefore what is she afraid of? The possible answer may be that her husband would become violent if she left. Or she could just be insecure about taking care of herself even tho she has employment. Nevertheless, this is a mess and you are wise for staying out of it. And after a rescue takes place, it is common that things do not to work out anyway. It was nice tho, that you gave her something Krishna conscious. Since she is looking to be rescued, this is one reason why They would not take away her attraction to you. It's all a matter of desire, and she doesn't want it to. She has a specific goal in mind. However, its still good you gave her this. But now, don't give her anything else or she may view it as a "gift," which will make her think it 'must' be romantic at some level. I find it weird, and controlling, that she says she does not 'agree' that you can not marry her. Its not up to her to make your choice, and the fact that she can't accept your 'no' is something I would watch out for. It just sounds tooooooooo controlling. Good luck, and try to avoid working with her as much as possible. Really, you need to get real strict about this, even if it hurts her feelings. Thats the only way she will get the message. If she complains you could try telling her its nothing personal and you are just following rules of dharma. But if she still balks, you have to do whats right and avoid her association as much as possible. And when you start to make that change, it usually gets worse before it gets better, because she will feel it as a threat. But if you remain strong, she will back off. Also, you can suggest she go to a marriage counselor. You dont need to get in the middle of a marriage. These are just suggestions and I dont mean it to sound like instructions. Only you know the details and specifics of the situation and what needs to be done. I wish you well in this. Hare Krishna. (P.S. I suspect what the other devotess said is true - that the person who started this thread was pulling a prank, may not be without a girlfriend, or is not sincere in his inquirey. So don't worry about him.)

There ya go. Got a lusty man annoying everyone? Just promise him a wife from the Hare Krishna temple. Never mind that women want to be celibate too, brahmacarini isn't a real ashram, right? We're all for sale. Make her 'surrender.' And the temple is now for match making? Even for the noninitiates? WOW What a way to bring in all sorts of members. If people find this out, they'll be breaking down our doors! lol He never once said he was, or wanted to be, a 'brahmcari.' He is single. Single does not mean brahmacari. Matter of fact, he very clearly said he wants a woman! Sorry for my sarcasm. Just that I have been there, done that, and thought the movement had grown up from handling problems this way. It seems this poster is a new devotee, as we dealt with similar issues that way in the past and it resulted in countless unspeakables, therefore I won't say. But its why I am pointing it out. Such advice should not be given. But he should start to hear from the older devotees.

There ya go. Got a lusty man annoying everyone? Just promise him a wife from the Hare Krishna temple. Never mind that women want to be celibate too, brahmacarini isn't a real ashram, right? We're all for sale. Make her 'surrender.' And the temple is now for match making? Even for the noninitiates? WOW What a way to bring in all sorts of members. If people find this out, they'll be breaking down our doors! lol He never once said he was, or wanted to be, a 'brahmcari.' He is single. Single does not mean brahmacari. Matter of fact, he very clearly said he wants a woman! Sorry for my sarcasm. Just that I have been there, done that, and thought the movement had grown up from handling problems this way. It seems this poster is a new devotee, as we dealt with similar issues that way in the past and it resulted in countless unspeakables, therefore I won't say. But its why I am pointing it out. Such advice should not be given. But he should start to hear from the older devotees.

Tho if this guy is repeatedly making such posts (I didn't know that), and either not taking any advice and not changing his life and just complaining, OR if he is pulling a prank, then that is a different story and it must stop. I did find it odd he never replied to anyone.

Tho if this guy is repeatedly making such posts (I didn't know that), and either not taking any advice and not changing his life and just complaining, OR if he is pulling a prank, then that is a different story and it must stop. I did find it odd he never replied to anyone.

WOW Thiest, that's a lot going on. ha Really, I just took his post at face value. I can't speculate about all this other stuff. Would need proof first. I use to view so many things from so many angles. Price for being a devoee I suspect. :-) But in time I drastically decreased doing that. I read a book once and something in it just 'clicked.' It said "if someone puts an apple on the table but somene else suspects its an orange, I'm going to take it as an apple until proven otherwise." That really hit the nail on the head for me. I have to repeat tho, that being a devotee makes it more difficult, as they always 'suspect' you are up to something other than what you are saying. And in the movement, sometimes there IS double talk. Glad I'm a householder! ha

WOW Thiest, that's a lot going on. ha Really, I just took his post at face value. I can't speculate about all this other stuff. Would need proof first. I use to view so many things from so many angles. Price for being a devoee I suspect. :-) But in time I drastically decreased doing that. I read a book once and something in it just 'clicked.' It said "if someone puts an apple on the table but somene else suspects its an orange, I'm going to take it as an apple until proven otherwise." That really hit the nail on the head for me. I have to repeat tho, that being a devotee makes it more difficult, as they always 'suspect' you are up to something other than what you are saying. And in the movement, sometimes there IS double talk. Glad I'm a householder! ha

I did'nt see an adult man, what I saw was a teenager. I could be mistaken, but usually men turn to other men, or repress. Teenagers are more inclined to reach out, and to have poor body image too, leading to depression, etc.

I did'nt see an adult man, what I saw was a teenager. I could be mistaken, but usually men turn to other men, or repress. Teenagers are more inclined to reach out, and to have poor body image too, leading to depression, etc.

What??? Just for the record, that was not my intent.

What??? Just for the record, that was not my intent.

Vaisnavananda, Good point! I agree with you 100%. I get the feeling he is young though, and not ready to entertain thoughts of misery, calamities, or renunciation of women, etc. So for that we have the grhasta ashrama, tho it has to be worked up to as one must become qualified. Its not that marriage is maya. I got the feeling he was looking for some practical advice, thus my post. If I was wrong, my apologies. But maybe all of us were able to offer him something. (And I do wish he'd let us know. /images/graemlins/smile.gif )

Vaisnavananda, Good point! I agree with you 100%. I get the feeling he is young though, and not ready to entertain thoughts of misery, calamities, or renunciation of women, etc. So for that we have the grhasta ashrama, tho it has to be worked up to as one must become qualified. Its not that marriage is maya. I got the feeling he was looking for some practical advice, thus my post. If I was wrong, my apologies. But maybe all of us were able to offer him something. (And I do wish he'd let us know. /images/graemlins/smile.gif )

I don't know where to begin, as several points need to be made, so please forgive me if I am a bit clumsy in presentation. First I'll start with your idea that Krishna is angry at you. Krishna loves us unconditionally and is not angry with you. Now, you may have some karma of your own to deal with. Karma is often misunderstood, and I am not going to present all angles on it here, but something that may help to see from a different point of view. And that is often what its about. Looking at it in ways you had not thought of before. For example, maybe if you had been born extremely handsome, you would have become puffed up and exploitative. Tho I am not so sure you are not good looking. If you are a teenager, all teens go thru a rather long awkward stage. If you never heard of the story, "the ugly duckling," it is about a young chick that was ugly compared to the other chicks or baby ducks. They all made fun of him, he always felt bad and ugly. Then he grew up, and this ugly 'duck' was acutally a swan. /images/graemlins/smile.gif A beautiful swan. So if you are young, please give youself time for your body to catch up with itself and grow over time before placing such harsh judgement on it. Anyhow, looks are not everything. I am female and know many women who would rather be with an ugly man who treats her with great love, respect and care, then with handsome jerks who think they are Gods gift to women and mistreat them, even cheat on them. (Not saying all handome men are doing this. Always gotta clear myself on such points.) Therefore, if you develop your personality and become very 'cool' :-) but also wise, and find ways to give up your anger so there will be more room in your heart for love, you will get a girlfriend. What is it you want for yourself? How do you wish you would respond to certain situations for example? Need new friends? Think about different ways of getting them. Write such things down, figure out ways to achieve your goals, and keep a list of self improvement. Update it from time to time, because it will grow as you do. This works if you do. However, it appears there are some contributing low self esteem issues here, and if we dont deal with esteem issues, then even if we finally get what we wanted, we will blow up in the persons face. Therefore anger over what you feel God did not give you in life, often stems over onto those you love, & can loose, unless you confront it and make a change within your consciousness. Now as for your Krishna consciousness, it is highly important to increase that. To chant japa, etc. While it will also result in a greater chance of you getting what you want in life, on the one hand I dont want to encourage that. On the other, if you are extremely unhappy or very worried, that too can block your Krishna consciousness, so it may bring some relief to know this. With that said however, the more spiriutal you become, the happier you will become inwardly. What to speak of the opportunity to get out of this material world at the end of one life!

I don't know where to begin, as several points need to be made, so please forgive me if I am a bit clumsy in presentation. First I'll start with your idea that Krishna is angry at you. Krishna loves us unconditionally and is not angry with you. Now, you may have some karma of your own to deal with. Karma is often misunderstood, and I am not going to present all angles on it here, but something that may help to see from a different point of view. And that is often what its about. Looking at it in ways you had not thought of before. For example, maybe if you had been born extremely handsome, you would have become puffed up and exploitative. Tho I am not so sure you are not good looking. If you are a teenager, all teens go thru a rather long awkward stage. If you never heard of the story, "the ugly duckling," it is about a young chick that was ugly compared to the other chicks or baby ducks. They all made fun of him, he always felt bad and ugly. Then he grew up, and this ugly 'duck' was acutally a swan. /images/graemlins/smile.gif A beautiful swan. So if you are young, please give youself time for your body to catch up with itself and grow over time before placing such harsh judgement on it. Anyhow, looks are not everything. I am female and know many women who would rather be with an ugly man who treats her with great love, respect and care, then with handsome jerks who think they are Gods gift to women and mistreat them, even cheat on them. (Not saying all handome men are doing this. Always gotta clear myself on such points.) Therefore, if you develop your personality and become very 'cool' :-) but also wise, and find ways to give up your anger so there will be more room in your heart for love, you will get a girlfriend. What is it you want for yourself? How do you wish you would respond to certain situations for example? Need new friends? Think about different ways of getting them. Write such things down, figure out ways to achieve your goals, and keep a list of self improvement. Update it from time to time, because it will grow as you do. This works if you do. However, it appears there are some contributing low self esteem issues here, and if we dont deal with esteem issues, then even if we finally get what we wanted, we will blow up in the persons face. Therefore anger over what you feel God did not give you in life, often stems over onto those you love, & can loose, unless you confront it and make a change within your consciousness. Now as for your Krishna consciousness, it is highly important to increase that. To chant japa, etc. While it will also result in a greater chance of you getting what you want in life, on the one hand I dont want to encourage that. On the other, if you are extremely unhappy or very worried, that too can block your Krishna consciousness, so it may bring some relief to know this. With that said however, the more spiriutal you become, the happier you will become inwardly. What to speak of the opportunity to get out of this material world at the end of one life!

I went to the temple and it was wonderful! The kirtana was ecstatic! An Indian devotee was the lead, and he sang tunes that sounded like they came straight from Vrndavana! Of course, all of them do, but there is a unique sound to some since we use them less often in our movement. We danced and jumped, the men doing the back and forth thing, and later the women. I was in the back, cuz I didn't want to get run over. ha Much "Jaya Radhe's" and "Radhe, Radhe's." The Deities were sooooooooo beautiful, and of course, Srimati Radharani! Hey, be nice if other devotees post what their day was like.

Govindaram, I now see what you mean. So I went back in and successfully inserted the picture. However, it was too big and messed up the thread, so I put it back the way it was. But thank you for explaining this. I'm sure I will use it at some future date.

I'm going to try. It didn't work.

Govindaram, Thank you for posting that picture for me! Now, if only I could figure out how to do it. :-)

Thank you Gopal, for all you have put here. Jaya Radhe! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

How do I put pictures "into" a post?