Re: Diary of chanting aspirant

Nityananda, Gauranga, Hare Krishna.

 >>This is a friendly discussion and is not a tense discussion meant to prove one over the other.<< Yes, that is what it is. This is a friendly, open yet honest discussion, not at all meant to offend or whatsoever. While looking through the glasses of my Christian background, I’m trying to understand what You’re saying and why You’re stating things. And these so-called differences (between our cultures) are not always easy to comprehend. Things get even more complicated since I’m not writing in my native language, but in English.

The way the Christian saints dealt with their ‘devils’ is an example for all of us. We can learn a lot from them if we can understand their situation to the fullest. There’s been a lot of writing on the live of St Benedictus. And he had lots of ‘devils’ to deal with.  Thanks to the vivid hagiography by Pope Gregorius, we learn a lot on how St Benedictus overcame his ‘devils’, even his mundane ‘devils’. This teaching by example is what I’m looking for. It shows the process how a man gradually becomes a pure devotee and by the Grace of God becomes a saint.

I dare not compare myself with Shrila Mukunda, but yes, I use my Christian background to cultivate my bhakti. Essentially, Christianity is not that different from the teachings of Lord Gauranga. True, the outer form is different. E.g. Benedictine monks value silence a lot. But they pray practically the whole day, which makes them Laksheshvara as well...

Here’s a poem (in Latin) for You, Swamiji

Omnen horam occupabis
Hymnis, psalmis, et amabis
Tenere silentium.
Super hoc orationem
Diliges et lectionem,
Nutricem claustralium.

Chant every hour of the day
Your hymns, psalms en love
to keep the silence.
Above all, love to pray
And read spiritual works,
This is the necessary monastic food.

Damodara Svarupa dasa

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