“The Missing Links”

BY: INDULEKHA DEVI DASI

Aug 01, 2010 — AUSTRALIA (SUN) — Describing his last visit to an ISKCON temple, the bhakta cries, “Nothing will change until they are all dead” (“they” being Srila Prabhupada’s initiated disciples). Startled, we raised our eyebrows at the dramatically expressed, heavy statement of that “insignificant” long-time bhakta.

Today, years later, I see that nothing has changed, ISKCON is still the same. Reflecting on the statement of that bhakta I now ask myself if he was actually ahead of his time.

When I joined ISKCON in the mid ’80’s, Srila Prabhupada’s disciples were given the highest regard. Their prestige and special privileges were well established, and they were automatically considered the most advanced. Like many others before me, I surrendered to them and trusted that they were representing Krishna’s pure devotee. They became like gods to me.

As a member of ISKCON I was taught (and believed) that we were above the rest of the world in intelligence and qualities. Blinded by this, I did not see any cracks in the walls of the temple.

Upon the departure of Srila Prabhupada, some devotees saw that arrogance was establishing itself as the hallmark of the “spiritually advanced”, so they bravely spoke up about this impurity. But the new self-established leaders of ISKCON who (because of the silence and/or support of some Godbrothers) had amassed much power, used that, aided by aggression, to have those who spoke up branded and thrown out of the temples.

Alone and unprotected, those devotees were surrounded by the material energy and went in many different directions. But they could not be stripped of the fact that they were Krishna’s devotees. Only the illusioned believe that outside of ISKCON there are none of Krishna’s devotees.

Those who were ignorant of the cracks in the temples walls have no reason for shame; for a student to be imperfect is in reality, truth. Those others who out of fear or lust chose to cover the tracks of their Godbrothers became compromised, varying of course in severity, they began what is sinful.

A new artificial standard for one spiritually advanced was established and the rewards became many for Srila Prabhupada’s other disciples. Special eating, sleeping and mating facilities, prestige, fame, adoration, and distinction…. those who were enticed by that embrace allowed the crooked ways of the heart to manifest. The wicked in heart thrived by that weakness of their new cohorts.

As a consequence, we now have the “mates club”, which carries a deadly disease that contaminates with it’s false standards of Krishna consciousness. These members believe they can override the laws of God. Shameless words to justify and facilitate wickedness are proudly repeated, “He has done 35 years of selfless devotional service Prabhu”. The teachings of Srila Prabhupada have to be constantly adapted for this facade to continue.

Untruth is now a means to maintain status, inequality has become a standard of behaviour, liberality disappears as small mindedness becomes the headspace, and cheating in false dress becomes their assumed right.

These symptoms, which are but bodily consciousness, are now cracking the foundations of what their beloved spiritual master built. Regardless, some still prance around like peacocks. Living in denial, they cry at the empty temples and changed books and teachings of Srila Prabhupada, but pride reigns supreme and they do nothing but deny that they are in any way responsible for destroying their spiritual master’s legacy.

A devotee is not a demon, but that doesn’t mean that the divine and the demoniac lose all significance. For one who becomes heedless can also become overwhelmed by demoniac qualities. These qualities do not have a discriminatory system based on special immunity for Srila Prabhupada’s disciples; they are waiting to attack anyone who is not Krishna conscious. Krishna may be pleased by the chanting and dancing, but He may also be displeased as the temples and devotees are tragically lost.

Speak Your Mind

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.