All varieties of devotional topics that don't fit under the other sections of the forums. However,
devotionally relevant topics, please - there are other boards for other topics.
Introduction to "Devotional Topics" - Please read this
Madhava - Tue, 10 Aug 2004 15:37:48 +0530
Due to the recent rise in interest on relevant devotional topics, a new section has been opened solely for this purpose. Here, please discuss:
- Practical applications on traditional siddhanta
- Those things you cherish as the positive aspect in your spiritual life
- Those seemingly insignificant things that inspired you
- "To encourage, nurture, protect, love and share..."
Now, we all have a place right here where we can discuss all these topics we really want to and need to discuss. So let's.
The difference between this section and the Philosophical-section would be that that section is more oriented towards the theoretical.
Madhava - Tue, 10 Aug 2004 16:18:54 +0530
And for the record, I am not going to be the person who starts the first discussion here!
Madhava - Tue, 17 Aug 2004 02:59:42 +0530
Is anyone -- especially those who wanted such discussions -- up to the task of starting a topic here?
vamsidas - Tue, 17 Aug 2004 04:15:46 +0530
| QUOTE (Madhava @ Aug 16 2004, 05:29 PM) |
| Is anyone -- especially those who wanted such discussions -- up to the task of starting a topic here? |
Patience, my friend.
Intimate devotional topics are most readily shared within a congenial community. When that congeniality is disturbed, I think it's natural that people become a bit more reticent to share.
Look at one of the first topics posted in this new area: "Has anyone here experienced their svarupa?" A relatively new poster disclosed intimate sentiments -- the kind that would get a person booted out of ISKCON, and that frankly would not normally be shared openly among mainstream Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Yet within just a handful of posts, this individual who had expressed sentiments antithetical to ISKCON was pointedly attacking those whose devotional sentiments were outside ISKCON.
Was this poster deliberately "baiting" us? Or was this poster just deeply confused? In either case, such posts -- and the environment of hyper-sensitivity and uncertainty that they create -- may put other forum participants "on guard" as far as sharing our own intimate thoughts.
I trust that more of us will do so, in time, as the mood facilitates such sharing. In the meantime, please be patient!
Vamsi
Madhava - Tue, 17 Aug 2004 04:21:28 +0530
I understand the point very well. I am myself shy before a public as open as the whole wide web world when it comes to devotional experiences and so forth.