 | Despite the complexity of this topic, here is a solid, simple, takeaway:
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| | Be personal. Honor each individual for who he or she is.
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| | This principle was repeatedly exemplified by Srila Prabhupada throughout his time with us. As he saw howeveryone is spiritually equal and should have an equal opportunity to participate in his movement according to his or her qualifications and propensities, so can we. As he encouraged everyone, so can we.
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| | In the world today, there’s a dire need for this cutting-edge, spiritual vision, a vision that’s resonant with Krishna’s teachings, that’s attractive, and that’s natural. Implementing it would be an enormous contribution to the world, a contribution that could set the example of how to see past externals and evoke each person’s genius.
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| | Srila Prabhupada was an expert encourager. He sometimes insisted that Yamuna lead kirtan, Himavati speak, Kausalya recite the Isopanisad. As he wrote to Satsvarupa Dasa in a letter, “Encourage them more and more.” One who’s encouraged can move mountains.
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| | “ Everyone should be allowed to render service to the Lord to the best of his ability, and everyone should appreciate the service of others. Such are the activities of Vaikuntha. Since everyone is a servant, everyone is on the same platform and is allowed to serve the Lord according to his ability.
(SB 7.5.12, purport)”
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| | Let’s be true to Srila Prabhupada’s legacy. Let’s support and find strength in one another. We are not promoting feminism, we are promoting Krishna consciousness. We don’t want women to become men; we want their talents and good qualities to be expressed and valued.
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| | It’s Krishna’s arrangement that all of us have different strengths. When we work together, we find unity in diversity. When we fully engage all people in Krishna’s service, without discriminating based on bodily designations, all people benefit, our outreach is enhanced, and the Hare Krishna movement becomes known as the Society where each and every individual can fully blossom.
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| | When, however, there’s no sense of equal opportunity, we end up with devotees feeling alienated and distrustful, with no faith in the leadership. Our movement is weakened and experiences a sort of universal ennui. Life in Krishna consciousness is meant to be an exhilarating adventure, but terrible damage is done when any person or group of people feel they are less, when they are discriminated against because of the body they inhabit. For the Hare Krishna movement to be vibrant and attractive, women need to be fully welcomed into it with everything they have to offer.
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| | Sri Caitanya, the combined form of Radha and Krishna and the avatar for this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, embodies both the analytical and emotional principles. He speaks philosophy with Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and at other times, overwhelmed by Radha’s love for Krishna, He feels intense separation from Krishna, so much so that He swoons at the sound of Krishna’s name or dances with abandon.
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| | In our personal lives and in our movement, we also need both the intellectual and the loving. In this vital area - the balanced contribution of each and every devotee - the full strength of Srila Prabhupada’s movement is still waiting to be born.
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