Category:Our Independence (Disciples of SP)
Theme Analysis
The quotes compiled in this category explore the delicate balance between spiritual surrender and practical self-sufficiency. Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly warns his disciples about the profound danger of false independence—the material disease of thinking one can act whimsically without the guidance of Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master. He emphasizes that a true disciple must never operate independently of the GBC or invent unauthorized methods of Deity worship, as such rebellion leads straight back into the clutches of māyā. However, within the strict parameters of devotional discipline, Śrīla Prabhupāda expects his followers to be highly capable. He demands that temples remain financially independent, that sannyāsīs preach relying solely on Kṛṣṇa rather than temple funds, and that his disciples become "independently thoughtful" leaders who can expand the movement without constant micromanagement.
- The Illusion of Material Independence: The root cause of material conditioning is the false belief that we are independent. True freedom is found only by voluntarily becoming a slave of Kṛṣṇa; acting independently outside of His service means returning to the clutches of māyā.
- Discipline and Authority: The word disciple means discipline. Spiritual progress is impossible if one maintains a rebellious, independent mind. Devotees must never start major projects or alter standard worship procedures independently of the GBC and temple authorities.
- Managerial and Financial Independence: To prevent the society from becoming a stifling mundane bureaucracy, Śrīla Prabhupāda designed ISKCON so that each temple, farm community, and center operates independently and remains financially self-sufficient.
- The Preaching Spirit: Preaching requires absolute reliance on Kṛṣṇa. Sannyāsīs must travel and preach independently, without draining the financial resources of the local temples, proving their spiritual strength.
- Independently Thoughtful Leaders: While maintaining strict fidelity to the philosophy, Śrīla Prabhupāda trained his disciples to be competent, independently thoughtful individuals capable of managing their own occupational duties and expanding the mission.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Prabhupāda Teaches His Disciples the Danger of False Independence.
Pages in category "Our Independence (Disciples of SP)"
The following 44 pages are in this category, out of 44 total.
B
- Better would be that you and my other dear disciples try to manage all centers as far as possible independently. For me, in my old age, moving constantly does not suit my health
- Bruce has not yet taken his initiation. He wants to remain with us independently. I have no objection for such conclusion but unless he is properly initiated, he cannot help you either in the kitchen or with Deity worship
G
H
I
- I accept a guru, but in my mind I remain independent, "Oh, why shall I abide by the orders of guru?" That means there is no surrender. There is no surrender. It is false. It is just to satisfy some motive, but that will not help
- I am glad to learn that your program is to do some work independently, and at the same time to do work for our Krishna Consciousness Movement. This formula I have already accepted, and I have given you permission according to your leaning
- I love you all very much, and if you go away and stay independently that will be a great shock for me
- I think Krsna did not let me go in Africa because he wants to see you all work independently of me
- I wish that each and every Branch shall keep their independent identity and cooperate keeping the Acarya in the centre
- If temples print independently it will be at the cost of the books I am myself printing, and could eventually cause the financial ruin of the BBT meaning I could not order new books from the printer
- If you can provide yourself by independent handwork then you can give up your present job, otherwise you continue with your job, even it is nonsense
- If you do not agree with my philosophy you can work independent and not with-in the walls of ISKCON
- In order to start the proposed project in your letter you must have full sanction of the GBC. Then I will approve of it, if they approve it. Do not try to start any project independent of the GBC. I want that everyone will co-operate nicely with the GBC
- Instead of being a slave of the senses, if one voluntarily becomes the slave of Krishna, or His representative, that is good for him. This is maya, thinking that we are independent
- It is up to you to make your choice whether you are going to dance with Krsna or you want to become naked tree standing for ten thousands of years. That is your choice. A living entity has got this independence
K
- Krishna Consciousness Movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments of knowledge and action, not for making bureaucracy
- Krsna has given you very nice occupation, translation work, and you are earning your livelihood independently. So do it very nicely. And if there is strain to work, then don't work
M
- My idea of developing New Vrindaban is to create an atmosphere of spiritual life where people in bona fide order of social division, namely, Brahmacaris, Grhasthas, Vanaprastha, Sannyasis will live there independently
- My only anxiety is to guide you; Krsna sometimes makes me sick just to examine how much you have learned to conduct the business under my guidance, with a little independence
O
- Of course we have to have independent private university because the government is not interested according to Vedic ideology
- Once surrendered to Krishna, karmic reaction is immediately gone, but if he acts again independently, then he is again in the clutches of maya
- One thing is, I have just received one letter from the black devotees in Cleveland who wish start their own ISKCON Center independently of the white devotees there. In principle, it is alright, birds of a feather will flock together
P
- Preaching is independent. If you have got desire, you can preach in any circumstances and Krsna will help you. I have practically experienced. I went to your country without any help, without any money. Alone
- Pujari should operate entirely under the supervision of temple president and GBC, not independently. The greatest danger to our movement will come when we manufacture and create our own process for worshiping the deities
R
- Regarding Spiritual sky becoming independent from ISKCON, that's all right. I have no objection
- Regarding the Sannyasis, they should be independent. Why they should take help from you? They are strong men, so they should manage on their own strength. That is the test of their effective preaching work
S
- Sannyasi must be independent and not rely upon temples to pay his expensive travelling costs, simply he must take Krishna's mercy whenever and wherever it is offered
- She is a little independent-spirited and wants to wander with me. Anyway, she is a sincere good soul, and let her do the work in her own way. But it is a good asset for her that she has attraction to hear me
- Simply read our Sanskrit wherever it appears in our books and teach these slokas to the devotees, do not waste time by studying Sanskrit independently of our books
T
- The idea is we must have the necessities of our life as far as possible independently. But we should not be business minded. Our main business is to develop our dormant Krsna Consciousness
- The sannyasi should depend completely on God. That is sannyasa. Not that I shall go to a rich man and beg something and take money and utilize it. No. That is not required. Completely independent
- The whole idea is that we are Iskcon, a community to be independent from outside help. This farm project is especially for the devotees to grow their own food
- Too much official control is not good in spiritual life. The centers should remain spiritually fit and independent. Some control must be there as is now. Too much control means so many vouchers. Gradually it will become a mundane institution
W
Y
- You can preach independently as you have suggested, but do not deviate from our principles
- You manage your affairs peacefully and independently, and try to improve the spiritual atmosphere of the centers more carefully
- You should never act independently, because my guidance in my words are always there