By Kanupriya Devi Dasi Berlin
When I came to Krsna consciousness fifteen years ago, the process seemed very simple to me: “Chant Hare Krishna and be happy….”. However, in due course of time I came to realize that not only I but so many devotees around me are repeatedly disturbed and distracted by difficulties within relationships – so much so, that it can be almost impossible to deeply concentrate on one’s spiritual practice. Problems with one’s partner, conflicts with friends, collegues and other devotees, difficulties with one’s children, and, and, and….. – all this makes spiritual life tiring and cumbersome, and sometimes we might even come to the point where we want to simply withdraw from relationships altogether.
In the beginning of August I participated in the course “Exploring The Roots Of Spiritual Culture” which Devaki Mataji held in Goloka Dham, Germany. Around fifty ladies assembled, and we all experienced a simply amazing transformation. In the association of serious and like-minded devotees I was able to learn how spiritual culture helps us to build relationships where we give mutual support, respect and appreciation to each other. Furthermore, spiritual culture is designed to help us subdue and ultimately disolve our false ego, and thus we learn to become true humble servants.
It was extremely valuable for me to deeply understand how the nature of men and women are so different, and yet they perfectly complement each other! These days we don’t so often hear such things….
Devaki Mataji taught us by her personal example, how Krsna has equipped us women with very special qualities and abilities, which can be of irreplacable value for the entire society if we cultivate and use them properly.
Furthermore I gained a deeper understanding of Srila Prabhupada’s statements on the role and nature of women, and this nourished my faith in Prabhupada and the process of devotional service immensely.
In this seminar Devaki Mataji presents all the topics in a very nondogmatic way – something I especially appreciated. Her main goal is to give insights into the eternal underlying principles of (any) spiritual culture, and she entirely leaves it up to us to decide how much we want to apply in our personal life.
I could clearly observe my views on many things entirely changing, and I indeed experienced a deep internal transformation.
I sincerely hope that I will be able to participate in many more such seminars, and I can only highly recommend it to any devotee in a female body…..!
For further information please see www.therootsofspiritualculture.net
Your servant, Kanupriya dd