namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

by David Haslam

Srila Prabhupada:

"The process of advancing in Krishna consciousness and devotional service is described here. The first point is that one must seek the association of persons who are Krishna conscious and who engage in devotional service. Without such association one cannot advance. Simply by theoretical knowledge or study one cannot make any appreciable advancement.

"One must give up the association of materialistic persons and seek the association of devotees because without such association one cannot understand the activities of the Lord. Generally, people are convinced of the impersonal feature of the Absolute Truth. Because they do not associate with devotees, they cannot understand that the Absolute Truth can be a person and have personal activities. This is a very difficult subject matter, and unless one has personal understanding of the Absolute Truth, there is no meaning to devotion.

"Service or devotion cannot be offered to anything impersonal. Service must be offered to a person. Non-devotees cannot appreciate Krishna consciousness by reading the Srimad-Bhagavatam or any other Vedic literature wherein the activities of the Lord are described; they think that these activities are fictional, because spiritual life is not explained to them in the proper mood. To understand the personal activities of the Lord, 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.

"One who has firm faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes fixed, and his attraction for association with the Lord and the devotees increases. Association with devotees means association with the Lord. The devotee who makes this association develops the consciousness for rendering service to the Lord, and then, being situated in the transcendental position of devotional service, he gradually becomes perfect."

TLK Vs 25-26

• Do we take the need for association seriously?
• Do we truly know and understand the importance?
• Do we actually care?

Srila Prabhupada always stressed the need for association of devotees, with this association we develop the taste of pure devotional service and a deep understanding and appreciation of Krishna.

If we are always in association we can come to the point were we actually take it for granted or think that life would be far better away from the prying eyes of others, for those like me who have limited association at times stare into the pit of self pity and convince ourselves that in some way we do not need it anyway.

But I am also reminded of the importance of making sure that those devotees and aspiring devotees close by should be cared for, but at what stage do we say enough is enough, they neither care nor appear to have any interest in coming?

Although the small Welsh Valley house programs have been running over the past few years, mainly from my own humble home, I am sometimes unsure, or to say disappointed at the response or lack of it, as much as to say the nearest preaching centre has never visited, and a number of devotees who have moved to the area although invited neither turn up nor reply. So should I just not bother?

I am reminded that Sita-pati Das always via facebook sends me an invite, I have never been to one of his programs but have heard so many lovely things from those fortunate enough to go. I am however tempted to get on a plane and turn up.

But more importantly is that it inspires me to continue, to organize, cook, and invite those who's number I have, including the head of congregational development.

Whilst watching out for news of special events from my friends in New Zealand who's association I miss, but who's pastimes bring me great happiness, and to close my eyes and imagine the wonderful programs being given, brings a warm loving feeling and a reminder that devotees are never truly apart.

The small group who arrive brings much life into the house and it's nice to be surrounded by the chatter of devotees, especially as one is a Srila Prabhupada disciple who talks so lovingly about the early days of ISKCON, and the pastimes of these early disciples—a crazy but amazing time. And the blessing of also having HH Mahavishnu Swami taking class on one of his visits, and the planned but not yet confirmed program later on this year.

The simple text found reminds us that we can read and theorize as much as we like, but nothing compares to that of association, so even though we may not get a response in the way we would like, it remains important that we continue to invite, for you never know truly who's hearts we touch or who we actually inspire.