Are you actually a Gaudiya? -

Just some days ago, I also pondered on this. Despite the very title of the forum, and despite that most discussions indeed take place on Gaudiya Vaishnavism in general, its theology, hagiography etc., this forums seem to attract many people who don't consider themselves Gaudiya Vaishnavas. I'm just curious how many of the participiants can identify with the name "Gaudiya Vaishnava".

It all depends how you define gaudiya? I know how I define it and so I have no problem with it myself.

I did not vote but I would consider myself a Caitanyaite and I think that means Gaudiya.

As for people who ask people Insistent Questions of Make up your Mind! Answer The Quiz! "What Religion -Are- You?!" ==>>

"Those who are resolute have only one thought [of Self-realization], but the thoughts of the irresolute are endless and many-branched, O Arjuna."
bhagavad gita 2.41

Although I declared myself to be non-Gaudiya in a post last night, I voted in the 'don't know' category.

I have on my altar a picture of Gaur-Nitai, as well as a picture of Sonia Gandhi, and she's Roman Catholic (just kidding ).

I do have Gaur-Nitai's picture there though. I believe Gaur-Nitai to be Krsna-Balaram; and I also believe Sri Vallabha and Gopinathji to be Krsna and Balaram. I wear a tulasi mala, but not the kanthi-style three strand choker.
Am I a Gaudiya?

Not fitting into the standard manjari-camp of the Gaudiyas, I wandered toward the green cowpastures I saw on the horizon, hoping to get a glimpse of Shyam. I bathed in the Yamuna almost daily for years. I touched the jewel-stones of Giriraja Maharaj, and waited to see Shyam. I followed the cowtrails in the afternoon, and took my lunch by the grace of the Vrajavasis. Waiting. Watching.

Am I a Gaudiya?

I bow at the feet of the exalted Gaudiya Sadhus of Vraja, such as Ananta Das Babaji Maharaja, and eagerly eat their remnents of food (and have done so). I appreaciate the writings of Rupa-Raghunath.

My heart of hearts lies elsewhere. But it is certainly not blind to the jewels of the Gaudiya-marg. I don't know what that makes me...maybe just a crazy angrezi...

I think that just makes you a bhakta... you can pick and choose elements from different traditions to incorporate into religious life. I know I DO! And so do many (read most) people in India who love and worship Krishna.

I put I am "not a gaudiya" but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate and use some elements of gaudiya vaishnavism in my devotional life.

I voted don't know. I claim to be Vaishnava, to anyone who understands this. I have never placed the word Gaudiya in front of it. This may be due to a lack of understanding on my part. If anyone who knows where I stand so far can tell me that I do fit....please let me know.

I had a dream the other night where I was in a Buddhist temple and a monk aksed me if I was a Buddhist...and I said no, I am a Vaishnava... ...interesting.

Obviously my answer has to be no. I borrow a few concepts, but I do not aspire to go to Goloka Vrndavana or, frankly, even quite believe in it. I respect Chaitanya's contribution to spiritual thought, while not really seeing him as God. I don't literally believe in those scriptures, though there are some great insights about certain concepts there. I love my former spiritual master but don't agree with him any more--nor would I likely agree with other traditional Gurus either.

Openmind thought that I still had more of an attachment for the GV positions than I do.

However, I enjoy kirtan immensely.

I am always happy to discuss spiritual concepts with people from ANY tradition and I believe that any sincere spiritual practice can bring one to the ultimate spiritual reward. Nor do I see my path as higher--just different.

Blessed Be--

Tapati

is it true that you can be the most gaudiya of all gaudiyas while thinking it doesnt matter or not if Goloka Vrndavana really exists, or even if radha krishna really exists, as long as you just imagine them into reality through your sadhana and love?
i heard a shadow of this idea floating somewhere, but im not sure where, please help!
frankly it sounds to me like -dangerous mayavadi philosophy-

Well, there is a notion in some branches of paganism that if enough people believe in a shared concept of spiritual reality, a thought form is created on the astral plane. Thus the Christian idea of Heaven is represented there. I have no doubt that a version of Goloka Vrndavana exists in that sense as well. Some believe also that various Deities are created the same way, so that Radha and Krsna would be created and given power by that shared belief of millions of Vaishnavas.

We'll find out when we cross over. I'll stop in and say Hi on my way to visit Kuan Yin.

The idea is to go to an authentic spiritual realm, beyond the astral realms. Realms revealed by the Dieties themselves, etc.

Yep, but we will likely spend time on the astral in our quest over more than one lifetime to get to that ultimate spiritual destination.

I am not convinced that any tradition has the answers about what that place is like or Who is there.

I find the Gaudiya Vaishnava conception more compelling than any other I have explored (which are Christianity and Paganism). That's why I come to this site, hoping to meet those of the same mindset:


Or am I wrong, and is this site changing into something like Belief.net, which describes itself as

(evakurvan)

Sounds like Kishalaya's tongue-in-cheek rephrasing of Jagat's reply to his question whether or not he has had a "real" spiritual experience. That discussion took place at Questions and Answers, Great Leaping Faith. Here's a link to Kishalaya's comment: http://www.gaudiyadiscussions.com/index.ph...indpost&p=32888

But if this is what you had in mind, Evakurvan, then I am afraid you'll have to wait for Jagat to land on this lowly loka here again in three weeks. Then he may elaborate. In the meantime, Great Leaping Faith is a recommended read

I would say that yes, I hold an interest in the teachings and tradition, as well as a bit of shared history, and that I value it enough that I have offered to donate money towards more translations of the books.

However, I hope also that like belief.net, you are not all out to convert (or re-convert) me.

Tapati-ji

I have to say in my heart of hearts I crave your association - running along the ghats and riverbanks of Vrindavan in the hot afternoon sun - throwing water and flowers at eachother, laughing and breathlesslessly stopping to drink mango lassi and then carefuly plotting how to bring Sri Radhika into the company of her blessed Lord tonight.......maybe that's some kind of desire to reconvert you!

That is what the Academic, Controversial, Eclectic section is for! (My favorite corner of GD)

Yeah I asked that question. No answer yet!

Well, I am not able to run, but the rest of that sounds fine to me. I am quite happy to enter into the spirit of worship of anyone's Deities in religious fellowship.

Blessed Be--

Tapati

Hence our discussion in IGM topic, because others don't agree that it is for that. Or rather, they maintain it is for that only if it is related back to GV in the end.

I would like the new forum I am hoping to start to carry the flavor of this section. Any suggestions are very welcome.

Sorry - topics can go by so fast:

To be convinced one either needs to spend some quality time with a Realized Being in the tradition ones wants to really know about - and/or have deep profound experience oneself - which can blow you mind in such a way that one wishes not to talk about it. I am writing this as a type of inspiration for you (and anyone) to go deeper in the practices/realizations of ones tradition(s). The fruit is there. we have to be willing to do what it takes to taste them.

I actually have had experiences that lead me to believe I'm on track with my path, and I don't necessarily believe that there are people on this planet who have a corner on truth, although I will respectfully listen to their opinion. I always qualify my beliefs with an admission that I don't absolutely know the Truth with a capital T and neither does anyone else. I really believe in my signature here, by the way.

I don't believe in revealed scriptures being the perfect transmission of God's word (any of them). I think they were inspired by religious experiences, but were the opinions and understandings of the original authors.

I do believe that we can all gain insight by listening to each other speak about our paths or experiences with an open mind. That's why I believe passionately in interfaith dialogue.

I am an agnostic theist, and I am not alone. I believe what I believe, experience what I experience, and concede that I have no proof of what that experience means. (We got into this in the leap of faith topic.) I prefer to continue my own spiritual practice because I sense that I am correct in my interpretation, and I try to be open minded enough to change my mind if I receive new data or experiences. My path is the best one for me, as yours may be the best one for you. We each judge by results. I've spent 33 years so far on my spiritual quest and I do put a lot of time and effort into it.

Some of the more advanced souls on their own paths may believe that their route was the only way to get there. I see the similarities in methods (aside from cultural variation) and don't think there is just one way to achieve these changes in consciousness. I also think that how we perceive these spiritual experiences or realities depends a lot on our own individual and cultural interpretation. Hence my view of the astral as reflecting what we expect (with the exception of shared realities there that many have spoken of).

I am not seeking escape from the wheel of existence here because there is lots of work to be done. I seek only a better situation from which to do that work next lifetime.

Wishing you continued realization on your path,

Blessed Be--

Tapati

To angrezi:

May I ask why you have a picture of Sonya Gandhi on your altar?

I was just kidding! In India it is possible to find politicians and cricket stars on altars. Besides that Sonia is kind of cute. If I could vote in India I would definitely vote Congress Party...

She is an Italian, non-Hindu, woman, who turned down being PM of India! What a story!

An even Ganeza dressed as a cricket player, the so-called 'Cricket Ganesha.' See here.