C U R I O U S I T Y

My adventures in monastic life all started with this poem by Alastair Reed.

Please indulge...

Curiousity

may have killed the cat; more likely

the cat was just unlucky, or else curious

to see what death was like, having no cause

to go on licking paws, or fathering

litter on litter of kittens, predictably.

Nevertheless, to be curious

is dangerous enough. To distrust

what is always said, what seems

to ask odd questions, interfere in dreams,

leave home, smell rats, have hunches

do not endear cats to those doggy circles

where well-smelt baskets, suitable wives, good lunches

are the order of things, and where prevails

much wagging of incurious heads and tails.

Face it. Curiosity

will not cause us to die--

only lack of it will.

Never to want to see

the other side of the hill

or that improbable country

where living is an idyll

(although a probable hell)

would kill us all.

Only the curious have, if they live, a tale

worth telling at all.

Dogs say cats love too much, are irresponsible,

are changeable, marry too many wives,

desert their children, chill all dinner tables

with tales of their nine lives.

Well, they are lucky. Let them be

nine-lived and contradictory,

curious enough to change, prepared to pay

the cat price, which is to die

and die again and again,

each time with no less pain.

A cat minority of one

is all that can be counted on

to tell the truth. And what cats have to tell

on each return from hell

is this: that dying is what the living do,

that dying is what the loving do,

and that dead dogs are those who do not know

that dying is what, to live, each has to do.

RIPE FRUIT AFTER GREEN

In an effort to understand Krishna Consciousness i embarked on one of my "inner conversations", but this time I wrote it down in my journal. Whats the meaning of Krishna Consciousness? Why am I not on the Highest platform everyday; sometimes up, sometimes below down? Here are some thoughts.

Krishna Consciousness means to be conscious always of Krishna- his activities, desires, mysterious nature, workings etc, and not conscious of what one wants to see Krishna fulfil in one's life. Often, we act and then wait for a response and when nothing happens as we expected, we lose a bit of enthusiasm. Rest assure, Krishna will answer, but on his own time. Everyone will be drenched in the nectar flowing from the benediction moon when that time comes. And such a time will be according to person, time, place and circumstance.

We are to become devotees of Krishna, not vice -versa, although Krishna is completely sold out to us.

Passionate nature waits frantically, but be still- and know that Krishna is God.

Yes, as minute independents souls, little controllers, we want to have a say in the results of our actions but the ultimate path is to do as Krishna desires and leave the result up to him.

The case of Arjuna is a good example; through all his questioning, Krishna requests him to just be an instrument at Kuruksetra- the work of destroying the warriors assembled there had already been done. Similarly in our case, Lord Caitanya's distribution of Love of God to every entity will be done; we just have to act as instruments. He is the director we actors work for. His order has been to act! Distribute this love profusely. Who then will not to just that? The director said "and action", so we must act- distribute books, chant, teach, learn, yearn. Then stop when we hear "cut"!
He's in control, his purposes will ripen fast, unfolding with each hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet! Sweet will be the flower. From now on, please allow yourself to be an instrument and nothing more, acting carefully, cautiously, diligently. And while you act and obstacles come, fresh courage take! Those clouds you dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.

Good Morning ;)

FOOLOSOPHER'S FOOLOSOPHY

In an attempt to stimulate my mind, I do little arguments in my head like a mock debate with people. Today, at 4 am I woke up in a fiery mood to argue with myself. Try it sometimes. So here's what it was about.
In College my Philosophy teacher would always insist on "doing" philosophy rather than sitting in class all day and "discussing" philosophy. Understanding the nature of things around us is very nice, as well as understanding the nature of things beyond our present senses, nay beyond our sensuous gaze of inspection. There is a lot out there to learn and one can fill his head to unlimited limits, but in the end the result of words should be action accompanied.

In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krishna explains two interesting points, among many. He describes two types of people- the mahatmas, great souls, and the duratmas, or what I call foolosuffers. Men of small knowledge, Krishna explains to Arjuna, are attracted by the flowery words of the Vedas, which talk about so many seemingly "deep" subject matters dealing with the three modes of material nature and its proclivities. (I even woke up with a fiery vocabulary huh). You find people out there, all due respects to them, who sit around all day and night in their heads and analyze things in life, with no aim of really shaping the world through their findings. It is fascinating tho, this creation; Nature runs so expertly, so diligently, so consciously. We could go down many channels trying to find out the ultimate connection of all things. And even when it comes to matters beyond us, such people stretch their materialistic demeanor that far. "In my opinion, I think, perhaps, maybe, theoretically, logically."



But everyone has an opinion, and every man can suppose and propose, but to what avail is it, if the subject matter is that which we have no tangible experience of? Therefore, I propose we come to a practical basis of understanding of our simple reality around us, and take the humble position of knowing very little, no matter how "deep" we may think we're thinking.

Krishna also talks about those with "real" Knowledge: after many many births and deaths, one who is in real knowledge Surrenders unto Me, knowing me to be the cause of all causes. Such a great soul is very rare.
Interesting! So knowledge as mentioned above IS real knowledge, and can be studied for lifetimes upon, but the cycle of birth and death stops with knowledge of Krishna. Krishna means the ultimate goal, the reason for learning. Not a philosopher's opinion written in a book, but tangible revelation after many births and deaths. Finally, the seeking philosopher comes to the engineer behind the engine, the technician in the powerhouse. Many other statements are made in the Bhagavad-gita to back such points and I urge people reading this to study Bhagavad-gita As It Is and get to understand things for themselves.
But then again are we just looking for a clear understanding? Now that we've arrived at "Krishna", what next? Well, just like when a young boy meets a young girl after eying her for weeks on end, or when a mother meets her child after nine months of carrying such a person, a relationship begins. Surrender unto Krishna means accepting the vastness and greatness of Krishna and acting under his guidance. This "action" in a "relationship" can manifest in five primary ways: in neutrality, servitor ship, friendship, paternity and conjugal love. Very high subject matters which requires expert guidance. Furthermore, one begins to dovetail all his actions for the satisfaction of Krishna and through Krishna's reciprocation, we achieve boundless transcendental bliss. Not something to philosophize about, rather something felt deep within and seen by all from without.
And Krishna explains that such a Mahatma, or great soul is very rare. Why rare? I have the knowledge of you, so whats so hard about surrendering? Well one thing I will mention here is that when most people learn about higher subjects, the effect is pride- now I know more than you- and pride is not a prerequisite for spiritual life, rather and stumbling block.
So my urge to true philosophers out there is to go deeper into doing philosophy in a simple and practical manner which may leave a mark in society, like planting a tree rather than talking about the benefits of planting, or loving and sharing with each other rather than talking about how we're all ultimately connected, yet fight like cats and dogs. Doing philosophy is more stimulating than talking philosophy; many people benefit from doing, few benefit from talking and time is wasted. I happen to be a thinker sometimes and usually its all up in my head which leaves lots of time for living as a monk in service to life around me :). We can all give it a try and see what its like.

Great Souls are found in the most practical places, Not so great souls are the ones who light no fire and perform no duty. Good Morning

RAISING KIDS

Seriously, what would I know about that huh? I'm a monk. But I was a kid once and I see my friends assuming such roles lately. It must be quite an interesting world, and when a gentleman approached me today with what I'd call one of my top 10 conversations, one of the topics was raising Kids.

What will it be like in twenty years for them, I wonder in my 30 years I've seen the world go down quite swiftly. I find it hard to even live certain principles I was taught as a kid. Open the door for elders, Ladies sit first (after you draw their seats out for them), When grown ups, people at least ten years older than you, are in a conversation, leave the room (out of respect).

Amongst others. Hard to see lately and its interesting to see what will turn out; what will become of us. But there's hope that the lessons we learn now Will guide us to guide our offsprings later.

Without going on much further, as I have my own opinions on the matter, I did remember a song my mom used to sing to me about being a parent. Two sons, actually- "If I Could", and "No Charge". No Charge usually came up when I was the demanding little boy who wanted the world just because i made up my bed or something funny like that, and If I Could was the voice of a concerned, yet confident mother who, like any other mother, hopes for only the best for her child.

As I walked back to the monastery that song came to mind and I can only wish my friends and theirs best of luck in parenthood. The future will be what you teach your children now. As in the words of the boy-saint Prahlada, Spiritual lessons should be learned as earliest as possible- from the tender age of childhood. Or as the book of Proverbs say, train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

If I could, I'd protect you
From the sadness in your eyes
Give you courage in
A world of compromise
Yes, I would
If I could, I would teach you
All the things I've never learned
And I'd help you cross
The bridges that I've burned
Yes, I would

If I could, I would try to
Shield your innocence from time
But the part of life
I gave you isn't mine
I'll watch you grow
So I can let you go

If I could, I would help you
Make it through the hungry years
But I know that I can
Never cry your tears, babe
But I would, if I could

If I could, in a time and place
Where you don't wanna be
You don't have to walk
Along this road with me
My yesterday won't
Have to be your way

If I knew, I'd try to change
The world I brought you to
Now there isn't
Much more that I can do
But I would If I could
If I could

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

So I was listening to a lecture this morning and My teacher, Srila Prabhupada gave an interesting meaning of the word Violence. He explained that checking people from their natural advancement in life is the worst type of Violence. When such virulent activities happen, the signs of the times as we know it are sure to manifest: wars, over population and unusual weather patterns.

The Bhagavad-gita explains that whatever actions one great man performs common men follow, and whatever standard he sets by his example, all the world pursues. Basically, everything begins from the top. In bygone ages, the Kings were known as Raja-rishis or kings who knew and understood that the human life is a gift awarded to the living entity after transmigrating through so many species. Their duty as kings were to set the example of leading a balanced realized spiritual life, nothing to do with mundane religiosity, as well as a material life of allotted enjoyment- not usurping the resources of nature.

This human form of life is meant for self realization- that through this human body one can understand his real identity as spirit soul. This form differs from others in the fact that one can think about higher topics. If i were to sit and read Bhagavad-gita to a dog or cat, the living being inside will surely understand the subject matter, but his conditioning, a dog's body, will not allow him to act accordingly. So the Human body is a great gift and should be used for great purposes.

So the violence happening now is the forward march of the world towards better means of gratifying the senses, old men are prescribed Viagra for better sex life, better beds are created for longer sleep, the tongue is requesting next to abominable eatables and oh, what to speak of defense. People are led everyday by various advertisements that happiness and peace comes from outside: the girl/guy wearing the latest fashion will be your source of happiness, the latest electronic gadget will surely calm your souls quest much better than the 8 track of long ago, nay better than the calming flowing rivers and the sound of the wind blowing through the trees.

And for this end, others are being exploited to the point of wars being raged on their own soils. As a friend of mine asked, whats our oil doing on their soil? All the while we never hear of the knowledge people really need to be happy and peaceful. Where is the University that is teaching the science of the soul? Most of what is thought, if i should venture there, is Vocational training meant to prepare one for the race towards a better form of gratification.

As the sages have taught us, real education means to refrain from being a victim of body dictation. We all like to think how much we are in charge right? I'm independent, I know what I'm doing, I have it ll figured out; but why then are we still under the control of our own bowel movements? When nature calls , who dares say no? AHA ! LOL.

So who's the boss again? Nature, but the boss of this body. Therefore real knowledge means to learn how to control the many urges the body and mind demand from us. That is the road followed by true spiritualists. Such a person is in true control of life and can therefore guide others to better and greener pastures, not the one who can't even control his own bodily dictates.

I'll leave the rest for your thinking :)

Good Morning.

But before I go ....

The best way to counter act this is to be an example of what the real use of human life should look like. Now, that's a big test. And we are all trying step by step. Join the movement, join the march.