Let me explain how I intend my book to be used. It is called A Practitioner’s Handbook because it is meant for use in daily meditation. Study “Entering Braj†and get an understanding of how the process works. Meditate on this and see what natural impulses arise in you. What are your inclinations?
Slowly go through “Blazing Saffire†and picture yourself in the various scenes. Where do you stand? What are you doing? How do you feel?
Daily meditate on the “Braj Meditation (Short)†and picture yourself in those scenes. As you have time during the day, meditate on what Radha-Krishna are doing at that time. Involve yourself as an active participant. How do you relate to the other characters? What is your role? By just providing the essentials, this short mediation allows free imagination.
When ready, move on to “Braj Meditation (Long)†and do the same thing. Be open to your inklings, intuitions, and desires. Picture how you would like to spend eternity interacting with these people. What is your role?
These things take time and should not be rushed. It’s best if you develope your spiritual identity from within based on natural impulses for relating to Radha-Krishna. Love cannot be bound. Here’s a quote from my autobiography that explains more about the process:
In his spiritual body, Lalita Prasad Thakur considered himself a girlfriend of Radha. He said the only way to attain this position is by the grace of someone already in that position. Traditionally, it’s a confidential circle entered by invitation only. He entered it by the good will of his father and teacher, Bhaktivinode Thakur, who entered it by the good will of his teacher, Bipin Bihari Goswami.
I pass this most confidential information on through my books. Although I don’t accept formal disciples, anyone who reads my books may accept me as their spiritual teacher and guide, receive my blessings, and my warm open invitation to all to become Radha-Krishna’s girlfriends. This entails an ever new bestowal of love and hope in our lives without becoming a slave to a guru. Thus I welcome everyone to participate in this greatest human good.
Of course, this is based on a thorough understanding of the theological foundation presented in the earlier chapters.
Great book Steve,
It has really helped me alot, it has made me cry over and over to feel how close i am to Rai and Kanu, without sectarianism.
I have been memorizing the lilas and situations along with the moods.And also reading the meditation gutikas but with an updated view point. I like to chant the names of the sakhis and manjaris who i want to serve under.
After i got more proficient in memorisation i want to add my own lilas to correlate the 8 fold lilas.
I also have a personal question but will pm you via facebook.
this is a excellent manual and has helped so much.
thanks a million.
I’m glad you find it helpful. It sounds like you’re making good progress. Keep it up. Radhe!
Steve, this Raganuga bhakti Sadhana you have presented seems to have a steep learning curve. I Really like the formality (within reason) when offering food to my Jaganatha Deities in the evening. When i am greeting them I also greet the 8 Primary Sakhis. Lalita kai jai, Chanpakalata kai jai, Visakha devi kai jai,etc. I read above where Spirits says: “I like to chant the names of the sakhis and manjaris who i want to serve under.” I still do not know who I wish to serve under. I feel I am still becoming acclimatized to this different paradigm.
You say Steve, that the Vedic concept of “cyclic time” is not necessarily true.Now that is a major paradigm shift. Does this mean time is linear? Or maybe something other than cyclic or linear?
I have pretty much burned out my nervous system through years of recreational drug use so it is difficult for me to meditate. I meditate by contemplating the beautiful pictures of Radha-Krsna, become absorbed in their devotional music and use my imagination. And of course read, read, and read. I am currently re reading the Practitioners handbook(third time)it is starting to become more familiar to me. I am reading the section called Braj Meditation(Long) “Midday pastimes.” Very beautiful, and quite HOT!! in fact. Thank you so much Steve for all the effort you put forth in writing the book. I know writing can often be very hard work.
Thanks
Robert Lawrence
Aloha Robert. I’m not so sure natural devotion has such a steep learning curve as much as you and others exposed to IGM teachings have a steep unlearning curve. I led a bookstudy with a couple of women who had no prior exposure to Radha-Krishna devotion. They had no trouble grasping and applying it. I’m sure that for someone like you Universalist Radha-Krishnaism is a shock to your faith system based on acquired concrete beliefs. It turns many IGM teachings on their heads.
I don’t know what kind of mental accomodation you want to make for this new spiritual paradigm that I present, but I think a clean break with the old is best. It’s up to individuals to determine how to do this–gradually or just do it. Keep what seems true and really works for you on a deep level rather than what you’ve been told you should do and think. Try getting in touch with that young guy I met in L.A. who liked drugs and women and was attracted to Radha-Krishna but didn’t know all the brahminical stuff, which really has no place in a Western context.
There’s nothing wrong with formal worship per se, but unless it comes from natural devotion, it isn’t the mood of Braj because they they don’t know Radha-Krishna are God-dess. Don’t be in a rush to develop your spiritual identity. Let it develop naturally. It should be an enjoyable process of unfolding, not a struggle. Follow your bliss.
I accept a linear view of time beginning with the big bang and an expanding spacetime continuum rather than the cyclic Vedic view, which is fatalistic. It seems like you are making good progress. Pictures, music, imagination, and reading are good meditation tools. I use them also. Of course, it may take several readings to really get what I’m saying–especially when it’s so different from what you’re used to hearing. Best wishes. Keep it up.