In both contemporary as well as traditional systems of postal message transmission, we find a medium enabling communication from the sender to the receiver and vice versa. A long-standing traditional method has been for mailmen who receive postal mail from the sender and deliver to the receiver. Even Rukmini sent her message to Krishna via a trusted brahmana! In the contemporary context there is the Internet, which transmits packets of information from the sender to the receiver.

The same principle holds true within the spiritual context, when one wants to re-establish one’s lost relationship with the Supreme, or receive His messages intended to deliver the earth-bound souls. Srila Prabhupada sometimes spoke of Krishna’s message-deliverer as “a Postal Peon”. Here is one example: 

“I am very insignificant. I have no capacity. My business is only to convey the message of Krishna. Just like a postal peon: his business is to convey the letter. He is not responsible for the body of the letter. The reaction… After reading one letter the addressee may feel something, but that responsibility is not for the peon. Similarly, my responsibility is, what I have received from disciplic succession, from my spiritual master, I am just presenting the same thing, but without any adulteration. That is my business. That is my responsibility. I must present things exactly in the same way as it was presented by Krishna, as it was presented by Arjuna, as it was presented by our acaryas, Lord Caitanya, and at last my spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja.” (LA, July 11, 1971)

In Bhagavad-gita 4.34 Lord Sri Krishna indicates one of the essential steps in the bhakti process is acceptance of the shelter of such a Postal Peon, a guru, who helps connect one with Krishna, as well as assists in progressively fully restoring one’s relationship with Him. The subject of guru tattva, the truth or reality of the function of guru within one’s life as the direct representative of Krishna, is deep and profound.

This topic will be explored further in a Labor Day (first Monday in September) weekend seminar titled “Exploring Guru Tattva” by several disciples of Srila Prabhupada, both through individual presentations and through panel discussions. The intention is not to make ultimate or definitive declarations on the topic; rather as the title of this Seminar indicates, it shall explore the deep subject of guru tattva together with all the participants.

Seminar Details: 

Title: Exploring Guru Tattva – Labor Day weekend retreat and seminar 

When?: Friday, August 29th to Monday, September 1st, 2014 (Labor Day)

Where?: Gita Nagari Farm, 534 Gita Nagari Road, Port Royal, PA 17082

How to I register? Questions?: E-mail: gitanagariretreats@gmail.com