There are three basic methods of obtaining knowledge, two of which are faulty, and one which is faultless when properly applied. The two faulty methods are: 1. Direct perception, and 2. Induction (making general conclusions from limited experience). The faultless method is the descending process by which one hears from the proper authority who is […]
What do we call material love in our world? What we call “love” in this world is simply the self-centered desire to enjoy the “beloved” object. So our love for something or someone is dependent upon whether or not our senses are being pleased.
For example, people generally love animals such as cats because of the […]
Remembrance, Forgetfulness and Knowledge are important and connected. Krishna, as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, ‘helps one to fulfill one’s desires in this world. According to our aspirations, we require to forget some things (such as God if one is an atheist), we require to remember other things, and we need knowledge.
Even the animals have […]
Krishna, the Supreme Lord, has three types of energies: 1. Material, 2. Spiritual, and 3. Marginal. The material energy is the dull matter that has no consciousness. The spiritual energy is the conscious energy that is devoted to His service. The marginal energy consists of the living entities–individual souls, such as ourselves, that have the […]
I have decided to start a blog, not as an attempt to document what is going on externally in my life and travels but rather as to reveal what is happening internally in my heart and mind as I perform my devotional service to Srila Prabhupada. Sometimes I will refer to external events as a […]
I just arrived in Houston, Texas for our North American GBC and leadership meetings which will last 4 days. Management is not a sannyasi’s traditional duty nor is it something that is high up in my list either. When I first joined the movement, I definitely had a desire to control and wanted to have […]
Yesterday one devotee was commenting that on each level of ISKCON management we find devotees blaming the persons on the level just above them for their problems. That is if one is a cook in the temple for example, one will blame the temple commander, if one is the temple commander one will blame the […]
But since we don’t have these siddhis it behooves us to be aware of how the material nature affects our bodies.
It is amazing to me how devotees are oftentimes in denial of this: in our diet, sleeping habits, use of spiritual paraphernalia, eating habits, safety procedures, etc. There are certain laws of Nature (of course […]
Hiranyaksa means one who has his eyes always on gold! What a name.
Many years ago when I first joined the movement I would feel a definite antipathy towards persons like Hiranyaksa. Now I feel quite different (hopefully I have not become a demon!). When I read about Hiranyaksa and his ilk I feel sorry for […]
Going to Vaikuntha. We had a very interesting discussion on today’s SB verse 4.12.36: “The self-effulgent Vaikuntha planets, by whose illumination alone all the illuminating planets within this material world give off reflected light, cannot be reached by those who are not merciful to other living entities.
Only persons who constantly engage in welfare activities for […]
