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By Jayo das Posted June 25, 2003 My humble prostrated dandavats at your feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. The procedure was aborted last time for medical reasons. I go in for (electro) cardioconversion tomorrow, 25th morning, to kick my heart back to a normal rhythm. It will be a while before I know if it is successful for the long term. Please say a little prayer for me, once again. Your fallen servant, [See "Please Pray for Me," dipika.org, May 30, 2003] Honesty A Devotee Struggling By Madhusudan Hari das Posted June 15, 2003 Dear Anonymous Your letter is the story of many a devotee struggling in this world. Identifying a problem is surely half the solution, which you therefore have. Krishna would certainly appreciate your honesty and your sincere endeavor. Sixteen rounds can sometimes look and feel like a load weighing a ton or so. Please do not be so harsh on yourself
while still trying to improve. Whenever
I feel down in Krishna consciousness I
remember these anecdotes.
By Carsani Devi Dasi Posted June 4, 2003 Dear Anonymous, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I was reading the letter that you wrote on Dipika and felt very touched by your honesty and humility in expressing yourself in such a way. I think that the dilemma that you’re facing is not much different than that which the majority of us encounter at some point in our lives, whether it’s because of work and study demands, household and family commitments, or the inevitable process of aging and illness. I suspect it’s a lifelong struggle, balancing our spiritual duties and our material needs and obligations, but I find it helpful to try to perceive it as a challenge rather than a struggle. Don’t be too hard on yourself and get despondent. You’re not alone. A
Reply to "Honesty By Ujjvala Das Posted June 4, 2003 Dear Devotee, Fear of criticism and rejection is a very real reason to be cautious about revealing one’s spiritual feelings. Such a situation should not exist in a truly spiritual organization, but in the pursuit of a spiritual life, reality often falls short of the ideal. Unfortunately, in many religious organizations, there are self-righteous individuals who find it easier to criticize the shortcomings of others than to examine their own behavior critically. You admit you have fallen into this trap yourself. I find it tragic that someone struggling on the spiritual path is unable to find comfort and guidance through association with other devotees, many of whom are undoubtedly struggling through the same thorny wood. A response to "Honesty is the Best Policy" By Krishna-kirti das (HDG) Posted May 31, 2003 Dear Mataji, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! I sympathize with your situation, as my wife and I also live outside an established ashrama and well know the difficulties of maintaining a healthy spiritual life away from close association with devotees. I hold down a job that requires me to travel two hours a day, and the job, at that, frequently requires me to work more than eight hours. Our Western host culture is more often than not caustic for our Krishna consciousness, and it is my experience that without some sort of special shelter from this social and cultural environment, our Krishna consciousness is almost certain to suffer. Although my wife and I live far from any temple community, we do happen to have such a special shelter that keeps us straight: A preaching engagement. Even if one is in the most downtrodden situation, if one somehow or other engages him or herself in direct preaching, one will very quickly be delivered from all difficulties. By Thakur Haridas das Posted May 31, 2003 "Name Withheld" has shown admirable courage by honestly revealing her mind, weaknesses, and struggle for spiritual growth. I empathize with her feelings about wearing devotional clothing and being torn between her personal psychophysical reality and the surrendered spiritual ideal. We tend to develop a stereotyped picture of what a devotee is and feel discouraged when we don't fit that image. But each of us is a unique individual. We must get past external appearances and find the inner essence of bhakti within our own heart. From Jayo das Posted May 30, 2003 Hare Krishna. Jaya Srila Prabhupada. On May 29 at about 9-1- AM CST USA, I will be undergoing, if all is well, an (electric) cardioconversion. If it is successful— it will take some time to know— then it will convert my heart to a normal rhythm and allow me function better without morbidity. I am hoping to continue to serve the devotees and Srila Prabhupada. I humbly request any thoughts and prayers you may care to offer. Dandavats. The very fallen, [Because of the difference in time zones, this article was actually posted right after Jayo Prabhu's operation. Let us all pray for his complete recovery.] [Article complete on this page] By Subhadra-mayi dasi Posted May 30, 2003 Dear Anonymous, I had to smile, reading the title of your letter: "Honesty is the Best Policy— Name Withheld," but then I started to read your letter, and I didn't smile so much anymore. I felt really sad. I didn't feel sad so much for what you wrote, but I thought about the title again. My concern was, Why it is that some people feel they can't say who they are when they are being really honest? Because the way you described yourself can be a description of so many devotees. You aren't an exception. You are an exception in being able to recognize it, come out with it (kind of), and ask for help. By Devahotra dasa Posted May 30, 2003 Dear Mataji and Other Vaisnavas, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glory to Srila Prabhupada! I fully agree with you that our inclination is not to reveal our inner anarthas and demons and what the Christian mystic John of the Cross calls "the dark night of the soul." Yet this is what we need to do. We need to share the truth of where we are at. We need to have the humility to say, "This is my weakness and pain, and this is what I am doing." It's simple. We cannot get help without honesty. How many devotees leave the association of Guru and Krsna (for a time at least) simply because they lacked the help that they needed to deal with the anarthas and spiritual disease of their situation? Even senior devotees that have abandoned their positions have not had in most cases the avenue to talk, share, and get assistance before impulse moves from temptation in the mind to action. Name Withheld Posted May 28, 2003 Dear Vaisnavas, Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! I write as an anonymous devotee who is struggling in spiritual life. I sincerely seek your insight, mercy, and advice. I don't know if others are going through the same things that I am. Why are we often afraid to reveal where we really are on the spiritual path? I guess the real question that I ask myself is why am I afraid to reveal where I am on the spiritual path? I guess I am afraid of not being accepted and of being judged. I sometimes secretly enjoy it when other devotees are having problems. I coldly judge them. It makes me feel better about myself. Yes, this phenomenon exists in the society of devotees. But it also exists as a projection onto innocent bystanders from my own unclean heart. From Subhadra-mayi dasi Posted May 13, 2003 I wanted to wish all matas in ISKCON a happy Mother's Day. Thank you all for your motherly care upon ISKCON. Wherever these kind of mothers are, Prabhupada's house is a safe and caring place to be. Subhadra-mayi dasi [Article complete on this page] By Paradhyeya Das Posted April 30, 2003 Dear devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Last week Sri Rama Prabhu was released from hospital and returned to his home, where he remains under the care of his wife Narayani Mataji and receives regular nurse visits. Although he is no longer in critical condition, he may not be completely out of danger because of a lingering on-and-off abdominal infection, which should subside over time. However he is cheerful and eager to return to active service in Srila Prabhupada's mission. Sri Rama and Narayani have expressed deep feelings of gratitude for the offerings of support from all the devotees in their moment of need. The goal we had set for the emergency period has been easily passed due to the generosity of ISKCON's congregation. Thank you all for your help. Your servant, [See "A Humble Request for Help," dipika.org, April 16, 2003] [Article complete on this page] Sri Rama Das A Humble Request for Help by Paradheya Das Posted April 16, 2003 Sri Rama Prabhu joined ISKCON in 1974 at the age of 19, boarding the Radha Damodar traveling party. He became involved in ISKCON education and took over as minister of education from Jagadish and the chaos that was left behind. Sri Rama was a pioneer in the field of uncovering the dark reality of widespread child abuse within ISKCON's education system and worked hard to create awareness within ISKCON for taking action to eliminate the perpetrators of this evil. Later he was involved with the European BBT and some of ISKCON's legal issues. In recent months he has been an enthusiastic member of the fledgling preaching center that began last year in Sacramento, CA. His lucid and articulate explanations of Vaishnava philosophy to the congregation reveal the depth of his realization and his devotion to Srila Prabhupada's mission. By Paradhyeya Das Posted April 15, 2003 Please send contributions to John F Hamersley Thank you for your help. Hoping this meets you well, Your servant, [See "Sri Rama Dasa Recovers Consciousness" dipika.org, April 13, 2003] [Article complete on this page] Sri
Rama Dasa By Paradhyeya (das) Posted April 13, 2003 Dear devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. Sri Rama Prabhu spent the first three days after his operation in apparent unconsciousness, then slowly he was able to recognize his wife, Narayani Mataji, and then others who went to visit him. It is obvious that diabetes has taken a significant toll on his health, and he is taking longer than would be normal for other people to respond to medication. However, from the point of view of an observer, it appears that he is making steady incremental progress day by day. Looking for Help By Srinivasa Batchu Posted April 11, 2003 Hare Krsna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. We have started a satsang program in Rochester, New York, with a small group of people. We are working to get space at a local Hindu temple in Rochester so that we can accommodate more people and have kirtan before the beautiful Deities of Their Lordships. Yugal Kishore Dasa, a disciple of H.H. Radhanatha Swami Maharaj, is helping us get this program up and running. I beg at the lotus feet of devotees who can lend us a helping hand in sharing their knowledge about Krsna consciousness and inspire the group to chant the holy names and glories of Supreme Lord to contact me. Hari Bol. Your servant, [Article complete on this page] Looking
for Devotees Posted April 11, 2003 Does anyone have an e-mail address for the temple in Munich, Germany? Thank you. [Article complete on this page] Looking
for Preaching By Joshua Hawley Posted April 7, 2003 Dear Sirs, Hare Krishna. Please accept my most humble obeisances. I am 25-year-old businessman. I am looking to join a preaching program/festival program preferably in Europe. If you could point to any resource in this regard it would be highly appreciated. I am available immediately. Have numerous skills. Thank you very much. Sincerely, [Article complete on this page] Looking for Devotees in the South-Midwest By Bhakta Joe Thomas Hall Posted April 7, 2003 I am planning on moving to Evansville, Indiana, within the month and am wishing to contact devotees in the southern Indiana/northern Kentucky/southeastern Illinois area. I can be reached by e-mail joehall70@hotmail.com. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated. Hari bol! Sincerely and respectfully yours, [Article complete on this page] Looking for Devotees in Greece By Bhakta Colin Posted April 7, 2003 Haribol. I will be visiting the Peloponnesian area of Greece in May/June this year. Does anybody know if there are any devotees in that part of the world? All Glories to Guru and Gauranga. Bhakta Colin [Article complete on this page] By Bhakta Jearold Hersey Posted April 7, 2003 All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Please accept my humble obeisances. Dear Vaisnavas, Last year I put a post on Chakra about being a devotee in the army. I received many nice letters and I wanted to pass along the URL to my personal website: http://the-seed.net Please check it out. Also please pass it along to any military folk you may preach to, as it is nice to connect with people with similar interests. I've had the great opportunity to do some introductory classes with military personnel at our temple (New Navadwipa Dhama — Honolulu) and the response has been very positive. Please pray for the weary souls who may have to fight in this conflict. Yours in service, [Article complete on this page] Sri
Rama Prabhu in By Paradhyeya dasa Posted April 5, 2003 Dear devotees, Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. Last night [April 4], Sri Rama Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, was admitted to Sutter Roseville medical center (on the outskirts of Sacramento CA) and underwent emergency surgery for the removal of the entire large intestine because of severe deterioration and complication associated with diabetes. The surgeon did not give him much chance of survival at the outset, but the operation went well, and today he remains in a critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at the medical center. His wife Narayani Mataji remains constantly at his bedside. Please offer your prayers to Lord Krishna and Lord Nrsinghadev for his recovery. Your servant, [Article complete on this page] By Prithu dasa Posted February 28, 2003 Dear devotees, Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am having a complication in the healing process after being gored by a cow in Vrindaban some days ago. Since allopathic medicines so far have not helped much, I need to get hold of some (ideally organic) cayenne pepper, which is excellent for stopping bleeding by working from the inside out. (Chili pepper, although in the same capsicum family, does not have the same medicinal properties). By Umapati Swami Posted February 28, 2003 Kusakrata dasa, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, has been diagnosed with incurable cancer of the throat, and the doctors estimate that he will leave his body within six months to a year. He is presently living in a small rented room in Vrindavan near Sri Sri Radha Ramana temple, and he is penniless. Kusakrata Prabhu spent many years translating Vaisnava texts from Sanskrit into English, and his publications have been widely read throughout ISKCON. Arrangements are underway to set up a fund for his care. More news will be posted as it becomes available. [Article complete on this page] By Naveen Panchal Posted February 5, 2003 Hare Krishna! Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! We are looking for one of our very nice devotee friends named Pradeep Jamwal, who actually belongs to Jammu, India, but was working at Chandigarh in Akai. He was a very active member of our IYF(ISKCON Youth Forum), Chandigarh. He was a great book distributor and was ready to do whatever service came in his way for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Madhava. From Pandava Vijaya dasa Posted January 27, 2003 Just received a letter from a man in prison. His name is Bhakta Stanley Calhoun. He wants association through letters. Maybe someone will write him. He says: Hare Krishna Pandava! All glories to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Please accept my humble respects towards you. May this letter find you and all the other devotees in the best of health. Once again, I want to thank you for sending the "Dangerous TV" videos. I have received three so far, and it has been a gratifying experience. Help Needed in Return for Work By Subhadra-mayi devi dasi Posted January 21, 2003 Dear devotees, You may remember my appeal about half a year ago. My little boy had multiple ear surgery, and I was asking for paid service in return for a small donation to help me pay those hospital costs. Quite a few devotees sent me help. Some didn't even want anything in return. Krishna knows how grateful I am deep in my heart to all those devotees who helped me. Things were going really well with my little boy (who already turned two last October). I enrolled in school again last week. Did four exams with great results and have two more to go this week. And sure enough, Nitai just turned sick again. My doctor advised me to bring him to the emergency room. And the ordeal with his ears started again. His eardrums just burst. Association
Needed By Rasaraja dasa and Prema Bhakti Marga dd Posted December 30, 2002 Dear Prabhus, Hare Krsna. Our family is moving to Stockton, California (San Joaquin County), and we would like to connect with some devotees in the area (Sacramento and Fresno are within a 45-minute drive). We are originally from the East Coast so we feel somewhat isolated. We have two boys, ages 5 years and 11 months, so we would hope to find some children for them to play with. |
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