Angie, 14 February 2018
Hare Krishna…it says in sastras I must give up association with people who are not devotees and I must associate with devotees I live hundreds of miles from a temple…no one I know is a devotee I have never even met a devotee before…how can I progress in Krishna Consciousness and stay strong without a family of devotees around me…all glory to Sri Prabhupada and glory to Sriman Sankarshan das Adhikari…who are dispelling my ignorance with the torchlight of knowledge
Angie
Nikhil Mishra, 14 February 2018
Hare krsna
My humble suggestion to your question is – Read Srila Prabhupada’s books if you are unable to associate due to non availability of devotees in your vicinity and pray sincerely to Krsna. Krishna Conscious Books will be your best friend and guide till Lord makes some further arrangement.
Sincerely
Nikhil
Filip Misic, 14 February 2018
Dear Angie,
This is a difficulty indeed for your progress in Krishna consciousness. My advice to you would be that you find time to visit the temple even though it is far away and also see when the devotees will be traveling doing programs near you. Otherwise, reading Prabhupada’s books, watching Sankarshan Das’s daily videos and being active in online devotee communities like this can help you stay Krishna Conscious. Association is very important, so if you only have non-devotee friends near you, you should be careful not let them influence you. Sooner or later, if you truly want to go back to Godhead and practice the topmost yoga system, you should jump over every obstacle to get association of devotees and become truly Krishna Conscious. This is my humble advice to you.
your servant,
Filip
Bhakta Sunil, 14 February 2018
Please study the following Question-Answer taken from Archives of World Famous Free E-Course at www.joincourse.com :
Answers by Citing the Vedic Version dated 7th January 2014:
Question: How to Keep Faith When I Can’t Go to Temple Often?
I read your daily sayings with attention and learn a lot from them. However, I recently lost my job and since transport is very expensive and the Radha Krishna temple is far away from where I live, how do I keep my association of devotees ongoing? I miss going to the temple but can’t afford to do so anymore, and I am finding it hard to keep my faith sometimes when I am tired and discouraged.
Can you provide any guidance on how I can keep my faith alive even if I pray at home?
Many thanks
Anysha
Answer: Always Remember Srila Prabhupada’s Teachings
If by force of circumstances you cannot physically associate with the Lord’s devotees, you should associate with them constantly within your heart by the method taught by Srila Prabhupada in a letter he wrote to his disciple, Sivananda Sen Das, who was feeling very lonely away from the association of the other devotees:
“You write to say, ‘I really miss Prabhupada and my Godbrothers’ association so much.’ But I may remind you that I am always with you. Wherever I am, you and your Godbrothers are there. Please remember always the humble teachings that you have received from me, and that will keep you always associated with me and with your Godbrothers also.”
If you will sincerely follow the above advise of Srila Prabhupada, you will feel strongly connected and protected in your Krishna consciousness even while you are physically separated from the devotees.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
your insignificant servant,
Bhakta Sunil
Mahabhagavat Das SDA 17 February 2018
Dear Angie,
Hare Krishna!
You have met so many devotees! 🙂 Here we all are, at your service.
Accepting or rejecting association is not necessary physical, it is accepting or rejecting consciousness.
So, no matter where you are, you can accept Srila Gurudeva’s consciousness just by carefully viewing and hearing his daily video for the day, reading his thought for the day, his daily Q&A… or you can live right in Srila Gurudeva’s Ashram in Austin and watch mundane television on your phone! 🙂
That said, that’s what we are here for. We are your servants, we want to serve you on your spiritual journey, all 800+ of us.
Have you considered joining the Bhagavata Online Academy?
The entire family of Srila Gurudeva’s programs, the Ultimate Self Realization Course, the Weekly Lesson on the Bhagavad Gita, this group, the Bhagavata Online Academy, his nonstop travel around the world – these are meant to benefit those who live far from a temple or a devotee community. Please make full advantage of all of them!
You are not alone, Krishna who resides as Paramatma, or Supersoul, within your heart, is making all arrangements for you, do not worry. All you need to do is keep trying your best – this is a journey that transcends lifetimes! Welcome aboard Srila Prabhupada’s mission! 🙂
Also, finally, when Srila Prabhupada came to the west, there were no devotees, but he went out, chanted Hare Krishna, distributed Krishna Prasada and books, spoke about Krishna, and created the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and made, attracted, and surrounded himself with thousands of devotees. Want to try yourself? 🙂
Sincerely,
Mahabhagavat Das
Sacinandana Das, 17 February 2018
Thank you Bhakta Sunil and other devotees for enlightening me. Hare Krishna.
your servant,
Sacinandana Das.
Angie, 18 February 2018
Dear servants of Krishna
All glory to you and our dear Sri Prabhupada and our dear Sriman Sankarshan das Adhikari!!!!
Thank you all so very much for the most encouraging email to my questions…you are so very correct I am very fortunate to have this amazing association with you all…and access to all sri prabhupada books and access to these courses of our dear Sriman Sankarshan das Adhikari…thank you for dispelling my ignorance I owe you a debt of gratitude…krishna is so kind and merciful also give me the answers I am searching for even though I have never been to a temple or physically met a devotee…so much love…
Hope this emails finds you all well
Humbly attempting to be a servant of the devotees
Angie
Filip Misic, 21 February 2018
Dear Angie,
We are all glad you found our answers helpful 🙂
your servant, Filip
Bhaktarupa Das, 22 February 2018
Dear Angie, All,
Hare Krishna!
Srila Gurudeva is very merciful. He gives his association every day 8 am Central Time US by giving live Srimad Bhagavatam class. Everyone is invited to join and take the advantage of his association. This live class from Austin, Texas, US will be until 14 March 2018, when he departs again for another world tour.
Every day he makes sure that he allocates time especially for questions and answers. We can ask questions and get the answers live.
This online class will be using startmeeting application. Available on smartphones too. There is also an option to join by regular phone too.
I have created a google calendar event for myself so that I get a reminder on my phone every day to join the class. If you would like, I can send an invite for you.
Kindly take advantage of the association of pure devotees and get attached to them, that is the only way we can get detached from material sense gratification and get purified.
Thank you.
Hare Krishna!
Bhaktarupa Das
Bhaktarupa Das, 22 February 2018
Dear Devotees,
Hare Krishna!
Apologies. The correct time of online Srimad Bhagavatam class is 7.15am US central time.
Thank you.
Hare Krishna!
your servant,
Bhaktarupa Das
Amol Lad, 27 February 2018
Thank you very much Bhakta Rupa Prabhuji for reminding me of the importance of daily SB classes by Gurudeva and Gurumata. Yesterday only we learned in class on SB 3.5.42:
“Devotional service entails being initiated by a bona fide spiritual master and following his instruction in regard to hearing about the Lord. Such a bona fide spiritual master is accepted by regularly hearing from him about the Lord.”
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Das on the Street 