casualtiger2 said:Look, spirituality exists wherever it wants to—it doesn't really care about location. It could be happening on the moon for all I care—as long as you're writing something wise, that's what matters.
Alright people, let's hear it. 😁
Well, there wouldn't be anyone left to write anything on the moon...😳 I'll say it again: the moderators over on the spirituality-religion forum are top-notch, and that is the sole reason I stay.
Richard Walker79 said:But why is spirituality even under philosophy? Honestly, spirituality has nothing to do with intellect, and it doesn't even have much to do with religion! It really needs its own dedicated forum.
Well, regardless, I personally feel like the vibe over there is much better...😬 you don't have all those cliques and the constant insults, so I figured, hey, maybe some of the spiritual folks will migrate there too. Here, things feel a bit too close to Psychology.😛 Plus, I’m constantly posting either in Satanism or right here, and honestly, I just can't be bothered to keep switching my profile settings. Something pops into my head while I'm over there, and I want to double-check it here, but by the time I actually bother changing my profile, the thought has already evaporated, man... hahaha... Maybe they could put it under other arts? 😂🤣 Or even Health, since that's where everyone seems to be heading lately... 😂
Actually, it would probably be best to just have a spirituality-religion forum. Then everyone would be happy...
Could I possibly become Kali? 😍 I am merely joking, of course. I already am 🙂
Regarding this matter, I am truly delighted to see an initiative gaining momentum, specifically with the opening of a moderator topic 👍 I find moderating the Religion section to be such a rewarding experience, and it strikes me as perfectly logical that we might apply that same standard to the Spirituality Forum. My primary grievance regarding the moderation thus far has been the tolerance shown toward trolls and those who insult other members, not to mention the excessive off-topic chatter that tends to derail meaningful discussions. Everything else is secondary. We really ought to pay closer attention to the quality of our discourse; it should be worthy of the depth found in a scholarly PDF and serve as a model for others, rather than something one finds distasteful. This isn't just a suggestion for the moderators, but rather for everyone participating in our community.👍 good luck!
darkmason4 said:bluemason3, I’m right there with you. My spiritual path didn't actually kick off with SP's books either. My journey started about seven years before I ever joined the movement, and that period really shaped who I am and what I choose to accept or reject later on. By the time I arrived at ISKCON, I already had a solid foundation in the Vedas, various spiritual realizations (mostly earned through hardship), and a spiritual guide whose teachings are universal. Because of that, fitting in was relatively easy. Even now, I'm not just sitting idly by; I'm involved in several other groups that are connected to spirituality in one way or another.
All of this gives me the confidence that ISKCON won't break me, because my foundation isn't built on them. Instead, it rests on those earlier foundations, other organizations, a stable financial situation, and my college education.
Honestly, I never would have joined ISKCON or understood any of this if it weren't for that background. I've never had much patience for fake priests, false authorities, or a militant atmosphere. But for the sake of Krishna, SP, and the other wonderful teachers in the movement, I decided to take what works and simply ignore the rest. And if I have to—meaning, if I face personal attacks—I'll push back with that same energy without holding back. So far, it's worked out fine—I haven't had bad experiences, just minor misunderstandings... I don't know, maybe my athletic build intimidates people... 😛
🤣 well, I suppose we shall see each other tomorrow at Janmashtami 😉
darkmason4 said:I'm with you on this. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the whole "personalism vs. impersonalism" debate—I mean, who really cares?—what truly blows me away is how Srila Prabhupada could take massive truths and explain them using everyday language and simple sentences. At first glance, it might seem almost too simple, maybe even a bit raw or naive (especially to someone with an academic background), but after a while, you start to realize the sheer genius behind it. Especially if you stick to your daily chanting routine. Your entire perception shifts. While certain truths remain blurry or vague in various religions around the world, here they are explained with straightforward, practical, and easy-to-grasp language. - Who am I? Who is God? What is my relationship with Him? Where do I actually fit in the universe? What is the point of life? etc., etc.
I've read a ton of different books and wandered through many paths, but it was only through Srila Prabhupada's ability to speak directly and clearly that I found concise, unambiguous answers to these questions.
And I won't even mention how he’s practically the only spiritual teacher who laid out exactly what daily practice—sadhana—should look like, including what it consists of and how to perform each part. Everything from how to properly chant japa to which foods are sattvic, tamasic, or rajasic, and what we can or cannot offer to God.
As a member of ISKCON—specifically in a congregation rather than a temple setting—I feel like I'm working for a top-tier company like Microsoft or one of the big players in the US while doing my material work. I know there used to be all sorts of chaos, fanaticism, and ego issues, but today, ISKCON is better and more advanced than ever in America.
It is quite lovely to read this...🙂 I sincerely hope that the final conclusion holds true as well... How long have you been involved with the movement?
😛 Yes, this is certainly a topic designed for those who love to force their way into a conversation... I wonder how many pages this one will stretch to, versus how many pages that other thread with all the negative ratings ends up occupying 🙄 ...
It’s called affectation—you know, that sort of forced emphasis and such... it happens in churches too, when the ministers start their half-singing bit 🙄
which is why Akrura was always such a flawless, truly incredible bhakta. I honestly feel like the traveling pilgrimage in Chicago completely fell apart the moment he and Titiksha left. 😢
retired to a grihastha ashram😂 But honestly, he was always living the grihastha life. From what I recall, he went through three different wives... If my memory serves me right, he struggled with his health at times, though I don't know all the details since he spent almost all his time back in Cleveland. His last wife was actually a dear friend of mine, and they have a child together.
For me, purujiti was absolutely wonderful, And Akrura was simply the best. 🙏🙏🙏 He was such a charming and brilliant soul—just like Nityananda Prabhu. 👍
1. patientia—well-informed, highly educated, and truly FAIR. She’s genuinely kind and has such a friendly disposition; she simply loves her PDF... a perfect moderator, and quite frankly, a rare breed 👍
2. Katrin—she’s currently active 😍
3. Shady—a mod who doesn't lecture or act superior, stays composed, yet isn't afraid to overturn an unfair decision. There is real potential here. Unfortunately, they are seen much less 🤷
The moderators over at Religion are solid. As a team, they are well-aligned and consistent. Quite impressive, really...
mistygull16 said:And what about a Vishnupad? What happened there? Did anyone actually recognize him after?
🤷 All I know is what I've heard from some of his former students... they say he's practically dead to them now, mostly because they can't get past the fact that he decided to get married...
Well, from what I understand, there are actually several different ways this can happen. For instance, a mentor might gather their disciples before passing away—specifically choosing the 'most advanced' among them—to pass down the mantle of leadership. Another way is if the mentor has already departed; in those cases, certain individuals might 'meditate' on you, leading you to accept the responsibility. However, you would still need to be formally initiated by either a godbrother of your mentor or perhaps a godbrother who has himself become a mentor. That is how it works, more or less. Though, I suppose that may not cover everything... 🤷 (Oh, speaking of which, it reminds me of Akrure Prabhu 😍)
So, I actually made my way back to the temple the week before last—my first visit in ten years. The whole atmosphere feels quite different now, much more laid back. You really ought to drop by sometime just to see for yourself. Even though I find myself looking back on it all with such intense nostalgia, I don't think I could ever truly go back... especially since my guru has passed away. (I honestly can't wrap my head around it) And, well, some things are simply impossible to forget, much to my regret. But I suppose everyone finds their place eventually, if they're lucky enough. By the way, who is your guru, boldsailor2?
mistygull16 As specified by: One really ought to strive to be like a honeybee, constantly moving from one blossom to the next to gather nectar... there is simply so much to learn from everyone we meet... Those who have lost their way within ISKON have certainly lost their internal compass, though I suspect they’ve gained a rather profound lesson that will serve them well in their future incarnations... True spirituality isn't about feeding the ego; it’s about cultivating genuine wisdom...
Why wait until the next one? I could honestly do this right now... I’m more than happy to participate in this current session if they have the will to make it happen at ISKON.
boldsailor2 said:was 😍 we had such an interesting bond—he actually put a flower garland around my neck once... I still keep it at home!
I meditated on him for a long time, but eventually, I realized someone else was meant for me 😍
... and the last time I went to visit him at the temple... it had been 100 years... by then I’d already been initiated into a different tradition—he gave me a playful slap on the back during kirtan, and then during the namaste Narasimhaya, he pulled me by the arm to make sure I sat right next to him 😍 ... that was such a huge honor for me ... 😢
... I can still vividly remember his lectures... he was a massive inspiration in my life... 🙏
That's wonderful. I truly hold him in such high regard, and his students as well. He is quite simply a marvelous individual...
bluemason3 said:Yeah, I think we’re seeing an attempt to transplant an entire culture here—not just spirituality, but everything. In America, this isn't viewed as deep-rooted tradition like it is in India; it's treated as pure exoticism. That tends to attract people who are more lost than they are grounded. On the flip side, maybe that's how people actually find their way. They stumble through the chaos and eventually build a foundation that's actually healthier than those New Age types chasing "chakra alignment" or "instant enlightenment" without any real substance behind it.
I have to agree with you there. Even after a total shipwreck, something substantial always remains... ☕ real knowledge.
bluemason3 As I was reflecting on this earlier... one really has to consider the implications of what was said... It seems to me that this current "third" wave of gurus—those who have finally decided to get "down-to-earth" following the complete meltdown of the old zonal acharya system—actually feels like an improvement. Looking at many of them now, such as Sacinandan and Smita Krishna Svami, I find myself thinking they actually possess a certain level of genuine quality... 🙂
Amanda Roberts21 As specified by: Well, I suppose... I might have been a bit excessive when I suggested that things were looking rather bleak... 🙄
It truly breaks my heart to think about the friends I’ve lost to this movement... people I once held dear, all gone because they chose to follow them. I have personally witnessed entire families unraveling right before my eyes because of Hare Krishna. It is deeply unsettling to watch such brilliant, capable individuals slowly lose their grip on reality. I've seen mothers hand over their children to these gurus, sending them into environments that were essentially breeding grounds for predators. Because of their rigid, arbitrary rules, marriages fall apart and homes are destroyed. I have watched beautiful, vibrant women wither away until they are mere shadows of themselves, surviving on nothing but cookies... It is heartbreaking to see intellectuals, people with so much to offer the world, humiliating themselves by selling books just to fund these temples. You end up with these deeply unhappy, intelligent people caught in a sort of limbo—neither fully present in the world nor finding peace in the spiritual realm, just stuck in this gray, hollow zone. I have seen far too much of this devastation firsthand... which is why I tend to be a bit more blunt when it comes to this movement. I believe the old leader was dangerous, and my intensity regarding this group stems from everything I've witnessed...
There’s this one video of his on YouTube—it’s actually a clip from a TV segment—where he makes several rather shallow observations... among other things.
That single sentence tells you everything you need to know about where he stands. For him, realizing God is purely an intellectual exercise—it’s all about data, logic, and accumulating KNOWLEDGE. Love, on the other hand, is treated as nothing more than a matter of willpower... That is the fundamental nature of this entire movement. It is built entirely upon his specific WORDS and commands, creating this elaborate facade of LOVE, when in reality, they harbor nothing but contempt for anyone who doesn't fit their mold...
Well, I’ve certainly looked at everything through many different lenses and tried my hand at just about everything under the sun, but looking back on it all now... I don't have any regrets. Some people end up in much worse positions than I did, mostly because they failed to stick to basic principles like rational judgment. It isn't entirely their fault, of course, but people have this tendency to lean into escapism... and then when reality finally hits them, they find someone else to blame instead of taking responsibility for themselves...
He was always such a stickler for the rules—don't criticize the devotees and stay far away from any kind of sectarianism. But honestly, when you look at those two principles closely, they feel like a direct assault on anyone's right to speak their mind or offer an honest opinion. I’ve seen some people cling to those dictates as if their lives depended on it, holding onto them with absolutely no flexibility whatsoever... and frankly, that just can't be the right way to go about things.