Unspoken Obstacles on the Path of Bhakti

Description

This is an in-house book for practitioners of bhakti and for leaders within ISKCON. It deals with philosophical and sociological issues. Many of the observations discussed herein may also be applied to other spiritual or devotional organizations. Far from being a complete analysis, only a few topics are discussed since the subject is vast. I am not a sociologist, but I have studied and practiced bhakti-yoga for twenty-six years. ISKCON is a growing society and grapples with many internal problems. Recently, some members have left to join other organizations, splinter groups or bäbäjés. The problems, however, are not due to ISKCON itself or the process that Çréla Prabhupäda established within it. Like the holy River Yamunä, ISKCON is pure and transcendental, always able to purify and grant devotion. It is a divine vehicle for Lord Caitanya’s mercy. Unfortunately, we dump refuse into it and pollute it with our coarse habits and previous conditioning, both gross and subtle. This book explores some of these forms of conditioning, and my hope is that it will stimulate introspection and improvement, individually and collectively. In other words, the goal of this book is to invoke social and spiritual reform within ISKCON. Why? Well, for one, because I live within the Society and want to see its problems solved. ISKCON is Çréla Prabhupäda’s legacy, his mission, his creation or child. Any disciple naturally desires to protect, maintain and rectify his master’s mission. If someone is ill, the first step in curing him is to diagnose the disease. This usually includes checking the tongue, testing the blood pressure and jabbing for blood samples—none of which is pleasant. Without these tests, the doctor cannot ascertain the problem and neither he nor the patient will know what to do.