In this newsletter I relate a conversation I had with a godbrother about the relationship between power, self-confidence, self-esteem, submissiveness and humility. He was preparing a course on humility and asked me some questions. May you always think of Krsna, Mahatma Das How to separate personality from humility? Can a strong person be humble? I […]
Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to pace back and forth on his balcony and pose questions to himself, and then answer them. I do the same in this newsletter. I ask the questions to myself and then answer them. I ask subtle questions that I believe are important for our progress in Krishna consciousness. I ask about the nature of pure prayer: Is it wrong to pray to Krishna to protect us materially? Is […]
Below is an article by His Holiness Varsana Swami. I liked this article so much that I wanted to share it with everyone, so I decided to send it as this month’s newsletter. I trust you will find it insightful. May you always remember Krishna, Mahatma Das By Varsana Swami The efforts, austerities, and practices involved […]
Why do we criticize others? Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur said that we seek out the defects of others because of our “utter absence of humility.” But why would we notice another’s faults (when we don’t have to) if it neither helps us, helps them or helps anybody? This question has always intrigued me. As I contemplated […]
Dear All, Last month I finished a series of online classes on Finding Your Dharma. Devotees often ask, “How do I know my nature and how do I find my inspiration?” This newsletter offers ways to answer this question. May you always think of Krsna, Mahatma Das Spanish Translation of this Newsletter P.S. – […]
Here are some thoughts about New Year’s Resolutions. The ideas are simple but powerful, although not always so easy to follow. I have deeply studied the principles behind the ideas and found them immensely helpful. So give this newsletter a serious read. It just might help you make some important changes in your life, service, sadhana or […]
After five months of constant travel I return to Mayapur. Many priorities made it difficult to keep up with my newsletters. What I would have wanted to write if I had the time is expressed perfectly in the article below by my godsister Arcana Siddhi Devi Dasi. The article is about the difference between low […]
I have been getting many letters recently asking how to choose a partner, and also asking why marriages don’t last. For this newsletter I have taken all my responses and organized them into something cohesive. I felt it important to share this information because stable marriages are becoming more and more of a challenge today […]
Happy New Year. Since I am sending this newsletter at the New Year, and this being the time when we all think about making resolutions, I felt inspired to present something on the topic of vows. So I collected and reorganized my notes and writings on this topic and I thought to share some of […]
My last newsletter was posted on Dandavats and some devotees felt that I had wrongly interpreted Prabhupada’s statement that divorce is primarily the woman’s fault when I stated that I find men equally responsible, if not more so, for many of our divorces. This newsletter sheds further light on this topic. I explain the nature […]
Recently an unmarried female devotee told me that a man was interested in getting to know her, and in their discussions he mentioned that ‘the husband is the guru.’ She asked me for guidance on the subject. This Illumination is what I wrote to clarify for her (and him) what it means for a husband […]
The other day I came across something on the internet about self-compassion. Knowing this to be an important and relevant topic for us, I decided to write an article on it. I hope this helps you, or at least gives you enough insight into the nature of self-compassion so you can help another devotee who […]
Last week I was asked, “What’s the most important practice for advancing in spiritual life?” Srila Prabhupada said chanting of Hare Krsna is most important. Some have suggested that devotee association is more important because without it, most of us wouldn’t have the strength to chant Hare Krsna. I agree. But I think there is […]
In this newsletter, I conclude our discussion on guru tattva by approaching this topic from the perspective of a guru. I humbly believe that, in doing so, I speak on behalf of other gurus, both diksa and siksa (including counselors, mentors, and teachers) and thus present their vision and realizations as well. By the way […]
I apologize for the long delay in coming out with Part Two of What is Guru. Between a busy schedule and many re-writes and re-edits, this newsletter seemed to go on forever. By the way if you haven’t read Part One, you can access it here. I also wanted to introduce you, or remind you […]
What is a Guru, and Who is a Disciple? Part One The sastras make it clear that taking shelter of a spiritual master is fundamental to the process of krsna consciousness. But what is a guru, and what does it mean to take shelter of a guru? Although seemingly simple questions, there are nuances that […]
I came across this lecture by Srila Prabhupada’s early disciple Yamuna Devi. It is so wonderful that I thought make it this month’s newsletter. (Plus, I am writing a book to go with a new preaching program I am developing and need to focus my writing time on this project). I trust this will […]
I apologize in advance for the length of this newsletter. I couldn’t do the topic justice without making it longer than my typical newsletter. The information I offer goes very deep into a part of our psychology that is not easily understood (or not easily accepted). Thus, I needed more space to insure that the […]
Is it wrong to want to taste Krsna? Wouldn’t that desire be sense gratification? Shouldn’t we just serve without any personal desire? These are important questions to address. There is a difference between taste in Krsna consciousness and sense gratification, although they can seem similar, and thus difficult to distinguish. We discuss this difference, as […]
It’s common for devotees to feel unqualified or unworthy to serve guru and Krsna. This is helpful when it is a natural symptom of spiritual advancement. But it is detrimental when, out of an unhealthy psychology, we either feel unworthy of receiving Krsna’s grace, or feel unworthy of being loved by Krsna. Spiritual unworthiness and […]