Ocean of Nectar: Unity In Diversity | His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Archives

1. UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Mind you it is not Prabhupada’s legacy it is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s legacy and that is why it is so important to forget all our differences. Prabhupada used to speak about unity in diversity. There is so much differences and diversities and we have to transcend all that. This is the only solution to the problem of the world and this is the greatest benediction to this world. Krishna’s mercy has come down in such a magnanimous way but people are so blind and that is why, that expression people in general are blind. The spiritual master opens their blinded eyes with the torchlight of knowledge. It is not only the diksha guru who opens their eyes. Whoever knows Krishna he can give and it, actually those can open their eyes. Now just consider all the people of the world today are blind and we have to open their eyes then only will they see what an amazing gift this is. Those who are petty minded, most of them are petty minded that is why they remain in their body consciousness I am Indian, I am Black, I am White, I am Man, I am Women., I am Black, I am These are all bodily designations.

2. WHO IS A LEADER?

We have to transcend that and become fixed on one mission and that mission is how to spread this movement. Take it up with all sincerity and if we consider we are the leaders of ISKCON then we have that responsibility. A leader must have three qualities, a leader must have vision; a leader must be able to motivate his followers; and a leader must facilitate his followers to achieve that vision. Vision we all have; Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave us that vision “every town and village.” Now it’s up to us to motivate. You can see those who cannot motivate others is not a leader. Who is a leader? One who can motivate others and a good Leader motivates the whole nation. Prabhupada was a leader who motivated the whole world. The greater the ability to motivate others, the greater the leader. Leaders are not meant to ride on the backs of their followers, that is the materialistic way of leadership. A genuine leader would carry their followers on his back, facilitate. Just consider the soldiers are fighting and if they don’t get supplies can they fight?

3. INVOLVE EVERYONE

The general what does he do? The good general provides arms and ammunition, medical supply, food, whatever they need so that they can fight. That is how a leader has to be, he must facilitate. Okay go ahead and fight here is the ammunition. If you look at Srila Prabhupada, He was the perfect leader. He motivated devotees, devotees went to different parts of the world and Prabhupada went there. Prabhupada inspired them, Prabhupada provided them with whatever they needed. So, make it a point to involve everyone. Whites are not here, other Africans are not here, they can be so easily inspired. Maybe it will take some effort but one thing I can tell you, same kind of people motivate their kind of people. During Prabhupada’s times the young Americans went and other Americans joined, similarly we have seen Bhakti Tirtha Maharaja was preaching and he attracted a whole lot of Africans so just take advantage of your physical feature and attract others. Today what is happening, Indians are joining and we are happy to accept them but there is no effort to go out of their way to get others.

4. CONTINUE TO PREACH

When I go to countries like UK and when I see that they are all Indian then I tell them it seems to me that you all are not preaching. Those who are coming on their own we are happy but if we went out and preached then others would have come. Initially people are in the bodily platform so we also deal with them in a way that they can relate to us but ultimately, we must bring them up to that transcendental platform. Now let’s hear some discussion, I am just giving a monologue. Let’s hear your realisations. I have a question Guru Maharaja, “In the Eastern Cape there is a situation where it is similar to the KZN, there is a very strong culture and I find that although people are very respectful, on the other hand it is also a challenge for them to accept Krishna Consciousness so what would you advise me in approaching an environment like that? Guru Maharaja, “My response to that would be just continue to preach and don’t worry about the result. Just give it to them and keep on reminding them because at some point most of the people will realise what you are doing for them.

5. PLEASE CHANT

When and how that will happen, we do not know. An example in Philadelphia one person was coming to the temple for 30 years but did not accept Krishna Consciousness then one day he just came to the temple and wanted to move in. The temple president asked him what happened, that all of a sudden, this change? He told him that he had been diagnosed with cancer. See there is no way of knowing how Krishna will just motivate somebody to accept Krishna. Another way you can look at it. I will simplify this point by saying that I have asked people to chant in lectures and when I am dealing with a large crowd and I tell them to chant the holy name and these are the benefits and then I tell them even if you are not willing to chant now, someday if you are in real difficulty then please chant and see what happens. So, like everybody at some point or the other will face a very very critical situation, okay remember Krishna at that time. Right now, you maybe alright and thinking that fine you don’t need Krishna and don’t want to believe but if someday some time arises then please chant.

6. SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION

Prabhupada was a leader who motivated the whole world. If you look at Srila Prabhupada, He was the perfect leader. He motivated devotees, devotees went to different parts of the world and Prabhupada went there. Prabhupada inspired them, Prabhupada provided them with whatever they needed.

7. GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS

We have to transcend that and become fixed on one mission and that mission is how to spread this movement. Take it up with all sincerity and if we consider we are the leaders of ISKCON then we have that responsibility;
So, make it a point to involve everyone; and
Just continue to preach and don’t worry about the result.

(Compiled and Edited by Hemavati Radhika Devi Dasi)

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