What should we be experiencing?

If a person is actually executing devotional service, then he must be happy. If he's not happy, then he's not doing properly. So first thing is this. He might be doing something in the name of devotional service. If he's actually rendering devotional service, then he must be feeling. Just like if you are eating actually, then you must feel strength and satisfaction of your hunger. You cannot say, "I'm eating, but I'm not satisfied of my hunger." That is impossible Then he has to rectify the process of his service. Not to change but to rectify the process.If you are actually executing devotional service, you must feel happy. If you dont feel happy, then you are not executing. There is some flaw.

Lecture 1968

May

there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each others welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord r Ka, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him. SB 5.18.9 verse

By regularly hearing, chanting and meditating on the beautiful topics of Lord Mukunda with ever-increasing sincerity, a mortal being will attain the divine kingdom of the Lord, where the inviolable power of death holds no sway. For this purpose, many persons, including great kings, abandoned their mundane homes and took to the forest.
SB 10.90.50

Lord Caitanya has said that in this age no one

needs to change his position, but one should

give up the endeavor to understand the Absolute Truth by speculative reasoning. One should learn to become the servant of those who are in knowledge of the Supreme Lord. If one is fortunate enough to take shelter of a pure devotee, hear from him about self-realization and

follow in his footsteps, one will be gradually

elevated to the position of a pure devotee.
Bg 13.26

What did we learn

from the last four slides?

If we are not experiencing the above, what can we do about it?

Caitanya Mahaprabhusays: sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga sarva-sastre kaya, lava-matra sadhu-sanga... Sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga sarva... lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya [Cc. Madhya 22.54]. Sadhu-sanga is very important. If

we can associate with real sadhu, means real devotee,

unadulterated devotee, anyabhilasita-sunyam jnanakarmady-anavrtam [Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11], then the recommendation is that simply by associating with sadhu all perfection will come.
Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 6.47 -- Ahmedabad, December 12, 1972

The topmost benediction for those who are living in this material world and are subjected to the repetition of birth and death is association with pure devotees. One should search out such pure devotees and remain with them. That will make one completely happy, even though living within the material world.
SB 4.30.34

The summary is that one has to, first

of all, seek the association of pure devotees who not only are learned in the Vedanta but are self-realized souls and unalloyed devotees of Lord

Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead

SB 1.5.34

One should take shelter of a pure devotee, who has nothing to do with this material world but is simply engaged in devotional service. By serving him only, one can transcend the qualitative material condition. In this verse it is recommended (yogesvara-upasanaya) that one serve the

lotus feet of the topmost yogi, or the devotee. To serve the

topmost devotee means to hear from him about the glories

of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

SB 4.22.22

What did we learn

from the last 4 slides?

Therefore our method is to accept the perfect guru to understand the subject matter. But still, if one reads the books as it is from authorities, there is chance of understanding.
Room conversation, 76

There are two types of Bhagavatas, namely the book Bhagavata and the devotee Bhagavata. Both the Bhagavatas are competent remedies, and both of them or either of them can be good enough to eliminate the obstacles.
SB 1.2.1

Reporter (2): What will happen to the

movement in the United States when

you die?
Prabhupada: I will never die. I shall live

forever in my books, and

you will utilize.
Press conference 75

You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by

becoming fully Krishna

Conscious in this life time.
Letter 74

You mention you like to speak now very often, but the first business should be to preach to the devotees. It is better to maintain a devotee than to try to convince others to become devotees. Your first job should be to make sure that every one of the devotees in your zone of management is reading regularly our literatures and discussing the subject matter seriously from different angles of seeing, and that they are somehow or other absorbing the knowledge of Krishna Consciousness philosophy. If they are fully educated in our philosophy and if they can get all of the knowledge and study it from every viewpoint, then very easily they will perform tapasya or renunciation and that will be their advancement in Krishna Consciousness. .. So you introduce this system and train the devotees first. Don't be too much concerned for the time being with nondevotees, now we must fix-up what devotees we have got in the knowledge of Krishna Consciousness, then we will succeed. What good are many, many devotees if none of them are knowledgeable?
Letter to: Satsvarupa -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972

What did we learn from the

last 5 slides?

Simple hearing is not all; one must realize the text with proper attention
SB 1.3.44 .

Simply to hear like the hogs is not sufficient; one must be able to understand from the authorities.
Bg 15.19

Nor by independent study of books of

knowledge can one progress in

spiritual life.
Bg 4.34 purport

What did we learn from the

last 3 slides?

How should we associate with Srila Prabhupadas

books?

one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life.
SB 3.31.48 purport

 one has to seek the association of devotees, and by such association, when one contemplates and tries to understand the transcendental activities of the Lord, the path to liberation is open, and he is freed.
SB 3.25.25

What did we understand from the last two slides?

Generally, people cannot understand. But if one understands, he becomes liberated.

If some way or other... It is not very difficult;

simply we have to associate with devotees and discuss this literature. Then we'll understand Krsna very easily. Lecture 76

I am therefore so much laboring hard that before

my leaving this body, I may give you some books who

you can enjoy after my death. So utilize it. Utilize it. Read every sloka nicely, try to understand the meaning, discuss amongst yourselves. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya. That is our mission. Nasta-prayesv

abhadresu nityam bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18].

Abhadra, we have got so many dirty things within our heart. So these dirty things can be cleansed

simply by Krsna consciousness."

lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.1 -- July 6, 1972

Therefore one must learn detachment by discussion of

spiritual science based on authoritative scriptures, and

one must hear from persons who are actually in

knowledge. As a result of such discussion in the

association of devotees, one comes to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Bg 15.3-4

Discussion of Krsna is very potent, and if a fortunate person has such association and

tries to assimilate the knowledge, then he

will surely make advancement toward

spiritual realization.
Bg 9.1 purport

What did we understand from the last four slides?

unless and until one is trained in the culture of good association, one cannot become good.
SB 3.3.6 purport

One should learn how to associate with the devotees of the Lord by gathering with them to chant the glories of the Lord. This process is most purifying. As devotees thus develop their loving friendship, they feel mutual happiness and satisfaction. And by thus encouraging one another they are able to give up material sense gratification, which is the cause of all suffering.
SB 11.3.30

"In order to become really learned, we have to associate with devotees. Then we can actually relish krsna-katha. When DISCUSSED AMONG DEVOTEES, krsna-katha is pleasing to the heart and ear. This requires a little training, and this training is given by the devotees." TLK Vs 25-26

What did we

learn from the last 3 slides?

How should we discuss Srila Prabhupadas purports?

To hear and explain them is more important than reading them. One can assimilate the knowledge of the revealed

scriptures only by hearing and explaining. Hearing is

called sravana, and explaining is called kirtana. The two processes of sravana and kirtana are of primary importance to progressive spiritual life. Only one who has properly grasped the transcendental knowledge from the

right source by submissive hearing can properly explain

the subject. SB 1.1.6 purport.

Hearing is solidified by the process

of chanting. One who has perfectly

heard from the perfect source

becomes convinced about the all-

pervading Personality of Godhead

and thus becomes enthusiastic in

glorifying the Lord.

SB 2.2.36 purport

"When we will learn something, we have

to repeat it, even in material things. And

what to speak of spiritual?"

Lecture New York, 1966 Bhagavad-gita 2.55-56

" So one who is spreading krsna-upadesa, simply

repeat what is said by Krsna, then you become

acarya. Not difficult at all. Everything is stated

there. We have to simply repeat like parrot. Not

exactly parrot. Parrot does not understand the

meaning; he simply vibrates. But you should

understand the meaning also; otherwise how you

can explain?
Lecture April 7, 1975

What did we understand from the last

4 slides?

Actually Vedic scripture is krsna-katha, topics about Krsna, and krsna-katha is not

a subject matter for a debate club.

TLK Vs 34

I am very much stressing nowadays that my students shall increase their reading of my books and try to understand them from different angles of vision. Each sloka can be seen from many, many angles of

vision, so become practiced in seeing

things like this.
Letter 72

CC M 24.8-9 Lord Caitanya speaks to Sanatana Goswami:

"I do not recall what I spoke in that connection,

but if something comes to My mind due to

association with you, I shall explain it.

"Generally by Myself I cannot give an explanation,

but by the strength of your association

something may manifest itself.

What did we learn from the last 3 slides?

So by studying Krsna, you become

liberated. So these verses should be

studied very carefully, understanding each word very carefully. Then you'll understand Krsna.
Lecture 1976

And each and every verse is so important

that if a serious student studies each and

every verse, each verse will take at least

one month to understand. And there are

eighteen thousand verses. So for serious study of Srimad-Bhagavatam, it will take

eighteen thousand months.

Lecture 1974

one should read Bhagavad-gita very scrutinizingly with the help of

a person who is a devotee of Sri

Krsna and try to understand it without personally motivated

interpretations. Bg 1.1 purport

What did we learn

from the last 3

slides?

One should not speak in such a way as to agitate the minds of others This is penance as far as talking is concerned. Besides that, one should not talk nonsense. The process of speaking in spiritual circles is to say something upheld by the scriptures. One should at once quote from scriptural authority to back

up what he is saying. At the same time, such talk

should be very pleasurable to the ear.
Bg 17.15 purport

What did we learn from the last slide?

Suppose you hear something of the Bhagavad-gita, and it

appeals to you, or even does not appeal to you. Just try to think
over: "What Bhagavad-gita says? How Swamiji has discussed this matter?" Apply your arguments. Apply your logic. Don't take it as a sentiment or as a blind faith. You have got reason; you have got arguments; you have got sense. Apply it and try to understand it. Then you will feel... . You will gradually develop your attachment for hearing it, and devotional service will be invoked in your heart, and then, gradually, you will make

progress.
Lecture 1966

Make your question to understand it, not

making question to avoid it. There are two

kinds of question. That question will not help

you. If you try to avoid, then Krsna will help you

to avoid, and if you want to capture Krsna, then

Krsna will help you how you can capture.
Lecture 1968

What did you

understand from the last 2 slides?

"Those who are expert in giving knowledge, we should

associate. .If we associate with saintly persons and hear from them Bhagavad-gita and other Vedic literatures, then

it becomes appealing to the heart, hrt, and pleasing to

the ear. . And if you bring them into practical purposes, apply in your life, then sraddha bhaktir ratir anukramisyati. Then gradually you'll become faithful to the Supreme. Sraddha bhaktir. You'll develop your natural instincts of devotional service. Sraddha bhaktir ratir, attachment. Anukramisyati, one after another. This is the process."
lecture on Bhagavad-gita 13.6-7 -- Bombay, September 29, 1973

What did you

understand from the last slide?

Benefits we should be
experiencing if we are discussing properly

Try to always study our books and see our

philosophy from different lights of directions,

become convinced yourself of this knowledge and without a doubt all of your difficulties of mind will disappear forever and you will see Krishna face-to-face.
Letter 72

Such exchanges of thoughts in regard to

Krsna give pleasure to the Lord, who therefore favors such devotees with all enlightenment.
CC Adi Lila 1.49 purport

This process of hearing about and glorifying the Lord is applicable

for everyone, whoever he may be, and it will lead one to the
ultimate success in everything in which one may be engaged by providence. Everyone wants to be free from all kinds of fear, and everyone wants the fullest extent of happiness in life. The perfect process for achieving this, here and now, is

recommended in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. By hearing about

and glorifying the Lord, all a person's activities become molded into spiritual activities, and thus all conceptions of material

miseries become completely vanquished.

SB 2.1.5 purport

Be engaged always in reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, discussing amongst yourself. Then you'll make progress. Otherwise, if you take it as an official routine work... You should take as routine work, but with consciousness that "We have to learn something," not simply attending the class, but to

learn something. In this way make your life

successful.
Lecture 1975

What did you understand from the last four slides?

What is the danger of not discussing Srila Prabhupadas

purports correctly?

What is the value of this association? Sat-sanga. Sat-sanga means assembly, discussion. Bodhayantah parasparam, tusyanti ca ramanti ca. If you are not interested in association, discussion, then you are finished. So... karmis, they are fools and rascals. When you have got this center, it is not that you

should be engaged from morning till you go to bed for sense gratification.
That is not life. That is karmi's life. You have no time for sat-sanga, for association. You cannot make any progress by this sort of karmi's life. We have to work for organization, but not that whole day and night engaged and no sat-sanga. That is a misguided policy, and it will spoil the whole structure.

Room Conversation 1973

 Why they are going? They are busy in some other work? Eh? Ugra-karma. Without hearing, what he will do, nonsense? Sravanam kirtanam, this is our main business. Sravanam. If you don't hear, what you will do? You will do simply sense gratification. That's all. So this is difficulty, that we are not very much interested in hearing. And that is the main business. Our bhakti begins: sravanam kirtanam visnoh [SB 7.5.23]. We have to hear and we have to speak. But if we are not interested in hearing and speak, then it will be the same thakura-bari(?), simply formula. That's all. And gradually it will be stopped. Unless there is life of sravanam kirtanam, these big, big buildings, temples, will become burden. So if we are, if we want to create burden for future, then we may give up this hearing and chanting and sleep very nicely. It will be burden. Galagraha. Not sri-vigraha, but galagraha. Galagraha. Srivigraha means worshipable Deity. So if we give up this sravanam kirtanam visnoh, then it will be thought that "Our Guru Maharaja has given a burden in the neck, galagraha." This is the danger. So we must be very much alert in sravanam kirtanam. Otherwise all this labor will be futile. This building will be only the nest, nest for the doves and the pigeons. That is the danger. That is being done. Nobody is interested. Such, such things... lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.19 -- Mayapura, September 29, 1974

"So those who are of the dog's mentality, cat's mentality, monkey mentality, it is difficult for them. They have to change their mentality by sat-sanga. This is called sat-sanga. Just like you are hearing from the sastra, and we are speaking from the sastra. This is called sat-sanga. Satam prasangan mama virya-samvido

bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah [SB 3.25.25]. By sat-sanga, by real

spiritual association, by talking with them, by mixing with them-satam prasangan mama virya-samvido -- then we can learn about the unlimited potencies of Krsna. Mama virya-samvido bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah. Then it becomes very pleasing to the heart and to the ear, by satam-prasangan. Otherwise it is not possible."

lecture on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.112 -- New York, July 20, 1976

In human society, aversion to the

principles of understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead is

the cause of all falldowns. That is the

greatest offense of human life.
Bg 16.24 purport

What did you

understand from the last 4 slides?

WHO SHOULD WE
DISCUSS WITH?

"In addition, Sri Sanatana Gosvami in his

Hari-bhakti-vilasa recommends that one

should not hear Bhagavad-gita, the

puranas, the Srimad-Bhagavatam or any

hari-katha from anyone who is not a Vaisnava IN HIS ACTIONS.
TLK Vs 25-26

"To understand It requires little cool brain. But that cool brain cannot act without giving up these four things, namely illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication, and gambling. If your brain is

congested always with all these four rubbish

things, you cannot think of higher, finer things.

That is not possible. Therefore we restrict, to

make the brain clear to understand about Krsna.
lecture on Bhagavad-gita 13.5 -- Paris, August 13, 1973

So sometimes the disciple and the spiritual master, the relationship is like that. Sometimes the teacher questions to the student, and student replies, and sometimes the student questions to the teacher, and teacher replies. This is called istagosthi. To develop knowledge, these questions and answers are required. .. Unless one is very inquisitive, there is no necessity of accepting a spiritual master. That is the instruction in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Lecture 66

The best process for making the home pleasant is Krsna consciousness. If one is in full Krsna consciousness, he can make his home very happy, because this process of Krsna consciousness is very easy. One need only chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, accept the remnants of foodstuffs offered to Krsna, have some discussion

on books like Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, and engage

oneself in Deity worship. These four things will make one happy.
Bg 13.8-12

There are innumerable books, such as the puranas, Mahabharata, Bhagavatam, Bhagavadgita and Upanisads, which contain countless subjects for discussion among two devotees or more. Friendship should be cemented between persons with mutual interests and understanding
SB 3.29.17

What did you understand from the last 5 slides?

Concluding quotes

When we speak of hearing and chanting, it means

that not only should one chant and hear of the holy
name of the Lord as Rama, Krsna but one should

also read and hear the Bhagavad-gita and SrimadBhagavatam in the association of devotees. The primary practice of bhakti-yoga will cause the seed already sowed in heart to sprout, and by a regular watering process, as mentioned above, the bhaktiyoga creeper will begin to grow. SB 2.2.30

The word jivanti indicates that a

devotee who always hears about Lord

Krsna will go back home, back to Godhead, even if he can do nothing

except maintain his existence and hear

topics concerning the Lord.
SB 10.14.3

What did you

understand from last 2 slides?

Advice from Kamandaka Muni on how to improve our discussions

The eight virtues characterizing intelligence are:

1. The inclination to hear what others say; 2. Actually hearing what others say; 3. The capacity to grasp the meaning of what others say; 4. Retentiveness;

5. Reasoning in favour of a proposition; 6. Reasoning against a proposition; 7. Insight into the meaning of what others say 8. True wisdom.

The message we get is:

To become wise, we need to PRIMARILY learn to deeply hear, understand and remember

what others say. We also need to know how

to properly put our own point across.

Some

Recommended Discussion
Protocols

ALWAYS start with our understanding. NEVER with our response (questions).

When understanding each other

Be sure to stick closely to understanding the other persons point without including your own thoughts on what they have said. This will

make it easier for all concerned to focus on one point at a time and
prevent the discussion from becoming confused and difficult to follow..

End each attempt with Would you like to say more?

Having understood a question, ask: Do you have any insights on your own question?

When speaking
Dont say too much at a time so your partner can more easily understand you.

Stop speaking when you have finished one point. Dont carry on speaking just because your partner invites you to do so. Let your partner respond to the point you have made before you make another one. This will help your partner remain involved in the discussion. Always thank the person who has understood you. They are doing the hardest

work, so its important we appreciate their effort.

If you want to add more, explain why: Eg. Thank you. You almost understood me. I just want to clarify one point. Or Thank you. You understood me perfectly. But I would like to add some thing.

Lead Your Responses with a Question in following order: 1. Do I have any confusions about the literal meaning of the sentence? Eg. Word meanings, confusing sentence structure. 2. Do I have any doubts or misgivings about what I have understood? 3. Do I need to deepen my initial understanding? 4. Do I have any important insights from what Ive understood? 5. Do I have any so whats?

One Last Point: Analogy of discussion with kirtan

We can do a good discussion with enthusiastic

understandings onlyjust like we can have a good

kirtan with enthusiastic chanting only.

The responses (questions) have to be done expertly to

assist the hearingjust like the instruments in kirtan

have to be played expertly to assist the hearing.