Sadhu sanga! Sadhu sanga! And if we don’t attain perfection within a moment, then we should patiently stay the course — and improve. Thank you to Cintamani Dhama Dasi for sharing the methods that have worked for her.

Hare Krishna.

This website is obviously a wonderful  means to dive deep into the ocean of wisdom that Srila Prabhupada gave us. I am sure that innumerable devotees will immensely benefit from this wonderful arrangement that you made.

“Oh happy Day!”

Every time I teach my founder-acharya seminars, at the end of the journey, my students invariably ask the same questions: “What do we do now? How can we keep increasing our appreciation for Srila Prabhupada?” And invariably I’ve been giving the same answers: “Start a Lilamrita reading group. Or a Gita As It Is study group. Or whichever book by or about Srila Prabhupada inspires you.”

Not bad answers, but there’s so much more, as Cintamani Dhama and Krishna Dharma Prabhus remind us in Improving our Sadhu Sanga. Like experienced sailors, their Principles help us navigate the fathomless waters of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. Individually and collectively, how many times have I tried to study and discuss His Divine Grace’s writings, only to founder on the shoals of indifference, contention, false pride, paradox, and doubt. Having been there themselves, our sailors teach us the protocols to avoid those shoals, and how to recover when we hit them.

Nowhere is their experience more in evidence than in the Tips section, which instructs us how to apply the principles of discussion in exquisite detail. If Emerson “owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-gita,” we all owe Cintamani and Krishna Dharma years of gratitude for their wise and compassionate site. Accepting Srila Prabhupada as the captain of our ISKCON ship is one thing, keeping the ship on course by learning and teaching how to harmoniously apply his Vaiduryan instructions is quite another. Well done, Prabhus! Oh Hare Krishna!

I write this during a time of great disruption in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result it struck me, even more that it usually might, as to how crucial it is that we flood the planet with Krishna consciousness. We know only too well that there is danger at every step in this world, therefore it might be a pandemic today, a war tomorrow or something even more catastrophic the day after. Thus Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaja informed us that there will never be anything more important in this world than the dissemination of Krishna consciousness.

In order to effectively disseminate Krishna consciousness it greatly helps if one is Krishna conscious themselves and sites like ‘Improving our Sadhu Sanga – the Key to Happiness is Good Association’, is a superb initiative to achieve that very glorious goal of becoming more Krishna conscious.

These kinds of efforts are a wonderful endorsement of the commitment of the devotees who conceive, plan and establish such a resource. It is also a clear testament to their own Krishna conscious well being, be so desirous to assist others in their devotional lives.

Thank you for creating this valuable website. What you’re presenting is important for all devotees and aspiring devotees of Krishna. Hearing about, chanting about, remembering, and thinking about Krishna and His instructions is the foundation of Krishna consciousness. Your many efforts to help us do these basic practices systematically through the regular study of Srila Prabhupada’s books is much appreciated.

Your servant

Good sadhu-sanga pleases Krishna

Krishna is personally pleased when devotees associate with each other. He says to the Pracetas:

“I am very much pleased by the friendly relationships among you. All of you are engaged in one occupation—devotional service. I am so pleased with your mutual friendship that I wish you all good fortune. Now you may ask a benediction of Me.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.8)

This website gives very practical inspirations how to make the exchange in devotee association most rewarding. We often hear that the root cause of Krishna-bhakti is association with devotees. Krishna Dharma and Cintamani-dhama give inspirations from their rich experience how we can make this association all it can be. By reading, discussing and applying Srila Prabhupada’s books, Krishna surely manifests in the heart.

Wishing you all the best

Dear Krishna Dharma and Cintamani,

Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I just went over your website and read the principles and tips.

To say the least I am very impressed. If one applies these points in one’s personal life as well as in one’s duties as a medium for Srila Prabhupada, one will surely please Srila Prabhupada by becoming Krishna conscious and by bringing many souls to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet.

I plan on utilizing the information you have presented, and will encourage others to do so.

Thank you very much.

Yours in Srila Prabhupada’s service

Kamini Radhika dasi and I are not scholars or great readers at all, however we were inspired to try this process to become close to our eternal spiritual master Srila Prabhupada. On the occasions we have tried this method, even if it was for 5-10 minutes, we found out so much about our individual thoughts and this immensely helped us to discuss how to mold our lives together (as householders) based on our discussions and understandings, trying to keep Srila Prabhupada’s words in mind.

Our twin girls Radharani and Sitarani are just over 1 now and we try to include them in the discussion, even if it is just listening to us or touching or holding the books. We certainly want to make this a regular family discussion, praying that it helps us develop our love and understanding for Srila Prabhupada and Lord Chaitanya. Why don’t you give it a go? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!!

Learning these principles has been life changing! Now I am able to truly read the Gita and understand. Not only understand but I feel intellectually engaged and ask those much needed questions. I’ve attempted reading the Gita several times, but for the first time I am able to hear Krishna speaks the words, as if he is saying them to me. Thank you so much for Cintanami for giving myself and the Ashram ladies this knowledge.

Hare Krsna dear devotees, lovers of sadhu-sanga. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I listened to the recording of the meeting 2 weeks ago and I would like to share something. In your discussion, the topic was brought up – how permissible it is when we give our understanding of someone’s statement to include our own understanding. I was very pleased with the conclusion that you came to, which is that our understanding should be given separately. To support and confirm the value of that conclusion, I have a small example.
This was the first discussion with the boys from the ashram. I sensed that one of them was a bit sceptical, especially when I asked each of them at the beginning to give an understanding of a 2-line verse. The revelation came at the end. Everyone was asked to share how they liked or disliked this discussion.
“Sceptic” Prabhu said. “In the beginning I thought – what a kindergarten! But then I noticed, actually it is a a very nice atmosphere! In the asrama, when somebody starts talking to me, I don’t like to listen to him, thinking, ‘what can he say! He doesn’t know anything…’ And my mind is constantly evaluating, and I don’t listen to the speaker, I listen to myself. Now I am forced to listen attentively because I have to reflect, and I notice that devotees have such wonderful thoughts. I am beginning to appreciate them! I like this atmosphere of respect!”

When I discuss in this way with other devotees I feel like an archaeologist looking for hidden treasure. I may have read a purport many times but when it comes to the crunch of scrutinizing words and questioning what does Prabhupada mean by this? Why did he use this word? etc I personally feel I’m able to access deeper truths that general reading or ‘paragraph discussions’ have – for me – not quite revealed.

After discussing this way I sort of feel like I’m cheating or not doing the shastra or myself justice by discussing any other way. I also feel it brings me up a mode where I’m understanding in the present and not trying to ‘get through the book’ so has quite a calming effect on my mind too. I love this technique!

Trying to understand Prabhupada’s words with my own words and unpacking the words meaning gave me a whole new perspective and point of view in KC. So many things I was taking for granted and not really grasping what they actually mean. I learned certain cliches without really connecting and applying those words in my practice of KC. Or if I was thinking that I am applying what I have heard often the case was that I misunderstood the meaning and was applying blindly and fanatically. That was creating problems because the practice of KC was becoming hard and unpleasant. Very difficult to execute. I was not transforming myself but instead I was going round and round. Always coming back to square one. Wasting so much time thinking the I am doing something, that I am progressing in the path of devotional service.

This method has helped me to go more deeply in my practice and to try to understand in such a way so my life can be transformed by the powerful words of Srila Prabhupada and The Lord.

When you introduced me to the discussion group a few months ago it was a God send. I have been in ISKCON for many years and have read BG and Bhagavatam, but never read them with this protocol. But now unpacking Srila Prabhupada’s purport word by word and understanding the meaning is like a flower bud which is opening little by little by watering and sunlight. The effort we put in is like water, and the sunlight is comparable to pure nectar.

For example Krishna is addressed as infallible – He is completely reliable, trustworthy and He will always be there for us. In this world you can not depend on anyone but you can always depend on Krishna. By unpacking the word, a firm conviction arises in our hearts which is only possible by careful association with Srila Prabhupada’s purports.

With regard to Principle 9, I can completely relate to what you have written here re seizing up & intellect functioning much better when you are relaxed. I am EXACTLY like this too, but I didn’t really understand it fully or comprehend & make sense of it until this moment. You have put the experience into words for me & it sounds logical & reasonable whereas it was a bit of a mystery before. I am grateful for that & to be able to better understand now how I work.

This method of discussing Srila Prabhupada books is the most pleasurable activity in my life.  It is the best gift I ever received. It gives such a joy and fulfillment to my heart. It inspires me to chant the Holy name better. It gives me true friendship with people, friends and family. Life becomes easy and happy. I sincerely believe if I keep discussing regularly this will bring all successes and real auspiciousness in this life, and also life after life.

Hare Krishna, Mataji! Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! We discussed few times at home. It was very pleasant experience and effective discussion. Recently I even applied the understanding technique during the BG class at our weekly program in the temple and I was amazed at the activity of the audience; many devotees and guests responded. You have got very powerful tools!

When I unpack the sentence word by word, unpacking the word’s meaning, and then reconstruct the meaning of the sentence, by God it is hard work!

It’s like any kind of bodily exercise for me. It’s really difficult to start and without encouragement I am likely to stop half way through and just say sorry I don’t know, let someone else do it. But when pushed and I do it, I take a long breath of relief and then feel really amazed with myself, thinking wow I really didn’t think I could do this – or I didn’t know I knew this – my brain feels rejuvenated at the same time I feel like drying my sweat after a good jog. It is what Cintamani prabhu says: a really good brain muscle exercise. Therefore the more we do it the stronger our brain becomes. We’ll have better focus, become more analytical, increase knowledge, can work longer, etc.

The question can be asked that well I can strengthen my brain in this way by any other studies. It doesn’t have to be with Prabhupada’s books. This is true. Of course an academia’s brain is already stronger than mine and has all those above qualities. But also their brain has absorbed the subject matter they have studied. So when squeezed, what is going to come out of it? So in my view by studying Prabhupada’s books in this way not only our brain is exercised well but also it will absorb Prabhupada’s message really well.

Following principle 5 and 6 also gives me confidence in preaching Prabhupada’s books by practicing repeating the same message but in my own words. Surely if I only repeat Prabhupada/Krishna’s exact words, whoever is listening to me picks that up and will know that I am just repeating like a parrot and won’t have much respect for me. Okay, I don’t mind not being respected but then when they challenge me and ask questions I won’t have an answer if I have not thoroughly understood Prabhupada. Then they will not respect the book and the message. Using different words with same meaning requires real listening and understanding. So it improves my understanding of Prabhupada.

Trying to understand anything requires scrutiny and inevitably brings more questions with it. The more questions we have the more answers we receive and therefore the less doubts we’ll have which means stronger faith.

And of course my understanding can and will be imperfect but Prabhupada has reassured me that “… Krishna says simply by trying to know him, one becomes liberated.” Simply by trying, not perfectly. Even imperfectly. Because he is endeavoring to understand Krishna. That very activity will make him liberated. That very activity.

My father, mother and I have been reading the Bhagavad Gita and we have been using Cintamani Dhama and Krishna Dharma prabhus’ technique to scan through it and explain what it means, and it really helps us all to understand what Krishna is saying in this sacred book of guidance. I really recommend it! Thank you.

My sincere and heartfelt dandavats to Krishna Dharma Prabhu and Cintamani Dhama-dasi mataji for sharing their method of discussing Prabhupada’s books. My family and I are benefiting immensely from our Bhagavad Gita discussions and we owe a debt of gratitude to Prabhus for this. Hare Krishna.

This brand new website is all-attractive, intelligent and classy. It reflects the idea of the mission. It’s abundant in Krishna Consciousness content, and Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. I imagine how compelling and rich in materials the site will be when it keeps developing, when devotees join in live discussions and video conferences. I already look forward posing my questions but I haven’t found a spot where to post them. Thank you for the opportunity to reach out to the advanced and pure devotees for help with unpacking every word in Prabhupada’s books, which, as he mentioned, were broadcast through The Supreme Lord.

Hare Krishna

After following the guidance of HG Cintamani dd of scrutinizing the scriptures and unpacking words and sentences in groups and now alone during lock-down. My experience is that this principle really works for me, as often I used to read quickly and not really feel satisfied.

Although it is a much slower process, I am actually feeling a lot more satisfied as it has enabled me to understand the philosophy much more clearly and areas I am unclear with, I jot down and Krishna reveals the answers within days… its simply magical!!

The process has made me relish more the other scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion, as I am beginning to understand them more easily than before… almost like a new door to knowledge has opened. When attending classes my attention span is improving also. Moreover,  a devotee friend who joined the sanga with me, she is finding similar experience too. Thank you for setting up the website “ImprovingSanga.com” and look forward to the group classes.

Hare Krishna