How about constructive dialogue...?

[Guest guest]

“You are always saying, “I think, I think, I think.' What is the importance

of what you think? Everything is what you think. But it doesn't matter. It

matters what sastra says. You must follow." I said, “I must do what I think,

what I feel—that is important." He said, “No, you should forget this. You

should forget your desire. You should change your habit. Better you depend

on sastras. You follow what sastra wants you to do, and do it. I am not

telling you what I think, but I am repeating what the sastra says."

(Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, Chapter 4)

 

So what to do when there is nothing found in the sastras about some specific

situation or problem? ...still thinking about it not alowed?

 

 

> Yes, this is what I was attempting. I was pointing out a social fact

> Most devotees aren't pure, but they are being purified. Still, as long as

> we aren't pure, the propensity to criticize will be there--like it or not.

> Only a pure devotee is free from this propensity.

 

How about a constructive dialogue about different themes, would this also

be considered "criticism" in the sastras, and thus not very helpfull in

spiritual life.

Would you prefer or accept such an expression of words instead of

"criticising"?

 

Would this also fall under the -propensity to criticize, from wich we would

have to get free, in order to become pure devotees.

 

 

> One aspect of varnashrama which deals specifically with this unfortunate

> fact of the propensity to criticize is the respect given to the sannyasa

> order. Lord Caitanya took sannyasa because, although He was certainly

> preaching, others were criticizing Him. He took sannyasa because people

> were, by custom, inclined to offer respect to sannyasis, and by offering

> obeisances to the Lord, offenders would become free of their offenses.

> One of the purposes of varnashrama-dharma, therefore, is to curb the

> tendency to commit offenses (caused by criticism, envy, negligence, etc.)

 

Thats of course a different kind of critic, which is not very helpfull and

should be avoided, in my opinion. (Hope to have an opinion is still alowed

)

 

Thanks also for the nice versis, one can always learn something new.

 

 

> We have to surrender, and that means accepting a means of purification

> suitable to our level of advancement. Not only must we engage in sravanam

> kirtanam, but we should also follow as far as possible the prescriptions

> of varnashram-dharma (accepting things favourable to the discharge of

> devotional service).

 

What if the institution of varnasrama dharma is not taken seriously in the

society but instead an atempt to become a church like religious

organization.

 

Who is atracted to any churches nowadays...?

 

> Although Varnashrama dharma is not specifically devotional service, it >

helps the sadhaka because the spiritual practices of a devotee who is not >

yet fully purified can be disturbed by material circumstances.

 

There is some truth in your words...

 

(One of the specific characteristics of pure devotional service are that it

cannot be disturbed by any material circumstance.)

Are you maried...?

 

 

Ys,

Harsi das