perceptions of Guru-vrnda

[Guest guest]

Mmmm... I was just going to head off to bed, but I was reading more of your

text, Braja.

 

> Could you then perhaps explain to me what one's qualification is to

> recognise guru 'from the heart'? There are thousands of 'gurus' wandering

> the planet, but only Srila Prabhupada made "Krishna" a household word, and

> made Him available to millions of people.

 

Indeed. I was speaking very metaphorically, though, when I said 'from the

heart'. I also meant something to do with the idea of 'caitya guru'.

Hmmm...when I said 'guru', though, I specifically meant recognising one's

eternal spiritual father in the sampradaya - not any larger meaning of

'guru'. However, as regards practicalities Srila Prabhupada has already

clearly instructed us on both the qualities and duties of both the spiritual

master and the disciple. I found his instructions there to be very calming

and soothing when I was in a very questioning, questing, and wandering

states.

 

> Now, where would we all be if it weren't for the 'staid,

> institutionalised rigidity' you speak of above? Without it,

> how would we be having this discussion about 'guru tattva'?

> Your impression of ISKCON being 'heartless' is simply that - your own

> impression. I believe Srila Prabhupada is the heart of ISKCON, just as

> Sridhara Maharaj is the heart of his matha, and BP Puri Maharaj is the

> heart of his math. I wrote this to Babhru privately some weeks ago, but

> it's very important to understand that the 'institution' you perceive to

> be ISKCON is simply the mechanics of ISKCON - it is not the heart. The

> heart is Srila Prabhupada.

>

> I'm sure there are those who believe ISKCON is heartless. But please

> understand that there are also those of us who believe its heart is Srila

> Prabhupada, and it is hurtful to have it reduced to a 'pile of bricks' or

> a 'bureaucratic' wrangle. It is much more.

 

I ought to have clarified a point here, in that in a way there are two

ISKCONs. You are absolutely right in saying that the 'heartless' ISKCON is

simply an impression of bureaucracy. Of course Srila Prabhupada is the heart

of ISKCON - well said - I never said he wasn't! Just remember I am talking

about impressions here - impressions some people I know had, impressions I

used to have... it's all relative Braja. I wasn't attempting to make a huge

blanket statement. ;-) And remember it hurts me too when I realise that

people even perceive any institution in this way.

 

What I mean, however, is that there is sometimes this impression. Again, I'm

talking solutions... Is there any way to get rid of this false impression

and keep focussed on Srila Prabhupada's work and mission? I'm just curious

what ideas people would have about this. Also, again I must stress that this

is about how people perceive things. I was talking about how ISKCON can be

perceived by new bhaktas - as I once was. They will not understand that

these things are simply mechanics, so it is important to consider these

things if they can be discouraging.

 

> Yes, it is a very broad and deep subject, so perhaps one issue at a time

> is a better path to clarity. Again, the tendency to generalise is

> confusing and misleading, but I think we all know where we're coming from,

> so no offense is taken in bringing up questions.

 

Yes, I think I raised quite a few things all at once. Anybody replying had

better split it up, so that it threads better. Now I *am* going to bed...

<yawn>. Hare Krsna.

 

-Rama