Start changing course and I cannot guarantee the outcome (01/18/15)

Start changing course and I cannot guarantee the outcome (01/18/15)

Dear _______,

I agree fully with what you are saying. At ______ all the devotees should continue doing everything as they were when i was personally there. No need to change any of our standards.

I am not in favor of the old Iskcon look. We do not want to be identified with those people. Yes, there are some nice devotees floating around ______ with the Iskcon/Gauḍīya Maṭha look and habits. We do not want to be seen as part of that in any way!!

We wish them well and even an occasional visit, but not to just come and hang out with us. If they want to do that then they [who ever they are] should adjust to our standards and requests.

In my vision its pretty simple; No shaved heads with śikha, but full shaved head OK. Śikha is OK, but only with full head of hair. Not necessary for our devotees anywhere in ____ to wear tilaka unless it is completely out of sight from the public. Even then, when i am in _____ i do not wear tilaka, so follow my example. I also do not go out in public chanting japa or wearing a dhoti, but in India it is different.

I have done my best to set our mission in motion and in a particular direction…start changing course and I cannot guarantee the outcome. I hope i make myself clear!

Our preaching in ______ is growing with real roots and if we continue as we have been then we will see a stronger and stronger spiritual community develop and all those who stick with us will see in time that by strictly following the instructions of guru we will be successful in all our endeavors.

You may remember my first arrival in ________ 5 years ago? ______ was there in the middle of the street, in the middle of the night with a kīrtana party to greet me! Straight out of Iskcon! Its all ______ and family knew at the time. But now you are all so much the wiser and you have found a safe and happy way to serve Gaura-Nitai every day. Add the old Iskcon/Gauḍīya Maṭha influence to what you have, and you will have it no more!

I think i have said enough on this topic. I hope I have made myself clear to everyone.

Con afecto,

Swami Narasingha