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From: ISKCON DC <ISKCON.DC@pamho.net>
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 20:28 +0530
Subject: Obstacles in sharing Krishna consciousness due to past conditioning
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Digest 352: July 6th, 2011. Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja
You are invited to send your questions to His Holiness Romapada Swami at
iskcondcr@gmail.com with the word "Question" included in the subject line or
submit your question at http://www.romapadaswami.com/?q=feedback/Question.

Obstacles in sharing Krishna consciousness due to past conditioning
*******************************************************************

728) In one of your lecture/discussion, where you are speaking about
preaching or sharing Krishna consciousness with other people, you say
something like, ''... if the door isn't open, don't try to go in.'

After I took to Krishna consciousness, I realized that to a certain degree I
am conditioned to see others as 'having the door closed.' This is because I
grew up always experiencing that whenever I would try to express a belief in
God, it would be denied or ridiculed by my mother. My mother became an
atheist before I was born (I believe in part due to unpleasant experiences
attending Catholic school). After experiencing Krishna consciousness and
the association of devotees, I feel much more comfortable overtly expressing
my belief in God or Krishna. However I sometimes see that my conditioning is
still there and feel that it is likely to stand in the way of my ability to
help others come to Krishna consciousness. I wonder if there is anything
specific which I can focus on to try to overcome this?

Answer: There are two aspects to this question: (1) Objectively, it is
important to learn to properly discriminate *how* to open our hearts
intelligenly to share Krishna consciousness with different types of people,
and (2) Subjectively, how to overcome your own past conditioning that
sometimes makes you hesitate to express your faith with confidence, even to
those who may be open to it, due to fear of being ridiculed or rejected.

As far as proper discrimination goes, one of the injunctions for chanting
the Holy Name offenselessly is the following prohibition: *To instruct a
faithless person about the glories of the holy name. (Anyone can take part
in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not
be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are
too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and
therefore it is better not to instruct them in this matter.)* (NOD, Ch 8)
Not only it could make them more obstinate or offensive, but it could also
potentially damage/weaken our own faith. Rupa Goswami also recommends that
we should open our hearts with like-minded devotees - that is most conducive
to bhakti. (NOI 4) Confidential exchanges with atheistic or strongly
materialistic persons can potentially damage our bhakti. Confidential
exchange could mean discussing one's own personal life, decisions, desires
and goals; but on a deeper level, knowledge of spirit and of God are the
most confidential subjects. Of course, by its very definition, preaching
involves 'knocking on other's doors', glorifying the Lord, and soliciting or
inviting them to do the same. One is advised to not receive advice from
atheistic and materialistic persons in either of these two categories of
confidential matters. Proper discrimination is, therefore, the key.

Actually, sharing of Krishna consciousness can be most effectively done,
even when hearts are not yet fully opened, on the foundation of developing a
loving relationship.

A devotee is recommended to cultivate loving service feelings for the
Supreme Lord and the Spiritual Master; to cultivate friendly relationship
with other like-minded devotees; to cultivate compassion towards innocent
and unfortunate persons; and to avoid and neglect those who are critical and
envious. (Please study Nectar of Instruction Text 4-5) This is the essence
of discrimination.

And when a loving spiritual relationship is built - founded on mutual
respect, trust and genuine mood of service -- in the background of that
relationship, discussions of Krishna and His messages will be most potent.

Speaking about Krishna is not the only way to reach out and share Krishna
consciousness; more important and more effective is your own acting with
Vaishnava qualities -- particularly in those cases where you sense a 'closed
door.'

With this guideline in mind, begin by thoughtfully and selectively sharing
your realizations with some open-minded persons who are innocent and who
exhibit some appreciation and attraction for these messages. And invest time
in building deep, solid loving spiritual relationships. By doing so in a
mood of service, to please Krishna, your strength, confidence and
convictions will grow deeper. From that position of strength you will feel
increasingly comfortable and expert how to share with others who may be a
bit less open.

As a devotee becomes more mature in his/her devotion, he/she becomes
increasingly empowered to help and transform the hearts of even those with
strong misconceptions or a closed heart. Srila Prabhupada could transform
the most difficult cases of hardened atheists, impersonalists and
materialists. Vidura was able to force open the heart of even blind and
attached Dhritarashtra, because of the loving relationship he had built.

Like a medical student in training, consider yourself as an apprentice --
try to assist in the preaching of such advanced, empowered preachers, and
carefully follow their instructions. Deeply meditate upon their qualities
and the way they interact with different persons -- for example, the
intensity of humility and compassion with which Prabhupada prayed in the
song he wrote on the Jaladuta, or how he conquered the heart of Dr. Mishra
who was philosophically at complete odds with him, and so on. As you become
absorbed in such meditations, your heart will become increasingly filled
with those deeper knowledge, conviction, compassion, humility, feelings of
dependence on Krishna -- in the presence of these sun-like qualities, the
crippling effects of your own past experiences will fade away.

Another thing you can do to directly address such past experiences is to
begin seeing them as wonderful learning experiences, rather than as a
debilitating one. The more a devotee learns to see Krishna's hand in
everything, the more he/she begins to consider what he thought a seeming
misfortune is actually a special gift from Krishna. By this change of
attitude, you will find so much to learn from those memories and
experiences. Having gone through that experience with your mother, for
example, you now have a very special advantage to be more understanding and
compassionate towards those with similar difficulties. You can now be more
perceptive of what it is that is fundamentally making such persons 'close
their doors' - perhaps their own bad experiences, or some misconception or
fear about religion or religious persons etc. You are not likely to
dogmatically impose your convictions upon someone who is not yet experienced
or received the mercy you have been fortunate to receive. And you need not
make the same mistake of expecting support or validation for your beliefs
from those persons. Rather, now you can be more considerate, and your
compassion and understanding and gentle dealings may be the very means that
can touch their hearts and encourage them to open the door once again!

And, you can feel deeper appreciation and gratitude for having now received
these wonderful teachings which have the touch-stone like potency of
transforming even those unfavorable situations into favorable! Whenever you
experience similar situations or a relapse of your old inhibitions, take
shelter of these teachings and how you can apply them to add transcendental
wisdom to what you have learned by past experience.

**************************
Digests 1-351 are available with subject classification at
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Digest 1-242 are included as a PDF file at:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/Inquiries/IITA_full.pdf
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Brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami:
http://www.romapadaswami.com/?q=HHRPS_bio
**************************

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--
Yours
Dinesh

Obstacles in sharing Krishna consciousness due to past conditioning

Government failed to see the Supreme Authority&His Supervision.
After having discussed with a number of urban migrants, I understand
the root cause of all problems.
I spoke with a migrant who comes to work from village to the city to
earn money. He said he has 10 acres of land in the village but due to
scarcity of water,the produce is affected and hence it's getting
difficult for them to repay the debts to the capitalists.
1000s or even lacs of farmers committed suicide in the past due to
their inability to pay off the debts when the rain water fails.
If the govt really wants to help people, it has to solve this water
problem by suitable yagya to satisfy Lord Vishnu. This is the best and
simplest solution which is to understand that nature is working under
the Supervision of Lord Sri Krishna.
When the water problem is solved, people get enough food and all the
living beings get satisfied and thereby prosperity will rain. This is
a science and not meant only for Hindus or muslims or christians. It's
for all living beings.
Villages are to be supported by the government. I still remember that
I studied in my school days that "Agriculture is the back-bone of
India"
Especially the soil in South India is so fertile that any crop will
grow here easily.
If the blind leaders can open their eyes and see the reality and act,
people can also see the reality&everyone will become happy(Sarva
Sukino bhavantu)

--
Yours
Dinesh

Government failed to see the Supreme Authority&His Supervision

Neverending Love Song

via Seed of Devotion by Bhakti lata on 6/21/11

Have you ever sung a love song for 24 hours straight?

Impossible, you may say. Love songs get old after 24 minutes!

I beg to differ.

This weekend at the 24 Hour Kirtan festival in New Vrindavan, I took a vow of silence (mauna vrata) and committed to chanting only God's name. 8 hours or so into the festival I stopped singing a love song and started living in one. Every heartbeat, every breath, every movement - I lived in the world of the holy name.

Hour after hour, the holy name soaked into even the most forgotten crevices of my heart. I grew up in New Vrindavan with the deities of Radha Vrindavan Chandra, and yet during one kirtan especially (Acyuta Gopi's), I glanced over to Their beautiful forms and fell in love all over again.

At around 2:30 in the morning, I began to realize that this love song never got old - I only became more and more addicted. My room was upstairs above the templeroom, but I couldn't sleep. When I tried to sit down and write in my journal, the kirtan from downstairs thrummed through the very floors; I slammed my journal shut mid-sentence and ran downstairs to dance!

Even when exhaustion settled over me at around 5:30am and I somehow stumbled back to my room - still, the kirtan resonated through my body. Half-asleep, I listened to each melody as each person sang, and deep down I wanted to jump to my feet and dance.

And when the last kirtaniya sang the last kirtan, I felt a longing that this love song would never end... that it would just go on and on and on... and on...

 Bhakti Charu Maharaj

 Gatorade - the mridanga player's best friend

 Beautiful and soulful Jahnavi (violin) and Jaya Sita (cello)

 Gaura Vani - organizer of the festival 

  

His Grace Aindra Prabhu - the one who started it all

Subscribe

Neverending Love Song

LIVE GITA COACHING WORLDWIDE

via Gita Coaching by akrura@gmail.com on 7/2/11

Dear Friends,

Success is not for the faint of heart. To achieve your dreams, you'll have to overcome obstacles and conquer fear, self-doubt, and worry. You'll have to undo negative childhood programming ... and contend with criticism, nay-saying and perhaps even sabotage from others.

You may contend with financial pressures or even bankruptcy. You may face legal challenges. You may be blindsided by illness or tragedy.

The deciding factor in whether you give up or succeed in the face of these challenges is the level of your determination and understanding the success principles given in the Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

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Join me at the Live Gita Coaching Course to discover:

- Tips for releasing the pain, hurt and fear of the past ... all of which serves as an anchor to slow your progress
- Ways to keep your attention focused on achieving your goals when crises, challenges and other people threaten to distract you
- Suggestions for reaching deep within yourself to find the faith and determination to keep going when all outward signs are telling you to stop
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I look forward to seeing you at the Live Gita Coaching Course.

Sincerely dedicated to your success,
Akrura dasa - Gita Coaching Courses Worldwide

PS
Gita Coaching Courses may be held at any location worldwide. They are usually free. I just need to get to you somehow.

LIVE GITA COACHING WORLDWIDE

MAKE SURE YOU DO!

via Gita Coaching by akrura@gmail.com on 7/4/11

After the battle in Lanka, when Ravana had been killed by
Lord Rama's arrow, Hanuman was sent to bring back Sita
Devi to her Lord. When Hanuman arrived at the asoka
forest where Sita Devi was being held captive, the female
demons still weighed on Sita Devi to renounce Rama.

They criticized Rama and threatened Sita. Seeing this,
Hanuman wanted to kill them, but Sita forbade him. She
said, "I have been a guest in Lanka. How, then, can I see
my hosts slaughtered? I am not like that hunter."

Hanuman immediately wanted to know which hunter Sita
Devi meant. She explained, "Once there was a hunter who
had killed many animals. As he was walking through the
forest one day, he noticed that a large tiger was following
him. Afraid, he quickly climbed a tree. Glancing up, he
was terrified to discover that a dangerous bear was sitting
on the branch above him.

He was clearly in a dilemma:
on the ground a hungry tiger and above him a dangerous
bear. The tiger noticed the hunter's predicament and
called out to the bear, 'Kick him down. Then I will have
something to eat and leave you alone.' After giving it some
thought, the bear, however, said, "I can't do it. He is my
guest.'

At this the tiger changed his strategy and addressed the
hunter: ‚I only need to eat something today. Human or
bear, I don't care. If you kick the bear down, I won't harm
you.' The hunter immediately climbed up and kicked the
bear off his branch. The bear, however, managed to grab a
lower branch and then climbed back to safety.

Again the clever tiger changed strategies. 'Don't you see
what a rascal the hunter is? You should never shelter a
dangerous cobra. So kick the hunter down.' The bear
however again said, 'No, the hunter may have acted
wrongly – in fact, the whole world may act wrongly – but
I do not have to give up my path. I never harm a guest no
matter what he does.'"

Sita added, "And this is Hanuman why I request you
to spare the female demons. We always have to follow
dharma. Dharma will protect us. Do not pay heed if others
do not follow their dharma. Make sure you do!"

(As told by Sacinandana Swami)

MAKE SURE YOU DO!