Devotee Writings etc.
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Review of Perfect Answer, Perfect Question
by bhakta Eric Johanson This book traces the journey of one ISKCON institution devotee away from Krishna consciousness. The author details his various explorations into cult psychology, the history of Krishna consciousness, as well as the psychology of religion, all in his search for objective evidence. Of particular concern is the tendency of human beings to gravitate towards a worldview centered on certainty, something apparently provided by virtually all religions. In the end the author, one Sourav Uttarkabat, concludes that the most reliable process of acquiring evidence is that of uncertain, empirical scientific observation, this despite praising the Krishna conscious philosophy “as the best and most beautiful theology made…
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Kirtanananda – A Study in Duplicity and Depravity
As referenced in Henry Doktorski’s Gold, Guns and God Vols. 1-10, a biography of Kirtanananda and history of his New Vrindavana community. by bhakta Eric Johanson “Namno balad yasya hi papa-buddhih. If one thinks that ‘I am chanting Hare Krishna mantra, so my sinful resultant actions are now nullified. Now again let me do it. Again I shall nullify.’ This is greatest offense.” Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.10, Bombay, March 30, 1974 The followers of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada have produced at least two types of cheater “gurus,” those capable of feeling shame and those who did not. Those who became ashamed after falling into scandal were…
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Review of No Enmity, Only Solution Books I & II – Gaudiya Matha Attacks
by bhakta Eric Johanson The world was inundated by many cubic miles of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s ocean of love of Krishna as a result of the preaching of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Due to this tsunami Hare Krishna became household words all over the world. Millions of books and magazines on the subject of the Lord’s devotional service were distributed and read. Billions of human beings and untold numbers of other living beings became purified by hearing the holy Names, all because of the decision of this one soul to obey the order of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Prabhupada, an order to preach Krishna consciousness outside…
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Turning Rittvik On Its Head
by bhakta Eric Johanson “Srila Prabhupada never told his disciples to initiate their own disciples in his mission” Hare Krishna Society, Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta “However, Srila Prabhupada never did say that any one individual or group of individuals should become diksha guru.” Prabhupada Truth Commission, Srila Prabhupada’s Hidden Glories, Vol.2, p693 One of the pillars of rittvik doctrine is that Srila Prabhupada never ordered any specific individual(s) to be a diksa (initiating) guru. Therefore its advocates say he wanted what they preach, that he would continue to accept new disciples, even after his departure. The physically manifest person presiding over the initiation ceremony of these new people…
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Forward to Gold, Guns and God Vol. 7
By bhakta Eric Johanson Read Gold, Guns and God Vol. 7 The search for truth can take some to unexpected places, and since the physical departure of Hare Krishna movement founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Srila Prabhupada) in November 1977 the ISKCON institution’s leadership has provided any number of cul-de-sacs in this regard. One of these is the subject of the Gold, Guns and God (GGG) book series. Author Henry Doktorski’s search for truth and healing of his experience in that space now includes giving a detailed account of its events and personalities. ISKCON is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. It is said that children inevitably…
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Rittviks Follow Guru Whimsically (and Blindly)
by bhakta Eric Johanson Krishna consciousness is also known as sanatana dharma – eternal religion. It is the eternal activity of the soul, service to the supreme absolute truth, bhagavan Sri Krishna. “Sanātana-dharma means devotional service. The word sanātana refers to that which is eternal, which does not change but continues in all circumstances. We have several times explained what the eternal occupational duty of the living being is. Indeed, it has been explained by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya-kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’: the real occupational duty of the living entity is to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Purport, Srimad Bhagavatam 7.11.2, Therefore, the siddhanta or spiritual…
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Life Itself by George Harrison
Life Itself [Verse 1] You are the One You are my love You send the rain and bring the sun You stand alone and speak the truth You are the breath of life itself Oh yes, you are You are the One [Verse 2] You’re in my dream I hold you there in high esteem I need you more each step I take You are the love in life itself Oh yes, you are You are the One [Bridge 1] You are the one that I’d die for And you’re all that is real You are the essence of that Which we taste, touch and feel [Verse 3] You are…
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The First Requirement
by bhakta Eric Johanson To become a disciple in a genuine devotional school and to understand and accept its teachings is both praiseworthy and rare. Such a lucky individual can only be a sincere seeker of spiritual life, but that transcendentalist must initially be able to complete the first requirement. Spiritual life is not only difficult; it’s a razor’s edge. Bona fide choices produce enlightenment, while misguided decisions create chaos. The first requirement necessitates that someone new to this consciousness becomes educated about these choices. People who take to a spiritual path desire a higher state of consciousness. Sometimes, however, they wind up in a forlorn state of…
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Review of Srila Prabhupada’s Hidden Glories: His Inconceivable Tolerance and Mercy
by bhakta Eric Johanson yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa “Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 7.128 This two book set definitively presents the evidence that A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, was poisoned in 1977, most probably by his disciple/caretakers. Nothing is spared to make the convincing case, including extensive refutations of any possible objections. Having established this, the books present some…
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Rittvik is a New (Apa) Sampradaya
by bhakta Eric Johanson In recent years the rittvik advocates have come up with a new philosophical term for those who disagree with them. They call them “living guru” devotees. Take for example this characterization of Kailasa Candra dasa, a longtime opponent of rittvik, as found on p576 of book 1 of Srila Prabhupada’s Hidden Glories: “By 1989 he had become a living guru radical who had become an apologist for the living guru argument. He remains antagonistic to the rittvik order of Srila Prabhupada.” The thing is, and this also spotlights a big dishonesty of most rittvik advocates, in 1989 most devotees had never heard of rittvik,…
