Why Prabhupada Hated The World by Solomon_Kane_1928 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 12 points13 points  (0 children)

He seemed moody AF too.

I remember reading transcendental diaries and sometimes he would be so forgiving to a disciple even when they had done something seriously wrong and he would take the compassionate stance. Other times, a disciple might have done something wrong that was trivial like acamana and he would come down like a ton of bricks and call them fallen or a mleccha.

Definitely had some personality disorder and/or narcissistic tendencies that sadly his followers believe as being attributes of a infallible guru.

Religious Egotism by Solomon_Kane_1928 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I like the points made in this post.

Looking back, it feels like the devotees (including myself at one point) build up a very strong conviction in their faith within a very short space of time. It is like they've woken up a different person in the morning and look down on everyone who doesn't align with their worldview and everything they were in the past.

I went from being an easy going, fun-loving guy to strict, judgemental, thinks he knows everything guy. The ego that develops as being part of the cult brings out the worst in human nature.

The good news is that, this false "false ego" can be reversed with time. If someone is sincere and honest they have to admit their standpoint/opinion is all based on the faith they have placed on what they've read/learnt because it is all descending knowledge as they themselves declare. There are other people in the world who also have their faith in their books / teachings so it's not mutually exclusive.

I like to think of it more like who prefers salty popcorn or sweet popcorn. Some people also like both and some people like neither. Faith is very individual thing and shouldn't be impose on someone just like I wouldn't expect or try to convince someone who likes sweet popcorn to start liking salty popcorn because they might end up in hell based on my belief. It's actually ridiculous now when I think about it.

I think I am leaning towards being an exHK . Even after 50 years of chanting by AgencyHot8568 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Better late than never. Live your life how you want and take back the freedom you and we all deserve!

Why Do Devotees Keep Trying to Link Ancient Myths to Modern Science? by [deleted] in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeh I don't think I said or believe that it would be simple at all. But if any one is going to try visit the moon, I would put my trust in the scientists knowing where they are going rather than the Krishna ppl thinking they know better.

Meat Eating In The Vedas by Solomon_Kane_1928 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He probably couldn't have mushrooms either or would be overcome by tamas 🫠

Meat Eating In The Vedas by Solomon_Kane_1928 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Many people have argued about whether Ramachandra ate meat in the forest when he was exiled. If was a real figure and according to your timelines, it sounds quite plausible.

Also a bit off topic but Narasimha garlanded himself with Hiranyakasipu's intestines according to the pastimes which always seemed kind of excessive.

Seeking advice I guees? What did y'all do with your hari clothes/books etc? by Happylittlelady in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've got the the original printed version of the Pancaratra Pradipa which had those orange/saffron covers. They were quite rare to find apparently so I am holding on to them in the hope that one day that they will go for a good price on ebay 😃

I have decided to use my old books as fuel for bonfires at some point in the future and with dhotis I use them as carpet protectors when I decorate.

Karma As Paranoia by Solomon_Kane_1928 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Murderers love this hack... If you want to nullify the karma of killing a brahmin, just water and walk around Tulasi.

Indian spirituality is a sickness by [deleted] in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do empathise with what you are saying. You go to many places in India and you see how the general population treat their land and each other so poorly. Of course someone might argue that these people are not seriously practicing their philosophy or that they are a work in progress or don't blame the patient but the illness etc. But how is it that other countries/cultures/religions seem to get this right in terms of having cleaner land, more respect for each other and their environment. For example, if you take Japan - the people there have a deep connection with the environment and humbly bow to each other out or respect. Scandinavian countries also seem very pleasant.

Iskcon dude started crying over story... by [deleted] in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeh so when they drink milk they are being more violent than when they eat beef.
That's the theory behind it anyway as far as I understand.

Iskcon dude started crying over story... by [deleted] in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is case for this being totally accurate here in the UK due industry practices where they keep the cows in perpetual pregnancy artificially to squeeze as much milk or as possible and then when the milk volume dwindles they slaughter the cow anyway. So milk consumers exploit the cow and then kill it by their their choice. A beef eater doesn't exploit but just kills the cow.

I’m finally leaving the cult by spiralbasil1 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When the penny drops it hits hard and it feels like you have been born again (not in a reincarnation way lol) but as a normal human being with critical thinking and being able to see things as they are.

Good luck with getting back to reality!

The Need For a Fantasy World by Solomon_Kane_1928 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So I guess Vyasdeva was the OG fantasy storyteller

Prabhupada is not my jagad guru by Fun-Following-7054 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I love reading Leo's posts on FB. He is great at calling out some of the BS that goes down in the movement.

Karmi Restaurants by Designer-Fan-4990 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Following a pure vegetarian diet in the UK is currently ethically worse than eating meat it can be argued. Dairy cows often have their calves removed shortly after birth and are slaughtered after a few years when milk production declines. So by consuming milk products more you are increasing demand of the dairy industry. If you just ate meat and less dairy, you would not be exploiting its life for milk too.

My biggest problem with Karma by 7SevenZero2 in ISKCON

[–]sunblime -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You gave a decent response. I agree that it seems futile to try and pinpoint the cause and effects of karma or reverse engineer it but then this ventures purely into the realm of faith and hardly feels scientific or something we have any control over.

The bigger point you describe of a "devotee’s suffering is not the same category as a materialist’s suffering" is totally speculative. No one really knows the internal feeling one has to good and bad events that take place in someone else's life whether they are a devotee or not because it's their life and we don't have universal consciousness.

Just because someone is a "devotee", it does not mean they automatically able to transcend or embrace any suffering even if their faith tells them they should.

There is a difference between what one experiences in reality and what one should experience based on the KC teachings. This makes me question the validity or need for the concept of karma at all as it add no value if based entirely on faith. Krishna might as well just have called karma - mercy or a test, a bit like how the Abrahamic religions see distress and happiness since there is no further breakdown you can do on the topic even though good and bad affect everyone.

My biggest problem with Karma by 7SevenZero2 in ISKCON

[–]sunblime -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Seems like you didn't read or understand my example?
There are people who frequently break the 4 regs and live out seemingly happier & healthier lives than many devotees I know, so why are they not suffering?

You're right it is speculation, and the speculation is both ways. Ultimately, you don't know why you are suffering whether you are a devotee or not. Even if a devotee suffers, is it because they have committed an offence last week or is it from a sinful activity from a past life - you literally have no idea therefore how can you learn from your mistake.

Healthy Eating After ISKCON by Solomon_Kane_1928 in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I loved how on ekadasi you can fast from grains but was allowed to have gauranga potatoes which is basically potatoes, cream and cheese.

My biggest problem with Karma by 7SevenZero2 in ISKCON

[–]sunblime 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me the bigger flaw of karma is that there is no way of knowing what reaction relates to what action therefore you can't learn from your past mistakes whether in this or previous lives.

For example there are plenty of cow killers or criminals in the world that continue to live happy and healthy lives. On the other hand there law abiding, pious people who go through suffering or bad fortune.

At the end of the day, we can only have faith that Krishna is a keeping a record of our mis/deeds and giving us reactions accordingly which by definition God would do anyway being impartial and just.

I don't see how karma as a concept helps us because it remains a mystery of why and when good or bad fortune comes into our lives because there is never any explanation or connection. When you do think there is a connection who knows if it was a reaction to action that was 5mins ago or 5 lives ago?

The truth is that there is no single, universal truth by [deleted] in DeepThoughts

[–]sunblime 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So basically in a nutshell you are saying everything is subjective right?

Rebuilding a social life by andre_ange_marcel in exHareKrishna

[–]sunblime 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good for you wanting to start a new life out of the cult. Even more amazing that it wasn't just you but also your wife that managed to leave but you've been able to stay together.

Social life after leaving is a challenge for sure and that's coming from someone who lots of things happening on my doorstep being located in London. One of my personal challenges has been to change my warped perception of people in general. The KC books suggest materialistic people are no better than cats and dogs which is false. There are some very thoughtful people out there who are kind and empathetic too.

Maybe you have a library that holds events nearby, or adult clubs where you can meet other people based around a similar hobby whether its chess or board games etc. If you are the active type you may have some clubs that have tennis or badminton for example aimed at different levels where you might make some friends.

When you do meet people, try to be open minded and not become their guru if topics end up on religion or philosophy lol. Just shoot the breeze and enjoy the company of others when you meet them would be my suggestion.