Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Mathajis,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev.

Recently I was going through the diary which contained my conversations with our beloved Gurudev, HDG Mahavishnu Gosvami Maharaj. I seek the permission of the devotees to allow me to share the contents of one of the conversations. I will try and list down the points which I had taken down on my note book.

Question: "Maharaj in my heart I have a great desire to please you all the time. But due to my lack of faith I have so much difficulty in following Maharaj's instructions. My mind gives me the excuse that sometimes time is not right or the situation is not right. This is the truth Maharaj. It becomes more difficult when I am so far away from Maharaj. I want to follow Maharaj fully. What should I do ?"

Maharaj laughs for sometime and then answers.

Answer: Can I ask you something? Do you think that we would want to hurt you in any way? Then why you lack the faith? If you claim that you know our good intentions then why don't you accept the good things? We have some experience in these matters, so it may be in your best interest to accept. Actually we don't have many instructions. All we request is for everyone to chant the rounds, study Bhagavatam and wake up for Mangla Arati. This is what Prabhupada wanted. But because you can't follow these things perfectly we have to tell you how to do it. In this way, to adjust, you receive appropriate instructions. The thing is, we don't want good things nowadays. We think we know best. This is the cause of our destruction. We have desire, but we can't do, because this false ego is too strong. We must get rid of that first. Then you may, by Lord's will, come to understand the good things which are available. If you obey, you may benefit.

You must understand that physical proximity does not matter. Now we are right in front of you, but if you lack the faith, both of us are not very much connected. You may be in Singapore, but if you have faith and obey, we are connected very strongly. We will be even closer then now. This is the thing. The distance is not created by space, but by the lack of faith. You know, the spiritual master has to be very intimately connected to his disciples. The spiritual master should never close the doors to his disciples. Keep minimal disciples, but open up the doors to each and every one of them. Whether you took your vow seriously during initiation, we can assure you that we are serious about our vow. Our vow to Prabhupada is to guide you towards him and Krishna. So we instruct you according to that.

Question: "Maharaj what about our seniors and other Vaishnavas. How do we develop faith to also accept their instructions?"

Answer: "Our elders have more experience than us. So we must follow them. These Vaishnavas are our siksha gurus so it is very important that we take their instructions. It is very simple. Siksha gurus may be many. Diksha guru is one. This is Krishna's way. So we tell you that you follow so you follow. There is no confusion. Eventually the instruction is coming from us. So follow. If you follow the spiritual master you will act in such a way that everyone is pleased. Be loving to everyone. That is our way. Doesn't matter who, just be loving. Don't love only those who satisfy your senses. May Lord bless you son. We only want the best for you."

This conversation with Maharaj really showed me how much love he had for each and every one of his disciples. Even the word "Love" cannot measure his feeling for us. It was beyond that. It was something that we can only conceive through Krishna's mercy. I lacked the faith to follow such a spiritual master. Devotees can clearly see the greatest misfortune of the living entity through this example. Please kindly pray that I develop faith in Guru Maharaj's instructions.

We really need your prayers.

Thank you very much.

Your servant,
Madan Mohan das,
Singapore.

Chant,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna

Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama

Rama Rama

Hare Hare

and be happy.