A Few Thoughts (Gopavrndapa das)

I am one of those devotees who draws no solid conclusions regarding the many issues which devotees discuss these days. As a kid, I must have set records for hours asleep at a school desk. To be sure, I was no scholar. Today as an adult I remain dozing at the desk of divya jnana. But, beyond my own shortcomings, I also believe that many topics cannot be unravelled academically. They will be clarified only by genuine spiritual advancement and realisation, a commodity in short supply. I've pored over the evidence on many controversial subjects. For the life of me I can't conclude either way on some of them.

Still, I have a few simple convictions. Despite me, they've crept in and woven themselves forever into my outlook. For instance, I can't deny that one devotee single-handedly transformed Krsna Consciousness from an 'obscure ritualistic off-shoot of Hinduism locked in isolated enclaves of ancient India" into an internationally recognised philosophical alternative. What's more, this historical phenomenon happened almost over night. Nothing in history even gives us a point of reference by which to compare such an event. The time, the necessity, the qualification, the ancient predictions, along with the will of God clearly intersected at once within a single soul. It doesn't take a genius to see that Srila Prabhupada is unique. He was singled out by Krsna.

It stands to reason, then, that Srila Prabhupada's teachings is also uniquely suited for the times, a fallacy-filter through which other information must pass. But here's another point: While trying for unity, why not stick to topics on which there is no room for two opinions? Why not focus on what Srila Prabhupada commented on most, leaving no doubt? When you spot repetition take notice. The emphasis alerts us like a flashing neon sign: "Vital! Key information! Pay special attention here!" I'll bet that at these forgone conclusions, upon which we all agree, we'll find the success formulas for individual Krsna consciousness and for building a movement. We have plenty of time to gradually reconcile our differences on less conclusive matters. But only if we first unite in thoroughly Krsna conscious activities. As we all know, Srila Prabhupada stressed constant chanting of Krsnas name, regular Krsna-katha, regular Krsna-kirtan, offering everything to Krsna, associating with devotees of Krsna, trying to spread the Krsna conscious movement, avoiding things which distract us from Krsna, etc. Gaudiya Vaisnavas eternally rally round these pillars. Such Krsnised activities carry within them the keen spiritual insight to reconcile all other issues which, for now, may remain less clear.

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irg@zetnet.co.uk
Chant Hare Krishna and be happy!