1.) There is a variety of vows of different levels of importance in Krsna Consciousness out of which the initiation vows are foremost. When we vow to dedicate some things in our life to Krsna, -that is sacrifice; but when we vow to offer whatever we do, whatever we eat, whatever we give away, and whatever austerities we perform-, as an offering to Krsna, then we are surrendering our life, that is the vow of initiation. Therefore although we will mention other vows, we will focus the discussion on the vows of initiation, because full suurender is the means for
2.) We are approaching the topic of "Living with Vows" as an inside story by active practitioners engaging in a self-observing manner. In order to get a more objective perspective of ourselves for a moment we step out of our uniform, out of our role and look at ourselves as human beings through the "outside eyes" of anthropology , sociology, psychology and history; besides our real source of knowledge the Sastra.
Frame of Reference for reviewing our life with vows
Sastra | Anthropology | Sociology | Psychology | History |
Realization | Culture | ISKCON | Motivation | Inauguration |
Transcendence | Modern Industrialized World | Institution | Duty | Theocratic Era |
Goodness | Gaudiya Vaisnava Culture | Congregation | Desire | Renaissance |
Outline of Topics relating to the above
as a basis for discussion
1.) Sastra
2.) Anthropology
3.) Sociology
4.) Psychology
5.) History
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