tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post7885858137993875437..comments2024-03-26T13:06:41.178-04:00Comments on Jagat: What am I doing here?Jagadananda Dashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05887720845815026518noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post-25876321778477472222009-03-30T22:56:00.000-04:002009-03-30T22:56:00.000-04:00There are actually a lot of positive things to say...There are actually a lot of positive things to say about this place and my experience here.<BR/><BR/>First of all, from the point of view of material comfort and facility, I am very well served.<BR/><BR/>The surroundings are frankly more pleasing than nearly anything in Vrindavan. The ashram itself is beautiful in terms of architecture and gardening. The Ganges in its clearest and purest state is nearby. And the weather has been pretty ideal--neither as hot nor dry as Vrindavan. <BR/><BR/>My workload is not great. I have two small classes of students and the weekly Gita class. My students like and respect me, and I actually enjoy teaching, for what it is worth.<BR/><BR/>I get a stipend which is generous for what is really a voluntary position, considering that food, board and facilities are provided. My rooms are clean, with a kitchenette and modern bathroom facilities.<BR/><BR/>In terms of bhajan, I have my private quarters where Giridhari patiently tolerates my presence, and the silent group meditations provide an atmosphere of intense concentration in which I can just as easily do manasa japa of my mantras.<BR/><BR/>My temperament is not terribly social, so that even the lack of devotee company is not especially troublesome to me. I get my association from books, and somewhat from the internet.<BR/><BR/>Swami Veda has made money available for me to purchase any book that I want for the library, so from that point of view, I have no complaints. I have practically speaking no obstacles to doing any scholarly work that I would want. Good office space, good internet connection.<BR/><BR/>The ashram residents may not be Vaishnava devotees, but on the whole they are sattvika and peaceful. This is nothing to be sneezed at, as there is very little disruption to the overall equilibrium of the atmosphere. And from what one sees and hears of devotees, this is not always the case with them.<BR/><BR/>Finally, Swami Veda Bharati is himself a remarkable gentleman with a warm heart and very broadminded attitude. Besides which, he is an estimable scholar of the Yoga tradition of the first rank and I have learned a great deal from him, not only in terms of knowledge, but in terms of character.<BR/><BR/>It is not Vrindavan, but it is Rishikesh... and there are few bhaktas... but my daily RRSN readings down by the Ganga are attracting more people every day.<BR/><BR/>The only thing that would or really should move me from here is external pressure. In practical terms, I would think that the opportunities staying here provide me should be fulfilled rather than me pushing things to achieve some rather unclear goals. I have so many unfinished projects, which even with the facilities I have, are still regrettably making little headway.<BR/><BR/>If what I say is of interest to anyone and they think they have something to learn from me, beyond what they can get by reading my blog, it remains to be seen. I don't think these things are in my control, so I don't try to control them. <BR/><BR/>I like being appreciated, but really have no ambitions for self-aggrandizement. <BR/><BR/>Clearly, however, I am being forced to go to the West, so we will see what comes of that. I like to talk about Radha and Krishna, but my doing that depends entirely on people wanting to hear from me. That has not been so evident as yet, so why push things?<BR/><BR/>Radhe Radhe!Jagadananda Dashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05887720845815026518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post-80027566889414762252009-03-30T17:53:00.000-04:002009-03-30T17:53:00.000-04:00"A room without books is like a body without the s..."A room without books is like a body without the soul"<BR/><BR/>--CiceroAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post-14193914349831918922009-03-29T08:48:00.000-04:002009-03-29T08:48:00.000-04:00Let's pray for that then. The blog would get even ...Let's pray for that then. The blog would get even sweeter...surrounded by open hearts to encourage truth (jai Radhe).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post-21506693792002577662009-03-29T04:31:00.000-04:002009-03-29T04:31:00.000-04:00Dear Zvonomir,If that is going to happen, I am tot...Dear Zvonomir,<BR/><BR/>If that is going to happen, I am totally dependent on others making it possible.<BR/><BR/>Radhe Radhe,<BR/><BR/>JagatJagadananda Dashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05887720845815026518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post-52064689748759424972009-03-28T05:23:00.000-04:002009-03-28T05:23:00.000-04:00jagat, thx for the article, don't worry so much ab...jagat, thx for the article, don't worry so much about the adrenalin in the hands. for me it is more like an adrenalin throughout every neuron ;) so public speaking is not a manifest reality - yet ;)<BR/><BR/>i appreciated you bringing up the last verse of chapter 6 today, and it helped me 'pen' my own thoughts and current understandings (and devotion). it may not be in toe with gaudiya tattva so much (i am no expert on the gaudiya way - even though i chant, and associate within it)...but this realization is where i feel my bhakti, at this point. it manifested in my heart after one year of extended morning to night jaap.<BR/><BR/>so even the simple things like cooking, washing, and even mental strain (and general thinking) become an act of devotion. here is the article from my blog. who knows, i might be a baul (looking forward to picking up a lay-by mahdal drum this week ;)- i definately practice spiritualism, and see very little divide between transcendence and the shadow:<BR/><BR/>I would like to open this article with a sanskrit wording:<BR/><BR/>“yuktatamo”<BR/><BR/>I am no sanskrit scholar but I can speak from some degree of self realization, and I wish to begin to open up the theme of this 'crisis-blog' now. We can break down the word 'yuktatamo' into two words.<BR/><BR/>'yukta': yoke<BR/>'tamo': shadow<BR/><BR/>There is a very famous Bhagavad Gita verse with the word 'yuktatamo' in it:<BR/><BR/>BG 6.47: Of all yogis, he who abides in me with full faith, worshipping me, is most intimately united with me and considered the best of all.<BR/><BR/>'yuktatamah' in this verse is often translated as 'the best yogi'. The Bhagavad Gita teaches various yoga's that are integral, and in a higher sense are One (summum bonum).The western mindset has long lived with a basic dualistic understanding of christian doctrine. Good/Evil. Light/Dark. God/Satan. But any clear thinking christian knows the inner meaning of Christ...where this duality fades...<BR/><BR/>So, how does the shadow come into play for the enlightnened man. My experience can be found here – click.<BR/><BR/>The translation of 'yoking with the shadow' is also in harmony with the translation 'best of yogis'. Christ said, 'my yoke is not a heavy burden'.<BR/><BR/>Years ago I had a Near Death Experience which I will describe at a later date on this blog. The wonderful thing about that NDE is that realization of its finer purport grows and grows, just as spirit is eternal and forever unfolding. Inconceivably spirit is unchanging, so what unfolds? It is simply (love) devotion. The yoke of bhakti. Bhakti-yoga.<BR/><BR/>According to Sri Krsna, the topmost yogi (one bound by desire) is the one who performs worship (bhajan). And what is this 'esoteric bhajan'? In my opinion and realization it is this:<BR/><BR/>When the 'profundity' and 'vastness' of all existence appears within the soul (an exceptional human experience)...the dark the light, the stars the heavens, the paranormal and unexplainable, the synchronisities, the beauties, the sorrows, the quantum, theories of relativity, the ghastliness and horrors....<BR/><BR/>The 'bhajan' is this: A small still voice that comes to the soul, almost human and frail (even though it be God), and says, 'my dear one, if I was all these things, would you still love Me?' And a tear from the devotees eye appears and she says, 'oh yes', as her heart melts and body erupts in shivers of bliss. That is the bhajan, and it is 'simple'. It is my truth!<BR/><BR/>It is not a striving for perfection, or acceptance...it is just a petition, 'would you love me?'<BR/><BR/>I am a personalist and believe that this earth is the sacred place of 'bhajan'. I believe that the shadow is a part of that Divine but not the total. I believe the Summum Bonum truth is inherently simple and delicate, with a fragrance that enchants the mind. I know that the Total contains endless possibility, that consciousness by its very nature - an eternal layer upon layer – is not bound by time space or direction. I believe the human soul can choose what 'it wants to be!' And I call that spirit.<BR/><BR/>I believe we are one family upon this earth, and we can choose now, more than at any time in modern history, to unite – under the banner of simplicity, devotion, and love. To bring forward Reality the Beautiful!<BR/><BR/>All that we need to do is realize that if we are bound within 'the dark and light', 'right and wrong' etc etc...to humble ourselves and realize we may not be seeing the full reality of consciousness. And if we realize that, then bend the knee and ask to understand.<BR/><BR/>To realize that the shadow can become the grace of God. Then we can 'Be!'<BR/><BR/>'Every particle that awakens in beauty, awakens in service to the whole'.<BR/><BR/>And when we falldown and hurt the 'other', we simply ask, 'if I was all these things, would you still love me?' And the tears transform into joy...<BR/>http://sacredmeetingplace.blogspot.com/2009/03/simply-devotion.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31351038.post-31540304534292296822009-03-28T03:07:00.000-04:002009-03-28T03:07:00.000-04:00Dear JagatNo, you were not out of character, but y...Dear Jagat<BR/><BR/>No, you were not out of character, but you were brilliant, especially in the last part, where you showcase the actual immaturity, futility and confusion of the advaita worldview.<BR/><BR/>I also concur with the heading of your post: "What am I doing here?" Indeed, our dear Jagat, what are you doing there in India?<BR/><BR/>An educated, inspiring, open Vaishnava with a rare stamina and a capability of great synthesis wastes his time in a place where no one cares about what you say.<BR/><BR/>I know, I'm probably selfish now, because I'd like you to come back here and do your part of service to Radha by preserving this tradition from extinction, and its emotional and intellectual emptiness. <BR/><BR/>There are many people like me who'd love to have you here. And you may start something incredible out of all this because you'll be surrounded with an environment that supports inspiring and positive change. Moreover, you're already a part of it.<BR/><BR/>The heart of this aesthetic vedanta now lives in this part of the world, and we need those who can breathe in some life into it.Zvonimirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05592412916712178738noreply@blogger.com