By Kesava Krsna Dasa
Many of us like to use fancy terms like âparadigm shiftâ, âpositive thinkingâ, and âthink bigâ, but we often end up thinking big in a small way. We habitually rely on âout of the boxâ thinking, usually after we have shifted the goalposts. Our ability to strategise is then limited to tried and untested formulas, without igniting the much-anticipated revolution we frequently refer to.
If we think of Iskcon as simply being another religion or culture base, our planning will go accordingly, and then our preaching efforts remain within this paradigm. We operate much as the other religions do, minding our own business with them, and compete for new recruits. We need to realise that this approach does not take advantage of the non-sectarian nature of Krishna consciousness.
While book distribution is the main thrust of our outreach, still only a few rare fortunate souls come forward to join us. This indicates that those few have an affirmative change of heart thanks to the purity of Srila Prabhupadaâs words. Then our nama-hatta and temple structures nurture and expand from these bases. But, what about the majority of the population who are non-devotees?
It is quite obvious that millions of people receive our books, yet they may have tried to read and make sense of arcane concepts such as karma, but their consciousness is not developed yet to accept. It shows that this colossal mass-market as it were, remains an untapped source for our future success in preaching and expansion. These people require not philosophy, but a different approach to engage them in Krishnaâs service.
The Spoilt Masses.
Recently a famous actress somehow linked the deadly earthquake in China, to bad karma, and the oppression of the Tibetan people. While the political overtones were evident, the bad karma connection certainly irked the atheistic Chinese authorities and other establishment figures. This karma concept remains a Looney tunes notion to most people.
A few years ago, the press, for his observation that disabled people were suffering bad karma, similarly berated a manager of the English national soccer team. He was subsequently relieved of his duties. Srila Prabhupadaâs books are full of references to karma.
Because the general populace is unable to attribute suffering to karma, and blame either God or chance, reveals how the collective consciousness is spiritually undeveloped. Though words like karma and Hare Krishna are household lingo that appears in dictionaries, the substance behind them eludes most citizens.
On this level, people who eat meat, and implicate themselves in the vicious circle of animal killing, will not give much priority to animal rights, or the subjective absurdity that is karma. Literally speaking, these people are âkillers of their own soulâ (Sri Isopanisad â mantra 3). It should not surprise us that spoilt âsoul-killersâ do not come in droves to our cause. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said that this inability, or stubbornness to tie karma with misfortune, is due to a spoilt mentality.
He wrote; âSome people think that it is nothing but flattery to say that the Lord is all merciful. If the Lord was really merciful, how is it that there is so much suffering in this world? Some people even think that if Godhead was omnipotent, He would have changed our motives without effort. Their argument is similar to such a spoilt child.â (Upakhyane Upadesa)
Nevertheless, this is not a hopeless case for the devotees. We need to connect with these people on a human level. As human beings, they appreciate aesthetic human endeavour in the arts, sciences, culture, and literature. Feelings of gratitude and a host of other emotions still affect them. This is where our preaching can succeed by tapping into these emotions.
That Was Nice.
I heard one man tell a story of how, some years ago, he was travelling on an aeroplane sitting next to someone who looked very familiar. During the journey, they talked and exchanged some details. The man realised that the co-passenger was a famous, past-his-prime actor. Every year since that brief encounter, the man receives a well-wishing Christmas card from him, and it touches his heart.
On the material plane, this is a nice gesture. Most of us, at one time or other, must have received a gift, a card, an encouraging message, and so forth, even from someone not very close to us. If we remember how the thought behind these nice gestures touched us, also helped to develop a fondness for such well-wishers.
Considering how the soul-killing majority are grappling with issues of suffering, and are not pliable to Vedic reasoning, but who nonetheless are open to poignant human friendliness, means there is an enormous area to effect changes in perception. These changes will create good fortune for them, and ease the way ahead in our preaching strategies.
The Human Touch.
It is common knowledge that many people remain somewhat indifferent to our cause. The Food For Life initiative helps to engage people who would otherwise not be. They appreciate the human side of feeding the hungry. With this in mind, an expert preacher should be able to win the hearts and minds of people by doing simple things, which help to change the mindset.
For instance, wherever our temples and nama-hatta groups are situated, attempts could be made to send goodwill messages aimed at certain religious denominations whenever a holiday or special occasion comes. To get the importance of this, let us suppose one day, a message in a newspaper read something like this: âOn behalf of the Christian fraternity, we extend our best wishes to the members of Iskcon, otherwise known as the Hare Krishna Movement, on this auspicious day of Janmastami. May God bless you allâ.
Would this not be such a jolting, pleasant surprise, that it would make us reconsider whatever hostility we held for them? Such a nice human gesture as this would alert us to the fact that those people have big hearts, and are going beyond typical sectarian divides. In reality, it probably will not happen, because motivated religions are sectarian and divisive.
But think what kind if response we would get if we took the initiative and gave out nice goodwill messages to all Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Jews, on their respective holy days. The followers of those religions will respect our non-divisive outreach. They will see how different we are. Indeed, we are different.
These messages will touch the hearts of those who would otherwise be inimical towards us, because the human touch made the difference. If we had done this some time ago, especially in areas of the world where orthodox and conservative elements are openly hostile to our expansion plans, things could have been different. It is never too late to start.
We Are Different.
Srila Prabhupada established Iskcon, not as another Hindu grouping or religion. For these reasons, he excluded the formal worship of demigods, and wanted the members to simply follow the âeternal-dharmaâ, or the principles of Bhakti, that far outweigh any petty claims to normal religion.
We often say to people that our cause transcends all âisms and sectarian concerns, but our preaching methods remain rooted in a way that ignores the human touch. We are still largely misunderstood as âother worldlyâ good folk with some strange ways of living, or much worse.
Perhaps if we really capitalise on our differences, and reach out to all, regardless of religious persuasion with our messages that cross the religious and sectarian divides, it will automatically make people wonder even more about us. If we can cross over where other religions cannot, not only will extra curiosity be aroused, but an attraction to something really different, will boost more interest.
Just as when the British and American military forces occupy hostile terrain in certain Muslim countries, they employ a strategy of winning the hearts and minds of the people there. Our human touch appeal is the same thing, except we offer the extraordinary unconditional love of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
The Friendly Difference.
By capitalising on the difference that is Bhakti, the expertise in preaching can be geared to creating a favourable situation. Simple messages as, âTo all of you who are celebrating Christmas, we, of the Hare Krishna Movement (Iskcon), wish you all the very bestâ. These need not be temple expenses as sponsors can volunteer. We can go even further, by sending âThank Youâ cards to whoever has helped us in any way.
When, after some time, more people connect with us and become our friends, the chances are greater that karma related issues could be understood. The friendly difference could potentially trigger the revolution we all speak of.
Ys, Kesava Krsna dasa.
This is really a good idea.
Sending thank you notes and other friendly contacts by email is inexpensive, and really puts a personal touch into an otherwise impersonal interactions. Salesman have known for years that by sending regular cards out to customers they can establish and cultivate relationships. The next time that customer wants to buy a lawnmower, insurance, travel package, or whatever, he or she naturally thinks of that salesman.
It has to be done nicely, though. True sincerity is the key. I once bought a car from a dealer and the salesman always sends me and my wife “Happy Birthday” cards on our birthday. Something made us feel like this was just some automated gimmick and not really indicative of a sincere friendly and helpful attitude. Still, when we went to buy the next car, we did give the guy the chance (but it turns out we got a better deal somewhere else). He still sends us cards, even though we have not contacted him in about 10 years.
It used to be an accepted rule of ettiquette to send thank you notes after certain occasions like parties and even visits of a certain kind. [Of course, after receiving a gift it is still obligatory]
Once I got hired by a big law firm and one of the hiring partners (who I worked with on a daily basis for about 6 years) told me that I interviewed well, but the thank you letter I sent *after* the interview really sold him on me. He said it showed “real class”.
Everyone likes to be respected as a person. Only devotees really know how to truly respect all living entities as parts and parcels of Krishna. Hare Krishnas should become widely known for their wonderful, sweet natures and their impeccable manners.
Our successful membership directors already know the importance of sending out regular mailings to friends and supporters. We are not just flattering people to get donations from them, but are developing relationships with people and offering them an opportunity to approach the hihest destination through reawakening their relationship with Krishna.
Our book distributors might find it useful to take email addresses of customers and to send out regular e-mailings. I have been trying it, but mostly I never hear back from them. However I want to continue and improve on what I am doing.
I take business cards with me and pass them out, too, asking people to call me and discuss the book. I get rare calls, usually for legal advice. :-(
Just a comment on one section that the reason why Prabhupada established it NOT as a Hindu group was because he excluded worship of the demigods. There are other Vaishnava groups, who would as well not worship demigods or ‘other gods’ and be consider Hindu.
I think a simple reason for the above has nothing to do with worship of demigods, but has something to do with the fact, that Hindu oriented groups will fail to attract non Hindu followers in the same scale as Prabhupada did. In some places of ISKCON world a separate Hindu oriented and non Hindu oriented preaching programs are introduced and that seems to be a good idea.
On the other note, ISKCON can be ‘another religion or culture base’ or even be considered ‘hindu’ without slowing down the dynamics of preaching. It really depends on social dynamics and the balance of social trends inside and outside, and how exactly we take advantage of them with or without strong desire to preach. Books can be instrumental but social attractiveness of the group is the final deciding factor. ys
I do like the idea of holiday cards with interfaith messages of goodwill.
So much of “manners” or “etiquette” involves requiring us to talk and act as if we properly cared about the feelings of others. We must say “thank you” and “pleased to meet you” and “you are entirely welcome” and “let me know if there is anything I can do to help.”
The next step of course is that we have to really sincerely mean it.
It may be similar in a sense to sadhana bhakti under regulation. We have to sing the guruvastaka or offer a flower at guru puja, or chant the mahamantra, whether we really mean it or not. The next step is to really mean it.
Sometimes I am surprised how many Christians and Muslims look upon their faith as a matter of joining something, like sports fans feeling affinity because they root for the same team, without there being any real meaning or difference to why one team should be more beloved than another. Hindus and even Hare Krishna devotees can do that too, if we are not careful.
Bhakti yoga or bhagavat dharma is a lot bigger than that, which is why we are not Hindus. Even us “papa-yonayah”, people born totally outside the system of Vedic culture, can take shelter of Krishna and go to the highest destination (Krishnaloka). And really, how many people today, even from good Hindu families, are really qualified in terms of true Vedic dharma?
Krishna is the God of everyone in the universe, including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Confucians, Hindus, Communists and free thinkers. If we really examine what it means to be God, we will find that God is Krishna.
Christian artists like Michelangelo had to scour their imaginations to invent an image of God, because they unfortunately did not have Prabhupada’s books. In the Sistine Chapel we see a strongly built, stern old God with a big beard, but God is really youthful and beautiful and playful and ever fresh. In spite of being the wisest, He is the kindest, dearest friend. When stern, harsh punishments are in order, He has many agents who can carry out such things, so as not to interfere with His friendly demeanor. Of course He personally comes and heroically destroys those who would torment His devotees.
So yes, we have genuine respect for everyone. They are worshiping Krishna without full knowledge. Also those who worship demigods are worshiping Krishna, but in a wrong way (avidhi purvakam). He is really everything, but not everything is Him.
He is really everything, but not everything is Him. Only He can be Him.
When people see how really nice and pure and happy His devotees are, they will naturally want to learn more about Him and what He is really like, His names, forms, rasas, qualities, and pastimes.
“Just as when the British and American military forces occupy hostile terrain in certain Muslim countries, they employ a strategy of winning the hearts and minds of the people there.”
True, but I really hope the devotees of Krishna can be more successful at it. :-)
“Our human touch appeal is the same thing, except we offer the extraordinary unconditional love of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.”
Yes. That is the difference.
The six Goswamis were popular with both the gentle and the ruffians because they were never envious of anyone.
The more we can imbibe and emulate that unconditional love of Lord Caitanya, becoming completely free from envy and false ego, humble as the grass and tolerant as a tree, the less the hearts and minds of the people will be able to resist.
They will all be forced to become devotees of Krishna, once they like the devotees enough to really pay attention to Lord Caitanya’s message of Krishna prema.
We don’t have guns and armor and we do not really even represent anything foreign, because we are representing everyone’s long lost best friend and master.
Lord Caitanya’s weapons are sweet kirtan and prasadam and wonderful devotees. Wonderful devotees who are thoughtful enough to send “thank you” and “best wishes” cards.
I was thinking yesterday about my statement that much of etiquette involves being required to say the right things even if we do not feel them.
I think I overstated the case. There are also many times I really feel something (gratitude, respect, affection) but somehow do not overcome my reluctance to give proper expression to those feelings. So that situation is also there.
Yesterday in the U.S. we celebrated Fathers Day, but for some reason I never got around to calling my father. (I emailed him this morning)
A month or so ago an old primary school friend looked me up after 37 years when he was on a business trip to California and took me out to dinner. Somehow I have not managed yet to write him a thank you note. [I know I have to do it and do it well]
Knowing when to say things that should be said, and being able to say them well, is a difficult skill to master for some of us. [Even for those, like me, who sometimes can never stop talking.] :-)
It is interesting how the conversations go in Srimad Bhagavatam. Important people meet, like kings meeting with accomplished sages, and there follows a series of choice words or prayers in which the speakers are properly glorified in terms of their positions and qualifications. The topics of pure devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead are then discussed in perfect poetry, and all these mantras have special powers to work deep in the heart and clean out the dirty things that occlude our spiritual vision.
[In the spiritual world every word is a song, every gait is a dance]
The perverted reflection is seen at award banquets, weddings, funerals, concerts, press conferences, variety shows, trials, circuses, dramas and so on. There is a kind of more or less formal arrangement for introducing speakers and performers or setting up important dialogues and discussions, and for speaking.
These are communication skills it is helpful to acquire and will serve all devotees in their preaching efforts. How to say the right thing at the right time and really mean it. How to be able to properly express the things we really feel, in order to get the point across to our audience or interlocutor and make the intended impression.
Some people are naturally talented in the art of communication, but almost everyone has to apply himself or herself to improve these skills.
The face-to-face book distribution encounter is one of the most important situations to master.