By Karnamrita dasa
“As we first stepped on the beach we were greeted with a large sign with a big bold NO which announced all the things which could not be done on the beach.”
As a licensed Social Worker (LCSW) my wife, Archana-Siddhi, has to take classes in her counseling field and accumulate 40 CEUs of credit every 2 years. If possible she tries to get them all at once. To achieve that purpose we are staying on the Island of Hilton Head South Carolina.
While Archana attends the conference, I cook lunch, and write blogs, and read. (a real win/win!) It is about 375 miles from our home. We are renting a condo since this time of year the price is less than a hotel. Actually it is soooooooo much better than a hotel, with separate bedrooms, living room and kitchen etc, and we can see the ocean. Along to keep us company and for engaging us in service are my Shilas and Tulasidevi. I have also borrowed a friends laptop.
It has even been warm enough to walk on the beach in shorts!! I wish I had brought my camera to demonstrate physical subjective reality. When we were sitting to chant on the beach a few days ago, I was in a tee shirt and shorts, while Archana had on long pants, a sweatshirt, and a scarf!!! Was it hot or cold? Depends on your body.
As we first stepped on the beach we were greeted with a large sign with a large bold NO which announced all the things which could not be done on the beach, like littering, drinking alcohol, disturbing the living beings in the fenced in grassland area and about 24 other things. While I appreciated the importance of trying to protect the area and regulating the behavior of visitors, I didnât feel it was very welcoming.
I imagined that there should be another sign with a large YES, which gave a list of things to do and appreciate on this beautiful feature of Godâs creation. For instance:
do commune with nature, relieve your stress, breathe deeply and appreciate the value of clean air and water, do swim and feel the wonder of salt water, feel the presence of God, and the importance of preserving the natural environment, etc.
Not only should the government maintain order but it should also remind people of the wonder and value of life, and different ways to get the most from such areas like oceans and parks etc. Surely the yes sign would surely bring a smile to everyoneâs face, while I think the NO sign makes most people roll their eyes, if they even read it. It wasnât very inviting.
Of course the problem with most governments is that they usually only pass laws to solve or prevent problems. Just like bad news sells newspapers and gets peoplesâ attention, so governments respond mainly to crisis. Although prevention is better and cheaper than cure, it doesnât seem to excite people.
Too bad governments canât understand that being in nature, being peaceful, and appreciating the presence and power of God is essential for making happy, prosperous, productive, and peaceful citizens. They are at least as important, but I think more so than are laws and greeting people with what they canât do.
Recommending people be happy and smile would be great. Can you imagine going to a park or beach with a sign that said, âPlease be happy, and practice the art of smiling and appreciating the beauty of Nature. In order to help preserve the beauty of this park for others and for future generations, please observe the following rules. We appreciate your cooperation.â
I reflected on this topic in relationship to the principles of Bhakti-yoga. Stressing the âYESâ aspect of Krishna consciousness was part of Prabhupadaâs formula for success. He was following the recommendations of Shrila Rupa Gosvami when he first tried to awaken peoplesâ attraction to Krishna through kirtana, prasadam, and talks about Krishna, and then introducing the âprohibitionsâ and other principles. This is still the best idea for speaking to new people, yet I am surprised that sometimes devotees stress the rules in beginning talks. To me, this is just like being greeting on the Beach with the huge NO sign, with the lists of restrictions. I felt put off, not thankful to the government.
If people can appreciate the value and necessity of Krishna consciousness, and experience some taste in itsâ practice, then they will be more likely to consider taking it up. Also, we should frame the rules and “donâts” as ways of attracting Krishna, not as things to give up or austerities to perform. We are not restrictive moralists for morality sake, but we want to do what is favorable for loving and serving Krishna. This is not compromising but packaging.
One thing we have learning living in America is that packaging sells! And this is not a hype, Krishna consciousness is really the most precious and valuable thing. âPreachingâ or sharing our faith, means putting our philosophy in language that is understandable and attractive. Krishna is the source of our intelligence, and after all Krishna means âall-attractiveâ, or as Jiva Goswamis says, âirresistibleâ, so making KC attractive isnât difficult provided we embody what we say and are striving to become pure devotees.
Hare Krishna! I appreciated this article by Karnamrita Prabhu very much. There are so many wonderful, positive things about Krsna consciousness that it’s a shame when devotees focus only on the negative prohibitions. It is quite often the difference between good and bad preaching.
Hear hear! Nice article. Krishna is all attractive and so is devotional service and the society of devotees.
I especially like the part that says: “Also, we should frame the rules and ‘donâts’ as ways of attracting Krishna, not as things to give up or austerities to perform.”
Really, the great qualities of austerity, renunciation, detachment and spiritual knowledge are but byproducts of attraction to Krishna in bhakti yoga.
sannyasas tu maha-baho duhkham aptum ayogatah yoga-yukto munir brahma acirenadhigacchati
vasudeve bhagavati bhakti yoga prayojitah janayaty asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam
We should not be proud of being “tough guys” who control the senses and renounce things mechanically like impersonalists and mystic yogis. Devotees very naturally renounce things that are unfavorable to devotional service, because devotional service is so attractive and pleasing and is the only really satisfying activity, the natural activity of the spirit-soul. The greatest devotees are not “tough guy” ascetics and powerful philosophers, but simple village girls.
Locan dasa Thakur proclaims: kevala ananda khanda visaye chadiya se rase majiya mukhe bolo hari hari
The process Lord Caitanya gives is simply joyful. Chanting “Hari Hari” one automatically gives up the lower taste of material sense gratification.
For most of us though, even following the simple basic principles requires some forcing, because our attraction to Krishna bhakti has not yet sufficiently developed. We are in this embarrassing, unfortunate condition of foolishly, habitually doing things that are against our real self interest.
This is not something we usually want to lead with when trying to invite new people into our sanga, though. Let them see how Krishna consciousness is their highest self interest. Let them get a taste for the bliss of Krishna consciousness, and later they can start the sometimes hard work of being careful to avoid the prohibited conduct that blocks their progress.
âAlso, we should frame the rules and âdonâtsâ as ways of attracting Krishna, not as things to give up or austerities to perform.â
I guess I never circled back to this point, which is that, for practically all of us, we are still going to have to force ourselves to follow rules and regulations like rising early, chanting 16 rounds, and giving up so many bad habits.
The tendency may be that if we find these rules very difficult, we may take pride in the fact that we are doing it, and become angry at or envious of those who are not following.
Our long habits of considering ourselves to be controllers and enjoyers may impel us in that way. (“isvaro ‘ham aham bhogi siddho ‘ham balavan sukhi”) If I am struggling and someone else is not, I may feel compelled to justify it to myself by thinking, “They are rascals who must be disciplined. I will bring them under my control.”
Innocent people will pick up on our envy and anger and will not be attracted. If we want to show them mercy, we cannot have the mentality of lording over them by force, or they will be repulsed. Even though they *are* committing offenses, we will not succeed in forcing them to stop.
But if we can frame the rules and “don’ts” in a positive way, out of genuine goodwill to explain, to one who is ready, that these offensive things have to be avoided to make further progress in pleasing Krishna and tasting the bliss that is available in Krishna consciousness, it will be easier for them to accept.
It is an easy habit to fall into to take the rules, regulations and rituals as ends in themselves, and forget that it is all meant for pleasing Krishna and attracting His mercy.
That is not to say that the rules and rituals are unimportant, or that someone can invent some different rules. But the mood in which we follow the standard rules established by the sastras and the acaryas has to be one of pleasing Krishna.
Our success in folowing the rules will be that we become eager to do whatever pleases Krishna and become very reluctant to do what displeases Him. Only then will we be able to show proper kindness and respect to all living entities.
One of the hardest things on book distribution is to not be too pushy. Out of eagerness to give out the mercy we sometimes annoy people, and they get the impression, “Those Hare Krishnas are very pushy.”
There is an art of selling many books without annoying people. I need to learn that art. It involves real kindness