Climbing Jacob's Ladder

"... every rung goes higher, higher..."
Often the west is described as an "instant sense gratification" culture and being born in the west, a monk's life poses some interesting challenges. Monastic life is usually meant to be practiced in peaceful settings like cloistered walls as seen in European countries, Temples as seen in Asia or other gatherings of ascetics in different cultures. In each system the monk's goal is to go deeper into understanding his lifestyle as well as presenting it to the general masses. Each monk is encouraged to study, learn and digest the lessons learned, and then present it according to his capacity.
For me, the gift of easily making friends with others has been a great strength, and for those inclined to asceticism, I serve as an ice breaker, a person who tries to show the lifestyle in practice. To accomplish this means to be where people are but my true goal isn't to recruit monks; rather I want to develop deep friendships with others who are truly loving their life choices. If during that course of human interaction I meet persons interested in my lifestyle I serve as a small guide toward this lifelong decision into monasticism. Yet I am awed by some friends I know who spend a lot of time in nature hiking and exploring all she has to display from God's unfathomable art room. The level of friendship I want to develop with people is one of genuine respect for each person's calling as well as the humility to learn for such persons principles they live by.
The world in itself requires deeper and higher journeys in whatever one may do. To be a successful anybody means to act with deeper love and enthusiasm in that field. For monks, or devotees of Krishna in general, our goal is to develop unalloyed love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. At first one may have the needed faith to "begin" the bhakti yoga process which leads to association of others who have similar interests, some on the same level, some newer in understanding and others advanced on the path. From association one begins to act more seriously which then causes unwanted desires in the heart to weaken and ultimately disappear, leaving one fixed in his determination and develop a deeper taste attachment and ultimately pure unalloyed devotion.
I am traveling at the moment with four other students and the task of presenting this philosophy purely that I am not only speaking, but more importantly acting properly as shown by my predecessors. More specific details will come as our journey to learn and share Krishna Consciousness with all.

Greater Love Each Man Should

A monastic life is one of intense study, reflection and proper dispensation after due digestion of what has been learned. On a daily basis we have lectures, open to all, discussing verses from the Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita which can last from ten minutes to five hours, depending on the speaker or audience. Today was a good discussion, lasting for two hours unfolding with eye opening questions and answers, sobering moments, and heated pure straight talk.
The Verse and Purport was Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.10: "O learned one, in this iron age of Kali men have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed."


One of the questions asked by one of my students was why the process of self realization seem so foreign and difficult. The answer was simple but deep as we went through the verse and purport: because no one told us about it.
Self Realization involves an active decision to refrain the senses from their sense objects and engage oneself in higher duties for his, as well as the spiritual benefit of humanity at large. To become a competent teacher means becoming a good student- controlling the senses, learning culture, humility, tolerance, and many other virtues which develop over a course of time. But the fact is no one told any of us, especially westerners that this sort of deeper life is available to anyone and everyone. Not necessarily for all to become ascetics, but for all to have access to the reasoning behind a person's decision to leave secular society and dedicate himself to rigid principles.
These principles can be practiced by all, regardless of occupational work. For example, no one ever recommends celibacy with good educated reasoning behind it, or abstinence from intoxication, meat eating and gambling given with practical explanations. Growing up was such an interesting feat for me; I always knew that I wanted to pursue monastic life, but as grade 6 came along, a big ugly face stared at me. It was the face of peer pressure: you just couldn't remain a virgin past 6 grade. And the reasoning- semen will spill out of every part of your body at any time and so now was the time to learn about sex life in order to prevent embarrassment when you a). coughed, b). sneezed, or c) cried. If you had too much semen after 6th grade, your body could let it out at anytime and any place thus exposing you to everyone as a virgin.
What a hellish experience it was for many young kids going into their teens; and then came 18, 19 or 21, if not earlier, when you then have to drink yourself silly in order to really be considered a normal person. Luckily I escaped that phase by the mercy of the devotees who accepted me into the monastery.


There I learned that Celibacy was good for you! The semen, or fountain of youth would be well preserved to give one stronger brain cells, sharper intuition and finer tissues in the body, especially with proper diet and hygiene. One monk told me once that God gave men two heads, with only enough blood to be used by one at any given time. So someone who was addicted to sex life only willingly spilled out his vital life while someone who preserved, or used his blood for his brains, actually experienced deeper pleasures from higher levels of consciousness. Abstinence also made makes one more potent when he does decide to father offspring who may not be so susceptible to disease due to weak immune systems.
And on went the conversation this morning...
We talked about the futility of gambling, whether in Vegas or at 7 Eleven, and how people are led like donkeys following carrots dangling from a stick tied over their heads- always going forward for that sweet carrot but never really taking a real bite of it. And whoever told you that meat eating was one of the causes behind loneliness, wars and other negative things going on in society? Yes. As the saying goes, you are what you eat. Animals live in fear of each other and therefore defend their dear lives by living in hiding in tall trees or deep holes and burrows. When we eat such creatures who die in fear, what should we expect- a world where every man is after the others well being? I'll let your mind go off on this topic for yourself, or email me and we can discuss.
The conclusion of class was this: greater love has no man than to use his life, intelligence, wealth, and whatever else he may have for the benefit of another. When we educate people out of love, they will sense that love and try to make life more pleasant around them. A monks' life is dedicated to this service for humanity at large- teaching and telling what no one else took the time to tell or teach.

On the Road Again

OK.
I'm back thanks to another push from Jackson. "Whats going on in YOUR life Kesh?" Just some "monkin' business? Do tell..."
So, the winter months just totally kicked my robes, I've taken two more monks under my care; or more like I get to think I'm the boss every now and then. Luckily, in our philosophy we're all loving servants of each other and ultimately, of the Supreme Lovable, Krishna. Training new monks, adventures with the police in Bible Belt villes, giving lectures, cooking a lot- especially this of late love affair with corn bread and fried okra...
Most of all I've been growing within. Looking at the world around me and wanting to share a simplier space and time with each individual I meet has awakened in me a need to go out on the road and share this wonderful time with as many others as possible.
The order Given five hundred years ago By Lord Caitanya was to make every living being fortunate by giving them a glimpse of India's spiritual wisdom. When I look at the western world and all its development in terms of technology, or science or whatever other craze people are after, yet still unsatisfied, I can't help but wonder how, the people of this so called third world place are so happy! Its an inner satisfaction I see when walking around the villages of Vraj. And then it dawns on me. This is what has been given to me, a true sense of peace; one that I'm now obliged to share with whoever I meet, whereever I may meet them. So come next week I'm on the road, and meeting and sharing is what I plan to do.
Hope this is a good start Jackson... I'll write more soon. I'll be back on track in no time. Twice a week, something new.
Just consider me coming out of hybernation at the moment.
And guess what? First stop... In your neigbhorhood.