Posts by bluemason3

Jesse Allen2 said:You learn them so you can eventually use them instinctively. It’s just like when you're a kid learning the alphabet—you spend all afternoon filling up notebook pages with nothing but the letter A, then B, and so on, until it just sticks!

So, it's pretty clear there's an actual learning process involved. There's a specific methodology at play, even if every aikido organization does things a little differently. Everything is defined for a reason, which means 😁

Jesse Allen2 said:jademarlin26 makes some excellent points here 👍

But if I had to sum it up, aikido is all about freedom. That’s why my dear Banderas Ueshiba didn't feel the need to pin down a single definition.

Hmm... if that's the case, why bother showing up to practice and learning techniques in the first place? 😁

quietpilot87 said:So, what's your beef? 🙂
Knitting is basically aikido, if you think about it. 😬

Man, what a load of nonsense... actually, whatever. 😁

Edit: Honestly, I’d love to take all these "fluffy-do-whatever-they-want" world warriors and drop them into a real, old-school battlefield from before the Tokugav era... you know, the kind with sliced guts, spilled intestines, severed limbs, and blood everywhere. Just total carnage and the stench of death. Maybe then they could get spiritual and knit their little aikido patterns. 😈

This is what happens when money and fame get to the heads of certain women in the fashion industry—total nonsense, honestly. 😈 😬

Look, you seem to view spirituality as whatever fits your current mood. But by turning this into a discussion about lonely sca, parenting tips, or pet care, you’re just diluting the whole point of this thread. To me, that’s actually the opposite of being spiritual. It’s just getting caught up in the temporary stuff and distracting the mind with unnecessary nonsense. 😁

James Allen2 said:

True agency over one's life stems from mastering your own desires, emotions, and impulses. So, if you aren't finding answers in spirituality regarding how to handle a "good guy," perhaps it's because true spirituality actually begins at the exact moment men stop being predictable.

If we swapped out the word 'men' for the word 'love' (which is what I’m actually thinking about), would you still hold the same opinion?

Yes.

Spirituality, whether through practice or just through philosophy and ideas, is always about transcendence. You don't solve the problems you had as a kid; you outgrow them. Human struggles aren't solved; they are transcended. If spirituality can even be defined, it’s about rising above your current state, not trying to satisfy material cravings—even if those cravings offer temporary relief. Even methods that lean toward manipulating your surroundings—think more "warrior" styles of spirituality, magic, or tantra—ultimately aim for transcendence in their purest form. Anything else is just a step backward. What you're looking for might be presented beautifully with lofty terms, but it’s just seeking satisfaction in a passing world. That isn't what spiritual traditions are actually about. Some people ignore these things, some accept them as relative values without getting obsessed, and others try to gain deeper understanding by experiencing the world firsthand. But practically speaking, every tradition tries to move beyond the physical. Using the world to fulfill lower desires falls more under the category of magical practice rather than pure spiritual insight. Even that can make sense once you've matured enough through life experience to realize there's no real substance there, leading you to let go of those desires in favor of something lasting. On its own, that isn't the point of spiritual practice. Trying to reshape your life based on spiritual influence before you're ready is more like something a backyard witch would do. 😁
On the other hand, most spiritual traditions have principles that regulate your external life. But that only makes sense when the focus remains on the transcendental, not the other way around. The goal isn't to use spirituality to get stuff; it's to organize your outer life so it provides a better framework for your inner growth.

It feels like you're looking for a magic wand for external problems, like an Aladdin's lamp... maybe I misunderstood. But that's not how it works. Or does it? ... 🤔

James Allen2 said:Look, I realize this isn't exactly the standard topic for this sub, but I’m hoping we aren't going to act like some closed-off cult that shuts down anything outside its own narrow lane; I’m actually looking for some genuine help here. I just want to hear what everyone thinks from their various spiritual perspectives. Is there really something wrong with asking that? To me, spirituality isn't about following any specific religion—it’s about self-discovery and finally gaining the power to take control of one's own life.

That's a nice way of putting it. But if you want control over your life, you first have to master your desires, your emotions, and those primal impulses. So, strictly speaking, you won't find the answers to how to be a "good boy" here—though maybe 🤣 covers that too. Real spirituality usually kicks in right where being a "good boy" ends. 😂

Fine, I’ll give her a little spiritual guidance instead. 😁

Look, Zeno, you need to stop letting your hormones run the show and get back to your meditation practice. Problems don't get fixed by chasing every whim and then getting frustrated when life doesn't deliver. They get solved by shifting your perspective and changing how you act. Honestly, just working on staying centered and detached from all the temporary noise of the world is already a step in the right direction.

Better? 🥳

😁

mistygull16 said:Can someone break down this whole "Babaji and Radhakunde" thing for me? I’ve seen them popped up in a few posts already and I have zero clue what the deal is.

I'll try to keep this brief. You probably don't need me to explain what Vaishnavism is. Gaudiya Vaishnavism is a specific movement within it that was started back in the Middle Ages by Gaurang, who is considered an avatar. What makes this tradition unique is that they don't traditionally practice Sannyas (monasticism), but they do have their own "sadhus"—ascetics or hermits known as Babajis. And then, of course, there are the "laypeople," the family-oriented folks. Bhaktisidhant and the teacher Prabhupada essentially led a reformation (which reminds me a bit of the Protestants in Christianity) and established a solid organization. They introduced monasticism—though with some tweaks to the standard Sannyas—along with other shifts in philosophy and practice.

Now, for followers of Krishna, the holiest site is Vrindavan and the surrounding area linked to Krishna's life. One of the most sacred spots there is Radhakund, which is literally Radhin Lake. This is where Babajis often gather or live.

From there, we get to Radhakund Babaji. 😁

Since they spread a reformed version (which they see as the original, though others might call it modified—typical for any reform movement), they didn't exactly get along with the traditionalists in the Saraswat lineage (the line of Bhaktisidhant, Prabhupada, and the other disciples).

Manna said:Come on, stop talking nonsense. 🙂

🙂

Just to remind you... this ideology treats women like they're on the same level as idiots and garbage... if you want to actually wake up... how can you even tolerate that??? 😵

But that's just being honest, people are just being real. 🥳

boldsailor2 said:.. those specific lines—they honestly make me twitch a little bit... 😁

.. and man, Bore—he’s got more ego than Bruca Leo 🤣

Basically, someone was clearly desperate to keep the whole group together while spreading that kind of propaganda... I don't think SP had much to do with it—it feels totally taken out of context...

Actually, he does, because he said it himself. He called Radhakund Babajija a fraud and a bunch of other things globally. I doubt Lovica is the issue here; I'd say these are just sincere beliefs. They're exclusive and wrong, sure, but they're sincere. 😁

As for the ritvik dilemma... it's true they functioned as ritviks during SP's lifetime. But from what I've noticed, it’s actually pretty common among Vaishnavas for a student not to accept disciples personally while their own Guru is still alive and active. However, once they pass away... it becomes very difficult to know what SP intended or who was following whom. Especially since the group I started the ritvik controversy with stopped showing me much trust once I saw how they actually operate. I just don't know.

boldsailor2, theory isn't the issue. Everyone has theories, even yogis. The real problem is your claim that there’s a lack of living examples—a lack of actual depth beneath all that theory. To be honest, I’d much rather take the few things I actually like in ISKCON, such as Sacinandana and Krishna, over having to choose between them and SP when it comes to teachers. So, I'm not really sure about what he did or didn't leave behind. 😁Personally, that lineage starting from Bhaktisidhanta doesn't appeal to me. Then again, based on certain episodes involving how some babajis treated him and some of the facts we know about his life (assuming they're true), he was probably operating on a different level altogether. Still, there are things about it that just don't sit right with me. 🤷

At the end of the day, it's all subjective. It's about what resonates with you.

When we talk about process flaws and "aggressive proselytizing," there might be a connection to find here. To be clear, the issue isn't having a "heavy" approach in general. I’ve never had any unpleasant experiences with devotees, and I rarely encounter anyone with a bad attitude—at least not during the chanting sessions. It’s true things are better now than they used to be, too. Most of the time, I just remember them as genuinely kind people who were a pleasure to be around.

I suspect the problem isn't really affecting the community, but rather the practitioners themselves.

First off, I don't think you achieve much through that kind of preaching. You have certain groups that preach intensely and fail, while others take a more subtle approach and actually succeed. Of course, "success" is a loaded term—numbers aren't everything—but we have to admit that Vaishnavism wouldn't have spread among Westerners nearly as much if it hadn't been promoted at all. However, looking at the long game—specifically how many serious devotees actually stick around after several years—I don't see much difference between hosting massive festivals versus small temple gatherings, or going door-to-door versus simply leaving books at a local Barnes & Noble for interested buyers. Someone in another Eastern group once told me that when they asked why they didn't advertise when famous teachers visited, they noted that while heavy advertising brings in more people, the number of permanent members remains roughly the same regardless. Those who are truly interested and internally drawn will find a way to show up; everyone else just makes a splash and then moves on.

As for one's spiritual life, this approach might not be the healthiest. There is far too much focus on "outward" appearances within the organization. Chanting is loud, preaching is prioritized, and they even track how many books a person distributes as if those are some sort of mindless merit points. Personally, I’d much prefer an approach where the initial goal was to maintain the temple or ashram through minimal work—say, making incense or food—leaving the rest of the time for actual spiritual practice. That would likely benefit newcomers more than listening to a young devotee preach when they haven't even found their own footing yet. The whole thing feels a bit superficial, and ultimately, it can damage a practitioner's spiritual growth; they risk burning out on external tasks before they've even built a solid foundation. It's almost as if the approach is a bit too idealistic. 😁

bluemason3 said:Good people always wanted to help the "starving student"... such a hardworking guy, funding his tuition by selling books door-to-door. 😬

Looking back, it wasn't all bad. It was actually kind of nice when a Bhakta would stop by. You'd grab a little book, maybe a cookie, and just chat for a bit. 😁

But honestly, the best part was just letting people believe whatever "karmic" nonsense they wanted. 😁

I had this one guy I just couldn't convince—he was dead set on the idea that the cookies were made out of manure. 😂

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Oh, really? How on earth did I miss that part of history? I suppose I just wasn't drinking much coffee back then... 🤷

I suppose they just had a different "focus" in their local area.😬

Maybe I'm just overthinking things here.😁

boldsailor2 said:Yeah, no way... then it's obvious you weren't involved in those charity runs (or that whole "health wellness" harassment where people go door-to-door just to push books on them—it's honestly exhausting)... I remember being so stoked when I once managed to sell a whole set to Caitlyn Carter, but now I actually feel kind of guilty about it, knowing some folks gave up their last few dollars...

Good people always wanted to help the "starving student"... such a hardworking guy, funding his tuition by selling books door-to-door. 😬

Looking back, it wasn't all bad. It was actually kind of nice when a Bhakta would stop by. You'd grab a little book, maybe a cookie, and just chat for a bit. 😁

Andrew Sanchez572 said:Hmm, I am actually referring to how things used to be back in the day. It has been quite a long time since I spent any regular time at the temple, so I cannot say for certain what the current atmosphere is like.
Generally speaking, the preaching tended to be much more intense, though it wasn't specifically targeted at those outside the movement; it felt more like an insider conversation meant for the core group...
🤷

There was a time when you couldn't even grab a coffee in peace if there was a temple nearby.😬

It’s a bit... teenage 😁

Then again, this group probably had one of the lowest average ages of any religious organization out there 😁

But maybe that's why it paved the way for more serious things 😛 😁

granitebadger23 said:Don't sweat it, it was positive. Honestly, just as you probably figured out who I was from my writing style, I figured you out immediately too. 😁

Unfortunately, he couldn't make it. He'll probably be heading to Vienna at the end of the month, and he'll definitely be back in the US next year.

It wasn't the style (it is just one post, after all), but rather the content. There isn't much Gaudiya tradition around here. 😬

A real shame...

granitebadger23 said:Greetings to you too. It’s hard to miss your writing style. 😁 😂

😳 😛

P.S. I'm not quite sure how to take this 🤣

P.P.S. Does anyone know anything about the SM in Pula? Was he in the mix this month?