(pasting the first letter, and for easier flow of dialoge, writing at the bottom)
October 17th, 2012 Posted 9:27 AM +0200 by Namacarya das
Hare Krsna dear Guru Maharaja.
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
By some recent (and not se recent) circumstances happening in Pula Yatra, I am thinking about this instruction by Srila Prabhupada:
"Now we have got so many students and so many temples but I am fearful that if we expand too much in this way that we shall become weakened and gradually the whole thing will become lost. Just like milk. We may thin it more and more with water for cheating the customer, but in the end it will cease to be any longer milk. Better to boil the milk now very vigorously and make it thick and sweet, that is the best process. So let us concentrate on training our devotees very thoroughly in the knowledge of Krishna Consciousness from our books, from tapes, by discussing always, and in so many ways instruct them in the right propositions." (Srila Prabhupada's letter June 22, 1972)
I wonder, when is proper time to "Boil the milk"? Should we stop trying to preach (doing public programs, prison programs and similar activities) and find out how to at least try to solve our inner problematics.
When I say "stop the preaching", I mean not in a rude way. Of course, we can try and will give Krsna to others, but for time being, concentrate in which way the yatra should function, and concentrate to develop programs (and do them) for training our devotees.
The idea behind the scene is that we, as devotees, associate seldom, and when together, try to fix the house for future temple, or discuss different preaching activities. That seems nice, but actually, there are misunderstandings, arguing on different points that we do not address, specially not in an organized and mature way. Also, what happens is that new people come and after some time leave. There are many causes why they leave, but among them is the not-nice situation/relationship between devotees.
Guru Maharaja, I hope I succeed to convey my message. Surely, if needed, I will give more details.
Thank you!
Your servant Namacarya das
HpS - AGTSP paoho. This is very nice topic. I think a simple answer is that Srila Prabhupada set a standard of full morning and evening program for internal, milk boiling, and then we can go out with confidence. Do you find this? The lack of internal adjustment follows when there is no basic full moringnig and evening program (of course more basic 16 rounds and 4 principles with devotion).
Nd >>> Would that mean that without devotees following standard of full morning and evening program and specially if not following fully 16r & 4 regs, should not preach? I do not know details of every devotess home program, but I think that not everybody has the 2nd basic standard, and with some the 1 basic is also questionable (chanting 16 rounds everyday).
HpS - Is very individual. Look for Satyaraja Kahn in NOI. That leads to disucssion in CC of what is a "Neophyte pure devotee". He may have many faults, but he is sincere. He is usually carried away by bad associatioin and just hasn't heard well about what to do and not to do, but he is sincere and therefore he (and his preaching) are worth respecting. Of course he may have eggs mixed in with his cake "Prasadam" and think that because they are "mixed in " it is not eating eggs.
So, some maybe should "preach". Especially if it is just passing the "letter" along, distributing books, but really should be careful to do preaching what you are not living.
* Do you mean to say that "full morning and evening program for internal, milk boiling, and then we can go out with confidence" should be in the temple (our temple is not functional in that way, only regular program is Sunday Feast)?
HpS - No, no.... So many will have Temple with their family, Sankirtana partners. Can do so much by staying in touch by phone etc. now. Can call a friend after Mangala arati if you are alone and ask how was his Kirtana!