When our movement quantifies spirituality in terms of targets, won’t this alienate thoughtful new people?
Podcast:
Question: Sometimes, people feel confused or bewildered by the emphasis on quantifiable aspects within our institution. How can we address this, especially when our movement is multifaceted and attracts people with different approaches?
Answer: It’s true that the emphasis on quantifiable aspects can sometimes cause confusion. However, our movement is indeed sufficiently multifaceted and multilayered to attract people from diverse backgrounds. Some individuals, as you mentioned, may even be drawn by the quantifiable. For example, the giant Bhagavad-gita in Delhi, recognized as the world’s largest, draws many visitors. While they may not initially come to see the deities, this exhibit serves as a powerful initial attractor.
Given that we operate within the material world, and our institution functions within it, there will always be some inherent flaws. As Krishna states, “Every endeavor is covered by fault, as fire is covered by smoke.” This means each of us must be discerning: what is the “smoke,” and what is the “fire”? Yes, sometimes the “smoke”—the material, quantifiable aspects—can become very prominent. That’s why we have a strong emphasis on understanding the philosophy, reading the books, and associating with devotees who are serious about connecting with Krishna. This helps ensure that the “smoke” doesn’t obscure our vision, and we don’t forget the “fire”—the spiritual essence.
I’m not in any way minimizing the importance of quantification. It is genuinely helpful, and for most of us, it serves as a significant motivator. Setting targets, like distributing a certain number of books, can galvanize our efforts. Does this process make us more Krishna conscious? Often, yes. Does it always? Not necessarily. Sometimes, we can become overly consumed by a competitive mentality, focusing on what others are doing. There is a danger inherent in the process of institutionalized bhakti practice, but this doesn’t mean the institutionalized process itself is inherently dangerous. As it’s said, accidents can happen even on a royal path.
Most of us, even while understanding that bhakti is transcendental, still have minds that operate significantly in the mode of passion. We live in a competitive world, and without tangible targets, our inner zeal may not be easily activated. Srila Prabhupada was expert at giving quantifiable targets precisely because they channel and utilize our inherent passion in Krishna’s service. So, we should recognize the utility of quantifiable goals.
At the same time, we must remember that these targets are not the entirety of the spiritual path. For instance, when I began writing Gita Daily, I asked Radhanath Swami, who is in many ways my writing guru, “Maharaj, sometimes I don’t feel inspired to write, or I don’t think what I’ve written is very good. Should I still keep writing daily?” Maharaj replied, “If you have enough ideas to write daily, then if you write every day, in a month you might produce 20 okay articles, 5 good articles, and 2-3 great articles. But if you only write when inspiration strikes, you might not even produce two or three great articles in a year.” He advised me to maintain that tangible target. Because I adhered to that target, I’ve written regularly. However, without similar targets for books, I haven’t written as many as I would have liked. I therefore recognize the importance of targets, quantification, and specificity. We need these.
When combined with proper philosophical education, these targets enable us to see beyond the “smoke” to the “fire.” It’s unrealistic to expect fire without smoke, or to expect an institution to function and survive without any quantifiable concerns. Prabhupada famously said we want “brahmanas with a kshatriya spirit.” Brahmanas are primarily concerned with the transcendental and the non-quantifiable, while Kshatriyas are focused on the quantifiable: how many soldiers, how much tax collected, how much can we achieve, all in terms of quantity. For society to be led properly, both Brahmanas and Kshatriyas are needed, meaning both the non-quantifiable and the quantifiable aspects are essential.
The phrase “brahmanas with a kshatriya spirit,” rather than “kshatriyas with a brahmana spirit,” is precise. It signifies that our primary focus should be the non-quantifiable, the spiritual. But because we function in the material world, we also need to consider the quantifiable aspects. Our defining attribute as leaders of our movement is to be Brahmanas, but with the drive and executive capacity of a Kshatriya. Pure Brahmanas, without that spirit, might just give classes and be indifferent to whether anyone comes, thinking, “I’m pleasing Krishna.” Kshatriyas, however, want to change the world. While this desire can sometimes be for self-control, it can also be for the Lord’s sake. It is this Kshatriya spirit that will actually ensure our bhakti outreach reaches the entire world.