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Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

I have attempted to write this letter on a few occasions and obviously due to my inability to properly articulate my thoughts many of the devotees took my thoughts the wrong way. So I wanted to give it one more try. I have met many wonderful Vaisnavas due to my visits to Gaudiya Discussions. I have encountered points of philosophy and practical application that have both enriched and challenged my spiritual life. At the same time I find myself disturbed over the overly aggressive manner in which we approach one another and discuss other Vaisnavas and aspiring Vaisnavas. Generally these discussions center around the teachings, practices and movements of BSST and ACBSP. At some point wouldn’t it be much more beneficial to our personal spiritual lives, our internet sanga and those interested in our discussions if we simply state that this site is not based on their teachings and that there are serious philosophical and practical differences between the members of this site and BSST and ACBSP? Maybe a thread that speaks of the general philosophical differences between the basic tenants that fuel Gaudiya Discussions.com and the teachings of BSST and ACBSP so if someone new questions these differences they can be directed to a thread that speaks of these differences in a philosophical, practical and, most importantly, in a pedantic manner in which the differences are highlighted in a straight forward philosophical manner?

To be quiet honest if you look through the threads on this site there is much more discussion on what is the perceived faults of BSST and ACBSP than there is the perceived advantages of approaching spiritual life outside of their teachings. Would you not attract more aspiring Vaisnavas to yopur line of thought by highlighting the validity and sweetness of your approach as opposed to through what you see as the faults of other routes?

If we are to judge a tree by it’s fruits do you feel comfortable that the way you use this board would reflect well on your Guardians? Would it inspire someone to seek their association and shelter because you are so happily situated and comfortable with your path? I think if many were to step back and see how dominated their posts, words and actions are in opposition of ACBSP and BSST as opposed to in favor of the validity and sweetness of their path they would come to the conclusion that they are not fostering an environment where aspiring Vaisnavas want to see outside of ACBSP and BSST’s organizations and philosophical approaches.

I know that I can’t send someone to this site to help them understand the many positives found in the teachings of the traditional pravars because they would find 1 positive post to every 20 negative posts. Again I am not asking for anyone to agree with the teachings of ACBSP or BSST. I know I certainly disagree with certain aspects. I am just asking that you take a more mature, detached and appreciative mood towards your differences. Don’t be like the Christians that stand on the street corner with a photo of an aborted baby screaming “MURDER’ers” in hopes of convincing those of your ways. Speak of the validity of your Gaurdians teachings and the sweetness of your path. It will elevate your consciousness, reflect better on your Guardians to all that read your thoughts as well as serve to uplift and empower this forum as a positive tool as to why we follow Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Yes, I know that BSST, ACBSP and their followers took an aggressive approach in attacking your Guardians and their teachings. If you see that as a fault in their legacy, heart and lives than don’t let that same aspects be such a part of your lives. Maybe it is only here where these thoughts and words come out but it is also only hear that aspiring Vaisnavas hear of your Guardians and your words will absolutely reflect on their teachings and character. This is something we should not overlook.

I will always value, admire and feel indebted to BSST, ACBSP and their followers for all that they gave me and continue to give me regardless if I chose to follow a different path as they gave me my initial glimpses and brought me to where I am today.

Personally I derive much of my daily association through these pages and the members I of this forum that I correspond with. As I have gotten deeper into reading the books of Sri Ananta dasa Babaji I have started to feel an inspiration and focus that I have been praying to receive for many years. My sadhana is inspired as is my desire to serve the Vaisnavas. Yet many times when I encounter many of the posts on this site I find that the mood in which I am encountering is very different and even, in my mind, counteractive to the gift I have found in Baba’s books; to the point where I wonder if participating in the regular forums here is in the best interest of my spiritual life. This would sadden me. So I humbly request for the last time that the members of this forum decide to use their words to glorify the teachings of the Goswami’s and their Guardians by highlighting the advantages of these teachings and all that they bring. If an aggressor comes to this site to club you with the teachings of ACBSP and BSST than simply highlight that this site is not a place where their teachings are accepted and move on. If someone is simply coming to pick a figt then the good moderators will remove their posts and most importantly if they are ignored they will go somewhere else to build their ego.

Anyhow I know most are probably a bit done with hearing my thoughts on this subject. I apologize if you find this mood overbearing.

Aspiring to be a servant of the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

So true...

1:20 ? Really ?

Dandavats. All glories to the Vaisnavas.

Actually, it was a bit higher but I didn't want to accentuate the negative. Probably a bit closer to 1:24 and that was after about an hour of reading the different threads that weren't attributed specifically to these individuals. If you bring those in to the equation it is much much higher (the analysis of numbers is just my District Manager mind at work...).

Aspiring to be a servant of the Vaisnavas,
Rasaraja dasa

I agree with Rasaraja. There are certainly times when such matters may be discussed, but I feel like most of what's going on these days is just so much unnecessary and irrelevant quibble over matters that are really not of much concern to us.

Hence my recent call for those positive realizations.

Perhaps this will solve the issue.

Today, Madhava and I posted aver 35% of the total number of posts. This may be a little high, but I think we are usually in the 20-40% range. I don't think that much of what we say is negative, so I really don't see how only 4-5% of posts can be considered to have a positive message of some sort.

Madhava has probably done the right thing by isolating any discussions of Iskcon and the Gaudiya Math. I don't like the vitriol very much either, but I think it is clear that there is a backlog of hostility toward those movements that hasn't been fully catharsized.

To be honest, I think that any willingness to remain committed to Mahaprabhu is a sign of gratitude to the essence of Iskcon and the Gaudiya Math. The rest is peripherals.

That being said, I understand your problem and hopefully Madhava has found the correct solution.

Probably undetected bad habit this one of measuring everything by numbers. If number is what is required, here is a good number: 1

There is one person who has recently had a change of heart towards ACBS due to reading comments presented in these forums. The degree of honesty and humility transpired in this one person's wording of his change of heart was enough to remind me that ACBS said that if only one pure devotee was made in his mission, such would be considered a Success.