Everyone is ugly

The train rolls through the tunnel, loud and quiet, packed but lonely. Close up everyone is ugly.
My brain sits within my scull. Information feeds it like rivers to the sea. It never fills.
I can feel my bones, muscles, skin, a slight throb in one of my teeth, my neck is sore from slouching and my earphones are uncomfortable but turned off.
As I move forward along the tracks time moves further still. As I collect more and more stuff, time takes more things away. I think of those that came and died before me, those that are dieing right now. What is their last thought? When will I think mine?
The breaks squeak to a halt, the door opens, some get on some get off, the doors close and the train moves on. When will I get off this train? I turn on my player but it’s not really on. The train rolls through the tunnel, but not really. It’s loud but quiet, packed but lonely. Close up everyone is ugly, but not really.

More whys less hows - please

Last weekend I watched a demo about a new educational project called ‘Bhagavat Life’. The project, under development for the past year, is a virtual school where expert devotees will lead classes, seminars and workshops online. The presentation was inspiring! I thought the devotees, Purusha Sukta Dasa and Divyambara Dasi, have so far done a good job! So congrats to them for their worthwhile endeavor! I hope this project is successful!

While participating in the demo I learned that one of the area of study is social/spiritual development. Course titles in this area are usually something like, “How to raise a Krishna Conscious family”, or “How to work in the world and not fall into it”. Basically, how to do material things as a spiritualist. I appreciate this sentiment, and I see ISKCON develop projects like the Grihasta Ministry and the Ministry of Health, but honestly I think social/spiritual development is mostly wasted effort.

Why?

If we stand back and view the actions of a person, the source of their motivation is desire. Through our senses we receive information, stimulation and pain. By combining these three together we develop desire:

“I want to look like a rock-star”
“I want to eat something tasty”
“I want to avoid that crazy looking dog”

Through these desires, action develops. Action is made up of known skills and adaptation.

In this example Jim has a desire to look like a rock-star.

Jim thinks, “Because I want to look like a rock-star then I will buy clothing that rock-stars wear." Jim goes to a hip clothing store and buys an outfit. Jim again contemplates his new look, "Now that I have rock-star clothes on, I still don’t really look like a rock-star, I think I need to have an attitude to match." Jim watches MTV and notes rock-star character traits. A few weeks later Jim catches an image of himself in a store window and thinks, "As I walk around the mall with my new attitude and clothing I really look like a rock star. Mission accomplished!”

As we see from the above real world example, desire will utilize adaptation and mundane skills to produce results. How Jim fullfilled his dream is the easy part. Why Jim wanted to look like a rock-star is what motivated his actions in the first place. If leaders and educators wish to direct student toward ideal actions then they must work more on the whys then on the how-tos. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. But if a horse is really thirsty he will figure out how to get to the water by himself. Showing him where water is is helpful, but leading him is not necessary, his desire will get him there. If I show you how to quit smoking that will be helpful. But If I explain why you should quit smoking and you have developed a strong enough desire to do so, the how part will come on its own.

This is not a criticism of current projects, its just a different point of view on the way to achive their goals.

Wake up, wake up!

Wake up, wake up, and chant, O sleeping soul.
Lord Caitanya has come to show the way.
The Maya witch has held you in her sway.
Too long you've let illusion take its toll.
You've been asleep. You've long forgot the goal.
Now chant the Mahamantra night and day.

Wake up, wake up, and chant, O sleeping soul.
Lord Caitanya has come to show the way.
You've roamed this world of night from pole to pole,
Although you promised once you'd never stray.
You've wept for what is only crumbling clay,
But Krsna's blessed name will make you whole.
Wake up, wake up, and chant, O sleeping soul.

Umapati Swami, January 3, 2007

Radha in the Bhagavatam

"So this janma (birthday) is today and Radha, this name is sometimes not found in Bhagavata. So the atheistic class of men protest this, Radharani's name is not in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. How this name came, Radharani? But they do not know how to see it. There is [the word] anayaradhyate. There are many gopis, but there is mention that by this particular gopi He [Krishna] is served more pleasingly. Krishna accepts this gopi's service more gladly. Anayaradhyate. Aradhyate. This aradhate, this word, aradhyate means worshiping. From this word aradhyate, Radha has come. But Radha's name are there in other Puranas. So this is the origin."

Srila Prabhupada on Radhastami, Srimati Radharani's Appearance Day.
Montreal, August 30, 1968

Names of Sri Radha

Vrndavanesvari - queen of Vrndavana

Madana-Mohini - more charming than Kamadeva

Gopananda-Kari - giver of happiness to the gopas

Trailokya-Sundari - the most beautiful girl in the 3 worlds

Gita-Gamya - She is approached by chanting Her holy names

Kamesi - Lord Krsna's amorous queen

Mati - the most thoughtful philosopher

Veda-Garbha - the mother of the Vedas

Subhangi - with beautiful limbs

Dhatri - the mother of all

Hema-Sundari - She is beautiful and golden

Kisori - She is youthful

Kamala-Sundari - Beautiful as a lotus

Sri Kulina - born in a pious family

Visoka - free from lamentation

Lajja - modest

Kanti - beauty

Ksama - patience

Ekanga - She has one form

Rasika - She enjoys the transcendental mellows

Subhankari - the giver of auspiciousness

Gauri Gaurangi - fair

Sarada - She gives what is the best

Srisa - the queen of beauty

Who is Sri Radha?

Sri Manah-Siksa verse 5

"My dear mind, in this material life you are attacked by lust, which is like a gang of thugs that waylay innocent pilgrims, strangling you with strong terrible ropes in the form of distress, pain, and futile endeavors. In this condition you must cry out piteously and invoke the mercy of the unalloyed devotees of Sri Krishna, the killer of the demon Bakasura. They will surely protect you from this dilemma."

- Rahunatha dasa Gosvami

Tao Teh Ching - chapters 3 & 4

When people see things as beautiful, ugliness is created.

When people see things as good, evil is created.

Being and non-being produce each other.

Difficult and easy complement each other.

Long and short define each other.

High and low oppose each other.

Fore and aft follow each other.

Therefore the Master can act without doing anything and teach without saying a word.

Things come her way and she does not stop them; things leave and she lets them go.

She has without possessing, and acts without any expectations.

When her work is done, she take no credit.That is why it will last forever.
If you overly esteem talented individuals, people will become overly competitive.

If you overvalue possessions, people will begin to steal.

Do not display your treasures or people will become envious.

The Master leads by emptying people's minds, filling their bellies, weakening their ambitions, and making them become strong.

Preferring simplicity and freedom from desires, avoiding the pitfalls of knowledge and wrong action.

For those who practice not-doing, everything will fall into place.