To me, the duty of a leader is to be both effective and efficient.
Effective means that he speaks and acts in a way that builds trust.
Efficient means that he achieves measurable results.
If either is missing his service is incomplete.
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Friday, November 13, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
FLYING INTO HEADWINDS
This article is not the absolute truth, but it could be useful in many ways.
Flying Into Headwinds
When you set off toward a new destination or goal, like taking off in an airplane, you will have an idea of both your departure time and your arrival time. You will set a schedule for yourself and expect to arrive pretty much on schedule. But as soon as you take off, you will experience what pilots call "unexpected headwinds." The situation in your life is similar. As soon as you embark on a new journey, you will experience headwinds as well: everything will cost twice as much and take three times longer than you anticipated. You should estimate how long you will take to achieve certain milestones and then triple that time to get the actual time period required.
Types of Headwinds
Headwinds in your business and personal life will come from several sources. Your primary source of headwinds will be other people. They will disappoint you, cheat you, betray you, and fail to live up to your expectations, and turn out to be incompetent or indifferent. Your customers will be a major source of headwinds. When you start a new venture, you will be amazed at how difficult it is to get customers to buy your product or service for the first time. Your customers will disappoint you in that they will buy less than you expected, take longer to buy than you expected, pay slower than you expected, and complain more than expected. Remember that the customer is always right. It is not what you produce but what people buy that counts.
Financial Headwinds
Another form of headwinds that you will face has to do with money. Some people will tell you that it is easy to make all the money you want just by thinking positively and visualizing yourself as wealthy. Everyone wants to believe that this is true, and many people embrace the idea of effortless wealth with their whole hearts. But that doesn't include those people who have actually achieved financial success. People who have made a lot of money have learned through bitter experience that the
only thing easy about money is losing it. As the Japanese proverb says, "Making money is like digging with a pin; losing money is like pouring water on the sand."
Personal Headwinds
You will experience headwinds personally in that you will discover, much to your surprise that you lack specific talents, skills, and knowledge that you need to succeed. You may find that you are a poor time manager or that you lack self-discipline. You cannot seem to focus, concentrate, and apply yourself single-mindedly to your most important tasks. You waste time and feel overwhelmed with too much to do and too little time in which to do it. You may lack financial, analytic, marketing, or selling skills. You may not know how to plan and organize your business, advertise effectively and attract customers, or persuade your prospects
to buy from you. Fortunately these are all learnable skills. But the starting point of mastering these essential skills is for you to admit that you need them. After that, the education can begin.
Action Exercise
Because of your incredible mind, you can learn any skill you need to learn to achieve any goal you can set for yourself. You must never allow yourself to be held back because you lack a particular skill. Figure out what skill you need to increase the quality of your life, and then set out to learn it.
Brian Tracy
Flying Into Headwinds
When you set off toward a new destination or goal, like taking off in an airplane, you will have an idea of both your departure time and your arrival time. You will set a schedule for yourself and expect to arrive pretty much on schedule. But as soon as you take off, you will experience what pilots call "unexpected headwinds." The situation in your life is similar. As soon as you embark on a new journey, you will experience headwinds as well: everything will cost twice as much and take three times longer than you anticipated. You should estimate how long you will take to achieve certain milestones and then triple that time to get the actual time period required.
Types of Headwinds
Headwinds in your business and personal life will come from several sources. Your primary source of headwinds will be other people. They will disappoint you, cheat you, betray you, and fail to live up to your expectations, and turn out to be incompetent or indifferent. Your customers will be a major source of headwinds. When you start a new venture, you will be amazed at how difficult it is to get customers to buy your product or service for the first time. Your customers will disappoint you in that they will buy less than you expected, take longer to buy than you expected, pay slower than you expected, and complain more than expected. Remember that the customer is always right. It is not what you produce but what people buy that counts.
Financial Headwinds
Another form of headwinds that you will face has to do with money. Some people will tell you that it is easy to make all the money you want just by thinking positively and visualizing yourself as wealthy. Everyone wants to believe that this is true, and many people embrace the idea of effortless wealth with their whole hearts. But that doesn't include those people who have actually achieved financial success. People who have made a lot of money have learned through bitter experience that the
only thing easy about money is losing it. As the Japanese proverb says, "Making money is like digging with a pin; losing money is like pouring water on the sand."
Personal Headwinds
You will experience headwinds personally in that you will discover, much to your surprise that you lack specific talents, skills, and knowledge that you need to succeed. You may find that you are a poor time manager or that you lack self-discipline. You cannot seem to focus, concentrate, and apply yourself single-mindedly to your most important tasks. You waste time and feel overwhelmed with too much to do and too little time in which to do it. You may lack financial, analytic, marketing, or selling skills. You may not know how to plan and organize your business, advertise effectively and attract customers, or persuade your prospects
to buy from you. Fortunately these are all learnable skills. But the starting point of mastering these essential skills is for you to admit that you need them. After that, the education can begin.
Action Exercise
Because of your incredible mind, you can learn any skill you need to learn to achieve any goal you can set for yourself. You must never allow yourself to be held back because you lack a particular skill. Figure out what skill you need to increase the quality of your life, and then set out to learn it.
Brian Tracy
Saturday, November 7, 2009
FRANKLINCOVEY CONSULTANT ON PRABHUPADA
Consultant from one of the top leadership training companies in the world comments while reading Prabhupada Lilamrita, Srila Prabhupada's biography. She shows how Srila Prabhupada was following all the timeless principles of success and leadership.
PRABHUPADA
Introduction, p. xiv: “Gandhi called on Indian students to forsake their studies. The foreign-run schools, he said, instilled a slave mentality; they made one no more than a puppet in the hands of the British. Still, a college degree was the basis of a life’s career. Abhay weighed the choices carefully and in 1920, after completing his fourth year of college and passing his examination, refused to accept his diploma. In this way, he registered his protest and signaled his response to Gandhi’s call.”
Comments: “Responded based on values; very proactive.”
Intro., p. xvi: “Srila Bhaktisiddhanta replied that Krsna consciousness didn’t have to wait for a change in Indian politics, nor was it dependent on who ruled. Krsna consciousness was so important that it could not wait.”
Comments: “Principle. Proactive; responded according to values.”
Intro., p. xvii: “For business purposes, Abhay and his wife and family moved to Allahabad, and it was there, in 1932, that he received initiation and became a disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. The story of the next thirty years of his life in India is the story of a single, growing desire to preach Krsna consciousness worldwide, as his spiritual master had ordered him.”
Comments: “Acted based on principles
Chapter One: Struggling Alone
Pg. 3 “Markine Bhagavata-dharma”…
Comments: He has obviously aligned his life with tremendous faith. Faith is a principle.
Pg. 10 “Bhaktivedanta Swami would sometimes discuss with Dr. Mishra the aim of his visit to America, expressing his spiritual master’s vision of establishing Krsna consciousness in the West.
Comments: Vision at forefront of his mind.
Pg. 15. “He had no guaranteed income, his expenses had increased, and his physical comforts had reduced. But at least he had his own place. Now he was free to preach as he liked.”
Comments: Desire to be independent possible because of strong private victory.
Pg. 17. “Someone broke into room 307 while Bhaktivedanta Swami was out and stole his typewriter and tape recorder. When Bhaktivedanta Swami returned to the building, the janitor informed him of the theft: an unknown burglar had broken the transom glass, climbed through, taken the valuables, and escaped. As Bhaktivedanta Swami listened, he became convinced that the janitor himself was the culprit. Of course he couldn’t prove it, so he accepted the loss with disappointment.”
Comments: Proactive—did not dwell on misfortune/blame.
Pg. 18. “His duty, whether on the fourteenth floor of a Riverside Drive apartment building or in a corner of a Bowery loft, was to establish Krsna consciousness as the prime necessity for all humanity.”
Comments: Incredibly mission-driven in challenging circumstances.
Pg. 24. “Bhaktivedanta Swami faced the crisis as a test from Krsna.”
Comments: Tremendous faith.
Chapter 2: Planting the Seed
Pg. 42. “Seven Purposes of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness”
Comments: Vision remarkable!
Pg. 53. “September 8 was Janmastami, the appearance day of Lord Krsna. One year before, Bhaktivedanta Swami had observed Krsna’s birthday at sea aboard the Jaladuta, just out of Colombo. Now, exactly one year later, he had a small crew of Hare Krsna chanters. He would gather them all together, have them observe a day of chanting, reading scriptures, fasting and feasting—and the next day would be initiation.”
Comments: Through hard work, patience and faith, as well as a strong private victory, he begins to have public victories and grow disciples.
Pg. 57. “No one was asked to shave his head or even cut his hair or change his dress. No one offered Swamiji the traditional guru-daksina, the donation a disciple is supposed to offer as a gesture of his great obligation to his master. Hardly anyone even relieved him of his chores, so Swamiji himself had to do most of the cooking and other preparations for the initiation. He was perfectly aware of the mentality of his boys, and he didn’t try to force anything on anyone. Some of the initiates didn’t know until after the initiation, when they had inquired, that the four rules—no meat-eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication, and no gambling—were mandatory for all disciples. Swamiji’s reply then was, “I am very glad that you are finally asking me that.”
Comments: He sought first to understand disciples. As a true leader he stretched them but didn’t give them more than they could handle.
P. 74. If it were risky for a seventy-one-year-old man to thump a drum and shout so loud, then he would take that risk for Krsna. It was too good to stop. He had come far from Vrndavana, survived the non-Krsna yoga society, waited all winter in obscurity. America had waited hundreds of years with no Krsna-chanting. No “Hare Krsna” had come from Thoreau’s or Emerson’s appreciations, though they had pored over English translations of the Gita and Puranas. And no kirtana had come from Vivekananda’s famous speech on behalf of Hinduism at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. So now that he finally had Krsna-bhakti going, flowing like the Ganges to the sea, it could not stop. In his heart he felt the infinite will of Lord Caitanya to deliver the fallen souls.
He knew this was the desire of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his own spiritual master, even though caste-conscious brahmanas in India would disapprove of his associating with such untouchables as these drug-mad American meat-eaters and their girl friends. But Swamiji explained that he was in full accord with the scriptures. The Bhagavatam had clearly stated that Krsna consciousness should be delivered to all races. Everyone was a spiritual soul, and regardless of birth could be brought to the highest spiritual platform by chanting the holy name. Never mind whatever sinful things they were doing, these people were perfect candidates for Krsna consciousness. Tompkins Square Park was Krsna’s plan; it was also part of the earth, and these people were members if the human race. And the chanting of Hare Krsna was the dharma for the age.”
Comments: Vision always at the front of this mind.
Pg. 76. “The night of the Fugs however, Swamiji chose to speak on the illusion of sexual pleasure. ‘Sex pleasure binds us to this material world birth after birth,’ he said, and he quoted, as he often did, a verse of Yamunacarya: ‘Since I have become Krsna conscious, whenever I think of sex life with a woman my face at once turns from it, and I spit at the thought.’ The Fugs never returned.
To speak ill of sexual pleasure was certainly not a strategic move for one who wanted to create followers among the Lower East Side hippies. But Bhaktivedanta Swami never considered changing his message. In fact, when Umapati had mentioned that Americans didn’t like to hear that sex was only for conceiving children, Bhaktivedanta Swami had replied, ‘I cannot change the philosophy to please the Americans.’
‘What about sex?’ asked the ISKCON attorney, Steve Goldsmith, one evening, speaking out from the rear of the crowded temple.
‘Sex should only be with one’s wife,’ Swamiji said, ‘and that is also restricted. Sex is for the propagation of Krsna conscious children. My spiritual master used to say that to beget Krsna conscious children he was prepared to have sex a hundred time. Of course, that is most difficult in this age. Therefore, he remained a brahmacari.”
Comments: Despite the strong social values of Americans and the risk of alienating possible followers, he stayed true to his beliefs.
Pg. 77. “Steve Goldsmith was an influential friend and supporter of ISKCON But Prabhupada would not change the philosophy of Krsna consciousness ‘to please the Americans.’
Comments: Very proactive. Responded based on values.
Pg. 79. “One time the devotees were eating so ravenously that they threatened to eat everything available before the guests had all been served, and Kirtanananda had to admonish them for their selfish attitude. Gradually, they were understanding that the Sunday feast was not just for their fun and pleasure, but to bring people to Krsna consciousness.”
Comments: Very mature—balances courage and consideration.
Pg. 81. “Prabhupada’s first and main instruction to his editors had been that they should produce the magazine regularly—every month. Even if they didn’t know how to sell the copies or even if they only turned out two pages, they had to continue bearing the standard.”
Comments: Consistency is important. Also, integrity. Make a commitment to publish Back to Godhead—follow through.
Pg. 82. “Prabhupada wanted all his disciples to take part in it. ‘Don’t be dull,’ he said. ‘Write something.’ He wanted to give his disciples Back to Godhead for their own preaching. Brahmananda and Gargamuni took the first issues out that same night on bicycles, riding to every head shop on the Lower East Side all the way to Fourteenth Street and as far west as the West Village, until they had distributed all one hundred issues. This was an increase in the preaching. Now all his students could take part in the work—typing, editing, writing, assembling, selling. It was his preaching, of course, but he wasn’t alone anymore.”
Comments: Valued each disciple’s thoughts; sought to synergize.
Pg. 83. “Timidly, one or two dissenters indirectly expressed some of these feelings to Swamiji, as if almost wishing to admonish him for thinking of leaving them, and even hinting that things would not go well, either in San Francisco or New York, if he departed. But they found him quite confident and determined. He did not belong to New York; he belonged to Krsna. And he had to go wherever Krsna desired him to preach. He was completely detached, eager to travel and expand the chanting of Hare Krsna.
…Swamiji explained that he would only be gone a few weeks, and that he wanted all the programs to go on in his absence.”
Comments: Swamiji stayed true to his values—by leaving he helped his disciples in NY become less dependent on him—he wanted them to continue while he was gone—sending a strong message that they had the ability to do the work. Very humble.
Chapter Three: Only He /could Lead Them
Pg. 86. “He had heard the chanting even before he had entered the terminal, and he had begun to smile. He was happy and surprised. Glancing over the faces, he recognized only a few. Yet here were fifty people receiving him and chanting Hare Krsna without his having said a word!”
Comments: Power of circle of influence. He knew only a few of the people there, but those people had spread his words/meanings and expanded the influence.
P. 91. He was following what had become a vital routine in his life: rising early and writing the parampara message of Krsna consciousness. Putting aside all other considerations, disregarding present circumstances, he would merge into the timeless message of transcendental knowledge. This was his most important service to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. The thought of producing more books and distributing them widely inspired him to rise every night and translate,”
Comments: Put first things first. Spent his time on what was most important.
Pg. 97. “Bhaktivedanta Swami knew that it would be difficult for his Western disciples to stick to Krsna consciousness and attain the goal of pure devotional service.. All their lives they had had the worst of training, and despite their nominal Christianity and philosophical searching, most of them knew nothing of the science of God. They did not even know that illicit sex and meat-eating were wrong, although when he told them they accepted what he said. And they freely chanted Hare Krsna. So how could he refuse them?”
Comments: Believed in potential—willing to risk/to try to help.
Pg. 99. “Some of them stayed and became devotees, and some just took prasadam and left. Daily we had unusual incidents, and Swamiji witnessed it and took part in it. The lunch program was his idea.”
Comments: Program very giving.
Pg. 103. “Haridas: I used to watch how Swamiji would handle things. It wasn’t easy. To me, that was a real test of his powers and understanding—how to handle these people, not alienate or antagonize or stir them up to create more trouble. He would turn their energy so that before they knew it they were calm, like when you pat a baby and it stops crying. Swamiji had a way of doing that with words, with the intonation of his voice, with his patience to let them carry on for a certain period of time, let them work it out, act it out even. I guess he realized that the devotees just couldn’t say, ‘Listen, when you come to the temple you can’t behave this way.’ It was a delicate situation.
…So Swamiji would remove the audience rather than the person. He would do it without crushing the person. He would do it by superior intelligence, but also with a lot of compassion. When I saw him do these things, then I realized he was a great teacher and a great human being. He had the sensitivity not to injure a person physically or emotionally, so that when the person sat down and shut up, he wouldn’t be doing it in defeat or anger—he wouldn’t be hurt. He would just be outwitted by the Swami.”
Comments: Illustrates his incredible role as a role model. He based his life on principles which came out through his actions. Probably an instrumental reason why his vision was a success.
Pg. 111. “Bhaktivedanta Swami had come to the West to fulfill the desires and the vision of his spiritual master and of Bhaktivinoda Thakura by creating Vaisnavas among the Westerners. Now, if the Westerners were to become actual devotees, they would have to be given the Deity worship. Otherwise it would be more difficult for them to become purified. Bhaktivedanta Swami was confident in his spiritual master’s direction and in the scriptures. He had faith that Lord Jagannatha was especially merciful to the fallen. He prayed that the Lord of the universe would not be offended by His reception at New Jagannatha Puri.”
Comments: Strong vision/faith. Awareness of time it takes to fulfill mission—patience.
Pg. 113. “Swamiji thought of these things to a degree far beyond what his disciples could understand—and yet he remained with them as their dear friend and spiritual instructor. He was their servant, teaching them to pray, like him, to be able to serve Krsna…”
Comments: Humble in regard to the role he was playing.
Pg. 115. “Yet he felt no compunctions about leaving them. He knew that some of them might fall away, but he couldn’t stay with them always. His time was limited.
Bhaktivedanta Swami, the father of two small bands of neophytes, tenderly left one group and headed East, where the other group waited in a different mood, a mood of joyful reception.”
Comments: Also tried to help them become more interdependent. Believed in their potential. Focus on Krsna, not himself.
P. 127. “’I am an old man,’ he said. ‘I may die at any moment. But please, you all carry on this sankirtana movement. You have to become humble and tolerant. Lord Caitanya says, be as humble as a blade of grass and more tolerant that a tree. You must have enthusiasm and patience to push on this Krsna conscious philosophy.’”
Comments: Challenging group to live based on principles.
P. 127. “He sat still and continued speaking to them gravely, asking them to stick together and push on the movement, for their own benefit and for others. Whatever they had learned, he said, they should repeat.”
Comments: Three person teaching. Belief in synergy/interdependence.
P. 129. “I think this is what Krsna desires. You mad be coming there to me and be training up, and we will spread this movement all over the world. Raya Rama—you will go to England. Brahmananda—you want to go to Japan of Russia?”
Comments: Instills vision in disciples.
P. 132. “They gave him medicines and advised him to keep to a regulated schedule of eating, resting, and working.”
Comments: Importance of keeping physical dimension fit/constant renewal.
P. 135 “With regular medication, massages, rest, and the heat of Vrndavana, Swamiji felt himself recovering.”
Comments: Renewal.
P. 137. “As Swamiji’s thoughts turned more to the preaching that awaited him in America, he assessed what he had done so far, what he would do, and the process by which he would do it.”
Comments: Self assessment. Continually thinking about vision—how to execute it.
Chapter Four: In Every Town and Village
P. 141. “…Los Angeles…Boston…”
Comments: Influence has grown.
P. 145. “Although naturally beautiful, these Western youths were now dirty and morose; their beauty had become covered. But the chanting of Hare Krsna was reviving them, Prabhupada said, just as the monsoon revives the land of Vrndavana, making it fresh and verdant.”
Comments: He became a true transition figure for many people. Helped them to break negative patterns of thought and behavior and choose to lead more principled, effective lives.
P. 145. “Srila Prabhupada loved his disciples, and they loved him. Out of love, he was giving them the greatest treasure, and out of love they were following his instructions. This was the essence of spiritual life. On the basis of this love, the Krsna consciousness movement would grow.”
Comments: Love—greatest principle.
P. 154. “…George Harrison…”
Comments: Influence is growing.
P. 177. “Bombay…the audience responded with cheers and a great round of applause….”
Comments: Circle of influence really expanded.
P. 179. “Prabhupada had accomplished in Surat what he had intended. He had given the holy name, and the people had embraced it. The people of Surat…appreciated that Prabhupada, had turned Westerners into devotees of Lord Krsna and that he was teaching the pure message of the scriptures and chanting Hare Krsna. They had responded to Prabhupada not out of dogma or ritual but out of an appreciation of the importance of spiritual life and a recognition that Prabhupada and ISKCON were genuine.”
Comments: He was effective due in part to his sincerity—important principle.
P. 195. Nairobi…”The audience burst into applause, giving Prabhupada a standing ovation. This response proved once again that Krsna’s message spoke to the heart; it was for all people, regardless of their political, geographic, or social predicament.”
Comments: Message is principle-centered, is universal.
P. 170. “Actually, year of planning had preceded this auspicious occasion. One hundred years before, Bhaktivinoda Thakura had hoped for the day when Krsna consciousness would come to England, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had also desired it….”
Comments: Fulfillment of vision comes as a result of being true to it, working hard, being synergistic, etc.
P. 170. “He had now opened twenty-one temples in three years. Recently he had told some of his disciples that they should try to form a governing body for ISKCON , to relieve him of the management and allow him to concentrate fully on presenting Krsna conscious literature. This literature could be introduced all over the world into homes, schools, and colleges for the benefit of everyone….”
Comments: Desire to stay true to his vision and not be distracted by other worthwhile but less important activities.
P. 172. “Each temple must remain independent and self-sufficient. That was my plan from the very beginning…Never mind there may be botheration to register each center, take tax certificate each, become separate corporations in each state. That will train men how to do these things, and they shall develop reliability and responsibility.”
Comments: Desire to leave legacy is apparent.
P. 174. “Westerners living as renounced Vaisnavas could, as Prabhupada was well aware, turn the heads and hearts of the Indians and help them regain faith in their own lost culture. It was not a material tactic, however, but a spiritual strength. Prabhupada stressed that the devotees must be pure in their actions; this purity would be their force.”
Comments: Goal is based on principle: Purity. Very important for long term success.
P. 176. “But Prabhupada, instead of addressing the audience, turned to his disciples and said, ‘Begin chanting.’”
Comments: Example of his empathy—he sought to understand group and responded with chanting rather than a speech. Very powerful.
P. 177. “’I do not feel that I have to say very much. You can see what is the result of Krsna consciousness. It is not something artificial. It is not something artificial. I have not done anything magical.’”
Comments: Reinforces that actions –the way we live speaks louder that words.
P. 179. “They had responded to Prabhupada not out of dogma or ritual but out of an appreciation of the importance of spiritual life.”
Comments: His impact was great due to genuineness and spiritual focus!
P. 180. “Although separately they are helpless, by cooperating—the blind man carrying the lame on his shoulders, and the lame man giving directions—the two can work successfully….The job of the Krsna consciousness movement was to combine the two strengths and uplift the world.”
Comments: Power of working together, valuing differences and tapping into each other—striving to operate interdependently.
P. 183. “As he had spread his movement in America, visiting major cities and preaching and then stationing a few faithful disciples there to carry on, he now expanded his field to include the whole world.”
Comments: Vision expanded.
P. 184. “ The governments have made a demarcation—‘This is Australia’—but we see everywhere as the land of Krsna.”
Comments: Powerful vision—again always at the forefront of his mind.
P. 185. “The world was in desperate need. If his disciples followed the process he had given them—chanting, hearing, observing regulative principles—he knew they would quickly become purified.
He had given an analogy: Although in material life a man must first become a highly qualified lawyer before sitting on the judge’s bench, in Krsna consciousness a sincere devotee is first allowed to ‘sit on the bench,’ to become a brahmana, and later, by the mercy of the holy name and the spiritual master, he becomes qualified.”
Comments: He believed in the process and in the people—encouraged them to try and to become interdependent—recognized he could not do work for them. Law of harvest applies.
P. 186. “Prabhupada remained peaceful and regulated, keeping to his daily schedule. He would rise early and translate, and in the cool of early morning he would go out for a walk through the all-but-deserted streets.”
Comments: Seems to value himself tremendously and is committed to sharpening his saw.
P. 190. “Prabhupada mentioned his desire to preach in Russia, which was a great field for Krsna consciousness because the people were openminded and hadn’t been polluted by sense gratification. He wanted to introduce Krsna conscious literature in Russia through a library or a reading room or in whatever way possible.”
Comments: Power of his vision is remarkable.
P. 192.”…he had planted the seed of Krsna consciousness within the Soviet Union. He was like the needle, and everyone and everything connected with him was like the thread that would follow.”
Comments: When vision is strong, every interaction becomes an opportunity to fulfill the vision.
P. 195. “This response proved once again that Krsna’s message spoke to the heart; it was for all people, regardless of their political, geographic, or social predicament.”
Comments: Message is based on universal principles.
Chapter Five: Let There Be a Temple Part I
P. 197. Comments: Vision takes on a new dimension with land purchases.
P. 200. “this guesthouse should be built as soon as possible, Prabhupada said; then other buildings would follow. He wanted residential buildings for five hundred devotees, a large prasadam hall seating several thousand, a kitchen complex …”
Comments: He always begins with a visual image, then shares it, before it is physically created.
P. 203. “But in India Prabhupada could not allow his disciple to manage ISKCON. He saw how often and how easily the Indians were able to cheat his disciples….The only way for ISKCON to develop in India would be under Prabhupada’s direct management.”
Comments: He was aware of differences between parts of the world and where he is needed most. Demonstrates his empathy.
P. 204. “But Prabhupada knew what he wanted, and he knew it all depended on Krsna. Gradually he began to unfold his plans.”
Comments: Vision is always so strong—foundation for his success.
P. 207. “Tamala Krsna explained to Prabhupada, ‘We are Westerners. We cannot live like this. We need doorknobs and running water.’
‘Don’t you want to become purified?’ Prabhupada replied.
…They knew that Prabhupada was asking them to become more austere, and that it was for their ultimate benefit. They began to regard moving to Juhu as a formidable spiritual challenge rather than a drudgery. Developing the Juhu property was important to their spiritual master, and it was something greater and more wonderful than they at present realized.”
Comments: He knew when to challenge his devotees—to take an opportunity to teach.
P. 207. “ Although Prabhupada was making all the managerial decisions, he wanted the GBC secretaries to take on the responsibility for these practical affairs. He thought it better to use his energy in writing and translating books. …’This administrative work is taking too much time. I could be discussing philosophy. My brain is being taxed day and night. Because of this I’m neglecting my real work.’”
Comments: Demonstrates his strong desire to remain committed to his first purpose and not to be distracted by all the other “good” things. This is a time management challenge we all face. He is a profound example of a man with integrity.
P. 207. “They know everything by now,’ Prabhupada replied. I have given you everything. If they don’t know the answer, they can find it in my books….The GBC can do everything now.’”
Comments: Very humble—also shows a desire to create independent/interdependent people.
P. 210. “’Which is more important,’ Prabhupada asked, ‘Lord Caitanya’s birthplace or His activities? It is His activities, His karma’….The activities of Lord Caitanya were chanting Hare Krsna and distributing love of God to all people, and this should be the activity of devotees in Mayapur.”
Comments: Very clear goals.
P. 213. “Mr. Sethi, a neighbor and life member, hired a work crew to cut down the weeds and vegetation, and several life member friends in Bombay also come forward to assist….”
Comments: Power of circl of influence—tapping into people to help fulfill goal.
P. 215. “Prabhupada said Giriraja and the others would have to collect sixty-four lakhs of rupees for the construction….He talked to them about enlisting the support of influential men by using the bhent-nama system, whereby a person purchases the use of a guest room for life. And there were other ways.
But the immediate step was to get the land….”
Comments: He consistently focuses on what he can do rather than his obstacles. Demonstrates proactivity.
P. 216. “Prabhupada had the extraordinary ability to bring a spiritual vision into physical reality, to change a part of the material world into spiritual energy so that even a common man could perceive the spiritual reality.”
Comments: Excellent at Habit 2!
P. 218. “He was setting the perfect example of a GBC secretary. While conscientiously tending to practical affairs, he remained always transcendental—fully dependent on Krsna and always preaching.”
Comments: He has clear priorities in mind.
P. 218. “Prabhupada decided to send Karandhara, whom he considered expert, to help in Bombay. He also wanted to send Syamasudara, but he had gone to London regarding a large country estate George Harrison was donating. Prabhupada notified Syamasudara, however, that once the London transaction was completed, he should go to Bombay.”
Comments: Drew on his best people. Valued differences and synergized.
P. 222. “Prabhupada was eager to begin construction on his Ramana-reti property, and the news from Bombay didn’t distract him from his purpose.”
P. 227. “Prabhupada’s main motive was to preach Krsna consciousness in Bombay….The Juhu land seemed ideal for a school, a theater, a library, apartments—a Hare Krsna city.”
Comments: Power of being vision-driven.
P. 228. “Another reason Prabhupada refused to give up this particular plot of land was that he had promised the Deities, Radha-Rasavihari. He had invited Krsna here and prayed, ‘Dear Sir, please stay here, and I will build You a beautiful temple.’”
Comments: Desire to keep his promise. True integrity.
P. 232. Bombay attack…
Comments: Response to even a horrible situation is principle-centered.
P. 233. “The devotees began to see the entire course of events as Krsna’s mercy, since many life members were now rendering valuable service to Prabhupada and Lord Krsna.”
Comments: Out of darkness, comes light.
P. 238. “’I have given you the kingdom of God,’ Prabhupada said to his Mayapur managers. ‘Now take it, develop it, and enjoy it.’”
Comments: Strong vision.
P. 248. “Mrs. N. was still waiting. She burst into tears and bowed at Prabhupada’s feet. ‘I am sorry for everything I’ve done,’ she sobbed. ‘Please forgive me.’…
Prabhupada looked at her compassionately and understood her heart. ‘You are just like my daughter,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry. I will take care of you. I will see to all of your needs for the rest of your life.’…”
Comments: Shows compassion to a person who caused him harm and distress.
P. 255. “Ultimately, Prabhupada’s anger with his disciples was incidental, the reaction due them for their foolishness. It was also a way of instructing them and testing them. But deeper was Prabhupada’s transcendental impatience and frustration that his devotional service in Vrndavana was still not manifested….”
Comments: Still responding out of values.
P. 255. “As for Prabhupada’s disciples’ failure to do the job, Prabhupada had to take the burden and the agony of that failure. If the instruments didn’t work properly, then he suffered, just as when one’s arms and legs fail to function, the whole body suffers. His disciples’ failure to carry out his desires was his loss.”
Comments: Power of interdependence, not “their failure”—“our failure”.
Chapter Seven: Uniting Two Worlds
P. 265. “Although a letter from Prabhupada usually instructed a specific devotee, the instruction often had universal application; and Srila Prabhupada’s letters made clear his disciples’ top priority: book distribution.”
Comments: Again, he communicates a clear priority.
P. 265. “Srila Prabhupada wanted his disciples to understand why they should distribute his books, and he instructed them through his letters.”
Comments: By telling them why, he continues to create independent and interdependent devotees who are capable of carrying out the vision when he is not there. Very humble, principle-based way.
P. 274. “The trust document stated that the trustees should divide the money from the sale of books to ISKCON temples into two funds: one for printing books and one for purchasing ISKCON properties and building temples.”
Comments: Both building temples and distributing books are important priorities.
P. 278. “That Srila Prabhupada had completed the entire Caitanya Caritamrta manuscript in eighteen months during 1973 and 1974 was a remarkable feat, because in those same months he had been intensely engaged in many affairs of management while constantly traveling….”
Comments: If vision is strong, remarkable feats can be accomplished.
P. 280. “’You have to do all the books in two months’ time,’ Srila Prabhupada said again.
…’Impossible is a word found in the fool’s dictionary.’
Comments: Power of working in circle of influence; believing in vision; believing in possibilities.
P. 291. “In a few short years, Srila Prabhupada had seen the publishing facilities of ISKCON evolve from the small, hand-operated A.B. Dick printing press at his first storefront temple in New York to the sophisticated BBT operation Los Angeles, equipped with the latest computer typesetting machines and staffed with a devoted, hardworking crew of managers, editors, proofreaders, artists, photographers, designers, layout artists, and photo-technicians.”
Comments: Result of vision, hard work, focus on possibilities.
P. 313. “Opposition, he said, was just an opportunity to preach.”
Comments: Seeing possibilities in everything.
P. 314. “…’Srila Prabhupada,’ Satsvarupa asked one evening while sitting with Prabhupada in his quarters, ‘when I first came here Ramesvara Maharaja said that you had been speaking of how Krsna consciousness would rise to power in the United States, and I find it hard to have that vision, since now it is just the opposite.’
’It is true,’ said Srila Prabhupada, ‘but now it has only taken its roots. You have to water and protect it, then you will get fruit. You have to give it protection. People must hear about us by our books, and we have to talk about the books.’”
Comments: Suggests practicing the law of the harvest.
P. 317. “Mostly the devotees preferred to think that Prabhupada’s health would soon improve. And Srila Prabhupada himself did not dwell on the subject; he was too absorbed in spreading the Krsna consciousness movement.”
Comments: Focus on vision, on what he/they could control.
P. 317. “Turning to Hari-sauri, he said, ’Actually it does not matter even if I die immediately. I have given the basis of everything, and now if they simply manage things nicely and follow whatever programs I have begun, then everything will be successful.’”
Comments: Faith in process, not himself.
P. 319. “’My mission is now successful,’ said Srila Prabhupada. ‘In 1965 I went there. This is now recognized after twelve years. I was loitering in the street alone, carrying the books. Nobody cared…Krsna is wonderful always. He is the most wonderful person, and He can do anything wonderful.’”
Comments: Fulfillment of vision.
P. 323. “’You should take care of your health,’ said Sriman Narayan. ‘I hope you get better.’
‘Oh, this is just and old machine,’ Prabhupada laughed. ‘the more you cure it, the more it gets worse. But my work never stops. That keeps on going. My main work is to write these books, and that is going on.’”
Comments: Still focused on vision. He could not control the aging process, but he could control how he spent his time!
P. 326. “Prabhupada was concerned that his movement continue securely, with all ISKCON properties in the possession of his disciples within the institution and all his instructions made clear for the future. These matters should be dispatched now in a will, and the GBC men should gather in Vrndavana to make these last arrangements and to be with him.”
Comments: In Quadrant II.
P. 328. “A few days later the final version of the ‘Declaration of Will’ wa notarized in the presence of a lawyer.”
Comments: Quadrant II activity.
P. 333. “When Tamal Krsna tried to encourage him to translate, he replied, ‘When I get inspiration, I will take it up. Don’t try to force me. I am going through a difficult time and am now feeling restless. It is not mechanical.’”
Comments: Knows himself; aware of what he is capable of.
P. 339. “Similarly, although Srila Prabhupada had promised his devotees that he would stay in the world and defy death, he still remained surrendered to the will of Krsna.”
Comments: Powerful: recognized that life is in Krsna’s hands yet recognized where individual choice is a possibility—very wise.
P. 340. “And Prabhupada’s lessons were always practical and universal….And Prabhupada practiced what he preached; his entire life was exemplary. He had been in family life and even then he had vigorously preached by starting his Back to Godhead magazine. In poverty and obscurity he had struggled to start a spiritual movement, and by the grace of Krsna and his spiritual master, he had become successful. He had always shown by his humanlike attempts his willingness to bravely take on austerity and face danger. He had shown exemplary spiritual life for all to try and follow. He had gone alone, in old age, to a foreign country and had chanted Hare Krsna in a park in New York City, attracting the young men and women of America. Therefore everyone should take his example and try to serve Krsna, despite the immediate impediments.
Srila Prabhupada encountered obstacles, yet by his free will and the help of Krsna, he surmounted them. This was his wonderful example. It is said that Lord Caitanya, five hundred years ago, made surrender to Krsna more attainable than Lord Krnsa had five thousand years ago. And now, in the twentieth century, Srila Prabhupada has made Krsna consciousness possible for people all over the world.
As part of his instruction and example, Srila Prabhupada knew he would have to show people just how to die….He was perfectly showing how to do that which everyone has to do, but which is most difficult to do successfully: die.”
Comments: Principle centered. Integrity. Hard work. Model. Practical. Faith. Determination.
P. 342. “Srila Prabhupada had deferred the lessons in dying in favor of giving his disciples an unparalleled opportunity to serve him in pure and simple love.”
Comments: Empathy. Knew what they needed: A lesson in service; not yet how to die.
P. 343. “’So take care of the bones as long as possible,’ said Prabhupada, ‘but real life is here, always remember that….’”
Comments: Sharpen saw—respect your body.
P. 344. “Prabhupada’s servants made anxiety-filled attempts to induce Prabhupada to take regular treatment. But Prabhupada Preferred to take only kirtana and Bhagavatam, while at the same time sustaining a willingness to live.”
Comments: Unbelievable surrender; faith.
P. 349. “His departure was exemplary, because his whole life was exemplary. His departure marked the completion of a lifetime of pure devotional service to Krsna. A few days before the end, Srila Prabhupada had said he was instructing as far as he could, and his secretary had added, ‘You are the inspiration.’ ‘Yes,’ Srila Prabhupada had replied, ‘that I shall do until the last breathing.’”
Comments: Completely principled/pure.
PRABHUPADA
Introduction, p. xiv: “Gandhi called on Indian students to forsake their studies. The foreign-run schools, he said, instilled a slave mentality; they made one no more than a puppet in the hands of the British. Still, a college degree was the basis of a life’s career. Abhay weighed the choices carefully and in 1920, after completing his fourth year of college and passing his examination, refused to accept his diploma. In this way, he registered his protest and signaled his response to Gandhi’s call.”
Comments: “Responded based on values; very proactive.”
Intro., p. xvi: “Srila Bhaktisiddhanta replied that Krsna consciousness didn’t have to wait for a change in Indian politics, nor was it dependent on who ruled. Krsna consciousness was so important that it could not wait.”
Comments: “Principle. Proactive; responded according to values.”
Intro., p. xvii: “For business purposes, Abhay and his wife and family moved to Allahabad, and it was there, in 1932, that he received initiation and became a disciple of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. The story of the next thirty years of his life in India is the story of a single, growing desire to preach Krsna consciousness worldwide, as his spiritual master had ordered him.”
Comments: “Acted based on principles
Chapter One: Struggling Alone
Pg. 3 “Markine Bhagavata-dharma”…
Comments: He has obviously aligned his life with tremendous faith. Faith is a principle.
Pg. 10 “Bhaktivedanta Swami would sometimes discuss with Dr. Mishra the aim of his visit to America, expressing his spiritual master’s vision of establishing Krsna consciousness in the West.
Comments: Vision at forefront of his mind.
Pg. 15. “He had no guaranteed income, his expenses had increased, and his physical comforts had reduced. But at least he had his own place. Now he was free to preach as he liked.”
Comments: Desire to be independent possible because of strong private victory.
Pg. 17. “Someone broke into room 307 while Bhaktivedanta Swami was out and stole his typewriter and tape recorder. When Bhaktivedanta Swami returned to the building, the janitor informed him of the theft: an unknown burglar had broken the transom glass, climbed through, taken the valuables, and escaped. As Bhaktivedanta Swami listened, he became convinced that the janitor himself was the culprit. Of course he couldn’t prove it, so he accepted the loss with disappointment.”
Comments: Proactive—did not dwell on misfortune/blame.
Pg. 18. “His duty, whether on the fourteenth floor of a Riverside Drive apartment building or in a corner of a Bowery loft, was to establish Krsna consciousness as the prime necessity for all humanity.”
Comments: Incredibly mission-driven in challenging circumstances.
Pg. 24. “Bhaktivedanta Swami faced the crisis as a test from Krsna.”
Comments: Tremendous faith.
Chapter 2: Planting the Seed
Pg. 42. “Seven Purposes of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness”
Comments: Vision remarkable!
Pg. 53. “September 8 was Janmastami, the appearance day of Lord Krsna. One year before, Bhaktivedanta Swami had observed Krsna’s birthday at sea aboard the Jaladuta, just out of Colombo. Now, exactly one year later, he had a small crew of Hare Krsna chanters. He would gather them all together, have them observe a day of chanting, reading scriptures, fasting and feasting—and the next day would be initiation.”
Comments: Through hard work, patience and faith, as well as a strong private victory, he begins to have public victories and grow disciples.
Pg. 57. “No one was asked to shave his head or even cut his hair or change his dress. No one offered Swamiji the traditional guru-daksina, the donation a disciple is supposed to offer as a gesture of his great obligation to his master. Hardly anyone even relieved him of his chores, so Swamiji himself had to do most of the cooking and other preparations for the initiation. He was perfectly aware of the mentality of his boys, and he didn’t try to force anything on anyone. Some of the initiates didn’t know until after the initiation, when they had inquired, that the four rules—no meat-eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication, and no gambling—were mandatory for all disciples. Swamiji’s reply then was, “I am very glad that you are finally asking me that.”
Comments: He sought first to understand disciples. As a true leader he stretched them but didn’t give them more than they could handle.
P. 74. If it were risky for a seventy-one-year-old man to thump a drum and shout so loud, then he would take that risk for Krsna. It was too good to stop. He had come far from Vrndavana, survived the non-Krsna yoga society, waited all winter in obscurity. America had waited hundreds of years with no Krsna-chanting. No “Hare Krsna” had come from Thoreau’s or Emerson’s appreciations, though they had pored over English translations of the Gita and Puranas. And no kirtana had come from Vivekananda’s famous speech on behalf of Hinduism at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. So now that he finally had Krsna-bhakti going, flowing like the Ganges to the sea, it could not stop. In his heart he felt the infinite will of Lord Caitanya to deliver the fallen souls.
He knew this was the desire of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his own spiritual master, even though caste-conscious brahmanas in India would disapprove of his associating with such untouchables as these drug-mad American meat-eaters and their girl friends. But Swamiji explained that he was in full accord with the scriptures. The Bhagavatam had clearly stated that Krsna consciousness should be delivered to all races. Everyone was a spiritual soul, and regardless of birth could be brought to the highest spiritual platform by chanting the holy name. Never mind whatever sinful things they were doing, these people were perfect candidates for Krsna consciousness. Tompkins Square Park was Krsna’s plan; it was also part of the earth, and these people were members if the human race. And the chanting of Hare Krsna was the dharma for the age.”
Comments: Vision always at the front of this mind.
Pg. 76. “The night of the Fugs however, Swamiji chose to speak on the illusion of sexual pleasure. ‘Sex pleasure binds us to this material world birth after birth,’ he said, and he quoted, as he often did, a verse of Yamunacarya: ‘Since I have become Krsna conscious, whenever I think of sex life with a woman my face at once turns from it, and I spit at the thought.’ The Fugs never returned.
To speak ill of sexual pleasure was certainly not a strategic move for one who wanted to create followers among the Lower East Side hippies. But Bhaktivedanta Swami never considered changing his message. In fact, when Umapati had mentioned that Americans didn’t like to hear that sex was only for conceiving children, Bhaktivedanta Swami had replied, ‘I cannot change the philosophy to please the Americans.’
‘What about sex?’ asked the ISKCON attorney, Steve Goldsmith, one evening, speaking out from the rear of the crowded temple.
‘Sex should only be with one’s wife,’ Swamiji said, ‘and that is also restricted. Sex is for the propagation of Krsna conscious children. My spiritual master used to say that to beget Krsna conscious children he was prepared to have sex a hundred time. Of course, that is most difficult in this age. Therefore, he remained a brahmacari.”
Comments: Despite the strong social values of Americans and the risk of alienating possible followers, he stayed true to his beliefs.
Pg. 77. “Steve Goldsmith was an influential friend and supporter of ISKCON But Prabhupada would not change the philosophy of Krsna consciousness ‘to please the Americans.’
Comments: Very proactive. Responded based on values.
Pg. 79. “One time the devotees were eating so ravenously that they threatened to eat everything available before the guests had all been served, and Kirtanananda had to admonish them for their selfish attitude. Gradually, they were understanding that the Sunday feast was not just for their fun and pleasure, but to bring people to Krsna consciousness.”
Comments: Very mature—balances courage and consideration.
Pg. 81. “Prabhupada’s first and main instruction to his editors had been that they should produce the magazine regularly—every month. Even if they didn’t know how to sell the copies or even if they only turned out two pages, they had to continue bearing the standard.”
Comments: Consistency is important. Also, integrity. Make a commitment to publish Back to Godhead—follow through.
Pg. 82. “Prabhupada wanted all his disciples to take part in it. ‘Don’t be dull,’ he said. ‘Write something.’ He wanted to give his disciples Back to Godhead for their own preaching. Brahmananda and Gargamuni took the first issues out that same night on bicycles, riding to every head shop on the Lower East Side all the way to Fourteenth Street and as far west as the West Village, until they had distributed all one hundred issues. This was an increase in the preaching. Now all his students could take part in the work—typing, editing, writing, assembling, selling. It was his preaching, of course, but he wasn’t alone anymore.”
Comments: Valued each disciple’s thoughts; sought to synergize.
Pg. 83. “Timidly, one or two dissenters indirectly expressed some of these feelings to Swamiji, as if almost wishing to admonish him for thinking of leaving them, and even hinting that things would not go well, either in San Francisco or New York, if he departed. But they found him quite confident and determined. He did not belong to New York; he belonged to Krsna. And he had to go wherever Krsna desired him to preach. He was completely detached, eager to travel and expand the chanting of Hare Krsna.
…Swamiji explained that he would only be gone a few weeks, and that he wanted all the programs to go on in his absence.”
Comments: Swamiji stayed true to his values—by leaving he helped his disciples in NY become less dependent on him—he wanted them to continue while he was gone—sending a strong message that they had the ability to do the work. Very humble.
Chapter Three: Only He /could Lead Them
Pg. 86. “He had heard the chanting even before he had entered the terminal, and he had begun to smile. He was happy and surprised. Glancing over the faces, he recognized only a few. Yet here were fifty people receiving him and chanting Hare Krsna without his having said a word!”
Comments: Power of circle of influence. He knew only a few of the people there, but those people had spread his words/meanings and expanded the influence.
P. 91. He was following what had become a vital routine in his life: rising early and writing the parampara message of Krsna consciousness. Putting aside all other considerations, disregarding present circumstances, he would merge into the timeless message of transcendental knowledge. This was his most important service to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. The thought of producing more books and distributing them widely inspired him to rise every night and translate,”
Comments: Put first things first. Spent his time on what was most important.
Pg. 97. “Bhaktivedanta Swami knew that it would be difficult for his Western disciples to stick to Krsna consciousness and attain the goal of pure devotional service.. All their lives they had had the worst of training, and despite their nominal Christianity and philosophical searching, most of them knew nothing of the science of God. They did not even know that illicit sex and meat-eating were wrong, although when he told them they accepted what he said. And they freely chanted Hare Krsna. So how could he refuse them?”
Comments: Believed in potential—willing to risk/to try to help.
Pg. 99. “Some of them stayed and became devotees, and some just took prasadam and left. Daily we had unusual incidents, and Swamiji witnessed it and took part in it. The lunch program was his idea.”
Comments: Program very giving.
Pg. 103. “Haridas: I used to watch how Swamiji would handle things. It wasn’t easy. To me, that was a real test of his powers and understanding—how to handle these people, not alienate or antagonize or stir them up to create more trouble. He would turn their energy so that before they knew it they were calm, like when you pat a baby and it stops crying. Swamiji had a way of doing that with words, with the intonation of his voice, with his patience to let them carry on for a certain period of time, let them work it out, act it out even. I guess he realized that the devotees just couldn’t say, ‘Listen, when you come to the temple you can’t behave this way.’ It was a delicate situation.
…So Swamiji would remove the audience rather than the person. He would do it without crushing the person. He would do it by superior intelligence, but also with a lot of compassion. When I saw him do these things, then I realized he was a great teacher and a great human being. He had the sensitivity not to injure a person physically or emotionally, so that when the person sat down and shut up, he wouldn’t be doing it in defeat or anger—he wouldn’t be hurt. He would just be outwitted by the Swami.”
Comments: Illustrates his incredible role as a role model. He based his life on principles which came out through his actions. Probably an instrumental reason why his vision was a success.
Pg. 111. “Bhaktivedanta Swami had come to the West to fulfill the desires and the vision of his spiritual master and of Bhaktivinoda Thakura by creating Vaisnavas among the Westerners. Now, if the Westerners were to become actual devotees, they would have to be given the Deity worship. Otherwise it would be more difficult for them to become purified. Bhaktivedanta Swami was confident in his spiritual master’s direction and in the scriptures. He had faith that Lord Jagannatha was especially merciful to the fallen. He prayed that the Lord of the universe would not be offended by His reception at New Jagannatha Puri.”
Comments: Strong vision/faith. Awareness of time it takes to fulfill mission—patience.
Pg. 113. “Swamiji thought of these things to a degree far beyond what his disciples could understand—and yet he remained with them as their dear friend and spiritual instructor. He was their servant, teaching them to pray, like him, to be able to serve Krsna…”
Comments: Humble in regard to the role he was playing.
Pg. 115. “Yet he felt no compunctions about leaving them. He knew that some of them might fall away, but he couldn’t stay with them always. His time was limited.
Bhaktivedanta Swami, the father of two small bands of neophytes, tenderly left one group and headed East, where the other group waited in a different mood, a mood of joyful reception.”
Comments: Also tried to help them become more interdependent. Believed in their potential. Focus on Krsna, not himself.
P. 127. “’I am an old man,’ he said. ‘I may die at any moment. But please, you all carry on this sankirtana movement. You have to become humble and tolerant. Lord Caitanya says, be as humble as a blade of grass and more tolerant that a tree. You must have enthusiasm and patience to push on this Krsna conscious philosophy.’”
Comments: Challenging group to live based on principles.
P. 127. “He sat still and continued speaking to them gravely, asking them to stick together and push on the movement, for their own benefit and for others. Whatever they had learned, he said, they should repeat.”
Comments: Three person teaching. Belief in synergy/interdependence.
P. 129. “I think this is what Krsna desires. You mad be coming there to me and be training up, and we will spread this movement all over the world. Raya Rama—you will go to England. Brahmananda—you want to go to Japan of Russia?”
Comments: Instills vision in disciples.
P. 132. “They gave him medicines and advised him to keep to a regulated schedule of eating, resting, and working.”
Comments: Importance of keeping physical dimension fit/constant renewal.
P. 135 “With regular medication, massages, rest, and the heat of Vrndavana, Swamiji felt himself recovering.”
Comments: Renewal.
P. 137. “As Swamiji’s thoughts turned more to the preaching that awaited him in America, he assessed what he had done so far, what he would do, and the process by which he would do it.”
Comments: Self assessment. Continually thinking about vision—how to execute it.
Chapter Four: In Every Town and Village
P. 141. “…Los Angeles…Boston…”
Comments: Influence has grown.
P. 145. “Although naturally beautiful, these Western youths were now dirty and morose; their beauty had become covered. But the chanting of Hare Krsna was reviving them, Prabhupada said, just as the monsoon revives the land of Vrndavana, making it fresh and verdant.”
Comments: He became a true transition figure for many people. Helped them to break negative patterns of thought and behavior and choose to lead more principled, effective lives.
P. 145. “Srila Prabhupada loved his disciples, and they loved him. Out of love, he was giving them the greatest treasure, and out of love they were following his instructions. This was the essence of spiritual life. On the basis of this love, the Krsna consciousness movement would grow.”
Comments: Love—greatest principle.
P. 154. “…George Harrison…”
Comments: Influence is growing.
P. 177. “Bombay…the audience responded with cheers and a great round of applause….”
Comments: Circle of influence really expanded.
P. 179. “Prabhupada had accomplished in Surat what he had intended. He had given the holy name, and the people had embraced it. The people of Surat…appreciated that Prabhupada, had turned Westerners into devotees of Lord Krsna and that he was teaching the pure message of the scriptures and chanting Hare Krsna. They had responded to Prabhupada not out of dogma or ritual but out of an appreciation of the importance of spiritual life and a recognition that Prabhupada and ISKCON were genuine.”
Comments: He was effective due in part to his sincerity—important principle.
P. 195. Nairobi…”The audience burst into applause, giving Prabhupada a standing ovation. This response proved once again that Krsna’s message spoke to the heart; it was for all people, regardless of their political, geographic, or social predicament.”
Comments: Message is principle-centered, is universal.
P. 170. “Actually, year of planning had preceded this auspicious occasion. One hundred years before, Bhaktivinoda Thakura had hoped for the day when Krsna consciousness would come to England, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati had also desired it….”
Comments: Fulfillment of vision comes as a result of being true to it, working hard, being synergistic, etc.
P. 170. “He had now opened twenty-one temples in three years. Recently he had told some of his disciples that they should try to form a governing body for ISKCON , to relieve him of the management and allow him to concentrate fully on presenting Krsna conscious literature. This literature could be introduced all over the world into homes, schools, and colleges for the benefit of everyone….”
Comments: Desire to stay true to his vision and not be distracted by other worthwhile but less important activities.
P. 172. “Each temple must remain independent and self-sufficient. That was my plan from the very beginning…Never mind there may be botheration to register each center, take tax certificate each, become separate corporations in each state. That will train men how to do these things, and they shall develop reliability and responsibility.”
Comments: Desire to leave legacy is apparent.
P. 174. “Westerners living as renounced Vaisnavas could, as Prabhupada was well aware, turn the heads and hearts of the Indians and help them regain faith in their own lost culture. It was not a material tactic, however, but a spiritual strength. Prabhupada stressed that the devotees must be pure in their actions; this purity would be their force.”
Comments: Goal is based on principle: Purity. Very important for long term success.
P. 176. “But Prabhupada, instead of addressing the audience, turned to his disciples and said, ‘Begin chanting.’”
Comments: Example of his empathy—he sought to understand group and responded with chanting rather than a speech. Very powerful.
P. 177. “’I do not feel that I have to say very much. You can see what is the result of Krsna consciousness. It is not something artificial. It is not something artificial. I have not done anything magical.’”
Comments: Reinforces that actions –the way we live speaks louder that words.
P. 179. “They had responded to Prabhupada not out of dogma or ritual but out of an appreciation of the importance of spiritual life.”
Comments: His impact was great due to genuineness and spiritual focus!
P. 180. “Although separately they are helpless, by cooperating—the blind man carrying the lame on his shoulders, and the lame man giving directions—the two can work successfully….The job of the Krsna consciousness movement was to combine the two strengths and uplift the world.”
Comments: Power of working together, valuing differences and tapping into each other—striving to operate interdependently.
P. 183. “As he had spread his movement in America, visiting major cities and preaching and then stationing a few faithful disciples there to carry on, he now expanded his field to include the whole world.”
Comments: Vision expanded.
P. 184. “ The governments have made a demarcation—‘This is Australia’—but we see everywhere as the land of Krsna.”
Comments: Powerful vision—again always at the forefront of his mind.
P. 185. “The world was in desperate need. If his disciples followed the process he had given them—chanting, hearing, observing regulative principles—he knew they would quickly become purified.
He had given an analogy: Although in material life a man must first become a highly qualified lawyer before sitting on the judge’s bench, in Krsna consciousness a sincere devotee is first allowed to ‘sit on the bench,’ to become a brahmana, and later, by the mercy of the holy name and the spiritual master, he becomes qualified.”
Comments: He believed in the process and in the people—encouraged them to try and to become interdependent—recognized he could not do work for them. Law of harvest applies.
P. 186. “Prabhupada remained peaceful and regulated, keeping to his daily schedule. He would rise early and translate, and in the cool of early morning he would go out for a walk through the all-but-deserted streets.”
Comments: Seems to value himself tremendously and is committed to sharpening his saw.
P. 190. “Prabhupada mentioned his desire to preach in Russia, which was a great field for Krsna consciousness because the people were openminded and hadn’t been polluted by sense gratification. He wanted to introduce Krsna conscious literature in Russia through a library or a reading room or in whatever way possible.”
Comments: Power of his vision is remarkable.
P. 192.”…he had planted the seed of Krsna consciousness within the Soviet Union. He was like the needle, and everyone and everything connected with him was like the thread that would follow.”
Comments: When vision is strong, every interaction becomes an opportunity to fulfill the vision.
P. 195. “This response proved once again that Krsna’s message spoke to the heart; it was for all people, regardless of their political, geographic, or social predicament.”
Comments: Message is based on universal principles.
Chapter Five: Let There Be a Temple Part I
P. 197. Comments: Vision takes on a new dimension with land purchases.
P. 200. “this guesthouse should be built as soon as possible, Prabhupada said; then other buildings would follow. He wanted residential buildings for five hundred devotees, a large prasadam hall seating several thousand, a kitchen complex …”
Comments: He always begins with a visual image, then shares it, before it is physically created.
P. 203. “But in India Prabhupada could not allow his disciple to manage ISKCON. He saw how often and how easily the Indians were able to cheat his disciples….The only way for ISKCON to develop in India would be under Prabhupada’s direct management.”
Comments: He was aware of differences between parts of the world and where he is needed most. Demonstrates his empathy.
P. 204. “But Prabhupada knew what he wanted, and he knew it all depended on Krsna. Gradually he began to unfold his plans.”
Comments: Vision is always so strong—foundation for his success.
P. 207. “Tamala Krsna explained to Prabhupada, ‘We are Westerners. We cannot live like this. We need doorknobs and running water.’
‘Don’t you want to become purified?’ Prabhupada replied.
…They knew that Prabhupada was asking them to become more austere, and that it was for their ultimate benefit. They began to regard moving to Juhu as a formidable spiritual challenge rather than a drudgery. Developing the Juhu property was important to their spiritual master, and it was something greater and more wonderful than they at present realized.”
Comments: He knew when to challenge his devotees—to take an opportunity to teach.
P. 207. “ Although Prabhupada was making all the managerial decisions, he wanted the GBC secretaries to take on the responsibility for these practical affairs. He thought it better to use his energy in writing and translating books. …’This administrative work is taking too much time. I could be discussing philosophy. My brain is being taxed day and night. Because of this I’m neglecting my real work.’”
Comments: Demonstrates his strong desire to remain committed to his first purpose and not to be distracted by all the other “good” things. This is a time management challenge we all face. He is a profound example of a man with integrity.
P. 207. “They know everything by now,’ Prabhupada replied. I have given you everything. If they don’t know the answer, they can find it in my books….The GBC can do everything now.’”
Comments: Very humble—also shows a desire to create independent/interdependent people.
P. 210. “’Which is more important,’ Prabhupada asked, ‘Lord Caitanya’s birthplace or His activities? It is His activities, His karma’….The activities of Lord Caitanya were chanting Hare Krsna and distributing love of God to all people, and this should be the activity of devotees in Mayapur.”
Comments: Very clear goals.
P. 213. “Mr. Sethi, a neighbor and life member, hired a work crew to cut down the weeds and vegetation, and several life member friends in Bombay also come forward to assist….”
Comments: Power of circl of influence—tapping into people to help fulfill goal.
P. 215. “Prabhupada said Giriraja and the others would have to collect sixty-four lakhs of rupees for the construction….He talked to them about enlisting the support of influential men by using the bhent-nama system, whereby a person purchases the use of a guest room for life. And there were other ways.
But the immediate step was to get the land….”
Comments: He consistently focuses on what he can do rather than his obstacles. Demonstrates proactivity.
P. 216. “Prabhupada had the extraordinary ability to bring a spiritual vision into physical reality, to change a part of the material world into spiritual energy so that even a common man could perceive the spiritual reality.”
Comments: Excellent at Habit 2!
P. 218. “He was setting the perfect example of a GBC secretary. While conscientiously tending to practical affairs, he remained always transcendental—fully dependent on Krsna and always preaching.”
Comments: He has clear priorities in mind.
P. 218. “Prabhupada decided to send Karandhara, whom he considered expert, to help in Bombay. He also wanted to send Syamasudara, but he had gone to London regarding a large country estate George Harrison was donating. Prabhupada notified Syamasudara, however, that once the London transaction was completed, he should go to Bombay.”
Comments: Drew on his best people. Valued differences and synergized.
P. 222. “Prabhupada was eager to begin construction on his Ramana-reti property, and the news from Bombay didn’t distract him from his purpose.”
P. 227. “Prabhupada’s main motive was to preach Krsna consciousness in Bombay….The Juhu land seemed ideal for a school, a theater, a library, apartments—a Hare Krsna city.”
Comments: Power of being vision-driven.
P. 228. “Another reason Prabhupada refused to give up this particular plot of land was that he had promised the Deities, Radha-Rasavihari. He had invited Krsna here and prayed, ‘Dear Sir, please stay here, and I will build You a beautiful temple.’”
Comments: Desire to keep his promise. True integrity.
P. 232. Bombay attack…
Comments: Response to even a horrible situation is principle-centered.
P. 233. “The devotees began to see the entire course of events as Krsna’s mercy, since many life members were now rendering valuable service to Prabhupada and Lord Krsna.”
Comments: Out of darkness, comes light.
P. 238. “’I have given you the kingdom of God,’ Prabhupada said to his Mayapur managers. ‘Now take it, develop it, and enjoy it.’”
Comments: Strong vision.
P. 248. “Mrs. N. was still waiting. She burst into tears and bowed at Prabhupada’s feet. ‘I am sorry for everything I’ve done,’ she sobbed. ‘Please forgive me.’…
Prabhupada looked at her compassionately and understood her heart. ‘You are just like my daughter,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry. I will take care of you. I will see to all of your needs for the rest of your life.’…”
Comments: Shows compassion to a person who caused him harm and distress.
P. 255. “Ultimately, Prabhupada’s anger with his disciples was incidental, the reaction due them for their foolishness. It was also a way of instructing them and testing them. But deeper was Prabhupada’s transcendental impatience and frustration that his devotional service in Vrndavana was still not manifested….”
Comments: Still responding out of values.
P. 255. “As for Prabhupada’s disciples’ failure to do the job, Prabhupada had to take the burden and the agony of that failure. If the instruments didn’t work properly, then he suffered, just as when one’s arms and legs fail to function, the whole body suffers. His disciples’ failure to carry out his desires was his loss.”
Comments: Power of interdependence, not “their failure”—“our failure”.
Chapter Seven: Uniting Two Worlds
P. 265. “Although a letter from Prabhupada usually instructed a specific devotee, the instruction often had universal application; and Srila Prabhupada’s letters made clear his disciples’ top priority: book distribution.”
Comments: Again, he communicates a clear priority.
P. 265. “Srila Prabhupada wanted his disciples to understand why they should distribute his books, and he instructed them through his letters.”
Comments: By telling them why, he continues to create independent and interdependent devotees who are capable of carrying out the vision when he is not there. Very humble, principle-based way.
P. 274. “The trust document stated that the trustees should divide the money from the sale of books to ISKCON temples into two funds: one for printing books and one for purchasing ISKCON properties and building temples.”
Comments: Both building temples and distributing books are important priorities.
P. 278. “That Srila Prabhupada had completed the entire Caitanya Caritamrta manuscript in eighteen months during 1973 and 1974 was a remarkable feat, because in those same months he had been intensely engaged in many affairs of management while constantly traveling….”
Comments: If vision is strong, remarkable feats can be accomplished.
P. 280. “’You have to do all the books in two months’ time,’ Srila Prabhupada said again.
…’Impossible is a word found in the fool’s dictionary.’
Comments: Power of working in circle of influence; believing in vision; believing in possibilities.
P. 291. “In a few short years, Srila Prabhupada had seen the publishing facilities of ISKCON evolve from the small, hand-operated A.B. Dick printing press at his first storefront temple in New York to the sophisticated BBT operation Los Angeles, equipped with the latest computer typesetting machines and staffed with a devoted, hardworking crew of managers, editors, proofreaders, artists, photographers, designers, layout artists, and photo-technicians.”
Comments: Result of vision, hard work, focus on possibilities.
P. 313. “Opposition, he said, was just an opportunity to preach.”
Comments: Seeing possibilities in everything.
P. 314. “…’Srila Prabhupada,’ Satsvarupa asked one evening while sitting with Prabhupada in his quarters, ‘when I first came here Ramesvara Maharaja said that you had been speaking of how Krsna consciousness would rise to power in the United States, and I find it hard to have that vision, since now it is just the opposite.’
’It is true,’ said Srila Prabhupada, ‘but now it has only taken its roots. You have to water and protect it, then you will get fruit. You have to give it protection. People must hear about us by our books, and we have to talk about the books.’”
Comments: Suggests practicing the law of the harvest.
P. 317. “Mostly the devotees preferred to think that Prabhupada’s health would soon improve. And Srila Prabhupada himself did not dwell on the subject; he was too absorbed in spreading the Krsna consciousness movement.”
Comments: Focus on vision, on what he/they could control.
P. 317. “Turning to Hari-sauri, he said, ’Actually it does not matter even if I die immediately. I have given the basis of everything, and now if they simply manage things nicely and follow whatever programs I have begun, then everything will be successful.’”
Comments: Faith in process, not himself.
P. 319. “’My mission is now successful,’ said Srila Prabhupada. ‘In 1965 I went there. This is now recognized after twelve years. I was loitering in the street alone, carrying the books. Nobody cared…Krsna is wonderful always. He is the most wonderful person, and He can do anything wonderful.’”
Comments: Fulfillment of vision.
P. 323. “’You should take care of your health,’ said Sriman Narayan. ‘I hope you get better.’
‘Oh, this is just and old machine,’ Prabhupada laughed. ‘the more you cure it, the more it gets worse. But my work never stops. That keeps on going. My main work is to write these books, and that is going on.’”
Comments: Still focused on vision. He could not control the aging process, but he could control how he spent his time!
P. 326. “Prabhupada was concerned that his movement continue securely, with all ISKCON properties in the possession of his disciples within the institution and all his instructions made clear for the future. These matters should be dispatched now in a will, and the GBC men should gather in Vrndavana to make these last arrangements and to be with him.”
Comments: In Quadrant II.
P. 328. “A few days later the final version of the ‘Declaration of Will’ wa notarized in the presence of a lawyer.”
Comments: Quadrant II activity.
P. 333. “When Tamal Krsna tried to encourage him to translate, he replied, ‘When I get inspiration, I will take it up. Don’t try to force me. I am going through a difficult time and am now feeling restless. It is not mechanical.’”
Comments: Knows himself; aware of what he is capable of.
P. 339. “Similarly, although Srila Prabhupada had promised his devotees that he would stay in the world and defy death, he still remained surrendered to the will of Krsna.”
Comments: Powerful: recognized that life is in Krsna’s hands yet recognized where individual choice is a possibility—very wise.
P. 340. “And Prabhupada’s lessons were always practical and universal….And Prabhupada practiced what he preached; his entire life was exemplary. He had been in family life and even then he had vigorously preached by starting his Back to Godhead magazine. In poverty and obscurity he had struggled to start a spiritual movement, and by the grace of Krsna and his spiritual master, he had become successful. He had always shown by his humanlike attempts his willingness to bravely take on austerity and face danger. He had shown exemplary spiritual life for all to try and follow. He had gone alone, in old age, to a foreign country and had chanted Hare Krsna in a park in New York City, attracting the young men and women of America. Therefore everyone should take his example and try to serve Krsna, despite the immediate impediments.
Srila Prabhupada encountered obstacles, yet by his free will and the help of Krsna, he surmounted them. This was his wonderful example. It is said that Lord Caitanya, five hundred years ago, made surrender to Krsna more attainable than Lord Krnsa had five thousand years ago. And now, in the twentieth century, Srila Prabhupada has made Krsna consciousness possible for people all over the world.
As part of his instruction and example, Srila Prabhupada knew he would have to show people just how to die….He was perfectly showing how to do that which everyone has to do, but which is most difficult to do successfully: die.”
Comments: Principle centered. Integrity. Hard work. Model. Practical. Faith. Determination.
P. 342. “Srila Prabhupada had deferred the lessons in dying in favor of giving his disciples an unparalleled opportunity to serve him in pure and simple love.”
Comments: Empathy. Knew what they needed: A lesson in service; not yet how to die.
P. 343. “’So take care of the bones as long as possible,’ said Prabhupada, ‘but real life is here, always remember that….’”
Comments: Sharpen saw—respect your body.
P. 344. “Prabhupada’s servants made anxiety-filled attempts to induce Prabhupada to take regular treatment. But Prabhupada Preferred to take only kirtana and Bhagavatam, while at the same time sustaining a willingness to live.”
Comments: Unbelievable surrender; faith.
P. 349. “His departure was exemplary, because his whole life was exemplary. His departure marked the completion of a lifetime of pure devotional service to Krsna. A few days before the end, Srila Prabhupada had said he was instructing as far as he could, and his secretary had added, ‘You are the inspiration.’ ‘Yes,’ Srila Prabhupada had replied, ‘that I shall do until the last breathing.’”
Comments: Completely principled/pure.
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