Idea

[Guest guest]

Learned prabhus.

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

 

I had an idea regarding the conference, that could be massaged somewhat and

adjusted, according to what you all think (that is if you are all into it).

 

Right now this conference seems to lurch along in a kind of haphazard way,

and getting all preoccupied with all sorts of lofty topics, wheras meanwhile

the grass roots, baby steps towards the reality of introducing practical and

doable varnasrama activites into ISKCON are not being taken generaly, except

for the efforts of a few persons. (I mean this conference, although it does

discuss loosely related topics, does tend to get sidetracked, it could

hardly be called a powerfull force for change, towards varnasrama goals)

 

For a start, how many of the devotees on this conference really feel that

ISKCON needs to start varnasrama colleges? Maybe you could all comment on

this? Do any of you really think that the introduction of varnasrama in

ISKCON is a lost cause, and you are merely a member of this conference to

confirm this daily, and affirm it whenever you get the chance?

 

I sometimes wonder if some members really do have anything positive to

offer, or if they simply like to pick holes in others ideas. Not that each

of us is not entitled to his/her opinion, but sometimes it might be good to

give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their individual

motivations, and comment on the positive aspects of their presentations.

 

Can we not try to find a common basis on how to proceed?

 

My suggestion is that those of us who agree on the basic tenets of

varnasrama implementation, try to identify what we each can do, in terms of

lobbying the powers that be, or simply in organising ourselves, so that we

can each be instrumental in moving things on.

 

I might suggest for instance that Hare Krsna Mataji, posts, daily or weekly,

one of Srila Prabhupadas varasrama related texts here, and we comment on

them, with a view to how they can be introduced. Or if we cant introduce

them directly, how we can lobby our local GBC men to at least approve the

ideas, and offer any assistance that they are able. In the case of a local

GBC, not approving, assisting each other to try to convince that GBC, using

whatever evidence that we can, regarding Srila Prabhupadas desire that these

activities be implemented. Or alternatively, just working 'independantly'

(dangerous word that) towards starting a varnasrama project, with the idea

that such projects can eventualy be usefull to ISKCON communities, once they

have proven to be successful.

 

Can we not use the bounty of intelligence that is clearly evident in this

conference, and harness it, instead of frittering it away on unresolvable

differences. I mean, can WE really make a difference on the 'souls fall'

issue, or the 'guru tattva' issue? What can we really acheive with all these

texts?

 

The internet can be an amazingly usefull tool if directed in the right way.

If we could put aside our differences, and identify the areas in which we do

actualy agree, we could use that mutual conviction, in a very powerful way.

 

Or am I just in illusion? (invitation for a putdown there, or what!)

 

What do you all think?

 

Awaiting your learned opinions with great trepidation.

 

One last thing. I know that in the past it has been suggested that we change

the name of the conference or some other suggestion, and that devotees in

general liked the tone of the conversation here, and as it was all loosely

connected thought it was ok. And that is fine. but we should also consider

that it is easy to set up a com conference (I was just checking existing

conferences, and many of them are empty shells. to name a few. Social and

economic development. Ksatria development. Sewage and water treatment [good

one that], to name a few.

 

So why not keep this conference as it is, and start another conference

'Practical Varnasrama' say. Keep this one as it is for all you who love to

just chat about all these different loosely related topics, and the new one

simply for practical suggestions, and news on what successes, or failures,

or any practical topics we may have. I noticed for instance that a lot of

useful stuff comes up the the 'apocalypse' conference. I feel that we need a

place where practical (varnasrama based) suggestions are kept seperate from

philosophical ideas. You can all be members of both, so as not to miss out,

but we can keep the practical stuff in one place, and my delete key will get

a break.

 

Your servant

Samba das