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There has been some confusion in my mind lately and some sadness. One friend has decided to go brahmacari (not officialy even, he lives at home with his parents still). To him brahmacari means not talking to any ladies at all. Not the ones who he used to be good friends with, not the ones who introduced him to Krishna in the first place. Is this fanaticism? Is this pleasing to Krishna when many delicate feelings of other devotees are being hurt and tears are being shed?

I knew I could remember this from somewhere - thanks to Google:

Real unity is advancing in Krsna consciousness....In the Kali-yuga you cannot strictly follow, neither I can strictly follow. If I criticize you, if you criticize me, then we go far away from Krsna consciousness

- Srila Prabhupada, quoted in Srila Prabhupada Lila vol 6 pg.172

Author's note: I wrote this almost a year ago. Like so many other ISKCON controversies, the discussion was hot and heavy for a while, then trailed off when the next hot topic came up. I've had time to think about the subject a little more, and intend to post a follow-up article soon.

Braja Sevaki dasi's "hugging" article, "A Touchy Subject" generated voluminous controversy and comments. As far as I can tell, there are more comments on that article than on any other. I find it ironic, personally, because I have recently taken it upon myself to become more of a hugger. I don't really like hugging, but there are some people—male and female—that I feel so much affection for, that I force myself to show it in that fashion. Other times, the hug is just a social formality, or even a kind of preaching.

Here are two articles on the subject of hugging between vaisnavas; one from Tulasi-priya Mataji, published on ISKCON News today, the other from Braja Sevaki Mataji, published on Dandavats more than one year ago. I find both of them interesting, thought-provoking, and particularly useful for new devotees—and those who are 'old' in years, but lacking spiritual maturity, like myself. Fist Braja Sevaki's article, since chances are that you've recently read the other one. (There's a link at the bottom to Tulasi-priya's article.)

[Please find a recent statement of the GBC re. this matter here]

By Ravindra Svarupa dasa

My dear devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I wish to offer a few remarks in regard to some emails concerning H.H. Radhanatha Swami, Tirtha Prabhu and others.

As some of you may recall, in 1987 the North American GBC decided that, for the protection of Srila Prabhupada’s movement, it should cooperate with the government in its case against Kirtanananda Swami and others. On three occasions, I myself testified in court as a prosecution witness. And I spent some time in consultation with the lead federal prosecutor, Michael Stein.

On several occasions, I was able to observe at first hand the thorough and systematic way the team of prosecution lawyers and FBI agents made their cases not only against Kirtanananda but against many of his lieutenants and foot-soldiers. Some of them, to protect themselves, eventually testified against Kirtanananda. So far as I could see, the government was thorough and relentless.

While it is nice to glorify devotees who are expending an effort trying to please Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, and whenever any discussion centers around who is advanced and who is not, we should bear in mind the following “One has to learn this science of activities in terms of the modes of material nature, otherwise one’s life will be misdirected”.