Danny, 02 July 2018
Hare Krishna!
I respectfully and humbly ask about Guru.
I live far from any temple and know no other devotees. The only reason I even am studying this path is by the grace of Krishna.
My question is it possible to advance in Bhakti isolated as I am? By grace I found this group and course. I am reading Bhagavad Gita and chanting. I listen to lectures and Kirtan. I hope eventually to visit a temple and be with other devotees and see beautiful deities. But for now I only can have an online association. I am grateful for this group. I love Krishna and devotees. My heart longs for real association.
Sorry I am rambling but I’m not even sure what or how to go about this.
Hare Krishna!
Danny F
Rupa Manjari devi dasi, 03 July 2018
Hare Krishna, Danny
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories Srila Gurudev
All glories to Srila Prahbupada.
You appear to have a strong realization of the importance of association. If we wish to advance and not be distracted from the path we must have strong association, regular association of like minded devotees and senior guidance.
However the quality of association is the most important thing. One may be in the association of many devotees but not actually utilise that association. I see you understand how to proper utilize association by your nice inquiry. It is good you are listening regularly to lectures and chanting and a participant in this group. And because you are part of this group you must be getting my spiritual masters ‘thought of the day”. You May also wish to inquire directly with His Grace Sankarshan das Adhikari who is a self realized Spiritual master ,Guru, whenever you have the need. His e-mail address is sda@backtohome.com.
You also have the Association of Srila Prabhupada when you read his books. You also have the association of Krishna when you read and chant and remember him.
The answer to your question, is it possible to advance when you are in an isolated situation? is yes. If you properly utilise all the association that is readily available to you. Though being physically around the temple and devotees physically makes it easier for the simple reason it brings devotees together so we can serve Krishna together. As we hear more and chant more the desire to engage in devotional service to the Lord increases. To do this on your own is more difficult but not impossible. For eg when devotees come together to serve the deity in the temple it is very powerful and encouraging, though one may also serve Krishna in picture form or deity form at home. One can cook for the Lord offer nice foodstuffs and do Aarti, bath him, dress him, make Garland’s etc. Home deity worship is especially meant for those who live far from the temple. If you want to try some extra mercy and make super fast advancement one can perform sankirtan. One can take some books of Srila Prahbupada and distribute to people in your local area, or do a harinam or kirtan in the public so everyone can become liberated from the cycle of birth and death. Or distribute prasadam. There are many wonderful stories how devotees made advancement in this way. But the best way to make advancement is to serve Krishna under the guidance of the bonfire spiritual master. In such a situation one can constantly feel the association of the devotees, Guru and Krishna. So I strongly suggest you contact HG Sankarshan das Adhikari, which I previously gave the e-mail address and ask how to best serve krishna in your situation.
Where do you live.? It may be there might be some devotees in your area.
your servant
Rupa Manjari dd
Danny F, 05 July 2018
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to Srila Gurudev
Hare Krishna
Thank you for your response! I also contacted Srila Gurudev! He also responded! It is so heartening to know that I can have contact with devotees and a Guru! I thank Krishna for the internet and this group and Gurudev using this platform to teach!
Hare Krishna!
Amanda Saksman, 05 July 2018
Hare Krishna, Danny Prabhu!
Please accept my humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Srila Gurudeva and Srimati Guru Mataji!
I don’t think you need to worry about it. I suppose most of the devotees live outside the temple. I also live quite far away and as often as possible I travel to the temple or to see and hear HG Sankarshan das Adhikari Prabhu and Guru Mataji. I used to live at the temple, though, but it is not a measurement scale for anything. Krishna is everywhere!
I wish you good luck with developing your Krishna Consciousness!
Sincerely,
your servant,
Bhaktin Amanda
Mahabhagavat Das SDA, 05 July 2018
Hare Krishna! This exchange is the exact reason why Srila Gurudeva started the Ultimate Self Realization Course nearly 20 years ago. The goal is to serve every soul on the planet, and give them the opportunity to reconnect with Krishna, by reconnecting with those who are connected / want to connect with Krishna.
We started this group, sda_students, in 2011, and many volunteers work behind the scenes to make this group a welcoming place for such beautiful interactions. To these volunteers, my humble obeisances.
But above all? It is you, dear group members, who make this group alive and Krishna conscious. Thank you for giving us your association!
Lila Manjari devi dasi, 06 July 2018
Hare Krishna
Please accept my humble obeisances
All glories to dearmost Srila Gurudeva and Srimati Gurumataji
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
All glories to all wonderful Devotees
Thank you for your wonderful query. It reminds me of how I came to Krishna consciousness.
I live far from any temple and know no other devotees. The only reason I even am studying this path is by the grace of Krishna.
I was in the same position few years back. This is the best part of your Krishna consciousness actually if you can keep longing for that association. And your being connected to Krishna consciousness in such situation very strongly proves the unlimited mercy of Lord Krishna and His pure devotees. This proves that our heart is like an open book in front of the Lord and when He sees the sincere desire of a soul, He gives ALL facilities for advancement in bhakti.
My question is it possible to advance in Bhakti isolated as I am? By grace I found this group and course. I am reading Bhagavad Gita and chanting. I listen to lectures and Kirtan. I hope eventually to visit a temple and be with other devotees and see beautiful deities. But for now I only can have an online association. I am grateful for this group. I love Krishna and devotees. My heart longs for real association.
Once again the same situation. This group has been a great blessing for me to get all the wonderful association of exalted devotees. Also the online book club has helped me a lot to study(not just read) Srila Prabhupada books and understand the philosophy of Krishna consciousness.
And of course as you are already doing, you can also write to Srila Gurudeva (s…@backtohome.com) for guidance in your specific situations.
Kindly forgive me if I have mentioned something inappropriate.
Thank you.
Hare Krishna
your insignificant servant
Lila Manjari devi dasi
Rupa Manjari devi dasi, 08 July 2018
Hare Krishna
Dear Danny
Please continue to participate actively on this forum. Your association is much welcomed and appreciated. It is wonderful you are also directly associating with Gurudeva. If you aren’t already, try joining the online live classes he gives, they are nectar. It is just the same as being there.
Thankyou Mahabhagavat Prabhu for pointing out the wonderful services the devotees are doing behind the scenes to maintain this forum of association.
your servant
Rupa Manjari dd
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