“Learn to trust the journey, even when you do not understand it.” – Lolly Daskal
“But I don’t see anybody else doing this kind of preaching, while
serving as a monk!” he sighed.
“But that’s not his problem” I said. “He is transforming hearts and I
know five reasons why he is right.”
“And what are these?” he asked, this time humbly.
“It’s the language my friend- he uses modern words to convey god’s
love to the people. When a post man reads out a letter from a husband
to his illiterate wife, his job is to help her feel loved by the
husband. Most people in this day and age are illiterate to scriptures.
And there is someone who helps them feel God’s love. And I know at
least two dozen people who have become Krishna lovers after being
introduced to spirituality by him. I see more respect and
acceptability to many of us, thanks to him.”
I had four more reasons to share. “Secondly, I have known him for over
two decades. His character is impeccable. He rises early, chants his
japa, worships deities, studies scriptures and not once in the last
twenty three years have I seen him speak a harsh word or criticize
anyone.
“Thirdly he is influencing prominent people and leaders of the society
and they have taken up to chanting Hare Krishna. And he obviously
wouldn’t go around posting all this on social media because it’s
indecent to draw social mileage out of these relationships. They
wouldn’t appreciate this for sure.”
“Fourthly, the goodwill this has created for ISKCON is tremendous.”
I rested my case with the fifth argument mentioned in the beginning:
the leadership of ISKCON has approved what he is doing.
I then recalled how once on a flight to Europe, he relinquished his
business class seat just to accompany me, next to me, on my economy
seat. Despite my repeated requests, he refused to go back, saying he
couldn’t travel on a higher class when I wasn’t. I was touched to see
his genuine humility; someone who is not only more advanced
spiritually, but also senior in his practises and in terms of time
spent in Krishna consciousness, it’s tremendous modesty to show
respect and honour to a junior as myself.
My devotee acquaintance was grateful I shared my thoughts. As he left,
I said one last thing, “It’s time we trusted devotees. The biggest
need for devotees is non-judgemental acceptance. Let’s not doubt
someone’s love for Srila Prabhupada and never undermine his compassion
for suffering souls.”
I left him with Ernest Hemingway’s words: “The best way to find out if
you can trust somebody is to trust them.”
