Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Recently I bumped into a video about an initially impressive Christian Church called Hillsong. They played a lot of creative music and used a rock and roll mood to progress. It was a Mega-church and growing world wide. Then "stuff" happened that could no longer be swept under the rug. [Sound familiar?]

As I watched the video they showed one pic of their main pastor with pants so low they barely covered his privates. I wondered how anyone could believe this is a bonafide pastor. 

Yet, they did. He was passionate in his speaking about God. He was powerful in his delivery. He made you feel. Later when it all fell apart, when he fell apart, and hurt so many including his loved ones - he said he did not know how it happened.

Really? Because I did. Simply watching I observed his preaching to appear, not as coming from God, but from ADHD. However, shhhh as I was keeping that to myself because I could be mistaken. Low and behold, as I saw more, he said he has ADHD. Not to misunderstand. Anyone with ADHD can preach about God as well as anyone without it, "but" they must be properly treating it, and be under the guidance of someone 'qualified' and more spiritually advanced (as should we all).

Thus the next problem I recognized contributing to this falling apart, was ignoring their own Biblical teachings. As my title says, "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" (Mathew 6:13).  Yet this man was put on a stage [by others - whose offenses I've since discovered are worse than his!]. He was surrounded by money, fancy cars, travel opportunities, women. Any desire that hit him, he could go get it if he wanted. And he did, while instructing the congregation maintain blind trust and faith in their pastor/him.

Please dear devotees, do not surround yourself with temptations. Remember: Simple living, high thinking. :) And do not blindly surrender to anyone and get proof according to ancient scripture, that they are a pure devotee or correctly repeating the pure devotee. 

Some say these problems arise due to a society of cheaters and the cheated. Yes. Simultaneously, it's also a society of the desperate. Many want God but have been tricked out of the real deal; or can not even find Him therefore take what they can get. Their church has let them down, prissy arrogant preachers have left them feeling undeserving or hopeless. The opposite of sexualized preachers let them down. A [false] sense of community that wasn't there for them, let them down. And let down by those in charge who allowed nonsense to go on, or fallen pastors to still preach, while aware of their digressions. This list can go on. The larger the institute, the greater the risk.

Anyway, cheating exists, yet so does desperation. This is why people fall for it. It is why they surrender to narcissist's [not saying all are narcissists]. It's why they get taken in by charisma. 

They also fall for it because so few devotees are out there anymore, to give them a book. Since Prabhupada left the planet, book distribution has dwindled significantly. In turn, this shows in the population. 

Stuff happens because there needs to be education explaining how to recognize a qualified pure devotee, and surrender only unto him - who therefore would never want any harm to come to you! 

Life is short. Don't waste time. Study transcendental scripture, open your own small, uncentralized temple on the condition to never spoil yourself with it's money or it's people power. (And keep it simple.)

Folks out there need you and may not find Krishna if someone like you does not have a place of worship for them to attend. Check in with yourself from time to time in an effort to stay humble, and you can do it. 

"There are unlimited conditioned souls who are bereft of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s service. Not knowing how to cross the ocean of nescience, they are scattered by the waves of time and tide. However, some are fortunate to contact devotees, and by this contact they are delivered from the ocean of nescience, just as a log floating down a river accidentally washes upon the bank."  - (Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 22.43, Purport)

At least open a preaching center or make regulated visits to the park with a book table, some prasad, and singing. You don't have to be perfect, just honest. Anyone can get together someplace, any place, for readings and popcorn or simple prasadam. Of course, only do what you can handle. Simply: Harinama Sankirtana is blissful.

Prabhupada has told us - Everyone is looking for their dear-most friend, and that dear-most friend is Krishna. 

Give Krishna to someone soon, that they won't have to be so desperate they become cheated by the cheaters.

Bottom Line: Share Krishna, worship, serve and chant - go back to Home back to Godhead. Enlightenment. :) 

Anyone interested in buying some of Prabhupada's unchanged books, go here.

Free online unchanged books of Prabhupada here. 

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Embracing The Bliss

 Embracing The Bliss

The older I get, and I am getting up there :) the more I realize the importance of embracing the highest form of Krishna Consciousness. The idea is to not let other nonsense get in the way. Yet, it is difficult to do that if not aware.

There are many politics going around. Some may not, initially, be recognized as politics. Others are. And some people/devotees do not believe they are behaving politically because they are surrendering to what has become vox populi without researching and making sure it is in accordance with Srila Prabhupada's teachings.

My advice, to take or leave, is to research often, and especially to only follow Srla Prabhupada. Anyone who instructs differently from jagad guru/Srila Prabhupada, please run away quick, because hearing from such persons can result in spiritual suicide. 

Ok, I recently learned there was a book published by a devotee that was critical of some of Prabhupada's instructions. Curiousity is natural, and I too wondered what was in it. Someone posted a few quotes from there, which I found upsetting, contradictory to Prabhupada, and sad. One of the best things I ever did was curb my curiosity and NOT buy that book.

Also, after decades of being a devotee, it continues to startle me that some, not all but some, still think women are inferior and can not make as much spiritual advancment as men or require a man in her ilfe to do so. These are not our highest teachings. It's bodily concept, often due to sex desire, or the desire for power and to lord it over others.

"When one knows that 'I am not this body; aham brahmasmi' then civilization begins." Quote from Srila Prabhupada's lecture in Hawaii, May 13, 1976.

"So all you boys and girls who are now married, follow this instruction of Lord Caitanya, and show vivid example to the world how man and woman can be united, not for sense gratification but for the service of the Lord." SP Letter to: SuriDas -- Los Angeles 17 March, 1970

Not everyone should take spiritual initiation! They can still practice Krishna Consciousness with less stress about celibacy. Only then can such men, and not all men, be more of an honest devotee. Not to misunderstand, I believe celibacy can be achieved and is not some horrible thing. But there are some who can't or won't absorb themselves "enough" in Prabhupada's outlined 24/7 daily program, & Krishna, therefore lust arises. 

Some try to change the philosophy of this yuga in order to have their cake and eat it too. Thereby putting down women, promoting polygamy [including some not interested yet promote it for others], etc etc. They may even be very good at going thru the external motions, but what's in their heart and the mirror of their mind is contamination if they still desire to be lord and master over the ladies. Plus IMHO, where there is disempowerment of women, there is more often abuse of children.

At best, those who hold tight to beliefs in bodily superiority may be trying to follow VarnashramaDharma, which I do not believe is for this age. Predominately, Srila Prabhupada said it can not be done now. I embrace the highest, most transcendental teachings of Srila Prabhupada. Starting with, we are not this body but spiritual soul, and that by serving Krishna, by chanting Hare Krishna, by following Prabhupada's outlined daily instructions - this is the way back to home, back to Godhead, for everyone. Gender or color is irrelevant. Material body is irrelevant. And, we are not practicing Hinduism.

There's an additional perspective regarding the fact that not everyone needs initiation. I see some complain how so much of their life was controlled. Of course, if there is anything bad or wrong going on, let me clarify that is NOT what I'm about to mention. {Plenty of other pages on that, see side links} ..... When someone decides to become a Catholic nun, a Buddhist priest, a monk up in the Andes, or something else similar, it is understood their way of life is going to be changed - a lot - and by those in charge. How long they sleep, what time they rise, how to pray, what to wear [chaste or celibate clothing of a monk/monkess], so on and so forth, is taught. This is 'not' required by everyone, but anyone who has a problem with it, should not surrender to initiation. After all, that's a large part of what it's all about. Now, after some time of doing it under advisement, one can create these habits and lifestyles to do on their own. But such training on how to live, or how to live a devotional lifestyle, is part of any deep spiritual commitment, and is going to be different what most are use to before. [Yes, you can train yourself via Prabhupada, if you are able, and willing, to see and correct your mistakes]. Disciple means discipline unto a higher authority, just make sure that authority is qualified. Anyway, embrace it, or simply be one who does not take initiation, and be okay with that. 

Next, I am disgusted with all the Gurukuli abuse, the lack of true caring for the special souls born as devotees.  Won't say too much about it now because I all ready made such a blog post. If I start talking a lot on this topic, my heart breaks. [But you can read about it by scrolling the post topics at the side and will find it there].

There's yet another issue I run into, tho not as severe, but personally unpleasant. Sometimes I will read a quote or experience that is wonderful. Very inspiring. Even gives hope. Then I discover the source. A polygamist, or someone else with psychological issues not mentioned or recognised. At times their positive quotes on other topics will be shared all over fb. Not only, but often reposted by good men who do not bully women, and do not believe in polygamy, or abuse in any form. Tho the good guys may not recognize it, they need to become aware that: to some women such reposting or sharing is similar to Gurukuli's seeing their abuser give class, lead kirtana, etc. 

It can be confusing to anyone else reading such initially inspiring quotes or experiences but do not know the background or chosen lifestyle of it's author. I myself choose not to read them, when I know about the person. I do not wish to encourage their self-promotion or lifestyle. Do what you wish with it, but I rather get my inspiration and my hope from Srila Prabhupada, or at least someone who is not deviating while pretending they are first class. Plus, any conditioned soul I take inspiration from must be repeating Prabhupada correctly, not with a twist or vested interest.

None of the above should discourage from Prabhupada or Krishna. Quite the opposite. It is pointed out simply to recognize what to avoid. In such knowing one can move forward. As Christians warn of the devil creating temptation, we warn of maya casting a shadow and/or tempting. Different or real person, same outcome. Therefore IMHO, what the above means is: there will always be those who, tho fortunate enough to have run into how to cease taking a material birth again and go back to Krishnaloka, would rather lie to themselves and others that all their twistings of the teachings - are right. Run away from the scriputre-twisters and run toward Krishna.

Once I thought all such maya-nonsense in our society would end as the Movement grew thus purity would overcome. After all, we were suppose to embrace personal purification and uproot our anartha's. However, what I discovered was - some do, some don't. And that sadly, this is the way it will probably always be for some who nevertheless took initiation. [I say probably in hopes to be wrong, but I'm not holding my breath].

While the above may be an initial disturbance, we can't avoid maya if we don't want to hear about it, if we don't want to see her workings. 

Thus my current belief is to ask everyone out there who can, to turn their homes or some place into temples. Start Morning and Evening Programs, or do what you are able to handle. [Details on link]. These are becoming some of the safest places today to practice Prabhupada's highest, unchanged, teachings. Avoid the above mentioned risks, thus embrace the bliss that is Krishna!

"Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues." Bg 3.21 

Let that great man we follow be only Prabhupada! :) 

“He reason ill who tells that Vaisnavas die, 

When thou art living still in sound!

The Vaisnavas die to live, and living try, 

To spread the Holy Name around!”

            (Poem by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura) 

Prabhupada: "I began my chanting in New York in a park. I was sitting underneath a tree and no khol. It was some dundubhi. And I was playing on it from two to five, three hours, chanting. And these young boys and girls with their dogs, with their children, they began to dance. Yes. That was the beginning. Gradually, they became student."   (Srila Prabhupada during SB class, Vrindaban, Oct. '72)

                          Srila Prabhupada chanting in New York.

Current sign on the tree he stood under, marking history: 

"Kṛṣṇa is the perfect name for God. The Sanskrit word kṛṣṇa means “all-attractive.” And rāma means “the supreme pleasure.” So if God is not all-attractive and full of supreme pleasure, then what is the meaning of God? God must be the source of supreme pleasure; otherwise how could you be satisfied with Him? Your heart is hankering after so many pleasures. If God cannot satisfy you with all pleasures, then how can He be God? And He must also be all-attractive. If God is not attractive to every person, how can He be God? But Kṛṣṇa actually is all-attractive."  - The Journey of Self-Discovery, Chapter 5

"The pastimes of Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are self-effulgent. They are happiness personified, unlimited and all-powerful. Even so, the spiritual humors of such pastimes are never complete without the gopīs, the Lord’s personal friends. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is never complete without His spiritual potencies; therefore unless one takes shelter of the gopīs, one cannot enter into the company of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Who can be interested in Their spiritual pastimes without taking their shelter?’  CC Madhya 8.206

“The very name Kṛṣṇa means that He attracts even Cupid. He is therefore attractive to everyone — male and female, moving and inert living entities. Indeed, Kṛṣṇa is known as the all-attractive one."  CC Madhya 8.139

"I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the first progenitor who is tending the cows, yielding all desire, in abodes built with spiritual gems, surrounded by millions of purpose trees, always served with great reverence and affection by hundreds of thousands of lakṣmīs or gopīs." Bs 5.29 

Purport

"By the word cintāmaṇi is meant "transcendental gem." Just as Māyā builds this mundane universe with the five material elements, so the spiritual (cit) potency has built the spiritual world of transcendental gems. The cintāmaṇi which serves as material in the building of the abode of the Supreme Lord of Goloka, is a far rarer and more agreeable entity than the philosopher's stone. The purpose tree yields only the fruits of piety, wealth, fulfillment of desire and liberation; but the purpose trees in the abode of Kṛṣṇa bestow innumerable fruits in the shape of checkered divine love. Kāma-dhenus (cows yielding the fulfillment of desire) give milk when they are milked; but the kāma-dhenus of Goloka pour forth oceans of milk in the shape of the fountain of love showering transcendental bliss that does away with the hunger and thirst of all pure devotees. The words lakṣa and sahasra-śata signify endless numbers. The word sambhrama or sādara indicates "being saturated with love." Here lakṣmī denotes gopī. Ādi-puruṣa means, "He who is the primeval Lord."   - Śrī Brahma-Saṁhitā 5.29 

"Samādhi involves concentrating the mind upon the supreme cause of all, even if one is unaware of whether His actual nature is personal, impersonal or localized. Concentration of the mind on the Supreme is certainly a form of devotional service. To cease from personal sense endeavors and to concentrate on the supreme cause is a sign of self-surrender, and when self-surrender is present, that is a sure sign of devotional service. Each and every living entity needs to engage in devotional service to the Lord if he wishes to understand the ultimate cause of his existence. ŚB 3.8.21 purport

“I do not know how much nectar the two syllables ‘Kṛṣ-ṇa’ have produced. When the holy name of Kṛṣṇa is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert.”

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