Hare Krishna, dear Gurumaharaja.
Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I think I´m going to some kind of break point.
I´ve being considering several things.
First, about my own status within ISKCON. I think I have to turn white. I mean, to wear white. Since my surgery, I haven´t been behaving like a monk. Actually, I don’t want to. I’ve being criticized for talking too much to girls, living in my own place, doing whatever I want, etc. They’re right, and I like it. I want to be more involved in the preaching out of ISKCON facilities, parallel with my teaching as NIMSAR member, preaching at the temple, etc. I like Krishna west. HDG have been saying things that I completely agree with, regarding to our interaction with the world. Things like that we are expecting that the world come to us but is not happenig. We have to enter to the global discurse, etc. But I want to do my own thing. Preaching center or whatever I can run. Probably with a girl by my side.
Lately, you were asking me several times about my status…so this is my view. Besides, I don’t want to be in the spot light no more, it’s no sane for me. I prefer to be low profile, a normal guy, wearing white, etc. If now that I’m mister nobody some people is not comfortable with me around ( I’ve just resigned Chosica board of directors cause of that) imagine LAD sannyasi candidate! My preaching may be more effective from a grhasta platform. I think Peru is not ready for a Peruvian sannyasi. Besides, I don't want to travel. There lots of thing to do here and in the region.
Many other things, but it´s enough for now.
Now, I’m asking you permission to wear white, dear Gurumaharaja. I don’t want to dissapoint you. I’m sorry, but that’s what I feel.
Your useless servant,
LAD
HpS - ASA -- AGTSP paoho... We have been wondering what has happened to you! Several days with no communication. First decision is:
Am I going to serve God or the Devil. The devil has faster parties and better whiskey but in the long run prospects don't look so good.
Second decision is which Acharya am I going to select to approach God? Jesus, Mohammad, Caitanya? Are you fixed in staying under Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet eternally? His ISKCON?
Next we got GBC details etc. Varna-ashrama details. These are still part of our transcendental service. This is where things can start to get very practical and very detailed.
I would suggest first thing is your Ashrama. There really are only four: B'cari, Grhasta, V'prastha and Sannyasa. If you start inventing Brahmastra, Grhacari etc you are an easy target for Maya. You don't have Sastra to tell you what to do. Good people don't know how to relate to you.
No bona fide ISKCON organization is going to suggest something other than Varna ashrama Dharma.
This is one dis-accord [amongst the many more accords] that we may have with Hrdayananda Maharaja. We remember him saying that there is no such thing as "Vedic Culture" in Vedic tradition, but then next day we saw in Prabhupada's books the statement, "Vedic culture, Varna-ashrama-dharma". We did not want to bring it up, so as not to create a polemic, argument, over a more minor point, but there it is.
We are b'cari, grhasta, vanaprastha or sannyasa, or sastric approved subdivision. Yes, we can take to some mixed, mental concoction for illusiory sense gratification, but we will only get mixed clarity of intelligence and a mixed chance of human body in this life or the next. Of course, Krsna, Guru, will still try to help us and engage us in pure devotional service and get us back on the track.
So, now you are a B'cari. Dress in peach colored clothes in the temple, and as much as possible outside. Dress in secular dress as needed for Sankirtan, but for short term contact for preaching purposes only.
Who is experience great succes in the modern world? Russia, China, USA? Krsna West or some other entity is designed to connect with the successful material culture? No, that is not the idea. There is no, "Main Stream Successful Culture". Are we right?
There is only a "Main Swamp Confused Culture", and yes, Lord Caitanya shaved off his Sikha, but he didn't take a Sannyasa name, so we have to adjust but with intelligence.
We offer our advice to you and others. It is very nice discussing with you, but victory, rather than seeing your life becoming a defeat, depends on good advice, and good advice comes from many counselors. Talk with Mathuresa Das, Omkara Das. . .
The Peru yatra, to our vision, is a mess in terms of administration. The USA is a mess. Men can marry men and give each other a big lusty good-by kiss in the airport and the Supreme Court agrees!
1. In any case don't deviate from ISKCON management structure. If it comes to the fact that the ultimate managing authority, the GBC, is itself fallen, then we can go directly to Prabhupada for adminitrative solutions.
2. Always be a part of the solution. Always think how I can improve the situation, help others, rather than run away and get my own benefit.
3. Always keep your Sadhana. FMP.
4. Wear orange as a B'cari. Consult with Guru, Brahmanas et al, about changing Ashrama and then if you are going to go into Vanaprastha Ashrama, then wait until reasonable arrangments have been made by sane family (ISKCON) memebers and formal aggreements made, even signed documents, fire sacrifice, then change color.
The Witch will howl and gnash Her teeth in dismay but you will be safe and strong. Your wife will be safe and strong (She may even have a little mustache). Your nation will be safe and when you die they will make a tomb for you in central Lima and write on it: He was a Cool Dude, and people will come to offer flowers at your tomb and pray for benedictions (and unless there is a proper roof, pigeons will also drop splendid offerings on your monument).
And by the way... Where is our Word Doc for the NIMSAR Regional Encounter and we know about the Youtube posting. Ambo/Vrsa have been pretty professional to tell us where it is.
You are one of our ASA Main Guys. Monkey and Piggy et al, don't care really what you do, too much, as long as you keep making these great blog posts.
