Keeping Personally Connected to Prabhupada

A possible danger as time goes by is that Prabhupada’s followers may lose touch with his personal nature.  We can see this in the history of world religions.  In Christianity some of the followers have developed an impersonal attitude toward Jesus Christ, and some may not even believe in his historic reality.  They talk about “The Christ within each one of us.”  There is also a danger of doing that with Prabhupada.  Although we do say that Prabhupada is inconceivable and beyond what we know of him, yet we also know that his personal nature is very real, important, and lasting.  He is the pure devotee of Krishna, and his appearance in our lives is still our greatest solace.  When Prabhupada delivers us Krishna conscious knowledge, we accept it in parampara and because the knowledge is formidable and appealing – but also because it comes from him. 

By the sheer number of times we refer to Prabhupada and then turn to him, a strain is placed upon the freshness of our perception.  Our desire for novelty is not satisfied.  When that happens we look elsewhere for pleasure.  And then an unfortunate thing occurs.  Despite our official praise for Prabhupada, we find difficulty in reading his books.  This is the dreaded rigor mortis that comes from too much institutionalism and not enough personal care for our personal relationship and memories with Srila Prabhupada.

As with any worthy human relationship, our loving relationship with Prabhupada can be kept fresh, but we have to make an effort.  One way I have found to fight against mechanical or boring reading sessions is to read Prabhupada prayerfully, not just for gaining information or to finish a big quantity of pages.  I read as a way to meet him and be with him.  This is just one of many methods.  We may have to try out new varieties and approaches just to stay alive in Prabhupada consciousness.  It will not happen automatically by reciting a “Pledge of Allegiance,” but by keeping oneself alive.