Be Humble

I am happy to announce that I just published "Be Humbler Than A Blade of Grass" on my website. It is my synopsis of two lectures by Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur which explains our relationship to God and guru. It was previously published in "Brijabasi Spirit" in 1981.

Jai Radhe!

Today is the appearance day of Sri Radha. This poem is my gift to her.

As a gift to you my dear queen of Braja,
I lay my life at your feet.
My only desire is to be your maid servant.
May I always be allowed to behold your beautiful form.
May I be allowed to touch you, bathe you and dress you with my love.
When oh when will that day come when my desires will be fulfilled?
Be kind to me and grant me your mercy soon.
My heart longs for you. I cannot stand the separation.
Let me join that bevy of young beauties that surround you,
and help to bring about your union with your beloved Govinda.
You are so merciful to even let me remember you in this way.
Live in my heart always while this separation exists,
and let me return to your bower soon.

A post-modern view

One of my professors said that it is possible to return to a "second naivete" after doing an analytical study of the scriptures and theology. We can still relish the pastimes and chant the names and mantras blissfully. We can still bathe in the ocean of rasa for that is what's real. That's what keeps us going.

A myth "builds world." Whatever you can imagine is real on some level. With so many people imagining Goloka for so many years, it must be "real" for that reason alone if not for the reason that it is the eternally existing spiritual world. I'm staking my life (and the next) on that.

However, having a post-modern view of things allows me to discuss and teach bhakti yoga without asking people to believe the unbelievable or do something that is deterimental to their life path.

A critical approach to spirituality

I received a very liberal, Christian seminary education at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA. I was taught by Christian professors to look at the Bible and teachings of the church using the critical, analytical method. To not accept everything at face value. These techniques were taught to those who were preparing to enter ordained ministry and preach the faith to their congregations. I feel this type of understanding of scripture gives a better perspective from which to preach. One is better able to see the gray areas in life and not be as heavy handed as a literal, fundamentalist may be. My internship mentor told me to always remember my "truth" was truth with a small "t." The GTU includes Protestants, Catholics and Jews who share a common understanding.

Some pastors try to bring some of this thinking to their congregations, while others feel this is too risky. However, the public is getting this knowledge from the Jesus Seminar, books and even television. I do not feel an enlightened, post-modern view of scripture and tradition is detrimental to devotion. I feel such an approach helps preachers reach educated Westerners who are more open to this approach than "Believe it because it's in this old book and my guru said it's true."

Also, it makes it difficult to make adjustments to the teachings and practices of devotion in order to adapt to various times and places when they are said to be writen by an incarnation of God or an eternally liberated soul who just popped in from the spiritual world to give us this message. If we can see the scripture authors and gurus as persons who are giving us their best understanding of spiritual life at the time they lived, and that it is up to us in each generation to further adapt and develop the teachings for current circumstances, we would be much better able to present a living faith rather than a dead faith that is stuck in the past.

A day of celebration

Yesterday I received the greatest news, my son John who was training at Fort Bliss, Texas, getting ready to go to Iraq, is being sent home Thursday due to a technicality. Since he served nine months in Egypt two years ago, they cannot force him to serve another full tour in Iraq with his new unit which was not in Egypt. So he gets to go home to his wife and get on with his life which will hopefully include going back to college. This is just wonderful. A burden has been lifted from my heart. Of course, I am still concerned for all those who are affected by this terrible war. May wars cease to be a part of our lives.

Today we also celebrate the appearance day of Sri Krishna who brought unimaginable grace, beauty and love to our world. May we relish his nectarean pastimes and devote ourselves to his service. Blessings to all.

Raganuga Bhakti

This is an excellent site to find an Introduction to Raganuga Bhakti which is what I teach at "The Path of Love" and practice in my personal devotional life. Persons who find this attractive may contact me for further information.