Srila Prabhupada - Methods & Goals

[Guest guest]

>

>

> Maybe we need to distinguish between Srila Prabhupada's Goals, which are

> transcendental, and his Methods which may not always have worked. My goal

may

> be to go the the temple for a Govardhana Puja celebration. So, I get in my

car

> and drive away. The car breaks down.

 

Easy to understand example. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/28/99 5:06:31 PM Central Daylight Time,

Hare.Krsna.dasi (AT) bbt (DOT) se writes:

 

<< But maybe we have to have the honesty to admit that some of the methods

that he laid out do not effectively work to achieve the goals he wanted.

It's very

difficult for us to consider changing any of Srila Prabhupada's methods,

but to actually reach the goals he set before us, maybe we have to re-assess

how well the

methods actually work. >>

 

Well stated. As you said, even Prabhupada was able to do this.

 

However, this must be done carefully because it some cases the method we

propose to change may be a transcendendental activity that should never be

changed. Instead of changing the method, we would have to learn how to

execute that activity in a better way to get the desired results. Of course

I could imagine that in some cases there would be a controversy over whether

we can change the method or whether it is a transcendental (or

sacred)activitiy that should not be changed.

 

One example that comes to mind (because I am involved in education) is the

format of the Bhagavatam class. Some devotees feel that it would be best to

stucture SB class in a more academic way because devotees would get a more

comprehensive and systematic understanding of the SB. Plus, more devotees

would probably attend class. Others feel that the format Prabhupada set is a

sacred standard that should not be tampered with.

 

Ys, Md

[Guest guest]

> in that case what are my options?:

>

> A. Take a bus, or get a ride from someone else.

> B. Have someone fix my car -- as long as I can afford to do this -- and

> as long as it won't take too long.

> C. Get the car fixed, even if it takes a long time, and go to the

> Govardhana Puja celebration next year.

> D. Sit down and cry that I am unworthy and cannot fulfill Prabhupada's

> instructions.

>

 

What about just walking? A car may stop. If you are fixed in the instruction

of the guru, then anything can happen. Scriptures said it. Remember the

story of the man who goes to Badarikasram. When he gets almost there, he

meets the inhabitants who are leaving the place because of the winter.

Still, he is determined to get there. Krsna will spend the winter with him.

Isn't a nice story?

 

Of course, this is very personal. The point is that if you have faith in the

spiritual master your strong desire to get to the Govardhana ceremony is

already satisfying the spiritual master. You have achieved the goal. Nectar

of devotion tells us the story of the brahmana who cooks rice. He is so

absorbed in his meditation that the milk becomes real without existing on

the material plane.

 

Srila Prabhupada made an attempt to transcribe faith and spiritual dimension

into a science. But the relation that exists between this science and the

spiritual dimension is the same that exists between the soul and the body.

It will take us a lot of explanations to demonstrate how body and soul are

separated and still the soul is acting tangibly on the body. If we succeed

we will make a great contribution to the world. Many have tried before us.

But they did not have the realisation, determination, dedication, faith and

mercy of Srila Prabhupada. It is a big opportunity.

 

I liked your text; your effort.