Hare Krishna. I joined ISKCON in 1979, less than 2 years after Srila Prabhupada’s departure. His presence was still strongly felt and I found myself very attracted to him from the very beginning of my spiritual life. I would constantly listen to his lectures, available only on cassette tapes at the time, and of course read his books. I also particularly enjoyed reading a column in the Back to Godhead magazine, ‘Prabhupada Speaks Out’, which was snippets of conversations he held with his disciples and others, often on morning walks. His acerbic wit and remarkable ability to cut to the very heart of every issue, be it science, economics, government, societal organisation and so many other matters, was astonishing. As a young man with the usual background of atheistic education and its concomitant bewilderments, I was profoundly impressed. I knew I had found my teacher, even if the relationship could never be formally consummated by spiritual initiation. Nevertheless, Srila Prabhupada himself had stated that he was not different from his teachings, and this I have found to be true. It is uncanny how many of my doubts and confusions have been specifically addressed by Srila Prabhupada through the medium of his writings. I have discovered that this has most effectively occurs when I am discussing his books with others. This allows for different perspectives to be explored as you go through the purports, opening the mind to a much broader understanding than might occur when you simply read alone. Krishna himself declares that he is present wherever his devotees discuss his glories, so I find that discussions facilitate a deep connection with both the Lord himself and his pure devotee Srila Prabhupada. And indeed, with the devotees with whom we discuss. It creates a deep spiritual bond when we share our understandings and realisations together.

I believe it is highly important for all devotees coming to Krishna consciousness to begin by establishing a firm relationship with Srila Prabhupada. His books are the basis of our movement and as you will see from so many of his quotations on this website, he really wanted us to regularly study them. Based on his instructions I personally feel that discussing them with others should be a daily practise for everyone, and we have therefore produced this resource to assist you. It takes a little training and practise to be able to discuss in a ‘non-debate’, mutually helpful manner, but in my view it is well worth the effort. You will quickly feel the benefits and begin to experience greater peace and satisfaction in all areas of your life.

Krishna dharma das