More thoughts on Sampradaya


The first thing everyone asks is, "Does he belong to my club?"

This is because in the first stage of sadha sanga one is busy creating his sadhaka deha, and in order to do so, he needs models to follow.

A model has an external and an internal side. In the first stage, one focuses on the externals primarily to forge the identity of the sadhaka deha. This means differentiating from those who are not "in my club."

The Vrindavan sampradayas came to the conclusion that "as long as you are a member of this club of clubs, i.e., you just belong to one of the clubs and you can join the club of clubs."

The irony is that to establish a club you must differentiate yourself. By differentiating yourself, you become not a part of the club. Like Gaudiya Math to Goswamis and Babajis, like Iskcon to Gaudiya Math. And so on.

It usually takes a few generations to start seeing that the differences are not as important as the common elements.

(FB From six years ago)


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