simple thoughts

Firstly can I apologize for the lack of class postings from my visits to The Manor, there has been a software problem with my iPhone syncing with the nFinity QuickVoice recorder I have been using and the patch sadly does not work.

In my senior IT head I forgot a simple rule, the software on my computer also records so simply re-listen and record at the same time simples; so hopefully I will be able to upload soon.

Talking of class I had a profound realization during a recent class were the interesting question of mans ability to modify genetics and manipulate the environment so doesn’t that show there is no god and that in survival of the fittest then man is winning.

After some answer the devotee who asked the question simply said one thing, well the answer would be show me the man who has not aged or died this will prove many ability to manipulate nature for his own survival simples.

It reminded me of a program were the discussion on medical ethics was being explored one of those participating noted that many years ago individuals would suffer from an acute illness and then die in a very short space of time; our manipulation has meant that we no longer have these periods of acute illness but now we have long periods of illness were the individual suffers for a prolonged period before as it was put the relief in death from there suffering.

Indeed we see that there is a growing need for palliative care.

In my years of nursing one discussion we often have is why are we doing this? We come into the profession not to increase or prolong suffering but to relive suffering of all people. But as technology increases so does the problems related, to resuscitate or not, to ventilate or not; to test or treat the condition or manage and let nature take it’s due course.

In many ways the fear of litigation from the family often means that treatments are undertaken that increase the persons suffering were death would have occurred previously; and get we say we are advancing and survival rates and mortality rates are getting better. But as nurses we ask at what cost.

I remember many years ago a client looked at me with tears in there eyes and said “tell me why you are allowing me to suffer for if I was a horse you would have put me down to end my suffering” it made me stop for sure a point that I pondered for a long while.

Also attending many crash calls of people who as you enter the room you ask yourself why am I here, we do our duty and some times leave just to be called to the same person a few hours or days later.

No one want’s to suffer, No one want’s to feel pain, all want some quality of life at a level that they feel happy with, many individuals I have worked with who have severe disabilities have been some of the most inspirational people I have met overcoming many hardships to achieve a goal.

But now we are faced with living wills and people willing to travel abroad, even fight legal cases to choose when and how treatment should be withdrawn, when resus should not be attempted and the individuals right to refuse what is termed life saving treatments; I would rather die than suffer in this or that way.

Medical science brings up so many ethical dilemmas, but despite our manipulation of genetics and the environment still we suffer and ultimately we die many a prolonged agonizing death with stronger pain relief being needed to give some comfort; and at times the false hopes Yes this treatment will cure and prolong my life.

Lets face it no one wishes to, wants to, or desires truly to die but our suffering makes many at some point desire it, and sadly for onlookers there are times when there is a wish that they die just so you can see the person you love and care for suffering end.

But life after life we suffer in the same way, never stopping and asking the question why do we die and how can we stop it.

So what use is my being proud of being a nurse and care giver for ultimately the soul continues to suffer, best be a devotee and give Krishna Consciousness and then the suffering will end forever; this is my thought and the more I ponder this thought the more I find nursing harder to do.

The other day I was repairing the roof of the old tulasi house at the Manor and heard my phone go being unable to answer it I left it to go onto answer phone; however when I was able to see who it was there was a pleasant surprise it was HH Mahavishnu Swami so immediately called back.

HH Mahavishun Swami started to explain how he was having to go to Wales in order to renew his passport and if he could make it to mine could he stay overnight as he had to be at the passport office for 9am; before I had a chance to reply he asked another question “were are you, you working today?”

To his amazement not only could I inform him that not only was I at the Manor but also traveling back to Wales that very evening; we both proclaimed how merciful Krishna is as his arrangements always are perfect and unfathomable. Arrangements were made so that not only could he get to Wales but also set off in time to sort out his passport in order to get the visa needed to go to India.

As we traveled down the questions asked was about the current economic climate and it’s possible impact on devotees especially home owners who may start to struggle paying off the mortgage; so we discussed what will happen the long term problems and how to support those in this situation. As the different questions were asked looking at different permutations HH Mahavishnu Swami suddenly apologized I’m sorry for asking so many questions but without asking I will not understand the situation and what will happen.

It made me think his concern was the disciples and devotees who are struggling in the current climate and in order to understand it he asked lots of questions, are we ourselves so concerned about asking questions on the soul and how best to advance in service and overcome the conditioning of material life.

We also talked about how to deal with loneliness especially when we there is little association and how to become more fixed in devotional service; he asked how I managed with so little association for some reason this is Krishna’s mercy that despite my periods of loneliness that is hard to bear the fact I can just aim for my visits to the Manor and devotee association is just enough to get through.

Anyway after checking times we could see the need for an early start in order to make the appointment so after Arati and some simple prasadama we set off for the train station (with some nice prasadam packed away for lunch kindly provided by the Manor). The train ticket was obtained and I walked His Holiness up to the barrier I watched my dear friend walk away bags in hand alone just peacefully absorbed in the holy names and thoughts of how to help all those spirit souls to return home back to godhead.

It reminded me of this picture of Srila Prabhupada:

But also that the life of our spiritual masters may appear to be a lonely one always traveling often long distances alone; always giving of self to help others advance but there strength is total reliance on Krishna. Absorbed in the chanting of the holy names and how to best serve there spiritual master.

When will I become so absorbed in love of Krishna that my mind will stop torturing me, the answer is clear simply absorb myself in how to serve my own guru maharaja. But also I realized how much mercy Krishna shows to his devotees who are fully surrendered to meet there every need just to allow them to continue to serve there spiritual master just to allow preaching to continue.

Firstly I am ready for a bit of (R in DS) my monthly fix or rest in devotional service; ok my work colleges don’t quite grasp the concept of how what appears to be work can be restful after all kicking off your shoes in front of the tv with a bottle of wine is the way to go right?

One thing I don’t say because this would add even more to there confusion as to how work can be fun and relaxing would be the simple fact that over the past few months on my visit I’ve been sleeping on an office floor at The Manor (they still think I sleep in a bed whilst there). It is the kind mercy of the devotees that they have found a way of accommodating me and after all without service this life would be very difficult for our desire should be to serve the mission and the orders of our Guru Maharaja’s as best as possible given the limitations of the human body.

So I was e-mailed about West Africa, a country I’ve been to and worked in on a voluntary basis; one day may be by Krishna’s mercy I could return to preach the glories of Sri Caitanya in loving devotional service. There was however a request for my thought’s.

Firstly they noted that Srila Prabhupada said that books should be free when preaching in Africa; I have looked for this quote and to date not found it but Srila Prabhupada did say that he could see no difference between India and Africa as they present the same problems with similar typography (this is a summery not a direct quote).

I am reminded that HH Devamrita Swami often correctly quotes his spiritual master who said “if any one says Srila Prabhupada said I haven’t” and that Srila Prabhupada often quoted his own spiritual master as this is the system we all should follow.

Any way if free books or not free books there is few direct quotes from Srila Prabhupada on Africa most relate not to West Africa but South/East Africa but as we know Srila Prabhupada also guided us saying the answer could be found in his books and if we take a more wider view in his correspondence, lectures, conversations one such is a letter in regards to the preaching in Nairobi which is as follows:

We must keep at least one nice temple of large size in that part of Africa. If we reduce in that way, that will not be good. Rather increase in all ways, that is our program. The moving and preaching work will be your most important business in Africa. There is not much population and the distances are great, so there is, no doubt, great need for several traveling parties to be working simultaneously. But if you keep that place in Nairobi as your base, sending all of the new recruits as you are able to convert them back to the Nairobi temple for getting themselves trained up, what is wrong with that? I think we need at least one big place for training up the new devotees just to the proper highest standard, just as we are doing in Los Angeles, New York, London, and other places. So also in Africa you require one such model center. If you remain only traveling parties, that will be nice for distributing many many books, and for having the sankirtana, but for new devotees that will be too much rigorous and they will not be able to adjust to the constant moving and changing about. That will spoil their chance for developing in their Krsna consciousness from neophyte stage. So keep the Nairobi center always very active, nicely decorated, worship the deities just to the highest standard, making sure that all of the students are rising to attend the mangala aratrika, chanting regularly sixteen rounds, reading books — in this way utilize what Krsna has given us there and develop it for the headquarters building for Africa.

Letter to: Cyavana — Bombay 29 December, 1972

Practically ISKCON has a unique structure with minimal central intervention which although makes for a vibrant community each one being the same but unique (if that makes sense) for preaching and missionary work it poses a problem especially on new continents or setting up new centers but we also see how this has been achieved throughout the world so not impossible (just ask one of the early Prabhupada disciples if you don’t believe me there love of there guru maharaja showed in the sacrifice and austerity they endured just to make him happy and expand the mission).

I worked in West Africa for a number of Christian organizations who funded the preaching work there paying for missionaries and establishing centers; some from small congregations of no more than 20 to 40 individuals motivated and focused on supporting a missionary service.

As I have previously written my back ground was one of being a Jehovah’s Witness as a regular pioneer living locally and serving nicely; but there was as opportunity to be recommended to be a special pioneer (missionary) they would be funded from central funds and sent out to areas in the world to expand the mission of telling the word about Jehovah and the message of the bible. But before they went out they spent time at the headquarters in the USA to be trained over a six month period.

We see how Srila Prbahupada accelerated this by giving direct instruction and personal guidance then as was the famous train journey in India when he asked one of his disciples to get out and help build a temple (that includes making devotees don’t forget) whilst also visiting and revisiting along with guidance in correspondence when difficulties arose; again everything can be found if we look.

Other religious organizations take a similar view, whilst out in West Africa the impact of a white face taking the lead made a huge impact and gave great standing in the community. But amazingly all followed the same guiding principles as set out by Srila Prabhupada; one central church/kingdom hall of a modest size but one that allowed for expansion and training and a team of traveling preachers.

Much like India if some one goes to there village they will come out in droves to see, listen and indeed ask lots of questions. It’s not for everyone the weather is hot the roads are dusty and each journey fraught with difficulty the high risk of malaria and there was always a reluctance to write back asking for even more money but at times it was necessary.

The problems in West Africa are of a poor economy, huge corruption but the people are so open to listen and I am sure with a few highly motivated devotees with the support from richer centers/temples there could eventually be a self supporting community over time; this too has happened with some of the church organizations I’ve gone out with. But once established support to expand is needed it is a life time commitment not a cursory well I’ll send out a few $ or books.

But ISKCON has a structure that in some ways promotes what is in some ways is a Welsh perspective insular looking in on itself not out ward. Each center/temple looking how to promote and expand in it’s own little part of this planet we call earth. And in many ways it’s not a bad thing for there are so many wonderful places to go so many wonderful devotees to meet and if we struggle in one place we can sure find a home within the devotee community we can settle right into.

OK I’ve not forgotten the GBC; but do they have a central fund for missionary expansion? To be truthful I don’t know all I know is that they are dedicated in expanding the mission and fulfilling the directions of Srila Prabhupada.

So the fact is that there has to be some missionary work in West Africa, and I would say practically that there has to be some white elephants there trumpeting the glories of Krishna this may mean that the GBC looks closely at how to fund:

1)A small but humble central preaching center
2)subsidized or free books
3)prasadam distribution (or regular sunday feasts)
4)travailing sankirtana parties (with a regular visit to each village and community)
5)possible missionary training with identified steady devotees

Ultimately everything happens by Krishna’s mercy and grace my thought simply is that if we wish to start and expand our preaching and fulfill the simple request made by Srila Prabhupada then some thought has to be given in how to achieve this in a practical manor taking into account the unique problems and challenges of each country.

And as I travel for my R in DS just grateful for a small piece of office floor to rest on at night and some simple prasadam to fill the demands of the material body so that I can have a huge feast for the spirit soul; we should stop being introspective but each center/temple should ask as many small church congregations also have “can we sponsor and help expand pure love of god to the parts of the world that are less fortunate materially and in some ways spiritually than us?”

For as these churches and spiritual communities will testify there is nothing sweeter than having one of your own missionaries returning home and telling amazing stories of the various people touched by the word of god, who’s lives have been turned around and yes it does inspire and encourage.

May be that’s the solution an ISKCON lead sponsor a missionary today for only ($xx a month) we can expand the mission and make the whole world Krishna Consciousness; now isn’t that the greatest gift we as devotees can give the world? And relive the suffering of mankind through high thinking and simple living.

And as Srila Prabhupada points out he has some amazing white elephants to help such nice boys and girls.

The other day for some reason an old song sung to me as a child entered my head by the Scoffolds, I though it at the time to be a simple but nonsensical song that made me laugh the chorus line went:

well drink a drink a drink to
Lily the pink a pink a pink
the saviour of the human race
for she invented medicinal compound
most efficacious in every way

To my surprise it was about a real person Lndia E. Pinkham (9 Feb 1819 – 17 May 1883)

She was noted as being an iconic concocter and shrewed marketer of a herbal medican’s to relive known medical symptons suffered by women and also had a Memorial Clinic for women to go to for treatment.

The song highlighted the folly of searching for the elixir of youth a cure of all cures as many medicines of the day claimed to cure almost anything many aimed at women who are more aware of there health than men are (in general).

Even today we see how much money is spent on trying to get the cure of this ache or this pain, to extend our life; but at best what do they do?

Even if they cure we still then face new illnesses; it has been noted that in the west we no longer die of short term acute illness but die from more long term diseases like cancer. Death is inevitable.

A relief of pain from a long term illness; we see this in palliative care that the relief of pain becomes the crucial part of the care.

We put off the effects of old age; but again the effects of age soon shows we can stave if off for a while but not indefinitely.

But even through modern science we see a multi-million dollar industry with similar claims as that found by Lndia E. Pinkham with slick marketing and a promise that if you just take and spend this money you will feel better for it, even cured.

Srila Prabhupada expalins simply this:

So simply by having rich father and mother does not mean that he’ll be happy. No. If he is unfortunate, in spite of having rich father and mother, he’ll be unhappy. Balasya neha saranam pitarau nrsimha nartasya cagadam udanvati majjato nauh. Artasya, one who is suffering from disease, it is not that because he is given the help of good physician and first-class medicine he’ll be cured. No. There is no guarantee. There is no guarantee. We have seen. First-class medicine, first-class physician employed for curing one…, but he dies. So we have manufactured so many counteracting. The scientists, they are very much proud that “We are now manufacturing counteracting medicine.” But where is your counteracting medicine for stopping death and disease? Disease is happening. You cannot make, manufacture any medicine that one tablet I take, I shall never be diseased or I shall never die. That is not possible. You are manufacturing some medicine for some disease. All right, that disease is cured, but another disease is there. Huh? Just like in India there are malaria or some disease. In your country there is cancer. Rich disease. You are rich men. That disease is also very rich. (laughter) India, poverty stricken, they suffer only a little malaria. That’s all. Oh, you are rich. You have got cancer. There is no cure. That’s all. Finished. This is actually to be studied.
So why this is happening? You may manufacture, you may invent so many nice things, counteracting all this suffering, but if you are neglected by Krsna, no counteraction will save you. Tavad tanu-bhrtam tvad-upeksitanam. If one is neglected by God, he cannot be saved. There is no… That is not possible. So which point we were discussing?

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.4 — London, August 27, 1973

Makes you think doesn’t it?

It is always humbling to be reminded of the service undertaken and it’s importance along with your duty; this happened to me this week in regards to the development of a Prison Ministry here in the UK.

The plans are big, but it appears I am not up to the mark and lack some knowledge to make this a reality; Yes I am a failure, or is it a simple failure in surrender to Krishna to supply me with the things I lack.

So I have sent an e-mail to the lovely devotees who have come forward wishing to become involved with what has been done to date; the vision act.

And I pray that the devotees show great mercy and also help in bringing my humble vision to something tangible.

I have removed names and prison centers but the originals have been unaltered so here is the e-mail of apology sent:

Hare Krishna,
Please Accept My Humble Obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

I felt the need to up-date as to were things are and the work done or not done as is the case.

May I firstly apologies for the lack of correspondence to date and for the slow service done in this new field of Prison Ministry.

The task is slightly bigger than initially expected with some hurdles that need to be overcome and in many ways I am probably not the right person as I only really know about nursing and health care but felt that this area was in much need of being looked after.

We have to also go through a government department and have official sanction from them; Krishna has been very merciful as he is a very experienced and humble devotee who has kindly offered to help in getting us established.

My desire is eventually that there should be at least a facility to correspond with all inmates in the UK no matter were they are and that a selection of books and the Gita is available. With eventually some training course for chaplains on the needs of devotees including requirements for pray, arati and festivals. So I have a big vision but humbly ask for suggestions especially on ideas to get the books into the prisons in sponsorship act.

I also desire a web-sight for ISKCON Prison ministries UK similar to that available in the USA but lack the necessary IT Skills and so pray that Krishna provides a nice devotee who could help out in this area

As pointed out I have a huge desire to reach out to those who are in prisons but lack in so many ways knowledge and experience in how to do it and so apologize wholeheartedly for what appears to be inaction at this time; but I am sure that Krishna will fulfill this humble desire of mine; even may be providing the experienced devotees who can assist and guide me.

I am sure that by the mercy of Guru and Krishna that there will come a point were we will have lots of service to do in writing and visiting prisons here and again humbly ask if for suggestions and assistance in ideas and practical help.

Again may I express my humble apologies for how slow things are progressing to date. Below you will see the recent letter sent to the government minister (I have removed his name) as he will speak directly to the prisons on our behalf.

Humble yours

Jaya Shri Krishna
Please Accept my humble obeisances
All glories to you and your service

Haribol Dr.

I hope this e-mail finds you well and that you are encouraging even more people to use sanskrit in everyday conversations

Apologies also for taking so long to reply to your e-mail time passes so quickly it is a reminder for me to keep on top of things and press on sharing love of Krishna with everyone and follow the instructions to our Guru Maharaja’s.

I have spoken to and also written to the following prisons directly:

HMP

Although they were a little curt and although saying that there may be a need would not allow any further discussion unless prompted or requested by your good self

HMP Rev Mark Jones

HMP Rev Tim Harling

There are a number of individuals who are already in contact with devotees and so it would be nice to develop ties here and even have some small visits if there is no facility already

Prison Rev Phil James

Nottingham Prison

The other prisons expressed some interest as they felt there may be a small need at some point although as you are probably aware devotees and aspiring devotees make up a very small percentage of the prison population.

I am also about to write to several prisons in Scotland as we have interest from devotees there to correspond and get involved; I am humbled by the willingness and enthusiasm of the devotees.

It has also been pointed out that as there is already a small number of devotees already wanting to write to individuals within the prison system that technically means we should be able to at least correspond with them so am considering a mail shot to most prisons within the UK offering a pen-pal facility; would this in your opinion be a wise move and a viable option?

There has also been a suggestion that we encourage devotees to make contributions of books to be put into the prison libraries with a contact stamped in it if the person wishes to find out more; this will include the Gita and some small books; again what do you think of this idea.

It is my desire to give the best facility possible and am seeking a devotee to develop a small web sight; I am also wondering if as I am using my home address in the Welsh Valleys if that may hinder things as it’s seen as not being local or does not have a temple address.

All I can do is use the few skills I have and a desire to fulfill the orders of my Spiritual Master and the devotees and pray for Krishna marcy and that of the devotees.

Again thank you for your kind help and assistance.

Your Humble Servant

I am humbled by my inadequacies that Krishna has been so kind to highlight, so I pray for the mercy of my Guru Maharaja and the devotees for there blessings and help