Hare Krsna Gurumaharaj,
Please accept my respectful and humble obeisances to you.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!
Constant meditation on Guru-disciple relationship as one of my main pillars, duty. Not any more as obligation, it is becoming more like a loving, precious need; based on what is the real and main goal of life = Loving relationship with Krsna. Of course, it cannot be separated from the means = Guru (You, Sir); Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON - devotees; and the HOLY NAME.
HpS - ASA -- We hope to learn from you how to increase our own efforts in this regard!
Today, thought of you and how much we are missing you overwhelmed us. A strong sentiment of guiltiness due to realising that we are not serving and glorifying you enough. These days appreciating more your greatness and spiritual advancement, which goes far beyond our limited perception, but by Krsna’s special help a small glimpse of your greatness can be shown.
I cannot remain in lamentation for the wasted time – the past; that I could not see, serve and please you. Awareness of that misfortune is pushing me to change, turning more toward you, in a despaired mood. Time is running, I am afraid of 2024 = Fear of losing you, Sir. So, no anymore meaningless and shallow words, thoughts and actions. But, an unqualified condition (lack of spiritual intelligence and strength; poor knowledge and weak renunciation attitude) is limiting us. How to come out from there without your kind loving compassion, which is our only hope and shelter.
We are sat at Srila Prabhupada’s room in the temple. Time spending with GURU, chanting the holy names, JAPA, mending a bit the old blue rug that Srila Prabhupada step on (a treasure); reading a bit, and writing to you, Sir. It is a humble attempt to please you out of the awakening gratitude and love. We are very grateful to Srila Prabhupada and Krsna because of you, Sir. You are our good fortune. Certainly, all your followers have realisation of this true (in different degree). Thank you Gurumaharaj for being a Gurumaharaj for all of us. (somehow and other, an urge to glorify you is overwhelming my thoughts, should I stop it and keep material for another adequate time – vyasapuja offering? No, but, can anytime, moment be vyasapuja time, and opportunity for a disciple to glorify his gurudev?
But, I must remember the purpose of this time, writing to Gurumaharaj, seeking to please him, serving him and fostering and nourishing the bhakti-lata. So, what could be more pleasing for Gurumaharaj? Ummmhhh. Spiritual inquiring? Or both.?, ummh it seems to me that both are beneficial to everybody!! Is that right Sir?
Please forgive me for this letter Gurumaharaj, I have been thinking what to write about. Some questions related to how to know when to surrender and when to endeavour in the performance of our devotional practice and activities and relationships. We should surrender to Krsna’s will, since He already planned things for us, but at the same time, our constant, honest endeavour is required.
Sometimes keeping low profile is a safety measurement for a” peaceful spiritual practice’. How this can be reconciled with the sense of purpose and need of productivity impelling us towards improvements – changes? or assessing the effective use of our potentials? False vairagya vs yukta vairagya. Question related to efficiency in devotional service. Actually; what is a peaceful spiritual practice? Should we aim for it? how to avoid falling in stagnation? sort of comfort zone, Is that a healthy spiritual practice?
For other hands, I want to thank you Sir, for Giriraj. It is about 10 years since you, very mercifully authorised me to worship Giriraj. It was on Nityananda trayodasi 2008 that you very kindly said, that we can take care of Giriraj and you welcomed Him. The current circumstance that I am living now is conducive for the development of a more personal, loving relationship with my little baby – Giriraj, who expresses the mood of a kind, sociable and sweet boy. We offer Him, a daily simple puja and small bhoga (nuts and dried fruit generally). This time, our worship is more constant that before. Any advice regarding Giriraj’s worship and care? Please!!
Please Sir, accept my most respectful obeisances to you along with my sincere gratitude. I do pray to you Sir, to help me serve you as you deserve. (I am seriously meditating on your instruction of story writing service, I will do it, SIR.. please bless and empower me!!)
Thank you
Sincerely
Your puppet disciple
Madhumanjari dd
HpS - "Once upon a time there was a girl from Peru who went to Australia. Her name was ... After many years she wrote a letter to her little sister about what had happened."
We guess we are trying. We come before Radha Madhava in Mayapura and offer our obeisances after many months, a year of traveling and preaching and hope that all the pain and suffering of this Sankirtan effort will come out of our heart as an offering to Them and they will appreciate our efforts.
We are in La Paz now. It is 5.38PM. We are a little lonely, a little depressed. The sun is going down. We are in Om Kesavaya Das nice home. We can see the inspiring view of the mountains and sky and city. You know it, no? The airport is 13,333 feet. Last night was full house in Cusco and intense Sankirtan discussions.
Tomorrow is same in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Our only center is the Maha-mantras at the feet of Srila Prabhupada.
Most, if not all, the good qualities you see in us are His effort.
It is not all lost time. Whatever mistakes we make we can use as stepping stones forward. It is not just disobedience, demonic character when we choose sense gratification instead of renunciation. Sometimes we just don't know where to draw the line between needed Bhoga and artificial Bhoga. We must become great devotees to distinguish this.
When Srila Prabhupada left his body there was separation but also more intimate connection. In any case if we all just keep on going like we will all be together in Goloka playing ball soon.
Yes, keeping a low profile in contrast to preaching is an important topic. I am engaged in the same decisions now in terms of the Ministry of Education, GBC College, ISKCON Peru, ASA. etc.
It is also a never ending challenge for all of us. Eternal learning process. Seems Text Three of NOI is the key. Enthusiasm is more important than patience. Enthusiasm means using your intelligence to expand the mercy. Stop, think how this is important to Srila Prabhupada's Sankirtan, the well being of everyone, and then go ahead with enthusiasm. Patience, keeping a low profile, then follows naturally. If you get politically shot full of holes then you can't go on. So naturally we learn to duck. Also we learn that we will get help, we will realize that the people we fear are not so bad as we go out to preach our message.
O.K. Abbhaya is preparing half milk, half water, whole bananas and raisins and then we go to the evening program with 1,000 +/- devotees.
