I am putting this one here as well.
https://www.echoes-of-eternity.com/vaishnavas-are-beyond-material-limitationJust to be clear, I put these types of Gaudiya Math blogs/posts/sites on here because if any Chris Butler devotee comes upon it here, they may see what so-called "real" Gaudiya Vaishnavism is about. And that not only are ISKCON and SIF some random offshoots that has made up its own ideas and lineage, but they are almost unrecognizable as a Gaudiya cult. They are something altogether different and not anything remotely close to Chaitanya Bengal Vaishnavism. Not by a long shot (ISKCON has largely devolved into a quasi-Hindu cult that attracts mostly Indians—the Western followers are floating off in droves:
Yes, Corboy, that was the part that resonated with me in that article.
The guru in the equation then also acts as an extension of that hero narrative. Somehow, this "eternal" secret wisdom has made it to you through some sort of grace or elitism. The narrative in the group is often touted as "we are the chosen ones". Even in Gaudya Vaishnavism, the concept of sukriti (spiritual merit, as opposed to simple mechanics of karma—cause and effect—determinism), played a role in your accent to "worthiness." Hence in Gaidiya Vaishnvaism there is a naive idea that "preaching" is a way to spread the good word and divine "mercy". The narrative then becomes, "You matter to god, and so god came to save you, specifically you—that is God's boundless glory and grace". so god randomly chose to save me (which was just having a string of bad days) versus, say, the kids in Gaza...
Bhaktisiddhanta made a huge deal of Brahmanism and felt the need to establish Brahmin diksha in a cult that had nothing to do with that practice. He wrote extensively about it, and it is to this day a huge rite of passage in the cult. Nama diksha is fine, but Brhamin diksha really opens the doors of your progress.
In many devotees' stories, one will hear the repeating theme of "I was at my lowest, and the lord/Gurudev saved me)." Or, "I was minding my own business and all of a sudden, the devotees came, and I was overcome by XYZ emotion."
Those who do not come to the cult via an avenue of distress tend to be more on the fringes of the cult. They come for Sunday functions and enjoy chanting, dancing, and eating vegetarian food, but they never quite get taken by the rest of it beyond its surface pleasantry.
In fact, we often see the most fanatical of the cult followers are those who came to it via a crisis. Kind of like AA members can be cultlike and fanatical about recovery if they came to it via rock-bottom as opposed to just getting a handle on their drinking.
Ultimatly, methods like kirtan and other repetaive ritualism acts as a method to disengage the critical thinking parts of the brain. Which is neccessery to the success of most cults/religions.
Even modern advertisers know this mechanism of the brain and use mindless repetative scrolling and bombordign of cheap laughs and advertisements to keep the brain in a docile state.
I'm an advocate of personal spirituality. I don't believe one needs a group to access many of the poported benefits. I also do not feel that being part of a group of spirtually thinking people is harmful per se, but as soon as someone is telling you that you cannot access some "secret" aspects of the philosophy unless you "surrender" or "serve" or believe in XYZ or practice XYZ ritual, tha is when it gets hairy. are the mechanics of these things truly helpful? Are they in line with where you are at with your cirrent thinking and naural, experiantial, rational growth, or are they artificaly impossing some ideas on yoru mind that you are simoply accepting because someone told you that you will never be happy unless you accept it?
Culthusiast—
Jagad Gurus Siddhaswarupananda has never read or responded to any letter from his disciples unless it's to chastise them or ask for something. He could care less about his floundering followers spread across the globe. He literally thinks cause he recorded a handful of lectures, he has said all he needs to say, and now he can just fuck off and enjoy his Hawaii ocean-front lifestyle of sitting around listening to political TV, watching baseball, and getting massaged and fed like a baby. So, that poor Polish disciple essentially wrote that long letter to the wind.
The rasas of vatsalya, etc are not Gaudya Vaishnava goals. In fact, Bhaktivinode, in his Krishna Samhita, calls any Vaishnava with lesser goals than manjari bhava, as "asslike." The goals for other rasas, perhaps, are in the Madhva line more, but not the gaudiyas.
All bushittery aside though, lets take the claim of mantras with all of their purported powers:
A sound made of material energy, with material senses, and heard with physical material senses, is simply that: Another material sound vibration. One does not need a PhD or much brains to comprehend that.
All mantras are made of words created by humans in some sort of linguistic evolution and etymological framework. The words can mean one thing in one language and something totally different in another language. They can have connotations based on social/cultural influences and vary from religious tradition to religious tradition.
The so-called power of a mantra is, at best, corresponding to the following bias factors:
1. A religious tradition/guru/scripture with some wisdom ideas has told you to believe it has power. There are many examples of this in Vedic and post-Vedic (non-vedic, really), Puranas, etc., where the mantra is touted to have some fantastic power (along with fasting from grains on Ekadasi days). The mantra is said to appease all ancestors in the past, free one from all karma and sins, and elevate one "instantly" to some abstract transcendental platform. Whatever that means.
2. The inherent activity of murmuring a mantra on repeat has a soothing mental quality, similar to that of a parent repeating a song or string of words to a crying child.
3. If used in song, with instruments, and dance, the mantra is akin to singing any sound one finds pleasing. At best, and again, because of its association with one's implied intention, it can make you feel happy while doing it in the company of other people. Alone, it can be one of the most mind-numbing and boring activities you can undertake.
4. Associated with various religious beliefs, a mantra might "feel" powerful, but this usually lasts only while chanting. After a person is done with changing their mantra, it no longer has any sway on mental states.
Ultimately, if the mantra had the power it is touted to have by scriptures and gurus, the country of India would be the epitome of success and spiritual achievement. But alas. It is not. It is one of the top world exporters of need, riddled with health, social, and all-around issues on every level. How is this possible? The "mantra" has been chanted with utmost sincerity since the dawn of time there, yet there is little in the way of showing its purported benefits in practice/example.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAlDQneh4_z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Here are the facts:Based on the available information, no credible scientific study demonstrates the effectiveness of mantras. Despite numerous claims and testimonials, the scientific community has not found any verifiable evidence to support the notion that mantras have a tangible impact on mental or physical well-being.
Insufficient CorrelationThe search results highlight various studies and articles that discuss the potential benefits of mantras, such as relaxation, reduced stress, and improved mental health. However, these claims are often anecdotal or based on limited, non-randomized studies. The scientific consensus remains that no conclusive evidence supports the notion that mantras have a measurable, reproducible effect.
Methodological FlawsMany studies on mantras suffer from methodological flaws, such as small sample sizes, a lack of control groups, and inadequate measurement tools. These limitations limit the ability to draw meaningful conclusions about mantras' efficacy.
No Empirical EvidenceWithout rigorous, empirically-based research, it is reasonable to conclude that mantras have zero effect. The scientific community relies on verifiable, replicable data to support claims, and the current evidence base does not meet these standards.
ConclusionUntil robust, scientifically designed studies demonstrate a tangible impact of mantras, it is prudent to conclude that they have no verifiable effect on mental or physical well-being.
If chanting a mantra makes you happy, by all means. If it gives you a sense of "spiritual" upliftment or sense of belonging or communing with a higher power/god/self, by all means, but know there is no real "purification" taking place, nor is it possible by any rational method to extract anything out of a combination of ancient Indian words. Anything that is happening is purely in abstraction and very realistically simply a cognitive, speculative endeavor. Take it from someone who chanted 16 rounds a day+ and attended and led many Kirtans. And that hallowed number, "16" means nothing. Bhaktisiddhanta claimed that god would not accept the service of anyone chanting less than 64 rounds a day. God has standards people. Unless you are chanting yourself into a frenzy god wants shit to do with you.
RUN.