tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129180101130155093.post7039536107717240946..comments2023-06-23T07:21:10.343-05:00Comments on jauvana: Who is a devotee?jauvanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12487222708518775987noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129180101130155093.post-707651623648206702009-02-14T12:16:00.000-06:002009-02-14T12:16:00.000-06:00Brilliant piece.I think this post is thought provo...Brilliant piece.<BR/><BR/>I think this post is thought provoking and merits close scrutiny by all devotees. <BR/><BR/>For example, the more we understand the greatness of God, the smaller we must feel. Just like the first time I saw the Himalayas (north Nepal) I felt totally insignificant (and I come from the Alps!) Thus, pride and ego are the very symptoms of ignorance of God. In fact the amount of false ego manifested is inversely proportional to one's understanding of Krsna, no matter how much show or foolish sycophants in train.<BR/><BR/>Respect for others grows apace with respect for Krsna. In my case He has shown me He is there when I need Him (and otherwise too). He is tolerant, non judgmental and forgiving. Experiencing these positive exchanges makes it easier to pass them on. You can’t pass on what you haven’t got or haven't practically experienced.<BR/><BR/>This world works on the principle of bullying and cronyism. It’s practically all they know. Prabhupada was maybe the first person we met who was genuinely different. Transcendental.<BR/><BR/>The rot in Iskcon goes down many levels. The only possible change will be an act of God. Even near death experiences don’t seem to be harbingers of change! For me, public acknowledgment of my checkered history was liberating.<BR/><BR/>You make a good point about empty etiquette. I said it myself in a Vyasa Puja offering in ’91:<BR/><BR/>• There was a system through which we could help each other in the process of purification, anartha-nivrtti, instead of empty offerings of reciprocal obeisances overlaid with diplomatic etiquette without something constructive being done about the attachment to a process of purification which has become hackneyed and stereotyped and that obviously doesn’t deliver.Carlo Aanandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12557908547405403176noreply@blogger.com