In being liberal with others, isn’t there a danger that we may become liberal with ourselves too?
Answer Podcast
Hare Krishna.
In being liberal with others, isn’t there a danger that we might become liberal with ourselves too? Is that healthy?
Well, one way to balance this is to adopt an approach like Bhaktirvana: be liberal with others, but strict with yourself. Bhaktirvana may sound paradoxical—liberal in one sense, yet strict in another. But the principle is: be compassionate and accommodating with others, while maintaining discipline in your own practice.
Of course, even this guideline—“liberal with others, conservative with yourself”—can be too simplistic. What does it mean to be “conservative”? That can vary from person to person based on their nature, strengths, and needs.
Let’s consider a few examples to illustrate this:
1. Music
Almost everyone enjoys music. Some are casual listeners, while others are trained musicians. In kirtan, there are traditional melodies for the Hare Krishna mantra. But what if someone wants to sing in a new tune, perhaps influenced by contemporary music?
Some devotees might ask, “Why not just stick to the traditional tunes?” But is it wrong to innovate? For devotees who are musically inclined, expressing themselves through new melodies may be a natural and essential part of their devotion. Stifling their creativity might make them feel suffocated in bhakti.
Moreover, new tunes might help reach audiences who wouldn’t otherwise be drawn to traditional kirtan. So while tradition is important, creativity also has a place—especially when it flows from sincere devotion.
2. Writing and Speaking
Some devotees are gifted with language and enjoy finding fresh, creative ways to present spiritual concepts. Others might say, “Just quote the scriptures and repeat what’s already been said.” That’s a valid approach—but it may not work for everyone.
Creative expression in writing or speaking can help both the speaker and the audience engage more deeply with the message. Again, this isn’t about inventing something new just for the sake of novelty, but about articulating eternal truths in ways that are meaningful and accessible.
3. Architecture and Decoration
Temple design, deity dress, and festival decorations are rich fields for artistic expression. But if we insist on doing things exactly as they’ve always been done—“This is how we’ve always decorated the deities, and this is how it must always be”—we may end up stifling the creativity of devotees who want to offer something beautiful to Krishna in their own way.
There are limits, of course. Not every innovation is appropriate. But bhakti is ultimately the offering of the heart to Krishna, and we should be able to use our talents and creativity in that offering.
Diversity Within the Tradition
Even within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, there has always been diversity. After Lord Chaitanya’s departure, his followers spread across regions—Bengal, Odisha, and Vrindavan—and developed different kirtan styles. For instance, Narottam Das Thakur had his own kirtan style. Each group glorified the Lord in its own way, showing that diversity in devotional expression is not only permissible but natural.
Mature Coexistence
So, coming back to the original point: be conservative with yourself and liberal with others is a useful principle—but it has its nuances. Even for ourselves, how conservative we need to be may vary depending on our temperament, our strengths, and our devotional needs.
We, as a movement, need the maturity to allow for this diversity. Devotees who feel a need for more creative space should not look down on those who prefer a traditional, unchanging practice. Likewise, those who value tradition deeply shouldn’t criticize those who explore new expressions of bhakti.
After all, each of us is trying to offer our heart to Krishna. And every heart is unique.
Does that answer your question?