Marriage?!
Dear HH Hanumatpresaka Maharaja,
Please accept my most humble obeisances and All Glories to Srila Prabhupaada!!!
I have been "troubled" these last couple of days thinking about family and things in regards to getting married. I have yet to tell my parents about my plan to marry Adrian, but I think they have a slight idea. One of my biggest things throughout my whole life is not wanting to disappoint people, especially those close to me (impossible task, I know!). I also feel like my parents expect things of me similar to my sister, and I am not a thing like her in any way, shape, or form, haha. Anyway... the conversation that will ensue with my parents has been playing in my head a lot, and, although I really have no way of knowing which way the conversation will turn, I am secretly praying for Krishna to turn their hearts in our favor. We are not very "materially" soundly situated, but for our circumstances, I think we are doing very well.. how to explain these things to them so they don't worry?!
HpS - AGTSP paoho Hmmmmmmmm! I don't k-now the details of your situation. Ha! Ha! Ha! (re)! As far as I understand, you left Hawaii with Adrian with the permission, blessings of your parents. The fact that they let you travel with him and live with him is really a declaration that they accepted you as accepting him as your husband. That is the the way the universe works. When a lady lives with a gentleman they are married.
Booop! Finished.
Of course these things should be done with better arrangements, and in the future, with the power of Bhakti yoga you can do that, but now, here we are in Kali yuga. It's going to be tough, but the other options are also tough. One option still is to live separately and continue with Bh. Yoga and after initiation, when you are more sure of your relationship to get married. That is difficult. Other arrangement is to continue with your Bh. Yoga and get married now and resolve the problems with your Bh.Yoga. That's tough, but it can work. You just have to decide that you are not going to give up on Krsna or your husband no matter how tough it gets. Maybe that will be a proper explantion to your parents!
Adrian and I are supposed to meet with Caru prabhu and Vaibhavi mataji this Sunday to talk about these things also, I just feel very helpless and confused right now about these things. I am also reading a little on Romapada maharaja's website about grhasta asrama.
I guess what I'm trying at is just some peace of mind on this matter. It is hard for me to gain clarity when my mind keeps going back and forth.
HpS - Talk to Caru and Vaibhavi, your parents. Have them call your parents when you are with them and introduce them and have them talk and consult with their advice and then think about it thoroughly.
Also, on that note, I had another question. Sometimes Adrian and I have little disagreements about things which we talk over, but sometimes (I can't be too sure what it is) how he says or what he says or my interpretation of either, but I get very emotional sometimes (aka I cry), and he tells me that I shouldn't be so emotional. I don't know how to respond to that because I know that I am emotional and I don't mean to be, but it is just there.. is there some way to rectify these situations? Some how to lessen my emotional approach to certain situations?
HpS - He needs to talk to his father! [(0:)- An unemotional Lady and an Illogical Gentleman. These are oxymorons. You should just try to relate you emotions to Krsna consciosness.
In other things! We just recently have spoken with Caru prabhu about starting some bhakti programs at the temple for the new devotees. I am kind of nervous about preaching (feeling unqualified), but I am eager to bring more people to Krishna Consciousness and share this amazing philosophy with everyone <img alt="smiley" src="http://hps.monkeywarrior.com/sites/all/libraries/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/regular_smile.gif" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 10px; vertical-align: baseline; outline-width: 0px; background-color: transparent;" title="smiley" /> Maybe... I could get clarification on another thing, too... how is it in Krishna Consciousness we are "superior" or "inferior"? I know in all matters we must be humble and know that there is Krishna in everyone's heart, but as far as age or knowledge of the scripture goes, what is more? Can we instruct those that are older than us if they are unaware of something beneficial for their spiritual life?
HpS - Yes, with their permission.
How does this instruction work between husband and wife? Between friends? I definitely understand that it is more difficult to accept instruction from those younger than you and those whom you are familiar with.
HpS - As we read SB we encounter answers to this with examples of every preaching circumstance. In general we can always preach to those who give us their permission. If not we just listen to them to understand their position more and more and if we are KC from the morning program we will react to what we hear spontaneously and they will appreciate that it is Krsna, SB, talking not us individually.
Anyway, I was thinking to have traditional classes on bhakti yoga on the days when we have new guests and when there are just devotees present, maybe some Vaisnava Etiquette classes? What do you think?
HpS - Books are the basis. The science of self realization, the biography of Srila Prabhupada, these are some books that are good for very new people. Then talk about the ideas. Vaisnava etiquette (Vaisnava Sadacara) can mean how to apply basic principles of Varna ashrama dharma in this modern world. Comportment bewtween ladies and gentlemen, four principles, japa vrata... temple activities.
We are also going to be discussing getting a club started at the big university here in Salt Lake City, so I am looking forward to that very much!
How are you doing, maharaja? Where in the world are you now??? Any idea on when you will visit Boise again? Sri Hari prabhu was saying maybe end of July? We are very anxious for your association!!!
I hope this meets you in great health and happiness
your aspiring servant,
reb :)
HpS - Follow four principles, chant 16 rounds, get up early and have a nice morning program. Get married. Have nice kids. Grow old and be a very sweet, wise Granny and die and go back to your real service!!!
We are in the temple room in the preaching center in Miraflores in Lima Peru. We are having a hard time seeing th escreen. it hurts our eyes. Maybe we will have to stop using computer soon. Ha ha ha!! We should go to the next letters. Please come with us. You letter is nice!!!!!