Letters to the editor

Sadhana Slipping or re-gripping?

January 4, 2016

Dear Maharaja Hanumat Presaka Swami,

      Please accept my humble obeisance’s, All glories to Srila Prabhupada, all glories to your service!

     Concluding another year, (2015 on the Christian calendar) has brought some very poignant realizations. Of course your report request is a good reminder of the need for perfection.
      This year was pushing the limits of my japa more than any, the 16-4 rule is “written in stone” as is sincere service. Where is the difficulty? It is in the latter, service/seva. Taking on many projects, personal demands of perfection have brought havoc on the japa. Always catching up on the Mala, some days only getting partial rounds in, then have 20-24 rounds the following days.
       Unfortunate for my seva-holic-ness or bless-fully fortunate for the Soul, the Lord reminds us that japa is the Supreme sacrifice, “…of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [ japa]” Bhag-gita 10.25. In all context it is something that must be performed. Some exceptions were noted by his divine grace, Maharaja Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura (MBST), in the “Bhakti Vaibhava” within the service of bhakti-seva. One should be especially careful, for rationalizations can pave the road to hell better than good intentions and I easily fall in this category.

        The great fortune I’m grateful for is in your reciprocation when I dwell on and over-signify errors, with sluggish sadhana, am so glad to have things cleared up in your association, even your nuances bring relief.

         Accept that limitations exist due to karma and acknowledge it can be changed. As time passes gentle reminders of the dangers at every step are there (just broke a bone in my foot). While hoping to finish with a happy-ending in my sadhana report, reality is it has declined in some aspects this year. Though there was one positive gain, managed to read more books by MBST and many S.P. disciples.
        Regardless; trading association, Mandhir programs & reading for daily sadhana is not rational. As heard, “If you’re not getting your rounds done, you’re dumb”.  In the latter I’m qualified & could rest on those laurels of ignorance. Initiation is a vow to change and have had wonderful results in your association along with other Vaisnava’s. In keeping that advancement going, shall continue on the bhakti-path though limitations may invade from the past as a  Dr. Spock groomed, “Baby-boomer, T.V. cartooner and a flash-back doomer” the battle is not over for this ol’ brain.

       Won’t dwell on what has been, just hope I’m not condemned…may have to use a few more lifetimes to get dialed in. Though, Srila Prabhupada’s resend, “Do it in this lifetime”… would be a Godsend.

       Thank you for your most valuable time, please excuse my piteous ramblings and taking advantage of your association. Have to get back to japa and accept that in this lifetime it can be perfected.     

Again, All glories to your service!!

Your servant in training,
"Burning-Mud"
caitanya caritamrta das, das anu das.

HpS - Oink!!!!!       Get a Japa partner. Report to them and them to you, no?   In general you seem to be doing good.  Yes, the Karma yoga temptation is very real: Doing what WE like to do for Krsna, rather than what KRSNA likes us to do for Krsna.  Then easy to sink down.......

AGTSP

Pamho,

Hare Krsna gurudev,

Like I told you, this is the information that I promise one weeks later maybe. Im completly incompetent.

HpS - AGTSP.  Only Krsna is completely incompetent. You are about 75% competent!

I have not ask tou much help in this step, the next one organizing, yes, but plannig im little alone because bad time managment. Im working now and is completly different.

ASA - More fun!

All the information about the congress is here available to the world: www.iskcon.cl/educacion

The form is in www.iskcon.cl/congreso

Our request from you will be

1) Little talk at opening celebration and introduce the program and Ram Giridhari / 28th January

2) A 30 min. conference about the sastric education apply South American reality. / 29th January

3) A workshop in the afternoon about The Integrity of the Preacher. This is one option but, the other option is Grhasta, because this field empty because Mahajana didn't attend because his wife is in the last step of her pregnancy. / 30 th January

This is the detailed program of the congress, but you're the first we ask the opinion:

http://bit.ly/programacongresoiskcon

The devotees are waiting for this program to get ready.

Hare Krsna.

HpS - Of course, we talked about this when we met yesterday. Some Grhastha should do the Grahastha workshop, but we could join with a Sannyasi perspective.
We accept what you have done and what we have heard so far. We can even change it after we get there just by asking everyone if it is alright. I need to see printed copy with you present to make good comments now.

\'o'/  Hare Krsna.  Should be lots of fun!!!!!
Fun produces results!

2.58AM

We got up early and chanted one round and then started answering these letters. We will have several hours in the airport.  We still have to pack. Had an emergency visit from worried devotees yesterday.

That's the last letter we can answer for a while unless it is URGENT. Even then you should contact us through our local secretary if you can.

While traveling it is almost impossible to answer much mail. Devamrta Swami told us that was his conclusion also.   Staying here I have time for letters.  Traveling we get 5-individual consulatations a day [or more].

ASA - But you will be traveling now for three months.

HpS - Hmmm.  Well, we'll post more stuff here and we will answer Urgent letters.
O.K. Chant one more round, bath, puja, FMP! Pack. Leave by 7AM.

VYASA PUJA OFFERING

Hare Krsna Beloved Gurudeva

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

Please accept my humble obeisances at your lotus feet

Another year here we are trying to glorify U ¡¡

Each year I discover new things in the developing of our relationship Guru – Disciple

Besides your humility, intelligence, renunciation, etc

I have realized that one of the most relevants thing that I admire U is that even if U are an already liberated soul, at the same time U are very human very real ¡¡¡ It comes to my memory when U mention Partha Sarati in your classes that he said that he had the compromise that every single mom must have their sons tonight after the fight ¡¡¡ and as  soon as u said that your eyes started to become full of tears ¡¡¡

HpS - Who wouldn't.  War is terrible, no?

Last year when U were giving initiation to Syamakunda and U remember his father, the situation became too emotional . I was not there but later I got the video ¡¡ It was really amazing ¡¡¡ The way You remember your friend.

I can cite more examples but I do not want to make U uncomfortable.

The only thing that I want to convey is that I admire the way U are your determination, the purity of your soul , a child’s soul. It came to my memory also when U commented in one class that one Maharaja in India told U: “Hanuman Swami U did not grow up ? did you?,” U are like peter pan ¡¡

Radharani refuses to grow ¡

Radharani refuses to know ¡

U are always fresh, happy, pure, and that is why U follow faithfully what your very dear Gurumaharaja asks, your beloved and respected Srila Prabhupada ¡¡¡

You are transparent, authentic, u taught me to continue no matter happens, I have to confess that last year many times I wanted to drift apart ISKCON, but each time I tried, I remember U, your words, classes, gifts and I just couldn’t because honestly I just can not imagine my life without HH Hanumatpresaka Swami on it ¡¡¡¡

I am happy and sad at the same time, because even  though I write in all my letters BELOVED GM, if u were really beloved to me I wouldn’t have failed U the way I did many times ¡¡¡ So

My only desire is next year have the fortune to be in front of You and tell U I love U Beloved Gurudeva

Trying always to be iur disciple again

Candramukhi dd

HpS - Your dog will always love you also (if you feed him). AGTSP!