Worries About ISKCON in America 

The more glamour of kaliyug increases the more pure devotees will be chosen. Quality matters not quantity.

Srila Prabhupada presented the simple and uncomplicated methods. When things are changed from his standard then there are problems and difficulties.

29 minutes. You hit the nail on the head. In 1989, I read my first Iskon book and felt a incredible pull. I was 20. I went to the local temple, over the next three months. It was a small temple with an ashram and I stayed one night each week. Sadly, there were a few devotees who ran the place and who were, frankly, awful people. I found such kindness and bliss in the devotees who came daily to worship though. But not the core "staff". The last weekend I was there, two of them made me drive for 6 hours, with my baby son, in my car until late into the night, to visit their friends. I had no idea where I was and was scared. They had said we were going out for street distribution of food, but that was a lie. I was so fearful they would abuse my naive nature again, that I never returned. Now, 33 years later, having over and over tried to reconnect with ISKCON, and finding issues, I am determined to get it right this time. I have always felt deep love and devotion for Krishna but, like many westerners, tried Buddhism and other yoga forms in search of a community. I do my japa alone and wish I could live in an ashram and be a full time devotee. Last year I contacted an ashram in my country. I am not there at the moment. They said I need to pay a daily fee to live in the ashram and also need to do 6 days full service. (Understandable) I don't know how to pay, have a full time job elsewhere and do full days service. So it has not happened. I have put it off, month after month. I have enough savings to go for maybe half a year, but then what? (I am in Europe). Blessings to you for your lectures. I am do grateful. I don't know why I let myself be bullied in 1989, but it changed the course of my life. May Krishna keep me focused on the path, this time. 🙏

I thank Krishna and Srila Prabhupada every day for you, dear Maharaja. You give great hope in what you say, and how you preach. Thank you so very much for being here for us who are out here in the big wide world 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 I pray I can serve you in some way soon. Your godsister Lelihana devi dasi

ISKON has the object to make a temple of Krishna consciousness in the heart of common people first.

Maybe too much compromising in various areas. The temples don't seem to have the same standards but there is a lot of differences in the standards and emphasis. Rock kirtanas, disco kirtanas, hindu bollywood kirtanas. Krishna West. Various strange bridge preaching. Ect. Under these things Srila Prabhupada's standards and instructions have been grossly minimized.

Hare Krishna, Gurudeva. I will always remember your words for all my life and do my best to give myself fully in Prabhupada's service.

Hare Krishna , Maharaj,please accept my humble obeisances to your Lotus feet,

Proper training is needed but it is not very well provided for. Education in Krishna consciousness is a real factor in the real success of Srila Prabhupada's movement. Hare Krishna.

If ISKCON had set up Varna ashrama farms as Srila Prabhupada had stressed .The world would have beat a path to our door. Especially in this Covid times.

In the west people have strayed from the original teachings and standards. People have twisted things to suit there own sensibilities and tolerances. If you choose to follow the original path then you must adjust yourself to the teachings and not bend the teachings and rules to suit your own purposes.

In many of the western temples, disciples were either kicked out or left over the take over of Iskcon by the so-called guru appointments. Politics came in very strong and then many of these so-called gurus were falling down seriously. Very disturbing to the whole movement and the effects are still being felt. I have also noticed that many of the newer devotees are not being trained up properly in various areas. Noticed this sometimes in how the Deities are being dressed. Lots of whimsical concoctions,and such things are defended on the basis of sentiment. Sentiment, sahajiya tendencies, and mayavadi tendencies are there because of a lack of proper guidance by the leaders. instead in some cases this sentimental approach is encouraged. And of course the life coach programs by certain people. Not at all what the world really need. Hare Krishna.

I am praying your health stays strong and I thank Krsna that your preaching stays strong and we need your purity and voice of truth please be well and I thank Krsna daily for you life. Hare Krsna thank you for being honest and transparent. Hare Krsna all glories to your service.

Thank you very much, very inspiring, please Maharaj, take care of your temporal body because we need you for a long long time. Haribol .

I remember visiting Bhaktivedanta manor as a 10 year old. It was mostly English people, now there seem to be more eastern Europeans and supported ( actually as it was then) by the Indian community.

Hare Krishna. I hope the sanyasis continue in the true and pristine path of Krishna consciousness. Millions of people have pitched their hopes in the ISKON movement to hold the balance of goodness in this very corrupt world. Pls become well soon. Hare Krishna.

Krishna always shows the path...no fear..spread the love and kindness...HareRaamaaHareKrishnaa!

Hare Krishna Maharaj🙏get well soon...💪

I was a kirtan only attracted person until I needed the temple after a great hardship and I'm now transformed by chanting 16 rounds and only now reading books.

Dandavat Pranams Maharaj, In my humble opinion, Decline is happening in America due to less Harinam Sankirtan in America and the west. Prabhupda said if no harinam sankirtan then shut down the center (simply addressing the importance). Without the sankirtan in the streets like it was in the 70s we may see more decline. Now it is a lot Hindus from India who are maintaining the temples incomparison to westerners. Only in Russia is the movement seeming to flourish as a yavana country. So I think this may be the solution. Prabhupada first purified the hearts with his suddha nam kirtan before preaching anything, as it’s difficult in this climate of modern liberalism to accept without first some purification.

My lord ive been learning krsna consciousness for awhile and struggling because of tamogun. Prubhupada adicut has to be maintained at all cost undiluted at all cost. No adaultafation at all. Sankatanam kai jai.. HARE KRSNA

Its true "Books are the Basis"... But Srila Prabhupad's books have been overly 'edited'. Especially Bhagvat Gita As-it-is. We have to bring back the original unedited books which have spiritual potency bcos Krishna Himself directed Prabhupad to write those Translations and Purports. The original books just changed people's hearts. There are so many testimonies from devotees who read these Unedited books.

Hare Krishna, Till now whoever's given such a perfect protection that ultimate Paraprammam Krishna will be there, you all are already blessed by God Krishna.we are all beloved family members of Vasudeva Kudumbagam

opening schools and colleges, introducing yoga teaching in its activities can greatly improve the attraction . after all ‘ tasmaat yogi bhavarjuna’ and prasparam bhaavayantaha sreya paramavaapsyata are the main themes of gita and krishna , besides being playful in life too.

In the Padma Purāṇa it is also stated, “The chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is present only on the lips of a person who has for many births worshiped Vāsudeva.”

Jaya GuruMaharj. Srila Prabhupadha ki Jai. Hare Krishna, 🙏🙏🙏🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami ki jaya!

Hare Krishna! My Lord will with us all the time. Hare Rama!!!!

Примите мои почтительные поклоны🙏🙏🙏ХАРЕ КРИШНА.побыстрей выздоравливайте.а мы будем за вас молиться.вся славаШРИЛЕ ПРАБХУПАДЕ🙏🙏🙏

Hare Krsna Guru Maharaj :) Dandavath Pranam :)

Did we stop attracting westerners when we (ISKCON) no longer offered a place to become devotees and live as devotees ?

Vrindavan is in the heart...and we bring Vrindavan to others where ever we go if we are pure and doing the basics. Hare Krsna I like you because you are living the truth and pure and your bold...I love you because Krsna loves you stay firmly bold and fierce Maharaj the people are stupid and irrelevant ...the eternal truth of Krsna's movement is relevant for any age...this is a world wide movement and even a Universal movement meaning the demi-gods and taking birth to get the mercy of chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare...this Lord Caitanya's movement so stay strong! Have full faith because your light is so attractive!

Pranaam un2 Swamii - Thanks 4 your books. i got Alot from reading them.

God consciousness will go on as long as the world.

Devotees in ISKCON have to remember that they are one branch of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. Gaudiya Vaisnavas from other Maths all hear and interact with each other, we all respect, hear and serve each other's Gurus. Harinam and book distribution are MOST important. Devotees also have to careful not to offend pure devotees. Temples have become more Hindu-like because ISKCON devotees beg money from Hindus and try to accommodate them. In our Gaudiya Math temples, even though almost all our Gurus are Indian, we attract just as many westerners as Indians (admittedly our temples are not as financially as well off as ISKCON temples). One ISKCON temple I saw was doing very well was the New Govardhan temple in Australia. The heart of the temple is the gurukula, which has students and teachers from various Maths as well as ISKCON. They also attract people with their cow protection, eco village and yoga classes (yoga students invariably end up attending Bhagavad Gita classes). Just some thought to consider.

For those so called the state of the institution may indeed be a worry. The majority should very much remain focused on their own advancement in Krsna Consciousness. As the saying goes you've got to save yourself before you can save others.

Hare Krishna, Swamiji ! i am living in England, London and life here is pretty hectic... We are travelling long distances daily, working 12 hours... will be very good and helpful for us to have shorter videos of yours, if you don't mind... NAMASTE

In this pandemic season, it appears that finding a place to take shelter and concentrate on personal growth and study would be the natural alternative to large temple programs, festivals and so-called preaching as in the original ISKCON model. The original ISKCON model was pre-internet and pre-pandemic. All the big city temples are going to have a long, hard road to getting back to any semblance of normalcy and tradition. It seems a little simplistic and oblivious to be talking about street book distribution and street sankirtan. Too many temples are in big cities that are being hardest hit by the pandemic lockdown. Maybe living in more remote and secluded places and focusing on one's own growth is more reasonable than trying to save the world.

I wish you good health Maharaj.

Bhagvad-gita 4.10 we must stay strong in the preaching of Krsna consciousness. Krsna is doesn't respect any person due to a bodily personality. We have to have Respect and not change Prabhupada's preaching. He is Jagat Guru...he lives in his books....the problem is purity which is the force. We have to have firm faith and not make changes...we are a temple we are living temples and that is what Prahupada was he was the living Vedas the living truth. Distraction of these small and insignificant things distract from the preaching. We should follow that and respect our teachers and elders and therefore continue to hand down this precious fruit just as Krsna gave it. Not to hide who and what Krsna really is about. Krsna will always raise up his selected...just as disciples of Srila Prabhupada had disciples that went off on their own but failed. We must follow these teachings of Prabhupada with firm faith. Hare Krsna

Hare Krishna.

I only see the lotus feet and pure devoution to Krishna will enlighten each devotee.

Hare Krishna Prabhu dandvat pranam

Hare KRISHNA Hare KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA Hare Hare

My most humble suggestion. Pls have at least a dozen pupils who will be true to the Hare Krishna movement. This lineage should be held tightly.

Only devotees can understand mukti not everyone lucky in kaluga not too many go for god bless all god bless all devotee lucky ones in kalyug lord krishna take care of all

Joi swamìji ki joy Hare krishna Hare krishna

Hare Krishna. Great word's by a great Guru.

Jai shree Krishna hare ram Hare Krishna d world needs Iskcon

Hare krishna, Get well soon, God krishna will make u very well very soon,

Krishna is looking after it! Not known are all the things God shall do. We cannot put Krishna into boxes & labels. Perhaps in Krishna's eyes today is Blessed, especially as so many terrible things crash. Resulting in devotees becoming more devout & making it simpler to see those with a pure heart. We can not judge, we must humble ourselves ......

preachers can be like prabhupada, and guiding people to be like krishna himself in a mini way. I guess it will give much to the people who come there..

Harekrishna...Shrila Prabhupada wanted to create first class citizens and spread the message of Krishna consciousness... ISKCON is a gift from Krishna to the humanity... spread the message bravely..no one can stop you or demotivate you because Krishna himself is doing it..you are just Krishna's tools to spread his message to entire humanity....don't look at the numbers what u make...it's about making first class citizens.... Harekrishna...

Sir u all devotees are of equally pure soul U devotees can do anything

If we are not able to decide its benificial to be neutral. Time is best teacher.

Respect one another starting with you.

I was converted from Hindu. I feel proud to be a Muslim now. Our idolatry system raised many questions for me. Who has seen God? How Hindus describe the form of God? Why does God need a wife and children? Does God need gold jewelry and leopard skin? Does God need a weapon in his hand? Does God have birth and death? Is there a million of god exist? These questions have changed my life.❤️

Hare Krishna Guru Maharaj 🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

Indeed a sad news 😭

Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare hare ram hare ram ram ram hare hare

Hare Krishna 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Epic Hare Krishna 🌺🐄🙏

Hare Krishna Maharaj 🙏

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. These are important, Iskcon has been an important element in my life. Yes Iskcon is in trouble, it relied on two things for It’s initial success Prabhupad, a sincere preacher and the love and and commitment of his disciples towards him. Prabhupad played the role of a ship captain steering his boat with all aboard with his extraordinary vision and drive. That he was neither an enlightened master nor a scholar of repute was of no concern or importance at that time. Prabhupad was a worker who got things done and that was his strong point and should be matter of great admiration by all. However what was unimportant during his life due to the fact of his presence has come back to now stare Iskcon in the face. I honestly have no clue as to how Iskcon will survive now. I feel that the movement wasted too much time arguing about something they understood as mayavada when they really should have been investigating their own self as source of knowledge and bliss instead and in line with depth Hindu Traditions. Now Christians have appropriated Hindu Depth traditions such as Yoga and put their own stamp of ‘Christian Yoga’ on top. So where are the ’Hari Krishnas’ in all this? Nowhere and clueless, for the robbers have visited and set up their own shop with your prized goods. So continue with the Mayavada discussions but unfortunately the only ones in Maya are... .

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

Maharaj u r right, walk ahead. Bless me guruji.

Little kids from western countries are little Atom form of Sri Radhakrishna devotees,and have Blessings of Srila Prabhupada and all Vaisnavas,these children are very great ,pious soul,are going to continue the mission of Sankirtan and with the chanting of Harinam,Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Hare hare Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare hare,Be all strong,stay safe and healthy,be happy and Sri Krishna is taking care of all of us,All Glories to Srila Prabhupada,all Glories to His Holiness Giriraj Maharaj,Sri Radhe Radhe,please Radharani ji please again and again this fallen soul ,Maaaaaaaa ,please ,lighten these great Vaisnavas life Maaa,and your mercy and Blessings Mother,Sri RadheRadhe

Pranaamji 🙏🙏 take care 🌹🌺.. From,,, India.

Books r the basis.. Krishna will surely help

Lord Krishna seems to be predominantly worshipped only in some aspects. Krishna also has the mighty sudarshana which destroys adharma. We should Love the divine in all his forms and aspects as we then only tune into some aspects not all. This will solve most issues as we then are tuned into the entirety. Hare Krishna Pranaam dhanyavaad namaste

hare krishna! Minute 20 you talk about relevance and how to be relevant. In my mind this is too egocentric that we disturb our brains with thoughts about how Krishna is relevant. That we could do it however (or sit quietly and relax) shows that he is the giver of all life. It is the safest way to simply trust in us AND therefore trust ISKCON is going to be guided by Krishna. Like every living being is, like every plant is, like we all are. A god with such a grace that even allows the illusion of rebellion, crime etc. and to come to mind (love) again through our struggle is exactly what is needed everywhere. Not just in the west, not just in the east. Not just in the sky, even in the hell there is a need for Krishna. hare Krishna!

Hare Krishna 🙏🕉️

Hare Krsna, yes Krsna consciousness is beyond age, color of skin and everything 🙏🌸 Europe geographically can be considered part of Asia, anyway Krsna consciousness means going in the direction to go back to godhead 🙏

Hare RAMA Hare RAMA RAMA RAMA Hare Hare

Maharaj ji apko mera koti 2 dandwat

How is swamiji now. We need swamiji as hare krishna sanatana dharma teaching by giving speatch thought in swamijis life. How is health of swamiji

🙏🙏🙏Joy Guru 🙏🙏🙏Hare Krishna

Hare Krishna

And you should not think of attracting anyone!!!! Krishna is HARI, not the devotees. If there is a pure devotee in your Sanga, then everyone will feel attracted, that's natural. Problem is that ISKCON is thinking more about the clothes and rituals than spirituality. This is not my only point of view but many devotees think the same.

Hare Krishna 🙏 Hare Rama 🙏

Hare Krishna to the departed Vaisnavas,

🥰🌺🥰Hare Krishna🌺Jai Radhey Radhey.....Guru🥰🌺

Jai hare Krishna 🙏🙏🙏

Hare Krishna🙏🏻

Radhe Krishna

🌷 Hare Kṛṣṇa 🌷

Hari wished so only one succeeded

The movement in my opinion needs to evolve the presentation have to be more for the wester people . The philosophy is divine but in the way that we presented have to be in consideration places circumstances and time. Even Srila prabhupada used to say dress accordingly if you need to wear shirt and tied because the circumstances and place demand do it and is nothing wrong with it. Lord Krishna is in our hearts ❤️ that is all matters

I am much respect u

A perfect speech!

Someone who attends a newer Kiertan here, and I am not a devotee but interested and have a scholarly background, one wonders if one is to glorify the leaders (who are young)versus maybe attempting to understand Prabhupada. Sometimes there is not food. Having lived and traveled much of U.S. notions of off the bat fasting and chanting here to non initiated--- hehe likening it to Anabaptists going there. I suggest perhaps they might consider this schedule on the weekend, but by example, I come from a background of the Italian collective mysticism of-- we might have been considered a pure line, or have sat in a zazen group and 'enlightenment-- here-- cannot be readily be conferred. The main temple is far for laypeople and it takes time to understand depth or meaning of mantra. But there are crises of faith here: We are secularized and distracted. It needs time to grow. As you are aware there is a falsity to many of the hippies here now, it is 'lite' Also, well at least in NYC bookstores many different--- or All Yogic sects to choose from. Science of Self Realization. Sadhu. Hare Krishna Kali Yuga must be here.

Is preaching a good thing? Surely working with people is the way to reach them.

A congregational devotee in USA is interested in getting involved in book distribution. He contacts BBT, never gets an answer. He says the local temple president doesn’t want them to distribute books. The temple president is a direct disciple of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. So what is the problem? Is it that the public is not interested in getting the books? That devotees don’t want to distribute them? Or is it that ISKCON authorities don’t want the books to be distributed? Sad situation. Do Prabhupada’s books make ISKCON look bad?

I would rather think that there are two ways. one ways of prabhupada, the other way of krishna himself- playful like child, preacher when needed, lover when needed, warrior when needed, detached when needed.. a full life in real terms. Each person becomes a full avatar in reality ..

Hari Krishna ❤️🙏

Jay sri Krishna 🙏🏻

I'm not trying to be negative here, but the United States will always be distracted by Christianity, even the Muslim community outnumbers ISKCON and other Dharmic sects. I'm a former atheist, I'm looking into what Dharma I can pursue, but Hare Krisha fizzled out after the 70s, it was ruined by hippies, any chance of replacing Christianity in the states is long gone.

Maharaj I don't know about you so if said something wrong plz forgive me: Why don't you join iskcon and guide them how to get the situations back to normal ?? And follow the standards given by Śrīla Prabhupāda?? Jay Śrīla Prabhupāda 🙏🏻❤️☺️ Hare Krishna 🙏🏻❤️☺️

Death is not to fear...its just a part.

Sir Vikasa Swami; To continue my rant herein. Seeing the human mistakes made even by devotees while actually in the movement with all enthused abandon of, I thought, all material considerations as I pursued one-pointed concentration upon the Krsna Conscious path. One incident comes to mind from times past in the movement between me and a devotee in official capacity. I was cleaning the Bhramacharini housing of the wash room of said devotees which was filthy by the way, having not yet cleaned my person or changed my inner and/or my even outer garments. I was asked by "Ramaswara" to with post haste come to the aid of pujaris in preparing the offering of to be maha prashadum. for Sri Rukmini Domodara Dieties. At witch I replyed from the balcony that I am not suchi! At which he stated come right now not reguarding being muchi. Him not knowing that at the time I could take shower and change everything within 4 minutes! (guess he didn't know that) I could do that and I could have been there within 5 minutes all suchi. So, like an idiot, I went right then and I could have at least changed my sari and washed face and hands even faster. But no> Come now! As the Diety NEEDS you! Aarg! Like a military fool I followed orders. OK point being almost immediately after I got that thing with stuff ozzing out of my fingernails and was the cause of expense and time for the Temple to be sent to the doctor to cure my OH, I forget what you call the disease. I was cured and good thing they saw the necessity FOR that. It's just that perhaps sometimes we have to take things upon ourselves to do the actual right thing. I don't know. Like I said just a rant. it's a he's only 'human' type thing. Or I am only 'human'. Where am I going with this? IDK Thanks for listening. Really was quite obsessed on both points. p.s. Is that the guy whom got his head chopped of by another devotee? Not sure whom that was that happened to. I know all kinds of 'shit' that I perhaps shouldn't know. I now trying to keep my feet planted upon the earth. Perhaps my mind and spirit in the sky. Hope this helps someone or SOMETHING. At least. Peace to his soul. Peace be unto others of planet earth. Nama Om. . . . . p.s. Where else am I supposed to 'put' this as there seems to be no private place to air this stuff. So I hope not too many are shocked but it's true. Or if they are shocked that they (to whom it may concern) that they might learn something. With deep regard to Mr. Srila Prabupada Krsna rest his soul.