The hardest part about growing up in the Hare Krishna world has been confronting the fact that many people who pose as gurus and mentors are actually materially minded and highly conditioned by their ambitions and weaknesses. I grew up with a deeply trusting nature, and discovering the true character of these leaders has been a heartbreak of its own kind. Those you looked up to with a sense of awe and reverence were, no more than wolves in sheep’s clothing.
When I moved to India in early 2000, I was 11. I had grown up in Krishna farms and communities my whole life, but my exposure to the real cult of ISKCON was actually minimal up to that point. I was open-hearted and fully willing to go along for the journey of discovering Kṛṣṇa and the holy places of India. I trusted my parents and their trust in the mission of Bhakti Vedanta Swami.
So, like a good bhakti yogi, I served the swamis and their entourages during festival season and clamored over others to get the “mercy” and do as much as I could for the deities and the temple…It makes me sick now to know what was really going on behind the orange robes—who these guys really are and what they truly value. It isn’t bhakti (devotion), it isn’t the bhakta (the devotee), and it definitely isn’t mothers and children.
Even those swamis who didn’t interfere with children didn’t stop what was happening. They hid it.
Even after all of this coming out, nothing has changed. Swamis who abuse children still run the show in ISKCON. It’s a sad affair, and I don’t see a solution for the Hare Krishna religion to flourish and succeed. That’s why, for me, becoming a Vaiṣṇava was paramount—leaving the dogmas, the social structure, and dedication to the institution that actually wreaked havoc on my life and my family once and for all.The main difference, in my view, between a Hare Krishna and a Vaiṣṇava is simple.
Vaiṣṇavas accept a body of sacred texts and their related teachers since the start of their particular lineage; are recognized as such through the sacred rite of dīkṣā (initiation); have devotion to the all-pervading Supersoul; believe in the oneness/unity of all beings in Śrī Kṛṣṇa; and wear the signs and insignias of Viṣṇu during worship.
Whereas a “Hare Kṛṣṇa” is a cultlike follower of only the writings and teachings of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. They filter everything through his written words, commentaries, conversations, lectures, and letters. He is the final authority for them—even when he says things that are deeply disturbing, they are forced to accept it as gospel.
This major difference leads to an insane amount of speculation and innovation. It’s going to take years to undo the miseducation of the Western mind in relationship to Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Dharma and Vaishnavism in general.
The guides of ISKCON have made tremendous errors…much of that has come through so an egregious misrepresentation of Guru and his role, actions, and the expectations of a disciple.
It’s taken me so long to move past and through understanding this to be able to openly discuss it. Its a scary place to be when you cannot trust your teachers, your guides, or your mentors. Cults use these types of characters to manipulate sincere people in to surrendering their freedom, time, assets, and devotion to them. Its definitely not okay for adults, what to speak of children. Real teachers help you reach the truth, not some party line or fixed dogma. Real teachers cannot be institutional, rubber stamped, or artificially established.
In Vrindavan, I found my real teacher. An Elderly women who has practiced Raganuga-Bhakti in the line of Srimati Jahnava devi. Serving the Vaishnavas and performing bhajan for her whole life on the banks of Radha-Kund and Govinda kund. Her acts of humility and service opened my eyes to the true nature of a Vaishnav. Nobody would know who she was unless she wanted you to know. No big show, no pomp and parade…Just sincere private worship of the divine couple, the holy name, the mantra-dhara of Sripad Nityananda Avadhut. Simple and easy….Apparently so Sahajiya. (eye roll)
I hope there are other people out there practicing bhakti-yoga who wish to move into a safer world for learning and developing the knowledge base of the wonderful tradition of true Vaishnavism.
I encourage anyone else who grew up in ISKCON to look outside and see the big, beautiful world waiting for you—as soon as you give up the fear and conditioning that you are not qualified for Kṛṣṇa’s love and service. The institution loses all power.
This is good reading. Like Krishna needs these clowns’ permission to show us love and kindness and encouragement in our efforts to learn to love?
I am new to Vaishnavism (6 slow years of integration of the idea because I've always been careful with organised religions/cults). I am learning from the lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda in Kriya Yoga but I seem to be deeply attracted to chanting the Mahamantra.
Everytime I get to close to the "Hare Krishna charms" I become again unsure of the path... I feel like until I actually choose a path I'm not going to progress as much. I'd like to talk with you about all that as I'm really looking for a guru that you could point at me...
Kriya yoga is great but I don't like their chanting for example. I like bhajans like we find in Vashnavism. Maybe I'm not a follower of the crowd. I hope we could talk someday.