tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post2968836966431257053..comments2023-05-02T05:40:29.838-07:00Comments on AscendingTheHills: Journey for Japa Beads: My Visit to a Hare Krishna TempleJessica Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-32013131463692055882013-01-19T23:49:30.591-08:002013-01-19T23:49:30.591-08:00Great post Jessica. I have been to the Iskon templ...Great post Jessica. I have been to the Iskon temple in Mumbai and it is very nice. <br />In the end I believe that the way to God is joy. You will know in every fibre of your being the form of God that brings you joy, that brings you peace, that eliminates fear, when you can feel his love envelope you, when your heart opens up as wide as the world - then you will know that you have found the way to Him. <br />It doesn't matter what form you worship Him in, for all paths lead to Him.<br />Namaste and Blessings to you<br />Om Namah Shivaya, Hare Rama, Hare Krishna.Suzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05337531041006701719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-42341130411805803302013-01-19T18:43:10.181-08:002013-01-19T18:43:10.181-08:00So glad you enjoyed this post Vrndavana! How neat ...So glad you enjoyed this post Vrndavana! How neat that we both wrote posts on the East Hartford temple! It has been great connecting with you via our blogs!<br /><br /> I agree, Jiva is such a warm and encouraging person. She has a vast depth of knowledge, and her devotion is truly inspiring. I've enjoyed every visit I have made there. :)<br /><br />Hare Krishna!Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-34294813668670672552013-01-19T17:27:55.499-08:002013-01-19T17:27:55.499-08:00I just loved this post Jessica! Especially becaus...I just loved this post Jessica! Especially because I had a very similar and wonderful experience (which incidentally I ended up writing about: http://theaspiringchanter.blogspot.ca/2008/10/losing-my-heart-in-hartford.html) as well! It seems we're somehow connected! LOL!<br /><br />Jiva is such a wonderful person. She's so warm-hearted, down to earth and is actually a very deep practitioner of bhakti. But what's so special about her is the fact that she can convey her depth with such ease and never makes you feel intimidated. I'm so glad that you got to meet her. To me, she's not just a role-model but a saint! :D<br /><br />Hare Krsna!<br />VrndavanaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06092608110198167323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-40813629719884240012012-05-12T06:08:35.613-07:002012-05-12T06:08:35.613-07:00"Do Hare Krishnas believe in the literal resu..."Do Hare Krishnas believe in the literal resurrection? I'm just wondering..."<br /><br />Just to clear up any possible confusion, we don't "follow" the Bible as such, and we're not a syncretistic faith either. Rather, we follow our own scriptures, but can recognise correspondences to other religions, and accept that the teachings of those other religions can also be valid paths to God for those that follow them.<br /><br />However, I've found that the Vedic scriptures are pretty much all-encompassing in and of themselves!<br /><br /><br />So regarding your exact question, I/we don't really have a "position" as such.<br /><br />However, reincarnation covers the transmigration of the soul through DIFFERENT bodies, so why would the soul effectively re-entering (resurrecting) the SAME body be anything different or unbelievable?<br /><br />There's actually a side story in one of our scriptures where a mother and father are so devastated on the death of their son that his soul is brought back into his body again to speak to them. He is told they are his mother and father, to which he replies "in which life were they my mother and father?" The father and mother then realise the futility of attachment on the bodily platform.<br /><br />With best wishes,<br /><br /> Hare Krishna,<br /><br /> David.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-5009275938175832242012-05-12T05:04:17.023-07:002012-05-12T05:04:17.023-07:00Dear Jessica,
"Okay. So recognizing Krishna ...Dear Jessica,<br /><br />"Okay. So recognizing Krishna is also recognizing these two other aspects of God simultaneously...Because Krishna is those two dimensions as well as the personal dimension of God."<br /><br />Yes, that's it! Hold on to that VERY tightly!<br /><br />"I always think of God being everything and yet transcending everything."<br /><br />Yes, again, you've got it.<br /><br />"What is it that transcends? I'm not quite sure..."<br /><br />God, the person, who has a form and personality, and all the things we associate with a person.<br /><br />Unfortunately we have been conditioned souls since time immemorial, and contaminated by the material nature. Because of this our understanding has been covered, and we can only think on the material platform. Thus when told God has a form we think of a (our) material form, and the limitations such a form has. But God has a SPIRITUAL form, made of SPIRITUAL MATTER, and resides in the spiritual world.<br /><br />Similarly when God comes to this earth either directly or indirectly, people are prone to thinking of Him as "just a man."<br /><br />Srila Prabhupada often gives the example of a jailhouse for this material world, and sometimes the head of the prison or Government Minister for Justice will come to inspect his jail. But although he comes and wanders about the jail, he is not subject to the laws and restrictions placed on the inmates.<br /><br />Likewise, God is not affected by the material nature when He comes here, and neither is He affected by it in the spiritual world - since these are His lower energies, which are under His control!<br /><br /><br />"How does He come to dwell in deities though?"<br /><br />He is invited to enter into the Deity by invoking a particular mantra during the installation ceremony.<br /><br />Srila Prabhupada would give the example of a boss in a business. Although the boss may remain in his own office, he permeates the organisation with his personality, instructions and subordinates. Sometimes he may come to a department personally - and of course is offered respect when he does so.<br /><br />So, Krishna too remains in the spiritual world and yet also (simultaneously) permeates the material world. He also comes here personally or via His representative from time to time, and resides in the Deities in the temple where He is offered worship and respect. (And He's always "looking over our shoulder" as the supersoul within the heart!)<br /><br />WIth best wishes,<br /><br /> Hare Krishna,<br /><br /> David.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-82384801895199707432012-05-11T19:07:22.032-07:002012-05-11T19:07:22.032-07:00"In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ clai..."In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ claimed to be the son of God and to be coming from the kingdom of God to reclaim conditioned souls. As followers of Bhagavad-gita, we admit this claim to be true."<br /><br />My theory on Jesus was that he was perhaps an enlightened person that taught us to discover God, or the Kingdom, within ourselves. To shed ourselves of our egos, of the temporary, so that we could discover the eternal. Do Hare Krishnas believe in the literal resurrection? I'm just wondering...Jessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-57885094524459455252012-05-11T19:04:10.140-07:002012-05-11T19:04:10.140-07:00Hi David,
It's been a few days. I'm not ...Hi David, <br /><br />It's been a few days. I'm not sure if you will get this..but I did want to respond to what you wrote. Thank you for your responses. :)<br /><br />"The Brahman aspect and Paramatma aspect are also God, but they are expansions of Him."<br /><br />Okay. So recognizing Krishna is also recognizing these two other aspects of God simultaneously...Because Krishna is those two dimensions as well as the personal dimension of God. Thank you for the verses in the Bhagavad Gita, they definitely support that.<br /><br />"In other words (and it's the process I went through, and it appears to be the one you're going through as well), you can start off with God as a person (personalism/dualism), come to the understanding that God is everything (impersonalism/monism), then come back to God being a person - and yet ALSO everything!"<br /><br />Yes, except I'm having trouble coming back to God being a person. When through meditation I experienced, what I feel was God's transcendent nature, His abundant love and depth of reality, I knew He was ALL. That He is in all and all is in Him. Through Him all is made and returns.I always think of God being everything and yet transcending everything. What is it that transcends? I'm not quite sure...I speculate His creativity, the energy that creates, His love...I guess all of those might be qualities of a personality. <br /><br /><br />"So for us, this is exactly why He comes in His archa-vigraha - His Deity form in the temple. Since matter is an emanation of God (as His material, lower energy), matter is also God, and he further permeates everything as the Paramatma. However, when Deities are properly installed and properly worshipped, He enters into them personally."<br /><br />I never really heard the concept of having deities and what they were explained...That makes a lot of sense. If all energy is God's, then why wouldn't He be able to dwell specifically in material objects that are attributed to Him? How does He come to dwell in deities though? <br /><br />"In other words, just become a devotee of God, and you WILL get to see Him."<br /><br />That's all I want. To see and realize more of God. To know His nature. To know God more fully. There seems to be so many different paths. I guess all we can do is to seek the truth (which must be synonymous with God because God cannot contradict with the truth) with all our hearts and minds. To seek and to serve, manifesting His love and compassion into the world.<br /><br />Thank you so much. Sorry this took so long to respond to. <br /><br /><br />Hare Krishna,<br /><br />JessicaJessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-8652380003776850862012-05-09T06:53:08.563-07:002012-05-09T06:53:08.563-07:00"I have to confess that most of my turning aw..."I have to confess that most of my turning away from the idea of a personal God was my lack of experiencing Him [in that form as a person]"<br /><br />I only just picked up on this bit.<br /><br />When Arjuna asks to see Krishna universal form in the Gita, Krishna obliges, yet says "But <b>you cannot see Me with your present eyes</b>. Therefore I give you divine eyes. Behold My mystic opulence!" (Bg 11.8)<br /><br />So for us, this is exactly why He comes in His archa-vigraha - His Deity form in the temple. Since matter is an emanation of God (as His material, lower energy), matter is also God, and he further permeates everything as the Paramatma. However, when Deities are properly installed and properly worshipped, He enters into them personally.<br /><br />Someone once asked Srila Prabhupada in a class if he had seen God, to which there were gasps. Srila Prabhupada emphatically said yes - and gestured to the Deities.<br /><br />This is Krishna's promise:<br /><br />"Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend." Bg 18.65 <br /><br />In other words, just become a devotee of God, and you WILL get to see Him.<br /><br />This is the guarantee of patience and perseverance - if you keep following the path of devotion in this life, you will go back to Him at the end of it.<br /><br />(The lack of mention of reincarnation in, e.g., Christianity, may be understood to be to focus one on reaching God at the end of THIS life.)<br /><br />Hare Krishna,<br /><br /> David.<br /><br /><br />Hare Krishna,<br /><br /> David.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-40988463056241752242012-05-09T05:51:32.671-07:002012-05-09T05:51:32.671-07:00"Would you think that even maybe the Buddha a..."Would you think that even maybe the Buddha and Muhammad could be individuals of which those verses speak?"<br /><br />"Sometimes Sri Krsna descends Himself, and sometimes He sends His representative. The major religions of the world-Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Moslem-believe in some supreme authority or personality coming down from the kingdom of God. In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ claimed to be the son of God and to be coming from the kingdom of God to reclaim conditioned souls. As followers of Bhagavad-gita, we admit this claim to be true. So basically there is no difference of opinion. In details there may be differences due to differences in culture, climate and people, but the basic principle remains the same-that is, God or His representatives come to reclaim conditioned souls."<br />- Srila Prabhupada, Raja Vidya Chapter 6: Knowledge of Krsna's Appearance and Activities<br /><br />Hare Krishna,<br /><br /> David.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-12244701553134644322012-05-09T05:02:15.636-07:002012-05-09T05:02:15.636-07:00Dear Jessica,
"So, having a relationship wit...Dear Jessica,<br /><br />"So, having a relationship with a personal God, like Krishna, kind of is like a more tangible anchor that tethers one more securely to the Ultimate truth, preventing one to be knocked off course by a rogue wave, only to then have to find their way back again?"<br /><br />Yes, that's one way of looking at it, and yet the ultimate truth IS Krishna (God). The Brahman aspect and Paramatma aspect are also God, but they are expansions of Him.<br /><br />"O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread." - Bg 7.7<br /><br />"After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare." - Bg 7.19<br /><br />"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts." - Bg 10.8<br /><br />In Zen it is said that before enlightenment a mountain was just a mountain, upon enlightenment a mountain was no longer a mountain, and then after enlightenment a mountain was just a mountain again.<br /><br />In other words (and it's the process I went through, and it appears to be the one you're going through as well), you can start off with God as a person (personalism/dualism), come to the understanding that God is everything (impersonalism/monism), then come back to God being a person - and yet ALSO everything!<br /><br />Actually the philosophy that Hare Krishnas follow is "Achintya-Bheda-Abheda" - "inconceivable one-ness and difference."<br /><br />"Caitanya's philosophy of acintya-bhedābheda-tattva completed the progression to devotional theism. Rāmānuja had agreed with Śaṅkara that the Absolute is one only, but he had disagreed by affirming individual variety within that oneness. Madhva had underscored the eternal duality of the Supreme and the Jīva: he had maintained that this duality endures even after liberation. Caitanya, in turn, specified that the Supreme and the jīvas are "inconceivably, simultaneously one and different" (acintya-bheda-abheda). " - Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, Readings in Vedic Literature: The Tradition Speaks for Itself, Chapter 5<br /><br />With best wishes,<br /><br /> Hare Krishna,<br /><br /> David.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-10171536906282998032012-05-08T19:42:08.575-07:002012-05-08T19:42:08.575-07:00David,
I have to say your graciousness at answeri...David,<br /><br />I have to say your graciousness at answering my questions and the fact that you can relate to some of them is really refreshing. Thank you!<br /><br />"it's that God as a person I would urge you to keep open minded about and seek, and who in due course of time may be revealed to you."<br /><br />I haven't ruled anything out 100% but I would say that with the first two I have had enough glimpses of experiencing those realities to incorporate them into my notion of what is true. I do think it's wise to leave my heart and mind open to the possibility of one though. I have to confess that most of my turning away from the idea of a personal God was my lack of experiencing Him combined with my angst towards what seemed His questionable morality as I've come to have significant reservations regarding a lot in the Bible. I do admit, though, I find the take the Vedic scriptures have on God a lot more compassionate, as I've stated in an earlier comment. Refreshing really. I'm not big on the eternal damnation concept. <br /><br />"Better to focus on that aspect and concentrate on purifying yourself enough to go back to God before worrying about what you'll do/be once there!"<br /><br />I couldn't agree more! I'm actually not too concerned with death. I'm more driven towards understanding the nature of reality, of God, here..now. And I definitely think the closer we come to core realizations and to God in this lifetime, undoubtedly helps prepare us for whatever happens after we die. <br /><br />"Because it's difficult for one who is still attached/contaminated by the physical world to focus on something formless. Also, even if one achieves impersonal liberation, there is always the chance of falling back down to the material world again. However, it is much easier to have a relationship with a person"<br /><br />So, having a relationship with a personal God, like Krishna, kind of is like a more tangible anchor that tethers one more securely to the Ultimate truth, preventing one to be knocked off course by a rogue wave, only to then have to find their way back again? <br /><br /><br />Thanks again. :) <br /><br />Hare Krishna,<br />JessicaJessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-83984935086170680222012-05-08T19:00:29.658-07:002012-05-08T19:00:29.658-07:00Channah,
Thank you so much for sharing your exper...Channah,<br /><br />Thank you so much for sharing your experience here! And for your encouraging words!<br /><br />"We preach yes - but we never force our beliefs on any one"<br /><br />I really enjoyed hearing what Jiva had to say about her beliefs and never felt like she was pressuring me in any way or seeking agreement. I am planning on going back to visit during a Sunday service. I've never experienced chanting with others and would love to see what that is like. Additionally, I know they have Bhagavad Gita studies on Sundays too, that's a book I've read on my own, I'd love to get other people's views on some of what it brings up. <br /><br />Thanks again! <br /><br />Hare Krishna :)Jessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-9600106193859043852012-05-08T18:55:35.517-07:002012-05-08T18:55:35.517-07:00Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm glad yo...Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed it!<br />~ namasteJessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-67006529925728256612012-05-08T18:53:52.015-07:002012-05-08T18:53:52.015-07:00Hello David,
When you cited the Bhagavad Gita Cha...Hello David,<br /><br />When you cited the Bhagavad Gita Chapter four verse seven I was immediately brought back to the first time I read those verses. They are said a little different in my translation, but the meaning remains the same in both. When I had read those verses immediately I had thought of Jesus! I remember noting those verses down in my journal for further reflection, wondering if Jesus could be an avatar then...Would you think that even maybe the Buddha and Muhammad could be individuals of which those verses speak? <br /><br />"Srila Prabhupada remarks in his commentary to this verse: "Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some disguised form.""<br /><br />To me the idea of God, if He is personal, coming down either Himself or using someone else, to help restore, correct, or guide humanity makes sense. And it would make sense that He would do this in various forms and locations in order to reach people in ways that they would understand and would relate to their given cultures and worldviews.<br /><br />"So if God had one sort of temperament in the OT and Jesus another, then that was how He wanted to appear and teach in those times to those peoples."<br /><br />I think that could mean one of either two things. Either people interpreted God differently because of their worldviews...So in a war-like society, man perceived God to be war-like (like in the OT) and in a society that progressed a bit into higher levels of compassion they would perceive God to be more loving, forgiving, compassionate (NT). This explanation would mean that God Himself didn't change, just the way people viewed Him did.<br /><br />...Or God Himself did, indeed, choose to appear one way and then the other in order to reach the people that lived during those times. He intentionally was one way in the OT and another way in the NT. Intentionally seeking to reach people more effectively in each time period in ways that they could relate and understand most. <br /><br />In the first scenario God doesn't change, just people's perceptions of Him, and the second one God changes. I hope that made sense! ;) <br /><br />"Thus in the Bible God could very well have created the universe in seven "days", but they would be relative to Him, not us"<br /><br />I think that's a very reasonable conclusion.<br /><br />Thanks so much! :) <br /><br />Hare Krishna,<br />JessicaJessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-83861099652521361252012-05-08T06:08:50.745-07:002012-05-08T06:08:50.745-07:00An aunt of mine once asked her vicar about the app...An aunt of mine once asked her vicar about the apparent longevity of people given in the early parts of the Bible. He didn't have an answer for her question. However, Vedic cosmology says that there are four on-going cosmological ages, each decreasing in religiosity, and human lifetime decreasing in each too. We're in the fourth and darkest age right now (Kali Yuga), and lifetimes are only about 100 years on this planet. In the previous ages human lifespan would be 1,000, 10,000 and 100,000 years respectively (working backwards for each age). Thus the earlier parts of the Bible can be reconciled in Vedic terms by understanding they took part in previous ages, and thus can be taken literally.<br /><br />(Similarly, lifespans of the beings in the higher material planets are longer than ours. Thus in the Bible God could very well have created the universe in seven "days", but they would be relative to Him, not us. Thus the seven-day creation in the Bible can be reconciled with the age of the universe as reckoned by modern scientists.)<br /><br />With best wishes,<br /><br /> Hare Krishna,<br /><br /> David.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-27633511119347686302012-05-08T06:08:06.362-07:002012-05-08T06:08:06.362-07:00Dear Jessica,
"I just want to make sure I...Dear Jessica,<br /><br />"I just want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly..."an empowered incarnation of the Lord"..would you be meaning like an avatar then?"<br /><br />Yes, although a specific type. The exact Sanskrit technical term for this type is "saktyavesa-avatara."<br /><br />yadā yadā hi dharmasya<br />glānir bhavati bhārata<br />abhyutthānam adharmasya<br />tadātmānaḿ sṛjāmy aham<br /><br />"Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion — at that time I descend Myself." - Bhagavad Gita 4.7<br /><br />Srila Prabhupada remarks in his commentary to this verse: "Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some disguised form."<br /><br /><br />"I think this shift occurred with my continued perplexity towards God's seemingly immoral nature in the OT remained unresolved. I have issues with the Bible..oh well..I don't want to go write too much though. What is your view toward the Bible? I take it you take the Vedic scriptures literally..do you take the Bible or parts of the Bible literally too?..Just wondering."<br /><br />Yes, I take the Vedic scriptures literally. Even within the Vedic literature Krishna comes in various forms - Krishna, Rama, Vamana, Nrsimha... All in different forms for different purposes, or to teach different lessons, or to allow one to make a connection (relationship) with Him in that particular form.<br /><br />So if God had one sort of temperament in the OT and Jesus another, then that was how He wanted to appear and teach in those times to those peoples.<br /><br />paritrāṇāya sādhūnāḿ<br />vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām<br />dharma-saḿsthāpanārthāya<br />sambhavāmi yuge yuge<br /><br />"To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium." - Bg 4.8<br /><br />We've just celebrated the appearance day of Lord Nrsimha - a half-man, half-lion avatar, who came to rescue his devotee Prahlad from his demoniac father. Actually the father was originally a devotee, one of the doorkeepers to the spiritual world. However, after making a mistake and offending some pure devotees, Krishna sentenced him to take birth three times as a demon, thus quickly burning up the grave sin he had committed.<br /><br />Lord Nrsimhadeva ripped open the abdomen of the demon father, in what outsiders often think is a very grim depiction. But when the Lord personal kills [a demon] or is even personally present at the death of anyone, then they are immediately liberated. Further, Prahlad, on being asked to be given a boon by Lord Nrsimhadeva, asked nothing for himself, but rather that his father be (completely) forgiven.<br /><br />We use the analogy of a mother lioness - her jaws can either be used to tear prey apart, or those same sharp teeth can pick up her cub by the scruff of the neck and lovingly carry it.<br /><br />(continued)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-5543740768535126282012-05-08T04:58:43.684-07:002012-05-08T04:58:43.684-07:00Dear Jessica,
It is a mark of a true spiritual se...Dear Jessica,<br /><br />It is a mark of a true spiritual seeker that they ask questions, and it benefits both the one who is asking the question, the one who is answering, and also those who are listening. Regrettably I can only answer to the extent of my own limited understanding (and when I have the time!).<br /><br /><br />"When I started meditating I started to become aware of God's reality within me, I could feel this immense and profound love and peace"<br /><br />I went through that too before I came to Krishna consciousness. As I and Sanjay have mentioned, there are three different aspects/levels of God-realisation:<br /><br />1) the impersonal light/love/oneness/energy - Brahman<br />2) the Paramata - the supersoul (God) within<br />3) Bhagavan - God as a person<br /><br />It sounds like you have gained some experience into one or both of the first two. But again, God is there as a person (He made us in His image; not the other way around as atheists would insist), and it's that God as a person I would urge you to keep open minded about and seek, and who in due course of time may be revealed to you.<br /><br /><br />"Ok, I have a question...which individuality do we retain? That of our most recent life? When one goes from one life to the next, I know, or at least I think I do, from what I've read, that one carries the karma from their last life to their new one. But what of personality...I'm not sure how that would work. I'm under the view that we are not our thoughts , our egos, even our bodies. That the only thing that is real about us, the only thing that remains and will never perish, is that which eternal within. Does that contain within it a sense of autonomy? I'm not sure yet."<br /><br />The exact same question came to me at one point. It was answered in a Zen-like moment of realisation - I couldn't verbalise it, but I just gained an understanding of the statement that we retain our individuality.<br /><br />But it is said that on the spiritual path ones original nature is eventually revealed - first ones spritual name (which one is given by the spiritual master on initiation), and then ones spiritual identity and lila in relationship to God. I believe Srila Prabhupada was questioned once about revealing the latter, and he said to the devotee that they were not advanced enough to even begin to think about that question, and that in any case our overall relationship to God is one of a (loving) servant. Better to focus on that aspect and concentrate on purifying yourself enough to go back to God before worrying about what you'll do/be once there!<br /><br /><br />""For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied."<br /><br />Does it say why it's so troublesome? Is it because one might become unfocused and maybe lose grasp on God's attributes and full nature?..Sorry.. I have a lot of questions!"<br /><br />Because it's difficult for one who is still attached/contaminated by the physical world to focus on something formless. Also, even if one achieves impersonal liberation, there is always the chance of falling back down to the material world again. However, it is much easier to have a relationship with a person, and Krishna promises that one who is devoted to Him (i.e. in His personal form) will come to Him and will not return again.<br /><br />To use a crude analogy, it's possible to have a relationship with someone over the Internet, but it's definitely impersonal. A phone call relationship is closer, you get some sense of the person, yet how often do "distance relationships" not last? But being WITH someone, then you truly get to know them.<br /><br /><br />Hare Krishna,<br /><br /> David.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-15663901258886895942012-05-07T23:30:22.059-07:002012-05-07T23:30:22.059-07:00Hare Krishna,
This reminds me of my first visit to...Hare Krishna,<br />This reminds me of my first visit to the Hare Krishna temple in London. I too was worried at first having come from a christian/ jewish background - everything seemed in opposition to what id been taught about God. But I went back and the more time I spent there the more I realised what a beautifull and truthfull path it is. I wish that more people could get past the stereotypes of white hippies trying to be indian and realise that though. <br /><br />4 years later and ive been a devotee since that first visit, and i count my blessings every time i pick up my japa beads ... The one thing i would say is that you should feel free to keep going back. We preach yes - but we never force our beliefs on any one - and i know plenty of people in my temple who arent devotees and who dont really subscribe to most of the beliefs - but who are just as much a part of the community because they are free to come and explore spiritualilty and spiritual life, or even just sit in the temple and soak up the atmosphere without any pressure to convert. <br /><br />ive noticed that the one thing people seem to remember about devotees is that - apart from the strange clothing - we are friendly and welcoming and im so glad that was your experiance. Spirituality should be fun and beautifull, and we should welcome anyone that wants to taste it .. Im so happy that you enjoyed your time at the temple and I really hope youll go back... hare krishna :)channah108https://www.blogger.com/profile/04834511992130007246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-47293197123223678782012-05-07T21:31:59.042-07:002012-05-07T21:31:59.042-07:00Very cool... Keep writing...
Om Shanti ShantiVery cool... Keep writing...<br />Om Shanti ShantiChrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-76773198451662095732012-05-07T19:29:48.162-07:002012-05-07T19:29:48.162-07:00Thank you David so much for being willing to conti...Thank you David so much for being willing to continue this conversation despite your busy schedule. :)<br /><br />That's interesting, and actually makes sense, that reincarnation could work both ways. That would be a profound expression of true justice, in my view. Say, for example, someone makes a really selfish and violent decision and they've already been born with heaps of negative karma, then they might be born again as not human and have to start working their way up again. <br /><br />"That said, one will ALWAYS have the prospect of moving up; it's NOT *ETERNAL* damnation."<br /><br />And that's where I see the concept of mercy would come in. I don't like the idea of eternal damnation at all. I used to believe in it for years, readily , almost not really digesting what it truly meant. When I started meditating I started to become aware of God's reality within me, I could feel this immense and profound love and peace and I knew then that it was incongruent...the notion of God being all-loving, and there being an eternal damnation.<br /><br />"Upon going back to Krishna (God), we therefore do go back to the Kingdom of God - but we retain our individuality."<br /><br />Ok, I have a question...which individuality do we retain? That of our most recent life? When one goes from one life to the next, I know, or at least I think I do, from what I've read, that one carries the karma from their last life to their new one. But what of personality...I'm not sure how that would work. I'm under the view that we are not our thoughts , our egos, even our bodies. That the only thing that is real about us, the only thing that remains and will never perish, is that which eternal within. Does that contain within it a sense of autonomy? I'm not sure yet.<br /><br />"For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied."<br /><br />Does it say why it's so troublesome? Is it because one might become unfocused and maybe lose grasp on God's attributes and full nature?..Sorry.. I have a lot of questions!<br /><br />"t should also be remarked that overall one cannot judge a person's spiritual level by their physical appearance, situation, maladies, etc. We should instead judge them by how God-conscious they are, and by the good (spiritual) qualities they possess."<br /><br />Ok, that would make sense.<br /><br />Thanks again. :) <br /><br />krsne matir astu,<br /><br />JessicaJessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-16332053011865570202012-05-07T19:04:05.875-07:002012-05-07T19:04:05.875-07:00Rimly, I loved your comment!
I think it's so ...Rimly, I loved your comment!<br /><br />I think it's so awesome that you have a temple that big by you. I bet it's beautiful! I'm glad you had a beautiful experience there. :) <br /><br />"I truly believe there is only one supreme head and religions are different means to get close to him."<br /><br />I agree!<br /><br />I wish I could come to India and visit some of the temples there too! India is number one on my list if I ever find a discarded winning lottery ticket! :)<br /><br />~ blessings and loveJessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-74195442298198436782012-05-07T19:00:55.591-07:002012-05-07T19:00:55.591-07:00Thank you so much Amy! Some haven't seen it th...Thank you so much Amy! Some haven't seen it that way but I really see that to be true. That's important to teach our children to have open, yet critical thinking minds and to dig deep for truth. <br />~ blessingsJessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-82658740219210716192012-05-07T18:59:19.057-07:002012-05-07T18:59:19.057-07:00Thank you Sweepy!
I'm looking forward to writ...Thank you Sweepy!<br /><br />I'm looking forward to writing more about the Hare Krishnas as I plan on attending one of their services in the near future and reading some of their books. <br /><br />Thanks for coming along on my journey. :)Jessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-86492822919795515692012-05-07T18:56:10.790-07:002012-05-07T18:56:10.790-07:00Thank you so much Savira for your reflections...
...Thank you so much Savira for your reflections...<br /><br />"Nice to explore all the religions that surround us but the final choice rest on the individual.."<br /><br />I agree! :)<br /><br />As to why religious groups are formed...Well, I think it's natural that people seek out others with like minds and hearts. If you look at any interest anyone could possibly be interested in there's a group somewhere organized for those who are interested in that same thing to gather. It could be a knitters circle , a gun club, a meditation group, a mother's group..etc..etc. I think religious organizations can be a natural thing and as long as they are edifying to those who participate, I don't see the harm. <br /><br />The harm comes, I think, when any group or religion thinks themselves the "only way" and because of that acts with intolerance towards other groups. That's when problems arise.<br /><br />~ BlessingsJessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-19701010364849681902012-05-07T18:50:29.333-07:002012-05-07T18:50:29.333-07:00" but that nevertheless you enjoyed your visi..." but that nevertheless you enjoyed your visit, liked the devotees you met, and were interested in finding out more. It was in that mood that I and others (e.g. Sanjay) have replied, and which you have reciprocated likewise."<br /><br />I agree. And I've enjoyed learning more through our conversations. Thank you! :)<br /><br />"Indeed Jesus - if we are to 'believe' the Bible - healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the five thousand and turned water into wine. But would such things be impossible for an empowered-incarnation of the Lord (as Hare Krishnas recognise Jesus to be)?"<br /><br />For sure, if Jesus is who the Bible said he was he would be able to do those things. I never knew the Hare Krishnas thought that way towards Jesus...I wasn't sure of their stance actually. I know some Buddhists believe Jesus was a bodhisattva (an enlightened being that compassionately refrains from entering nirvana in order to save others and is worshipped as a deity). <br /><br />I just want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly..."an empowered incarnation of the Lord"..would you be meaning like an avatar then?<br />To share my stance on Jesus...I'm re-investigating him right now but I lean more towards him being a mystic, having recognized the eternal spark of God within himself and wanting to share that with others, showing them how to find "the Kingdom within." <br /><br />"But if one is able to take and accept the scriptures of their religion literally, how much more amazing does God (and His earthly representatives) become, how much do we feel and become closer to Him?"<br /><br />I no longer think the Bible is as literal as I once did. But I agree, when one does hold every word literally it has a powerful impact on one's faith and connection with God.<br /><br />"In contrast, if we minimise God and take the scriptures as stories or morals or just philosophy, then we risk drifting ever further away from him"<br /><br />'drifting ever further away from him' got my attention a bit because all that I want is to become more aware and immersed in God...and yet...I have to say that I have gone from a literal viewpoint of the Bible to a more figurative one...a view I used to criticize heavily for the very reasons you mention.<br /><br />I think this shift occurred with my continued perplexity towards God's seemingly immoral nature in the OT remained unresolved. I have issues with the Bible..oh well..I don't want to go write too much though. What is your view toward the Bible? I take it you take the Vedic scriptures literally..do you take the Bible or parts of the Bible literally too?..Just wondering. <br /><br />Thanks again. :)<br /><br />Hare Krishna, <br /><br />JessicaJessicahttp://www.ascendingthehills.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com