oldchakra.com

Clarifications on My Article About Lovisha
By Sri Nandanandana dasa

First of all I’m glad for the devotees that wrote in to Chakra, and sent emails to me, or those I talked with on the phone who appreciated my article, called "Why I’m Determined to Spread Spiritual Knowledge." And I’m also sorry that some felt it was too graphic. But the first thing I want to do is ask Rahul what he was talking about when he says in his first letter: "The statement that because of this incident I want to preach more and that this incident is worse than the US attacks is completely Absurd." And then in your second letter you continue with: "To consider that the Americans had suffered less than the girl mentioned would not be correct."

You bet it wouldn’t be correct, which is why I want to know where you are getting this. Where in my article did I say that? Why are you falsely giving me credit for saying something so ridiculous and that was never said? You later say: "Please excuse any mistakes," but your misinterpretation is one big mistake. And since this is at least half of the reason why you didn’t like my article, I thought I better address it.

So let me clarify that what I actually said in the first paragraph was, "It [the incident in the article] has disturbed as well as motivated me even more than the violence that brought down the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, a year ago." That is far different than what you are claiming I said, Rahul. And then you comment on it like I’ve made some absurd remark. So your misunderstanding of my article begins from the very first paragraph. I don’t mind people giving their thoughts on my writing, but get it right before making comments on what you misconstrue or don’t understand. It seems like that happens so easily these days.

Naturally things happen in this world which are tragic and which will make us either stunned at what has happened, or be a motivation for action. The article was a description of my own horrific reaction to a tragedy that stunned me, and then my change of thinking to utilize it as a catalyst to be more effective with my own preaching endeavors.

The article itself was about four pages long, out of which only two sentences gave a concise yet accurate description (albeit graphic) of what the police found of Lovisha the next morning. It was not an elaboration, but was succinct. If it was too graphic for some, then I’m glad that you are sensitive to this sort of thing, as everyone should be. Yet every once in a while something happens, something so shocking or disturbing that it brings us out of our state of complacency, if any of us have that problem, and reinforces the need that we have got serious preaching work to do that cannot be neglected. So many disagreeable things may happen in this world that are but mediocre, or we’re used to it and it produces no changes. It instills no serious reaction. But other more dramatic incidents reiterate that the world is in a state of emergency and the only thing that will truly help is our cooperative endeavor to spread genuine spiritual knowledge for the upliftment of all humanity.

So I’m glad you found those two sentences disturbing. But if you want a glossy version of it for the sake of not disturbing devotees, then I admit I’m guilty of creating waves. I also admit that I may be a little callous to this sort of thing since I live in Detroit, and a person hears all the different ways people are murdered on a daily basis in this city. Yet, that’s part of what motivates me to continue writing and trying to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s message.

But why would anyone be concerned about my reaction to Lovisha’s murder if it was just another one of the many hundreds that happen everyday in this world? The point is that this was not ordinary. It was not one of those, "Yep, something ought to be done about that," kind of a thing. To me it was far more serious on a personal level, whereas I felt I had to start right now to do something, even if it was only a reaffirmation or more determined focus on the work I’m already doing.

Of course, many devotees may not need this kind of an impetus to stay serious. Many are fully and sincerely engaged in their service and preaching activities. Maybe I’m the one who shouldn’t inflict this kind of article out on others. Maybe it’s just me who needs something like this to come along, grab me by the ear and yell into it: "HEY, what are you doing? Don’t you see what’s going on around you? And you sit there dealing with all your second rate issues. When are you really going to do something substantial? After all, how old are you? Over 50? You know, you don’t have so much time left. So what are you going to do to justify your existence, your spiritual pursuits, and utilize the time you have left in this life? You better get off your seat and start thinking. It’s time for action. You know Srila Prabhupada didn’t do all he accomplished by sitting around all the time. And you think the world is too violent, too brutal? This is Kali-yuga. Get a grip. Don’t think this is going to go away. You’ve seen how much things have changed and deteriorated in the last 30 years. So you can get a picture of where this trend will take things in another 30 years, unless you and your devotee friends start doing something to expand your preaching. Otherwise, in due time, this planet won’t have a chance."

Like I said, sometimes something will happen where I hear that voice. I’m sure not everyone needs it. After all, it’s not the most refined language, as some may point out. It’s not the Queen’s English. I’m sure some would even say it’s a passionate voice. But it doesn’t sidestep the issue and it gets to the point.

So if those two sentences in my article were too graphic for a few people, then that is good. But the crux of the whole article was, What are we doing about it? Taking issue with the language still doesn’t deal with this problem, which makes for a weak argument in relation to the topic. How are we gathering inspiration and sharing ideas with one another for reaching as many people as possible with Krishna Consciousness? A few people did write back to Chakra and precisely focused on that central issue as related in my article, which was most encouraging to me.

The article was about how we remain strong, focused, and caring in our intent to preach in spite of the brutality that goes on around us. How do we continue to help alleviate the divisiveness that people perceive between one another, even amongst devotees? How do we help spread spiritual knowledge in a way in which people can see this is the answer to most of the world and social problems?

If we truly focus on that, then maybe the violence will decrease, there can be an increase in peace, and the pursuit of spirituality will also be easier. As I said in the article, a cooperative endeavor and plan of action to focus on this will easily make all these other issues that seem to grab our attention appear far less significant. Otherwise, if those two sentences in my previous article disturbed you, and as the influence of Kali-yuga accelerates, rest assured, you haven’t seen or heard anything yet.

Let me close with one little example of what I’m talking about. The major Puranas that present predictions of Kali-yuga (which I wrote extensively about in my book, The Vedic Prophecies) all say that there will be a time when the age of 16 will be considered old age, and that the maximum age will be no more than 23. Now that’s a harsh reality, don’t you think? Yet I was just told by a friend that they have now estimated that the average age to be reached for a black male youth presently growing up in the city of Detroit is only 35. And those of us who live here can plainly see all the evils that are manifesting to make this a reality, with which each and every one of us must deal. So think about it, and I hope that reality isn’t too brutal for you.