![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/covers_750.jpg\")
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By Praghosa dasa<\/strong><\/p>\n As ISKCON celebrates it’s 40th birthday we have much to reflect on. From it’s humble beginnings when Srila Prabhupada was more or less alone in a foreign land, to it’s early days when devotees began to join, to it’s explosion in the 70’s and 80’s. Later in the 80’s and on up to the present day ISKCON’s record is more mixed, actually many would say that ISKCON’s record has always been mixed. If that is true then we can probably agree that the difference now is that ISKCON’s mixed fortunes are more highlighted, as opposed to the halcyon days when Srila Prabhupada was physically present with us. During Srila Prabhupada’s vapuh presence we didn’t tend to focus on any reverses, at least not in a negative way.<\/p>\n No need to list those reverses here as we are all more than familiar with them, indeed if anything it is the positive developments that need highlighting, as they often don’t get the same oxygen of publicity as the less glorious events. <\/p>\n The question \u201cWhy do good things happen to bad people and why do bad things happen to good people\u201d is often raised and if you replace the word people with ISKCON you could also ask the same question.<\/p>\n As we know the answer is fairly straightforward and it more or less comes down to the individuals free will. ISKCON has always be pretty liberal as far as who it allows through it’s doors and if the free will of some of those that enter is misused, then problems and often serious problems can follow. That of course does not mean that either ISKCON or it’s mission is invalidated but it does generally test our faith.<\/p>\n In the Bhagavad-gita there is a very nice verse: <\/p>\n etam vibhutim yogam ca mama yo vetti tattvatah \u201cOne who is factually convinced of this opulence and mystic power of Mine engages in unalloyed devotional service; of this there is no doubt\u201d<\/p>\n So if we are convinced of Krishna’s glory then the result is that we will never flinch in our faith and will be engaged 24\/7 in unalloyed devotional service. On the other hand if we are not engaged in unalloyed devotional service 24\/7 then the logical conclusion is that we do not fully accept the opulence, mystic power and glory of Krishna. In short there is some doubt that we accept\/believe that Krishna is the supreme personality of Godhead.<\/p>\n Even though we harbour these doubts we don’t have to go far to experience Krishna’s wonder. On a clear moonless night away from city lights, if we focus on the night sky for a few minutes we are privileged to see the most fantastic show \u2013 billions of stars \u2013 before our very eyes and Krishna tells us this is but a spark of His splendour! <\/p>\n Now consider for a moment the god like status that people often give musicians or football players. If someone has a hit record or someone can ‘bend it like Beckham’, before you know it every other teenager in the world has a poster of them on their wall, they earn millions from endorsements and the doors of royalty are open to them.<\/p>\n On the other hand the person who created the universe is all but forgotten. Therefore it is pretty clear that we take all these wonderous universal arrangements for granted and instead focus on the phantasmagoria of kali’s allure. Interestingly enough though when something goes wrong in this world like a hurricane or an earthquake or a famine etc., many people are quick to ask the question how could God allow such a thing to happen? In short God often gets the blame for the ‘bad’ things and no credit for ‘good’ things that we experience, at least from the faithless.<\/p>\n Perhaps there is an analogy to be drawn with our current experience in ISKCON? There is loften ittle focus or credit on the good things that are happening but bountiful focus on the earthquakes and tornado’s that pay us a visit (albeit too regularly) from time to time.<\/p>\n Your servant, <\/p>\n Praghosa dasa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As ISKCON celebrates it’s 40th birthday we have much to reflect on. From it’s humble beginnings when Srila Prabhupada was more or less alone in a foreign land, to it’s early days when devotees began to join, to it’s explosion in the 70’s and 80’s. Later in the 80’s and on up to the present day ISKCON’s record is more mixed, actually many would say that ISKCON’s record has always been mixed. If that is true then we can probably agree that the difference now is that ISKCON’s mixed fortunes are more highlighted, as opposed to the halcyon days when Srila Prabhupada was physically present with us. During Srila Prabhupada’s vapuh presence we didn’t tend to focus on any reverses, at least not in a negative way.
\nso ‘vikalpena yogena yujyate natra samsayah<\/em><\/p>\n![\"Hare](\"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/covxwer_750.jpg\")
By Praghosa dasa <\/strong> <\/p>\n
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