Substance Abuse and Guru Friendship

9 years, 6 months ago by hps in Personal Sadhana Reports, Hot Topics

On Wednesday, September 3, 2014 8:42 AM, XYZ Wrote

hare krshna dear gurudev pamho tlgasp

el motivo de escribirle esta carta es para informarle que no estoy
siguiendo todos los principios lamentablemente tengo serios problemas con
la intoxicación

es un problema muy serio el cual ya estamos haciendonos responsables  por
que queremos completr proyectos los cuales este factor no es un aliado . . . quiero avanzar en la vida espiritual por eso le cuento todo
esto mis rondas mejorando de a poco retomando los botos de 16 rons ,

con respecto a la relacion guru discipulo
veo que muchos devotos hablan asi como si fuese una relacion muy fuerte
incluso discipulos suyos dicen tener sierto rasa con ud
cual es enrealidad y esos rasas son axternos los que escucho hablar??
 

en lo personal a mi me gustaria tener una relacion mas intensa con ud .
usted cual es su punto de vista con respecto a eso y de que manera lo puedo
servir de manera extra de seguir los 4 principios y cantar 16 rons
por ultimo  e pensado que quiero situarme en varnaasram y . . .

todas las glorias a srila prabhupada

HpS - ASA - AGTSP. 

Utiliza "https://translate.google.com/"

Thank you for your letter. First, Prabhupada had over a thousand disciples. I was like 1,111 or something like that. So, an intense relationship with the spiritual master does not mean physical or exchange of a lot of individual letters. As need there can be that.

Lord Caitanya had 4 intimate associates: Svarupa Damodara, Ramananda Rai, Sikhi Mahiti and Sikhi Mahiti's sister. Of course, since he was a Sannyasi He never spoke or even came close to SM's sister. Still she was one of the 4 most intimate amongst thousands.

So, the intimate connection with the spiritual master or any devotee is to try to understand their service and help them.

We are trying to serve people by counseling like this, answering letters. It is only possible through the Blog. If you just adjusted your letter a little bit, not naming your material addiction specifically then you could post your letter on the Blog, then this answer could go for at least 15-more devotees to see who have 97% the same problem as you. Then our letter load is reduced from 450 per month to 150 per month.

Of course, these addictions: sex, power, fame, intoxication, mental pleasure, are different for different people. You have to do your own work of using the tools that Lord Caitanya has given us to pull up your individual weeds. Some are very very deep.

Of course, full morning and evening program are essential process. Are you doing that? Are you getting up early and having time for your spiritual life?

We have to force our mind by hard work to taste spiritual pleasure then it will not be attracted by the material rasa which is a shadow.

 One very specific technique is to chant Hare Krsna all the time you are preparing to indulge in the vice, while doing it and then, maybe even one time of going through the experience like this you will see the stupidity of the attraction and give it up.

O.K. Please write to the Blog in a general sense or open an account with another name eg. Captain Peacock.

We will edit this and put it on the Blog but your identity will be eliminated.

Jaya! Hari bolo! Krsna needs lots of help!!!!

Haribol!

9 years, 6 months ago by Bhaktin Camila R. in Personal Sadhana Reports

All Glories to Sri Sri Gour Nitay!
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All Glories to you! 

Please accept my sincere obeisances at your lotus feet Maharaj (Potatoe feet), I hope that your health is well right now...

Camila, 21 years old, Santiago-Chile.

Maharaj, I now that you're constantly doing things to serve in the Srila Prabhupada's mission, so I really doesn't want to bother you with my things, so I'ma going to try to do this letter short. <img alt="smiley" height="23" src="http://www.hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/regular_smile.png" title="smiley" width="23" />

Well, everything is going good. I'm learning very fast, many things, i'm more quiet...like more in "peace"  I guess, with all the things that are happening in my life. I've decided to stop studying Social Work, i've realized that i don't like it, and that I want to do other things in my life, so it's OK. We're changing things...Also, I've decided to move to Buenos Aires, Argentina...like, starting a new career and live there...that's makes me feel very nervous, but extremly happy, cause when I was there in December-January I've discovered very nice association :) very nice devotees, female devotees (Palika dd, Bhktn.Belén, Ter Kadamba, Sharad Bihari, Jahnava dd,Rati Manjari dd, Etc.) So, I wanted to tell you that. ¡We are going to BS AS in the final week of August!

  HPS - ASA - Ah Ha!  What is the result?

This last month I have been waking up at 4:00 am unconscious manner, other days at 5 or 6. Is  very strange, cause sometimes I slept only for 3 or 4 hours, I don't know what's happening, ha! ha ! ha ! <img alt="cheeky" height="23" src="http://www.hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/tongue_smile.png" title="cheeky" width="23" />

Well, I think that's all I Have to say... I'm reading : Spiritual Warrior II of BTS. AWESOME book. 

And finally, I have a question:  ¿Things happens because Krsna's desire, or because Krsna pleased our sincere wishes? ¿Is alright to ask for things to Krsna? ¿In what point things happens because KARMA, and not for krsna's desire or vice versa ? 

HpS - When we want to live in the Kingdom but don't want the King to interfer with out life, then that is Karma. When we want to honestly work with the King, that is devotional service. Pretty much is start so happen as soon as you want it to. You show you want it by hearing and doing what and Acharya (Srila Prabhupada) says.

Chant Hare Krsna and see how Krsna is by your side.

PlEASE PlEASE PLEASE ACCEPT MY SINCERE OBEISANCES MAHARAJ! 
Thank you for reading this... I sincerily ask for your blessinng in this new project in my life.. <img alt="blush" height="23" src="http://www.hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/embarrassed_smile.png" title="blush" width="23" /> 


 

DTC Mo(1)

9 years, 6 months ago by hps in DTC

AGTSP........ . . .   Paoho.. . . . .
A very nice devotee we have known, for many years, Ganga-mantri Das, has come to visit Nashville and really is looking to re-locate here. We had very nice discussions with him last night and this morning. He parked his van next to our mobile home and used the shower and we had morning program together.

Is hot here, 85% F. Puts pressure on us when we try to work but with the fan is not too bad.

Really getting settled after this tour. We did 14-citys in 5 weeks.

We checked in with Saranga thakura Das in Houston. Patrakito asked for details. We basically talked about the contacts that we made while traveling, devotees who wanted to start schools or who might be able to be North American Ministry Regional Respresentatives.

We also discussed the Calendar for January and February. Looks good for Rama-giridhari Das, Executive Secretary for Ministry, to visit Chile last week in January, first week in February. The essence of education is ecstacy and the essence of ecstacy is congregational chanting of the glories of the Lord.

Then we had to help move the tent for our 12-hour Kirtan and symposium for next weekend and were busting our brains to plan for the Celebrate Nashville Festival next month.

Finally, we mostly caught up on our essays for Canto Five for Bhakti-vaibhava. It is fun but our eyes just can't handle the computer anymore. Seems like we are more useful hearing things from people and giving our opinion over the phone.

Hare Krsna Hare Rama.

Our internet connection in the office is down but AT&T says they will have it working by Wednesday. Then we can use Start Meeting more for on-line Japa etc! We are doing this at Nitai-gaurasundara Das' home at 8.51PM. Every night we go for a walk in the same route. It always amazes me. It is like exactly 44.5 minutes every time! Amazing! Five minutes faster or five minutes slower???  No, exactly 44.5.

O.K. We answer one letter and then head to our cottage.

Oh! The TppCB8 is ready to ship. Anyone want a plain copy for reading and distribution?

Jaya Radhe!  Hare!

Urgent- itinerario Argentina

9 years, 6 months ago by Ambarisa Maharaja Das in Calendar Development

Hare krsna 
Agtsp
All glories to you guru dev

Ceto darpana marjanam
Bhava maha davagni nirvapanam 
Sreyah kairava candrika vitaranam
Vidya vadhu jivanam
Anandambudhi vardhanam prati padam
Purnamrtasvadanam
Sarvatma snapanam param vijayate
Sri krsna sankirtanam

Sankirtan yajna ki jay!!! 
Thank you for your example, guidance, tolerance, personalism, and love.

   HpS - ASA - - AGTSP!


Guru dev we are organising your argentina s itininerary for january 2015 with sarad bihari dd (buenos aires) and nikunja bihari prabhu ( mar del plata). We need the arrive and departure information about your fly tickets from lima to buenos aires and buenos aires to santiago de chile to develop your itinerary and presentations, as soon as we recive it i will sent to you the propouse of the itinerary. 
Thank you 
your servant ambarisa m das

Lima to BsAs - 7 January, Wednesday - 14.55 Hours, EZE, LAN 4601
BsAs to Santiago - 7.50AM, AEP, January 21st.

We are working very seriously on this Carl Jung Project and of course all the education initiatives. Save the world.

Urgent blessings

9 years, 6 months ago by Govinda Sundara in Personal Sadhana Reports

All glories to Srila Prabhupada 
Gurudeva please accept my humble obeisances 

We pray to nrshimhadeva. take care of yours Devotees and great soul like gurudeva, keep them in the preaching and closer closer to you. 
Please forgive my neglects, i don't write you often. 
We start to work in Goswami academy last week, sooo much work! But we are Happy. 
The last month visited my family in Monterrey, was our first Jala Yatra (boat festival, rainy day, jaganatha baladeva and subadra and everybody finished wet ) everything exciting. We set up a kids area, very successful.
The Family its Good, everybody engaged in service to Krishna; mom its a little worry    , she wants me married by next year.  O.o
I was visiting Mexico city in Balaram purnima, and participating in the seminar of education with the report of the nortamerican  symposium of education. Mexico mandir devotees are really interested especially in homeschooling, sunday school and the possibility to start a official school ( like Asa Mexico we want to investigate the details to set up this kind of school in Mexico, cost, permissions etc ). More Information and details about the franchise could be great to know.

Rounds 16 (this days difficulties to have good rounds)
4 principles ok.
Reading ..this days...lazy :(    Just El gran mantra para la meditacion mistica Urmila's mataji book (spanish version). And BG class in temple.

Today is the orientation meeting with the parents in Goswami Academy and next Tuesday Radhastami appearance (ki jay!)  Radha giridhari gonna visit the school to give us blessings 
Please give us your blessings too, only in that way we can continue 

Your aspirant 
Govinda Pramodini DD 

HpS - ASA - AGTSP. Thank you for all the news. We had a long talk with Saranga Thakura Das about the Ministry and this tour and Houston and YOU. We hope you get your Visa, can represent Mexico in Houston and Krsna kidnaps you and takes you home to Dvaraka to become the 16,109th princess. (I guess you can take your Mother with you??)

Certainly send us all news of the education work in Houston. It seems that San Jose wil be the next USA center.

En la senda del camino correcto.

9 years, 7 months ago by bhaktajosemadrid in Personal Sadhana Reports

     

     Pamho, AgtSP.

  Querido Gurudeva. Perdone todas mis ofensas, (aunque si no lo hace y me destruye con un rayo, pienso que sería muy misericordioso). Todavia peleando, 17 rondas, 4 principios. Todos los dias despertando 3, 3,30, 3,45. Servicio a Sus Señorias, Baño una vez a la semana metodo Pancaratra Pradipa, es muy bonito ver a las Deidades con toalla. Pienso que soy muy afortunado de poder realizar este servicio, y también pienso que estoy un poco incomodo por como se estan desarrollando las cosas; sobre todo por mi ineptitud, descualificación, ignorancia, falta de entusiasmo, falta de seguridad en mi mismo, falta de constancia, etc. 

   Estuve hablando con Yadunandana Swami de forma general para que podamos desarrollar un plan de futuro. Acepto ser una guia mas cercana para mi. Hablando con  Maharaja he llegado a la conclusión de que al final voy a ser yo quien tome las decisiones propias. La conclusión es que espero poder tener más tolerancia con todo lo que ocurra a mi alrededor, realizar mis proyectos sin que me afecten las cosas de los demas, ser realista con mis posibilides y caracteristicas psicofisicas; y asi poder mejorar mi practica espiritual.

   En agosto voy a ir a ver a mi padre y a mi hermano a Galicia (Orense) desde el dia 4 al dia 15, desde el dia 15 hasta el dia 27 estaré en el templo de  Malaga para conocer el sitio y poder tomar darshan, realizaré los servicios que se requieran y pueda realizar. Todo desde fuera del altar, si usted no me dice lo contrario. 

   Hace un año me prometi a mi mismo que este sería el ultimo año que realizo adoración sin tener segunda iniciación, y parece que voy a seguir un año más en esta situación, para mi fue un motivo de perturbación. Asi como otras cosas que han ocurrido. Actualmente me parece vergonzosso hablarle de estas cosas, y estoy bastante confundido al respecto. Mi posición es que espero poder seguir realizando mi sadhana y poder seguir en contacto con Iskcon, asi como mejorar en todos los aspectos, y tratar sobre todo de ser tolerante con los demas y más estricto para mi. ¿Estoy cometiendo ofensa contra usted al pensar asi? ¿Que debo de hacer al respecto? No me gustaria seguir mucho tiempo en esta situación, creo que para poder realizar adoración se deben de seguir muchas reglas y regulaciones, si no se cometen ofensas, claro que Sri Sri Gaura Nitai son muy misericordiosos...Espero no volver hablarle de este tema, se que yo no soy yo quien deberia de decirle nada de esto, espero poder dejarlo todo en manos de Sri Krishna, y poder seguir avanzando.

   Estoy a la espera de ver como se desarrollan todos los negocios que hay aqui en el templo de Madrid y asi poder ver de que manera puedo servir a Krishna.

   Perdone de nuevo mis ofensas, intento servirle; veo muchos defectos en general, pero creo que tambien empiezo a darme cuenta de que yo tampoco soy perfecto. Aun asi mi humilde opinión es que este año ha sido muy intenso y han ocurrido cosas buenas y otras inauspiciosas.

   Espero mejorar!!!! Gracias por Su Misericordia sin causa y por Su Inspiración!!!!!!!

   Su caido sirviente: Jharikhanda-gaura Das.

Pamho, AGTSP.

   Dear Gurudeva. Forgive all my sins, (although if you do not and destroys me with lightning, I think it would be very pitiful). Still fighting, 17 rounds, 4 principles. Every day waking up 3 3.30, 3.45. Their Lordships service, bathroom once a week Pradipa Pancaratra method, it is very nice to see the Deities with towel. I think I am very lucky to be able to perform this service, and I also think I'm a little uncomfortable with how things are developing; especially for my ineptness, disqualification, ignorance, lack of enthusiasm, lack of confidence in myself, lack of perseverance, etc..

    I was talking to Swami Yadunandana generally so we can develop a plan for the future. I agree to be a closer for my guide. Talking to Maharaja I have come to the conclusion that the end will be the one to take their own decisions. The bottom line is that I hope to have more tolerance for everything that happens around me, make me my projects without affecting the other things, be realistic with my posibilides and psychophysical characteristics; and so to improve my spiritual practice.

    In August I'm going to see my father and my brother Galicia (Orense) from the 4th to the 15th, from the 15th to the 27th I will be at the Temple of Malaga for the site and to take darshan, I will make services that are required and can be made. Everything from off the altar, if you do not tell me otherwise.

    A year ago I promised myself that this would be the last year I perform worship without second initiation, and it seems that I will continue another year in this situation, for me it was a source of disturbance. As well as other things that have happened. Currently it seems vergonzosso talk about these things, and I'm pretty confused about it. My position is that I hope to continue doing my sadhana and to keep in touch with Iskcon, also improve in all aspects, and especially try to be tolerant of others and strict to me. Am I committing offense against you to think so? What should I do about it? I do not like to continue long in this situation, I think to perform worship must follow many rules and regulations, if they do not commit offenses, of course Sri Sri Gaura Nitai are very merciful ... I hope no back talk in this topic , I know I'm not the one who should tell any of this, I hope to leave everything in the hands of Sri Krishna, and to move forward.

    I am waiting to see how all the businesses that are here in the temple of Madrid are developed and so to see in what way I can serve Krishna.

    Pardon my offenses again, try serving; I see many flaws in general, but I think also begin to realize that I am not perfect. Even so my humble opinion is that this year has been very intense and good and other inauspicious things have happened.

    I hope to improve!! Thanks for Your causeless mercy and His Ideas!!!

    Your servant fallen: Jharikhanda-gaura Das.

HpS - ASA - AGTSP. Paoho. I am asking Yadunandana Swami to start acting as Diksa Guru is ISKCON under the authority of Srila Prabhupada. Then you and devotees will have so much good advice locally. Being so far away it is very dificult for us to give detailed advice. If you are following everything nicely and have letter of recomendation from Temple President and Bhakti Sastri diploma then I think it is fine for you to take second initiation. Krsna knows what is happening and as we are sincere He will make whatever adjustments are needed. You will see little miracles.