“The word independent needs a definition, not an array of obscure connotations.”
“
Instead of protecting us, they choose to cast us offand call us "independent" ...a word with some very nasty connotations.”
by Jaya Lalita dasi
I have been bothered by some point in all the postings from different conferences. Today I put my finger on it. The word independent needs a definition, not an array of obscure connotations. As things stand, independent can mean defiance of one's husband, living in some manner outside the societal infrastructure, or being self-sufficient. These of course are not all. They just come to mind at the moment.
What are we actually talking about when we say a woman is independent? If a husband has found it convenient not to properly protect his wife and children .... they become agitated. She is independent. SHE has to find a way to maintain her own Krsna Consciousness. If he leaves her claiming her to be insubmissive, she has only two choices. Remarry, in which case she is a prostitute, or become self sufficient in her own spiritual and material maintenance. In that case she is condemned as "independent." Ideally, when a man renounces his wife, preferably for taking to a higher spiritual order (not a new, more attractive wife), the woman takes shelter of the social infrastructure. In fact, she CANNOT do that in ISKCON, because our all-male leadership has not established any.
It is impossible to talk about protection of women and submissive wives etc, and NOT discuss single women with children. In the pursuit of Krsna Consciousness, single women are a natural byproduct of men moving on in their spiritual lives. (Or leaving spiritual life altogether.) So WHY have we as a society, especially the men who run it, ignored protecting these women for so long? Instead of protecting us, they choose to cast us off and call us "independent" ...a word with some very nasty connotations.
Your Servant
JayaLalita dd ACBSP/SDG
© CHAKRA 31-Dec-98
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