Archive for the ‘Sanga 2002’ Category
Deity worship is a window to the world of spontaneous love in which one progresses from worshipping to being that worship. As worship turns to bhava, one cultivates that bhava and identifies with it. When this identification is complete, one reaps the fruit of divine reciprocation that corresponds with that bhava: entrance into the lila in a particular mood of love.
Read MoreThe tendency to equate the formal acceptance of sannyasa with spiritual advancement has caused many devotees to aspire for the formality of sannyasa rather than the substance of the order.
Read MoreGod engaged in lila is not, as some philosophers misconstrue, an example of Brahman contaminated by maya. According to the Gita there is nothing higher than Krishna (mattah parataram nanyat). It is not that he is a lesser expression of Brahman.
Read MoreSpiritual practitioners need to learn to think critically yet spiritually for themselves. The scripture and saints are emphatic on this point, and a qualified siksa guru will be able to help you to reach this level of spiritual discrimination—to be a spiritual yet critical thinker.
Read MoreThe manjaris’ love, while more intense for Radha than for Krishna, is nonetheless for Krishna as well. The manjaris love both Radha-Krishna combined with emphasis on Radha, and thus they are in a unique position in which Radha-Krishna combined become the object of their romantic love.
Read MoreFinding support for the reality of Mahaprabhu in scripture is either merely an academic exercise generously conducted for those in need of such support or an example of the very ecstasy that he himself came to distribute. Those who have this ecstasy see him everywhere. Pray that you will be so fortunate.
Read MoreReal nama bhajana is not a cheap thing. We must pay the price to attain this through service, self-abnegation, and sacrifice. Do not be afraid to sweep the temple, thinking you will miss something. Participation in Krishna lila is all service, regardless of what form it takes, therefore our prospect for entering there requires first and foremost that we develop a serving ego.
Read MoreThere is no time like the present, for in it both the future and the past can be found. The present determines the future and enables us to retire the past. Yet the present is lost to those who remain controlled by their past and do not heed the clarion call of a spiritual reality that speaks to us untiringly at every moment.
Read MoreThe scriptural verdict is that chanting God’s name aloud in kirtana is most efficacious. The first effect derived from such chanting is the cleansing of the heart. To the extent that one’s heart is cleansed of desire one can effectively engage in meditation on God’s name silently in japa.
Read MoreWhen I answer questions on Sanga, I assume that the questioners are sincere and intelligent. Overall, the tenor of my answers is intended to encourage people to think for themselves and to use common sense. I take no responsibility if people abuse this. In my opinion it is better to risk that a few might abuse my advice if it means that more are encouraged to become independently thoughtful, living members of Gaudiya Vaisnavism.
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