July’s Kirtan London newsletter Dear Kirtan Londoners!…
→ Dandavats.com



July’s Kirtan London newsletter
Dear Kirtan Londoners! Last month in New Delhi, 35,000 people took to the large avenue in front of the presidential palace to practice yoga together in the open air. Similar events were held in Osaka, Beijing, Paris, Seoul and New York. It was all in honour of the United Nations designated ‘International Yoga Day’, designed to promote yoga as a practice that supports physical and spiritual wellbeing, as well as respect for the environment and all living creatures.
We at Kirtan London think it’s a great idea, and following our recent outdoor Festival of Chariots in Trafalgar Square, are hoping that public practice and awareness of yoga in all of its many forms becomes more and more popular.
Read more: http://goo.gl/08rgvp

Travelling Sankirtan party Nitay Gouranga in action (10 min…
→ Dandavats.com



Travelling Sankirtan party Nitay Gouranga in action (10 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: “The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity, the Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Narada-pancharatra)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/Sh5uZg

Sadhu-sanga, Part Two
→ KKSBlog

On 11 June 2015, Kadamba Kanana Swami presented a lecture at the Chinese Sanga at Reading University, in England. Sadly, no audio recording was captured but here is an elaborate description.

By Bhakta Nandan

Maharaj started off with a quote from social anthropology about the human personality being composed of nature and culture,

Nature is deep within us, whilst culture is something we grew up with. Culture has many functions, it is meant for cultivating certain qualities and avoiding certain qualities. In this way, the world has culture in which humans find shelter and protection. The ancient cultures, including Indian and China, were of a deeper nature with more emphasis on values; whereas the modern cultures are based on, ‘When’s the money coming?’

A few of the Chinese women were nodding their heads, seemingly in agreement, although one could have also considered it as some form of cultural etiquette. Saying that, they were diligently taking notes… more so than probably a lot of devotees do!

Maharaj continued with how he got involved with India forty-five years ago. Then, India was a completely different world from where Maharaj came from but of course, in the modern times, the world is getting very small. Maharaj then pointed to a young European lady in the audience. He mentioned how last week he met this same lady in Australia and now he is here and she is here too! The Chinese women started giggling at this remark. It is interesting how people from different cultures find completely different things funny.

kks vp 2014Anyhow, Maharaj went on to say that now it is normal to chat with someone fifteen thousand miles away, but for all the miracles of technology, we pay a price. We experience this on a social level. Things are getting lost. Traditions are disappearing, little-by-little.

Now, China is opening up to the world at large and with that, gradually there will not just be a business relationship with the West, there will be a cultural one as well. Soon, it will merge into one standard and this will be of a thoroughly materialistic nature. With that, there will be emptiness; a global village haunted by a ghost of emptiness. A deeper fulfillment will be missing.

However, Maharaj did reassure the audience that there is a solution to all this – by reconnecting with ancient cultures, it will give us new inspiration. He then gave an example from his own life. He was from Holland which was greatly affected by the war. The mood after the war was all about rebuilding the nation and then the whole focus was on economy and profit. In twenty years, Holland became a successful nation. But by that time, Maharaj’s generation were not just children. They were asking whether it is just about the economy or was there not more to life?

Many groups were coming out, such as the Beatles, who had a song called, “She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah!” This was the reason the kids bought it. But on the other side, there was a song called, “Money can’t buy you love.” This really made the youth feel connected to an ancient culture. So the point is that we have so many emotions, but the central theme of love in Vedic culture is “give, give, give.” In love, there is greater pleasure in giving than taking.

This spirit of loving and giving is the sublime and topmost element of emotions and the essence of the Vedic culture – bhakti. The root (dhatu) of this word is bhaj which means service, love and worship. So life is not just about economic development. Maharaj pointed out that this is the humanities faculty, “Is it just to get a buck or do we actually want to do something good for humanity?”

Otherwise everyone just cares about themselves and not others. So Vedic literature says that if you want to change the world, then change yourself. The emphasis is on individuals making differences in their character. In humans, we recognize higher and lower natures within. Vedic literature is all about pursuing the higher nature of the individual.

If you just proclaim good values, like the value of honesty, but if no one in the room is honest, what is the point? So we must first cultivate good values. In the long term, this brings out the good results. So we must look at the long term then things will be more balanced.

Maharaj emphasized that we must look at where things come from. Modern society tells us that the oceans and heat together are creating things but it has never been observed that anything ever came to life from something dead.

In Holland, the culture is liberal – so long as you do not talk about religion. However, we must understand somehow that there is a divine being! In India, there is still something. The day after the tsunami, there was a global outcry but that did not break the spirit of the Indians. They were just like, “It is alright. We can deal with it.”

kks janmastami 2013Maharaj then remembered how he was in Benares where there many beggars. One morning, he saw a dead body lying on the street. Many people were walking passed it and chucking coins. Soon the whole body was covered in coins and Maharaj asked why. One of the locals mentioned it was to buy wood to burn the body. This it was to help the soul not come back to that body again. In Vedic culture, the body is burned because the soul still wants to get back into the body. Bodies are yantras or machines. We are actually not this body. That is the essential truth. The soul is constantly changing according to consciousness. Noting the Chinese crowd, Maharaj added how it is the same in Buddhism; after all it came from India. So bodily consciousness determines what we become.

One time a Professor introduced Maharaj as a reincarnationist. Maharaj emphasized that he is not a reincarnationist. It is a risky business. We do not know where we will end up. So as long as we want to control and possess (in a mocking German accent), “This is mine! That is mine! This is mine!” Then hate, lust, greed always comes back to us. “Here is my lovely baby. The neighbour’s baby – go away. Korean child – bad. Chinese child – good!”

A saint can embrace the whole world, by going for higher values. For example, they put Mandela in prison for twenty seven years but he came out without any hate! How do we reach this? Through meditation? However, it is very difficult to focus the mind. We are spiritual beings connected to each other and are meant to serve, love and worship; and that is the best way to attain that state of consciousness.

Throughout the whole talk, one could barely hear a pin drop from the Chinese ladies, but as soon as Maharaj mentioned that it was time for questions, a whole host of hands went up and a very lively and animated discussion ensued. One of the ladies asked Maharaj, “What, in your opinion, is the meaning of being human?”

Maharaj firstly asserted that his opinion is the Vedic culture, which he puts faith in. Without principles, humans are like animals. But humans can have the element of spirituality to recognize the Lord and help in the elevation of all. That is human, otherwise it is anti-human. If you do not have spiritual goals, then you are like an animal!

Another lady asked, “Why is it that people are still miserable despite rising standards of living?”

Maharaj replied that there are people who are exploiting; the profit just stays with the bosses. For example, recently in a magazine on the plane, it was revealed that Suharto of Indonesia had amassed a whopping fifty-nine billion dollars for himself that was meant for the citizens of his nation. These things are to be expected. Lust, greed, anger become the predominant qualities so we need to go for higher qualities.

The same lady then asked, “How does one restore oneself to the good side?”

Maharaj explained that this is done by long term vision. If we act for the evil side, we may get immediate benefit. We must act in reference to the long term benefit through education and training. We can choose the good option again and again. If our long term vision is strong, then we are able to say no.

The questions kept coming, one after another. It was fascinating to see how these Chinese women had transformed from the dour, sober group during the talk to really going for it and inquiring as much as possible about the ins-and-outs of Maharaj’s discussion.

The last two questions to Maharaj are particularly worth mentioning. One of the ladies asked Maharaj, “How do you get the strength to do this?”

Maharaj responded quite simply that if you are in a group that commits to a goal, then you can do it – like giving up smoking. Of course, in the initial stage, some level of determination is definitely required as well. Maharaj went on to say that after the war, his uncle and father were enjoying the fruits of their hard work. There were four boys, including cousins, and he was chosen as the leader because he had a brain for these things. However, he saw that his father was not happy and was always working so he told him he did not want to work in the company. As expected, his father became livid and threatened that he would not give him a single cent. That is when Maharaj knew that he did not need it. His father then realized that he had no control over his son. Maharaj left for India at age seventeen, with the belief that he also had enough energy to make his own money, but his mother ended up giving him money anyway! (Laughter from audience) Maharaj explained how his father had a textiles factory and daily he saw so much wool coming in to be made into carpets and yet there was so much blood on the wool. Why? What is going on? His father also taught him how to the read the wine chart so he could wine and dine. So this was the culture that Maharaj was brought up in.

At the end of the class, the final question to Maharaj was rather funny. One of the ladies asked why did Maharaj have a Chinese surname.

It goes without saying that this question did bring forth a few chuckles from those assembled. For those of you who don’t know, Maharaj’s birth surname is Kok. Maharaj said how he was in Canada at the time of the SARS virus so his name came up on the computer. The airport official looked at the name and was a little perplexed. Here was Maharaj, by all accounts having very North European features but with a dhoti andchadar and a name like Kok. Somehow, the official concluded this gentleman must be in Chinese and so they kept him in custody! (Further laughter)

Maharaj then finally clarified that Kok is also a Dutch surname meaning ‘to cook’. The Chinese lady then responded by saying that Kok in Chinese is related to castles. Maharaj then thought for a while and with a grin stated that he preferred the Chinese definition for his name! The Chinese ladies then all laughed in appreciation.

Maharaj then finished off with a sweet melodic, low-key kirtan – just right for the mood and audience.

I’m arguing with YOU, not Prabhupāda.
→ The Enquirer

Friends, if I argue with you, I argue with you.

Please don’t wear the plastic armor that by arguing with you I am arguing with Prabhupāda. It should be pretty obvious how wildly pompus that attitude is.

Yes, you are a devotee, an ISKCON member, a disciple of Prabhupāda or of Prabhupāda’s disciple, etc. but this doesn’t make you identical with Prabhupāda, nor does it mean that you understand Prabhupāda perfectly (or less). I understand that you have your opinion of what Prabhupāda teaches, wants, etc. I respect that as your opinion. Please have the presence of mind and meekness of ego to recognize that other people besides yourself can have different opinions of what Prabhupāda teaches, wants, etc.

A person with a different understanding of Prabhupāda is not automatically any of the following catchphrases: blooped, a fringie, a speculator, unchaste, independent, a puffed up scholar, or a self-appointed ācārya. What they are is just a person with an  understanding of Prabhupāda that is different from yours.

Maybe their understanding is better, closer to the divine truth. Maybe its worse, further from the essence. Figure that out by discussing it rationally, please – not by claiming that, since it’s not how you see things, its completely wrong and anti-Prabhupāda.

I understand that you hang out with lots of people who have the same understanding of Prabhupāda as you do. I understand that there is a feeling of strength in numbers. But please don’t think that simply because a lot of people believe something, it is true. If there are a lot of very deep, very intelligent, very sincere people who come to the same conclusion about Prabhupāda that is important. But 95% percent of the time the strength in numbers is just might-makes-right by the size of the herd. Just because a person with a half-baked idea was the best person at the time to assume a position of power and prominence, and now has lots of people without the inclination or ability to scrutinize or question his or her concept of “Prabhupāda says” or “Prabhupāda wants,” it doesn’t make his concept of Prabhupāda any more or less half-baked than whatever it actually is by virtue of whatever it actually IS.

I understand that being a “Prabhupāda Disciple” feels like a passport to the V.I.P. section of heaven, and implies that you are right about your opinion of what Prabhupāda said. But unfortunately 98% of the Prabhupāda Disciples spent as much time studying personally from Śrīla Prabhupāda as you or I have – zero. They all percieved Prabhupāda through their own intellectual and emotional lenses (just like you and I), or, worse, through the intellectual and emotional lenses artificially imposed on them by their bhakta leaders, temple commanders, and so on and so forth.

The fact that you are socially senior means that you deserve social respect – it doesn’t mean you comprehend philosophy better or worse than anyone else. Maybe you do  comprehend it better. If you do, its because you comprehend it better – not because you have a certificate, or a rubber stamp, or a letter from Prabhupāda changing your name to something in Sanskrit.

So, please, what I am saying is, if I am arguing with your idea of something, I am arguing with your idea of it. The fact that you think it is also Prabhupāda’s idea is part of your argument, that’s all. Defend the idea please, or don’t engage in a debate or proselytize it.

If you don’t know the basic principles of how to debate a topic rationally, how analysis of statements can be made (“hermeneutics” / “exegesis” or mimaṁsa), or the hierarchy of importance in assessing evidence (“epistemology” or pramāna), it would be much better for you (for your sake, too) to stop blogging, stop posting, stop commenting, and start listening and studying under a teacher who does.

Thank you, please forgive my frustration. Hare Krishna.

Vraja Kishor dās

VrajaKishor.com


Tagged: A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, argument, debate, ISKCON

The Quiet Prayer
→ Japa Group

Japa is the quiet prayer. You say it loud enough so you can hear it, but it’s mostly for yourself.
Radha and Krishna can hear you. They’re close by, so you don’t have to shout. But They’re listening carefully, so you pronounce with great care.

From Bhajana Kutir #78
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Preaching program in Baltimore (Album with 22 photos) Srila…
→ Dandavats.com



Preaching program in Baltimore (Album with 22 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One should not manufacture different types of chanting. One should adhere seriously to the chanting of the holy name as recommended in the scriptures: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 7.5.23-24 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/oPA0u8

CC daily 152 – M 6.220-224 – Devotion drives away the dullness that sees the rule but not its purpose
→ The Spiritual Scientist

CC daily Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

Kirtan Mela in Russian Yatra, Summer 2015 (Album with…
→ Dandavats.com



Kirtan Mela in Russian Yatra, Summer 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Narada Muni is very expert in delivering all the conditioned souls back home, back to Godhead. Therefore the materialistic experts do not agree with the spiritual expert Narada Muni, but this does not mean that Narada Muni will give up his engagement of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.5.24 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/4vZ2bL

Vanity Karma Now Available for Pre-Order Jayadvaita Swami: I…
→ Dandavats.com



Vanity Karma Now Available for Pre-Order
Jayadvaita Swami: I just wanted to let you know that my upcoming book Vanity Karma: Ecclesiastes, the Bhagavad-gita, and the meaning of life is now available for pre-order on amazon.com. Vanity Karma is a commentary on the book of Ecclesiastes, a book in the old testament of the Bible, from the perspective of the Bhagavad-gita.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18215

Bhagavatam-daily 254 – 11.12.11 – Relativity of the gopis’ perception of time demonstrates their intensity of love
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast

Download by “right-click and save content”

Hare Krishna! Krisha conscious presentation at the…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Krisha conscious presentation at the Transformation, Leadership and Spirituality in Medicine Conference
Radhanath Swami spoke of how members of a project inspired by his teachings, the Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai, recently went to Nepal after the recent devastating earthquake. He recounted that there were all kinds of doctors there – allopathic, Ayurvedic, naturopathic, etc. treating the injuries and broken limbs. However, he succinctly pointed out, more than broken limbs in Nepal, were broken hearts. There was starvation of stomachs, but more significantly, there was starvation of hearts. What the patients needed was not only medical attention, but also a holistic spiritual care.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18210

Hare Krishna! Early Memories Kurma-rupa dasa Bhakta Craig and…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Early Memories Kurma-rupa dasa
Bhakta Craig and his wife Bhaktin Debbie Escalante joined ISKCON quite suddenly, without prior Sunday feast attendance. They simply appeared one day. In my recollection, they received harinam initiation during the ceremony where I received brahmanical initiation, which was in 1976 in Seattle. Through a letter, Srila Prabhupada gave them the beautiful names “Kurma-rupa dasa” and “Dasarathi devi dasi”. Before joining ISKCON, the Escalante had been living in the US Pacific Northwest. They owned a teepee, which was later set up at ISKCON’s farm in Bridesville, British Columbia.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18204

Hare Krishna! Respect – the Foundation to True Intimacy Maybe…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! Respect – the Foundation to True Intimacy
Maybe this is one reason why we have not managed to establish the Vanaprastha ashram so far. Giving guidance to the younger generation and sharing their wealth of life experience and wisdom is the main and most valuable contribution the elders are making to human society. And this can only take place where giving and accepting shelter based on deep respect is cultivated. When this respect is not there, the elders don’t have any function in human society and are simply seen as a burden.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18201

Hare Krishna! ISKCON 50: Data Needed For the purpose of…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! ISKCON 50: Data Needed
For the purpose of celebrating ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary in 2016 we are compiling some approximate facts & figures about ISKCON. We are collecting some quantitative data about ISKCON’s global achievements in terms of: Temples (including farms & schools) Devotees (including initiated, Nama Hatta, & visitors) Books (amount distributed in all countries & languages) Festivals (Including Harinamas, Rathayatra & Padayatra) Prasadam (Plates distributed globally since 1966; Includes restaurants, Sunday Feast, FFL etc)
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18195

Sadhu-sanga, Part One
→ KKSBlog

During Kadamba Kanana Swami’s visit to the UK (10-17 June), Bhakta Nandan very diligently made notes during Maharaj’s classes and informal conversations with disciples. The content was too good not to share so here is Part One for you!

By Bhakta Nandan

From the airport, Maharaj along with his merry band of disciples arrived at the house (10 June). After a bit of conversing, it was inevitable that Maharaj would soon steer the subject towards Brahmananda Prabhu who had just recently passed away and was one of the pivotal members in setting up ISKCON.

KKS_AUSIt was obvious that Maharaj had a deep reverence, love and friendship with Brahmananda Prabhu and he recalled that no one had such absorption in always remembering Srila Prabhupada, twenty-four hours a day as did Brahmananda Prabhu.

For the next few hours, Maharaj just started glorifying Brahmananda Prabhu nonstop – his life, his achievements, his qualities and everything in between. It was truly wonderful to behold.

Maharaj explained how Brahmananda Prabhu was a phenomenon – one of a kind. With his huge kapha body, he remembered everything like an elephant. Not only was he one of the first leaders in ISKCON, he was also Srila Prabhupada’s secretary up until Srila Prabhupada had left the planet.

He was an extremely knowledgeable person and had, in recent years, accumulated vast knowledge with precise details about the life of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur and the history of the Gaudiya Math institution.

Maharaj then started talking about the history of Brahmananda Prabhu’s own life. In 1964, his father had arranged a job for him on a ship to India. He loved it. He got sandals and lungi. He even learnt how to smoke beedies satvically, without touching the lips! Of course, when he went back to America, he lived around the corner on Sixth Street in those early days. In many ways, it was obvious he was a good candidate for Krsna consciousness. He did dissertations on Gandhi and talked about the demigods Ganesh and Shiva in oral presentations. For him it was all about, “India! India! India!”

When someone had asked Brahmananda Prabhu, when was the first time Srila Prabhupada touched his heart, he replied that it was with the very first time he saw him. It was obvious to Maharaj that Brahmananda Prabhu was dry grass from the start, waiting for the fire of bhakti to ignite.

Maharaj then stated how personal Brahmananda Prabhu was. He always knew who Maharaj was. The manner in which Maharaj said this was so sweet, almost like a star-struck kid – kind of similar to how Maharaj’s own disciples look at Maharaj these days! In 2002, Brahmananda Prabhu had even come up to Maharaj saying, “So you’re gonna be a Guru, huh?” Coming from Brahmananda Prabhu, who was Srila Prabhupada’s right hand man, this was incredibly overwhelming. When Tamal Krsna Maharaj had just left the planet, Maharaj was standing outside the gate of Mayapur with Brahmananda Prabhu waiting for Tamal Krsna Maharaj’s body to arrive. For hours, they were just conversing. Brahmananda Prabhu mentioned that this is not just the end of Tamal Krsna Goswami as a person but the end of an era. Now, so many years later, Maharaj admitted he felt the same for Brahmananda Prabhu. It is actually the end of an era; no one had a relationship with Srila Prabhupada like he did.

Maharaj then recalled how Srila Prabhupada sent Brahmananda Prabhu to Pakistan and Gargamuni to East Pakistan. Brahmananda Prabhu was in Pakistan with dhoti and tilak. Of course, the citizens were rather hostile and constantly trying to wipe off his tilak but he was in the mood of Haridas Thakur – tolerating and chanting Hare Krsna, amazing determination and loyalty to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions!

Shortly after, he went to Africa. Brahmananda Prabhu was the first in so many things; for example in Nigeria and Kenya. He had a finger in everything. Soon, he became a strong university preaching man, this was ideal for him. He was a man with a strong brain – kapha brain, slow but deep.

brahmananda_prabhu (4)Maharaj then reminisced that in front of Brahmananda Prabhu, everyone felt like their love was being kindled. Bhakti Madhurya Swami said that he was not just famous now; he was a legend even back then. Mukunda Goswami was in the first batch of devotees and he got preaching going in San Francisco, New York and London. No doubt, this was hugely substantial but then Mukunda Goswami went more into the background and Brahmananda Prabhu came to the fore. Of course, he was a wrestler so hardly anyone disagreed with him but he was extremely warm as well. Maharaj then started remembering how he used to do collection tours for Vrindavana in the US. By this time, Brahamananda Prabhu was somewhat retired from active service in ISKCON, but in New York he would be there in his black dungarees and would still want to know in complete detail what Maharaj was doing. It was no good simply saying, “I’m just preaching.” He wanted a fully comprehensive, detailed report. This was Brahmananda.

Shortly after Maharaj shared his realizations on Brahmananda Prabhu, Maharaj and the rest of the party made their way to the kitchen for some evening prasadam. Dinner conversation continued to revolve around Brahmananda Prabhu. Krsna Kirtan Prabhu read out aloud a beautiful tribute to Brahmananda Prabhu by Jayapataka Maharaj. Gradually, the conversation started shifting onto other great devotees within the movement. Maharaj talked about the time he met Mukunda Goswami in Australia. He observed how Mukunda Goswami had become more reclusive compared to his younger days. On one hand, this is to be expected but Maharaj then started reflecting on whether advancement in spiritual life leads onto one becoming more reclusive or introverted. He had asked Mukunda Goswami this question and he seemed to think so.

Maharaj then asked Sutapa Prabhu, what he thought. It was fitting that Sutapa Prabhu was asked this question since amongst the devotees present, he was one of the most senior of Maharaj’s disciples. All the other devotees were rapt in attention. Sutapa Prabhu replied that he did not necessarily agree because often when one grows in responsibility, one is forced to become an extrovert. Then Maharaj counter argued by saying it can also be the other way around! But, Maharaj also added in, there are highly advanced devotees who seemed extroverts; for example, Jayapataka Maharaj and Indradyumna Maharaj. For those present, it was fascinating to watch this verbal tennis match between Guru and disciple.

Maharaj then started defining extroverts and introverts, noting that extroverts tend to get their energy in crowds. So, for example, Jayapataka Maharaj will be happy if there were twenty people in the room, he would be joyous if there were two hundred people, he would be ecstatic if there were two thousand people and would be positively in his element if he was speaking to a crowd of twenty thousand people! Maharaj then confessed that in that situation, he would probably just want to disappear!

SP_seatedBy this time, it was getting rather late into the night and Maharaj was really just sharing his thoughts on various aspects of life with his disciples. The mood was quite intimate and relaxed. It was interesting because Maharaj was sitting on the floor with one leg outstretched, the other leg pressed up against his chest. One arm was resting on the knee of the pressed up leg and the other arm was outstretched behind him. The interesting part was that on the wall, directly above Maharaj, was a picture of Srila Prabhupada sitting in exactly the same pose. Judging from Srila Prabhupada’s smiling face, it also seemed to be one of those intimate, relaxed moments Srila Prabhupada was sharing with his disciples! The parampara continues in more ways than one!

Maharaj then spoke on the ‘60s and how ISKCON developed in the midst of the counterculture. Going on Maharaj’s vyasa puja lecture earlier this year, it is evident that Maharaj is in no way sentimental about that period and certainly does not subscribe to the “good old days” mentality. However, saying that, Maharaj did express some appreciation for that period. Maharaj asserted that in those days, the devotees were real free thinkers with seriously original thoughts. At this point, Sutapa Prabhu mentioned Blazing Saddhus by Acyutananda Prabhu. It was well written, with a strong, psychedelic, “out-there” feel to it. Maharaj knew of this book and made the astute observation that for Acyutananda Prabhu, the ‘60s and Krsna consciousness went together. Actually for many devotees, the ‘60s was synonymous with coming into the Hare Krsnas. It was a seamless progression from trying to elevate your consciousness through psychedelic paraphernalia through to natural, spiritual processes.

But there were also many devotees at the time for whom Krsna consciousness meant something different from the ‘60s. It meant, one had to extricate themselves from the ‘60s thing’ and then take to Krsna consciousness – almost like a fresh start. For Maharaj, the ‘60s was maya and Krsna consciousness was something altogether different. The ‘60s was a time when Maharaj would visit a tea house near his home town in Holland called the Electric Centre. Everyone, everyone was off their faces on drugs at this place. Just to add to the surrealism of this place, they were live tropical birds flying around inside this tea house. It was all about hippies, breaking all the taboos and singing, “Why don’t we do it in the road!?” Maharaj then humorously added that they did “do it” on the road! All the devotees burst out laughing.

Shortly after the Electric Centre period, Maharaj went off backpacking to India. When he came back, the Electric Centre had become zero. It became all Indian: white yoga pants, colourful neck beads etc. It was all over for Maharaj by that point. Krsna had already pulled him in.

Shortly afterward, Maharaj called it a day and the devotees left thoroughly satisfied and looking forward to what would be a great week ahead