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Culture evolves through the practical application of a worldview and
\nideology and manifests in all aspects of daily life. Culture also promotes
\nand reinforces the very same underlying worldview. In BG.2.69, Krishna
\nstates how different spiritual and materialistic culture are:
\n“What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-
\ncontrolled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the
\nintrospective sage.”
\nThe two cultures are as different as day and night – based on entirely
\nopposite worldviews and goals in life, and ultimately incompatible. This
\nday-night principle accompanies us through various aspects of devotional
\nlife: What is success in spiritual life is regarded as weakness and failure
\nin material life. For example, the qualities of tolerance, shyness and
\nchastity are highly important qualities within devotional practice, whereas
\nfor a materialist they are seen as undesirable. Furthermore, the attitude
\nwithin these two cultures towards various sections of society are entirely
\nopposite: for example towards the elderly, children and mothers.
\nBetween the “day of the materialist” and the “day of the spiritualist” is a
\nbroad spectrum of all kinds of shades and mixtures. Krishna consciousness
\nis meant to bring about a transformation, so the day of the materialist
\neventually becomes night to us. We are meant to transform our
\nlikes\/dislikes, tastes, world views, patterns of behaviour – our very
\nheart, so that bhakti can grow. Our mundane conditioning is very subtle and
\ndeep – it truly requires a paradigm shift! However, this transformation
\ncannot be imposed or forced upon people – it can only be inspired.
\nThe first step in spiritual education is to teach sambhanda jnana – our
\nbasic philosophy. Now we require to move to the next level by offering
\nsystematic training and education, how to practically live our philosophy
\nin our daily life. Such cultural education will give insights into our
\nVaishnava culture as being Krishna’s system, which He gives us to establish
\nstability and harmony in our life, so we can develop our relationship with
\nHim. It will empower our devotees to make a conscious choice, how much of
\nwhich culture they want to invite into their lives.
\nIf this education is not offered, devotees may “go with the flow” and
\naccept all kinds of modern trends into their lives, seeing them as
\nprogressive and trendy – not realising that they promote the opposite world
\nview which we don’t want to cultivate. We may encounter the danger of
\nwatering down the process of Krishna consciousness, and the spiritual
\nstrength may get lost.<\/p>\n
The following are practical examples where education is highly required:
\n * Family life as an ashrama. We are not there yet – our high divorce rate
\n confirms this fact!
\n * The Vanaprastha ashrama. It is not established!
\n * Our children are our future! We still maintain the immature
\nunderstanding that children are a distraction and burden!<\/p>\n
We can conclude that a Vaishnava society will not be able to sustain
\nwithout cultural education….!<\/p>\n
For further information on this topic please see the video below:<\/p>\n