On my return to Mayapur on the 22nd of February I was looking forward to attend some of the ILS presentations. It also gave me a wonderful opportunity to connect with senior devotees from all around the world, and almost every day I received some guests at my place for breakfast or lunch. It was a busy time for us, and at the same time we were preparing for our annual program of the Institute for Spiritual Culture, which we had scheduled for the 7th of March. This year the overall theme was "The Glories of the Vanaprastha Ashram" - a topic which attracted attention, since it is not so often discussed. I had arranged for one thousand colorful leaflets to be printed up, and there were also three big banners placed around the Mayapur campus to announce the event.
We conducted the program at the venue of the Old Gurukula, on the way to the Goshala, where usually the Kirtan Academy has their programs. We arranged for a big pandal to conduct the event, and another little one with tables and chairs for the VIP prasadam - both with open sides which allowed a pleasant breeze to go through. And the nice flower decorations created a festive atmosphere. It was a perfect setting - peaceful, with green surroundings and plenty of space for devotees to move around and exchange thoughts and ideas after the program.
Around 350 devotees assembled, with many senior devotees, disciples of Srila Prabhupada and a number of Sannyasis blessing the event, who were welcomed with flower garlands. Yadubara Prabhu lead the initial kirtan, followed by an opening and introduction given by my humble self. I established the purpose of our Institute for Spiritual Culture being an educational institute within the institution of ISKCON, specializing in giving systematic education and training in various aspects of spiritual culture. And I briefly introduced the topic of culture coming about through the practical application of a certain world view and philosophy. Spiritual culture is Krsna's culture, which He has given us in order to create stability and harmony in this world. It has universal underlying principles, which are applicable anywhere in the world. All our social problems in these modern days are global reactions for not following Krsna's system. Our disease is that we think our system is better than Krsna's system, and we consider His system to be old-fashioned and out-dated.
I briefly introduced the topic of the Vanaprastha ashram and it's connection with culture. Interesting to observe how in materialistic culture where sense gratification is the ultimate goal of life old age is viewed as being the last chance to one more time enjoy life to the fullest, with luxury cruises and pleasure trips, in all comfort, leasure and opulence. In modern society old people are considered to be a burden, and thus they are pushed aside into Old Age Homes and Retirement Centers. The elderly can't keep up the race for sense gratification and are seen to be a disturbance in the pursuits of enjoyment of the young generation. However, in spiritual culture where self realization is the goal of life, the elderly are very important members of society and embody life experience, wisdom and self realization. They are highly respected for their guidance and advice, and are passing down traditions and values to the young generation. And it is understood that this last phase of life is meant to be lived in simplicity and austerity to increase hearing and chanting, to ultimately prepare for death.
As long as we find it difficult to embrace spiritual culture, the Vanaprastha Ashram will not really manifest. And as we will be able to more and more apply and actually live our world view and philosophy, very naturally the Vanaprastha Ashram will gradually develop. It is a matter of systematic training and education. Therefore we had launched a new course of 15 hours on this topic of the Vanaprastha ashram, which was offered during January and was well attended and received.
As long as we find it difficult to embrace spiritual culture, the Vanaprastha Ashram will not really manifest. And as we will be able to more and more apply and actually live our world view and philosophy, very naturally the Vanaprastha Ashram will gradually develop. It is a matter of systematic training and education. Therefore we had launched a new course of 15 hours on this topic of the Vanaprastha ashram, which was offered during January and was well attended and received.
HH Niranjana Maharaja gave a short but very heart-felt talk on the importance of respect, and the valuable contribution the Vanaprasthas are meant to make: sharing their wisdom and life experience with the young generation. He was emphatically expressing how we are losing out on so much valuable life experience and wisdom of our senior householders, since the culture of giving and accepting shelter based on mutual respect between the young and senior generation has not yet been established. His words were touching our hearts and left deep impressions on our minds.
HH Sivarama Swami gave the main speech connecting the topic of the Vanaprastha ashram with Varnashrama Dharma, explaining the importance of taking serious steps in the direction towards establishing this supportive system.
We also had several participants of the Vanaprastha Course sharing realizations. Acarya Ratna Prabhu from Poland was one of our younger students, who very eagerly took part in all courses throughout the entire month of January, even though he was at the same time studying Bhakti Sastri in the mornings. I felt very encouraged to see that also the young generation is showing interest in this topic and is eager to educate themself in order to plan out their life.
Srivasa Prabhu and his wife from Ghana also spoke. They are a very exemplary couple, both having gone through brahmacari/ni life, followed by a very active life in the grhastha ashram, with lots of challenging services in various capacities, and now preparing themselves internally for the Vanaprastha ashram. Even though Srivasa Prabhu was teaching the Bhakti Vaibhava course in the Mayapur Institute, he nevertheless found time to attend the Vanaprastha course, which was very encouraging to me.
Pancaratna Prabhu and his good wife Atitaguna Mataji were also sharing some thoughts and realizations, since she had participated in the course aswell. They are also a very exemplary couple, having gone through the ashrams one after another, and now heading towards the Vanaprastha stage of life.
We concluded the program with kirtan lead by the Bangladeshi boys, and at the same time we served nice prasadam. There was plenty for everyone, and devotees were eagerly associating with one another over prasadam, further discussing thoughts and ideas related to the theme of the evening.
The atmosphere was very sweet, cultured and personal, and devotees were very pleased. I took the opportunity to personally connect with as many devotees as possible, and everyone expressed their appreciation and satisfaction with the program. It had certainly left impressions on devotees' minds and had offered some food for thought.....
A group of Bangladeshi youth preachers had helped me to organise the entire event - without their help it would have been difficult for me to get such program off the ground.
I felt very inspired to continue conducting such events every year. It is a wonderful and very cultured way to bring attention to this topic of spiritual culture and to the courses I am giving in different parts of the world.
The filming of the entire program will soon be posted on www.therootsofspiritualculture.net
Gradually my time in Mayapur was coming to an end. I spent the last days attending some kirtans during the Kirtan Mela, and meeting with devotees privately. Once again it had been a very busy and productive time here in Mayapur - next to the cows.....
On the 17th of March I flew off to Europe....
Your servant, Devaki dd
I felt very inspired to continue conducting such events every year. It is a wonderful and very cultured way to bring attention to this topic of spiritual culture and to the courses I am giving in different parts of the world.
The filming of the entire program will soon be posted on www.therootsofspiritualculture.net
Gradually my time in Mayapur was coming to an end. I spent the last days attending some kirtans during the Kirtan Mela, and meeting with devotees privately. Once again it had been a very busy and productive time here in Mayapur - next to the cows.....
On the 17th of March I flew off to Europe....
Your servant, Devaki dd
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