We all know the cliche. When asked if one would go back and change one's past, a person almost always answers, "No, because my past made me who I am today." Our involvement in some form of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, whether we left IGM for TGV or left GV altogether, has made permanent impressions on us. What are some of the ones you treasure?
Here are mine:
1. Without my experience in ISKCON, I never would have gained such a fiercely guarded appreciation of individuality and freedom.
2. ISKCON taught me that the only way to be sure something is presented truthfully is to fully investigate it from all sides.
3. I gained a great appreciation for foreign languages, and Eastern classical/folk music.
4. I added a rather unconventional chapter to my life that has made me smarter, sharper, deeper, and more dynamic than I would have been had I just stayed a good old American kid.
More to come I'm sure.
Full Version: Good things you took away from IGM/GV
QUOTE (zvs @ May 22 2009, 12:42 PM) 
1. Without my experience in ISKCON, I never would have gained such a fiercely guarded appreciation of individuality and freedom.
I can relate to number 1 alot, for learning all that that Ism contained in ISKCON did not lead to real spiritual experiences, just more mental file folders for another traditional Ism, though over time questioning it, chiseled away at my need to cling to someone else's answers to all of life's questions and mysteries.
Indian artistic culture, the colors, the art, the music, the food, yeah, that could really be earthy essential stuff to have experienced first hand and keep for reference when dealing with the western culture jam.
I have gratitude toward learning how to cook and eat the ISKCON way, though perhaps a bit lighter now on the ghee.
My wife, my other half, the partner in life, yea, that is the biggest thing that came in ISKCON that stayed after the experience, somebody to travel the seismic road of tribulation with, having another voice to hear, an ear to listen, a mind to question and learn from ... as we wandered down new avenues, some deemed dangerous by the true believers, but very liberating streets of individuation after all!
I just want to quickly (because I am on a major work-related marathon right now and don't have the time to give this a thoughtful reply) pop in and say a couple of things:
First of all, zvs, you are a great new voice here and I just love your posts.
Secondly, Kali, you are, as always, a wonderful, wise and venerable voice here and, as always, the vision you express through your beautiful writing is just a pleasure and an inspiration to read.
And finally, I really appreciate this specific topic. I hope others will join in and develop it.
Love,
ST
First of all, zvs, you are a great new voice here and I just love your posts.
Secondly, Kali, you are, as always, a wonderful, wise and venerable voice here and, as always, the vision you express through your beautiful writing is just a pleasure and an inspiration to read.
And finally, I really appreciate this specific topic. I hope others will join in and develop it.
Love,
ST
QUOTE (Seeking Truth @ May 22 2009, 08:49 PM)
I just want to quickly (because I am on a major work-related marathon right now and don't have the time to give this a thoughtful reply) pop in and say a couple of things:
First of all, zvs, you are a great new voice here and I just love your posts.
Secondly, Kali, you are, as always, a wonderful, wise and venerable voice here and, as always, the vision you express through your beautiful writing is just a pleasure and an inspiration to read.
And finally, I really appreciate this specific topic. I hope others will join in and develop it.
Love,
ST
First of all, zvs, you are a great new voice here and I just love your posts.
Secondly, Kali, you are, as always, a wonderful, wise and venerable voice here and, as always, the vision you express through your beautiful writing is just a pleasure and an inspiration to read.
And finally, I really appreciate this specific topic. I hope others will join in and develop it.
Love,
ST
Agreed, especially with the can't do more than pop in part. But didn't Tapati start a thread like this 4 years ago? Where is that?
I learned to stay somewhat sane when in the midst if insanity.
I learned how to deal with and live amongst difficult and sometimes irrational people.
I became more tolerant.
And I agree with what others have also said.
I still believe Krishna is God so I got that, too.
Some of these things I think I got in spite of Iskcon, not because of it.
I learned how to deal with and live amongst difficult and sometimes irrational people.
I became more tolerant.
And I agree with what others have also said.
I still believe Krishna is God so I got that, too.
Some of these things I think I got in spite of Iskcon, not because of it.
i left believing that I am God
I gained a new found respect for women.
Er uh, more specifically - prostitutes
Er uh, more specifically - prostitutes
QUOTE
varamukhyas ca sataso
yanais tad-darsanotsukah
lasat-kundala-nirbhata-
kapola-vadana-sriyah
SYNONYMS
varamukhyah -- well-known prostitutes; ca -- and; satasah -- hundreds of; yanaih -- by vehicles; tat-darsana -- for meeting Him (Lord Sri Krishna); utsukah -- very much anxious; lasat -- hanging; kundala -- earrings; nirbhata -- dazzling; kapola -- forehead; vadana -- face; sriyah -- beauty.
TRANSLATION
At the same time, many hundreds of well-known prostitutes began to proceed on various vehicles. They were all very eager to meet the Lord, and their beautiful faces were decorated with dazzling earrings, which enhanced the beauty of their foreheads.
PURPORT
We may not hate even the prostitutes if they are devotees of the Lord. Even to date there are many prostitutes in great cities of India who are sincere devotees of the Lord. By tricks of chance one may be obliged to adopt a profession which is not very adorable in society, but that does not hamper one in executing devotional service to the Lord. Devotional service to the Lord is uncheckable in all circumstances. It is understood herewith that even in those days, about five thousand years ago, there were prostitutes in a city like Dvaraka, where Lord Krishna resided. This means that prostitutes are necessary citizens for the proper upkeep of society. The government opens wine shops, but this does not mean that the government encourages the drinking of wine. The idea is that there is a class of men who will drink at any cost, and it has been experienced that prohibition in great cities encouraged illicit smuggling of wine. Similarly, men who are not satisfied at home require such concessions, and if there is no prostitute, then such low men will induce others into prostitution. It is better that prostitutes be available in the marketplace so that the sanctity of society can be maintained. It is better to maintain a class of prostitutes than to encourage prostitutes within society. The real reformation is to enlighten all people to become devotees of the Lord, and that will check all kinds of deteriorating factors of life.
yanais tad-darsanotsukah
lasat-kundala-nirbhata-
kapola-vadana-sriyah
SYNONYMS
varamukhyah -- well-known prostitutes; ca -- and; satasah -- hundreds of; yanaih -- by vehicles; tat-darsana -- for meeting Him (Lord Sri Krishna); utsukah -- very much anxious; lasat -- hanging; kundala -- earrings; nirbhata -- dazzling; kapola -- forehead; vadana -- face; sriyah -- beauty.
TRANSLATION
At the same time, many hundreds of well-known prostitutes began to proceed on various vehicles. They were all very eager to meet the Lord, and their beautiful faces were decorated with dazzling earrings, which enhanced the beauty of their foreheads.
PURPORT
We may not hate even the prostitutes if they are devotees of the Lord. Even to date there are many prostitutes in great cities of India who are sincere devotees of the Lord. By tricks of chance one may be obliged to adopt a profession which is not very adorable in society, but that does not hamper one in executing devotional service to the Lord. Devotional service to the Lord is uncheckable in all circumstances. It is understood herewith that even in those days, about five thousand years ago, there were prostitutes in a city like Dvaraka, where Lord Krishna resided. This means that prostitutes are necessary citizens for the proper upkeep of society. The government opens wine shops, but this does not mean that the government encourages the drinking of wine. The idea is that there is a class of men who will drink at any cost, and it has been experienced that prohibition in great cities encouraged illicit smuggling of wine. Similarly, men who are not satisfied at home require such concessions, and if there is no prostitute, then such low men will induce others into prostitution. It is better that prostitutes be available in the marketplace so that the sanctity of society can be maintained. It is better to maintain a class of prostitutes than to encourage prostitutes within society. The real reformation is to enlighten all people to become devotees of the Lord, and that will check all kinds of deteriorating factors of life.
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