The Siddhartha I refer to is Hermann Hesse’s novel named [I]Siddhartha[/I] which I read shortly after leaving ISKCON. In it, a young brahmin named Siddhartha and his friend Govinda join a band of wandering ascetics. They travel with them for years and Siddhartha becomes a great ascetic but feels dissatisfied with the results. They meet […]
At certain times, I have given up all external Gaudiya Vaishnava practices. I have always remembered Radha Krishna, been a surrendered soul and engaged my life in devotional service following the path life has given me. I have broken all the four regulative principles, although I have little attraction to gambling and have been happily […]
A fellow devotee has just post a collection of letters from my initiation guru, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami to me, my first wife, Krishna Devi and her former husband who she left me for, Dinesh. Protect A Cow: Letters from Srila Prabhupada to Subala, Krishna devi and Dinesh from 1967-74 These letters will be very helpful […]
“However, consider the following point. Although to criticize mere external variations amongst the religious systems is worthless, if people do see a real fault, they should not blindly accept that fault. If they attempt to correct the fault in the proper way, this is beneficial.†(p 10) All the years I was in ISKCON, 1967-74 […]
“It is imperative that the people of a specific country give proper respect to their native saints, but no one, although they may hold a particular belief for their spiritual progress, should go to other places and preach that what their teachers have taught is superior to all other teachings. This gives no benefit at […]
“Although people in various countries on various continents have a wide variety of natures, the underlying principal nature is one—only the secondary characteristics are of great variety…Therefore, the idea of God of various people, although basically similar, will differ in the details…This gives rise to variety in the mode of worship of God. Considering the […]
Let me begin by offering my obeisances to my Prabhuji, Sri Lalita Prasad Thakur, his father and guru, Sri Bhaktivinode Thakur and all those who led me on my spiritual path. My thanks also go to Bhanu Swami for his translation work and Kesidaman Das for his editorial and publishing work in putting out such […]
Starting next Sunday, I will have a booth at the Pahoa Sunday Market at which I give persons a chance to stop by and meet me. I am available there for spiritual guidance and life coaching which includes the option of using sidereal astrology and/or the Zen Tarot. My availability for wedding ceremonies can also […]
Well here I am in my yurt in Hawaii at six a.m., and I’m freezing my butt off. It’s probably around sixty degrees out, but it seems colder. Living here, the blood becomes thinner as one gets used to temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s during the day. I’ve been up since five. […]
To remember Radha Krishna always and never forget them is the purpose of following the rules and regulations of regulative devotional practice. Once one attains this realization, “the devotees reject a rigid, fanatical adherence to the injunctions and prohibitions and according to their individual qualification give up some of the injunctions and begin to practice […]