Hare Krsna dear Gurudeva

Please accept my humble obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupda

Dear Gurumaharaja, 

I'm very happy to tell you that I've recently started my Bhakti-sastri course (at last!). It's something I've been waiting for a while. For now, Laksmana prabhu is giving me on line lessons but as soon Isabelle and I move to Chosica I'll engage the classroom group at the temple. Bhagavad-gita is the most intelligent, overwhelming and sharpest book I've ever read. It is going to be very nice to study it systematically. 

Gurudeva, I have a few questions concerning to some doubts. I hope you kindly give me an answer to them.

1. Our philosophy encourages congregational chanting of the Holy Name and association with the devotees, but our relation with Krsna is individual, now and forever. In which way an incorrect understanding of what association means could harm the development of this natural individual rasa with the Lord?

HpS - ASA --- I guess the answer would be 1) When the association is based on material things eg. we are associating because we want fame, prestige etc. from our "religious" association. Eg. I associate with devotees because I want to become President, Sannyasi and have comfortable accomodation, association with the opposite sex. 2) When the association is an improper mixture of mellows. The Gopis are good citizens of Vraja, they milk cows. They have their own friends and circle of associates within Vraja. They have their own unique relations with Krsna. See Krsna Book Chapter 21.
So, they, we associate with devotees who have a similar spiritual perspective. We don't associate with Karmis.
AND it is acintya-bheda-abheda-tattva. You must give you whole energy to your unique relation with Krsna giving up all concern for GBC, Guru etc. and as you do this then you will realize that you cannot devolop it without GBC, Guru. Also, quite inconceivably you must give 100% to Guru, GBC et al and if you do this then you will realize that you cannot serve them unless you have your own unique, secret relation with Krsna. Actually this question is the whole focus of our filosophy and goes on forever in its answer.
 

2. Pure devotional service means to serve God without any trace of selfishness or personal desire and free of karma and jñana yoga. Srila Prabhupada explains in NOD that karma yoga is performed in rituals and jñana yoga in philosophical speculation. This means that in the way we achieve Bhakti we leave our analytical approach to philosophy and practice of rituals?
HpS - No, Krsna stopped the Rasa-lila for Brahma-muhurta (Mangala arati). We do the rituals and use our intellects in the SERVICE of our Rasas with Krsna. We do them. They are wonderful, but ultimately in terms of the nature of Rasa. Actually this is explained in the BhSastri curriculum!

"Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in itself" (Isopanisad, Invocation). This phrase could refer to us, the Jivas. So, why do we need to engage whith the Complete Whole? What kind of feeling moves us towards God despite of being complete in ourselves? what kind of completeness is this?
HpS - I would say we "don't" have to engage with Krsna, in one sense. Prabhupada says Krsna is free to accept our service or not. But the devotees attitude is that he will never stop offering it, with love. So, yes the devotee is complete just like Krsna, although of course different.

I've been a little bit demanding with my wife's saddhana, can you please tell me up to which point we could be a raw example for others?

HpS - What does "raw" mean? Do you mean you are putting stress on her that doesn't let her get her rounds done, or you are putting pressure on her to get her rounds done.
1. We "put pressure on people" by preaching intelligently, nicely, humbly, to them.
2. If they don't, can't, listen then we preach by setting a good example!

Hoping you're doing well with your health and sankirtan

Your servant

Gandharva dasa

HpS - We have to establish some time for some online discussions. Also, you can certainly ask these questions to Siksa gurus like Virabahu, Bh. Bhusana Swami et al.

Thank you so much.