The only defense against the false ego are humility and tolerance

Should prasada be free? No. The fee is that they must chant Hare Krishna

Srila Prabhupada clearly said that let them chant and take prasada. He never said that prasada should be given without Hari Nama or Hari Katha. That is simply serving Maya. So Srila Prabhupada was very clear: Big man comes, give free prasada - for other guests CONTINUE CHARGING. Life members - 3 days free, then charging.

You can keep a nice stock of these things, so that when a big man comes you can give him a nice plate of free prasada. In this way, our temple will become very popular, because everyone will know that if they come to our temple, they will receive very nice prasada. For the other guests, continue to sell the prasada daily.

Prabhupāda: So you should be very careful. Because you are giving free prasādam, similarly all lazy fellow may not come and take free prasāda. Therefore engagement must be there. Otherwise this lazy fellow will come, sleep and take prasāda.
Gargamuni: In Māyāpura we feed free on Saturday, Sunday. And during the week we feed those who work, those who work, them we feed, those who do service.
Prabhupāda: No, one day, two days, we give prasādam. But regularly we give prasāda and they'll remain lazy.
Rāmeśvara: So in Australia they kicked out the government, completely kicked them out.
Prabhupāda: Acchā?

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes, cent percent devotees, by this process: ask them to chant and take prasāda

Prabhupāda: No, little bit we say, that "You come, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasāda

Prabhupāda: Go and take prasāda. Prasāde sarva-duḥkhānāṁ hānir asyopajāyate. Our propaganda is "Please come here, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasāda." That's all. Is that very difficult task?

Prabhupāda: Kīrtana and prasādam distribution. This is our preaching mainly. And if they hear little
philosophy, that is very good. Otherwise simply kīrtana and prasādam distribution is sufficient. Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to do that. He was not speaking philosophy to everyone. Kīrtana and prasāda distribution. So our men can perform very nice kīrtana, and if they come to take little prasādam, that is preaching. You have to maintain this standard, that kīrtana must go on and prasādam should be distributed.
Satsvarūpa: And take collection for that, to continue that.
Prabhupāda: Yes. By selling books, by contribution, somehow or other maintain. Everywhere.

Pṛthu-putra: But when we start to explain the meaning, then they're a little bit suspicious because they don't tolerate other type of religion.
Prabhupāda: No, no, why...? Let them chant and take prasāda. This preaching, that's all. Later on, when they're a little advanced, then talk of philosophy. Otherwise there is no need of philosophy. If they are, some of them, educated, they can read the books voluntarily. But general process is anywhere, any part of the world, you simply give them chance of chanting and take prasāda. That will be peaceful.Give them prasādam and let them chant. That is preaching.


Prabhupāda: So you teach them that before Gaura-Nitāi, let them chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam.

Prabhupāda: No. You don't require to read book. We simply say that "You come here, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam." This is treatment. These boys, foreigners, they have come to me not by reading my book. First of all I invited him, "Sit down, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam." And then gradually. This is the general treatment.

Prabhupāda: Simply the drunken negroes, call them, "Take prasādam and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa."

When you mess up

I messed up. Emails are impersonal and easy to misunderstand. And I wrote an email in a bad mood, frustrated, and offensive. It was quite critical of the temple's organization, and it was projecting as if I am superior, more intelligent, know how to run things, The whole coupon idea - i should not have written about it.

Also, about the putzstein - I wrote in the email about cheating propensity - I was thinking Olga, the ghost story and her motivation for being a temple resident, and I was searching for putzstein in the cellar. Certainly if a camera catches such action - it would be like - what is she doing?

I will never go into the cellar again, if I can remember not to. Unless there are others with me.

And I must know that they think this way about me and accordingly be with my hands showing clean and simple what I am doing. My gosh, its horrible that people think in this way about me. But I created this idea in their heads by writing that crazy email and then searching for putzstein in the whole cellar.

What if they're upset about something else? Anyway, definitely something is not right, and I must not create any more hysteria. Hare Krishna! Thank you Lord, for helping me see what went on. Core member meeting, I suppose. Maybe after 5 years they will change their opinion. In any case, I must be careful not to write any silly emails anymore. Enough. No more emails.

Supporting the temple

So we support the temple financially. And I think the money is not being used properly - that the funds are getting used for doors with codes on them that are never protecting when and what they need to protect.

So the police escort a stubborn free-loader out of the temple because he comes for free food every day but then refuses to leave the premises.

So, was I wrong to say that free-loaders are getting attracted to the temple? No.

But they are in denial. They are upset because they're really trying their best and they feel like I've insulted them and rejected them and disapproved of them. So they are mirroring these feelings back to me. And I should not be surprised.

I wonder if I should continue to do the seva for Lord Jagannath? I have to ask Him if He really lives there and if He wants me to do this. If not, I should reconsider how I want to please the Lord and who I want to associate with.

And the theft of the donation box on Saturday... someone threw it in the back of the temple and filled it with flowers. It is so crazy. how can anyone feel safe in such a situation?

I need to stop sending funds to the temple because certainly it is not beautiful - all these events show that things are wrong... the free food without hari kirtan - that is just a recipe for disaster. I think eventually the food shortage will force the system to expire. I am a spectator. I will remain one.

It is foolish to speak up against convinced people - in that the reaction will be to silence me, make me disappear.

The way Sri Mohini asked me - so - do you know about the new underclothes of Jagannath? Like, saying, you know all those pretty plastic skirts you stitched? Jagannath rejected them. I told Nayana to please use material other than plastic anyway - it was my idea to not use that! I was happy to know they got rid of the plastic... these people?! She was trying to hurt me - like do you know that your service got rejected?

My goodness. If I have to deal with this mood - what would be my motivation to visit the temple?

I have to think about this. What do I want? What is my purpose? How do I find like-minded devotees? Do I agree with compromising my values and looking the other way so that money can be donated to iskcon, so called, in the name of Prabhupada, and funds are misused due to lack of spiritual insights?

I must be very clear in my head about who I want to offer myself to - to be accepted or rejected - and to ensure that I stay away from those who are

Puffed up
Treating me badly because I "deserve" it
Trying to tell me how my service got rejected so that they can hurt me

I am shocked. All the respect in my heart for these persons has VANISHED. I mean - Vrindavana Candra prabhu - be he a victim of Maya - I was shocked that he would resort to treating someone who chants the Holy Name in such a way. I would avoid that - because somehow Krishna and my Gurudeva teach me - don't judge - even devotees like Ramacandra Puri - we should not judge - it is Jatila. This is a special type of devotee. :)

So - I must retain respect for them in my heart because they are all chanting the Holy Name. I must understand that they have misunderstood me and not become upset that I am not understood correctly. They have some ideas about what is okay and what is not - and I just happen to be myself. So I should find that which nourishes my devotion and accept that - and avoid that which takes me away from Krishna.

This mood of ingratitude - forgetting everything that a person has done good - is unwanted. We cannot waste our lives in this attitude. And those who have this attitude are still climbing a long staircase. They have not received the grace to understand how to be nice even to those who are not perfect. They are unaware of what is compassion.

I am not going to wonder any more about what transpired behind the scenes. I am simply going to focus on my sadhana, helping those who appreciate my help, contribute to those who are really making a difference, and allow others to rise above their prejudice through time. A few lifetimes from now, it will be very different.

What does it say about someone if they avoid neglect and reject an envious person? It says that they are careful to stay away from bad association. But if they treat them bad, it shows a lack of compassion.

If I was someone who is good to associate with, I would not have any demonic qualities, envy, false ego about being more intelligent than others, and a need to be accepted, appreciated, and loved. In a way their rejection is valid. There is a way in which I could have communicated, a more polite, loving, humble, and prayerful way. If I yell at someone for being incompetent, chances are high that the person will be averse to me. Then I should not wonder why I am being treated in a certain way.

But one thing is for sure. Before tolerating any criticism of a devotee, I would shut my ears and walk away. I would not, even for a moment, listen with interest to the sharp criticism of anyone who chants the Holy Name. Even if they are envious - they should not be hated. Nothing justifies hatred. If someone is fallen we must feel compassion for them. We may stop associating with them, but there is no need to hate anyone.

What about the Tamil guys - are they better? Should we support them instead? Should we support Krishna temple with flowers and fruits instead of money? Should we withdraw completely? Should we reject them the way they rejected me? Should we continue to go when Swamis come and support only them? What should we do?

It's not all bad - there is some good also. What is the good? Some kirtan in going on - some Hari Katha is going on. I can attend that and no one will stop me from doing that - that is allowed and fine. The rest is pointless.

Whatever seva I have taken up, and whatever coins we collected so far - other than that, no more hard cash for Krishna Temple.

And my sewing room seva - I will pray to Krishna to reveal to me His desire. Then I will do that no matter whether there is insult or honor.

Gravity Shavity - no such thing. Denser objects drown inside less dense fluids thats all

Madhudvisa: : You have said that you have nullified the law of gravity, but how can we explain that everything is falling down?
Prabhupada: Yes, the green leaves not falling down — the dry leaves falling down, under certain condition. So it is not the law of gravitation. Why the green leaves does not fall down? Only the rejected things are falling. The rejected, you also throw away, so nature is throwing away. Where is the question of gravity?
Madhudvisa: When they go up in the space ship there is such a force holding the rocket ship down, they must have…
Prabhupada: That is everything. Everything, everything will fall down on the ground, but the controlling power is the air. If the air is adjusted, then it will not fall down.
Madhudvisa: That’s why when they go into outer space they become weightless, they can float without any airplane.
Prabhupada: That, what they’re doing (indistinct). But we see that if you can make adjustment in the air, just like we see the heavy cloud bearing many million tons of water, they do not fall down, they float. Where is the law of gravity?

Theory and Practice

I realize theoretically that Harinaam is the only shelter, the only truth, the only solace. I can see terrible times ahead, and I know I do not have time to remain fallen. I do not have time to waste being lost and disconnected. I must cry and cry sincerely, otherwise the grace will not come. And if it does not come, what is the point of living a worthless life of ignorance? What is the use if I cannot make something good out of a bad bargain? What is the use of my knowledge and spiritual inklings?

When will I be able to desire the chanting of the Holy Name constantly? What kind of purification does that require?