Are we proud of being honest and straightforward? Do we have a take-it-or-leave-it attitude? Is there a my-way-or-the-highway streak within us? The Vedic world, according to us, can be a very small world indeed.
We might quote sastra and cite references with supreme authority. Because we are ‘authorised’, we must be right all of the time. After all, the teachings of the Vedas and of our acaryas can never be wrong, can they?
What if there is something wrong with us? If we are not pure devotees yet, there is something wrong with us – some conditioning, some likes and dislikes, some envy, some bit of all things short of pure devotion.
Falling short, our telling-it-like-it-is, will more likely be telling-it-according-to-us – the colour of cloth we wear, our happiness or grumpiness and other moods. Our like-it-or-lump-it ultimatums could well be expressions of self-doubt, inadequacy, insecurity and self-loathing.
Short of pure Bhakti, the world according to us, is rigid, inflexible and without shades of grey. Short of pure Bhakti, we think we are pure devotees. Short of pure Bhakti, we can judge others very well – pointing out right from wrong, and the do’s and don’ts, with a swift sense of justice.
With PD (pure devotee) Syndrome, we become excellent measuring devices as we compare others with ourselves. We are quick to discourage and bring down, to our level or lower. PD Syndrome is a bad disease.. What’s the cure?
If there is something wrong with us, the whole world is wrong. If we have problems in our spiritual life, every other devotee has problems – not us, of course. Our perceptions of the world and others mirror the condition of our hearts.
ISKCON is not a problem at all – it is we, with unclean hearts that makes ISKCON an apparent problem. Vedic teachings are pure – it is we who interpret them out of context, out of time, place and circumstance. What we say might be wrong in relative terms.
If we think we are always absolute and correct within relative situations, then we are wrong. Srila Prabhupada said this, or that – how perfect are we? A small world has no appeal for seekers of truth. We speak of Godhead while making sense of what’s inside our own heads.
There is always hope in Bhakti – such hope might hurt. Given time and good association, we can mature and broaden our minds and thinking. We become more tactful and feel for the suffering of others. We become less harsh in presenting the truth.
With maturity and inspiration, our take-it-or-leave-it becomes take-it-and-don’t-leave. Our “my-way-or-the-highway” becomes Krishna’s-way-on-the-pathway. Our like-it-or-lump-it transforms into like-it- and-live-with-it in bliss. Our world expands…
An expansive world of Krishna consciousness is very attractive. Godhead becomes a more realistic prospect. Everyone else is a friend, brother and sister. We think outward and realise there are always others who are worse-off than us.
With hope, everything is possible. Hurtful hope keeps us focused and determined. Hope is what makes ISKCON great. We are all in this together. Together, we can do remarkable things. Together, we can make Godhead a reality – on earth as it is in Godhead.
Ys Kesava Krsna Dasa.
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