Why Wasn’t ‘The Journey Within’ Banned?
BY: ACYUTA KESAVA DAS
Jun 18, 2016 — INDIA (SUN) —
Much of The Journey Within (which I have read) reads like Deepak Chopra, but more than that, it resembles Sri Govinda’s 1976 BTG editorial policy change — which Srila Prabhupada personally stopped. Many felt it made BTG essentially mundane.
However, The Journey Within does mention the Hare Krsna mantra at least once, and might be suitable for non-ISKCON audiences (for whom we may hope it was intended).
To be clearly consistent in applying its stated principles (behind the Women: Mothers or Masters? ban), the GBC could also prohibit the sale “The Journey Within” on ISKCON properties, etc. But I see at least these few reasons that would explain why “The Journey Within” isn’t banned:
1) Banning it would cause a furor in one of ISKCON’s most influential factions (RNS, Inc.).
2) The Journey Within is a PR gem because it is so easily misinterpreted (?) as “yata mata, tata patha,” self-help quasi-spirituality, mundane welfare, sentimental goo, and so on. Virtually no one in the material world could feel his life challenged by it in any significant way.
3) In 2016, a significant segment (majority?) of ISKCON initiates remain so neophyte that they don’t even perceive the saliently different emphasis I described above, nor are they aware of the history of how Srila Prabhupada didn’t like the water-down-until-everyone-is-mundane approach that makes our message consistent with — if not also useful for — the lifestyles of those whose hearts we’ve been instructed to change. Of course, this is seen in some ISKCONs more than in other ISKCONs.
Regarding the editorial policy of BTG,
if the editorial board is not expert enough they should be changed
ISKCON Route 1, Box 22,
Delaplane, Va. 22025 U.S.A.
September 23, 1976
My dear Rupanuga,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13rd September, 1976 and have noted the contents. Regarding the editorial policy of BTG, if the editorial board is not expert enough they should be changed. Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor also had put a similar complaint. Yes, scientific articles must be published when sent by our men. I cannot see every article, but some of you should examine why nice articles are rejected. See if the board can be changed. If experienced editors are not there it will be unpopular magazine. These things are to be seen to immediately by the GBC. The board should be judged immediately and be changed if required.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami – ACBS\as
Arsha Prayoga – Resistance To Change
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