shastra should be mediator

[Guest guest]

Dear Madana-mohana Prabhu.

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

> Not only is it also easy to show that such personalities as Srila Sanatana

> Goswami, Lord Brahma, Lord Balarama and Lord Krsna Himself served at times

> as mediators (or 'madhyastha' in Sanskrit) -- perhaps being oblivious to

> the fact that mediatorship is inherently 'karmi' and is therefore not

> befitting their transcendental position.

 

I'm well aware of those shastric examples of mediatorship. Thats why I used

word "karmi", to make distinction. Shastric examples of mediatorship are

obviously not based on modern karmi psychological business managerial

methods. And it is obvious, that mediatorship can be performed independently

of karmi methods. And "authoritative decision" is mediation method proposed

by Srila Prabhupada.

 

My point could be, that instead of wasting time on karmi methods, we would

be better off to base ISKCON mediatorship on sastra and vaisnava tradition.

And if there is no such system in sastra, which would be usefull for modern

ISKCON, then maybe we should just forget about the whole thing, and preach

more vaisnava etiquete.

 

>

> But, most importantly, such statements as the above are redolent of an

> inconsistent attitude that is quite difficult to put to practice.

>

> Indeed, do we ever voice concern over ISKCON tendency to use karmi

> MP3-players, fly by karmi aircrafts, visit karmi dentists, or employ karmi

> mathematics, engineering, or accounting? And do we ever use the 'karmi'

> adjective when referring to dentists, appliances and airplanes? And, if

> not, why? And what makes mediation technique an exception here?

 

Exactly, because those thing don't mess so much with your mind. But we avoid

watching karmi movies and TV, we avoid visiting karmi psychologists and

psychoanalysts, and similar, because those mess with your mind in a way to

make you believe, that you are the controller and enjoyer. And yes, we

usually use the 'karmi' adjective when referring to dentists, appliances and

airplanes.

 

>

> The same goes for mediation -- if we notice that by using the method of

> mediation we see an increasing number of devotees weaken or abandon their

> loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, his teachings and his movement and start

> seeking shelter and fulfillment in mundane "peaceful" relations -- that

> would be a solid reason for concern.

 

Well, mediation need not be seen as a cause for weakening, but as effect of

weakening. Increasing demand for different karmi psychological methods can

be result of an increasing number of devotees weaken or abandon their

loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, his teachings and his movement and start

seeking shelter and fulfillment in mundane "peaceful" relations. And thus it

can be a solid reason for concern.

 

>

> But if, by a careful and unbiased study, we happen to find out that,

> conversely, by means of the mediation process administered by mature and

> faithful Vaisnavas more and more ISKCON devotees regain their trust in

> ISKCON, restore healthy relations with ISKCON members and get more time to

> read Prabhupada's books -- would we not be forced then to reconsider our

> attitude towards the otherwise 'karmi mediation'?

>

Well, I may ask another question. I noticed similar question being asked

some time ago in some forum, but there was no answer. What, if by careful

and unbiased study, we happen to find out, that by alowing householders to

follow 3 and a half principles, more ISKCON devotees regain their trust in

ISKCON, restore healthy relations with ISKCON members and get more time to

read Prabhupada's books -- would we not be forced then to reconsider our

attitude towards the regulative principles?

 

> Just a few thoughts out loud. No personal criticism intended.

 

I know, we had our discussions...

 

It would be interesting to see some quotes from Srila Prabhupada regarding

ISKCON devotees seeking mental help through karmi methods. Probably

something contrary to well known slogan "Spiritual solutions for material

problems".

 

ys gnd