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ISKCON Cultural Journal
From Shyamasundara Dasa
Posted June 30, 2004

http://siddhanta.com/weblogs/culture/

May 7th, 2004 – This is the opening journal entry:

Welcome! Welcome to the ISKCON Cultural Journal, a commentary on the culture, views and progress of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Culture is a shared way of life with a common set of beliefs and convictions at its core. Culture is shared because humans by nature are social creatures. "No man is an island." What we do affects others— for better or worse. Similarly, what others do affects us— for better or worse.

Culture is a way of life because more important than achieving goals are habits (mannerisms, tendencies, etc.) that make it possible to achieve goals and aspirations. If someone desires to be wealthy but he is not in the habit of saving money, then it is most unlikely he will ever become wealthy.

Culture has at its core a set of beliefs and convictions that guide the thinking and actions of those who adopt them. Without a set of beliefs and values, one does not have a way. Without a way, one has to be content with a conception and mode of life that is barely more developed than that of just getting by— not unlike lower species.

Culture with regard to ISKCON is something that merits attention and care. Why? Because ISKCON is in the midst of defining itself— its core beliefs, values, and way of life. To some, that this may be the case may seem surprising. After all, ISKCON has an extensive set of not only instructions from ISKCON's founder, Srila Prabhupada, but also a long and venerable disciplic succession to draw insight and knowledge from.

However, none of us are blank slates. We see the world (including the teachings of acharyas) through eyes, ears, a mind, and intelligence, which deliver to us a special, custom-made flavor of the Truth that is certainly palatable to each one of us but not necessarily to others. Therein lies the problem.

Subsequent blogs will take a closer look at ISKCON's cultural issues and analyze events as they happen.

[Shyamasundara Dasa is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada. He offers services in Vedic astrology for devotees. http://www.shyamasundara dasa.com]

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