theist Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Just to try learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master.Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him, The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth. So what does it mean to inquire? From my on-line dictionary: INQUIRE 1 : to ask about <some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate —Thomas Gray> 2 : to search into : INVESTIGATE intransitive senses 1 : to put a question : seek for information by questioning <inquired about the horses> 2 : to make investigation or inquiry — often used with into synonym see ASK I have people telling my all the time that I can't inqure from Srila Prabhupada because he is not here in an earthly body. I disagree. Even when he was here in that way I could not approach him to ask questions. Through letters? Yes he answered but often refering the questioner to his books or local representative. He had many thousands of initiated disciples, how could he answer all their letters? What to speak of mine. So how to inquire from Prabhupada? The answer is obvious. Through his books, his purports. There are more answers there then i could ever possibly hope to assimilate in one lifetime or even hundreds. Answers to questions I was too dull to ask. That is an aspect of grace I guess, the answers to essential questions come first sometimes. Caitya-guru is aware of our question even before it is fully formulated in the conscious mind. He will guide us the answer. Maybe in the form of a guru presently manifestinf vapu to deliver his vani, or the work and commentary of some previous acarya, or even some surprising source like the words of a stranger or nature or whatever. it's no problem for Krsna, its all His spiritual energy. But most often for me by far its in Prabhupada's books.I like the second definition from the dictionary. To INVESTIGATE. I sense Krsna is in Prabhupada's books along with the instructions on how to find Him. Let me investigate there. I have two humble requests. 1. To those of you who keep telling me Prabhupada is inacessable now through his books, please back off, I'm tired of hearing that nonsense. 2. Please elaborate more on what you have learned of inquiry and what it means and especially from your own life. Hare Krsna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 you're right guru shastra sadhu we have to learn from all the above sources, by avoiding one ot two everything turns in blind faith or dogmatism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted July 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Do you accept guru in his commentary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2003 Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 why not... shastra and guru vani... and we want also vapu and sadhus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theist Posted July 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2003 Thank you. I am not sure I understand your statement about not having all three leading to fanaticism and dogmatism. Would you elaborate? we have to learn from all the above sources, by avoiding one ot two everything turns in blind faith or dogmatism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 example: no guru = no enforcement of the instructions coming from shastras and from the commentaries of previous acharyas (sadhus)... and no instructions given according to place, time, circumstance and guna and karma of the practitioner (this is most important and this is the essence of the role of spiritual master) no shastra = no information about the existence of a parampara (sadhus) and about the characteristics of a bona fide guru no sadhus = no control on the authenticity of the shastra and a guru not linked to krsna via disciplic succession (evam parampara praptam) if we miss one or more of these point there will be many "holes" in the message and it will be possible to fill them only with sentimentalism (=blind faith, fanaticism, integralism, dogmas etc.) think about christians, muslim, sikhs etc haribol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guruvani Posted July 18, 2003 Report Share Posted July 18, 2003 The principle of sadhu is very important. If a person gets a book of Srila Prabhupada's and learns the philosophy, then Prabhupada instructs in his books that they should take association of the devotees of ISKCON (the sadhus)to get good association and the support structure needed to be able to practice sadhana and become a sadhu himself. A sadhu is one who is practicing sadhana. Association with practicing devotees will rapdily accelerate one's understanding and advancement. For example, nowhere in the books of Srila Prabhupada does it teach about showering and washing after toilet. There are so many important instructions we get by associating with the sadhus who have learned the Gaudiya sadhana and purascharya vidhi. The problem we have today is that there is a section of devotees who do not recognize the ISKCON sannyasis, brahmins and devotees as sadhu and who promote the notion that sadhu sanga is only to be had from certain Gaudiya Math sannyasis who preach the orthodox dogma they have established with the help of some sahajiya influence. ISKCON devotees also fulfill the requirement of sadhu sanga for devotees aspiring in Krishna consciousness. Sadhu sanga is extremely conducive to rapid development in Krishna consciousness. It is not the monopoly of old bearded Gaudiya Math types who speak disparigingly of ISKCON and ISKCON sadhus. A sadhu is practicing sadhana and his association is a great advantage for an aspiring devotee. ISKCON devotees fulfill Prabhupada's advice to find sadhu sanga. It is not exclusive to old Indian Swamis who reject Prabhupada's innovations and universal vision for Krishna consciousness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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