What is ISKCON?

[Guest guest]

Dear Makhanlal Prabhu.

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

>

> In your list of "ills" of ISKCON you have quite a kittari--merge it all

> together--good and bad. For example, karmi music you have lumped in with

> message therapy, which has a legitimate place in the healing arts if not

> abused.

 

Yes, I know. I mixed it all. Probably this fact makes my points completely

invalid in eyes of some devotees. Well, they may be invalid in eyes of

those, who expect me to propose full-scale analysis of entire ISKCON social

situation. I failed, what else. I was asked about what bothers me, and I

brainstormed it out. Funny mixture came out, and it clearly shows confusion

in my understanding. What can I do, I tried my best.

 

> Remember also that the varieties in ISKCON also attract

> many people, not repel them.

 

Yes, this is important point for me to accept. After all, ISKCON's important

principle is "unity in diversity". Surely, there is no problem for

diversity, we have plenty of that, I just hope there will be more unity some

day.

 

> If you are a sincere follower of Srila Prabhupada, become a leader.

> Nothing is stopping you except your mind. there is a great need in ISKCON

> for pure leaders. If you have to change your local setting because you

> have strong differences with the local management, then do that.

 

I wouldn't hope much about this leader's direction. I'm not a leader. I come

out only in emergency. I prefer staying in background, and if I can do that,

I'm happy. Let somebody else step forward, and I can help him. Otherwise

there is not much I can do.

 

Certainly I will not move my whole griha just to change my local managment.

I'm sorry, but thats too much to ask. I will just simply refuse to see some

things, will put blinds on my eyes, and close my ears, and ISKCON will

slowly become a wonderfull place to be. I will rather learn to ignore

mistakes and problems, and see just good things. What is reality anyway?

Actual reality is blissful and without any material problems. I'm anyway in

illusion, so I better go for some nicer illusion, and give up taking on

myself this trouble of seeing mistakes in others. I'm not an ISKCON manager

anyway, so what can I do really. I better read more and chant extra rounds,

and not bother with problems, that need not concern me.

 

> Most

> importantly, don't yourself get bogged down in all the sociological stuff,

> but remin fixed in pure hearing and chanting daily. Srila Prabhupada

> orders to read two hours a day in his books! Engage in bhajan. Move to

> India. Get out of the west, if you have to, but don't pickle! You can make

> a difference in the movement, but by your personal example and practices.

 

Thank you for your kind advice. Yes, I can take more care of myself, and

thus make some difference in my life.

 

Thank you for everything.

 

your servant Giri-nayaka das